January 9, 2026

Transitional life moments often bring mixed emotions. We might feel joy as we forge new paths and sadness about the ones we leave behind. While I was traveling for winter break, I saw a video on our social media of Enos Wisniewski, our longtime custodian, walking through our front doors at the conclusion of his last shift on his final day. Enos has been with us for 10 years, and he retired at the end of 2025.

When I think about Enos, I think about him standing on a ladder painting my office ceiling as he finished a repair caused by a leak. I think about him power-washing the walls and the concrete around the building or even climbing onto the roof to fix things up there. Enos did more than setups and repairs. He came to work every day wanting to make us all laugh and smile. About a year or so ago, I noticed something very special. I noticed that all the JCC North kids leaving at the end of the day would run to Enos, and he cared for every one of them like they were his family. He offered them a sweet treat, and he looked forward to seeing their smiling faces every day. He helped make them smile.

One of Enos’ passions is fishing, and he shared it with us. “Rabbi, I’m goin’ fishin’. Gonna fry up some fish,” he would say. And he did just that, making the staff a fish-fry lunch on numerous occasions. Over the course of his time at Beth Tikvah, he experienced several health issues. In the last two years, he coped with debilitating back pain, but he came to work nearly every single day and powered through with a smile on his face. My heart went out to him as he labored to walk through the temple hallways.

When Hannah Karr, our Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, interviewed him in November, Enos shared that he would miss everybody. He said, “I built great relationships with everyone… I hope everybody keeps me in their heart, because you will all be in my heart forever.” He also shared that he always bragged about Beth Tikvah and said it was one of the best jobs he ever had. I like to think he felt that way because he truly recognized how special everyone is. Our members care for Enos like they would a family member. He cared for us and was passionate about his work in return.

Someone once shared with me that the book of Deuteronomy is the greatest retirement manual. Moses lays out his wisdom to the people and transfers his authority to Joshua. Moses ascends Mount Nebo and is able to take an expansive view of all he has done in his life as he looks upon the people he has led. Tonight, we will invite Enos to join us on the bimah as we celebrate his retirement. We will think about all the joyful moments he shared with us over the years. We will certainly miss his joy and smiling face walking the halls of Beth Tikvah each day. Please join us for services this evening at 7:15 to be part of this wonderful celebration.

Enos, we will truly miss you and all you brought to us.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Rick Kellner

January 1, 2026

When the stillness of winter brings a snowy blanket that covers hard-packed soil, I find myself thinking of the trees. Though their skeletal branches pierce the cold air at this time of year, I always imagine that trees continue to grow even now. While deciduous trees enter a state of dormancy above ground during the winter months, their roots continue to grow beneath the surface. They absorb nutrients from the ground and store them for spring growth.

We, too, experience growth throughout our lives, at every stage and in every season. Much like a tree’s roots soaking up nutrients, we take in experiences that nurture our souls. Every experience impacts us; we reflect on the moments that shape us into who we become. We are guided by memories, shaped by values, and formed by the people we encounter. Throughout life’s stages, we plant seeds in the ground that help others grow.

As we reflect on growth, we are reminded of a famous story from the Talmud, Tractate Ta’anit. Honi, known as the Circle Maker, is walking along the road when he encounters a man planting a carob tree. He asks the man, “How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?” The man replies, “Seventy years.” “Will you live to see this tree bear fruit?” Honi wonders. With wisdom, the man responds, “Just as my ancestors planted for me, I plant for those who come after me.” Honi then sits by the side of the road and falls asleep. When he awakens, he sees a man gathering fruit from the carob tree. Honi asks, “Are you the one who planted this tree?” The man answers, “It was my grandfather who planted this tree.” In that moment, Honi realizes he has slept for seventy years.

The fruit that grows from the trees of our lives has far-reaching effects that nurture others. We leave legacies that shape the next generation. Our stories are more than stories; they are the seeds that sustain the legacies we create in the world.

With this in mind, we are excited to launch a new project at Congregation Beth Tikvah. We call it The Carob Tree Project. Congregation Beth Tikvah is built on the stories of our members. Through this project, Hannah Karr, our Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, and I look forward to meeting with members to learn more about their stories, the values that have guided their lives, and the experiences that have shaped who they are.

In our January issue of Tikvah Topics, you will find the first installment of The Carob Tree. Last month, we met with longtime Beth Tikvah member Dawn Heyman. We spoke about joyful moments in her life, the challenges she faced, her connection to Judaism and Jewish life, and the lessons that have guided her. Her stories are both fruit and seeds that nurture us and help us grow. It is our hope that, as this project continues, we can be like Honi—reaping the fruits and seeds of the many members of our community who have incredible stories to share.

Rabbi Rick Kellner

December 26, 2025

It is hard to believe that we have arrived at the last Shabbat of the year. It has been a long year—one that saw the release of all the living hostages, yet was marred by far too many Jews losing their lives in acts of terror simply because they were Jewish. At Congregation Beth Tikvah, Rabbi Karen Martin joined our community as Assistant Rabbi and has already touched the lives of many members through her wisdom and commitment to community building. We also celebrated with Morissa Freiberg-Vance as she married her beloved George.

As the year draws to a close, I wanted to reflect on the five most important Jewish books I read this past year. Perhaps, in the quiet remaining days of winter break, you might choose to pick one up. These books are listed in no particular order.

The Triumph of Life by Rabbi Yitz Greenberg

In a world filled with such darkness, we often wonder where God’s presence can be found. Rabbi Greenberg takes readers on a deep dive into some of Judaism’s most profound questions. As a post-Holocaust theologian, Greenberg—like many—wrestles with the question of where God was during the Holocaust. In exploring this question, we are reminded of the many miracles God performed throughout Jewish history. It might seem, then, that God could perform such miracles today. Greenberg teaches that we are now living in a third era of God’s presence. He reminds us that the covenant has two parts: God’s promise to us through divine teaching, and our fulfillment of mitzvot. Through the performance of mitzvot, he explains, we take on the responsibility of bringing God’s presence to life on earth. In a post-Holocaust world, where memories of depravity still shape our souls, it is the light of mitzvot that helps us encounter God’s light.

The Gates of Gaza by Amir Tibon

Amir Tibon lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz with his family. As a journalist, he and his wife wanted to give their young daughters a quieter life, far from the noise and chaos of Tel Aviv. Tibon tells the harrowing story of his family’s survival on October 7. Through the power of the pen, he weaves the events of that day together with the history of the kibbutz and the Gaza Envelope region. His writing carries readers through the battle and the tragedy that unfolded. We also learn about Noam Tibon, Amir’s father and a retired IDF general, who drove down from Tel Aviv with his handgun to rescue his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters. Throughout the ordeal, Noam kept telling his young grandchildren, “Saba will come.” Somehow, those words helped keep them quiet through a day filled with terror.

Ghosts of a Holy War by Yardena Schwartz

An August day was a highlight for our community as we welcomed author Yardena Schwartz to teach us about her book. Inspired by the letters of a young man who was murdered in the Hebron Massacre of 1929, Schwartz traces the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict back to that pivotal moment. Through in-depth research and compelling storytelling, she follows the conflict from the Hebron Massacre through October 7. Her work is guided by on-the-ground interviews, as well as thorough research into Israeli history. Anyone seeking to better understand the roots and complexity of the conflict should read this book.

As a Jew by Sarah Hurwitz

Having read Sarah Hurwitz’s first book Here All Along earlier this year (this book gets an honorable mention!), I became very excited when I learned a second book was on its way. Hurwitz helps readers navigate the ways external forces have shaped who we are as Jews. Her book invites us to reclaim our story and our identity. As we continue to face darkness, Hurwitz teaches that pride in our story is possible and that there is no need to hide within the shadows. Throughout Jewish history—whether during the Inquisition, the Enlightenment, or the Holocaust—Jews were often forced to conceal their Judaism. In some instances, depraved forces not only demanded silence, but also took lives. Hurwitz helps us rediscover Jewish pride and Jewish joy.

Hostage by Eli Sharabi

Eli Sharabi was taken hostage on October 7. While in captivity, he held on to the hope that he would see his family again. What he did not know was that his wife and daughters were murdered on October 7, and that his brother was also murdered while in captivity. Sharabi’s story is one of hope and resilience. When reflecting on the Jewish story, it is often said that in every generation a new enemy rises up to destroy us. While that is certainly part of our history, we are also reminded that we are the never-dying people. Despite everything, we have survived. Sharabi’s harrowing account of his time in captivity reminds us that it is possible to find something to be grateful for each day, even in the darkness of the tunnels of Gaza. He also reminds us of our extraordinary resilience. Sharabi’s story is our Jewish story.

Next up on my list:

1. Heart of a Stranger by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl
2. A Call at 4 AM by Amit Segal
3. While Israel Slept by Yaakov Katz
4. Antisemitism: An American Tradition by Pamela Nadell

I hope these remaining days of 2025 are filled with blessing. May the new year ahead bring more light to the world. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rick Kellner