Congregation Kneseth Israel welcomes community to July 30 picnic

Congregation Kneseth Israel in Elgin will host its annual community picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at SEBA Park and Playground in South Elgin. It will feature food, fun and friends.

"This is a perfect location," said Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein, "It helps us live out our vision statement of embracing diversity and building community.

"Everybody is welcome. Kids will love playing on the accessible playground, regardless of ability," the rabbi continued. "There is plenty of parking, handicapped and otherwise and the committee has been working on games that will be fun for all ages. I hear there will be lots of bubbles. I just love playing with bubbles. Perfect on a summer day."

While the games are fun, the food is always the highlight. "There are such wonderful, creative, inventive cooks at CKI. This year it will be a dairy potluck picnic so that we can better accommodate everybody's unique food allergies while keeping kosher. That's embracing diversity, too."

In addition, Congregation Kneseth Israel will be joined that day by Judy Jury from Interfaith Family Chicago.

"Congregation Kneseth Israel was recently chosen to be part of the first national cohort of Interfaith Family's Interfaith Inclusion Leadership Initiative. This year long training program will enable CKI to build on the work we have already done to welcome interfaith families into our diverse community," said Rabbi Frisch Klein

The picnic provides an opportunity to "schoomze", talk, hang out, play and have fun. Oh, and enjoy a wonderful dairy potluck picnic. "It's about building community with our existing families and building new relationships with people who might be interested in a warm and welcoming congregation. Come check us out," said Heather Weiser, director of education.

Picnic organizer Medina Gross said, "The CKI picnic is back - bigger and better! Come join us for a great Sunday afternoon!"

To RSVP, contact Barb Razowsky at barbrazowsky@gmail.com with what dairy dish you will bring to pass.