E-KI

May 6, 2004         Issue 18 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700    

  

Torah Time Online

Leviticus: Emor

This week’s Torah portion of Emor seems to be composed of a hodgepodge of different laws and ideas without any logical connection. The portion lays down the punishments to which one must be subjected for cursing the name of God and then goes on to explore the various punishments one must face for killing or maiming animals or people. Some of the laws are concerned with the relationship between people and God and others with the relationship between individuals and society at large.

            In Chapter 24:20 we read the famous line "a limb for a limb, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as a man gives a wound to another man so will be given to him." Misrepresentations of this line would have one believe that a man who pokes out another man's eye will be punished by losing his own eye. Critics of Judaism cite this line to show the harsh tone of punishment the Torah takes. Yet, the Rabbis explain that when considered in the proper context, this verse does not literally mean an eye for an eye, but rather, that the individual has to pay a monetary compensation worth the value of the eye. The Talmud (Bava Kamma 83b-84a) introduces a series of arguments explaining that these verses allude to monetary compensation for the injury inflicted.

            Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai argues in the Talmud that the verse should not be taken literally, because if taken literally, a major loophole is revealed. A blind man who poked out another's eye would not be able to be punished in this manner. Furthermore, since poking out one's eye could also potentially cause that person's death, a literal interpretation would not necessarily work in practice. The literal explanation cannot be the one the Torah intended since it does not provide for equal punishment.

            Parshat Emor establishes standards for an overall system of social justice. It calls for equal treatment under the law: "You shall have one standard for the stranger and citizen alike: for I am the Lord your God" (24:22).

            This Torah text reminds us that Torah itself can best be understood through the lens of Jewish history and commentary. Reading the words of Torah alone is not enough! We are taught that there are seventy faces of Torah and we need to read the text with others, with commentary and with modern understanding in order to truly grasp the hidden messages.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

UPCOMING MITZVAH DAY 2004

According to Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center, “It is not the study of Torah that is the essential thing, it is the doing of Torah. And, the doing of Torah means the doing of social justice. Tikkun olam, the creating of a better world, provides a powerful answer to the question of why be Jews."
            Mitzvah Day is our annual community day of service, allowing our congregation to fulfill the Jewish ideal of gemilut hasadim, doing good deeds of loving kindness. On Mitzvah Day, hundreds of our members come together to support non-profit agencies serving both our local and Jewish communities. Our congregation will participate in projects to spruce up KI. This year join us on Sunday, May 23^rd for a day of service.

The Day’s Schedule:

9:30—10:15 a.m. Religious School graduation

10:15—10:30 a.m. Mitzvah Day—Kick-off in the Sanctuary!

10:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Mitzvah Day activities

Projects – Sign up for as many as you want!!

10:30 a.m. to Noon

Religious School projects—each Religious School grade will be working together on a Mitzvah project from 10:30 a.m.—Noon.  Assist teachers and students with Mitzvah Day programming. Feel free to join your children! Then participate in the following activities:

KI Kitchen—Prepare food for hospices, homebound adults and homeless shelters.

Babysitting Services—Take care of babies and young children to allow parents to volunteer at other activities.

KI clean up/fix up—Assorted projects to maintain and improve KI.

Local Cleanup—Help KI clean our adopted stretch of Old York Road. Must be age 16 or older.

KI Garden—Help maintain our garden and do some planting.

KI Mitzvah Corps—Visit KI congregants in hospitals/nursing homes.

Jewish Relief Agency bringing food relief packages to needy Jewish families in the Philadelphia area.

HMS School For Cerebral Palsy—Visit with student residents.

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity—Paint and finish the interior of a house (Please note this program is open only to those age 16+ and space is limited).

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

KI Special Education—Assist with a project for developmentally disabled adults.

Deliveries—Drivers to drop off food, baskets, cards and projects to various agencies.

 

To register, please return the following to the Rabbinic Office:

 

Name:

Phone #:

E-mail:

Address:

First Choice

Second Choice

Third Choice

Would you be willing to be a site coordinator?

I would like to support Mitzvah Day with the following Donation. $_____________

Please make checks payable to KI and include them with your application.

 

Thank you!

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship Opportunities

Services This Week, Friday, May 7 —Family Shabbat dinner and services.  Dinner at 6:00p.m., services at 7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, led by the 4th Grade in our Religious School.  For dinner pricing and reservations call the Religious School office.  Saturday, May 8—Shabbat morning services at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Michael Lester Murray, son of Susan and Joseph Murray.  This service will be interpreted in sign for the hearing impaired.

Services In the Week Ahead, Friday, May 14 —Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.  For pricing and reservations call the Religious School office.  Sisterhood Shabbat at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary—Guest Cantor Mel Luterman—Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Regional Director, PA Council, Union for Reform Judaism will speak: Women’s Wisdom and the Transformation of Traditions.  Saturday, May 15—Shabbat morning services at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Avital Sari Sa’ad, daughter of Shelbie Sa’ad and Amnon Sa’ad; Shabbat service at 2:00 p.m. at Rydal Park.  Coming up:  Tuesday, May 25—Consecration service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Wednesday, May 26—Shavuot service with Confirmation at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Upcoming Holidays

Shavuot—Please join the congregation at Shavuot Services on Wednesday, May 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Cultural Opportunities

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.   RSVP to Art Silverman at 215-643-8531.

Teatime Cabaret—Sunday, May 16 at 3:00 p.m. at K.I.  “A Taste of Honey” with Cantorial Soloist Sherrie Rosenblum, accompanied by Patricia Wood, piano.  Discuss the lives and times, and sing the songs of famous Jewish composers: Arlen, Bernstein, Gershwin, Korngold, Sondheim and Weill.  This concert is sponsored by the Levins; for every dollar donated they will match that dollar, in honor of the birth of their granddaughter.

Delaware Valley Zimriyah—Regional Jewish Choral Festival on Wednesday, June 2, at  7:30 p.m. at KI.  Admission is free.

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 – Varian Fry, Anne Edelman, on Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m.; Jewish Merchant Princes, Anne Edelman, on Thursday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. Adult Education Brochure for more details.

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.

New Books in the Meyers Library—Lifecycles –Volume 2: Jewish Women on Biblical Themes in Contemporary Life, edited and with introduction by Rabbi Debra Orenstein & Rabbi Jane Rachel Litman. Did you ever want to explore the impact biblical texts have on our lives?; Secret Origins of the Bible by Tim Callaham. Did you ever want a broader interpretation of the sacred texts than someone taking the verses out of context to support personal views?; With all my Heart, with all my Mind: Thirteen Stories about Growing Up Jewish, edited by Sandry Asher. “Benjy has nightmares about his upcoming Bar Mitzvah ceremony.  Rachel’s grief over Grandma Hannah’s illness turns her away from her temple.  Jaci wrestles with pressure by day and angels by night… well, growing up has never been easy.”

Preschool and Religious School

Brunch with the Educator—Join Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler Sunday, May 16^th at 9:30 a.m. for an informal breakfast.  She will be available to listen to any ideas and suggestions for next year as well as answer any questions about this past year.  All religious school parents are welcome.  If you know in advance you can attend, please RSVP to Fran in the school office.

Closing Community Time—Come recognize our 6th Grade students who will be promoted to the Confirmation Academy on May 23.

Preschool Mitzvah Crib—Please donate new baby and toddler supplies so we can help young families in need in our community.  Collection box in the preschool hallway through May 23 (Mitzvah Day).

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

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. 

Mitzvah Day—Sunday, May 23^rd, KI’s annual community day of service allowing our congregation to fulfill the Jewish ideal of gemilut hasadim, doing good deeds of loving kindness. You can sign up to help with Religious School projects, KI Kitchen, Local Clean Up, KI Garden, KI Mitzvah Corps, Jewish Relief Agency, Habitat for Humanity, HMS School for Cerebral Palsy, or KI Special Education.

Blood Drive—In the spirit of Tikkun Olam, KI will be sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive to alleviate a severe blood shortage on Mitzvah Day, Sunday, May 23.  Walk-ins are welcome.

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—Having a Blowout Sale!   All merchandise is on sale.  Visit us May 9, 16 and 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to take advantage of these great prices!  Buy your Mother’s/Fatehr’s Day gifts and other holiday presents.