With guests from Southern California, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Canada and elsewhere joining our distinguished visitors from Israel and many local members of the Karaite Jewish community as well as supporters from the larger Bay Area Jewish community, we enjoyed an absolutely wonderful weekend!   

​Through music, thought-provoking discussion, prayer, and sharing of great food we joyfully celebrated the successful conclusion of Phase One of Our Foundation for the Future Campaign and re-dedicated Congregation B’nai Israel.  The diversity of the attendees truly reflected the global nature and impact of Karaite Judaism.
 
A record number of 150-plus members and guests joined us at Shabbat services on Saturday morning when we re-consecrated the sanctuary and spent a good part of the afternoon learning more about our history and traditions following a great Oneg Shabbat lunch.  

​This cornerstone event was bookended by a special Leil Shabbat service on Friday with 80-plus participants, and an afternoon-long celebration on Sunday attended by more than 100 extremely enthusiastic individuals.  Singing and even a little dancing reflected the heartwarming spirit of the day.

Taken all together, these events proved to us how wonderful it is to bring members and friends together in festive communion and how much potential there is for the future of our community, as we move forward to maximize the use of our beautifully renovated and expanded synagogue.
 
This weekend celebration was not the end but only the beginning of the next, best chapter in the history of the Karaite Jews of America.

Click here to read President David Ovadia’s recent message regarding the launching of Phase Two of our Foundation for the Future Campaign.
 
Click here for an electronic copy of the 16-page printed Program given to attendees over the weekend - including the bios of our distinguished participants from Israel, Moshe Firrouz, Eli Shemuel, Rotem Cohen and Avi Yefet; acknowledgements and thanks to the many volunteers and donors who made possible all our accomplishments thus far; and other content including a special prayer of thanks.
 
Click here for a short video excerpt from Hazzan Rotem Cohen’s performance on Sunday afternoon. More may be viewed in the
J Weekly article. 
 
Click here for the great 8/24 J Weekly article about the Sunday afternoon celebration
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​We need your continuing support to move ahead to Phase Two of our Foundation for the Future Campaign as we expand our educational and social programming through new activities envisioned for development through the Karaite Jewish Cultural Center.

​​Please click on the Ner Tamid to make your gift.