Shabbat Service - Shavuot 5/27

Please join the Jewish Community of Kauai on Saturday, May 27, to celebrate the holiday of SHAVUOT! Shavuot is both a harvest festival and a commemoration of God’s giving the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people. Traditionally, the Book of Ruth is also read. 

Marty Kahn will lead the service, with Carol Pescaia assisting. 

The service will start at 10 am. We will enjoy an Oneg Shabbat lunch after the service.

Don’t forget to bring either non-perishable food or a monetary donation for St. Michael’s food pantry, an especially important contribution during this harvest festival holiday.

One more note: It’s never too late to make your 2023 membership contribution!

$180 for an individual, $360 for a family. JCK counts on all of us!

Dylan Leitenberg’s Bar Mitzvah

Aloha,

Sean & Jeanine Leitenberg invite you to join them for Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah Saturday April 15th at their home in Anahola. Please arrive by 10 am for the service and lunch to follow. Your presence will be present enough. Please don’t feel obligated to bring a gift.
4729A Aliomanu Road, Anahola (Down driveway to brown house, parking across the street in beach park)
Please RSVP by text to 808-634-3616

Passover Seder on Kauai 2023

How to reserve: All reservations are being handled through Eventbrite via this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/passover-2023-with-the-jewish-community-of-kauai-tickets-593294027407

If you wish to reserve/pay by a method other than credit card, email jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com.

Reservations will close on March 30th at 8:30pm or when sold out. There is a limit of 70 tickets.

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

When: Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Time: 5:30PM (doors open), 6:00PM (Seder begins).

The festive meal includes:

• Matzoh ball soup.

• Ritual Seder plate at center of each table. Feel free to bring your own Seder plates.

• The Seder dinner will include the following:

• Entree choice of salmon with creamy caper dill sauce, Moroccan chicken, or vegetarian/vegan stuffed peppers. Children’s option of roasted chicken, or a smaller portion of the salmon or Moroccan chicken.

• Green salad with preserved lemon vinaigrette

• Mashed potatoes

• Chocolate matzo cookies

• Water, juice, Passover wine, coffee and tea will be available. Please feel free to bring your choice of wine or another beverage.

Cost for members who have paid annual membership

• Adults $65.

• Children (12 years old and under) $35.

Cost for non-members

• Adults $90.

• Children (12 years old and under) $40.

Adult Formation - The Challenge of Faith in a Changing World

Presented by the Jewish Community of Kauai in partnership with St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church 

Dates: Sundays on March 19, 26, and April 2 at 9:00 am, in the sanctuary of St. Michael's.

Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Fr. Andrew McMullan.

Our world is always changing, and the truth is that communities of faith have been challenged for the past few decades in finding their way forward to be a relevant and meaningful voice in an increasingly secular world. The pandemic and its consequences have accelerated this dynamic. How do communities of faith navigate these realities and find their way?  

We will begin our three-week program this week with a look to the Old Testament, specifically the story of Abraham and Isaac, to explore the challenges presented by this call to sacrifice and what it might be saying to us today. 

While Rabbi Rob and Father Andrew will provide some background and context, it is also the intention of our time together to make room for reflection and discussion in small groups with Jews and Christians in each one.  

We hope you will join us - and this is a great opportunity to invite neighbors and friends of any faith.

Purim is coming!

Please join the Jewish Community of Kauai when we celebrate Purim on March 11, 10 AM at St. Michael’s in Lihue.  Sara Silverman will lead the Shabbat/Purim service, which will include a (short) reading of the Megillah.  

YAY for Esther and Mordechai! 🎉👸🤴🎉

BOOOO Haman BOOOO  👎👎

HAMANTASCHEN? YAYAYAY!

We’ll commemorate the Jews’ survival and feel grateful for our heroes! 

And BOO Haman with our groggers and voices!

Please bring your noisemakers/groggers and come dressed as Esther or Mordechai or any other festive character - it’s a celebration! ✨🎭

Sandy Jennings of Fresh From the Garden will cater a delicious Oneg luncheon. 

As always, contributions to Loaves and Fishes, St. Michael’s foodbank, are greatly needed and appreciated.

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

When: Saturday, March 11, 2023.

Time: 10:00 am.

Shabbat and Baby Naming - February 25

The Shabbat celebration this month will be on Saturday, February 25 at 10AM at St. Michael’s in Lihue. There will also be a baby-naming ceremony for Rachel Ackerman and Nate Morrow’s son - how exciting! Rabbi Rob Kvidt will lead both the Shabbat service and the naming ceremony.  Please join JCK for these joyous occasions!

The Oneg Shabbat will be catered by Sandy Jennings of Fresh From the Garden. Her luncheons and challah are always a treat! 

We encourage you to make a contribution of non-perishable food or a monetary donation to St. Michael’s Loaves and Fishes, which is an important source of food for Kauai’s folks in need.  JCK has been a long time supporter of this crucial community service, so please, bring your contributions to Shabbat on Saturday.  MAHALO!

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

When: Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Time: 10:00 am.

Shabbat Service - Saturday, January 21

The Shabbat celebration this month is on Saturday, January 21 at 10AM at St. Michael’s in Lihue. Marty Kahn will lead the service, and Reouven Barzilai of Mi Va Mi Kauai will provide the always delicious Oneg Shabbat. Please join us!

We encourage you to make a contribution of non-perishable food or a monetary donation to St. Michael’s Loaves and Fishes, which is an important source of food for Kauai’s folks in need.  JCK has been a long time supporter of this crucial community service, so please, bring your contributions to Shabbat on Saturday.  MAHALO! 

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

When: Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Time: 10:00 am.

Hanukkah Celebration Tonight at 5pm!

We welcome you to join the Jewish Community of Kauai at our annual Hanukkah celebration at 5pm on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at St. Michael’s in Lihue. This is the first night of the eight-day celebration.

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple of ancient times. The oil for the menorah was sufficient for only one day, but miraculously burned for eight days until a fresh supply of holy oil could be brought.

We’ll have a short service, led by Marty Kahn, as well as dreidels, gelt, stories, music, singing, dancing, and lots of latkes! It will be a joyous celebration to welcome LIGHT which will dispel darkness, give HOPE where there is despair.

Make sure to bring your menorahs so we can kindle these first-night lights together.  There will be candles available, though you may, of course, bring your own.

View fullsize

Please bring a potluck dish to share with the community, either a salad or main dish, preferably vegetarian. In addition, feel free to add a dessert, too.

We’re looking forward to seeing you on December 18 to share our LIGHT with each other and to offer our LIGHT to the world.  

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

When: Sunday, December 18, 2021.

Time: Gather at 5 pm.

Donations: Always appreciated! Visitors welcome, please consider donating!

Shabbat Service - November 19, 2022

Please join the Jewish Community of Kauai on Saturday, November 19, to celebrate Shabbat together.  Rabbi Rob Kvidt will lead the service which begins at 10AM at St. Michael’s Church in Lihue.  

Rabbi Rob has been a member of JCK for the past two decades and was ordained in the Kabbalistic tradition in 2019. He is also on the board of the Kauai Interfaith Roundtable.  

Here are some interesting things Rabbi Rob shares about this upcoming Shabbat named Shabbat Mevarchim Hodesh Kislev, the Shabbat before the Jewish month of Kislev. The Torah portion will be Chayei Sara: Genesis 23:1 - 25:18; some important themes for this parsha are honoring the dead, kindness to animals, and the importance of the land of Israel. It is sure to be a meaningful day for all.

We will host an Oneg Shabbat, catered by Sandy Jennings, following the service. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

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

When: Saturday, November 19, 2022.

Time: 10:00 am.

You can also donate nameplates in our new books to honor loved ones! For more information please contact us.

CELEBRATING THE SOVEREIGNS: Hosted by St. Michael's

The Jewish Community of Kauai is the Synagogue-in-Residence at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. It is a relationship that nurtures both communities, so we at JCK are happy to share information about a very special event St. Michaels is hosting: CELEBRATING THE SOVEREIGNS, November 12 and 13, 2022.  On Saturday, there will be a craft fair, bake sale, and auction during the day, and an evening concert featuring local talent.  Sunday will be a festival worship service and hula.  It promises to be a wonderful experience, and we encourage all to join St. Michaels in this community event.  

Please see the poster below for full details!

Kauai High Holy Days 5783

Rosh Hashanah starts this Sunday! Join the Jewish Community of Kauai for 5783 High Holy Day observances. These will take place as follows:

Services:

• Erev Rosh Hashanah Sunday, September 25, at 7 pm at St. Michael's. Honey and apples following the service.

• Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 26, at 10 am at St. Michael’s. Catered luncheon and Tashlich at Nawiliwili Harbor following lunch. 

• Shabbat Shuvah is Saturday, October 1 at 10 am at St. Michael’s. Catered luncheon. 

• Erev Yom Kippur Tuesday, October 4, at 7 pm at St. Michael’s. 

• Yom Kippur Wednesday, October 5, from 10 am to 12 noon at St. Michael’s. St. Michael’s will remain open for quiet time and contemplation. Discussion with Rabbis at 3:30, followed by Yizkor and Neilah, and concluding with a catered break-the-fast dinner at about 7 pm.  

We are grateful to Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and our own Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt, who are on the Bimah this year.

Be sure to email your Yizkor name requests. These should be sent to jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com or complete the list in person.

Let’s Eat:

Reouven Barzilai of MiVaMi Kauai will cater Monday, September 26, and Saturday, October 1. The menu for September 26 will be vegetarian. The menu for October 1 is also vegetarian.

Sandy Jennings of Fresh From The Garden will cater Wednesday, October 5 Break-The-Fast. The menu will include bagels, lox and fixings, salads, fruit, and dessert.

Please RSVP to assist with catering requirements. Contact us at jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com no later than September 30 for Break-The-Fast.

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.

Donations.

Visitors and non-members are asked to make a donation - per service attended for all High Holiday services. The suggested donation is $50 per service or $180 for all services. 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.

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.

L’Shana Tova 5783 From Kauai

L’Shana Tova 5783! (A little early).

The High Holidays will be here soon - Rosh Hashanah begins Sunday night, September 25; Yom Kippur begins Tuesday night, October 4. See our complete schedule of services and events.

As President of JCK, I’d like to thank the Board members for their dedication, time, and energy to keep our small and vibrant community thriving: Officers Laura Barzilai - Vice President, Elyse Litvack - Secretary, Judy Rachap - Treasurer; Members Marty Kahn (President Emeritus), Sara Silverman, Nate Morrow, Rob Goldberg (retired) and Larry Raithaus (retired). I’d also like to acknowledge Jeff Tucker who works on our website and is the juice behind our posts.

After two years of COVID isolation, we were able to hold in-person gatherings almost every month, which was a welcome and joyous change. Among the highlights: 

• Services led by Sara Silverman, Marty Kahn, and Rabbi Rob Kvidt. 

• Also, Rabbi Rob participated with Father Andrew of St. Michael’s Church in a joint Easter/Passover collaboration and celebration. 

• JCK had a lovely Friday night Shabbat service at Lydgate Park in July, including a wonderful potluck afterward.

• Reouven Barzilai and Sandy Jennings provided delicious lunches after services so we were all able to enjoy the food and fellowship each month.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Rabbi Rob Kvidt will lead High Holiday services, including a Shabbat Shuvah service on October 1. We hope you’ll be able to join us and all of JCK in celebrating our most Holy Days. Please watch for information and updates on our website as the holidays approach.

Aloha and Shalom,

Carol Pescaia

President