Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

This Saturday, July 31, is Rabbi David Kay Day in Maitland, and especially at Congregation Ohev Shalom.

The City of Maitland proclaimed Rabbi David Kay Day in honor of Rabbi Kay's 17 years of dedicated service to COS and the greater community. Maitland Mayor John Lowndes read the official proclamation this week at a breakfast held in Rabbi Kay's honor, on Wednesday, July 28. The proclamation will also be read to the congregation on Saturday, July 31, at Rabbi Kay's final Shabbat as Ohev Shalom's rabbi. The Saturday morning service will be followed with a celebration in honor of Rabbi Kay at the Kiddush luncheon.

Rabbi Kay first came to COS as the congregation's assistant rabbi, and he served in that role for 14 years. When Rabbi Aaron Rubinger retired in 2017, the congregation chose Rabbi Kay as its spiritual leader.

"Rabbi Kay has served Congregation Ohev Shalom with his musical, joyous spirit since arriving here with Jo and Jonah in 2004," said Rachel Gebaide, president of the Board of Trustees. "We appreciate his dedication and talents and are grateful for his contributions to our congregation."

A member of the Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbi Kay serves on the Greater Orlando Board of Rabbis, serves on the board of directors of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida - for which he organizes Orlando's annual interfaith/multicultural Martin Luther King celebration - and has led the first two City of Orlando Pride Shabbat services. In addition, Rabbi Kay is a regular contributor to the Orlando Sentinel and teaches a religion class at Rollins College. He served as camp rabbi at Camp Ramah Darom for many years.

The City of Maitland's proclamation provides a detailed list of some of Rabbi Kay's many accomplishments and lauds his dedication to his congregation and the greater Orlando community. Fortunately for both, Rabbi Kay plans to remain in Orlando. The congregation will be served by an interim rabbi, Rabbi Murray Ezring, as it continues its search for a new spiritual leader.