E-KI

January 6, 2005         Vol. II No. 1

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Vaera – Exodus 6:2

Ezekiel 28:26

When I meet with students preparing for B’nai Mitzvah and we talk about the Torah, one of the lines they all know from the Exodus story is Moses demanding of Pharaoh, “Let my people go!”  But few remember the second part of the verse from this week’s Torah portion, Vaera.

God spoke to Moses, saying: "Go to Pharaoh and say to him: Thus says God, 'Let my people go so they may serve me.' " (Exodus 7:26)

True, the Exodus is a story about liberation from servitude. But it is not a story about liberation from service. God insists that the Israelites be granted freedom so that they can serve not an earthly ruler, but the Ruler of All.

What’s the advantage of moving from one master to another? Slave to Pharaoh, slave to God – it seems the same. The rabbis of the Talmud attempted to explain one of the implications of thinking about God as the one we serve, rather than human taskmasters:

Rav taught: A day laborer can decide to stop working on a job, even in the middle of the day, as it says, For the children of Israel are my servants, [they are not] the servants of servants.(Bava Kama 116b)

What does it mean to say that we are the servants of God? What sort of service does God require of us?

At its core, Reform Judaism teaches that our religious response to God is enacted when we live ethically and compassionately in the world. The building blocks of service to God are in our daily actions. It is in behaving responsibly as stewards of our world that we can pass on an improved world as a legacy to those who follow us. One of the ways we can act in the world right now is to help the survivors in Southeast Asia rebuild their lives. We urge you to help by donating to the URJ Relief Fund. Donations may be made online at www.urj.org/give.  Checks payable to the Union for Reform Judaism (write "Asian Earthquake Relief Fund" in the memo section of your check) may be sent to:

Union for Reform Judaism

Attn: Asian Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund

633 Third Ave. 7th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Shabbat Shalom!

 

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week – Friday, January 7 – Family Shabbat Service at 7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, led by the 9^th Grade of our Religious School.  Saturday, January 8 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m., when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Justin Ross Handler, son of Jo-Anne and Todd Handler.

In the Week Ahead – Friday, January 14 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Family dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Rothschild Auditorium.  $5/children  $10/adults by January 7.  $8/child  $12/adult after January 7.  Information:  Fran Braslow (215) 887-8704.

Coming Up – Rabbi Maslin will speak on Friday evening, January 21:  Jewish Vignettes from a Tour of Southeast Asia; Jewish Music Shabbat on Friday, February 11, at 8:00 p.m. with the Adult Volunteer Choir—Our Cantorial Legacy.   Family Shabbat Dinner on Friday, February 4, at 6:00 p.m. followed by Family Shabbat Service at 7:15 p.m.  Dinner reservations ($11/adult  $7/child) before January 28.   $12.75/adult and $8.75/children after January 28.  To guarantee reservation, payment must be received by Wednesday, February 2, at noon.  Information:  (215) 887-8704.

 Singers!!! – Please join the Adult Volunteer Choir for ongoing rehearsals on Tuesday nights, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.  We are preparing for the Shabbat service on February 11, Our Cantorial Legacy.

Listen to Most recent Shabbat evening sermon – click on this link! http://www.kenesethisrael.org/Sermons/ShabbatService.htm  

Adult Education

News from the Meyers Library— Library hours are: Sunday 9:30-12:15,  Tuesday 4:30-6,  Wednesday 10-3:30, and Friday before 8:00 p.m. services. (You can also visit the bookcarts at the Oneg.) For Adults:   The Myth of Ritual Murder:  Jews and Magic in Reformation Germany,  by R. Po-chia Hsiak; A Fire in Zion: The Israeli- Palestinian Search for Peace, by Mark Perry; Night, Dawn, and The Accident, by Elie Wiesel; The Romance Reader, by Pearl  Abraham; Kosher by Design: Picture-Perfect Food for Holidays and Everyday, by Susie Fishbein; Be My Knife, by David Grossman.  For Children: Purim, Building a Jewish Life, by Joel L. Grishaver; Brainteasers from Jewish Folklore, by Rosalind Charney Kaye; How Many Spots Does a Leopard Have and Other Tales, by Julius Lester, illus. by David Shannon; Secret of the Sabbath Fish, by Aronin; The Sabbath Lion, a folktale from Algeria retold by Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush.

Adult Ed Classes  - Jewish Supreme Court Justices with Dr. Norman Olson on Sunday, January 9, at 10:00 a.m.; Advanced Beginners’ Hebrew with Rabbi Rav Soloff on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., from January 13 to February 24; Book discussion: Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides, led by Fredda Segal, on Wednesday, January 12, at 2:00 p.m.; Rabbi’s Spring Forum – Entering the Gates of Prayer – with Rabbi Peter Rigler on Sundays, January 30 and February 6, at 9:45 a.m.

Cultural Council 60+ - Deanne S. Comer, Holocaust Education in the Public School:  How Does It Work? – Thursday, January  13.  Lunch at 11:30 a.m.  KI member luncheon fee is $10.00 for guests and members.  Send checks to K.I., Attn: Cultural Council.  Information:  Doris Parker, 215-886-9267. 

Jewelry Making Class – artist Aliza Herman will teach you how to make your own silver bracelet.  Fridays January 21 and January 28 at 11:00 a.m.  Bring your own pliers!  To register, call Sharon (215) 782-8188 or Missy (215) 402-0855.  Sponsored by KI PTA.  Portion of proceeds will benefit the new Preschool Playscape.

Lunch ‘n’ Learn – about the Torah portion of the week with Rabbi Sussman in Center City on Thursday, January 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m.  Call the Clergy Office  by noon on Wednesday, January 19, for reservations and information.  If you would like to receive e-mail reminders about Lunch ‘n’ Learn, call the Clergy Office (215) 887-8702.

Free Career Counseling and Job Placement – program for Jewish women up to age 55, who are unemployed or under-employed and live in the Delaware Valley.  Contact Jewish Educational & Vocational Service Career Strategies cs@jevs.org or (215) 854-1874.

Cultural Opportunities

Israeli Folk Dancing -- with Don Schillinger, RAK-DAN Israeli Dancing, on Mondays from 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm. in the Rothschild Auditorium.  Program runs  through May 23.  $7/adult and $4/student (under 21) per session.  [Note: no sessions on January 17, February 21, March 21, April 25, or May 30.]

Tradition Reflected: The Hebrew Bible in American Stained Glass–Exhibition at the Temple Judea Museum in cooperation with The Willet Stained Glass Studios and Rambusch Studios. Continues through January 14, 2005.

Some Enchanted Evening – Saturday, January 8, at 6:00 p.m.  Sold out! 

Preschool and Religious School

Hebrew Eagles Tees— 100% cotton long-sleeve tees with Eagles logo in Hebrew and English.  $18 either dark green with white print OR white with bright green print. Supplies are limited. Proceeds benefit KIFTY. Information: Janet Luterman (215) 887-8700 x133. 

Preschool Open House and Family Fun Day—on Sunday, January 23, 2005, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Visit the Preschool, meet the staff, Rabbis and the KI puppets.  Learn about our programs and our special community.  Music by Andi Joseph, the Musical Mommy, other activities and snacks  for families looking for a wonderful preschool experience.  Invite your friends!

Social Action Opportunities

Martin Luther King Day Service—Join us for a community observance of Martin Luther King Day – Coming Together and Reaching Out to One Another - at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 17, 2005, at LaMott A.M.E. Church.  Collections to benefit Tsunami Relief.  The service is sponsored by the Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council. 

Volunteers are needed to help feed hungry Jews in the Northeast!  Volunteers are needed to deliver Shabbat packages from the Mitzvah Food Pantry at Congregation Beth Sholom on the first and third Thursday of each month. The packages can be picked up between  11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m   Please contact Jessica Charmont jcharmont@philafederation.org (215) 832-0855.

Cook for Sharing Is Caring –Help assemble meals in the K/G kitchen for clients at Newman Senior Center (Klein Branch JCC) from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on January 25 (last Tuesday of the month).    Information:  Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815. 

For the Consultation of Conscience – Join Jewish leaders and advocates from across the nation in Washington, DC, March 13-15, to hear from key policy and government leaders about the issues that shape our lives and to explore the connection between ancient Jewish texts and current events.  Conference sponsored by URJ’s Religious Action Center.  Information:  Clergy Office (215) 887-8702.

Ways To Get Involved

Attention, Genuardi’s Shoppers – If your card is already registered with eScrip, you will now automatically be renewed and your contributions will continue to KI.  Any questions?  Ruth Schoenberg  (215) 677-0326.

Shabbat Pulpit Flowers --You can now sponsor the Shabbat pulpit flowers in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baby naming, safe travel, recovery from illness, or any other happy occasion. You can also sponsor the flowers in memory of a recent passing or a Yahrzeit anniversary.  An acknowledgement will be listed in the weekly Shabbat folder recognizing your generosity. Please make your check for $45.00 payable to: "WRJ Sisterhood," and mail to, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, Attn: WRJ/Sisterhood-Pulpit Flowers.  Questions: Michele Gusdorff (215) 782-1446. Your information must be received at least one week in advance to be listed in the Shabbat folder.

Membership News—KI’s Membership Committee is looking for current members to partner with our new members and help them become integrated into the KI family. This is a great chance to discuss with new members all the cultural, religious and social action opportunities available at KI. If you are interested in participating, or just want to join the Membership Committee to share your love of KI with prospective members, please call Andy Brookman at (215) 887-0777.

Sharing Our Simchas – Share your happiness with our congregational family.  Consider underwriting our beautiful Oneg Shabbat.  Contact the Administrative Office, (215) 887-8700, for further details.

Sisterhood Gift Shop – will be open on Sunday mornings during Religious School hours and by appointment.  Call Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 or Administrative Office (215) 887-8700.