THE KTI PROFILE

Congregation Kneses Tifereth Israel (KTI) has served the needs of the Jewish communities of Port Chester, Rye Brook, Rye and Greenwich for more than 118 years. As a member of the Conservative Movement, KTI strives to link traditional Jewish values to the needs of the modern world. Men and women have equal rights and responsibilities within the total synagogue community. 

Regular Sabbath Services are held every week.  All traditional holy days are observed with the Conservative liturgy. In an ongoing effort to meet the needs of all our members, KTI holds a monthly Family & Friends Shabbat, a special service geared for parents and children, and a  Simcha Service on the third Friday of the month.

Our Cantor leads services and assists the Rabbi. The Cantor also brings music into the Early Childhood Program and Religious School curricula  and develops programming for special services. KTI offers a variety of services and programs for all ages.

KTI Religious School creates a supportive environment in which to nurture excellence in Jewish education, culture and life. We seek to integrate Judaism into the lives and homes of our students and their families. Our programs address the understanding of the holiday cycle, mitzvot, Jewish tradition and prayer, and the study of Israel. An introduction to the Hebrew alphabet and Jewish holidays is offered in kindergarten through second grades. Classes meet twice weekly in grades 4 through 7 and three times in third grade.

The Early Childhood Program (ECP) serves the needs of preschoolers and their parents with a nursery school and summer program that provide a caring atmosphere in which children can grow to their own full potential. Serving children from 14 months to 4 years, the ECP is highly regarded throughout Westchester. KTI members receive ECP tuition discounts.

KTI Sisterhood offers women of all generations an opportunity to connect to our synagogue through a wide variety of programs and fundraising events. Sisterhood's annual calendar is filled with holiday celebrations, educational and religious programs and other special events. Sisterhood is a place to develop leadership and organizational skills, perform mitzvot, explore the many aspects of Jewish tradition, ritual and prayer and form lasting friendships.

KTI Men’s Club is built on a foundation of opportunity for Jewish growth, learning, camaraderie and service to the synagogue. The Men's Club hosts an array of programs, including breakfasts with guest speakers on Jewish current events and scholarly topics relevant to modern Jewish Life.  Men’s Club encourages minyan participation and sponsors a Shabbat morning service where members run the service. Throughout the year, Men’s Club hosts social activities that include golf outings, softball games, and movie nights.  Men’s Club is involved in community work, providing support to the local soup kitchen and various other charitable events.

Kadima (Hebrew for "forward") is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism youth program for Jewish 6th to to 8th graders. Kadima encourages our youth to become more involved in their community while offering a fun and exciting place to meet and socialize with Jewish friends through a variety of activities such as movie nights, sports events and pizza parties. Events are scheduled twice a month. This year USY has been added to our youth program  for children in grades 9-12.  Joint activities are planned with other local USY chapters in order to provide our High School students an opportunity to socialize with other Jewish young adults iin the area.

Our Adult Education Program enables our members to continue their study of Judaism through various courses including a Bar and Bat Mitzvah program. More than 50 congregants have participated in this program.

Members paritcipate in the Blood Bank, a Mitzvah Day program and joint Holocaust memorial services with area synagogues.

Plus . . 

KTI has more than 400 adult members in the KTI family.

KTI’s sanctuary was designed by the internationally known architect Philip Johnson. A beautiful adjoining mansion, the Jack and Harry Gantz Building houses the Nursery School and Hebrew School, a library, and offices. It was expanded in 1993 to provide additional classrooms for the growing Nursery School and Hebrew School.

KTI owns a cemetery in nearby Glenville, CT, and a cemetery committee is available to assist congregants with their needs.

Rabbi Alpert is available to assist with the spiritual and ceremonial needs of the non-affiliated Jewish community in such areas as the naming of babies, the performance of marriages and funerals, and providing counseling. 

For more information about KTI, please contact Rabbi Jaymee Alpert or the KTI office at 939-1004.