KBI Highlights – 2025/26 | Kehillat Beth Israel - Conservative Synagogue, OttawaKehillat Beth Israel

Click on a section name below to view it.

Community Yom Kippur Break Fast – Member-led initiative secured Jewish Federation of Ottawa microgrants and brought the broader Ottawa community together
Learners Mah Jong – 60 participants led to ongoing weekly Shabbat drop-in sessions
Movies at KBI – A curated series of highly acclaimed documentaries, dramas and comedies exploring Jewish life and history
Zikaron BaSalon – Intimate gatherings in private homes to commemorate Yom HaShoah
Yom Ha’Atzmaut Shabbat Dinner – A vibrant, intergenerational evening with 100 attendees
KBI Kids T-Shirts – Welcoming our newest members with KBI-branded gifts for every bris and baby naming
Kiddush Fund – 65 congregants and growing, strengthening our shared Shabbat experience
Kitchen Shower – Revitalizing our dairy kitchen
Life and Legacy Shabbat – Celebrating and promoting the importance of legacy giving to help secure KBI’s future

Post–October 7 Speaker Series – Engaged hundreds of congregants and community members across programs featuring leaders such as Jon Allen, Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed, and Alan Kessel
Israeli Women Writing Midrash (Dirshuni) – A globally diverse group of learners engaged in meaningful study
War and Peace: Art in Israel – Collaboration with AJA50+ exploring culture and conflict
Israel and Iran: War, Power and the Middle East – Yaron Deckel engaged university students and young professionals
Mo’Adom Gerim Club – Ongoing, congregant-led learning for conversion students

Tot Shabbat – Lay-led initiative engaging our youngest members
Shabbat B’Yachad – Enhanced weekly youth experiences
Sukkah Parties – KBI families hosting youth for festive holiday gatherings
Camp Shabbat – Nearly 200 participants in partnership with camps across Canada
Tu BiShvat Celebration – 80+ youth and families in a collaborative program with OTT
Purim Carnival – A beloved annual highlight
Chocolate Seder – Another beloved annual highlight
B’nei Mitzvah – 10 students from our 2025-2026 cohort celebrated this meaningful milestone with our community
High school volunteer engagement – Supporting student service hours while building future leaders

Keshet Training – Year-long diversity, equity and inclusion training, including development of a meaningful action plan to strengthen LGBTQI+ inclusion at KBI.

Tzitzit Repair Days – Multi-generational participation, now becoming a recurring initiative
A Hypnotic Chanukah – A fun-filled evening of entertainment, activities, candle lighting and dinner
World Wide Wrap – Record participation across ages 12–85
Purim Celebrations – Congregational leadership in Megillah reading, A Whole New Shpiel and Carnival
Congregational Pesach Seder – 80 participants in a creative communal experience
Ritual & Pride Committee Learning – Thoughtful engagement with the complex Torah texts
Shavuot – Youth program, Tikkun Leil Shavuot and congregational dinner celebrating learning and community
Nani Vazana Concert – Ladino music with acclaimed, internationally touring singer-songwriter

Strengthened our Professional Team – Appointed Yaron Starosta as permanent Executive Director, welcomed Erica Beck as the new director of the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank, David Anzarouth as Interim OTT Director and Ravi Wolfish as Interim Youth Coordinator
Rabbinic Intern Leadership – Welcomed two rabbinic interns, Dr. Jon Mitzmacher and Sue Potechin, enriching congregational life
Successful Rabbi Search – Culminated in the hiring of Rabbi Rose
President’s Office Hours – Creating space for open dialogue and listening
Congregational Satisfaction Survey – Strengthening our commitment to growth
Communications Initiatives – Building connection with return to two e-newsletters weekly (KBI Connections and KBI Shabbat Shalom), “Spotlight on Congregant” interviews, “Kol Ha’Kavod” and Shabbat handouts
Building & Lands Visioning – Ongoing work to reimagine and enhance our physical space, with a focus on the multi-year Safety, Security and Accessibility Project
Hearing Loop System – New technology enhancing accessibility through clearer, direct audio
OKFB Auction for Action – Almost $39,000 raised, exceeding last year’s impact
CBSOLF Grants – Funding secured to support OKFB, community celebrations, and preservation of our synagogue, including stained glass windows

Israeli Embassy and Culture Family Dinner – Israeli folk dancing with Shabbat dinner
Pride Shabbat – Annual program celebrating our LGBTQI+ community
Flying Squirrel Social Event – Gesher and USY youth gathering
Membership BBQ – Fourth annual summer gathering bringing our community together
10-Year Anniversary Celebration – Planning is underway!