Keneseth Beth Israel (KBI) has led a number of events and projects of late – let’s dive in!
In mid-August, Rabbi Dovid Asher gave a yearly class in memory of his late sister of blessed memory, Rebbetzin* Elana Rosenblatt.
*A distinguished title; literally, the wife of a Rabbi.
This year’s lecture discussed the importance of interpersonal relationships within a Torah context.
Rabbi Asher also shared memories of his sister. To learn more about Elana, please see an article – https://aish.com/48890727/ – She wrote about her experiences, as well as Rabbi Asher’s brother-in-law’s published book – https://www.eichlers.com/why-bad-things-don-t-happen-to-good-people-hardcover.html.
The following Shabbat, KBI celebrated the Synagogue’s many new members – those who joined within the past year – by sponsoring a large kiddush in their honor.
KBI had even more to celebrate that Shabbat with the presence of distinguished scholar-in-residence, Rabbi Michael Broyde, for whom kiddush was also sponsored.
Rabbi Broyde, a professor of law at Emory School of Law, among his other positions, spoke on a variety of topics throughout the weekend.
Fairly recently, KBI instituted a new feature to its weekly newsletter entitled KBI Klips, which are brief (usually 2-3 minutes) video segments from a variety of speakers. During one week, for example, Rabbi Asher and Mr. Drew Burrichter of St. Mary’s Hospital joined together to discuss Rabbi Asher’s role as a chaplain at St. Mary’s. To learn more about Rabbi Asher’s role as a chaplain, please view the video –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVw9YWgUXms
At the close of summer, KBI conducted an important congregational meeting during which a new board of directors for the Sir Moses Montefiore cemetery was elected. Afterward, a group of volunteers stayed to participate in “Clean Up Day” as part of the shul’s ongoing improvements to the basement area. Volunteers were then treated to a delicious catered lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers, potato chips, condiments, and watermelon.
Now in its second year, the Shema Koleinu (literally, “Hear Our Voices”) project gathered local artistic (drawings, etc.) and literary (poems, etc.) submissions related to the High Holiday themes to display in a booklet format at KBI throughout the High Holiday season.
The first Shabbat of September at KBI celebrated Rabbi Asher’s 40th birthday with a large kiddush. Personal wishes poured in as well as sponsorships, the proceeds of which are to be used for the planned social hall renovation.
Also in early September, KBI volunteers packed and delivered hundreds of Apples & Honey packages to those in the community. This project is done yearly, shortly before the holiday of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), as a way of personally wishing community members a healthy and sweet new year.
Giving personal Happy New Year messages was also the purpose of another project, now in its debut year at KBI.
Several volunteers took on the goal of calling every KBI member household personally, for which gratitude has been expressed by members.
Note: If you are a KBI member and did not receive a call, please reach out to Chava Maimon at 718.930.6451 or chava.maimon@yahoo.com.
At the time of this writing, the High Holidays are planned with numerous opportunities for prayer, learning, the yearly walking trip to the University of Richmond lake to say Tashlich (a prayer for casting away sin), and of course, food!
The entire Richmond Jewish community is invited to attend KBI’s free monthly gourmet Gold Kiddush after Shabbat day services (approximately 10:45 AM). Come eat, talk, and enjoy! Please contact KBI at 804-288-7953 for upcoming dates.
