Congregation Kneseth's Rabbi Frisch Klein honored

Congregation Kneseth Israel is proud to announce that its rabbi, Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein received two honors recently.

Last week, she was chosen to give the opening invocation at the statehouse in Springfield.

Frisch Klein explained her remarks. "The timing on delivering this prayer was perfect. We just read about the need to leave the corners of our field for the widow, the orphan, the stranger. To have just weights and measures. To not stand idly by while our neighbor bleeds. To not hold a grudge. To love our neighbor as ourselves. Taking care of the most vulnerable among us appears in the Torah 36 times. I represent a diverse congregation that is divided religiously and politically and yet we manage to function and get the work of the congregation done. Perhaps my presence models that kind of compromise."

On May 18, she was elected to the Chicago Board of Rabbis executive board. When she received the call for nomination, she was surprised, having only been in Elgin for four years. She asked why they wanted her on the board. Said Rabbi Michael Balinsky, the executive director of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, "We like your vision. Your voice. Your commitment to attending meetings. And you represent a geography that has been underserved."

One of the things that Rabbi Frisch Klein takes very seriously is being visible and meeting people where they are. "Every single week someone says to me, 'I didn't know there was a synagogue in Elgin.' These kinds of honors make Congregation Kneseth Israel much more visible. They help us to live out our vision of lifelong learning, meaningful observance, embracing diversity. And building community. I am humbled by the opportunities. I want to thank both Rep. Anna Moeller who invited me to Springfield and Rabbi Michael Balinsky who nominated me for the CBR Board."