RABBI KENNETH BRODKIN at the bimah in Congregation Kesser Israel.

Growing Kesser invites community to hear OU president

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2008-10-15T00:00:00

Since its move two years ago from its Old South Portland home on Meade Street to the new heart of the Jewish community in Southwest Portland, Congregation Kesser Israel has seen a dramatic increase in attendance.
 
“Since leaving Meade Street, we’ve seen a big gain in our attendance,” said the Orthodox congregation’s Rabbi Kenneth Brodkin. “We had about 30 people each Shabbat on Meade St. Here we have 100 most Shabbats and we had 200 people for Rosh Hashanah.”
 
Community growth—within Portland and as a more integral part of the Orthodox Union—is the focus of a series of programs Nov. 1 (see box).

Orthodox Union President Stephen J. Savitsky will visit Kesser Israel and deliver a series of talks throughout Shabbat as part of a 10-city North American tour to share the OU message, discuss major issues facing contemporary Jewry and reflect upon his personal experiences and strategies as an effective lay leader.
 
“I’m looking forward to visiting this exciting community and hope to develop an even deeper relationship between the Portland Jewish community and the Orthodox Union,” said Savitsky in an OU press release.
 
During an interview at Kesser Israel’s new home at 6698 SW Capitol Highway, Brodkin said, “We want to use the relationship with the OU to better Jewish life in Portland.”
 
“Kesser is the Orthodox synagogue for all Jews,” said Brodkin. “We welcome a broad spectrum of people and we hope people will view this as an opportunity to peek their heads in and share a community experience with someone who has been an important figure in the Jewish world.”
 
Brodkin said Savitsky’s lecture on the importance of the upcoming elections would be of special interest to the general Jewish community. Brodkin said Savitsky will define Jewish concerns from a very broad perspective.
 
Brodkin said he also feels Savitsky is a excellent example of an effective lay leader.
 
“Here is someone who has had an impact on a lot of different issues,” said Brodkin. “This is an opportunity to share with lay leaders what individuals can do to have an impact.”
 
“He is a volunteer; he is not paid to do this,” said Brodkin. “He is trying to inspire Jewish leadership. At Kesser, we always try to improve lay involvement and inspire lay people that they can make a big impact on the community. Savitsky’s focus is on community development.”
 
With the exception of lunch, all programs Nov. 1 are free.
 
Savitsky has been an active OU volunteer for more than 20 years. First elected as OU president in 2004, he will begin his third and constitutionally mandated final term as OU President at the OU’s Biennial National Convention in Jerusalem in November.
 
Brodkin said he hopes the visit will help make the Kesser-OU relationship “more productive, rather than a token membership.”
 
“There is a desire to have that relationship … that we communicate and have a chance to discuss issues,” Brodkin added. “We want to make a nebulous relationship active.”