Elgin’s CKI to install rabbi on Sunday
Submitted by Congregation Kneseth Israel
On Sunday, June 2, Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St. in Elgin, will install Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein. She will be installed by Rabbi Neil Kominsky and the Rev. David Ferner and signifies the weaving together of the relationship between the congregation and their spiritual leader.
The tradition of the installation of rabbis began over 2,000 years ago, after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It marks a covenantal relationship between the congregation and its leader.
“This ceremony is especially meaningful to me, because now that I have been here for a while, I really know people. We have celebrated together. We have laughed together. We have played together, cooked together, and we have cried and mourned together,” Klein said. “Now we get to formally proclaim what is already true. I am the rabbi of CKI and I welcome that title and the responsibilities that come with it. It is a humbling moment.”
Klein was ordained by The Academy for Jewish Religion now in Yonkers, N.Y. She had previously served as rabbi/educator at Congregation Beth Israel in Andover, Mass. She and her husband Simon and their daughter Sarah call Elgin and Congregation Kneseth Israel home.
Being installed that evening are a number of elected board members. Dr. Joseph Rosenfeld will be installed as president; Marc Zemel as executive vice president; Barry Rose as treasurer; Dick Johnson as financial secretary; Amy Robinson as secretary; Sue Johnson as vice president of education; Jana McFarlane as Sisterhood president, and Perry Pitzele as Men’s Club president. Rochelle Fosco will become immediate past president. New board members-at-large are Michael Bloomberg. Marcy Cohen Tremmel, Charles Gauthier, and Gale Jacoby.
Also being installed sisterhood officers: Sue Johnson as treasurer, and Risa Cohen as secretary; and Men’s Club Officers: Ed Katz as vice president; Herb Gross as treasurer: and Brad Burker as secretary.
Congregation Kneseth Israel serves the diverse Jewish community of the greater Fox Valley area. It offers weekly services, a religious school, observance of all life cycle events, and a variety of additional programming. It welcomes interfaith families. The synagogue is at 330 Division Street in Elgin; parking is available behind the building. For information, call the office at (847) 741-5656. For regular updates, visit www.ckielgin.org.