The year 5787 is a special one for our congregation as we mark KBI’s 10th anniversary. Yet it is about much more than marking ten years. It is an opportunity to bring the entire community together around a shared milestone — to recognize where we came from, celebrate who we are today, and think about where we want to go together. This anniversary is a journey and we are creating three major events to mark it, each telling a different part of our story.
November 8, 2026 — Open Doors, Living Books: an afternoon dedicated to conversations with congregants who become “Living Books” for the occasion. This is a family event.
April 10, 2027 — Honouring Our Past, a special Shabbat that will honour the seven presidents who led KBI during its first ten years.
June 6, 2027 — Closing Party & Concert, a community-wide celebration of music, dancing, food and friendship.
The 10th Anniversary Committee launched the anniversary initiative on June 6, 2026, with the unveiling of our new 10th Anniversary logo. The logo is now being used throughout KBI communications, email signatures, signage and event materials.
We are also creating a short video that will tell the KBI story through the past, present and future. It will include interviews with our Rabbi, Cantor, President and selected congregants, and incorporate historical photographs from Beth Shalom and Agudath Israel and contemporary images from KBI. The video will appear on our website, TV monitors and social media, startingin March 2027.
For our closing party and concert, we are currently in discussions with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, whose music combines Eastern European traditions with contemporary influences. We feel they would bring tremendous energy to the celebration.
Success isn’t simply having three well-attended events. Success is when people feel: “This is our anniversary.” We want long-time members to feel connected to our history, newer members to feel part of the story, and younger members to see themselves as part of KBI’s future. Most importantly, we hope congregants finish the anniversary year feeling more connected to KBI and excited about the next decade.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family on November 8!