OUR SIMCHAS

Gil Robinson's Bar Mitzvah

On December 29, Kol Ami members celebrated with the Robinson family at the Shabbat morning service co-led by Richard Ruth, Jim North and bar mitzvah, Gil Robinson. Gil read from our Holocaust sefer Torah and gave his first dvar Torah, teaching us about Moses and why God chose him to lead our people out of Egypt.

Kol Ami member publishes book:

The Great Society Subway: A History
of the Washington Metro
by
Zachary M. Schrag

BABY NAMING

Leonard Tushnet Schrag
BORN SEPTEMBER 13, 2005

Kol Ami welcomed its newest member, Leonard Tushnet Schrag, at a baby-naming ceremony on November 19, 2005.  He was accompanied by his proud parents, Zachary Schrag and Rebecca Tushnet, and Rebecca's mother, Elizabeth Alexander.         .  

Rabbi Leila Gal Berner performed the ceremony giving Leonard his Hebrew name of Lev ben Zachariah v' Rivka. During the ceremony Zach, Rebecca, and the congregation, made promises to Leonard. Zach told a story of their families, leavened with love and humor.  He explained that Leonard is named after Rebecca's grandfather, Dr. Leonard Tushnet, a man of many talents, including being a published author of science fiction.

We welcome Leonard into our community and send the warmest wishes to his family!
 

Kid's B'nei Mitzvah

  From left to right:  Melissa, Madison, Dr. Ruth (service leader), and Rachel 

Kol Ami has really come of age now.  We celebrated the B’nei Mitzvah of our first group of “children” on August 13, 2005.  It was truly a beautiful event as Melissa, Madison, and Rachel were called to the Torah by Dr. Richard Ruth.  Yasher Koach to the three new adults in our community!

Here are some comments from members and guests about the B’nei Mitzvah: 

“My friends and family all were overwhelmed by the warmth and beauty of our service.  To a person, regardless of their faith, all commented that they had never experienced such a wonderful service, even in their own congregations.  They felt what I felt from the moment I set foot into Kol Ami, and that makes my spirits soar!  Thank you to Richard, Jim, and Rich for showing 200 more people how wonderful our community is.”

“I want to congratulate Rachel, Melissa and Madison on the great job they did at their Bat/Bar Mitzvah.   It was such a delight to see all their hard work pay off.  Richard and Jim led a warm, welcoming and meaningful service.  For such a small congregation we have accomplished so much and I am very happy to be part of such a supportive and loving community.”

“The ceremony was beautiful....I cried too!”

“Rachel, Melissa and Madison were FABULOUS.  How nice to see so many young, beautiful people there Saturday.  All these adolescent girls teetering on their high heels! What a summer this has been; be still my heart.”

“The "stars of the show" made all of US very proud!  We ARE a community now with strong bonds of friendship and faith “

It was a pleasure and a thrill to see such a large young and diverse (racial, religious, and ethnic) crowd of fellow celebrants at our first Kol Ami/NVRC bnei mitzvot this past Saturday. Joining their voices and throwing Kisses (yes, the Hershey kind - and no one got hurt, thank G-d!) with the membership and the proud families of our newest adult members, we had a heckuva "joyful noise". Reb Richard did a masterful job of leadership. To our newest adult members, "mazel tov" and another "welcome"!

Adult B'nei Mitzvah

from left to right: Cookie Perlmutter, Carolyn Gray, Jim North, Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, and Barbara Jazzo

MAZEL TOV - We celebrated a milestone on Saturday, June 25, 2005. In what will be the first of many such events, four adults were called to the Torah by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner to become Kol Ami's first B'nei Mitzvah.

Members stated:

"This was truly a wonderful, happy, milestone event not only for the four B'nei Mitzvah adults, but also for Kol Ami as a community. Mazel Tov to Carolyn, Barbara, Jim and Cookie and their families."

"There are no words equal to describing the pride I feel in belonging to such a beautiful, committed community. We've accomplished in a few short years what many had said couldn't be done. We've proved them wrong -- solely on the strength of our love for one another".

"I was moved, proud and delighted by Saturday's B'nei Mitzvah experience and thought, 'boy did I luck out by stumbling onto this community'.

"What a sweet event. I loved everyone's chanting.” “It was so wonderful to see how complete a congregation we have in our tidy little numbers.” You did us proud!

One member who was on her way to Stratford, ONT a few hours later, said she was still glowing from the service. The warmth and humor, love and support came through.