E-KI
March 24, 2005 Vol. II No. 12
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Tzav – Leviticus 6:1
Jeremiah 7:21
A Jewish View of Terri Schiavo
Like everyone else, many members of KI are following the painful story of Terri Schiavo in the news. This is a personal story for us because so many of us have had to provide care to the terminally ill in our families and friendship circles. The Schiavo case is very difficult. It now not only involves bioethical issues but also questions relating to spousal versus parental rights and the “separation of powers” at the Federal level.
Obviously, there is too much in the Schiavo case to be covered in the space provided in KI’s e-newsletter. However, a number of you have asked me to provide a Jewish perspective on this personal and familial tragedy. Most important in this regard is the question of how to treat the terminally ill, which has been addressed in Jewish tradition in great detail over the ages, including the presenting issue of the cessation of medical treatment for a goses (“dying patient” in Hebrew).
The paradigmatic Jewish tale about treating a goses comes from the Talmud (Ketubot 104a) which reports the death of Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi who lived in Israel during the 3rd century CE. Known simply as “Rabbi,” Yehuda Hanasi had many loyal students, who, when hearing their teacher was dying, began to pray asking God to prolong his life. Rabbi’s maidservant, on the other hand, saw that he was beyond the point of healing (i.e., that he was a goses). When she observed that the students would not stop their prayers, she went to the roof and threw a glass vessel to the ground. When it shattered, the prayers were interrupted and Rabbi died.
In this story, the prayers of the disciples were the equivalent of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tubes. Centuries later, when a universal Code of Jewish Law, the Shulchan Aruch, was written, Rabbi Moses Isserles added a gloss on the cessation of treatment and maintained “that it is not considered a positive act (maaseh) but merely the removal of an impediment.” Isserles’ opinion thus made explicit that, in certain circumstances, cessation of treatment is an ethical and even merciful option in Judaism.
While in the Jewish tradition the principle of “saving of a life” (pikuach nefesh) is a supreme value, we are also instructed not to delay unnecessarily the death of a goses. All patients are entitled to compassionate care and loving support and such care and support can be provided in many ways. Sometimes in the case of a goses, love may mean letting go.
If you would like to read more about “Judaism and the cessation of care,” please go to www.ccarnet.org and look for CCAR Responsa 5754.14. If you would like to speak with me directly about this or any other issue, please be in touch. I will do my best to be of help to you and your family.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Week – Thursday, March 24 – Brown Bag Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Purim Megillah Reading and Shpiel at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 25 – Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel – Rabbi Sussman will speak. Saturday, March 26 – Torah, Toast & Tefillah – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Light Breakfast at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby; Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel: English Reader – Irv Matusow; Hebrew Reader – Sallie Olson; Divrei Torah – Karen Kelly and Sam Glantz; Torah Readers – Linda Nesvisky, Bill Levy, Karen Kelly.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, April 1 – Rock ‘n’ Soul Shabbat Service at 7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary with Shir Joy and the Hebrew Hammers; Saturday, April 2 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. ; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, when we will celebrate the B’not Mitzvah of Ilyssa Fayrn Sternberg, daughter of Sherri and Scott Sternberg, and Ali Beth Glickstein, daughter of Donna Glickstein and Barry Glickstein; Havdalah Service at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Jason M. Saruya, son of Lori and Avi Saruya.
Coming Up --- Friday, April 8 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. - $5/children; $10/adults by April 1. $8/child; $12 adults after April 1 . Information: Fran Braslow (215) 887-8704. Friday, April 22 – Brotherhood Shabbat at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, with guest speaker, Reverend Keith Hayward of LaMott A.M.E. Church. Passover Begins Saturday Evening, April 23.
3rd Annual Super Get Ready for Passover Day – on Sunday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m. Rabbis Sussman and Rigler will speak on the history and meaning of Passover. Cantor Lefko will teach traditional Passover songs. Parents are invited to attend workshops with their children on ways to enhance their family Seder.
Dayenu! A Family Seder—on Sunday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. in K/G—complete Passover Seder led by Rabbi Lance Sussman and Cantor Amy Lefko. 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, Attn: 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: Howard S. Rubenstein and Judith Rubenstein, Becoming Free: A Haggadah for Passover; Deborah G. Felder and Diana Rosen, Fifty Jewish Women who Changed the World; Rabbi David J. Wolpe, Floating Takes Faith; I.B. Singer, The Manor; Rich Cohen, "Tough Jews: fathers, sons, and gangster dreams. For children: Madeline Wikler (illus. by Nicole in den Bosch), Let's Ask Four Questions; Salop Byrd (illus. by Lil Goldstein), The Kiddush Cup Who Hated Wine; S.Y. Agnon (translated by Robert Friend with illus. by Arieh Zeldich), Agnon's Alef Bet, poems by the great Israeli writer for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Naomi Pasachoff, Basic Judaism for Young People : vol. 3, God; Etan Boritzer (illus. by Robbie Marantz), What is God?
“What Does It Mean to Be a Jew? What Is the Essence of Judaism” – Rabbi Ruth Sandberg. Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m.
WRJ Book Review Redux – rescheduled from February 24! Rabbi Sussman will review Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America on Thursday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. $3 per person. Admission for WRJ members is free. Reservations by March 24: Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926.
Caring for Ourselves, Caring for Others – Second Edna S. Tuttleman Symposium on Jewish Women on Tuesday, April 5, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Adath Israel, 250 N. Highland Road, Merion Station, PA. Keynote speaker: Dr. Terri Apter, psychologist and author. To register or for more information: www.jfcs.org/events or call (215) 732-6634. Sponsored by the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia.
Rabbi Sussman will discuss The Americanization of Ben Franklin, by Gordon S. Wood, on Thursday, April 14, at 2:00 p.m.
Aaron Lansky Speaks at KI – on Sunday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m. Save the date!
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 April 25.]
Temple Judea Museum – “Boris Schatz (1866-1932): His Circle and the Beginning of the Bezalel Art School” and “Ephraim Moses Lilien: Printmaker.” 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! Walk-ins welcome. $15/person (payable to KI). Information: Michele Gusdorff (215) 782-1446.
A Celestial Trio – Concert with harp, viola and flute on Sunday, April 3. Concert at 3:00 p.m. Dinner at 5:00 p.m. Adults: $30 for concert & dinner; $17.50 for concert only. Children 12 and under: $10 concert only; dinner free with paid adult. Reservations required for dinner by March 30. Send checks to KI (payable to KI, memo: Community Concerts – Trio). Sponsored by KI Music Arts Committee in cooperation with Astral Artistic Services. Information: (215) 887-8700.
A Capitol Art Ramble – Some seats still available for Thursday, April 7, bus trip to Harrisburg, tour of the Governor’s Mansion, Capitol Building, and John Harris Mansion. $90/person (Friends of the Temple Judea Museum) or $100 (guests and non-members of Friends). Mail checks to KI (payable to KI, attn: A Capitol Art Ramble). Information: (215) 887-2027.
Silver Simcha – Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rabbi Sussman’s ordination and the occasion of his receiving an honorary doctorate from HUC-JIR in New York with a special Shabbat Evening Service on Friday, April 8, and a festive evening dinner and entertainment (The Savoy Company with a program of Gilbert & Sullivan) on Sunday, April 10. Proceeds will benefit the programs at KI.
WRJ/Sisterhood Annual Interfaith Luncheon – Sounds and Songs of Our Heritage on Tuesday, April 12. Cantor Lefko will present a musical dialogue at 11:00 a.m. followed by question and answer session. Complimentary luncheon at 12:30 p.m. All neighboring churches, synagogues and KI members are invited. Reservations – Mickie Levin (215) 698-0314.
Cultural Council 60+ – Iraq: Where Do We Go from Here? Trudy Rubin of The Philadelphia Inquirer on Thursday, April 14. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. KI member luncheon fee is $8.00 with a reservation by April 6, $10.00 for guests and member reservations after April 6. Send checks to KI, Attn: Cultural Council. Information: Doris Parker, 215-886-9267. Sponsored by the Rosenau Fund.
Mother’s Day Brunch – sponsored by the Brotherhood on Mother’s Day, May 8, at 10:00 a.m. Cantor Amy Lefko is the guest vocalist. $10/men; $5/women. Send checks to KI, Attn: Brotherhood, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park PA 19027. RSVP by May 3.
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 KI (with WRJ Theater Trip on the memo line and envelope) to KI. Limited space available. Questions: Barbara Bronstein (215) 673-1435.
Preschool and Religious School
New Students - Do you know someone who might be interested in KI’s Preschool or Religious School? We are enrolling now for next year. Please contact either Kathy Goldenberg at (215) 885-2425 or Rabbi Stacy Rigler at (215) 887-8704. We are always happy to speak with and welcome prospective students and their families.
Social Action Opportunities
Mitzvah Day is coming – Save Sunday, May 1, to join your fellow KI members in serving our community. Watch for more information about mitzvah opportunities on that day.
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 March 29 (last Tuesday of the month). Info: Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815.
Ways To Get Involved
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 KI, Attn: 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.