Join Temple Emanu-El: Jews and Civil Rights

Join with sister community Temple Emanu-El for their Special Tuesday Wisdom Group tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23 at 10:30 AM. As Black History Month comes to a close, Temple Emanu-El’s weekly wisdom class is pleased to present Joshua Burg of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Mr. Burg will share the history of the RAC focusing on:

• The historic connection between Jews and the Civil Rights Movement

• How Jews today, including both the RAC and URJ are standing up for racial justice

• The launching of a movement-wide racial justice campaign

• Internal work being done by the Audacious Hospitality Department for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion opportunities

To join the class, send an e-mail to admin@shaloha.com by 9:00 AM Tuesday in order to receive a Zoom invite. Please include "Wisdom Class" in the subject line.

Join Temple Emanu-El: Shared Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance

To honor Black History Month, Temple Emanu-El presents a powerful documentary about the Civil Rights Movement which focuses on the involvement of Jews with the Black community. You can watch the movie trailer below.

How: Send an email to admin@shaloha.com with the subject line "Shared Legacies". You will receive the movie link Sunday night which will be valid from Monday, February 15 through Wednesday, February 17. Along with the film link you will receive a Zoom invitation to share your thoughts on the documentary with Rabbi Ken on Thursday, February 18 at 7:00 PM.

When: Streaming Available: Monday, Feb. 15-Wednesday, Feb. 17. Film Discussion (via Zoom): Thursday, Feb. 18 | 7:00 PM

NOTE: In accordance with the licensing agreement from Menemsha Films we must limit viewership to Hawaii residents only.

St. Michael's Holiday Food Distribution

We are very excited that St. Michael’s will be having a holiday food distribution, in memory of Pat Hillegonds, on Wednesday, December 23 from 8-10 am.

While Wednesday’s distribution will be a drive-thru system, we certainly anticipate people showing up who do not have a vehicle. They will be preparing 100 bags/boxes of food and are looking for help with the following. Please let Loretta know by this Sunday if you are available to volunteer.

Volunteers are needed for the following:

Tuesday, December 22 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Assist with food preparation.

Tuesday, December 22 from 10:00 am - 4 pm. Prepare bags and boxes of food.

Wednesday, December 23 from 8:00 am - 10 am. Assist with food distribution.

Please let St. Michael’s know if you will volunteer by contacting Loretta at loretta@stmichaels-kauai.org. She will then give you details on the particulars.

We hope to see you there!

Chanukah Reminder and Membership Letter

Chanukah Reminder

Please join us on Zoom this Sunday night at 6pm to celebrate The Festival of Lights in an entirely new way. Have your menorah ready and loaded with 5 candles.

Resources.

Read Rabbi Rob’s Hanukkah blog post.

Download Hanukkah Cootie Catcher for the kids. It includes instructions for dreidel. After printing, trim the bottom and fold.

Learn Hanukkah candle blessings.

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Membership Letter

Aloha and Shanah Tovah and Happy New Year. Jewish Community of Kauai (JCK) wishes our members and friends upcoming years filled with good health and joy.

We are excited to share news of our congregation as we enter 5781/2021; we invite you along on our journey. The time of COVID-19 has tested our resourcefulness, along with our desire to continue the continuity and traditions that are the guiding principles of Judaism. We are happy to report that our efforts have been successful, as shown by our recent Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. 

The Hawaiian word “Imua” means to move forward toward a goal; to move forward with strength. We’re looking forward to the time when we will once again be gathered, as the “Synagogue in Residence” at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue, where we share services, holiday gatherings, Jewish identity, spirituality, food, camaraderie, hugs and community. 

Please become part of our community. All are welcome and encouraged to become part of our community, to be one of the jeweled pieces of the mosaic that make us whole. Most compelling, perhaps, will be the self-satisfaction you receive from the knowledge that your participation enables an active and vital presence of Judaism on beautiful Kaua’i. 

Your membership fees and additional donations are always appreciated and will help to ensure JCK’s continuing to meet its financial obligations; the reality is money is necessary. Make you check made payable to Jewish Community of Kauai. Or donate online. Membership dues remain at $180.00 for an individual or $360.00 for a family. Membership fees are now due and payable on January 1st and run through the calendar year until December 31st. If you have already paid your dues (paid in September or October 2020), you get a bonus and are paid for the entire upcoming year, ending December 31, 2021. 

If you are not able to meet your financial obligation and wish to be a member of JCK, please contact our President, Carol Pescaia at carol.pescaia@hawaiiantel.net.

Shalom and aloha from the Board of Directors of Jewish Community of Kaua’i.

How To Join Us For Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur 5781

Important update for the the remaining services of the High Holy Days, beginning this Sunday at 7pm.

• See how to access the JCK Zoom services and the prayer book Mishkan Hanafesh online.

• LAST CHANCE to email your Yizkor name requests.

• Join or renew your membership below.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will lead the Jewish Community of Kauai again this year. He will be joining us from Omaha for our own adult discussion, sermon and Neilah service service on Zoom.

Yizkor service will be conducted by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt, also on Zoom. Update your names no later than Saturday, September 26, as names from prior years will not be read.

JCK has also partnered with sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El Honolulu to offer their virtual Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning services to our members and guests. We are extremely grateful to Temple Emanu-El. The Jewish Community of Kauai will be live on Zoom starting at 1 pm on Yom Kippur.

Please see below for details about services and about how to renew your membership or join JCK at this time.

Yom Kippur services will consist of three unique and distinct elements.

1. Services streamed from Temple Emanu-El for Kol Nidre and Yim Kippur morning services. See how to access those below.

2. Yom Kippur services streamed from Jewish Community of Kauai. Adult education, sermon, Yizkor and Neilah will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

How To Access Services

1. Services Streamed from Temple Emanu-El.

Please join us and sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El for their live-streamed services:

Services will be streamed on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/TempleEhonolulu/live) and at https://shaloha.com, at their scheduled times.

Yom Kippur Evening Service Sunday, September 27 7:00 PM. Be moved once again by the haunting melody of Kol Nidre as we usher in the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur Morning Service: Monday, September 28 10:00 AM. On this day for atonement and aspiration, we will offer our prayers while the heavenly gates are still open.

2. Yom Kippur Afternoon Service streamed directly from Jewish Community of Kauai. Monday, September 28, 1:00 PM. Adult education, sermon, and Neilah will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Yizkor services will be conducted by Rabbi Rob Kvidt. We will conclude services with the traditional Blasting of the Shofar.

To access the JCK Zoom services, please go to this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88689155392?pwd=NlhtTEhyamhVbUVtMkM4RkpIdkxydz09.

Or, enter Zoom Meeting ID: 886 8915 5392 Passcode: Shofar.

When you arrive at the meeting, you will be admitted individually to the meeting. 

Important Note: This is your final chance to send names you'd like to have included in the Yizkor service to Elyse Litvack at kauaisnorkler@gmail.com. These must be received by Saturday, September 26. Only names emailed this year will be read at the service.

Donations and Membership.

Now is the time to renew your membership. Although we are not currently holding in-person services, JCK still has expenses. Donations in addition your dues and from guests are always welcome, especially at this difficult time. 

Click here to join or renew membership.

Click here to donate. 

Learn Jewish Rituals of Dying and Death

Chevra Kadisha is the traditional practice that supports and assists Jewish families and communities in dealing with the end of life.

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt is an active participant in the new interisland Chevra Kadisha and is studying at the Gamliel Institute. He invites all of us to join other Jews in Hawaii for this important gathering on Zoom. Come explore and learn how Chevra Kadisha supports the Jewish community, including rituals that guide us through the most challenging times, offering a pathway for embracing life fully, accepting its inevitable losses, and doing it as a community.

Introduction to Gemilut Chasadim/Acts of Kindness on Sunday, October 4, 2020, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. Please contact rob@kauarabbi.com for Zoom Link.

Join featured speaker, Holly Blue Hawkins, Rosha (“head”) of the Santa Cruz Community Chevra Kadisha. With more than 30 years experience, she is a graduate and faculty member of the Gamliel Institute, member of the Green Burial Council Speakers Bureau, and co-founder of Natural Deathcare Initiative.

High Holy Days 2020/5781

L’Shanah Tovah. We look forward to worshipping together at this year's High Holy Days services. This year will be different, of course, as necessitated by COVID-19.

Here is an update for the High Holy Days, beginning this Friday at 7:00 PM.

• See how to access the prayer book Mishkan Hanafesh online.

• Find information about Tashlich services below.

• Be sure to email your Yizkor name requests.

• Join or renew your membership below.

The Jewish Community of Kauai will again have Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, who will be joining us from Omaha for Yom Kippur. He will lead us in our own Neilah and Yizkor service as well as an adult education session on Zoom.

JCK has also partnered with sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El Honolulu to offer their virtual High Holy Day services to our members and guests. We are extremely grateful to Temple Emanu-El.

As is JCK's tradition, we will have an in-person Tashlich at the Nawiliwili Pier in Lihue after the Rosh Hashanah live-streamed video.

Please see below for details about services and about how to renew your membership or join JCK at this time. Stay tuned for further updates before the High Holy Days. We look forward to being with you both virtually and in person.

High Holy Day services will consist of three unique and distinct elements.

1. Services streamed from Temple Emanu-El. Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah day, Kol Nidre, and Yim Kippur day services. See how to access those below.

2. Join  JCK for our own in-person Taschlich service at Nawiliwili Pier led by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt. 

3. Yom Kippur services streamed from Jewish Community of Kauai. Neilah, Yizkor, sermon and adult education will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and JCK. We will be announcing further details about times and access in a subsequent email.

How To Access All High Holy Days Services

1. Services Streamed from Temple Emanu-El.

Please join us and sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El for their live-streamed services:

All services will be streamed on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/TempleEhonolulu/live) and at https://shaloha.com, at their scheduled times. Access to Mishkan Hanefesh for the High Holy Days, the prayer book we will be using for services, is found HERE. For questions on accessing services, you can also email admin@shaloha.com.

Rosh Hashanah Evening Service: Friday, September 18 at 7:00 PM. We invite you to take your virtual seat in the Temple Emanu-El sanctuary as we pray in the New Year 5781.

Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 AM. Listen to all one hundred calls of the Shofar as well as to the messages of the binding of Isaac and the yearning of Chanah.

Yom Kippur Evening Service Sunday, September 27 7:00 PM. Be moved once again by the haunting melody of Kol Nidre as we usher in the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur Morning Service: Monday, September 28 10:00 AM. On this day for atonement and aspiration, we will offer our prayers while the heavenly gates are still open.

2. Service live at Jewish Community of Kauai. Saturday, September 19, 1:30 PM. Tashlich at Nawiliwili Pier lead by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt. Please bring your mask and bread to cast in the water. See you in person.

3. Yom Kippur Afternoon Service streamed directly from Jewish Community of Kauai. Monday, September 28, 1:00 PM. Adult education, Yizkor sermon with reading of names, and Neilah will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and members of JCK. We will conclude with the traditional Blasting of the Shofar. We will be announcing how to access JCK’s Zoom-based presentation in an upcoming post.

Important Note: Send names you'd like to have included to Elyse Litvack at kauaisnorkler@gmail.com by September 22nd. Only names emailed this year will be read at the service.

Donations and Membership.

Now is the time to renew your membership. Although we are not currently holding in-person services, JCK still has expenses. Donations in addition your dues and from guests are always welcome, especially at this difficult time. 

Click here to join or renew membership.

Click here to donate. 

Annual Contributions Due

Shalom members and friends. The High Holy Days remind us that it’s time for our membership donations. Your contributions at work. Your annual contribution allow us to do many things that would otherwise not be possible:

• Retain our guest High Holy Days Rabbi.

• Make a generous annual donation to St. Michael and All Angels Church and thank them for allowing us the use of their chapel, parish hall and other facilities.

  Typically subsidize the community Seder (100 people per year) since the amount we charge does not cover the actual cost.

• Provide onegs throughout the year.

• In normal years, offer a wonderful break-the-fast meal at the end of Yom Kippur, an Oneg on Rosh Hashanah and one for Shabbat Shuvah.

• Often host the annual Chanukah celebration.

Suggested annual amount.The annual contribution is $360 for a family, and $180 for an individual. This is payable annually via check or monthly via PayPal. As always, if you would like to be a member and support the community, we will gladly accept whatever you feel comfortable giving. If you can afford to give more, your generosity will be greatly appreciated and used wisely. For an additional contribution, contact us, and we will affix a book plate in honor of whomever you designate in any one of our prayer books (donation of $64 per book). Each and every one of us matters in Klal Yisrael – the shared sense of community and destiny among all Jews. Your contribution to JCK is the reason we exist here on Kaua`i. Without your participation and financial support, there would be no Jewish Community of Kaua`i. Without "you," there is no "us.” If you have questions or comments, please let us know. 

Jewish Talk Story with Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt This Wednesday

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Temple Emanu-El, Honolulu, will present a special workshop on Elul, this Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Don’t miss it!

To receive a Zoom invitation, you must send an e-mail to admin@shaloha.com by 5:00 PM on August 26. Please include "August 26" in the subject line.

"Start Your Personal Journey of Transformation During Elul"

We are reminded both by Covid-19 and the month of Elul that nothing ever stays the same. Now, more than ever, we need to reflect on who we are and where we are going.

Join Rabbi Rob as we discuss how to create meaningful change and do “cheshbon hanafesh,” taking a spiritual accounting as a prelude to Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe.

Please join JCK for virtual High Holy Days.

Look for an update later this week. We have plans for High Holy Days and while it will be different to not be together in person, it will be very special. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will also be joining us from Omaha.

Remembering Allan Rachap

Allan Rachap of Koloa, a member of the Jewish Community of Kauai, passed away peacefully on June 27 at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Marilyn (Scott) Gerber and Michael Rachap; sister Rhoda (Stephen) Konigsberg; and his grandchild Marty Rachap.

Allan was born and grew up in New York City and moved to Annapolis to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. Following 4 years as a Naval Officer, he attended Harvard Business School, where he graduated with honors, achieving an MBA degree. He went on to have a successful career in finance, ultimately retiring following 20 years with Merrill Lynch. He and Judy were married for 62 years.

Allan, along with Judy, was an active JCK member for as long as he lived on the island. Indeed, one of the important factors in their decision to relocate to Kauai more than 20 years ago, from their hometown of Annapolis, Maryland, was the opportunity to have a place to participate in services, and have a sense of Jewish community. In the JCK, Allan found that and more. A former member of the JCK Board of Directors, Allan served as treasurer and, most recently, as a financial consultant to the Board. Allan’s life on Kauai was very full. He was active in leading hikes for the Sierra Club and took an ongoing part in the environmental life of the Kauai community. Allan and Judy were instrumental in a years-long campaign to keep the Maha’ulepu area safe and clean for future generations. An accomplished practitioner of yoga, Allan also enjoyed gardening, biking around the island, and was a regular at many of Kauai’s beaches. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to their JCK ohana for their love and friendship through the years. 

Plans for a Celebration of Life or other memorial service have not been made. Donations in Allan’s memory may be made to Kauai Hospice: http://kauaihospice.org/ or to Jewish Community of Kauai: https://kauaijewishcommunity.com/ or to the charity of your choice. 

Remembering Elyce Azriel z"l

It is with great sadness that we write to tell you of the passing of beloved Elyce Azriel, wife of High Holiday Rabbi, Aryeh Azriel. Elyce died on May 8, 2020, following many health issues. We extend our condolences to Aryeh and to their daughter Leora and son Yaniv.

Elyce has been a big part of JCK for a number of years, as she joined us, together with Rabbi Aryeh. Sara Silverman and Elyce have been friends since 1970, when they attended a Jewish summer camp together. Sara shared the photo below.

Live-streamed service Monday.

It will take place at 9:30 am Hawaii time on Monday, May 11. The family has invited the Jewish Community of Kauai to attend the virtual live-streamed service honoring Elyce. To attend, go to: https://livestream.com/accounts/5729943/events/9124357.

Zoom Shiva Minyan.

Also join the family on Zoom at 2 pm Hawaii time on Monday, May 11. The shiva minyan will be an opportunity for you to share memories of Elyce with the family. To attend, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82764930052.

Donations.

Donations may be made to the Omaha Tri-Faith Initiative in Elyce’s memory by going here: https://www.trifaith.org/comejoinus/donate/.

JCK Services Cancelled | Guide to Online Jewish Worship

With the onset of cases of COVID-19 on island, we felt it necessary to suspend in-person services until it is prudent for them to resume. Please note that at this time, cancellations include the Passover Seder, the Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Play and all Shabbat services until further notice.

Keeping our members and visitors safe is paramount. Jewish teachings say that a healthy body gives us the strength to fulfill the mitzvot and sacred actions of our religion.

Rabbi Rob wanted to share resources which you can use to participate in wonderful Jewish services from your own home.

1. Streaming Shabbat and other services. The Union for Reform Judaism, which JCK is now a member of, has provided a list of online services. One favorite of Rabbi Rob (and Rabbi Aryeh) is conducted by their friend, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, who leads live streamed (and recorded) services at New York’s Central Synagogue. https://reformjudaism.org/attend-shabbat-services-online/.

2. Prayer books online. Our Reform Siddur, Mishkan T’Filah for Shabbat, is currently available online at no cost. You can access it here: https://www.ccarnet.org/publications/mishkan-tfilah-for-shabbat/.

We look forward to welcoming you back to our community services as soon as possible.