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.

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. 

How To Join Us For Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur 5781

Important update for the the remaining services of the High Holy Days, beginning this Sunday at 7pm.

• See how to access the JCK Zoom services and the prayer book Mishkan Hanafesh online.

• LAST CHANCE to email your Yizkor name requests.

• Join or renew your membership below.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will lead the Jewish Community of Kauai again this year. He will be joining us from Omaha for our own adult discussion, sermon and Neilah service service on Zoom.

Yizkor service will be conducted by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt, also on Zoom. Update your names no later than Saturday, September 26, as names from prior years will not be read.

JCK has also partnered with sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El Honolulu to offer their virtual Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning services to our members and guests. We are extremely grateful to Temple Emanu-El. The Jewish Community of Kauai will be live on Zoom starting at 1 pm on Yom Kippur.

Please see below for details about services and about how to renew your membership or join JCK at this time.

Yom Kippur services will consist of three unique and distinct elements.

1. Services streamed from Temple Emanu-El for Kol Nidre and Yim Kippur morning services. See how to access those below.

2. Yom Kippur services streamed from Jewish Community of Kauai. Adult education, sermon, Yizkor and Neilah will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

How To Access Services

1. Services Streamed from Temple Emanu-El.

Please join us and sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El for their live-streamed services:

Services will be streamed on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/TempleEhonolulu/live) and at https://shaloha.com, at their scheduled times.

Yom Kippur Evening Service Sunday, September 27 7:00 PM. Be moved once again by the haunting melody of Kol Nidre as we usher in the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur Morning Service: Monday, September 28 10:00 AM. On this day for atonement and aspiration, we will offer our prayers while the heavenly gates are still open.

2. Yom Kippur Afternoon Service streamed directly from Jewish Community of Kauai. Monday, September 28, 1:00 PM. Adult education, sermon, and Neilah will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Yizkor services will be conducted by Rabbi Rob Kvidt. We will conclude services with the traditional Blasting of the Shofar.

To access the JCK Zoom services, please go to this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88689155392?pwd=NlhtTEhyamhVbUVtMkM4RkpIdkxydz09.

Or, enter Zoom Meeting ID: 886 8915 5392 Passcode: Shofar.

When you arrive at the meeting, you will be admitted individually to the meeting. 

Important Note: This is your final chance to send names you'd like to have included in the Yizkor service to Elyse Litvack at kauaisnorkler@gmail.com. These must be received by Saturday, September 26. Only names emailed this year will be read at the service.

Donations and Membership.

Now is the time to renew your membership. Although we are not currently holding in-person services, JCK still has expenses. Donations in addition your dues and from guests are always welcome, especially at this difficult time. 

Click here to join or renew membership.

Click here to donate. 

High Holy Days 2020/5781

L’Shanah Tovah. We look forward to worshipping together at this year's High Holy Days services. This year will be different, of course, as necessitated by COVID-19.

Here is an update for the High Holy Days, beginning this Friday at 7:00 PM.

• See how to access the prayer book Mishkan Hanafesh online.

• Find information about Tashlich services below.

• Be sure to email your Yizkor name requests.

• Join or renew your membership below.

The Jewish Community of Kauai will again have Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, who will be joining us from Omaha for Yom Kippur. He will lead us in our own Neilah and Yizkor service as well as an adult education session on Zoom.

JCK has also partnered with sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El Honolulu to offer their virtual High Holy Day services to our members and guests. We are extremely grateful to Temple Emanu-El.

As is JCK's tradition, we will have an in-person Tashlich at the Nawiliwili Pier in Lihue after the Rosh Hashanah live-streamed video.

Please see below for details about services and about how to renew your membership or join JCK at this time. Stay tuned for further updates before the High Holy Days. We look forward to being with you both virtually and in person.

High Holy Day services will consist of three unique and distinct elements.

1. Services streamed from Temple Emanu-El. Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah day, Kol Nidre, and Yim Kippur day services. See how to access those below.

2. Join  JCK for our own in-person Taschlich service at Nawiliwili Pier led by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt. 

3. Yom Kippur services streamed from Jewish Community of Kauai. Neilah, Yizkor, sermon and adult education will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and JCK. We will be announcing further details about times and access in a subsequent email.

How To Access All High Holy Days Services

1. Services Streamed from Temple Emanu-El.

Please join us and sister Reform community Temple Emanu-El for their live-streamed services:

All services will be streamed on Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/TempleEhonolulu/live) and at https://shaloha.com, at their scheduled times. Access to Mishkan Hanefesh for the High Holy Days, the prayer book we will be using for services, is found HERE. For questions on accessing services, you can also email admin@shaloha.com.

Rosh Hashanah Evening Service: Friday, September 18 at 7:00 PM. We invite you to take your virtual seat in the Temple Emanu-El sanctuary as we pray in the New Year 5781.

Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 AM. Listen to all one hundred calls of the Shofar as well as to the messages of the binding of Isaac and the yearning of Chanah.

Yom Kippur Evening Service Sunday, September 27 7:00 PM. Be moved once again by the haunting melody of Kol Nidre as we usher in the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur Morning Service: Monday, September 28 10:00 AM. On this day for atonement and aspiration, we will offer our prayers while the heavenly gates are still open.

2. Service live at Jewish Community of Kauai. Saturday, September 19, 1:30 PM. Tashlich at Nawiliwili Pier lead by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt. Please bring your mask and bread to cast in the water. See you in person.

3. Yom Kippur Afternoon Service streamed directly from Jewish Community of Kauai. Monday, September 28, 1:00 PM. Adult education, Yizkor sermon with reading of names, and Neilah will be provided by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and members of JCK. We will conclude with the traditional Blasting of the Shofar. We will be announcing how to access JCK’s Zoom-based presentation in an upcoming post.

Important Note: Send names you'd like to have included to Elyse Litvack at kauaisnorkler@gmail.com by September 22nd. Only names emailed this year will be read at the service.

Donations and Membership.

Now is the time to renew your membership. Although we are not currently holding in-person services, JCK still has expenses. Donations in addition your dues and from guests are always welcome, especially at this difficult time. 

Click here to join or renew membership.

Click here to donate. 

Annual Contributions Due

Shalom members and friends. The High Holy Days remind us that it’s time for our membership donations. Your contributions at work. Your annual contribution allow us to do many things that would otherwise not be possible:

• Retain our guest High Holy Days Rabbi.

• Make a generous annual donation to St. Michael and All Angels Church and thank them for allowing us the use of their chapel, parish hall and other facilities.

  Typically subsidize the community Seder (100 people per year) since the amount we charge does not cover the actual cost.

• Provide onegs throughout the year.

• In normal years, offer a wonderful break-the-fast meal at the end of Yom Kippur, an Oneg on Rosh Hashanah and one for Shabbat Shuvah.

• Often host the annual Chanukah celebration.

Suggested annual amount.The annual contribution is $360 for a family, and $180 for an individual. This is payable annually via check or monthly via PayPal. As always, if you would like to be a member and support the community, we will gladly accept whatever you feel comfortable giving. If you can afford to give more, your generosity will be greatly appreciated and used wisely. For an additional contribution, contact us, and we will affix a book plate in honor of whomever you designate in any one of our prayer books (donation of $64 per book). Each and every one of us matters in Klal Yisrael – the shared sense of community and destiny among all Jews. Your contribution to JCK is the reason we exist here on Kaua`i. Without your participation and financial support, there would be no Jewish Community of Kaua`i. Without "you," there is no "us.” If you have questions or comments, please let us know. 

Jewish Talk Story with Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt This Wednesday

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Temple Emanu-El, Honolulu, will present a special workshop on Elul, this Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Don’t miss it!

To receive a Zoom invitation, you must send an e-mail to admin@shaloha.com by 5:00 PM on August 26. Please include "August 26" in the subject line.

"Start Your Personal Journey of Transformation During Elul"

We are reminded both by Covid-19 and the month of Elul that nothing ever stays the same. Now, more than ever, we need to reflect on who we are and where we are going.

Join Rabbi Rob as we discuss how to create meaningful change and do “cheshbon hanafesh,” taking a spiritual accounting as a prelude to Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe.

Please join JCK for virtual High Holy Days.

Look for an update later this week. We have plans for High Holy Days and while it will be different to not be together in person, it will be very special. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will also be joining us from Omaha.

Remembering Allan Rachap

Allan Rachap of Koloa, a member of the Jewish Community of Kauai, passed away peacefully on June 27 at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Marilyn (Scott) Gerber and Michael Rachap; sister Rhoda (Stephen) Konigsberg; and his grandchild Marty Rachap.

Allan was born and grew up in New York City and moved to Annapolis to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. Following 4 years as a Naval Officer, he attended Harvard Business School, where he graduated with honors, achieving an MBA degree. He went on to have a successful career in finance, ultimately retiring following 20 years with Merrill Lynch. He and Judy were married for 62 years.

Allan, along with Judy, was an active JCK member for as long as he lived on the island. Indeed, one of the important factors in their decision to relocate to Kauai more than 20 years ago, from their hometown of Annapolis, Maryland, was the opportunity to have a place to participate in services, and have a sense of Jewish community. In the JCK, Allan found that and more. A former member of the JCK Board of Directors, Allan served as treasurer and, most recently, as a financial consultant to the Board. Allan’s life on Kauai was very full. He was active in leading hikes for the Sierra Club and took an ongoing part in the environmental life of the Kauai community. Allan and Judy were instrumental in a years-long campaign to keep the Maha’ulepu area safe and clean for future generations. An accomplished practitioner of yoga, Allan also enjoyed gardening, biking around the island, and was a regular at many of Kauai’s beaches. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to their JCK ohana for their love and friendship through the years. 

Plans for a Celebration of Life or other memorial service have not been made. Donations in Allan’s memory may be made to Kauai Hospice: http://kauaihospice.org/ or to Jewish Community of Kauai: https://kauaijewishcommunity.com/ or to the charity of your choice. 

JCK Services Cancelled | Guide to Online Jewish Worship

With the onset of cases of COVID-19 on island, we felt it necessary to suspend in-person services until it is prudent for them to resume. Please note that at this time, cancellations include the Passover Seder, the Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Play and all Shabbat services until further notice.

Keeping our members and visitors safe is paramount. Jewish teachings say that a healthy body gives us the strength to fulfill the mitzvot and sacred actions of our religion.

Rabbi Rob wanted to share resources which you can use to participate in wonderful Jewish services from your own home.

1. Streaming Shabbat and other services. The Union for Reform Judaism, which JCK is now a member of, has provided a list of online services. One favorite of Rabbi Rob (and Rabbi Aryeh) is conducted by their friend, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, who leads live streamed (and recorded) services at New York’s Central Synagogue. https://reformjudaism.org/attend-shabbat-services-online/.

2. Prayer books online. Our Reform Siddur, Mishkan T’Filah for Shabbat, is currently available online at no cost. You can access it here: https://www.ccarnet.org/publications/mishkan-tfilah-for-shabbat/.

We look forward to welcoming you back to our community services as soon as possible.

World Zionist Congress | Vote by Wednesday

Strengthening progressive Judaism means taking action by voting.

There is no single better way to support Progressive, Liberal, and Reform Judaism in every corner of the globe than casting a ballot for “Vote Reform” in the American election to the World Zionist Congress. Your vote, amplified by our collective strength, could yield a huge return for our global movement.

Union of Reform Judaism says “When we vote Reform in the World Zionist Congress, we give the Israeli Reform Movement added strength to swim upstream, both in Israeli society and the Zionist movement- to work towards values of pluralism, equality, and democracy.”

Cast your vote here. There is a voter registration fee of $7.50

JCK Seeks Part-Time Administrative Consultant

The Jewish Community of Kauai is looking for a very part time (6 hours per month with additional hours at Passover and the High Holidays) administrative consultant to help with the following tasks:

• Monitor phone messages

• Shopping, set up, clean up and coordination for Oneg Shabbats (luncheons).

• Perform other administrative tasks as required by the board.

• Help with Passover administration (additional hours).

• Help with High Holiday administration (additional hours).

Candidate Qualifications:

• Have knowledge of Jewish traditions and holidays.

• Have flexibility in schedule.

• Have good verbal and written communication skills.

• Have computer skills.

• Organizational skills.

Starting pay is $15-$25 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Please send resume and cover letter to: jobatJCK@gmail.com.

Questions can also be sent to the gmail.

Applications are due: February 15, 2020.

Community Updates for December

Watch Rabbi Aryeh Azriel Receive URJ Award | LiveStream

Our very own High Holiday Rabbi, Aryeh Azriel will be honored this Thursday from 430pm-600pm Hawaii time, and you can see it live by visiting the Union of Reform Judaism Biennial Conference website at that time."We’re honored to present The Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award to Omaha, Nebraska’s Tri-Faith Initiative, whose extraordinary multi-faith work models pluralism and outstanding partnerships for us all.Learn more about Rabbi Aryeh.

Watch for 2020 event calendar coming soon

We will be sending out our Shabbat, High Holiday, Passover and other event schedule soon.

Kauai Shabbat This Saturday November 16

Kauai Shabbat This Saturday November 16

Services will be conducted by board member Sara Silverman. D'var Torah will be presented by board co-president Carol Pescaia. And we will have a community Oneg Shabbat following the service facilitated by board member Laura Barzilai. We need your help with serving and cleanup.Where: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.When: Saturday, November 16, 2019.Time: 10:00 am.Siddur: We will be again be using our new Siddur, Mishkan T'filah. Please donate name plates in our new books to honor loved ones!For more information please contact us.