E-KI

March 3, 2004         Issue 9

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700    

Torah Time Online

PURIM 5764

          Purim recounts a near catastrophe in ancient Persia. The Jews, about to be attacked, turn the tables on their enemies and become the victors. The date of the scheduled mass murder was the 13th of Adar. It has now become an occasion for celebration.

          According to the Talmud, Purim was a day of parties and merriment. At these parties, the rabbis tell us, everyone drank so much that they were unable to differentiate between the phrases "Bless Mordecai" and "Curse Haman"(Megillah 7a). While the notion of consuming alcohol may not be palatable to everyone today, merriment itself remains central to our Purim celebrations.

The Purim Shpiel, (shpiel is a Yiddish word meaning a "play" or "skit”) evolved over time into the presentation of humorous skits, not just about the story of Purim, but also about the community in which the Shpiel takes place. Filled with songs set to popular tunes, Purim has become a time not only be merry, but to share communal laughs about the community’s challenges.  This is the one time during the year when we make fun of friends, teachers, institutions and normally serious situations. This custom is based on Purim being a time "it was turned around" (Esther 9:1) and the Jewish people were saved. We turn our normally good behavior into a bit more topsy-turvy evening.

           This year KI is proud to present its own wonderful Purim Shpiel, “Fiddler on the Repaired Roof” this Saturday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Come hear our original words to the old Fiddler classics. Help the senior staff, officers, the adult choir and a cast of many extras. Share laughs together as we celebrate Purim and our community.

Wishing you a Purim filled with joy and happiness!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Note:  Announcements for the next Shabbat folder must be submitted to the Rabbis’ Office by thursday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m.

Worship Opportunities

 

 A Very Special Shabbat Service This Week:

Friday, March 5 - Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Korn Memorial Service commemorating Rabbi Korn’s 25^th Yahrzeit featuring the U.S. Naval Academy Choir and Cantor Mel Luterman.  Babysitting available, call the Rabbinic Office: 215-887-8702;  Saturday, March 6 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel; Purim Shpeil and Megillah reading at 7:00 p.m.

Services In the Week Ahead, Friday, March 12 - Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel; Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Shabbat Across America.  Saturday, March 13 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Mini-Minyan & Junior Congregation—Saturday, March 27 at 9:30 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.

Healing Service--Wednesday, April 28 at 6:15 p.m.

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. followed 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.

Super Get-Ready-for-Passover Day—Passover workshop on Sunday, March 28, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  Sponsored by the K.I. Outreach Committee, Religious School and Preschool.

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, March 14 and 21,  from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Open to the congregation and community.  $5/session.  Reservations:  Religious School (215) 887-8704.

Cabaret!—“Some Enchanted Evening,” four singers from The Curtis Institute perform music from Broadway, light opera, jazz and more, on Saturday, March 20.  Dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Dinner and program: $25/adult, $10/child.

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.

K.I. Sisterhood Returns to Broadway! Wonderful Town, Sunday, May 23. Continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. at K.I.  Bus leaves at 10:00 a.m.; returns by 7:30 p.m.  $128/person.  Lunch not included.  Send check (payable to WRJ Sisterhood) to K.I., Attn:  Broadway, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA   19027.

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

Adult Education — Josiah, Rabbi Judah Fish, Monday, March 8, noon;  book discussion—Roscoe by William Kennedy, discussion leader Lucile Shukosky, Wednesday, March 17, 2:00 p.m.; “Hidden Child Update,” Dr. Charles Rojer, Thursday, March 18, 7:30 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 and guests $10.  Send checks (payable to K.I.) to Doris Parker, 1250 Greenwood Avenue, #308, Jenkintown, PA   19046.

Rabbi’s K.I. Spring Forum—Reform Judaism: A History continues Sunday, March 21, at 9:45 a.m. with “Reform Comes to America.” Details

Scholar in Residence—Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna, Professor of  American Jewish History at Brandeis University, Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2.  Watch your mail for details.

Preschool and Religious School

Senior KIFTY Thousand-Bracelet Project—in memory of one of the victims of terror in Israel.  Bracelets available for $5 each at KIFTY Kafe and KIFTY Canteen.

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.  For more information contact  Nicole Wilson Spiro (215) 887-8704.

March for Women's Lives - Sunday, April 25 in Washington D.C.  Join the KI delegation and support freedom of choice. Strengthen the voice of the Reform Movement at this crucial time. Bus leaves KI at 6:30 am.  Bus leaves D.C. at 4:30 pm for return home.  The cost is $30.00 per person.  Contact Chantal Feinberg, Social Action Chairman, for information.  215-782-1483 or CLF7441@aol.com.

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 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—May 2-9, 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.

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.

Note:  Announcements for E-KI
Must be in to the Rabbi’s office, 215-887-8702, by TUESday at 12pm