The start of a new year brought the arrival of a new executive director for Kehilath Israel Synagogue.
Robin Abramowitz joined the K.I. staff on Jan. 19, taking over from Shelley Palmarine, who left to take over a similar role at Northland Cathedral.
“I am delighted to welcome Robin as the new executive director of K.I. Synagogue. Robin brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our congregation,” said K.I. President Joe Adamous. “I am especially excited to have her return to K.I., where she once was a valued member. We look forward to the energy, vision and leadership she will bring.”
“I am thrilled to be at K.I. It is such an honor to not only be back at K.I., but also working in the Jewish community,” said Abramowitz, who was a member of K.I. after she graduated from college. “I am grateful to our Jewish community for investing in me as a young adult. I gained valuable skills by participating in leadership programs with both Hadassah and Women’s Division at the Federation and was fortunate to use those skills when I started my nonprofit career at the Jewish Federation.”
Abramowitz is a University of Kansas graduate, holding a B.A. in psychology and communications studies. She worked in the local Jewish community through a grant-funded position at Jewish Federation of Kansas City, after which she stayed in the nonprofit field and became the executive director for the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City (BIAKS).
“At BIAKS, it was an honor to work with people whose lives had changed in the blink of an eye yet had the resilience and fortitude to carry on,” she said. “These experiences parallel much of the Jewish experience and reinforced my deep appreciation for life and good health.”
Oct. 7 impacted Abramowitz deeply and was an impetus for her return to working in the Jewish community.
“When it happened, I felt helpless,” she said about Oct. 7. “I felt a deep desire to return to working in our community and making a difference. I am looking forward to working with our members, our hardworking and dedicated staff and board, and collaborating with other Jewish organizations in our community. Together, we are stronger.”
Security is now a major issue at all congregations. Abramowitz is looking forward to continuing the relationship with the local police that K.I. has developed. She hopes to help the community stay strong and secure given the increase in antisemitism in the last couple of years.
Besides her work at K.I., Robin enjoys traveling with her partner, Brian Thompson, and spending time with friends and family. To relax, she reads and enjoys Jazzercise. She loves local sports teams, but no team is more important than K.U.’s Jayhawks.