Welcome

Welcome to the Kesher Israel Web Page. You have reached a window to perhaps the most unique synagogue in America. Kesher Israel is located in downtown Washington, DC, some 14 blocks from the White House, and within 2 miles (therefore, walking distance) of the Capitol.

Kesher is a modern Orthodox synagogue, and it is the only synagogue in the downtown area in the District of Columbia. As such, visitors to the congregation range from those with traditional yearnings, to those who are fully observant. On any given Shabbat, participants in our prayers can range from Chassidic Rabbis, to people with limited Jewish backgrounds.

We also get our share of famous visitors. Among then are Moshe Dayan and Ezer Weizman during the Camp David talks. So too various members of today's Knesset and many of the most prominent contemporary Jewish religious and secular leaders drop in on at Kesher from time to time.

The membership too is unique, and includes a Senator, a Congressman, a significant number of Ambassadors, both to and from the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, and several distinguished authors. Many of the members hold fascinating positions in government, or in other important national and international organizations.

With all of that, we pride ourselves most on our warmth and hospitality, and on our atmosphere of learning and intellectual investigation. Our Adult Education Institute, and other programs of study and intellectual challenge have won award recognition. We invite all members of the community to be a part of those experiences.

Finally, we are famous for our welcoming of all who enter our presence, and for making all feel that they have something valuable to contribute. We have attempted to expend that spirit to this web page, and hope you will enjoy the time that you spend browsing the world of Kesher Israel.

Rabbi Barry Freundel