High Holy Days 5785

Aloha All!

JCK is honored and grateful to introduce you to our visiting High Holiday Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobbs!

In preparation for these High Holy Days, the Rabbi is hosting three Zoom meetings, starting on Tuesday, September 3; “Elul Insights” is the theme.

The following descriptions are directly from the Rabbi.

• Tuesday, September 3, 6:30-7:30pm “Entering the Outer Gate (of the New Year).”  We’ll gather together as the sun sets at 6:52pm, just below the new moon, for the opening moments of the preparatory month of Elul. All ages and stages are welcome to open the penitential season in virtual community as we think together about how to use the month ahead for reflection and growth.

• Sunday, September 15, 11am-12pm “High Holy Days 101”
  Everything you ever wanted to know about the Days of Awe (but were afraid to ask!) Mid-Elul, let’s refresh ourselves on what’s coming up and prepare to make the most of the weeks ahead. We’ll review a basic outline of the major services, look together at the Holy Days’ central themes, and reintroduce some key melodies so we can enter the New Year with spirit.

• Sunday, September 22, 11am-12pm “High Holy Days 201”
  A deeper dive into a few key prayers, their meanings, and their relevance - along with some teachings and tools about teshuvah, these holidays’ central work of introspection, restitution and repentance. Remember: the more you put into these Yamim Nora’im, (Days of Awe) the more you get out of them!

Please put these dates and times on your calendars; you won’t want to miss a thing! The ZOOM address will be posted as soon as it is available. Please look for it soon on our site.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87528169503?pwd=OH5gEeZenSLyIUqbTyvoWWpqM2EBbr.1

The full schedule for the Days of Awe, including Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Shuvah and Yom Kippur will be posted soon.  Erev Rosh Hashanah is Wednesday, October 2, Yom Kippur and Break-the-Fast is on Saturday, October 12. We’re looking forward to an inspiring ten days!

L’shalom / All Best,   Fred

Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb (in residence with JCK for High Holy Days 5785/2024):

Now the Rabbinic Advisor for the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL.org), Fred is also Rabbi Emeritus at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (Bethesda MD) following nearly three decades of service to that thriving community. A regular contributor to Moment magazine, national board member of the eco-religious network IPL (InterfaithPowerAndLight.org), and Past President of the Washington Board of Rabbis, he continues to write, speak, educate, motivate, and consult around the intersection of Judaism with social and environmental justice.  Together with his spouse Minna Scherlinder Morse, Fred’s pride and joy and major projects are Gilad Martin (10th grade) and Sara Penina (2nd year at Spelman); they live in Washington, DC.

Fred Scherlinder Dobb
Rabbinic Advisor, COEJL, at fred@coejl.org
Rabbi Emeritus, Adat Shalom Recon. Cong.

Bar Mitzvah of Declan Meyers - Saturday, August 17, 2024

Aloha Jewish Community of Kauai

You are cordially invited to the Bar Mitzvah of Declan Meyers, son of Greg and Emiko Meyers, on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10AM. 

The Bar Mitzvah and Oneg Shabbat will be at 4691 Hokualele Road, Anahola.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP by Wednesday, August 14, to gregoryhmeyers@gmail.com

Hope to see you there.

How wonderful to celebrate this joyous event on Kauai!

Shabbat Service - Saturday, July 20, 2024

JCK cordially invites you to join us in celebrating Shabbat on Saturday, July 20, at 10AM at St. Michael’s in Lihue.

Marty Kahn will lead the service, assisted by Michael Raithaus.

We’ll have Kiddush, challah, and a lovely Oneg to follow.

We look forward to sharing Shabbat with family, friends, community members and visitors.

See you then!

Shabbat Service - 5/18

Please join us for Shabbat service on Saturday, May 18, at 10AM at St. Michael’s in Lihue.

Marty Kahn will lead, assisted by Michael Raithaus; with Marty’s inspiring insight and Michael’s youthful energy, it’ promises to be a memorable experience!

Reouven Barzilai of Mi Va Mi Catering will provide a delicious Middle Eastern Oneg Shabbat following the service.

Hope to see you there!
Shabbat Shalom

One more note: It’s never too late to make your 2024 membership contribution!
$180 for an individual, $360 for a family. JCK counts on all of us!

PASSOVER SEDER ON KAUAI 2024

Please join us for Pesach!

Our annual Jewish Community of Kauai SEDER will be on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at St. Michael’s in Lihue. Sara Silverman will lead the Seder, assisted by Marty Kahn; of course we all will participate in the powerful retelling of the Passover story! The Four Questions, searching for the Afikomen, reading, singing, remembering our freedom from slavery and renewing our commitment to our faith and all freedoms.

 Sandy Jennings will cater a sumptuous meal with the traditional favorites, including matzoh ball soup - YUM!

MENU

Matzoh ball soup
Gefilte fish
Choice of one: Moroccan chicken
                        Fish escabeche
                        Vegetarian Matzoh lasagna

Potatoes
Salad
Dessert

As always, Matzoh, wine, charoset and the Seder plate will be provided for each table.

 The meal will be served buffet-style, so there is no need to select an entree beforehand; however, we will need to know how many will be joining us, so a reservation is required. 

There is limited seating: please make your reservation on Eventbrite by April 19.
Click here to reserve your seat(s).

The cost is as follows:

 Members: Adults $75
Children (ages 5-12) $50

Non-members:     Adults $90
Children (ages 5-12) $65

If you need any assistance, please contact us.

 Doors will open at 5:30pm, Seder begins at 6.

LIFE ON GAZA'S BORDER

WITH SPECIAL GUEST YAHEL BEN-ARIS

Yahel Ben-Aris serves in the International Relations and Partnerships Department of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council in southern Israel, which governs the kibbutz communities attacked by terrorists on October 7, 2023. Prior to October 7, Yahel managed the Israel-Gaza Economic Development Unit for cross-border collaboration and economic growth on behalf of the Palestinian residents of Gaza.

Yahel lives less than a mile from the Gaza border. His community was devastated on October 7, and he is at the forefront of efforts to rebuild in the aftermath of terror.

In this unique talk, Yahel will share about life on the border with Gaza before, during, and after October 7.

THURSDAY MARCH 28,
5 PM - 6:15 PM
LIHUE PUBLIC LIBRARY

This should be a very informative and powerful presentation.
We hope you’ll consider attending.

It’s PURIM on March 23! Come celebrate with us!

And JCK is having a Havdalah service, a delicious dinner prepared by Reouven Barzilai, and … all our favorite Purim traditions!

• Costumes and a parade - dress as Mordechai or Esther, or who do YOU want to be!

• Read the Megillah - and remember how courageous Esther was and saved our people!

• Grogars - so we can boo and drown out the name of Haman!

• Games and crafts!

• Eat lots of HAMANTASCHEN!!!

Please RSVP so we know approximately how many to prepare for: jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com 

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

When: Saturday, March 23, 2024

Time: 6:30pm

Shabbat Service - Saturday, January 20

Please join us for our first Shabbat gathering of the secular year on Saturday, January 20th, 10AM, at St. Michael’s in Lihue.  JCK is so pleased that Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh, visiting Kauai, will lead the service.  What a great honor!

Sandy Jennings of Fresh From the Garden will cater the Oneg Shabbat.  Due to another group using the Parish Hall, we will have the Oneg in the conference room; the service will still be in the sanctuary. (Consider bringing a lawn chair for seating for the Oneg, depending on how many folks attend the service.)

We look forward to the Rabbi’s teachings, music, and insights, and we look forward to seeing YOU on January 20th!  

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

When: Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Time: 10:00 AM.

Rally for Israel - Tuesday, Dec 5

Rabbi Michael Goldman of Chabad Kauai is organizing the rally. All Jews are standing together for the release of the hostages, for peace, and for Israel.

Chanukah Celebration!

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, December 10 - it’s CHANUKAH!

Our annual Chanukah party will be at St. Michael’s, in Lihue, beginning at 5:30pm.

• Come celebrate the Festival of Lights and enjoy dreidels, gifts for the kids, music, lighting our menorahs for the second night, a magic show (!!) and being together.

• Dinner will be potluck, so please bring a main dish or salad to share. Desserts are a welcome addition to your other dish, too. JCK will provide paper goods, utensils, drinks, and LATKES! Don’t forget to bring your menorah and candles, though we’ll also have candles available for a nominal cost.

Matthew singer

Matthew Singer is a professional magician and mentalist from the island of Kauai, Hawaii. He combines sleight-of-hand with psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy to create miracles that are not only amazing, but also provoke thought and introspection. He started practicing magic when he was 5 years old, and at the age of 12,  was the youngest magician ever accepted into the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, where he trained with  the world’s greatest magicians for a decade. Matthew prides himself on making people feel wonder and happiness through his artform. His performances will leave you thrilled and spellbound.

We’re looking forward to a joyous celebration of light overpowering darkness, where good triumphs over evil. These are fraught times when all Jews stand together with Israel for justice and peace. 

See YOU on December 10! 

Amen. Shalom. Aloha.     

Thanksgiving Lunches for Those in Need

JCK has joined the Kapaa Interfaith Association's endeavors to provide Thanksgiving lunches to those in need and the community.

Volunteers are needed:

Location for volunteers:  All Saint’s Episcopal Church Kapaa

1) 11/23 -- To help deliver lunches (2 people needed per car)  time frame:  11-1 (usually done before)

    Pick up lunches at All Saints; deliver to recipients.

2) 11/22 afternoon -- Set up   -- Exact times available later.

Please email us ASAP if you are able to help.

 Jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com

Service Canceled - Friday, November 17

Due to unforeseen circumstances, JCK has decided to cancel the Shabbat Service originally scheduled for November 17 in Poipu.

These are very hard times for Israel, Jews, and all good people who seek justice and peace. Wishing you all a meaningful and restful shabbat.