Freddy Zalta
THE EXCITEMENT WAS PALPABLE ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 30TH, 2022, AS THE KOL ISRAEL COMMUNITY ENTERED THE TENT TO CELEBRATE A HUGE MILESTONE FOR THEIR CONGREGATION. KOL ISRAEL, LOCATED ON BEDFORD AVENUE AND AVENUE K, HELD A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE BUILDING OF THEIR EXTENSION. THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT AND THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP TO SUPPORT THEIR SHUL.
Along with the rabbis from Kol Israel, Rabbi Ikey Tawil, Rabbi Nathan Zaboulani, and Rabbi Charles Safdieh; the ceremony was also blessed with the attendance of Chief Rabbi Saul Kassin, Rabbis Raymond Harari, Naftali Besser, Moses Haber, Richard Tobias, Joey Beyda, Yahel Tsaidi, Jack Savdie, Abraham Hayyoun and Joey Haber.
Eliyahu Zion, the hazan of the shul, opened the ceremony with beautiful renditions of Hatikvah and the national anthem.
President Steven Haim was the first speaker. He spoke about the “largest project the shul had undertaken in 35 years.” He went on to explain how the expansion would be able to, “accommodate our expanding youth programs as well as give our members a much-needed new midrash that will contain 120 fixed seats, a kitchen and a beautifully well-lit breakfast area. Most importantly, this expansion building will contain a 2,000 square-foot ballroom on the main level, with a multifunctional social space that will seat up to 300 people.
President Haim finished by saying, “It gives me great pride and joy to be standing before you today on this very special and happy occasion. Today, we are all sitting on this empty lot which stands for our future—the future of our shul, the future of our children and grandchildren and the future for our community.”
Beautiful and inspiring speeches followed by Former President (current Vice President) Lee Greenberg, Architect Dutch Osbourne, Interior Designer Eli Dweck, and Bobby Salame. Rabbi Nathan Zaboulani closed out the ceremony.
Perhaps the most telling and inspiring words were spoken by Head Rabbi Ikey Tawil, when he stated, “If you invested in Bitcoin when they first started and you check to see the worth today, you will see tremendous value. It’s even more so when an investment is made on expanding a community shul. Looking down the road you will find that you were responsible for tremendous spiritual growth which is something invaluable. It is said that when one turns 120 and ascends to Shamayim, they receive a reward for all the tefilot, learning Torah, Kaddish, that were said in that building. They will be stunned and tell Hashem, ‘that wasn’t me! I had nothing to do with it,’ and then Hashem will say, ‘Yes you did! You helped build the shul!’ What more can one ask for?”
A month since the groundbreaking—the construction has been progressing faster than anticipated. The foundation has been laid and the beams are being positioned. With help from Hashem the annex is scheduled to open in March of 2024.
Freddy Zalta is a biographer for hire.
