This year, we’ve decided to begin our High Holy Days appeal before the holidays. We did it last year very successfully, and we learned that many other synagogues around the country and in other countries do it, as well.
The fact that we’ve reached the High Holy Days still going strong is an achievement in and of itself, despite the strange year and a half we’ve all had. We could not have done it without your personal and financial support. We hope that, once again, we can count on your help to keep our community going.
Our story is not just one of survival. We’ve thrived in many ways during the pandemic. Once we mastered Zoom technology, many more people attended our services than otherwise would have—and from all over the world, and we always had a minyan! Attendance was usually perfect at classes and meetings. New members showed up online, and a number of new babies appeared online at services and events with their parents. And many more people attended our shivah minyans than otherwise would have – and from all over the world.
At long last, this spring, under new guidelines, we reopened Mishkon for Shabbat morning services. So now you can worship in person (Yes!) with our marvelous new rabbi, Rabbi Joshua Katzan. What a story he brings:
His great-grandparents were among Mishkon’s founding members, more than 100 years ago. In fact, his great-grandfather was Mishkon’s first president.
His parents were married at Mishkon.
He has prodigious knowledge of Torah and music.
He has decades of experience in Jewish education and Jewish meditation.
He has a Heimish, thoughtful personality – and occasionally corny jokes.
And now, he is here to help us recover, heal, and thrive. Come join the growing numbers of Mishkonians who believe that Rabbi Josh is beshert, the perfect match for Mishkon!
In the meantime, we have reopened the Preschool at Mishkon under our dynamic new director, Tatiana Zaidman, and she has already enrolled the most beautiful group of littles we could ever want. You’re all welcome to come see them on Friday mornings at 10:30 for Rock Shabbat, with Rabbi Josh teaching and entertaining them with his guitar. Tatiana has room for more children, so we hope you’ll send any parents of young ones to Mishkon for a tour.
We are getting ready to start the Religious School term, as well, and we have just hired a new director, Ellie Laycook, who comes to us from University Synagogue, where she was the schools director. She brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and experience and is looking forward to rebuilding our program. During the pandemic, our rabbis worked with families to create innovative b’nai mitzvah experiences, but we are delighted now to be able return to celebrating them as a community at Shabbat services.
We are also delighted to welcome our new synagogue administrator, Geoffrey Finucane. Geoff grew up in the Ft. Worth, Texas, Jewish community and just moved to Los Angeles from Sacramento with his wife. He brings to Mishkon varied administrative experience and advanced tech skills, as well as a friendly, helpful manner and a desire to help Mishkon recover and grow. He will be ably assisted by office manager Erin Lamb.
In less than a month, you can look forward to attending the High Holy Days in person, praying with our new rabbi in person, and hearing our beloved choir in person. What’s more, you will have a talented new chazzanin person, join Spiritual Sidetrips in person, meet and greet old and new friends as well as the Mishkon staff, all in person.
But if you prefer to watch online, we will be offering all the High Holy Days services in real time on Livestream. You’ll see everything on the bimah as it happens, all from the comfort of your own home.
You have received this letter because you have shown Mishkon matters to you – by becoming a member, enrolling your child in our schools, attending High Holy Days services, commemorating a simchah or sorrow with a donation, joining us on Shabbat, or any other way you and Mishkon have touched each other over the years.
As we emerge from the pandemic and look toward the future, your participation in the future of Mishkon has never been more important. Help celebrate all we have accomplished and keep momentum growing to bring our new plans to reality by making a generous donation.
Now is the time to make your High Holy Days pledge to Mishkon! Please donate online through the website by clicking here. If you need help, call the office at 310-392-3029.
Thank you! Your gift of generosity and commitment will help to keep Mishkon strong and vibrant now and in the future.
To reach Rabbi Joshua Katzan during normal business hours,
please call the office at (310) 392-3029 ext 6, use his direct line at
(323) 943-2943, or email him at rabbikatzan@mishkon.org.
For rabbinic emergencies, please call (303) 204-0351.
