RABBI ELIZABETH DUNSKER, left, was officially installed as the spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Ami in Vancouver at a Dec. 19 ceremony including Cantor Jaime Shpall, right, from Arizona.

 

 

CHERYL RICAHRDS PHOTO

Kol Ami installs Rabbi Dunsker

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-01-15T00:00:00

Winter’s worst weather could not keep Congregation Kol Ami from celebrating the installation of Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker as spiritual leader of Vancouver, Wash.’s oldest and largest synagogue during the Shabbat Service, Friday, Dec. 19.

Cantor Jaime Shpall, now cantor of Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, Ariz., officiated. Cantor Shpall and Rabbi Dunsker attended Hebrew Union College together in New York and both served Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Texas, respectively as cantor and associate rabbi.

David Berkman, camp director for Camp Kalsman spoke on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism and on behalf of himself as a former congregant of Dunsker’s in Austin. He praised her boundless energy, her incredible leadership skills and her joyous participation in her congregational life.

Kol Ami President Doug Green welcomed congregants and guests from the Jewish community as well as the greater Vancouver interfaith community.

“Rabbi you have made this congregation into a real home for so many of us,” said Green. “In just a short number of months, you have already begun to make your mark on our schools, our services and our community life. And that mark has been your signature smile, your caring connection—the way that you have become part of our family and our lives.”

Congregational Vice President Cheryl Richards spoke on behalf of the board of directors at the pre-Hanukah celebration.
“As we prepare to enter the season that celebrates light, we are blessed to be able to honor the person who has brought so much light into our lives,” said Richards. “With our appreciation for all that you have done and with the vision of all that we have yet to do, we congratulate you on the occasion of your installation as our rabbi.

As a special surprise for Rabbi Dunsker, students from Kol Ami’s religious school presented the rabbi with books that their parents donated to the Kol Ami library in honor of Dunsker’s installation.
Congregation Kol Ami is located at 1006-B NE 146th St. in Vancouver. For more information, visit online at www.jewishvancouverusa.org or call 360-896-8088.