November 21, 2025

The role of the rabbi is quite diverse. We teach, we provide comfort, we celebrate significant moments in people’s lives, we counsel, we stand up for the vulnerable. People look to us to be a moral voice and a source of wisdom.

In ancient times, when the rabbis or sages reflected on their role in people’s lives, Yosei ben Yoezer—leader of Tz’reidah—taught, “let your house be a meeting place for the sages; sit in the dust of their feet; drink in their words thirstily,” (Avot 1:4). When commenting on this teaching, Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib, also known as the S’fat Emet, explained that our places of learning should be made into homes. When we come to a place of Jewish learning, in modern day, that place of learning is a synagogue. We want people to feel fully at home there.

What does that look like? Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz explains that we want people to discover a thirst for knowledge, explore, ask questions, and find opportunities to grow intellectually and spiritually. Empowering people to live and learn Jewishly and make the world a better place is core to the sacred work we do at Beth Tikvah. In order to bring that vision to life, we strive to equip our community members with the tools to make Judaism part of their lives and to support one’s Jewish journey in personal and unique ways.

Five months ago, Rabbi Karen Martin joined our Beth Tikvah family and is helping to make this synagogue a home. In the time that she has been with us, she has worked to bring Torah to our lives in new and creative ways. She has spent much of her time in these past few months learning and teaching; she has already enriched our lives in such a short time. She has opened my own eyes to perspectives on Jewish communal life, insights into Torah, meaningful prayer, and a passion for bringing people together. While Rabbi Martin has already been with us for several months, tonight is a moment to both honor her at her installation and celebrate her as a community. Bringing a new rabbi into the community provides opportunities for more touch points and opens pathways to discovering new depths of Torah.

We also learn in the Pirke Avot that we are to “aseh l’cha rav—make for yourself a rabbi (or teacher).” Every one of us needs a teacher. The magical power of a teacher is to open one’s eyes to making new discoveries, new meaning, and new possibilities. Judaism is such a rich tradition, and when we approach our tradition with a new lens and new perspective, our eyes open to new possibilities. It is my hope that, if you have not done so already, you will welcome Rabbi Martin into your lives as one of your teachers.

Our tradition is rich with insight and wisdom that provides much guidance at every stage of our journey. As rabbis, we are privileged to experience those most private and vulnerable moments alongside you. Thank you for letting us walk with you when you are vulnerable, for allowing us to be your teachers, and for providing us with insight into your lives so that we can create opportunities to encounter what is holy.

Please join us this evening as we mark a historical moment in our synagogue’s journey and officially celebrate and welcome Rabbi Karen Martin, her husband Stewart, and her children Sam and Joel.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rick Kellner

November 14, 2025

Over the course of several weeks this spring, we encouraged voter turnout for the 2025 World Zionist Congress elections. You may recall that the World Zionist Congress and the World Zionist Organization are responsible for allocating $5 billion over the next five years.

While groups were traveling to Israel on the JewishColumbus 614 Mission trip, the WZC delegates were meeting in Jerusalem. Thousands of Jews, representing Jewish communities from all over the world, had gathered to set the agenda for the World Zionist Organization. The gathering in Jerusalem allowed for the establishment of coalitions and the Reform Movement partnered with other similarly aligned organizations, including Mercaz from the Conservative movement. My colleague in Columbus, Rabbi Hillel Skolnik—Senior Rabbi of Congregation Tifereth Israel and leader of Mercaz—delivered a remarkable address to the Knesset Committee on Aliyah, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs.

There has been widespread concern that, due to the voting outcome, the delegates representing the liberal Jewish circles (the use of liberal here is to denote, Reform, Conservative and other non-Orthodox organizations) would be far fewer. However, the results proved the opposite—these liberal Jewish circles will have more power and more funding than ever before. Some of the resolutions adopted include:

·   Stopped funding for new settlements in Gaza

·   Ensuring equal government protection for Reform and liberal synagogues in Israel

·   Establishing a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the events of October 7

·   Creating a national mental health taskforce for soldiers and victims of terror

·   Expanding youth movements and Israel education in the Diaspora

·   Halting settlement expansion in E1, staying on the path toward a two-state solution

·   Supporting an equitable military draft for all Israelis

·   Increasing access to the egalitarian section of the Western Wall

·   Strengthening civil society, pluralism, and support for Holocaust survivors

We are deeply grateful for our delegates who spent the week in Jerusalem supporting Reform Jewish causes and helping to pave the way for Reform Jewish values to be present in Israel.

This week, I have been attending the Board meetings of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in New Jersey. Early in the week, we heard from Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. Anna shared that 6% of Israelis identify as Reform Jews, while 33% support the movement.

Over the past two years, Reform Rabbis have led Havdalah in Hostage Square prior to the rallies. The week after the hostages were released, the movement decided they would no longer need to lead Havdalah—yet people still came, searching for it. One of the leaders who attended the rally had brought his spice box, candle, and kiddush cup but left them in the car, just in case. People yearned for Havdalah. Many had never heard of Havdalah before October 7, but now saw it as an essential part of their expression.

This movement revealed something profound. Reform Jewish leaders have learned that there is a place for Reform Judaism in Israel’s public square.

The work of Reform Judaism is authentic, and Reform Jewish life in Israel is vibrant. As more people encounter it, more come to support it.

Thank you again to all who voted in the World Zionist Congress elections. On to 2030!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rick Kellner

November 7, 2025

As the government shutdown has entered its second month, we are starting to see its direct impact in our own community. Earlier this week, I was invited to a meeting at the Worthington Resource Pantry with fellow clergy and community leaders to understand the shutdown’s impact on SNAP benefits. Those who earn at or below 130% of the federal poverty line are eligible for SNAP benefits. However, due to the shutdown, they did not receive those benefits on November 1. The federal government tapped into an emergency fund to allocate benefits, but at most, people will only receive half of the funds they typically receive each month, and it is unclear when those funds will be released. Additionally, the State of Ohio and Columbus City allocated emergency funds, but those funds are limited to people earning only 50% below the federal poverty line. The government shutdown also makes it impossible for any new registrants to enter the program. The Worthington Resource Pantry is able to serve people earning at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty line.

On Monday, the Worthington Resource Pantry served 232 families. Their previous daily high was 205. They served 27 new families. Many TSA and FAA employees were among the newly served as they continue to work without pay. As the shutdown goes on, there will be further demands and strains placed on local resource pantries. The Worthington Resource Pantry currently has the capacity to serve the increased demands. However, they have authorized emergency funds to spend on dry goods. The Resource Pantry is hoping to stay ahead of the curve. For example, they receive fresh fruit from the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, but since the food bank receives food from the USDA, that will end this month as USDA workers are not working due to lack of pay from the shutdown. Donations will enable them to provide the fresh fruit and other items they need.

Jewish tradition is guided by several sources when it comes to responding to hunger. Practically speaking, we might turn to Maimonides compendium of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah offers a collection of laws entitled “Gifts to the Poor”. Chapter 9 begins with a law requiring every community to appoint righteous individuals to a committee who will circulate among the neighbors each week to collect tzedakah. That tzedakah is placed in what is called a kupah, and then is distributed to the poor, providing food for seven days. Maimonides adds, “we have never seen or heard of a community that does not have a kupah for tzedakah.” This universal communal characteristic directs our concern to the dignity of every neighbor in our community and reminds us that we all play a role in ensuring no one goes hungry.

Here is how you can help right now:

1. Consider making a monetary donation directly to the Worthington Resource Pantry. This is the best way to help because the Pantry has purchasing power and can best use financial resources.

2. Consider purchasing and donating items from their needed item list. This list reflects items that they would buy at the same price as we would in the store. Please deliver these items directly to the Worthington Resource Pantry, not Beth Tikvah.

3. Consider purchasing/donating items from their Amazon Wish List. These items will be delivered directly to the Pantry.

Of course, we are a geographically diverse community. If you prefer to donate to a pantry in Dublin, Hilliard, Delaware County, or wherever you live, they will be incredibly grateful for the support. The Worthington Resource Pantry is the largest Pantry in the area because they serve people living in the following zip codes: 43016, 43035, 43065, 43081, 43085, 43229, 43235, 43240.

Below is the data for local SNAP recipients, many of whom are children and elderly:

As the shutdown drags on, demand will increase. When it comes to an end, neighbors will still face a lack of resources to keep food on the table and conditions will only improve slightly.

If you can help, please consider donating. If you need help, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or to Rabbi Martin. We are here to support you in these challenging times.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rick Kellner

October 31, 2025

Home.

Community.

Resilience.

Life.

It is difficult to find the words to capture these last three days on the JewishColumbus Israel mission. Traveling with our Beth Tikvah family and the larger JewishColumbus community has been incredible. We are the largest mission to travel to Israel since October 7^th with over 190 people. As I walked through the neighborhoods of Tel Aviv last evening, I saw a vibrant market, a kids’ Halloween party, trick-or-treaters, packed restaurants and bars. Tel Aviv has the vibrancy that it has always had.

Of the 190, 45 were first-timers, and only a few had been since October 7. You instantly feel at home. Where else in the world could you visit and be thanked for coming. Our opening dinner was prepared by celebrity chefs; one stood to speak and he thanked us for “coming to my home” and then he immediately corrected himself and said, “our home.” You feel an instant connection to the land and the people. They are our family.

When we arrived at Rickenbacker Airport on Monday afternoon to board our chartered ElAl flight, many of us saw old friends and began connecting to new ones. The JewishColumbus staff and volunteer committee have been planning this trip for the last 18 months. Their vision was to bring us together and connect us to Israel. After a long night’s sleep, we learned about Columbus’ direct connection to the Ein HaBasur Moshav in the Eshkol region.  Sivan Shefer’s parents made Aliyah from Columbus, OH to the Western Negev region of Israel more than 50 years ago. Their grandson Dudi was murdered on October 7 at the Nova festival. Sivan had a vision: to create a farm called Dialog for Life in memory of her nephew, Dudi. This farm specializes in healing the trauma endured by the residents of the region, IDF soldiers, and Nova survivors using the Human-Animal Dialogue method. JewishColumbus is the Founding Partner, helping to establish this incredibly impactful place. As we planted trees, made ceramic kalanit, and helped build this sacred place, we recognize that our community extends far beyond Central Ohio.

I am continually amazed by the Israeli people: the residents of Kibbutz Alumim who defended their Kibbutz on October 7^th. The residents of Kfar Azza, another Kibbutz I visited in May of 2024, promise to rebuild in the next two years. The Nova site has changed so much in the last 18 months. The memorials where laminated paper was on display have been replaced by permanent metal placards that share the stories of the victims. As I have immersed myself in these stories over the last two years, some of the names are becoming more familiar. To remember just one name keeps their memory alive. To have met family members of victims and learned their child’s story helps us personalize the connections in a more meaningful way when we see their names. I recall the feeling I had the first time I was at Nova. It was as if my soul had been sucked out of my body. That emptiness was only matched when I walked the grounds of Auschwitz. Perhaps one of the lessons of Jewish sovereignty is our ability to not only remember and build memorials but to know and share the name of every person who was murdered.

We woke up in Tel Aviv, ran and cycled on the beach, watched the sunset, and saw and felt that Israel is still a vibrant place. Yes, the trauma of October 7^th is still trapped in the souls of every Israeli, but so is the hope. It is the hope to be a free people in our own land. Together, with our family—the Jewish people, we share in the dream for our collective future. It is the dream that our ancestors shared when they wept by the waters of Babylon after the destruction of the first Temple. It is the dream that directed our hearts towards Jerusalem for centuries. It is the dream that Herzl and others after him turned into a reality. That dream is kept alive by every Israeli and Jewish soul. Each and every day, another stone is laid that hearkens back to our history and looks toward the future.

As Shabbat begins in Jerusalem and Columbus this evening, we nurture that dream through our prayers.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rick Kellner