Kol Rinah invites the community to help welcome the synagogue’s new Religious School Director, Rabbi Scott Shafrin, during a weekend of events, Aug. 26-28.  At 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26,  the welcome weekend will begin with an informal wine and cheese reception to meet-and-greet Shafrin, his wife, Rabbi Jessica Shafrin, and their son, Amitai.  

On Saturday, Aug. 27, the congregation and community will again have the opportunity to talk with the Shafrins following Shabbat services at a Kiddush prepared by the Kol Rinah Sisterhood. 

The high point of the weekend will be Kol Rinah’s Kosher Barbecue Blast from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 featuring barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken, with all the fixings. There will also be activities for adults and children both indoors and outdoors. The cost with advance RSVP will be $18 for adults and $10 for children 12 years old and younger. Costs at the door will be $20 and $12 for adults and children respectively.  

Shafrin has already begun to focus on making Kol Rinah a congregation which provides excellence in the Religious School for all families with children.  Shafrin will also act as assistant rabbi as needed: teaching, leading services, providing pastoral care, officiating at life cycle events and building relationships with and between congregants.  

Shafrin was formerly Rabbi-in-Residence at The Epstein School, a Solomon Schechter Day School in the Atlanta metro area and simultaneously working as a rabbinic partner at Congregation Etz Chaim in Marietta, Ga. He is also an avid musician and singer. A Milwaukee native and graduate of Brandeis University, Shafrin has deep experience in community organizing. He received a master’s degree in education from the Fingerhut School of Education and rabbinic ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, both housed within the American Jewish University in Los Angeles.  

Except for the Aug. 28 barbecue, all Welcome Weekend activities are free.  To RSVP for the Barbecue or for more information, visit KolRinahStL.org. or contact the Kol Rinah office at 314-727-1747 or [email protected].