A Message from Rabbi Kane
Psalm 90 states that “the span of our life is seventy years or even eighty years if given the fortitude.” As some of us approach these numbers in our own lives we can certainly understand more clearly, in a very personal and visceral sense, how much inner fortitude, physical courage and spiritual strength it takes to survive all the challenges that life can present to us. As Madison Jewish Center enters its eighth decade as a guiding light of Liberal Conservative Judaism and a beacon of inspiration in our Brooklyn neighborhood, we can now fully appreciate all that it took, and continues to take to achieve this level of longevity.
Dedicated individuals – past and present stalwart members of our Congregation -acting in concert with one another, and spanning the eighty years of Madison Jewish Center’s existence have added their strength, stamina and staying power to Madison, thereby, enabling us to maintain our vitality into this the second decade of the Twenty-first Century.
It has been my honor and privilege to have served Madison Jewish Center for over a decade. The ongoing innovation, enthusiasm and vigor of our Congregation beginning with our Conservative-Egalitarian Worship Services [including Tot Shabbat on Friday Night, Lunch & Learn following Shabbat Worship and Music Shabbat with Cantor Rimer and the MJC Choir, our vibrant Hebrew School [celebrating Hannukah with a Wheel of Judah assembly program and our Tu B’shvat Seder] and the myriad number of programs of our Social Club [such as Madison’s own Antique Road Show and Doo Wop Dance] our vivacious Sisterhood encompassing [Sisterhood Shabbat, Fashion Show and Fitness Night] and our indispensable Parents Association [coordinating Shabbat Across America and the visit from the roving Matzah Factory] is an inspiration to me as well as a great source of personal pride.
Our Congregation’s participatory and inclusive philosophy also includes an energetic Youth Group, an exciting Adult Education Program, delicious Shabbat Dinners, an original Shlomo Carlebach Service in the round, our involvement with and contribution to Mitzvah Day, and our annual long-standing pulpit exchange with the Kings Highway United Methodist Church in honor of Sisterhood Brotherhood Month.
These are just some of the reasons Madison Jewish Center has survived for all these decades. We invite you to join us as we look forward to maintaining our presence and serving the needs of the Jewish Community of Brooklyn in the decades to come.
Rabbi Shae J. Kane, D.D.
