By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews
Ten years ago, when Orthodox congregation Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath decided upon a new rabbi, there was some trepidation among some of the synagogue’s members about the man who would be moving all the way across the country to take over as their spiritual leader. On Sunday, Jan. 9, however, that skepticism had most definitely disappeared, as hundreds of Bikur Cholim’s members and other members of Seattle’s Jewish community came to the Marriott Waterfront Hotel to honor Rabbi Moshe Kletenik and his wife Rivy for their 10 years of service.
Much has happened since the Kletenik family packed up their belongings and made that trek from Pittsburgh. The rabbi has become much beloved and respected in his community. Among other achievements, he has contributed to and published several rabbinical texts on Jewish law, become a nationally known figure in the field of medical ethics, and even had an audience with the President in 2002. He sits on the board of the region’s two Orthodox Jewish day schools and is known as one of Washington State’s foremost Orthodox leaders.
Rivy Kletenik, who serves as the Director of Jewish Education Services for the Jewish Education Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, is also known internationally for her role as a Jewish educator. She also took on the role of director of Judaics at the Seattle Hebrew Academy this past fall. Rivy was honored in 2004 as Distinguished Alumna at Touro College.
Together, the Kleteniks have also taken on a new role: as grandparents. Their first grandson was born in November to their daughter Pesha.
At the Jan. 9 dinner, beyond the speeches and applause, attendees were able to see a video made for the occasion that showed a humorous side to the rabbi, including a shot of him falling asleep during his own Shabbat services.
“The BCMH dinner was truly a wonderful evening,” said congregation president Jon Jacobson. “To have such a wide range of people representing various community synagogues and institutions was certainly a testament to the impact the Kleteniks have had on the Seattle Jewish community over the past 10 years.”