By Chava Maimon
Keneseth Beth Israel (KBI) has been in high action this summer!
At the beginning of June, Rabbi Dovid Asher taught a class on the weekly Torah portion, and Mrs. Leah Skaist gave a class on tips for increasing concentration during prayer. Attendance was excellent!
The morning of June 11, held multiple events. During the Khal Meeting, a well-attended gathering of the congregants to review the past year, the outgoing board was thanked for their service, and the incoming board was elected and welcomed.
After the Khal Meeting, the shul hosted a Volunteers for Israel (VFI) Discussion event, an informational hour consisting of lecture, slide presentation and Q&A with national President Mr. Mark Werner.
Mr. Werner gave the history and mission statement of VFI and elaborated on volunteer opportunities on Israeli military bases. (Note: this was not a fundraiser nor is VFI a political organization.) Sixty-three Richmonders have volunteered since VFI’s founding in 1982.)
June 14 was a big day for Rabbi Asher, who joined a dozen other Rabbinic leaders from major communities in the Orthodox Union’s Rabbinic Advocacy Mission to the White House. They met with key White House officials and their representatives in Congress to discuss U.S.-Israel relations, combatting antisemitism, and other issues.
The following Shabbat (June 16-17), KBI was honored to have scholar-in-residence Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss, an educator and prolific speaker. Rabbi Schneeweiss spoke a number of times on various topics over the course of Shabbat, including a lively and well-attended Q&A session graciously hosted by Josh and Elly Goldberg.
In celebration of Father’s Day, the shul hosted a Waffle Café on Sunday morning. Featured flavors included Cookies ‘n’ Creme, Brownie, Apple Pie, Cinnamon Bun, among others (!), with a variety of toppings offered. As you might imagine, the team of cooks and waiters were quite busy serving guests that morning!
Camp SEED, an annual 4-week summer camp for children, kicked off June 27, much to the delight of many youngsters. Combining fun activities, food, and awesome counselors, the kids had a blast!
The entire Richmond Jewish community is invited to attend KBI’s free monthly gourmet Gold Kiddush after Shabbat day services (approximately 10:45 a.m.). Come eat, talk, and enjoy! Please contact KBI at 804-288-7953 for upcoming dates.
