Centennial Celebration

Kesher Israel began its 100th year celebration on September 2010. The Centennial Celebration lasted from September 2010 through December 2011 and included special events honoring the rich history of the synagogue and its members.

The mission of the Centennial Celebration was to collaboratively remember the extraordinary past, honor the present, and inspire the continued greatness of Kesher Israel Synagogue into the next century.

To mark the special occasion of our Centennial Celebration, and to enhance the intellectual and spiritual life of our community in Washington D.C., Kesher Israel hosted a year-long salute called “Kesher100: Celebration and Reflection.” .

The full Kesher100 calendar of events was highlighted by regular lectures and discussions that kept with the intellectual intensity and religious liveliness of our great institution. The Centennial was used as an opportunity to introduce the community to a deep and sustained look at the issues and ideas that confront the future of Orthodoxy, and of Judaism itself.

Rabbi Freundel kicked-off the salute with a discussion on the current state of Modern Orthodoxy and the challenges it faces. The centerpiece of our educational programming was a four-part series called “Orthodoxy at a Turning Point: A National Conversation.” These panel discussions explored the major themes and pressures surrounding Orthodoxy—the historical, social, textual, and halakhic dimension of what we live and practice.