On Oct. 24 and 25, Kol Rinah will pay tribute to Rabbi Mark Fasman, Kol Rinah’s first rabbi, and to Alice Fasman, for their years of dedication and service in St. Louis. Rabbi Fasman becomes Kol Rinah Rabbi Emeritus on Nov. 1.

The Fasman Appreciation Weekend will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, with Kol Rinah’s own melodic Kabbalat Shabbat Service, developed and written by Rabbi Fasman.   The service will feature the Kol Rinah Band.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, beginning at 9 a.m., Appreciation Shabbat continues with services that will include speakers from the congregation and community as well as gift presentations. Following services, there will be a special Kiddush prepared by the Kol Rinah Sisterhood and sponsored by the Sisterhood and the Kol Rinah Board of Directions.

All activities will be held at Kol Rinah, 829 North Hanley Road in University City.

Rabbi Fasman began his tenure in St. Louis in 2001, just before Sept. 11, congregation leaders noted. One week later, as a shaken congregation gathered for Rosh Hashanah services, he comforted worshippers not only with his words but also for the first time with his now well known, transformative shofar rendition of “Taps.”  During his years at Shaare Zedek Synagogue and then at Kol Rinah, he made the congregation’s Torah and the bimah accessible by having a new lightweight Torah scroll written and by having the reader’s platform lowered and easily reached by ramps. His focus on inclusion, congregation leaders said, was welcoming and supportive to members of interfaith families. He also became known as a superlative teacher — constantly offering to teach and discuss issues of interest or concern.  As Rabbi Emeritus, Fasman will maintain his office at Kol Rinah, and will continue teaching classes and offering counseling.

Kol Rinah will also honor Alice Fasman “for her years of dedication, beautiful voice and her skill in leading us at services whenever she is needed.”

Contributions in the Fasmans’ honor should be sent to Kol Rinah’s Rubin Music Fund.  To make a donation or for any questions, please contact the Kol Rinah office at 314-727-1747 or kolrinahstl.org.