E-KI

February 19, 2004         Issue 7

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

 

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700    

 

Torah Time Online

Exodus 21:1-24:18  Mishpatim

 

This week’s Torah portion marks a significant shift in the story of our people.  Up until now the Torah has focused on the stories of our people.  Beginning with Mishpatim, which translates from the Hebrew as rules or statues, it turns to the laws of our nation.  The first section of the portion details civil and criminal laws (such as dealing with slaves or property).  The second section concentrates on humanitarian rules forbidding the oppression of strangers and demanding we care for those who can not support themselves.  The third section begins to explain our rituals and holiday observances.  The portion then concludes with a return to the narrative illustrating Moses and the people preparing to receive the laws and ascend the mountain.

 

It may seem strange to those of us, who work so carefully to distinguish between government and religion, to find a legal code that includes how you sell the cattle, how you eat the cattle, and how you deal with lost cattle in the same section.  Our people, now free from slavery, have just begun to form a society.  The Torah was not only a religious document containing rules for ritual but it was the constitution of the Israelite people.  This section begins to enumerate the Israelite legal and religious code.  And how did our people respond to these rules after having just been granted their freedom?  We read this week in Exodus 24:3 “Moses went and repeated to the people all the commands of Adonai and all the rules; and all the people answered with one voice, saying, “All the things that Adonai has commanded we will do!”

 

This week, may we be inspired by their dedication.  Though we do not live in a country regulated by the rules of the Torah, we can work to make the principles that guide them part of our culture.  We may have decided to abandon some of the ritual commandments, but we can try with even more fervor to uphold the ethical guidelines of the Torah. 

 

Shabbat Shalom!

 

Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

Worship Opportunities

Services This Week, Friday, February 20 - Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge.  Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Saturday, February 21 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Services In the Week Ahead, Friday, February 27 - Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Rabbi Sussman will speak:  “One Jerusalem.” Saturday, February 28 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Mini-Minyan at 9:30 a.m. in the Youth Lounge; Junior Congregation at 10:30 a.m. in the Youth Lounge; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Samuel Staples, son of Debra and Robert Staples.

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.

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.

Tot Shabbat—Friday, March 12, at 6:00 p.m.

Mini-Minyan & Junior Congregation—Saturday, March 27 at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.

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

Cantor Luterman — January appearance; rescheduled for Friday, April 23.

Upcoming holidays

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 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.

Cultural Opportunities

Yoga—Sundays, February 22 & 29,  from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Open to the congregation.  $5/session.  Reservations:  Religious School (215) 887-8704.

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.

Masterworks Is Coming!  Crafts and Antiques Festival — Preview Party on Saturday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. $25 ticket includes admission on Sunday, April 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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). 

Adult Education & Speakers

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

The Five People You Meet in Heaven— by Mitch Albom.  Book review with Rabbi Sussman on Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m.. Refreshments served. Free for WRJ members. $3 for non-members. Men and women invited. RSVP to Joan Kamen, (215) 947-5926. Presented by WRJ/Sisterhood.

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

Cultural Council 60+ — “Autumn Sun: The Bright Side of Aging,” guest speaker Genevieve Whitford, author and poetess, Thursday, March 11, at 11:30 a.m.  Lunch—K.I. members $7 by March 4; $10 for members after March 4; guests are $10.  Send checks (payable to K.I.) to Doris Parker, 1250 Greenwood Avenue, #308, Jenkintown, PA   19046.

Preschool and Religious School

Bedtime Story—Kathy Goldenberg, Preschool Director, on Wednesday, February 25, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Jenkintown.  Buy books between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.  with voucher (available in Preschool).  A portion of the sales will go to the Preschool.

Preschool Open House & Family Fun Day—Purim themed crafts and activities featuring Andi Joseph, “The Musical Mommy,”  on Sunday, February 29, 2-4 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.

Social Action Opportunities

Social Action Shabbat—Friday, March 26, at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Mark Pelavin, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, will speak on separation of church and state.  Doris Parker and Jules Kay will be honored for their contributions to the community.  Information:  Nicole Wilson Spiro (215) 887-8704.

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.

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

Congregational Trips

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.

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.

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

Ways To Get Involved

We Need You - The membership committee is embarking on an ambitious quest to recruit new members to join our K.I. family. We can’t do it without your help! It’s a great chance to share your love of K.I. with prospective members and meet current members as well. Contact Leza Raffel at (215) 884-6499 for further details.

EKI—If you want to receive these announcements by e-mail every week, please call Anne Newman in the Administrative Office with your e-mail address (215) 887-8700.

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.

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.

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.

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.