Synagogue to be dedicated

This Saturday, just days before the start of the new Jewish New Year, members of Bainbridge Island’s Congregation Kol Shalom will dedicate their new synagogue and school.

The congregation’s new home on Miller Road will offer the community a newly remodeled 2,700-square-foot sanctuary, formerly known as the Sequoia Center, and an adjacent home on the property to be used for classes and additional programming.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the community for the start of the New Year,” said Janet Levy Pauli, congregation vice president. “It is a very exciting time for the Jewish community on Bainbridge Island.”

The dedication program will begin at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 1 with traditional Sabbath services led by Rabbi Mark Glickman, including guest speaker Rabbi David Fine, regional director of the Union for Reform Judaism.

In addition, there will be a dedication of a new ark, designed and built by local artist Aaron Levine.

Following the program will be a festive luncheon with musical entertainment by What the Chelm, a Klezmer band from Bellingham.

Congregation Kol Shalom welcomes all who are interested in Reform Judaism to join the community. The diverse membership includes older couples whose children are grown, younger couples who are just starting their families, many families with school-age children, widows and widowers, single parents, single adults, long-time residents of the Northwest, newcomers to the area and interfaith couples.

Congregation Kol Shalom is a community of families in northern Kitsap County dedicated to worshipping as Reform Jews. The congregation’s goal is to be open and inclusive, consistent with the fundamental tenets of Reform Judaism.

Rider suffers heart attack

Highway traffic was disrupted Sunday when a bicyclist suffered a heart attack and collapsed into the northbound highway lane near Madison Avenue.

The 56-year-old Seattle man was riding with his wife when he veered into the roadway and collapsed. A Kitsap Transit driver and then aid crews administered CPR, police said, and the man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center.

Highway traffic was closed and ferry traffic rerouted for a short period of time while aid was being administered.

The man’s condition was unknown at press time.