David, a lawyer specializing in residential landlord matters and his wife Jackie are long-time members of KBI. Their early 20-something adult children, Rachel, a nurse, and Zev, a student finishing his business degree, grew up in the congregation. For David, synagogue life is both family and community, a place where generations connect and faith is lived. David is a KBI board member and treasurer. Eileen Melnick McCarthy, a member of the shul’s Communications and Marketing Committee, had a chance to get to know David and what drew him to KBI. Their conversation follows.
1. How did you come to our congregation?
I grew up at Agudath and was a proud member from my Bar Mitzvah through much of my adult life. Jackie and I also attended an Orthodox synagogue for a time since that was her background, and where she expected to feel more comfortable there. But it was clear, particularly once we had children, that both Jackie and I are proud Conservative Jews. When Agudath merged with Beth Shalom to form KBI, it became the place where our family belonged.
2. What do you love most about being part of this community?
It feels like an extended family. The communication between generations and people at different stages of life warms my heart. Sitting at kiddush after services, people linger for an hour, just talking and sharing. At our table, there’s always a mix of congregants, and it’s wonderful to see.
I can even see that same spirit online during meetings, when faces of congregants appear; people who clearly care about the synagogue, the community, and those around them.
3. What was it like growing up as a Jewish boy in Ottawa?
One challenge I see now, is that not everyone has a synagogue connection as I did. When I was growing up, it seemed that almost everyone in the Jewish community was connected in some way. Families were members of synagogues, children attended day schools or supplementary schools, and everyone contributed to UJA, it was simply expected.
At 52, I still carry that expectation. Being in the same synagogue building where I grew up, I wonder why others don’t see the wonder and obligation of being part of the community. Times have changed, but throughout Jewish history there have been waves of connection and disconnection. I believe there will be a movement back toward greater synagogue involvement in the future.
4. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
My go-to karaoke songs are littered with four-letter words.
Something else folks may not know: though you will often see me on the bimah reading Torah, I’m not fluent in Hebrew. Though I usually have a general understanding of the portion I am reading, there are so many words that I sound out where I don’t know the translation. And my knowledge of modern Hebrew is even worse than my biblical Hebrew.
5. If you could have dinner with any Jewish figure, past or present, who would it be?
It would be Jesus. What would he think about beliefs attributed to him that have shaped the world; about Judaism’s shift from a temple-based religion to a people of the book; about people saying he is a Palestinian?
5. What book is on your nightstand?
A Tikkun so I can work on my next Torah reading at KBI.