We have, just a couple of weeks ago, experienced an event that happens in the history of Knesseth Israel Congregation only about once in fifty years. We have moved our sifrei Torah into our beautiful new synagogue in a procession filled with dance and song and incredible simha. This indeed has been a joyous occasion. There cannot be a more joyous event in Jewish communal life until the time comes for the dedication of the Beit haMiqdash in Jerusalem, with the coming of the messianic times, let it happen speedily, in our days. Of course, the real essence of a synagogue is generated by the spiritual activities of its members within its walls: praying, learning, and interacting with each other in kindness. The physical surroundings, however, are also crucial. A beautiful, esthetically pleasing synagogue elevates our spirits and is likely to increase our desire to carry out our spiritual activities in it. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to all that have made its construction possible. We all hope and trust that indeed our new synagogue will be a magnet to all its members and to everyone in our Birmingham Jewish community, to partake of the newly vibrant life that will fill it under the leadership of our dynamic new rabbi, Rav Karmi Ingber, whose coming to KI could not have happened at a more auspicious time. I wish a happy upcoming Hanukah to all.

- Gabi Elgavish