Good Friday & Passover Interfaith Service Tomorrow In Person/On Zoom

The Jewish Community of Kauai and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church have brought their communities together in month-long innovative dialog, collaborative teaching and learning. Don’t miss tomorrow’s interfaith service!

We’re excited to conclude this series of spring workshops with a unique joint worship service tomorrow, April 15 at 12:00 noon. This first-of-its-kind anywhere series brings together both Christian and Jewish people in reflection at one of the most sacred times of the year for both faiths. 

This momentous series is based on a strong and enduring partnership between the Jewish Community of Kauai and St Michael’s for more than thirty years. The Passover and Easter stories represent fascinating theological elements; this workshop series will be a tapestry for exploration of ideas and presentations from Rabbi Rob and Father Andrew.

Schedule Of Events

The Zoom link for Friday, April 15 at 12:00 Noon is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85445569826

Join us in person on Friday, April 15 at 12:00 Noon at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Hardy Street, Lihue. Map.

Kauai Passover Seder 2022 Update

See updated information below on food options and tomorrow’s deadline for ordering.

The Jewish Community of Kauai extends an invitation to members and visitors for our annual Passover Seder on Kauai, led by Sara Silverman. Traditional Seder plates, foods and kosher wine will complete the Seder. Catering provided by JCK's Sandy Jennings, Fresh from the Garden. We're celebrating Passover with our beautiful Ha ggadot, The Open Door. For already paid members of JCK, the community is generously subsidizing $25 per person towards the cost of the Seder meal, as we have done previously. That is reflected in the $55 per person cost this year. We look forward to sharing this year's Seder with all of you.

Please make your reservations as soon as possible, as we do have a limit. More details on the Seder will be forthcoming as it gets closer.

Seder on Kauai 2022

How to reserve: All reservations are being handled through Eventbrite via this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jewish-community-of-kauai-passover-seder-tickets-309100065617/. If you wish to reserve/pay by credit card, email jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com.

Reservations will close on April 9 at 8:30pm or when sold out. There is a limit of 70 tickets.

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

When: Saturday, April 16, 2022.

Time: 5:30PM (doors open), 6:00PM (Seder begins).

The festive meal includes:

• Matzoh ball soup.

• Ritual Seder plate at center of each table. Feel free to bring your own Seder plates.

• The Seder dinner will include the following:

  • Entree choice of salmon with creamy caper dill sauce, Moroccan lemon chicken, or vegetarian stuffed peppers. Children’s option of teriyaki chicken.

  • Accompaniments include za’atar roasted potatoes and fresh chopped salad.

  • Festive dessert.

  • Water, juice, Passover wine, coffee and tea will be available. Please feel free to bring your choice of wine or other beverage.

Cost for members who have paid annual membership

• Adults $55.

• Children (up to 12 years old) $35.

Cost for non members

• Adults $80.

• Children (up to 12 years old) $50.

March 19 Shabbat Led By Sara Silverman

Please join us in celebrating Shabbat on Saturday, March 19, 2022. We look forward to coming together again as a community to worship and connect.

Services will be led by Board Member and President Emeritus Sara Silverman, who always provides our community with interesting insights and stimulating discussion.

We will have an Oneg Shabbat lunch following the service catered by Reouven Barzilai of Mi Va Mi Kauai. As a special treat, Reouven is offering a choice of lunch entrees. Please select either Chicken Shawarma or Vegetarian Couscous. Also included with either choice is salad, Israeli za’atar spiced pita bread, and a baklava dessert. The entire menu can be found on Reouven’s website. To ensure adequate food for everyone, RSVP no later than March 16 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, March 19, 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. People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks required.

This Saturday: Shabbat With Rabbi Rob Kvidt And Rabbi Judy Caplan Ginsburgh

Please join us in celebrating a special Shabbat on February 19, 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.

Joining Rabbi Rob at the Bima on Saturday is visiting Rabbi Judy Caplan Ginsburgh. Rabbi Judy is a cantorial soloist and professional singer who has produced award-winning Jewish music for families and children. She has sung and conducted services all over the world. Rabbi Judy is the Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Monroe LA.

We will have an Oneg Shabbat lunch following the service catered by Sandy Jennings of Fresh From The Garden. In order to ensure adequate food for everyone, please RSVP no later than February 16 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, February 19, 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. People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks required.

Inter-Island Chevra Kadisha Series on Zoom

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt invites you to join in this unique and meaningful presentation. On Sunday, February 6, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm Rabbi Me’irah Illinsky will be sharing about Jewish end-of-life rituals entitled “Death: What Jews Do,” using paintings from her book Mapping the Journey, The Mourner & the Soul. Please watch the 1-minute introductory video below, then join us on zoom.

Rabbi Me’irah Iliinsky received her master’s degree in social work in 1980. She worked for 15 years as a psychotherapist before entering Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where she received ordination in 2007 along with a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters. She earned her certificate for four units of Clinical Pastoral Education in 2011 and has served as both a hospital and hospice chaplain. She is also an artist inspired by Medieval illuminated manuscripts and hopes to bring people to Torah through “visual portals to sacred texts.”

Date/Time: February 6, 2022, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81950345171?pwd=bSt3c0ZBMm8vNzZXU0QrZWh3R2t6dz09

Meeting ID: 819 5034 5171

Passcode: 123456

Last Call For Shabbat On January 22, 2022

As we begin this new secular calendar year, please join us in celebrating Shabbat on January 22, 2022. We look forward to coming together as a community to worship and connect.

Services will be led by Sara Silverman.

We will have an Oneg Shabbat lunch following the service catered by Reouven Barzilai. In order to ensure adequate food for everyone, please RSVP no later than January 19 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, January 22, 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. People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks required.

2022 JCK Membership Letter

We are excited to share news of our congregation as we enter 5782/2022. JCK is blessed to be the “Synagogue in Residence” at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue, and are happy to have been able to return to in-person services.

As our fiscal year runs from January through December, membership contributions are now being collected. They remain at a suggested amount of $180.00 for an individual or $360.00 for a family. More generous contributions are always welcomed.

Please send your check made payable to the Jewish Community of Kauai at PO Box 3749, Lihue, HI 96766. You may also donate online at kauaijewishcommunity.com.

Why JCK needs your membership!

1. Organizations with which JCK is affiliated.

• Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). JCK became a member in 2018. They are the national organization supportive of both large and small communities, from which JCK, in particular, receives invaluable help.

• Weinberg Foundation. Through the generous support of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, JCK will be able to expand our programming and connections to other Jewish communities in the state, one aspect of which is Nitzavim. This two-year program is designed to strengthen relationships, build organizational and collective capacity, and explore collaboration in service to the entire Hawaii Jewish community.

• Jewish Community Services (JCS). The mission of JCK is to support and enhance Jewish life in Hawaii through communication, coordination, and provision of appropriate social services to those in need throughout the state of Hawaii, including on Kauai.

2. Leadership.

• Rabbi Rob Kvidt. Kauai is lucky to have Rabbi Rob Kvidt as part of JCK. His inspiring and heartfelt delivery of the High Holidays and Shabbat services reflect his love of Judaism and of Kauai. We look forward to his leadership in services and other events throughout this year.

• Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel has been a motivating and loving High Holiday leader for JCK since 2017. It is with great anticipation we will welcome him back again this year. Both Rabbi Rob and Rabbi Aryeh share a mutual love, respect, and admiration. JCK is profoundly grateful to have them both!

• Reouven Barzilai. The community has welcomed an exciting new caterer in addition to our long-standing relationship with wonderful caterer Sandy Jennings of Fresh From The Garden. Reouven, his wife Laura, and daughter Julia are members of the community. Reouven hails from Israel and brings unique flair and flavors to his catering company (Mi Va Mi).

• JCK Board Members. We greatly appreciate all of the hard work and dedication of our board members: Carol Pescaia (president), Elyse Litvack (secretary), Judy Rachap (treasurer), Laura Barzilai, Rob Goldberg, Marty Kahn (president emeritus), Nate Morrow, Larry Raithaus, Esther Richman, and Sara Silverman (president emeritus).

• Inspiration, website and marketing by Jeff Tucker.

3. 2021 in review.

A brief synopsis of the past year starts with a Friday night service in Lydgate Park in the summer. We’ve held several in-person Shabbat services, as well as both Zoom and in-person services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We’ve been able to offer Onegs by providing catered box lunches. We gathered for Hanukkah with an indoor/outdoor celebration that filled the night with light, joy, and hope for a better year ahead.

4. Tentative 2022 calendar of services.

All services take place at St. Michael’s from 10 am to 1 pm, unless otherwise noted.

• Saturday, January 22. Shabbat. Led by Sara Silverman.

• Saturday, February 18. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Saturday. March 19 Shabbat. Led by Marty Kahn.

• Friday, April 15, or Saturday, April 16 (to be determined). Passover Seder. From 5 pm to 9 pm. Led by Sara Silverman.

• Saturday, May 21. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Saturday, June 18. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Friday, July 15. Shabbat. From 5 pm to 8 pm. Beach location and leader to be announced.

• Sunday, September 25. Erev Rosh Hashanah. 7 pm. Led Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Monday, September 26, Rosh Hashanah. 10 am to 2 pm. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Saturday, October 1. Shabbat Shuvah. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Tuesday, October 4. Erev Yom Kippur. 7 pm. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Wednesday, October 5. Yom Kippur. 10 am until 8 pm. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

• Sunday, October 9. Sukkot (to be determined). Led by Laura Barzilai.

• Monday, October 17. Simcha Torah (to be determined). Led by Laura Barzilai.

• Saturday, November 19. Shabbat. Led by Rabbi Rob Kvidt.

• Sunday, December 18. Chanukah 5 pm. Led by Marty Kahn.

Please join us. We need your help to continue as a vibrant Jewish community. Shalom and aloha from the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community of Kauai.

Sincerely Yours,

Carol Pescaia, Board President

Hanukkah Celebration Saturday December 4 With Rabbi Rob Kvidt

We will gather for Hanukkah this year on December 4, at 5 pm. You can look forward to Kauai Rabbi Rob leading a meaningful, unique service including Havdalah, followed by dreidels, crafts, stories, delicious catered food, and of course a community candle lighting.

The Garden Island asked JCK for information about Hanukkah. Rabbi Rob Kvidt was interviewed which resulted in an informative and lovely article about Hanukkah on Kauai. They also plan to attend the event to take photos.

Mahalo to event organizers and volunteers Laura Barzilai, Diane & Steve Chait, Cousin Lenny, Elyse Litvack, Lisa Splittstoesser, Sara Dubey, and Kori King.

Please bring your menorah and candles to join in the celebration. There will be candles available for purchase.

Chanukah Food will be catered by Reouven Barzalai of Mi Va Mi Kauai. It will include latkes, kugel, greens, fruit salad, and beverages.

RSVP is required. Please RSVP no later than December 2nd 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, December 4, 2021.

Time: Gather at 5 pm. The service starts at 530 pm.

COVID rules: Kauai regulations will be followed including distancing, hand sanitizing, and masks. Unvaccinated are requested to be seated outside.

Donations: Always appreciated! Visitors, please consider $20 or more.

Reminder: Shabbat With Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt This Saturday | RSVP

Please join us in celebrating Shabbat on November 20, 2021. We look forward to coming together as a community to worship and connect.

Services will be led by Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt, who co-officiated at the recent High Holidays. Rabbi Rob has been a member of the Kauai Jewish Community for the past two decades and was ordained in 2019. He is a board member of the Kauai Interfaith Roundtable and is becoming certified in Jewish end-of-life rituals at the Gamliel Institute. In addition, Rabbi Rob leads many Jewish lifecycle events throughout Hawaii.

We will have an Oneg Shabbat lunch following the service catered by Reouven Barzalai. In order to ensure adequate food for everyone, please RSVP no later than November 18 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, November 20, 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. People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks required.

Join November 2nd Zoom Meeting with Weinberg Foundation

Meet Ilana Kaufman, Executive Director of the Jews of Color Initiative, who will be presenting the findings of a national study called “Beyond the Count” about the perspective and experiences of Jews of Color in the United States.

This presentation will take on Tuesday, November 2 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am (Hawaii time). If you would like to join the online presentation to learn more about the study and what it means for inclusive Jewish communities in Hawaii and across the nation, please RSVP to hjweinberg@bennetgroup.com for the meeting invitation link. Please RSVP as soon as possible.

Zoom Torah Study This Saturday

Kauai Rabbi Rob Kvidt asks that you join with him and Temple Emanu-El of Honolulu for a Torah study on Saturday morning October 16 at 9 am Hawaii time. The guest presenter is David Zinner, Executive Director of Kavod V'Nichum and the Gamliel Institute, which concerns itself with Jewish end-of-life practices. Rabbi Rob is a certification candidate at Gamliel Institute and hopes that you can join this special event.

The weekly Torah study will be Parashat Lech Lecha; a lively discussion will follow.

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89144879058

Meeting ID: 891 4487 9058

Passcode: torah

Shabbat In-Person | Join Us on May 21

JCK will be holding a Friday night Shabbat Service on May 21 st . We look forward to coming together as a community to worship and reconnect.

Where: Lydgate Park ---- Large Pavilion

When: 5:30 Gathering. 6:00 Short Service lead by Marty Kahn

Light Pupus provided after service

RSVP Needed

By Kauai County rules, we are limited to 25 people at a gathering.

People’s RSVPs will be counted as received.

To ensure that we have adequate food for all attending we need you to RSVP by Sunday, May 16th.

Send RSVP to: jewishcommunityofkauai18@gmail.com.

Include your name and the number of people in your group.

Kauai COVID rules will be followed. Masks Required.