Inter-Island Chevra Kadisha Series on Zoom

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt invites you to join in this unique and meaningful presentation. On Sunday, February 6, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm Rabbi Me’irah Illinsky will be sharing about Jewish end-of-life rituals entitled “Death: What Jews Do,” using paintings from her book Mapping the Journey, The Mourner & the Soul. Please watch the 1-minute introductory video below, then join us on zoom.

Rabbi Me’irah Iliinsky received her master’s degree in social work in 1980. She worked for 15 years as a psychotherapist before entering Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where she received ordination in 2007 along with a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters. She earned her certificate for four units of Clinical Pastoral Education in 2011 and has served as both a hospital and hospice chaplain. She is also an artist inspired by Medieval illuminated manuscripts and hopes to bring people to Torah through “visual portals to sacred texts.”

Date/Time: February 6, 2022, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81950345171?pwd=bSt3c0ZBMm8vNzZXU0QrZWh3R2t6dz09

Meeting ID: 819 5034 5171

Passcode: 123456

Last Call For Shabbat On January 22, 2022

As we begin this new secular calendar year, please join us in celebrating Shabbat on January 22, 2022. We look forward to coming together as a community to worship and connect.

Services will be led by Sara Silverman.

We will have an Oneg Shabbat lunch following the service catered by Reouven Barzilai. In order to ensure adequate food for everyone, please RSVP no later than January 19 to jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com. We will order food for only those who have sent an RSVP.

Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.

When: Saturday, January 22, 2022.

Time: 10:00 am.

Please donate nameplates in our new books to honor loved ones! For more information please contact us. As a reminder, JCK needs sponsors for Shabbat Onegs. Please take part, as any level of participation is available. People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks required.

2022 JCK Membership Letter

We are excited to share news of our congregation as we enter 5782/2022. JCK is blessed to be the “Synagogue in Residence” at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue, and are happy to have been able to return to in-person services.

As our fiscal year runs from January through December, membership contributions are now being collected. They remain at a suggested amount of $180.00 for an individual or $360.00 for a family. More generous contributions are always welcomed.

Please send your check made payable to the Jewish Community of Kauai at PO Box 3749, Lihue, HI 96766. You may also donate online at kauaijewishcommunity.com.

Why JCK needs your membership!

1. Organizations with which JCK is affiliated.

• Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). JCK became a member in 2018. They are the national organization supportive of both large and small communities, from which JCK, in particular, receives invaluable help.

• Weinberg Foundation. Through the generous support of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, JCK will be able to expand our programming and connections to other Jewish communities in the state, one aspect of which is Nitzavim. This two-year program is designed to strengthen relationships, build organizational and collective capacity, and explore collaboration in service to the entire Hawaii Jewish community.

• Jewish Community Services (JCS). The mission of JCK is to support and enhance Jewish life in Hawaii through communication, coordination, and provision of appropriate social services to those in need throughout the state of Hawaii, including on Kauai.

2. Leadership.

• Rabbi Rob Kvidt. Kauai is lucky to have Rabbi Rob Kvidt as part of JCK. His inspiring and heartfelt delivery of the High Holidays and Shabbat services reflect his love of Judaism and of Kauai. We look forward to his leadership in services and other events throughout this year.

• Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel has been a motivating and loving High Holiday leader for JCK since 2017. It is with great anticipation we will welcome him back again this year. Both Rabbi Rob and Rabbi Aryeh share a mutual love, respect, and admiration. JCK is profoundly grateful to have them both!

• Reouven Barzilai. The community has welcomed an exciting new caterer in addition to our long-standing relationship with wonderful caterer Sandy Jennings of Fresh From The Garden. Reouven, his wife Laura, and daughter Julia are members of the community. Reouven hails from Israel and brings unique flair and flavors to his catering company (Mi Va Mi).

• JCK Board Members. We greatly appreciate all of the hard work and dedication of our board members: Carol Pescaia (president), Elyse Litvack (secretary), Judy Rachap (treasurer), Laura Barzilai, Rob Goldberg, Marty Kahn (president emeritus), Nate Morrow, Larry Raithaus, Esther Richman, and Sara Silverman (president emeritus).

• Inspiration, website and marketing by Jeff Tucker.

3. 2021 in review.

A brief synopsis of the past year starts with a Friday night service in Lydgate Park in the summer. We’ve held several in-person Shabbat services, as well as both Zoom and in-person services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We’ve been able to offer Onegs by providing catered box lunches. We gathered for Hanukkah with an indoor/outdoor celebration that filled the night with light, joy, and hope for a better year ahead.

4. Tentative 2022 calendar of services.

All services take place at St. Michael’s from 10 am to 1 pm, unless otherwise noted.

• Saturday, January 22. Shabbat. Led by Sara Silverman.

• Saturday, February 18. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Saturday. March 19 Shabbat. Led by Marty Kahn.

• Friday, April 15, or Saturday, April 16 (to be determined). Passover Seder. From 5 pm to 9 pm. Led by Sara Silverman.

• Saturday, May 21. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Saturday, June 18. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Friday, July 15. Shabbat. From 5 pm to 8 pm. Beach location and leader to be announced.

• Sunday, September 25. Erev Rosh Hashanah. 7 pm. Led Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Monday, September 26, Rosh Hashanah. 10 am to 2 pm. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Saturday, October 1. Shabbat Shuvah. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Tuesday, October 4. Erev Yom Kippur. 7 pm. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Wednesday, October 5. Yom Kippur. 10 am until 8 pm. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Sunday, October 9. Sukkot (to be determined). Led by Laura Barzilai.

• Monday, October 17. Simcha Torah (to be determined). Led by Laura Barzilai.

• Saturday, November 19. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Sunday, December 18. Chanukah 5 pm. Led by Marty Kahn.

Please join us. We need your help to continue as a vibrant Jewish community. Shalom and aloha from the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community of Kauai.

Sincerely Yours,

Carol Pescaia, Board President

Hanukkah Celebration Saturday December 4 With Rabbi Rob Kvidt

We will gather for Hanukkah this year on December 4, at 5 pm. You can look forward to Kauai Rabbi Rob leading a meaningful, unique service including Havdalah, followed by dreidels, crafts, stories, delicious catered food, and of course a community candle lighting.

The Garden Island asked JCK for information about Hanukkah. Rabbi Rob Kvidt was interviewed which resulted in an informative and lovely article about Hanukkah on Kauai. They also plan to attend the event to take photos.

Mahalo to event organizers and volunteers Laura Barzilai, Diane & Steve Chait, Cousin Lenny, Elyse Litvack, Lisa Splittstoesser, Sara Dubey, and Kori King.

Please bring your menorah and candles to join in the celebration. There will be candles available for purchase.

Chanukah Food will be catered by Reouven Barzalai of Mi Va Mi Kauai. It will include latkes, kugel, greens, fruit salad, and beverages.

RSVP is required. Please RSVP no later than December 2nd to jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com. We will order food for only those who have sent an RSVP.

Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.

When: Saturday, December 4, 2021.

Time: Gather at 5 pm. The service starts at 530 pm.

COVID rules: Kauai regulations will be followed including distancing, hand sanitizing, and masks. Unvaccinated are requested to be seated outside.

Donations: Always appreciated! Visitors, please consider $20 or more.

Reminder: Shabbat With Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt This Saturday | RSVP

Please join us in celebrating Shabbat on November 20, 2021. We look forward to coming together as a community to worship and connect.

Services will be led by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt, who co-officiated at the recent High Holidays. Rabbi Rob has been a member of the Kauai Jewish Community for the past two decades and was ordained in 2019. He is a board member of the Kauai Interfaith Roundtable and is becoming certified in Jewish end-of-life rituals at the Gamliel Institute. In addition, Rabbi Rob leads many Jewish lifecycle events throughout Hawaii.

We will have an Oneg Shabbat lunch following the service catered by Reouven Barzalai. In order to ensure adequate food for everyone, please RSVP no later than November 18 to jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com. We will order food for only those who have sent an RSVP.

Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.

When: Saturday, November 20, 2021.

Time: 10:00 am.

Please donate nameplates in our new books to honor loved ones! For more information please contact us. As a reminder, JCK needs sponsors for Shabbat Onegs. Please take part, as any level of participation is available. People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks required.

Join November 2nd Zoom Meeting with Weinberg Foundation

Meet Ilana Kaufman, Executive Director of the Jews of Color Initiative, who will be presenting the findings of a national study called “Beyond the Count” about the perspective and experiences of Jews of Color in the United States.

This presentation will take on Tuesday, November 2 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am (Hawaii time). If you would like to join the online presentation to learn more about the study and what it means for inclusive Jewish communities in Hawaii and across the nation, please RSVP to hjweinberg@bennetgroup.com for the meeting invitation link. Please RSVP as soon as possible.

Join Us | Shabbat With Guest Rabbi Daniel Brenner

New Torah | Kauai Jewish Community

We welcome back Rabbi Daniel Brenner and his wife Felicia to lead services on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue. Felicia beautifully accompanies Rabbi Brenner in music.

Ordained in May 2018 by Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, Rabbi Brenner has served as the student rabbi of Congregation B’nai David in Visalia, CA, the rabbinic intern of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, and most recently, as the rabbinic intern and assistant rabbi at Congregation B’nai B’rith in Santa Barbara.

Among other honors, Rabbi Brenner received his bachelor’s degree in Israeli and Middle East politics from American Jewish University in 2011 and has a Masters in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College in addition to his rabbinic ordination.

We will have an Oneg Shabbat boxed lunch following the service, catered by Reouven Barzilai. In order to ensure adequate food for everyone, please RSVP no later than October 28 to jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com. We will order food for only those who have sent an RSVP.

Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.

When: Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Time: 10:00 am.

Please donate nameplates in our new books to honor loved ones! For more information please contact us. As a reminder, JCK needs sponsors for Shabbat Onegs. Please take part, as any level of participation is available.

Zoom Torah Study This Saturday

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt asks that you join with him and Temple Emanu-El of Honolulu for a Torah study on Saturday morning October 16 at 9 am Hawaii time. The guest presenter is David Zinner, Executive Director of Kavod V'Nichum and the Gamliel Institute, which concerns itself with Jewish end-of-life practices. Rabbi Rob is a certification candidate at Gamliel Institute and hopes that you can join this special event.

The weekly Torah study will be Parashat Lech Lecha; a lively discussion will follow.

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89144879058

Meeting ID: 891 4487 9058

Passcode: torah

Kol Nidre & Yom Kippur | High Holy Days 2021/5782

Join the Jewish Community of Kauai for remaining High Holy Day observances. These will take place on Wednesday September 15, at 7 pm at St. Michael's and on Thursday, September 16, starting at 10 am (see details below). Thursday’s services will be followed by a catered boxed break-the-fast dinner.

L’Shanah Tovah. We look forward to continuing to worship together this year. It will be different, of course, as necessitated by COVID-19, and services will be offered both in-person and online. We are grateful to Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and our own Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt, who are on the Bimah this year.

JCK has distributed a press release with many details about our community and the two wonderful Rabbis. We know you’ll enjoy reading and learning more.

Be sure to read the entire post in order to make reservations and for other important details.

Here is an update for the remaining High Holy Days.

• Services will be held in-person at St. Michael’s with both indoor and outdoor limited seating by reservation only.

• Services will also be broadcast on Zoom for those not attending. See below for Zoom details, the unique meeting link required to attend each service, and how to obtain and use the free online Machzor.

• Masks will be required at all events and at all times except when actively eating or drinking. The rabbis are strongly encouraging all in attendance to be fully vaccinated. There is a Jewish precept that we all look out for one another. Being vaccinated is one way to do so. Non-vaccinated attendees are asked to reserve outdoor seating.

• For required reservations, please contact us at jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com.

• Be sure to email your Yizkor name requests to jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com or complete the list in person.

• Join or renew your membership.

We are using our Reform Machzor, Mishkan Hanafesh. It is fully transliterated, has many options for Torah readings, provides background and contextual information, poetry and alternative readings, commentary, multiple theological possibilities, a beautiful interpretation of Hebrew, and engaging artwork and essays.

Visitors and non-members are asked to make a donation - per service attended in-person or on Zoom - for all High Holiday services. The suggested donation is $50 per service or $180 for all services in-person, and at your discretion on Zoom. Please be generous. Click here to donate. 

Donation envelopes will also be available at services. Many Thanks.

Being fit spiritually for the High Holy Days. Rabbi Rob has written an article on Elul: Preparing for the High Holy Days.

SCHEDULE FOR HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES (Hawaii time: GMT-10. It is 3 hours earlier than west coast time and 6 hours earlier than east coast time).

• Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre on Wednesday, September 15 at 7 pm. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89441602123.

• Yom Kippur Day is on Thursday, September 16 at 10 am. Adult group discussion with Rabbi Aryeh and Rabbi Rob reconvenes at 3:00 followed by the Afternoon Service, Yizkor, Neilah, and Havdalah starting at 3:45. This concludes at 7:00 with a delicious break-the-fast boxed dinner. Zoom link (valid for the entire day): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81356489706.

Joining us in person.

Services are held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue, and on Zoom. Map.

🍏 Catering for the High Holidays will be provided by Sandy Jennings of Fresh from the Garden. 🥯

In our tradition of tzedakah (charity), and in the spirit of aloha, please bring donations of non-perishable food and/or money for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. This Kauai Food Pantry distributes to about one hundred people each week, is staffed by volunteers, and is supported by donations, including ours.

Joining us on Zoom.

Services will be broadcast on zoom and you are welcome to take part. The unique Zoom link required for each service is found in the schedule of events above. This will be like watching a television broadcast, it is not an interactive meeting format.

Our Machzor is available for those attending on Zoom. It is accessed here. Scroll down after accessing that link until you see the image of the prayer book for Yom Kippur. Note that for Shabbat Shuvah, there will be no prayer book available online.

If you have questions, please contact Carol Pescaia at: carolwpescaia@gmail.com or 808-651-8623.

You will receive a confirmation of your reservation status. 

Shabbat In-Person | Join Us on May 21

JCK will be holding a Friday night Shabbat Service on May 21 st . We look forward to coming together as a community to worship and reconnect.

Where: Lydgate Park ---- Large Pavilion

When: 5:30 Gathering. 6:00 Short Service lead by Marty Kahn

Light Pupus provided after service

RSVP Needed

By Kauai County rules, we are limited to 25 people at a gathering.

People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

To ensure that we have adequate food for all attending we need you to RSVP by Sunday, May 16th.

Send RSVP to: jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com.

Include your name and the number of people in your group.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks Required.

JCK Membership

We welcome all who wish to be members of our community. The suggested annual contribution is $180 for an individual membership or $360 for a family membership. The Jewish Community of Kauai welcomes you as a member, whatever amount you choose to contribute.

Hawaii Jewish Needs Assessment

If you have completed the Hawaii Jewish Needs survey, we thank you so much. If you have not, please do so now. Also, if you have any questions about the survey you can contact Sara Silverman at (808) 639-4423 or email her at slslaw@hawaii.rr.com. Also, if you have a problem completing the survey online, Sara can arrange for a hard copy to be provided.

The Jewish Community of Kauai is participating with the Weinberg Foundation and Jewish Community Services (JCS), a nonprofit agency that serves the health and human service needs of the Jewish community in Hawaii. They are conducting a study of the needs of Jewish individuals and families in Hawaii, which is being funded by the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation and carried out by Ward Research and Carolann Biederman Consulting, both in Hawaii. Sara Silverman is representing JCK with Weinberg on this exciting project.

They have asked the many Jewish congregations and organizations in Hawaii to distribute this link to their online survey as widely as possible. Participation is voluntary, of course, and is fully anonymous. But participation from the community is also crucial to determining the needs of the community and planning accordingly.

www.wardresearch.com/jcs 

It should take about 15-20 minutes to complete the survey, and they are asking for only one survey per household. If you are on the email lists for multiple organizations, you may receive the request to participate multiple times. But you need only participate once.

Note: be sure you have the time to complete the survey once you’ve begun, as you will not be able to return to it subsequently.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to participate. It is important that we all have an opportunity to identify our health and human service needs, in order ultimately to improve the quality of life for our Jewish community.