About

Congregation Kol Shalom is a diverse and welcoming congregation serving Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap County. Since affiliating with the Reform movement in 1998, this 28-year-old congregation has enjoyed inspiring, participatory, song-filled services and Torah study. Rabbi Paul Strasko is the congregation’s spiritual leader. A key part of the planning at CKS is to make all activities, whether they are services or education programs, welcoming for people of all ages and backgrounds. Specialized educational opportunities are offered, including religious school for pre-K through grade 6, midweek Hebrew classes, B’nai Mitzvah, post-B’nai Mitzvah, and adult education. Kol Shalom relies on its membership to make it run. There is a small staff, which includes the rabbi, director of the religious school, cantorial soloist, and part-time temple administrator. The community is led by a board of directors who rely on various committees to keep the congregation active. Committees include cemetery, membership, mitzvah corps, religious practices, and fundraising. The vibrant and growing congregation of 68 member families offers an ever-expanding program of social and religious activities for its members, including a book club, Mah Jongg, Israeli dance, an annual picnic, holiday celebrations, a lecture series, and community learning days. Kol Shalom also has a small gift shop with beautiful Judaica products, including many made in Israel, which is open by appointment. In 2005, Congregation Kol Shalom purchased a beautiful new home at 9010 Miller Road NE, which is available for the wider community to rent for special events.