E-KI

January 13, 2005         Vol. II No. 2

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Bo – Exodus 10:1– Jeremiah 46:13

Israel on My Mind

 

Israel has always been at the center of Jewish consciousness. In this week’s Torah portion, Bo,  we read about the institution of the holiday of Passover in preparation for the departure from Egypt.   After 400 plus years of slavery, it was time to go home, time to go to Israel.

I was very fortunate to help lead a Family Trip to Israel sponsored by the Kehillah of  Old York Road and Federation  from December 22 to January 2.   Along with Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom of AJ,  35 people from his congregation,  KI,  Beth Am,  TBI and Temple Sinai explored Israel together for nearly two weeks.  We visited Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, the Western Wall in Jerusalem,  Netivot (our sister city in the Negev) and Eilat.

Like this past summer,  we were part of a wave of tourism to Israel, especially among French-speaking Jews from Europe.  Unlike this summer, the main discussion on the “street” was not “Ha-Matzva”  (or the “situation with the Arabs”) but the controversial question of disengagement from Gaza.   We heard from a government spokesman on the topic and an independent reporter, an Orthodox Jewish woman, from National Public Radio.   Now, just two weeks later,  the headlines keep rolling as new governments have been formed both in Israel and among the Palestinians.

The highlight of our trip was the Bar Mitzvah of  Michael Feldman, a student at KI, at the southern wall of Jerusalem.  We were preceded to the southern wall by a group of Jews from Uzbekistan also en route to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah.   Their Bar Mitzvah boy wore a crown and was announced by huge nine-foot bronze trumpets.   It was a glorious morning for Michael, his family, KI and the Jewish people!

Parashat Bo reminds us that as Jews we are always en route to Israel. I’m just home and eager to go again. But this time, with a complete group from KI.  I guarantee you that we will celebrate and learn together.  Most of all,  as with the Kehillah trip now completed, we will be renewed and strengthened in our most primal Jewish connections.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week – Friday, January 14 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Family dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Rothschild Auditorium.  Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Rabbi Sussman will speak on his recent trip to Israel.  Saturday, January 15 –Torah, Toast & Tefillah. Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library with Rabbi Sussman.  Light breakfast at 10:00 a.m. in the Lobby.  Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.  Torah Reader – Rabbi Sussman; D’var Torah – Marlene Sellers; English Reader – Bobbi Weiss; Hebrew Reader – Irv Matusow.

In the Week Ahead – Friday, January 21 – Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge. Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Rabbi Maslin will speak - Jewish Vignettes from a Tour of Southeast Asia. Saturday, January 22 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library.  Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Alex Becker Coll, daughter of Andrea Becker and Milton Coll.

Coming Up – Tu B’Shevat—Celebrate on January 25 by supporting the Jewish National Fund.  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. Our Cantorial Legacy— A musical Shabbat service on Friday, February 11, at 8:00 p.m.  Our Adult Choir will sing choral arrangements of favorite melodies by great Jewish cantors and composers: Sulzer, Lewandoski and Gerowitch.  Cantor Lefko will present the sermon-in-song.

Purim Spiel – Interested in helping Cantor Lefko create a skit to celebrate Purim? (Purim is Thursday evening, March 24.)  Call the Clergy Office (215) 887-8702 or  e-mail Cantor Lefko at CantorAEL@kenesethisrael.org.

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  Advanced Beginners’ Hebrew with Rabbi Rav Soloff on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., from January 13 to February 24; 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.; Gardens in the Bible  - Linda Nesvisky on Thursday, February 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Book Discussion—In the Image by Dana Horn, led by Rabbi Peter Rigler.

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 at Marc Brookman’s office, Duane Morris Heckscher, 1650 Market, 42^nd Floor, 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.

Kehillah Night of Jewish Learning: Jewish Heroes—Saturday, February 5, registration at 7:00 p.m.  Rabbi Sussman is unable to teach his class.  However, Rabbi Maslin will teach during the first session: Heroic Jewish Travelers through the Ages.

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.

WRJ Theater Trip – Movin’ Out at the Merriam Theater on Sunday, May 22. This dance musical, which won a Tony in 2003, is choreographed by Twyla Tharp and features 24 of Billy Joel’s classics.  $128/person includes brunch (at KI at 10:30 a.m.), transportation (bus leaves at noon) and a seat in the orchestra for the 1:00 p.m. show.  Send checks payable to WRJ (with WRJ Theater Trip on the memo line and envelope) to KI.  Questions:  Barbara Bronstein (215) 673-1435.

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, Cantor, 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.