From its beginnings in 1929, Congregation Beth Sholom has been the center of a community of Jews committed to the beauty of traditional Judaism. The original Field Street synagogue was a beacon to Jews moving into the neighborhood. As the congregation grew, the leaders dreamed of a larger home. They built the present Monroe Avenue site in stages, reflecting congregational priorties.
Currently, there is excitement filling every corner of Beth Sholom’s Monroe Avenue building. On Shabbat, families fill the sanctuary, and youth– from preschoolers to teenagers — take over the basement, library, chapel, and hallways. The friendly buzz of greetings and converstaions at Shabbat and holiday kiddush, the Succot hoshanot procession accented with a hundrad lulavim, and the noise of costumed children and adults drowining out Haman’s name during the megillah reading are testimonty to the congretational commitment to Shabbat and holiday observance.
About the Rabbi
Rabbi Shaya Kilimnick is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Sholom of Rochester, Upstate New York’s largest orthodox congregation. He received his Rabbinical Ordination from Ner Israel Rabbinical College and studied closely under Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, the Rosh Hayeshivah.
His influence runs deep throughout the entire Rochester Jewish community. Rabbi Kilimnick has served on the boards of the Jewish Family Service, the Jewish Federation, Ora Academy (Rochester’s Jewish High School for girls) and Hillel Community Day School. He was the Chairman of the local Israel Bonds committee, Chairman of the Holocaust commission, and the Youth Commission of the National Conference of Synagogue Youths Upstate New York division. Rabbi Kilimnick is also the chaplain and religious coordinator of the Jewish Home of Rochester.
He also was the President of the Vaad Hakashrut of Rochester for many years. Presently he provides Kosher supervision to several local establishments including the first Kosher Dunkin Donuts in the USA which he initiated in 1978.
Nationally, Rabbi Kilimnick has served for 20 years the B’nai Brith Youth Organization as its Orthodox Rabbi at KALLAH AND ILTC camp in Starlite, PA. He is also a member of the Rabbinic Cabinets of the UJA; the Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel Bonds of which he is a co-chair and has been a vice-president of the Rabbinical Council of America, where he continues to be an active member.
As an indication of their involvement at the national level, in July 1999, Rabbi Kilimnick and his wife, Nechie, attended a State Dinner at the White House in honor of Prime Minisher of Israel Ehud Barak. Furthermore, Rabbi Kilimnick was honored at the Orthodox Union National Rabbinic Centennial Awards Dinner on February 29, 2000 in New York City.
Rabbi Kilimnick is married to Nechie,formerly Nichele Wernick. Rabbi and Mrs. Kilimnick have five children: Dr. Yosef (married to Dr. Suzanne Karan of Riverdale N.Y.), Shifron (married to the former Laurie Steckler of Montreal, Canada ), Tzipora (married to Avi Hornstein of Allentown PA.), Dovid who lives in Yerushalayim and the Creator and owner of Israel’s first English speaking Comedy Club ( Off the Wall Comedy) and Avi who is a Smicha candidate at Yeshiva University. They also have twelve grandchildren: Doni, Eli, Tova, Yonah, Dina, Ayala, Raanan, Ezra, Chaim Zeidel, Nili, Gavriel and Gila.
Beth Sholom Sisterhood
Beth Sholom Sisterhood has always been a very dynamic affiliate of Congregation Beth Sholom. We have a fine group of women who are truly devoted and dedicated to our Shule. Our Sisterhood has always worked tirelessly on many projects and activities.
Sisterhood has also made significant financial contributions to Beth Sholom, including donating the beautiful Bride’s Room and the draperies in our multi-purpose room and lobby. Sisterhood buys all refreshments for the regular Shabbat/Yom Tov kiddushim. The most recent purchase is new chairs, in honor of our 75th anniversary celebration in September, 2005.
For the future, our goal is to be an integral and supportive part of our congregation, while continuing to give Sisterhood members a feeling of belonging and friendship. To the Sisterhood and Beth Sholom family, let us say l’chaim – to long life, to health, and to many many years of growth and continued success.