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When I first came to Maui I found an interesting mix of individual Jews. Open minded to the people and the wonders of the
world, yet holding in common an idea that their heritage was worth preserving and perpetuating. This grass roots chavura/group
was held together by the fabric of Judaism that stretches all the way back to our ancestors Abraham and Sarah.
In those early years, our congregation convened for Shabbat evening services twice each month. We worked together on a great
program for the High Holy Days, Chanukah and Pesach. During that time, I was a lay leader following the footsteps of the pioneers
of Jewish life on Maui. After receiving Smicha (rabbinical ordination) in 1998, I offered my services to the community and became
their first rabbi as well as the first full-time employee of the Jewish Congregation of Maui. On behalf of the Congregation I
extend our invitation, to Maui's visitors, the members of the congregation, and all Mauians, Jewish or not, visit our Beit Shalom,
our House of Peace. Experience the feeling we hold in common, that this is our home. Certainly, we owe the pleasure of this
emotion to the vision of our pioneering founders, Jonathan Waxman, Joel Richman, Darryll Leiman, Shelly Berman, Phyllis Ellman and many others.
My initial goal was to create an environment where we could observe and celebrate all the Shabbatot, holidays and special
times as they appear in the Jewish calendar. In addition, I felt it was important to offer a selection of opportunities for
Jewish education for people of all ages.
Now, more than seven years after I embarked with the congregation on this endeavor, we can look back and see great progress.
The Jewish Congregation of Maui offers services in all areas of life where there is need: all the lifecycle observances and
events, religious prayer services, educational opportunities for all ages, welfare and social services, observance of all Jewish
days of observance. Representatives of the Jewish community participate in all civic and interfaith events and meetings. The
Congregation has truly become woven into the fabric of Maui life.
I am proud, and the Jews of Maui should be proud, of the integrity that we as a community have upheld through all our growing
pains. As an unaffiliated congregation we try to offer an environment of welcome and comfort to as wide a range of Jews as
possible, residents and visitors alike. Overall our efforts have been successful. Anyone who seeks a Jewish experience should be
able to find satisfaction in some aspect of our program.
As we head into the future, I hope that we will continue to grow as a cohesive community. My vision is to encompass and
satisfy the religious as well as the secular, to continue to meet the needs and desires of the members of our congregation, the
Jews of Maui, and the community that is our home.
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