Member Spotlight:

The Farmer Family

 

Sarah and Russ Farmer moved to Louisville in 2007 for Russ's general surgery residency, but fully expected to leave Louisville immediately following training. After all, Sarah is an Army brat, and Russ's family had been in Texas for generations, since before Texas was its own country.

 

But Louisville quickly grew on the Farmer family. “One reason,” Sarah says,” it so quickly felt like home was the welcoming community of Keneseth Israel. When we first moved to town and sent an inquiry to the shul, the rabbi, cantor, and a board member all reached out to introduce themselves within a day.  Their individual responses and genuine interest in helping us settle into life in Louisville was very impactful.”
 

With over 200 member families -- and many multi-generational member families -- KI is much larger than nearly every congregation Sarah grew up in, but she feels the influential feeling that each member is valued and can make a tangible impact for the community is the same.  “Every member is invited and encouraged to find a way to actively participate from the get-go; there's no feeling that you can't be involved fully just because you're new to the community”, explains Sarah.
 

For Russ, as a Jew by choice, he has always felt fully welcomed and valued as a member of the community. “We quickly grew to love Louisville and have chosen to stay indefinitely, and I have taken a position as a colorectal surgeon with University of Louisville Physicians”, Russ says. “As lifelong learners, there are opportunities for us to learn and discuss within friendly groups,” he continues, “and we both feel extremely comfortable seeking guidance or information from Rabbi Wolk and Cantor Hordes.”

 

The Farmers have two sons, Josh (born in 2010) and Ezra (born in 2014); as well as two herding dogs, Riley and Shep. “As parents, we're thankful to be raising our boys in a congregation that has such engaging clergy and inviting programs for the whole family”, Sarah says.  Russ adds, “We never feel that our children are viewed as a distraction or a disturbance in services, but that people are pleased to see the next generation of the community learning how to daven and be involved.”