E-KI

February 3, 2005         Vol. II No. 5

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Mishpatim – Exodus 21:1

Jeremiah 34:8

“We shouldn’t have any rules” said one ninth grader.  “None?” asked their teacher.  “Correct,” said the students. 

I overheard this conversation Monday night and found it quite ironic. This week’s Torah portion is essentially entitled “Rules” or, in Hebrew, “Mishpatim.”  Coming just after the most famous rules, the Ten Commandments, Mishpatim is a list of rules the Jewish people must obey, both ritual and ethical.  The Torah portion is, in fact, a microcosm of the type of literature that the Torah is as a whole.  The Torah, as many of you know, is a combination of stories and rules, of lessons to live by and laws for life intertwined in a seemingly random way.  

So, in this week’s Torah portion we read about property laws and laws of moral behavior, we read about slavery and the proper length of punishments and fines, we also read about our festivals (Shavuot, Sukkot and Passover) and the Sabbath.  Finally we continue the narrative learning how Moses stood on the mountain for 40 days as God’s presence passed before him.

Perhaps the Torah as a whole is instructive.  We rarely follow rules that are given without a context.  Nor do we, as modern Reform Jews, follow rituals that are not explained and understood.  But by combining the rules with stories, the rituals with reasons, we can understand and observe the laws.

In Exodus 24:3 we read that “Moses went and repeated to the people all the commands of the Lord and all the rules, and all the people answered with one voice saying, ‘All the things that Adonai has commanded we will do and we will listen.’”

The response is strange. Why not just do them, but continue to listen.  Because they understood that it is only with increased education that we will continue to observe the rules.  The more you know, the more you want to do.  Rules should never be given without explanation.  Our people understood this long ago, and they promised to observe the rules and continue to listen to their explanation.  May we all promise to do the same.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler

 

 

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, February 4 - Family Shabbat dinner (by reservation only) at 6:00 p.m. followed by Family Shabbat Service at 7:15 p.m.  led by the 5^th Grade of our Religious School.  [Dinner reservations : $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.]  Saturday, February 5 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Library.  D’var Torah: Norman Olson; Torah Reader: Sallie Olson; Hebrew Reader: Bobbi Weiss; English Reader:  Steve Hecht.

In the Week Ahead – Friday, February 11 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:30; Our Cantorial Legacy— A musical Shabbat service at 8:00 p.m.  Our Adult Choir and Professional Quartet 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. 

Coming Up – Saturday, February 26 – Junior Congregation at 10:30 a.m. in the Youth Lounge.  Friday, March 4 – Shabbat Across America – Shabbat Evening Services begin at 7:15 p.m.  Friday, March 18 – Westminster Conservatory Youth Chorale will join us for Shabbat Evening Services at 8:00 p.m.  The program includes the  premiere of If Then. . . a composition by Cantor Jonathan Comisar, commisioned by KI. 

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.

Dayenu! A Family Seder—on Sunday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. in K/G—complete Passover Seder led by Rabbi Lance Sussman.  Four-course traditional kosher meal—vegetarian available.  $45/adult, $25/children 14 and under.  Reservations must be received by April 10.  checks payable to KI Brotherhood.

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:  Joan Leegant,  An Hour in Paradise;  Allegra Goodman,  Total Immersion; Saul Bellow,  Ravelstein; John D. Rayner, A Jewish Understanding of the World; Alan Dershowitz, Shouting Fire: civil liberties in a turbulent age.  For children: Grandpa and Me on Tu B'Shevat  by  Marji Gold-Yukson, illus. by Leslie Evans; Genesis for Kids: Science experiments that show God's power in creation by Doug Lambier and Robert Stevenson, illus. by Ken Save; Kids Love Holiday Crafts by Tracey Agranoff, photos by Geoffrey Marshall; The Shabbat Angels by Maxine Segal Handelman, illus. by Joani Keller Rothenberg; The Castle on Hester Street  by Linda Heller; The Children's Holiday Kitchen by Joan Nathan.

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 on Wednesday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m. —In the Image by Dana Horn, led by Rabbi Peter Rigler.

Kehillah Night of Jewish Learning: Jewish Heroes—Saturday, February 5, registration at 7:00 p.m.  Rabbi Maslin will teach during the first session: Heroic Jewish Travelers through the Ages.  Many interesting classes are scheduled for two sessions.  Flyers are available on the information Table in the lobby at KI.

Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Philadelphia—open meeting on Sunday, February 13, at KI.  Refreshments at 1:00 p.m.  Panel discussion at 1:30 p.m—Obtaining Documents from Ancestral Countries.

Lunch ‘n’ Learn – about the Torah portion of the week with Rabbi Sussman on Thursday, February 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m.  Call the Clergy Office  by noon on Wednesday, February 16, for reservations and information.  If you would like to receive e-mail reminders about Lunch ‘n’ Learn, call the Clergy Office (215) 887-8702.

Cultural Council 60+ - Rita Rosen Poley – Five Years of Exhibitions at the Temple Judea Museum – Thursday, February 10 Lunch at 11:30 a.m.  KI member luncheon fee is $8.00 with a reservation by February 2, $10.00 for guests and member reservations after February 2.  Send checks to KI, Attn: Cultural Council.  Information:  Doris Parker, 215-886-9267. 

Save the date – Cultural Council 60+ - Thursday, March 10 – Cheltenham High School Touring Ensemble – Cinemusic: Songs from the Silver Screen. Sponsored by the Rosenau Fund.

Book Review with Rabbi Lance Sussman – Rabbi Sussman will review Phillip Roth’s The Plot Against America on Thursday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.  $3 per person.  Admission for WRJ members is free.  Reservations by February 15: Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926.  Sponsored by WRJ/Sisterhood.

Relentless:  The Struggle for Peace in the Middle East—One-hour documentary film about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Sunday, February 27, at 2:00 p.m. at KI.  Admission is free.  To assure seating, RSVP to Administrative Office (215) 887-8700.  Sponsored by KI’s Israel Committee and Adult Education Committee.

Embracing Adoption: Building Jewish Families – Conference on adoption and Jewish life – Sunday, March 6 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Perelman Jewish Day School (Kaiserman JCC), City Avenue and Haverford Road, Wynnewood.  Keynote speaker:  Adam Pertman, author of Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming America. Rabbi Sussman is participating in a panel discussion – “Adoption Issues in the Jewish Community.”  Discounted pre-registration and information: www.jewishadoption.org.  For families considering adoption.

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 February 21, March 21, April 25, or May 30.]

Multifaith Seniors’ Brunch – Wednesday, February 23, at 11:30 a.m.  at KI. Reflecting on the Vision of the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia - Keynote Speaker: Abby Stamelman Hocky.  $5 includes dairy brunch.  RSVP (215) 887-8700.  Rhoda Cohen, Brunch Coordinator. Participation by local clergy.  Please bring non-perishable food contribution for Philabundance.  Co-sponsored by the Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council and the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia's KI-AJ Senior Adult Club.

Jewish Food Festival – Sunday, February 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Bring your friends and prospective members to share a “taste” of KI.

Temple Judea Museum – Exhibitions opening on Sunday, February 27 - “Boris Schatz (1866-1932): His Circle and the Beginning of the Bezalel Art School” and “Ephraim Moses Lilien: Printmaker.”  3:00 p.m. Reception.  4:00 p.m. “An Artists’ Utopia in a New Land: The Bezalel School” – Linda Nesvisky.  Exhibitions run through April 29.

Cooking with Andrew Schloss – Monday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the K/G Kitchen.  Learn how to cook like a pro!  Space is limited. Advance reservations are a MUST.  Send $15/person (payable to KI Sisterhood) to KI, Attn: Michele Gusdorff, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027.  RSVP by March 21 and include your phone number.

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.  Deadline: March 15.  Questions:  Barbara Bronstein (215) 673-1435.

Preschool and Religious School

***Our Religious School closing number is 324*** 
Messages will also be at (215) 887-8700 x 112 ( KI Voice mail) and at www.kenesethisrael.org.

 

KI Skis Blue Mountain – Congregational ski trip on Sunday, February 20.  Leave KI at 8:00 a.m.  Bagels, hot chocolate & coffee at 7:30 a.m. Returns at 6:30 p.m.  Cost depends on package you choose.  Forms in the KI Lobby or  http://www.kenesethisrael.org/youth.html and follow the directions.  Information – call Janet Luterman (215) 887-8704 x133.

 

Social Action Opportunities

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 February 22 (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

Calling All Cooks!  Masters of Matzoh, Queens of Kugel!  The Food Festival wants YOU to prepare your specialty and share it on Sunday, February 27th at the 12th Annual Jewish Food Festival.  Please call Joanie Reinheimer (215/885-7676) or Miriam Finkel (215/242-0339) for details.

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.