E-KI
March 31, 2005 Vol. II No. 13
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Shemini – Leviticus 9:1
II Samuel 6:1
This week’s Torah portion Shemini recounts a story of tragic loss, the punishment by death of Aaron's sons, Nadav and Avihu, who ". . .offered before the Lord an alien fire, which He had not enjoined upon them," and who were then consumed by fire that "came forth from God." (Leviticus 10:1-2) Though Moses makes an attempt to explain God's actions, Aaron's response is silence.
The story invites us to examine the timeless issues of life and death. Throughout the ages, this story has generated countless commentaries pondering what great sin could warrant such a severe act of divine retribution. The answers include failure to comply with ritual laws or to consult with their elders, ruthless ambition, lack of faith, and excessive religious zeal.
Although these various interpretations are fascinating, I’d like to focus on how Moses and Aaron responded to this tragedy. In addressing his brother, Moses attempted to justify God’s killing of Aaron’s sons: "Then Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the Lord meant when He said: Through those near to Me I show Myself holy, and gain glory before all the people.'" In response, ". . . Aaron was silent." (Leviticus 10:3) Since we are not told why Aaron remains silent, we are free to use the Torah as a mirror to wrestle with our inner responses and understandings of his loss.
We must make a place for grief in our communal lives, not merely behind closed doors. Judaism understands this and facilitates such expression. The community comes together in a house of mourning in part to provide a safe place for mourners to feel and speak of their pain.
The mystery surrounding the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, as well as Moses’ and Aaron’s responses to their deaths, provide rich material for exploring our own relationship to death, grief, consolation, and the nature of life. On this Shabbat we are able to step back and realize that while our loss makes us feel alone, we are linked with the Jewish community as we struggle with our pain.
May this Shabbat be one of peace and consolation for those who have lost a loved one.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Peter Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Week – Friday, April 1 – Rock ‘n’ Soul Family Shabbat Service at 7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary with Shir Joy and the Hebrew Hammers; Saturday, April 2 – 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; Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. 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.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, April 8 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel; 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. Saturday, April 9 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Toby Jean Hamovitz, daughter of Nancy and Stephen Hamovitz.
Coming Up --- Friday, April 22 – Brotherhood Shabbat at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, with guest speaker, Reverend Keith Hayward, and the gospel choir of LaMott A.M.E. Church. Passover Begins Saturday Evening, April 23.
3rd Annual Super Get Ready for Passover Day – on Sunday, April 17. Rabbi Sussman will teach at 9:30, “Did the Exodus happen and does it matter?” Workshops at 10:15 a.m. to noon: Rabbi Peter Rigler will discuss making your Seder meaningful; Cantor Lefko will teach traditional Passover songs; parents and grandparents are invited to attend craft workshops with their children to create Passover projects for the Seder table.
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?
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.
“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.
Rabbi Sussman will discuss The Americanization of Ben Franklin, by Gordon S. Wood, on Thursday, April 14, at 2:00 p.m.
Rabbi Sussman and a British Kiddush—at Gam Yahad Model Seder and program on Sunday, April 17, at 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Information: Ann Rappoport (215) 884-4155.
Dr. Irene Reiter reviews “The King & I: The uncensored Tale of Luciano Pavarotti’s Rise to Fame. . “on Monday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m. Free to WRJ members; $4 for guests. Book is available in the KI Library. Refreshments. Sponsored by WRJ. RSVP to Joan Kamen by Monday, May 2 (215) 947-5926.
Aaron Lansky Speaks at KI – on Sunday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m. Lansky, recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Award, is founder and president of the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA. The Center has created special programming, translated Yiddish titles into English, enlisted Steven Spielberg to digitize the entire collection of Yiddish books, and helped foster a Yiddish renaissance in this country. He is the author of Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books. Event is co-sponsored by KI’s Library Committee and the Meyers Foundation of Philadelphia.
Cultural Opportunities
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. 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.
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.
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 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.
STAR at KI – Meeting on Thursday, April 21, from noon to 2:00 p.m. at KI. Community educators, nurses and social workers will present a program on sustaining freedom and independence while living in your own home. Transportation available. Information: Michele Kramer (215) 673-7741 x. 227.
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. 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
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.
Passover Family Day – Join your kids for a ppecial program to get ready for Passover on Sunday April 17, 2004. Preschool community invited.
Social Action Opportunities
Mitzvah Day is coming – Save Sunday, May 1, to join your fellow KI members in serving our community. A letter with a sign-up form is in the mail. You can complete and return it to KI or e-mail the information to Kevin Parker, kpcyclist7@aol.com.
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 May 24 (last Tuesday of the month). (No cooking in April due to Passover.) 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.
Do you Love KI?—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. Or volunteer to come to an event and help recruit new members. 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.