E-KI

March 18, 2004         Issue 11

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700    

 

Torah Time Online

Vayakhel-Pekudei; Exodus 35

 Religious Art and Architecture

 

This week we read a double portion, Vayakhel-Pekudei, which brings the second book of the Torah to its conclusion.   A great deal of attention is again lavished on the art and architecture of the Sanctuary in the desert.  In time, the Sanctuary or “Mishkan,” became the paradigm for the Temple of Jerusalem.  More broadly, in Midrash Rabba, the rabbis understood the Temple to be a microcosm of the entire universe.  In both instances, a similar principle is invoked that religious art and architecture is intended to transcend itself, to be more than the sum of its parts.

 In the Jewish tradition, the historical development of religious art and architecture has been restrained by a number of factors over the millennium.  First, the Torah itself legislates, in debatable degrees, against representational art.  Second, following the destruction of the Temple in the year 70 by the Romans, the Jewish community generally refrained from replicating Temple art in the newly emerged synagogue.  Finally, during the long pre-emancipatory history of the Diaspora, both Christian and Muslim law limited public expression of Judaic ideals in the visual arts.

 However, since Emancipation, the situation has changed dramatically.   Free of legal restraint, large urban congregations built monumental synagogues during the course of the 19^th century.   The search for a historical theme for these buildings was largely unsuccessful; although many congregations chose a Moorish look and a few were comfortable with Gothic.   Similarly, explorations into two- and three- dimensional visual art was largely conventional.

 The rise of modern architecture and non-representational art provided a new and welcome challenge to the Jewish community the world over.   Bauhaus modernism dominated the “new” world of Jewish life in British Palestine and the State of Israel.  American Jews did not embrace architectural modernism until after World War II.  In the emerging suburbs, synagogues and their artwork became venues for the modern, the abstract and the symbolic.

 Today, we seem to be at a new juncture.  Classical themes and pure modernism both seem to be spent.  Some communities, mostly in Europe, are experimenting with post-modernist expressions.  In the United States, the historical pull of “nostalgia” seems to be tempering the modernism of our Jewish art and architecture.  In seeking out an idiom, perhaps we would be well served to return to the art and architecture of our ancestors in the desert and the various rabbinic commentaries assessing those tradition.  Representing our innermost feelings and our view of the cosmos is an important task and we have hardly begun to explore the old-new possibilities before us.

 Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship Opportunities

 

Services This Week, Friday March 19 - Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge; Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel.

Rabbi Sussman’s sermon will be “The Passion: Is It Christian?”

Saturday, March 20 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel; Havdalah service at 5:30 p.m., when we celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Samuel Farrel Freedman, son of Lisa and Mark Freedman.

Services In the Week Ahead, Friday, March 26 - Social Action Shabbat service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel.   Guest speaker;  Mark Pelavin, Associate Director of the Religious Action Committee of the Reform Judaism will speak on the separation of church and state. Saturday, March 27 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Mini-Minyan at 9:30 a.m. in the Youth Lounge; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel; Junior Congregation at 10:30 a.m. in the Youth Lounge.

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

Shabbat Together with Temple Beth Am — Friday, April 16, at 8:00 p.m. at K.I.  Prayers and music in anticipation of Yom HaShoah (Sunday, April 18) will be included in this joint service.  Rabbi Leib of Beth Am will give the sermon; and both Cantor Elena Zarkh and Cantorial Soloist Sherrie Rosenblum will participate in the service, along with the combined adult choirs from both congregations.  Greetings will be offered by Karen Sirota and Steven Pollack, Presidents of KI and Beth Am, respectively.  Join us for an evening of song, prayer and unity at KI.

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

Upcoming holidays

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.  As part of this morning program, stop by the Sisterhood Gift Shop for all of your Passover needs including wine, Haggadas, Seder plates, candlesticks and Kiddush Cups.

Congregational Seder—sponsored by the K.I. Brotherhood—Tuesday, April 6, promptly at 6:00 p.m.—$45/adult  $21/children 14 and under.  For reservations contact Rick Gusdorff at 215-782-1446 by March 26.

Cultural Opportunities

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.

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

From Emigrant to Immigrant: Reflections on Coming and Becoming — Temple Judea Museum exhibition of original artwork and archival materials March 28 through June 30, 2004.  The opening day, Sunday, March 28 begins with the Artisans’ Festival—Old World and New World Crafts, noon-3:00 p.m.  An opportunity for the entire family to create personal craft objects and explore the traditions of our heritage.  $9.00 for first child; $6.00 each additional child; kosher lunch will be available.  The day continues with an Artists’ Reception from 3:00-5:00 p.m. including an Artists’ Panel: Reflections—The What and Why Behind the Artwork at 4:00 p.m.  This exhibition and crafts festival are part of TJMuseum’s yearlong celebration of the 350^th anniversary of the arrival of Jews in America.

Cook for MasterWorks Preview Party— with Wendy Ward and Joan Shore in K.I.’s kitchen! We need your help to make thousands of hors d’oeuvres and pastries.  March 21-25 and April 18-23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come one or come every day for some cooking fun!  Call Joan to sign up (215) 887-1763.

Chocolate Cooking Program—with Andrew Schloss, Monday, March 29, at 7:00 p.m., in the Krauskopf/Ginsburg kitchen.  Reservations required.  Space is limited.  $14/person.  Mail checks (payable to K.I. Sisterhood) to Michelle Gusdorff, 210 Waring Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027.

MasterWorks Is Coming!  Crafts and Antiques Festival —  contemporary crafts, designer furniture, antiques, clothing, and jewelry.  Preview Party on Saturday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. Special guest Robert Whitley, master craftsman. Hors d’oeuvres, pastries, and wine.  $25 ticket for Preview also 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.  General admission is $8 ($6 with coupon in flyer or K.I. Bulletin).

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

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

Adult Education -- Address Unknown, Bev Cohen, Thursday, April 1, 7:30 p.m.;  Do You Have to Believe in God to be Jewish?, Rabbi Ruth Sandberg, Thursday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.;  Book Discussion—The Far Euphrates, Wednesday, April 21, 2:00 p.m. See Adult Education Brochure for more details

Cultural Council 60+ — “Why Christian Fundamentalists Love Israel,” Nathan Field, Thursday, April 8, at 11:30 a.m.  Lunch—K.I. members $7 by April 1; $10 for members after April 1; guests are $10.  Send checks (payable to K.I.) to Doris Parker, 1250 Greenwood Avenue, #308, Jenkintown, PA   19046.

Distinguished Scholar in Residence—Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna, Professor of  American Jewish History at Brandeis University, Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2, “The 350^th Anniversary of Jewish Life in North America.”  Friday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m.—“The Emergence of American Judaism;” Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 a.m. Torah Study Havurah; Sunday, May 2 at 10:00 a.m. Brunch  ($6/person with reservation only) and at 10:30 a.m. free lecture “American Judaism in the 21^st Century.”  Dr. Sarna’s visit has been made possible by a generous grant from Eve Mennies in memory of Bernard Mennies.

Preschool and Religious School

Senior KIFTY Thousand-Bracelet Project—in memory 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 a.m.  Bus leaves D.C. at 4:30 p.m. for return home.  The cost is $30.00 per person.  Contact Chantal Feinberg, Social Action Chairman, for information and reservation at 215-782-1483 or CLF7441@aol.com Register now—bus is filling up quickly!

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.

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.