Passover Seder on Kauai 2025

Please join us for Pesach!

Our annual Jewish Community of Kauai SEDER will be on Sunday, April 13, 2025, 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
                        Mahi Escabeche
                        Vegetarian Matzoh lasagna
Scalloped Potatoes
Salad
Caramel Matzoh for 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. 

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How to reserve:
There is limited seating: please make your reservation on Eventbrite by April 10. Here is the link to EventBrite:
If you'd prefer to buy tickets with a check at the event to avoid the service fee, please send me your reservations asap.

The cost is as follows:

 Members:             Adults $95
                              Children $60 (ages 6-13)
                        ***(No cost for children under 6)***

Non-members:      Adults $125
                              Children $75  (ages 6-13)
                        ***(No cost for children under 6)***

If you need any assistance, please contact us.
Doors will open at 5:30pm, Seder begins at 6.

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.

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

Ethical Wills Workshop: Leaving A Spiritual Legacy

Please join Rabbi Rob Kvidt and the Jewish Community of Kauai for this compelling online event. Rabbi Janet Madden will lead the discussion on the subject of ethical wills which are non-monetary gifts you leave behind...your legacy, words to family, blessings, and more.

September 11, 2022, 5:00 – 6:30 pm Hawaii time

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88149888060

What are ethical and spiritual wills? It is always valuable to consider what you want to leave as a legacy for your loved ones. These wills are a way you can do that. This session will get you started on creating yours.

Rabbi Janet Madden serves as a palliative care chaplain, earned Rabbinic Certificate in Gerontology and Palliative Care from Yeshiva University, and completed her certification in Jewish End of Life Studies from the Gamliel Institute.

Contact HIICK:hiickbod@gmail.com or www.bodysoulsynergetics.com/hawaii-inter-island-chevrah-kadisha. Supported by Jewish Community Services. Visit www.jcs-hi.org

JCK 2022 Retreat

On August 6, 2022, the JCK Board held a retreat at the lovely home of Laura and Reouven Barzilai, attended by Laura Barzilai, Sara Silverman, Marty Kahn, Rob Goldberg, Elyse Litvack, Judy Rachap, Nate Morrow and Carol Pescaia.  

Sara Silverman, assisted by Marty Kahn, led a lively presentation and discussion about our Jewish community here on Kauai. This retreat was inspired by Sara’s and Marty’s participation in Nitzavim, which is an island-wide group, sponsored by the Weinberg Foundation, whose purpose is to strengthen each island’s Jewish communities, as well as explore ways we all can support each other.

In addition to learning more about each one of us individually, we talked about how we can expand JCK’s reach and relevance.  We were also treated to a delicious lunch prepared by Reouven.

Many thanks to all!

Memories Of Friday Night Shabbat July 15 At Lydgate

We would like to thank the following people:

• Laura Barzilai for organizing the event, and for her inspiration and coordination to make this happen.

• Sara Silverman for leading the service.

• Joan Baganz for her beautiful singing of a Friday night psalm in Hebrew.

• Steve Dubey and Ken Solis for their inspirational music.

• Elyse Litvack for her help and support.

• Carol Pescaia for the home-baked challah, photos, and website content.

Thanks to everyone for coming to celebrate and sharing their delicious food.

Enjoy the photos!

Friday Night Shabbat At Lydgate Park

We’re excited to have a Friday night Shabbat on the beach led by Sara Silverman. In addition, we will have musical accompaniment provided by Steve Dubey and Ken Solis.

Where: Lydgate Park.

When: July 15, 2022. 5:30 Gathering. 6:00 Service.

Community Potluck after service. Please bring either a main dish or salad. Additional items such as desserts are optional. The community will provide Challah, wine, beverages, plus recyclable cups, plates, and cutlery.

Do you need a ride or have any questions? Email jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com. Or call Sarah Silverman at (808) 639-4423

You won’t want to miss this beautiful Shabbat celebration. 🎉🎊🌴

Special Pride Shabbat June 18 With Rabbi Rob Kvidt

JCK joins other Reform congregations across the country in celebrating Pride Month. We invite you to join us for our first Pride Shabbat this Saturday, June 18, at 10:00am.

In addition to our regular liturgy, there will be special readings added honoring the LGBTQ+ community. A sermon celebrating Pride month will be delivered by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt, who is also gay.

The Reform Movement has long been committed to achieving full equality for our LGBTQ+ community and advocating for rights throughout the world. JCK is proud to be an ally and a partner in that mission.

In addition to wine and challah, we will have a light Oneg Shabbat following the service provided by Reouven Barzilai and MiVaMi Kauai.

Please RSVP for the Oneg to jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com no later than Thursday, June 16.

The parsha for June 18 is:

בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ

B'haalot'cha | Numbers 8:1−12:16 | When You Raise [the Lamps]

“Awaken us, arouse our consciousness, ignite our deeds.”

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

When: Saturday, June 18, 2022.

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.

Note that due to an increase in Covid on Kauai, we request that masks be worn indoors.

Photo credit: Steven Wise Temple.

Tomorrow: Shabbat With Rabbi Rob Kvidt

Please join us in celebrating Shabbat on Saturday, May 21, 2022. We look forward to coming together again as a community to worship and connect.

Services will be led by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt. Rabbi Rob has been a member of the Kauai Jewish Community for the past two decades and was ordained in the Kabbalistic tradition in 2019. He is on the board of the Kauai Interfaith Roundtable and is a certification candidate in Jewish end-of-life rituals at the Gamliel Institute. In addition, Rabbi Rob leads many Jewish lifecycle events throughout Hawaii and recently represented JCK at the Kauai National Day of Prayer.

This week’s Torah portion is Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2).

In addition to wine and challah, we will have a light Oneg Shabbat following the service catered by Reouven Barzilai of Mi Va Mi Kauai.

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

When: Saturday, May 21, 2022.

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.

Note that due to an increase in Covid on Kauai, we request that masks be worn indoors.

Inter-Island Chevra Kadisha On Zoom This Sunday

Like a Sukkah sheltering the People of Israel in uncertain times, Chevra Kadisha, the system of Jewish end-of-life rituals, encircles and guides our island Jewish communities. Explore and learn how the Inter-Island Chevra Kadisha groups support the Jewish community and the processes of integrating life’s inevitable losses.

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt invites you to join this unique and meaningful presentation.

Compassionate Presence and Sacred Encounter Sunday, May 1, 2022, 12:00pm - 1:30pm

To register, go to: https://feldstein.eventbrite.com

Chaplain Bruce Feldstein MD, BCC will present his approach to the Jewish mitzvah of visiting the sick, Bikkur Cholim. This workshop provides practical guidance for being with people in a way that allows for compassionate presence and sacred encounter. Dr. Feldstein’s teaching supports people experiencing illness or grief, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.

Chaplain Bruce Feldstein, MD, BCC is highly accomplished and experienced in this field.

Please see his complete professional biography.

Yom Hashoah: Keeping The Memory Alive

Hawaii’s Community Yom Hashoah Service will take place on Zoom, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 7:00PM. 

Please join us to honor the memory of the six million murdered during the Shoah and the lives and families of the survivors. 

This moment will be shared via Zoom across the islands. Please join us to keep the memory alive. 

To obtain a Zoom link, contact Prof. Peter Hoffenberg at peterh@hawaii.edu.