Family Stories: Ken & Cyndee Levy & Family

This is the Time...

“I was admittedly a bit nervous the first time I walked into Traditional Congregation,” confesses Ken Levy.  “They offered me an aliyah, but I hadn’t put on a tallis since my bar mitzvah; I felt everyone here knew more than I did—this just wasn’t the time.”  However, after reciting the Torah blessings flawlessly Ken understood this was the time.  And for the past decade-and-a-half, Traditional Congregation has also been the place.

His wife Cyndee shares a different angle.  As a convert to Judaism, she was seeking a community that encouraged her to enhance her
Jewish life.  She found this at Traditional, but she also discovered more: “Not only do the people around here respect each other, they also respect the service.  There’s a reverence not just when someone reads Torah, or when the rabbi speaks, but even when a congregant makes an announcement.  People here really enjoy their time together both during our services and when they’re over.”

With more time to reflect, Cyndee points out another great discovery she made: “Our children have never been cute playthings to everyone else.  Both the adults and older kids here have invested their time in our children and have helped them to learn about being Jewish.  This place is filled with role models for our kids; they’ve found countless mentors at Traditional.”

When asked what a typical Traditional Congregant looks like, Ken laughs: “I can’t define a typical congregant.  We’re so varied; we really
can’t be pinned down by one label.  Maybe not even two or three.  I used to think that was a weakness, but now I feel that it’s one of our big strengths.  All I know is that everyone here works hard to make everyone else feel like important parts of this community.”