Tribute Journal
Thank you for your support! Thank you to the following people who generously donated to our 2020 Spring Celebration, when we planned to honor all of KI’s Past Presidents for their hard work and dedication to our community. Without our Past Presidents, and our generous sponsors, KI would not be in the strong position we are in today — THANK YOU! Marci and Richard Abt Pat and Arnold Greenspon Jay Rosen Myrna and Howard z”l Asher Emily and Howard Greenberg Pamela and Robert Saltzburg Rochelle and Herbert Bass Robert Kahn Janice Schwartz-Donahue and Harris Baum Leonard Korman Joe Donahue Joan Brantz Evonne and Isaak Kruger Jaimie and Kevin Shmelzer Fredlyn Brown Judith Langsfeld Lois and Stan Singer Lynore and Elliot Eisman Caryl and Mike Levin Denise and Peter Solo Lois and Marvin Finkelstein Carol and Jack Lieberman Liz and Lance Sussman Miriam Finkel Paula and Richard Mandel Bobbi and Dick Weiss Sue and Gary Fried Robin and Robert Michaelson Robin Fine-Furman and Marc Furman Ellen and Je rey Plaut Allan Furman Carey and Robert Roseman CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Thank you to our Past and Present Presidents E. Harris Baum Norma M. Meshkov Jan E. DuBois Carey S. Roseman Miriam Finkel Janice Schwartz-Donahue Andrew J. Flame Connie G. Kay Karen L. Sirota Evonne Jonas Kruger Peter J. Solo Arnold B. Meshkov Richard D. Weiss CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
May 7, 2021 For our Spring Celebration 2021, we chose to honor everyone at KI, not just a single person or group, who contributed to the strength of the congregation Dear Friends, during the last twelve months. Innumerable people and dozens of committees all went to work and demonstrated how strong and blessed we are to be part The first extended prayer I learned as a child was the Birkat HaMazon, of a sacred community. We were pleased to honor them and to provide for the the prayer after eating, also known (in Yiddish) as benchen. I wanted to future wellbeing of KI. The special service and Zoneg on Friday night, April 23, learn the prayer because my maternal grandmother’s oldest brother, and the Saturday night celebration of KI musical talent were fun and uplifting. Simon Gutman, always bentched after our family meals and I was fascinated by the custom. Birkat HaMazon ends with a quote from We are grateful for the generous financial support. It makes a difference Psalm 29:11 which declares “the Eternal One will give strength to the as we seek to keep KI strong, secure and blessed with a sense of peace. people, the Eternal One will give the people peace!” May the Eternal One continue to give us strength and peace This last year, with all its many challenges and conflicts, has been a Amen! time when we as individuals and a congregation needed the gifts of strength and peace. Fortunately, we were blessed with both at KI. Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. First, was the gift of strength which was apparent in the deep desire of the congregation “to remain together apart” during the Covid crisis through innovative programs and the use of Internet technology. Second, was the sense of peace which descended on our congregation as we actualized our higher purpose through extensive service to the community. We stayed in touch with each other, expanded our programs to counter food insecurity in our region and most recently, became a mass vaccination site for thousands of our fellow citizens. We were given strength and peace in our hour of need. CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
April 23–24, 2021 Thank you to everyone who produced and participated in our beautiful and meaningful Shabbat Service, the hysterically funny Zoneg, the fun-filled Dear KI Family and Our Entire Community, KI Kids Got Talent show, and the magnificent Organ Concert! Thank you to the Saturday Night Musical Celebration performers and producers for Every year around this time, we gather together to celebrate the efforts a magical evening that lifted our spirits. of an individual or group and to raise the resources necessary for us to continue fulfilling our mission. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible: the event Committee, the staff, the clergy, our members, and all of the volunteers. This year, the Spring Celebration Committee quickly realized that a different kind of celebration was in order, one that recognized the entirety Please enjoy this digital Tribute Book. We hope you enjoy the links to of the work of our volunteers, staff, clergy, and lay leaders. Hundreds all of this year’s special Celebration events, as well as the impressive of you stepped up to address the needs of those we serve, within our “KI Achievements” slide show. membership and our community, in this most challenging year. Thank you to everyone who contributed their valuable time and talent this past year The Spring Celebration is our most important fundraiser of the year, to make a difference. providing the critical operating resources that keep our synagogue fully functional. We are grateful for the faith you show in KI through your gifts Thank you to last year’s Spring Celebration sponsors, when we were this and every season. forced to cancel the 2020 festivities but our need for resources increased with the needs of our KI and community members. We look forward to another successful year thanks to your generosity and plan to reopen the building as soon as it’s safe to do so. Stay tuned for an Thank you to this year’s sponsors and contributors, whose combined announcement about next year’s very special Spring Celebration 2022! donations shattered our fundraising goals. You’ve illustrated the growing culture of philanthropy at KI that focuses on the needs of others and the Janice Schwartz-Donahue Andrew Altman desire to continue to strengthen the future of our synagogue. President Vice-President and Celebration Chair CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Thank you... …to all of the many people who made this Spring Celebration 2021 such a huge success — thank you for your long hours, sharp writing, keen editing eyes, immense creativity, and many more talents: Celebration Volunteers Robin Fine-Furman (Organ Concert; Carey Roseman (Fundraising) Celebration Committee) Pam Saltzburg ( Celebration Committee) Karen Langsfeld (KI Achievements content; Donna Keller ( Celebration Committee) Celebration Committee) Lisè Schwartz (Shabbat Service; Celebration Committee) Karen Sirota (Fundraising Co-Chair; Ross M. Levy (Saturday Night Musical Celebration Committee) Celebration; Celebration Committee) Arnold Meshkov (Fundraising Co-Chair; Janice Schwartz-Donahue (Shabbat Service; Celebration Committee) Fundraising; Celebration Committee) Jim Rosenthal (Fundraising) Andrew Senn (Shabbat Services; Arlene Holtz (Fundraising) Saturday Night Musical Celebration; CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY Organ Concert and Tour)
Thank you to the wonderful Staff at KI for all of your help keeping us strong! Danielle Carlin Sarah Morrison Lee Slobotkin Carol Cooter Rita Rosen Poley Kelly Sussman Jose Dolmo Brian D. Rissinger Rabbi Lance J. Sussman Dana Gibbs Liz Sussman Naomi Godel Sleen Rivera Hazzan David Tilman Cantor Amy Levy Mike Rodriguez Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg Anita Madnick Linda Roth Jaimie Shmelzer CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
2020 / 2021 Officers and Board of Trustees Richard Abt Elaine Glass Arnold Meshkov* Karen Shain Schloss Andrew Altman, Vice President Lauren Goldin Norma Meshkov* Adam Segalow Wendy Ankrom Joseph Gordon Alan Meyers Marijke Shenkman, Director Myrna Asher Emily Greenberg Robert Michaelson Stanley Singer, Director E. Harris Baum* Elyse Herman, Director Diane Miller Karen Sirota* Susan Becker Rubin Arlene B. Holtz, Director Jack Myers Ellen Sklaro John Behrend Alan Kane Mark Pitkow, Director Peter Solo * Ellen Bildersee Elizabeth Kaufman -Taylor Iris Raylesberg Denise Solo , Director Barbara Bronstein Connie Kay* Sharon Rhodes Paulette Sterman-Soroko Jan DuBois* Donna Keller, Secretary Carey Roseman* Amy Wapnitsky Noah Eisenman Leonard Korman David Rosenthal Dorothy Wasserman Lynore Eisman, Director Evonne Kruger* James Rosenthal, Vice President Richard Weiss* Robin Fine-Furman Isaak Kruger, Treasurer Robert Saltzburg Susan Zaslow Miriam Finkel* Karen Langsfeld, Director Jonathan Schmalzbach *Past Presidents Marvin Finkelstein Caryl Levin Janice Schwartz-Donahue, Morton Freedman Matthew London President Susan Fried Elena Margolis Evan Schwartz Lise Schwartz, Director CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Thank you to our 2021 Spring Celebration Sponsors for helping to keep KI Strong! Beth and R. George Abrams Rhonda Chatzkel and Michael Mann Shelley Goldin Marci and Richard Abt Margie Curtis-Cohen Emily and Howard Greenberg Andrew Altman and and Marc Cohen Bob Kahn Lee Chudzinski Susan Dornstein and Gary Deutsch Connie and Jules Kay Myrna Asher Lynore and Elliot Eisman Donna and Stefan Keller Rochelle and Herbert Bass Lois and Marvin Finkelstein Joan Brantz Sue and Gary Fried continued next page Amy Brantz and Rick Bedrick Robin Fine-Furman Joan Brantz and Marc Furman Fredlyn Brown Allan Furman CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
2021 Sponsors (continued from previous page) Leonard Korman Estelle and Stuart Price Joan and Leonard Shore Evonne and Isaak Kruger Carey and Robert Roseman Joan Myerson Shrager Judith Langsfeld Jay Rosen Lois and Stan Singer Caryl and Mike Levin Lois and Jeremy Rosenau Karen and Rob Sirota Carol and Jack Lieberman Linda and Jonathan Roth Anne and John Solis-Cohen Paula and Richard Mandel Pam and Rob Saltzburg Denise and Peter Solo Charlene and Nathaniel Mayer Charlotte and Joel Schwartz Henny and Je rey Sternfeld Eve Mennies Fran and Sidney Schwartz Liz and Lance Sussman Norma and Arnold Meshkov Janice Schwartz-Donahue Bobbi and Dick Weiss Judi Metz and Joel Glassman and Joe Donahue Merle and Barry Wolf Robin and Bob Michaelson Marijke and Arlen Shenkman Laurie and Jack Myers Jaimie and Kevin Shmelzer CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Links to KI Spring Celebration Events KI Kids Got Talent Organ Concert Saturday Night Concert Playbill Achievements Slide Show CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS KI Achievements for 2020–2021 The following pages highlight the many ways that our volunteers, staff, and leadership made a difference in the lives of so many people during the past year. Click here to download a full report. CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Adult Education 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Offered 54 KI Adult Education programs with 45 to 75 people attending each program • Adapted to the pandemic with our first-ever online programs — and increased participation! CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Blood Drives 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Collected 50+ pints of blood during the last 12 months, benefiting 150 people CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Caring Community 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Distributed fresh vegetables and fruit boxes to over 100 families weekly for 8 weeks in partnership with the Montgomery County AntiHunger Network (MAHN) • Worked with Archdiocese of Philadelphia to be a site for their summer food distribution program for youth 18 and under • Distributed pre-packed breakfast and lunch meals to 50 to 75 eligible children for 6 weeks over the summer CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Food Pantry 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Distributed bags of groceries every month at the drive-through HaMotzi dinners • Gave out groceries from the pantry and gift cards to individuals in need via the rabbinic office CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Inclusion 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Held online LGBTQ Shabbat and Adults with Developmental Differences Shabbat— Shabbat service led by congregant Heather Michaelson and Cantor Amy Levy • Shifted our Grief Support Group and Conversations with the Cantor to online format CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Kesher 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • 46 young adult members, ages 18 to 25 • Sent our kids gifts for Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and Passover CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Lowell Elementary 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Provided whiteboards and wipe-off markers and noise-blocking earphones to 100+ First Graders • Continued tutoring, virtually! • Delivered books and school supplies to children in need CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Meyers Library 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • 84 patrons borrowed books • 347 items checked out from the Library, plus books to preschool students • 7 book discussion groups via Zoom, with 25 to 30 people each CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Mitzvah Garden 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Produced 150 pounds of vegetables, all donated to people in need • Donated our black-eyed Susans to many of our Wednesday drive-through friends CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Rabbi Talks 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Attracted dozens of households to each of the Zoom events • Retained and built our audience while going online and during Rabbi Sussman’s recovery CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Religious Education 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Adapted quickly to engaging, online education programs with talented staff • Continued B’Nai Mitzvot throughout the pandemic • Shepherded Confirmation classes of 2020 and 2021 CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Social Justice 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY • Created Every Voice, Every Vote with ~100 KI members taking the pledge to vote • Sent more than 1,200 texts, made more than 120 phone calls, sent 1,000 postcards and letters to voters • Held 5 online book discussions on race, including some with OYR Kehillah • Held Fair Districts PA online presentation regarding gerrymandering with 100 people
S&taBffiuinldgi,nCgleMrgayin, Otepnearnactieons, 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Provided uninterrupted service to our members when building closed • Kept the building safe, made many repairs and upgrades • Provided pastoral care to numerous congregants • Added lighting to the parking lot and cameras in different parts of KI • Added bollards and changed the doors at MBIEE CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
TJM Artists’ Collaborative 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Supported Collaborative artist Bonnie Kane with her gorgeous “Inclusion” quilt, now hanging in KI’s Fineshriber Lobby (a gift of Neil and Ellen Sklaroff) • Accessioned 87 objects, uploaded 171 objects to our online display, and added 225 images to our digital records CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Temple Judea Museum 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Held 4 exhibitions since March 2020 and launched YouTube channel • Just opened “Journey into Darkness … Heal with the Beauty of Life” — a joint project of TJM and KI’s newest tenant, the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center (HAMEC) • $2,000 increase in membership contributions from last year CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Vaccination Clinics 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Hosted 2,500 people for Jewish Federation and Wellness Pharmacy vaccination events • Found vaccinations, made appointments, for 300 people CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Women of KI 2020 | 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS • Held 9 virtual programs including “Sisterhood Cooks” • Hosted Color Me Lee Musical Concert with Lee Slobotkin, Sisterhood Women’s Seder, and Sisterhood Hanukkah BINGO with Cantor Amy and Ross M. Levy • Honored Fran Nodiff, z”l, long-time KI and Women of KI member who we loved CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Spring Celebration 2021 Sponsors Thank you for your generosity. We appreciate your faith and trust in KI as your spiritual, educational, and communal home. Your vision helps ensure that KI can operate at full capacity, providing meaningful services to our members and the greater community. CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
PRESIDENTIAL Allan Furman and Family honor the strength of our KI community. CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
LEADER In this most unusual year, we appreciate KI and the KI community more than ever. Wishing you all a healthy, happy 2021! TFahme iBlyrantz and Bedrick CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
LEADER 2020–2021 — A Year to Remember! We commend Cantor Levy, Rabbi Sussman, Brian Rissinger, Janice Schwartz-Donahue, and the entire KI staff for the amazing work they did to keep KI vibrant despite the challenges of the pandemic. Marc Cohen and Marjorie Curtis-Cohen CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
LEADER Honoring Hannah Mayer on her 2021 graduation from York College. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. – Eleanor Roosevelt With love and great admiration for all you have achieved, Mom, Dad & Noah CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
LEADER KI is our rock, now and forever. Jeremy and Lois Rosenau CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
VISIONARY Thank you to everyone for all you have done, and all you continue to do to keep our beloved KI strong! MLovae,rci & Richard Abt and Family CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
VISIONARY Thank you to my friends at Keneseth Israel for your strength. Leonard Korman Family CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
VISIONARY From Judy Langsfeld and Family CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
Caryl and Mike Levin VISIONARY appreciate KI for its sense of community, the friendships we have made, and the KI members who strive to make the world a better place. The KI Adult Education program thanks: Carol Cooter Anita Madnick Lee Slobotkin Naomi Godel Brian Rissinger Kelly Sussman Without them, no program. The Adult Education program also thanks the KI members and staff who willingly and professionally share their expertise. CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
VISIONARY Thanks to everyone at KI for all that you do! Love, Norma and Arnold Meshkov CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
VISIONARY Thank you to everyone at KI for your strength and support, this year and always. With love, Anne and John Solis-Cohen CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER Celebrating the Strength of our Community L’Dor V’Dor… From Generation to Generation A grateful donor CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER Celebrating the strength of the KI community. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers, staff, clergy, and lay leaders, for all you did in a most challenging year. #KISpringCelebration Lee Chudzinski and Andrew Altman CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER Elliot and Lynore Eisman honor all of our KI Communities: Adult Education HaMotzi Dinner Social Justice Caring Community Inclusion Temple Judea Museum C2C Kesher Torah Study Greenfaith Lowell School Tzedek Center Grief Support Myers Library Women of KI Thank you to each and every wonderful community that gives support to our wonderful Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel. Elliot and I wish to offer you our praise! May we all prosper and grow strong in our loving and caring community KI! CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER Much appreciation to each and every person in our KI community for staying ever-present, keeping the connection, and not letting the light go out. Marc and Robin Furman CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER The HaMotzi Committee salutes our generous donors, the support of the KI clergy and staff, and our dedicated volunteers! Todah Rabah! CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER Thanks to all involved for the fabulous spring festival — KI has an amazing number of talented and dedicated people! We love our congregation… Emily and Howard Greenberg CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER Strength in nature, Strength in our community. Donna & Stefan Keller CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER We salute everyone at KI who helped an active pre-pandemic congregation remain vibrant and relevant during the pandemic not only to our synagogue community, but to a struggling community at large! With great pride, Carey and Robert Roseman CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
SUSTAINER CELEBRATING THE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
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