E-KI

February 5, 2004         Issue 5

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700    

Torah Time Online

                                      Exodus: Beshalach

            Beshalach, this weeks Torah portion gives this Sabbath an additional name. The portion includes an epic song/poem that the Israelites sang at the shore of the Sea of Reeds (Exodus 15:1-21) after escaping from Pharaoh's army. The special name of this Shabbat is "Shabbat Shirah" (the Sabbath of the Song).

                Mi chamocha, ba'elim, Adonai?
            Mi kamocha, nedar bakodesh, nora tehilot, osei feleh?

                Who is like you, Adonai, among other gods?
            Who is like you, glorious in holiness, awesome in praises, doing miracles?

                Shira chadasha shib'chu ge'ulim le'shimcha al s'fat hayam;
            Yachad kulam hodu ve'himlichu ve'amru: "Adonai yimloch le'olam va'ed."

                With a new song, the ones You rescued praised Your name at the sea shore.
            All of them in unison gave thanks and praised Your rule, and said:

"Adonai will reign for ever and ever."

                Standing at the sea of freedom, Moses, Miriam and all of the children of Israel remember the pain of slavery. We use Mi chamocha often in Jewish life as a way to help us remember this moment in our collective lives. Mi Chamocha is an integral part of our morning and evening liturgy. This Shabbat when we recite the song it is one of two times when the congregation stands for a Torah reading (the second being the Ten Commandments). We remember the moment at our Seder tables when we remove ten drops of wine our glasses, the song of victory at the sea is heard also on the seventh day of Passover. Jefferson and Franklin proposed these lines as the seal of our country. Truly this song has become one of the greatest calls to liberation.

            Until true freedom is known by all people we cannot wait for miracles to change our world as they did for our ancestors at the parting of the Sea. We must remember the song of our people and God’s love as we continue to fight at the shores of the sea.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

Shabbat Service Together at Beth Sholom—Join us for Friday evening services on February 6 at 8:00 p.m. at Beth Sholom.  “Faith in Song: Reflections on Shabbat Shira.”  Rabbi Sussman will speak along with a joint choir from both congregations led by Beth Sholom’s Cantor David Tilman.  Yahrzeit lists from both congregations will be read.

Services Saturday, February 7 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Upstairs Minyan at 10:30 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Cantor Luterman — has been rescheduled for Friday, April 23.

Yoga—Sundays in February (not February 15)  from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Open to the congregation.  $5/session.  Reservations:  Religious School (215) 887-8704.

Buy a Tree for Tu B’Shevat—and support Israel.  Tu B’Shevat is on February 7, 2004.    Purchase trees through the Jewish National Fund at www.jnf.org or 1-888-JNF-0099.

Night of Jewish Learning—”350 Years of Jewish History in the United States” at Gratz College on Saturday, February 7.  Registration at 7:00 p.m.  Havdalah at 7:30 p.m., two class sessions, coffeehouse reception — music by “Shir Energy.”  Rabbi Sussman’s class “350 Years of Anti-Semitism in America.” Pre-registration is $10—$15 at the door.  Sponsored by Kehillah of Old York Road.  Registration /information:  (215) 635-0557.

Health Forum Brunch—Physician panel followed by question & answer session on Sunday, February 8, at 10:00 a.m. at K.I.  $9/person.  Send checks (payable to K.I. Sisterhood) to Michele Gusdorff, 210 Waring Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027.  Sponsored by WRJ Sisterhood and Brotherhood.

Piano Concert—featuring a young, pianistic phenomenon Yujia Wang, a 16 year old Curtis Institute of Music student.  The program will include works by Barber, Mozart, Schubert, and Schumann.  Sunday, February 8, at 1:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary.  $12/adult  $7/child.  Lunch (salad or pizza) $4/person.  Reservations by February 6.

Cultural Council 60+ — “An Early Look at Election 2004,” Susan Myers, Thursday, February 12, at 11:30 a.m.  Lunch—K.I. members $7 by February 5; $10 for members after February 5; guests are $10.  Send checks (payable to K.I.) to Doris Parker, 1250 Greenwood Avenue, #308, Jenkintown, PA   19046.

Services in the Week Ahead:    Friday, February 13 - Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge.  Dinner and crafts to follow in the Rothschild Auditorium.  For reservations and pricing information call the Religious School office; Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Saturday, February 14 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Multi-Faith Seniors’ Brunch — “Building Bridges: Interfaith Relations,” with keynote speaker Sister Josephine Kase, plus participation by members of the local clergy.  Wednesday, February 18, at 11:00 a.m.  $5 includes a dairy brunch. Please bring a non-perishable food contribution for Philabundance.  Co-sponsored by the Cheltenham Multifaith Council and the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia’s KI—AJ Senior Adult Club.

Center City Lunch n’Learn—with Rabbi Sussman at Marc Furman’s office on Thursday, February 19, at noon.  Reservations/information: (215) 887-8702.

Blue Jean Shabbat--Friday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Rabbi’s Spring Forum—Reform Judaism:  A History —begins Sunday, February 22 .

Jewish Food Festival—Cooking demonstrations and Jewish food to taste from around the world—Sunday, February 22, 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. in Rothschild Auditorium. $2/person; children under three are free.  Sponsored by K.I.’s Outreach Committee.

Pages to Pirouettes — The art of storytelling set to the ballet of Don Quixote on Sunday, February 22, at 1:00 p.m. in K/G Auditorium.  $5/person before February 16 ($8/person after the 16^th) with an opportunity to join the dancers for an interactive dance following the performance.  Information and registration:  (215) 887-8704.

Healing Service--Wednesday, February 25 at 6:15 p.m.

Mini-Minyan & Junior Congregation Services—Saturday, February 28 at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Open House, Family Fun Day—Purim themed crafts and activities featuring Andi Jospeh, “The Musical Mommy.”  Sunday, February 29 at 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Spread the word if you know anyone interested in Preschool for the summer and next year.  For more information call the Preschool at 215-885-2425.

Adult Education — Nowhere in Africa, Bella Friesel (discussion leader), Sunday, February 29, at 3:00 p.m.  See Adult Education Brochure for more details.

Korn Memorial—Shabbat evening service on Friday, March 5, commemorating Rabbi Korn’s 25th Yahrzeit.  Special appearances by Cantor Mel Luterman and the U.S. Naval Academy Choir.  Babysitting available.  Call Rabbinic Office:  (215) 887-8702.

Purim Brown Bag Dinner, Shpeil and Megillah Reading—Saturday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. We will provide drinks and dessert, come in costume.  During dinner craft your own grogger and make Mishloach Manot (gifts for friends and those in need); Purim Shpeil “Fiddler on the Repaired Roof” at 7:00 p.m. follwed by the Megillah Reading.

Purim Carnival—Sunday, March 7.  Special Purim Community Time at 10:45 a.m. during Religious School including costume parade.  Carnival 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Lunch, games, prizes and much more (including a preschool corner w/games and crafts). Tickets available at the door, 10 for $5 (12 for $5 in advance).

Congregational Retreat—weekend at Camp Harlam with Rabbis Sussman and Peter Rigler, from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, March 21.  Sponsored by K.I. Brotherhood. Contact Art Silverman for information:  (215) 643-8531.

Family Shabbat Service—Friday, April 2 at 7:15p.m.

Congregational Seder—sponsored by the K.I. Brotherhood—Tuesday, April 6, promptly at 6:00 p.m.—$45/adult  $21/children 14 and under.  Watch for more info.

K.I. Heritage trip to Italy – “Torah, Art and Opera” in Rome, Florence and Venice, July, 2004.   For more information, call Fayway Travel at (215) 676-3525.

Art Display—Art from Social Action Committee Contest by children in our Religious School is now on display at Barnes & Noble in Jenkintown (window facing Walgreen’s). 

Greeting cards benefit Sefer Project – Need to send a greeting card?  Isabel Hirshberg, a first grader in our religious school, has won the Social Action Art Contest and designed a greeting card, available for $5 in the Administrative Office (Religious School Office on Sunday). Each card purchased represents a donation of one new book to the Sefer (Book) Project, which provides books to children in need.   You can also help the Sefer Project by donating new and gently used children’s books.

Congregational Trip to Israel—Spring 2004.   Interested?  Call (215) 887-8702.

Preschool Hat & Mitten Drive— Ongoing.  Please help support this drive!  Drop-off basket in Preschool hallway.

Sisterhood Gift Shop – Gift Certificates now available!  Gift Shop is open  Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday during Religious School hours and by appointment.  Please call Mickie Levin (215) 698-0314 or Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926.

K.I. Outreach Committee – Are you part of an interfaith couple?  Are you a Jew-by-choice?  Are you a Jew-by-birth interested in relearning Jewish traditions?  The K.I. Outreach Committee is interested in your participation and/or your input.  Contact Sharon Buckingham (215) 885-9429.

Celebration Fund – Is there a special occasion occurring in the near future for you or a loved one?  A milestone birthday?  A special anniversary?  Birth of a child or grandchild?  Share your happiness with our congregational family.  Contributions to K.I.’s Celebration Fund underwrite our beautiful Oneg Shabbat.  Contact the Administrative Office, (215) 887-8700, for further details.

Shabbat Shalom Tablecloth – Join our growing list of congregants who have already added their names to our beautiful name-embroidered tablecloth.  ($25/one-line name).  For information, contact Babe Hernes (215) 379-5438 or Doris Parker (215) 886-9267.