E-KI

April 15, 2004         Issue 15

 

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

 

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700    

 

 

Torah Time Online

Leviticus: Shemini

 

In this week's torah portion, Shemini, Aaron and his sons, having completed the rites of ordination as priests, begin to officiate at the altar. They make sacrifices for themselves and the people—both for expiation and to invoke God's presence. After the offerings are made, the text describes God’s presence filling the tabernacle.  Within the text, there is a description of the death of Aaron's sons, Nadav and Abihu. They are killed for offering up "strange fire" on God's altar. The harshness of the punishment has called forth a variety of justifications for God's response. It is obviously is a challenging text.

            Some interpret Nadav and Abihu's offering as a sign of their excessive ambitions or arrogance. More sympathetic commentators believe that Nadav and Abihu's sin grew out of excessive religious zeal. To put it simply, Nadav and Abihu got carried away and forgot about the importance of disciplined obedience to God's law. Perhaps they were so inspired by their new tasks that they forgot about God and what was most important. 

            Nadav and Abihu teach us, as modern Jews, some real lessons.  Their fate warns those in the Jewish community who are perhaps too overzealous in their religious practice to be careful to remember what is really important.  At the same time it warns those of us in the liberal community not to forget our connection to God, community and tradition.  The answer lies somewhere in the middle with one of our greatest challenges…finding a true balance.

            Most of us struggle with balance in many different dimensions—whether it's balancing the checkbook, balancing family and work priorities, or maintaining an equilibrium of rest and work. Think of how pervasive the word "balance" is in our language: to hang in the balance, to hold the balance, to strike a balance, to throw off balance, to balance out, to be balanced, balancing act, chemical imbalance, balanced diet. And yet, what is balance? How do we know it when we see it? May we all strive on this Shabbat to find ways to achieve true balance in our lives.

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

Services This Week, Friday, April 16—Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge; Joint Shabbat evening services with Old York Road/Temple Beth Am at 8:00 p.m. in the Korn Sanctuary, K.I. (more detailsbelow).  Saturday, April 17—Shabbat morning services at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Alexis Nicole Baer, daughter of Natalie Baer and Michael Baer.

Services In the Week Ahead, Friday, April 23 —Shabbat evening services at 8:00 p.m. in the  Sanctuary.  Guest Cantor, Melvin Luterman, will participate in the service.  Rabbi Maslin will speak: Shhh, They Might Call You a Liberal!. Saturday, April 24—Shabbat morning services at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Jessica Nicole Gordon, daughter of Karin and Mitchell Gordon.

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 From Silence to Speech: Remembrance of Yom HaShoah; 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 Stephen G. Pollack, Presidents of KI and Beth Am, respectively.  Join us for an evening of song, prayer and unity at KI.

Sisterhood Shabbat—Friday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m.  Guest speaker:  Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Regional Director, PA Council, Union for Reform Judaism, Women's Wisdom and the Transformation of Traditions.  Cantor Mel Luterman will also participate.  Special Oneg Shabbat to follow.

Upcoming Holidays

Celebrate Israel’s 56th Birthday — Tuesday, April 27 noon to 2:00 p.m., Rittenhouse Square, sponsored by the Israel and Overseas Center, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

Cultural Opportunities

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.  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.

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, and Mira Nakashima, renowned wood crafter and daughter of George Nakashima. 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).

Volunteer at MasterWorks—Teens and adults needed to work the admissions desk, cook and serve hors d’oeuvres and desserts, pour wine at the bar, and welcome guests to KI.  Information and sign-up: Lois Singer at (215) 947-5173 .

Reminder to Vote —Primary Election is April 27. The Social Action Committee wants to remind you to have your voices heard in our electoral process. 

Mother’s Day Brunch & Program —Sponsored by the K.I. Brotherhood.  Sunday, May 9 catered brunch at 10:00 a.m. followed by a musical program with Ellen Bildersee & Evelyn Goldhammer at the piano and Fay Malissa singing.  Reservations by May 3^rd, $5.00 for mothers and $10.00 for all others.  RSVP to Art Silverman at 215-643-8531.

Race for the Cure — Sunday, May 9.  The Social Action Committee and WRJ will have two buses to go downtown.  Bus to Survivors’ Breakfast leaves K.I. at 6:00 a.m.  Second bus leaves at 7:00 a.m. Both buses return by noon.  $5/person (bus only) Registration for the race itself or the Survivor’s Breakfast is done on your own. Questions can be directed to Chantal Feinberg (Social Action chair) 215-782-1483 or Michele Gusdorff (WRJ) 215-782-1446.

Teatime Cabaret—Sunday, May 16 at 3:00 p.m. at K.I.——Cantorial Soloist Sherrie Rosenblum songs and commentary—Korngold, Weill, Bernstein and more.  Donation to K.I. ($10 min.)

From Emigrant to Immigrant: Reflections on Coming and Becoming — Temple Judea Museum exhibition of original artwork and archival materials through June 30, 2004. 

Adult Education & Speakers

Adult Education -- Book Discussion—The Far Euphrates, Wednesday, April 21, 2:00 p.m.; Jewish Ethics, Jeremy Goldstein, Thursday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. Adult Education Brochure for more details

Techines: Women’s Personal Prayers— created over hundreds of years and still used today.  Study session with Rabbi Stacy Rigler on Tuesday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in the Krauskopf/Ginsburg Auditorium.  Refreshments.  Admission is free.  Sponsored by WRJ/Sisterhood.  RSVP to Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 by April 21.

Distinguished Scholar in Residence— The 350^th Anniversary of Jewish Life in North America, Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna, Professor of  American Jewish History at Brandeis University.  Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2,.  Friday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m.— Brotherhood Shabbat, 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.

Book Review — Good Harbor by Anita Diamant, reviewed by Dr. Irene Reiter, on Monday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m.  Dessert buffet.  Free to Sisterhood members.  $3 for guests.  RSVP to Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 by Monday, May 3.

Cultural Council 60+ — Classical Music Composers of Jewish Descent, guest speaker Jill Pasternak, Host of Temple Classical Radio.  Thursday, May 13, 2004, lunch at 11:30 a.m.  Sponsored by the Rosenau Fund.  KI member luncheon fee is $7.00 with a timely reservation by May 6^th, $10.00 for guests and late reservations.  Contact Doris Parker, 215-886-9267.

B’nai B’rith Honors Rabbi Sussman—Tribute Brunch by York Road Wingate-Ben Gurion Unit No. 1988 on Sunday, May 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Melrose Country Club.  Invitations were mailed.

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

Annual Free Interfaith Luncheon - Women, Named and Unnamed, in the Pentateuch, Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler, on Tuesday, April 20, at 11:00 a.m. at K.I.  Sponsored by the Interfaith Committee of WRJ/KI.  Community is invited.  Information & reservations:  Mickie Levin (215) 698-0314.

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!

Build New Playground at Wall Park — Help fill 1500 volunteer shifts (8:30 a.m.-noon; 12:30-4:30 p.m.; 5:00-8:00 p.m.) from May 12 to 16.  Everyone welcome.  No skills required.  Childcare & meals provided. Just show up or call Nomi Saunders at 215-635-3806 to register for a shift or two. 

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

K.I. Israel Committee – Upcoming meeting Thursday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Rabbi Sussman’s study.  For more information contact Bill Dodies.

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