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LIGHTING IGNITING Congregati on Kehil ath Jeshurun Annual Dinner Honoring Over 30 Years of KJ Beginners Decemb er 13, 2025 24 Kislev, 5786
HONORING The Leaders of KJ’s Beginners Program: George Rohr Morris Massel Dr. Steven Rudolph Under the Direction of Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus.
Dear KJ Family, A student once asked Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch: “Rebbe, what makes someone a true chassid?” His response was: “A chassid is a lamplighter.” Someone who moves through the world with a flame, igniting every lamp he encounters. KJB is our community’s lamplighter. For decades, KJB has helped Jews of every background find new warmth, new meaning, and new connection. KJB has touched countless lives. It has given generations of families a place to deepen their relationship with Judaism. It has brought so many the gifts of friendship, community, Torah, tradition, and personal renewal. What follows in this book is only a snapshot — a handful of stories and a glimpse into this remarkable program. And this Chanukah, we invite you to join us, become a lamplighter, and help ensure that KJB continues lighting and igniting Jewish souls for generations to come.
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“The Beginners Service was my first ‘real’ exposure to the magnificence of Judaism...”
RADIATING
About 20 years ago my wife Gilat and I joined the Beginners Minyan at KJ. We really became part of that amazing family. It was a wonderful opportunity to get closer to our Judaism, understand the Torah, and love the tefillot. I want to thank everyone — all the folks that have been doing this for so many years.
Naftali Bennett First joined a KJ Beginners program 20 years ago 8
I first attended Ramaz over 40 years ago, commuting each day from the Five Towns. While I’m not a beginner, I gravitated toward KJB for its warmth, more intimate feel, and interactive services. I first attended KJB about 20 years ago, and over the years I’ve formed meaningful and lasting friendships. What makes KJB special to me is its genuine sense of community and the welcoming environment it creates. I still think back to early KJB Shabbat programs filled with singing and connection — moments that continue to stay with me. From KJB, I’ve gained spiritual connection and friendships that have become an important part of my life. Lisa Young First joined a KJ Beginners program 20 years ago
I’ve been an Orthodox Jew for more than 9 years. I got my start at the KJ beginnings minyan. I’m married now, keeping an observant home and with four kids attending an Orthodox school. The KJ Beginners minyan helped me build the foundation on which I’ve continued to grow religiously since then. The KJ Beginners program is special because it teaches participants how to daven the Shacharit service in a setting where they can ask questions and say the prayers slowly with the leaders. It allowed participants to learn in a non-judgmental and non-intimidating setting. I’ve never come across another program like it.
Mike Shambon First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2015 10
SPARKING blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame...
Rivka and I truly wish we could be there with you to celebrate these warm, generous, and deeply impactful individuals. The trajectory of our lives has been forever changed for the good. We now live a life where Torah values are central to us and to our children. George was a rock for us. He delivered the fundamentals with kindness, structure, and clarity, which was immensely helpful in those early days. Since moving to Australia, where we daven at Chabad North Shore with Rabbi Nachum Schapiro and our children attend Masada College, we draw a direct line from the world we live in today the community we are a part of directly to the foundation we received at the Beginners Service. For this, we are immensely grateful. Shane & Rivka Barbanel First joined a KJB program in 2013
KJB is an amazingly warm and welcoming program and community. It serves as an introduction or reintroduction to Shabbat, holidays, and Jewish learning. We each started at very different levels and were welcomed with open arms. Plus the kiddush! We are still touched by the memory of listening to our daughter sing Adon Olam solo in front of the Beginners service when she was three years old. KJB likely changed the course of our life. That sounds like an overstatement but it’s not. Maureen & Jack Rimon First joined a KJ Beginners program 15 years ago
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The interactivity of KJB is what makes it so special. We are a group of smart and interesting people who bring a lifetime of secular learning to our study of the Torah. We have great discussions and have grown to be excellent friends over the years. The last thing we wanted was to make friends. But soon enough, we were invited to Shabbos lunches which lasted for hours. The discussions were excellent. The laughter came easily. Someone always had a D’var Torah. We made new friends who stood by us in life’s happy moments and sad ones. We went to weddings, Brit Milas, baby namings and sadly, funerals and shivas. We took classes and made friends from all over the shul. We stayed together through many different rabbis — Rabbi Yitz Motechin, Rabbi Josh Cypess, Rabbi Elie Weinstock — and now with Rabbi Daniel Kraus, but the true constants have been George Rohr, Steve Rudolph and Morris Massel. We studied at KJ Rambam’s Guide of the Perplexed with Marty Kaufman for 5 years the first time around. One of the students was Naftali Bennett, future Prime Minister of Israel, whose wife, Gilat was learning in KJB. We became friendly with them and they came to our home for a Shabbos dinner. We learned how to pray! We can go to any shul, anywhere in the world and feel at home. We have benefitted from the classes KJ offers — so much to learn about the tremendous body of Jewish scholarship!
Sharon & Anton Loew First joined a KJ Beginners program in 1998
KJB empowered me to move from simply occupying a seat in the synagogue to be a proactive, engaged community participant. I believe this was all made possible by George Rohr's warmth, dedication, and leadership. A standout memory was graduating from the KJB program, advancing to the Intermediate program, and being asked to assume the role of gabbai. Sharing that news with my mother and trying to describe those responsibilities to my mom led to a conversation I'll always treasure. Being part of this community has brought me so much more than I ever expected. It’s the shared laughter, the supportive words during tough times, and the profound sense of belonging. The true bounty isn't just in programs, but in the people — the connections that have enriched my life and the life of our family in countless ways.
Barry Frohlinger First joined a KJ Beginners program 24 years ago
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For with You is the source of life; in Your light we see light.
ִּכ י ִע ְּמ ָך ְמ קֹור ַח יים
KINDLING When I first began studying for my conversion, George Rohr’s Beginners Minyan became a spiritual home for me. It was in that room, surrounded by people at all different stages of their own journeys, that I truly learned how to daven. The experience was warm, inclusive, and profoundly expanding. Each service carried a sense of joy and belonging — a community where curiosity was met with kindness and every small step forward was celebrated. The Beginners Program didn’t just teach me the words of prayer; it helped me connect to their meaning and to a community that lives those values. I carry those lessons with me always — and I miss those Shabbat mornings very much. Ivanka Trump First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2008
NYC is filled with Jews and Jewish institutions, but for Becky and me, none combined the communal warmth and institutional strength of KJB. This was a program that never felt like a program — offering personal connections, prayer services, and courses that we could follow at our own pace and on our own terms. We started slowly but eventually went all in... Although we never signed up for it, KJB and eventually KJ became our Jewish home in New York. We were married on Hurricane Sandy, at the South Street Seaport. The hours leading up to our huppa were a series of cancellations — from vendors, guests and even public utilities (the subway, bridges and tunnels were all shut down Sunday morning). But as the city shut down, KJ went into high gear. The shul never ignored our calls, and stood ready to host our wedding (and celebration!) on premises. Luckily, it never came to that, and we were able to enjoy a beautiful — if not surreal — ceremony officiated by Rabbi Weinstock... We felt like we had made it — because we had a community that had our back. We will forever be grateful. KJB ultimately provided us with a smooth onboarding ramp for our own, adult, version of Jewish life — one that was centered around study, signing, prayer and community. Leo and Becky Lazar First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2010 16
We found the leadership at KJB to be exceptionally kind, welcoming, and patient. From the very beginning, Rabbi Daniel and Rachel, Steven, and George created an environment where we felt comfortable. No question about the Parsha, the prayers, or anything else ever felt inappropriate or out of place. A particularly meaningful memory for us was having Rabbi Daniel and Rachel officiate our wedding ceremony ten years ago. It was wonderful to have both of them lead the ceremony together and to see them as a couple involved in such an important moment in our lives. Rachel stood with us under our chuppah and delivered a thoughtful d’var Torah, weaving together details of our lives and our creative interests with the themes of that week’s parsha (Vayeitsei!), and the ways in which the imagery of "Jacob's ladder" has been depicted in works of art. Her words and those of Rabbi Daniel beautifully connected our personal story with Torah, making the ceremony feel both meaningful and deeply grounded in the values we had learned at KJB. Stefanie (Stef) Hirsch & Patrick Coyle First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2014
The overall community at KJ is very warm and welcoming but the Beginners Service is an especially inclusive environment. By nature it's inviting people to act as Beginners or to feel like Beginners in the sense that we are all focused on learning and building a community.
KJ and the Beginners Service team are amazing. This place has so much to offer — wherever you are on your journey. Yoni Gol First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2024
Viviane Sabat First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2023 18
Thirty-five years ago I was getting married to a wonderful Orthodox Yemenite guy at Lincoln Square Synagogue. I spoke to the rabbi there about how little knowledge I had of traditional Judaism and shared that I lived on the East Side of Manhattan. He told me about a new program George Rohr was starting for beginners at KJ Synagogue. I went to one of the first groups and left in tears of happiness. This was exactly what I was looking for. I felt comfortable and George had our group take turns doing D’var Torahs. I started my family, and my son grew up with guidance. When he got to be 7, he helped me with with my D’var Torahs and he gave some himself. What I am most proud of is because of this program and my son getting great guidance from school, he is now a rabbi... The guidance and direction I received from KJ and all of its many rabbis and teachers and staff over the years is extraordinary and life-changing. THANKFUL can’t capture how I feel — GRATEFUL, BLESSED.
Penny Errico-Nagar First joined a KJB program 35 years ago
I walked into the KJ Beginner’s Minyan almost 30 years ago. I was curious because I had not been to a Shabbat morning service since I was 13 years old. And my knowledge of Judaism was superficial, to say the least. I was immediately and warmly greeted by George Rohr and Rabbi Yitz Motechin and felt right at home because of their warmth, knowledge, and most of all, their sense of humor. No question was off limits. Whether it was “what is a Levirate marriage?” to “Why Tekhelet blue for the ancient Tallis?” Or, most important, “What’s Cholent?” — I had no idea, but it tasted very good! George and YItz explained everything for us, “Jews with no background.” “No background?!!” the Lubavitch Rebbe answered George. “Tell them their background is Avraham, Yitchok, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah!” The rest is history. I am eternally grateful. Donna Lippman First joined a KJ Beginners program 30 years ago 20
What is special about KJB as a program? I learned to love learning — the services are interactive so I would do my homework before Shabbat in order to contribute and learn. This led to me studying Rabbi Nachman with Marty Kaufman for 10 years, learning the Rambam’s Guide with Marty from start to finish. I would never have had the interest or confidence to attend these classes if not for the KJB program. And best of all, I still love to learn — a beautiful gift that just grows and grows. Can you share a specific memory/story of a KJB experience that still inspires or touches you today? The final moments of Yom Kippur and George is asking each of us to commit to a mitzvah. George had been on his feet for hours and was probably so exhausted but you just knew that this one ask he was literally forcing us to commit to was going to be a game changer — and without fail these small commitments I made in the last minutes of Yom Kippur proved to be significant steps for me year after year. What have you gained from KJB? I gained insight into the beauty of being nonjudgmental. Everyone involved in the KJB loved all Jews and they did not have to say it — they showed it every Shabbat.
Debra Frohlinger First joined a KJ Beginners program 24 years ago
ILLUMINATING KJ Beginners has made a tremendous impact on my religious life and allowed me to make friends for years. The dedication from all who have led the services or helped in any way has been most appreciated. Attending also led me to Sarah Rosen's Hebrew course where I learned Hebrew. I continue to learn to this day from different resources. We should not forget Mr. David Gordon who upon my first attendance to the service gave me an aliyah and I did not know what was going on but he was very cordial in his direction of what I was supposed to do and made me feel welcome. The honorees are some of the people who made the KJ Beginners program what it is today — and kudos also should be given to Rabbi Weinstock and Shilo Kramer. Richard Gallis First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2016 22
KJB is not just a program; it’s a sanctuary and fertile ground for the spirit. Coming from a completely assimilated background, I found in the Beginners Program a non-judgmental environment that allowed me to explore my faith and satisfy my curiosity about Judaism. It offered me a unique opportunity to connect with the entirety of Am Yisrael in a relaxed and welcoming setting. The ethos of chassidus, with its focus on love, acceptance, and the profound connection we share as one people, permeates every aspect of KJB. A memory that continues to inspire me is when George shared his experience with the Lubavitcher Rebbe of blessed memory during Aseret Yemei Teshuvah. I was there, listening intently as he recounted how he happily shared with the Rebbe he helped lead a service with about 180 people “without any Jewish background whatsoever”. We all know how this turned out... I was there, I heard George tell us in contrite fashion about the meeting, George spoke with such humility and sincerity that we were all brought to tears simultaneously feeling pride and renewed energy in our own Judaism. That day lit a flame in me—one that has been passed down to countless others, igniting their paths in a way that still resonates today and on to new generations. Quantifying what I’ve gained from KJB is like trying to count the stars in the sky—it's infinite and boundless and impossible. This program has provided me with the privilege of leading a Shomer Shabbat Jewish life and being an active member of my community here in Englewood. The impacts ripple through my family, with children who have attended Jewish day schools, studied in Israel, and one currently serving in the IDF. Jonathan Blinken First joined a KJ Beginners program in 1991
KJB gave me the foundation to live a Jewish life. I am grateful for all that I have learned and appreciate the ongoing support from the KJ community. Kate Archibald First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2011
It has been within this KJB community, through learning and reflection, that I discovered my love for Hashem and for the Torah. Week by week — through classes, services, and conversations with so many of you — I came to see Judaism not just as a religion, but as a living, breathing way of life. KJB has been the soil where my gratitude and Jewish growth have taken root. Rabbi Kraus, Rachel, Rabbi Feldman, Morris, George, Dr. Rudolph — you’ve taught me that Judaism isn’t about being perfect; it’s about teshuvah — returning, again and again, to our truest selves. As Rabbi Nachman taught, “If you believe you can destroy, believe you can repair.” When Rachel came with me to the mikvah on the morning of April 3rd it didn’t feel like a beginning — it felt like a homecoming, my soul finally finding its people and its purpose.
Maria Oz First joined a KJ Beginners program in 2024
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ִמ ּכל ְמ ַל ְּמ ַד י ִה ְׂש ַּכ ְל ִּת י ִמ ּכל ְמ ַל ְּמ ַד י ִה ְׂש ַּכ ְל ִּת י ִמ ּכל ְמ ַל ְּמ ַד י ִה ְׂש ַּכ ְל ִּת י Rabbi Kraus, Rachel, Rabbi Feldman, Morris, George, Dr. Rudolph — you didn’t just open your doors, you opened your hearts. You met me where I was, celebrated where I am, and guided me toward who I hope to become.
George is accessible an d approachable. No question is too small or insignificant.
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from my teachers I have learned from my teachers I have learned from my teachers I have learned
KJB means the world to me because it embodies the simple, radical idea that Torah, mitzvos, and tefillah truly belong to every Jew. Walking into shul for the first time can be overwhelming, confusing, and even isolating. At KJB, we start at the very beginning and try to make everyone feel immediately at ease: here is the right book, here is where we are, here is what this silence means, here is why this line matters, and here is why we do what we do. Nothing is taken for granted. No question is too basic. There is never judgment — only curiosity, warmth, authenticity, and real answers. Over the years, I have watched people who once entered saying, “I don’t know anything,” become passionate, knowledgeable, deeply engaged members of the community — leading chaburos, keeping mitzvos, mentoring others, and bringing an unforgettable energy into KJ as a whole. And it is not only beginners who benefit. Anyone can walk into KJB and come away refocused and learning something new. It takes remarkable courage to walk through that door and say, “I want to know.” To me, every person who does that is a little like Avraham Avinu—willing to step into the unknown with faith, humility, and hope. Being able to watch, guide, and occasionally accompany people on that journey has been one of the great blessings of my life. Morris Massel
הרבה למדתי:והיינו דאמר ר׳ חנינה — ומחברי יותר מרבותי,מרבותי ). א, (תענית ז.ומתלמידי יותר מכולן And this is what R’ Chanina said: I have learned much from my teachers, and from my colleagues more than from my teachers — but from my students more than from all combined. (Taanit 7a) This honor rightfully belongs to our beloved participants in KJ’s Beginners programs, past and present. Their stunning courage, intellectual integrity, unquenchable curiosity and unwavering tenacity continue to impart to us invaluable lessons in commitment to Torah study and the observance of mitzvot. Over the past 35 years these heroes and their transformative journeys have profoundly inspired us. Tonight it is their spirit that we joyfully salute and celebrate. George Rohr 28
The KJ Beginners community is, at its core, a story of people—real people, real questions, real encounters with Torah and one another. What has emerged is a constellation of people discovering Jewish identity and encountering themselves. Each conversation, each class, each question, each “Shabbat Shalom” adds radiance to this constellation, bringing the power of HaShem, identity and tradition to the center of Jewish life. At the heart of this story stand three remarkable and devoted lay leaders — George Rohr, Dr. Steven Rudolph, and Morris Massel — who have led with sincerity, wisdom, and an unshakable belief that everyone deserves a place to explore, connect, and come home. Their faith in the power of Torah, a single mitzvah, one conversation, has shaped the program and the soul of an entire community. The magic of KJB has always been connecting with Jewish identity, Torah and one another. Whether someone enters through High Holidays, a Shabbat dinner, a class or a single question, KJB helps people discover and rediscover their place within our magnificent chain of heritage. The Gemara in Brachot (6a) states ”.“ְׁש ַנִים ֶׁש ּיֹוְׁש ִב ין ְועֹוְס ִק ין ַּב ּת ֹוָר ה — ֶׁש ְּׁש ִכ יָנה ִע ָּמ ֶה ם When two sit together and engage in Torah, the Shechinah (Divine Providence) rests between them. Every moment at KJB is a meeting of souls where the Divine Presence dwells. The voices that fill this community — teachers and students alike — blend into a single harmony. Together, we recognize the teachers, George, Steve and Morris, and the thousands of students, honoring what has been built, but what continues to unfold: a living testimony to the courage to ask, the humility to learn, and the joy of discovery and rediscovery of our sacred inheritance and identity. Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus
ABOUT KJ BEGINNERS For more than thirty years, the KJ Beginners Program has served as a gateway for thousands seeking meaning, belonging, and a deeper understanding of Jewish life. KJ Beginners has long welcomed individuals from all backgrounds into a warm, engaging community of learners. Through dynamic classes, meaningful conversations, and supportive guidance, it has provided an accessible path into Jewish learning, living, and identity.
ABOUT THE RHL PROJECT In 2025, the KJ Beginners Program entered a new chapter as it was renamed the Rabbi Haskel Lookstein Jewish Exploration & Continuity Project — a tribute to the enduring legacy of Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. With the generous support of a dedicated donor, the RHL Project ensures that this transformative work will not only continue but deepen. The initiative remains committed to welcoming, educating, and inspiring those curious about Jewish identity, offering a thoughtful and inclusive path into Jewish wisdom, practice, and community. Wherever you’re coming from, you’re welcome here. 30
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