E-KI
May 12, 2005 Vol. II No. 19
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Emor – Leviticus 21:1
Ezekiel 44:15
Israel's independence was declared on May 14, 1948. Five neighboring Arab countries attacked the fledgling state that very night. Miraculously, the newly formed Israel Defense Force (IDF) managed to push them back and gain territory. This was known as the War of Independence, and Israel paid a high price both in terms of military and civilian casualties, as well as in financial terms.
Yom Ha'Atzma'ut, Israel’s Day of Independence, is preceded by Yom Ha’Zikaron, a day of remembrance for the soldiers and others who died in the struggle for independence. On this Memorial Day, Israelis flock to the cemeteries and hold memorial gatherings of various types, and during the day the country observes two minutes of silence in memory of the fallen. It is an incredible sight to see the entire country come to a standstill as people of all ages stop and stand at attention to remember those who sacrificed their lives for Israel.
Only a few hours later there is a drastic change in mood as people go from mourning to rejoicing and celebrating Israel's statehood. The message of linking these two days is clear: Israelis owe their independence —the very existence of the state —to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it.
The official "switch" from Yom Ha’Zikaron to Yom Ha’Atzma’ut takes place a few minutes after sundown, with a ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem in which the flag is raised from the half-staff of Memorial Day to the top of the pole. For the celebrations, towns all over Israel teem with revelers partying, dancing and enjoying live concerts in the town squares and parks. The entire country is decked out in blue and white, and Israeli flags fly from every car. Yom Ha'Atzma'ut is a public holiday in Israel, and the parks and beaches (even the strips along the highways) overflow with families and groups of friends, relaxing, rejoicing and enjoying their barbecues.
We will mark Yom Ha'Atzma'ut on Thursday, May 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to sing, dance, shop and jump (moon bounce) for Israel at the community’s fourth annual celebration of Israel’s Independence Day. We hope to see you there!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Peter Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat – Friday, May 13 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. Evening Service at 8:00 p.m. with guest speaker, Barbara H. Bergen, of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Saturday, May 14 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Morning Service at 10:30 a.m., when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Samuel Wolf, son of Ellen and Stuart Wolf.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, May 20 – Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m.; Sisterhood Shabbat at 8:00 p.m. Adult Choir and WRJ members will participate. Cantor Lefko will speak: “The Journey of Jewish Women’s Voices.” Saturday, May 21 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Marissa Raquel Zientek, daughter of Sheryl Hersh Zientek, z”l, and John Zientek; Service at Rydal Park at 2:00 p.m.; Havdalah Service at 5:30 p.m. when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Alexander Peyton Glass, son of Cathy and Steven Glass
Coming Up -- Friday, June 3—Family Service at 7:15 p.m.—Teacher Appreciation Service, honoring Kathy Goldenberg. Friday, June 10 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 12 – Consecration of Confirmands at 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 13 – Shavuot Festival and Confirmation Service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 17 – Installation of Officers at 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 22 – Sizzlin’ Shabbat Barbecue & Service at 6:00 p.m.
Listen to Most recent Shabbat evening sermon – click on this link! http://www.kenesethisrael.org/Sermons/ShabbatService.htm
Cultural Opportunities
Kehillah Celebrates Israel at KI — TONIGHT from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to sing, dance, shop and jump (moon bounce) for Israel at the community’s fourth annual celebration of Israel’s Independence Day. Israeli dancing with Rak/Dan. Admission is free with suggested $18 donation. Proceeds go directly Israel. If you can help any time from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. TODAY, come on in!
KI Men’s Softball – KI 12 – Temple Shalom 10! We need you to cheer us to victory! Next games on Monday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m. at Jack Russell Field, and Thursday, May 19, at 6:00 p.m. at Cedar Hill in Horsham. Everyone is invited to come support our team.
Movin’ Out at the Merriam Theater on Sunday, May 22. $128/person includes brunch,transportation and a seat for the 1:00 p.m. show. Send checks payable to KI (mark “WRJ Theater Trip” on the memo line and envelope) to KI. Only a couple of seats left! Questions: Barbara Bronstein (215) 673-1435.
Lunch and Learn Monthly Program for Seniors who want to continue to live vital and independent lives. Meets 4th Thursday of each month at KI. Sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ STAR Program. Next meeting is Thursday, May 26, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Program: “Spiritual Health and Wellness.” For more information, reservations and transportation, contact Michele Kramer (267) 808-6264 and leave a message including your name, phone number and mailing address.
Ruth G. Kahn Concert: The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia – Ignat Solzhenitsyn, Music Director and Conductor, and Leila Josefowicz, violin soloist, on Saturday, June 4, at 8:00 p.m. at KI. $30 admission includes dessert reception. Send check (payable to KI) to KI, Family Concert Series. Tickets will be held at the door. Seating is limited. KI Music Arts Committee. Information: (215) 887-8700.
Nashirah, the Jewish Chorale of Greater Philadelphia – Inaugural concert on Sunday, June 5, at 3:00 p.m. at the Gershman Y (Broad & Pine Streets, Philadelphia). Robert A. M. Ross, Music Director. General Admission Tickets: Orchestra, $36; Center Balcony, $18; Side Balcony, $10. For reservations and ticket information, call Barbara Steinberg (215) 887-8702 or www.nashirah.org.
Social Action Opportunities
Help the Homeless –We have many volunteers already, but we still need your help next week (May 15-22) at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Melrose Ave. & Old York Road). If you are interested in helping with any part of this project, contact Marjorie Curtis-Cohen (215)884-6169 or margie7610@comcast.net. Sponsored by the Interfaith Housing Alliance and the KI Social Action Committee.
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. Info: Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815.
Come for Dinner at the Pic”KI”nic—on Tuesday, May 24, from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. Barbecue supper at Alvethorpe Park. Novelty games, activity centers for children, music, and Fun Run/Walk to benefit Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Donation of $10 ($40 for a family of four or more) includes activities and all you can eat. Donation of $20 also includes a Fun Run/Walk tee shirt. Register by May 15. Information: Janet Luterman (215) 887-8704 x133.
We are looking for a Race Clock – to display at the end of our 5k run on May 24. Any suggestions about where we can borrow one? Contact Rabbi Rigler (215) 887-8702.
Adult Education
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.
Book Discussion of Seize the Day by Saul Bellow– on Wednesday, May 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Meyers Library. Matt Nesvisky will lead the discussion.
Yale Reisner – “Raising Atlantis: Restoring Jewish Memory in Poland” – on Monday, May 23, 7:45 p.m, at Gratz College (Old York Road & Melrose Avenue in Melrose Park). Reisner is Director of Ronald S. Lauder Foundation Genealogy Project at the Jewish Historical Institute, Warsaw, Poland. $5 at the door. Sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia and Gratz College. Information: (610)363-7956 or JGSGP@comcast.net.
The History of Anti-Semitism in America - Rabbi Sussman will reprise his talk from last fall on Thursday, June 2, at 11:30 a.m. at the home of Caryl Levin. Lunch will be served. RSVP to Caryl (215) 635-7078.
Preschool and Religious School
3rd Grade Family Ed Program – on Sunday, May 15, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Community Time – on Sunday, May 15. 11:30-noon. Join us to Celebrate Israel.
Color the KI Discovery Garden—on Sunday, May 15th from noon to 2:00 p.m., children and families of the Religious School are invited to paint ceramic tiles that will become part of a permanent mosaic as well as a memory for children and families as they grow at KI. $20 per tile or 3 tiles for $50. All proceeds benefit the Discovery Garden. Information: Barb Cutler (215) 885-3798.
Build our new Playground – Save some time on Father’s Day weekend – Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday, June 17-19 – to complete this exciting project.
5th Grade Bar/Bat Mitzvah Meeting—on Sunday, May 22, at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel with Cantor Lefko.
Community Time All 6th graders will be honored at the final Community Time of this school year, on Sunday, May 22, from 11:15 a.m. to noon. The program includes the presentation of certificates for service attendance and special awards to students who participated in the Read-a-thon.
Teacher Appreciation Shabbat – on Friday, June 3, at 7:15 p.m. We will recognize all our teachers and honor Kathy Goldenberg on the eve of her retirement from the KI Preschool.
Story Hour – on Tuesday, June 21, Tuesday, July 19, and Wednesday, August 17, at 6:30 p.m. in KI’s Meyers Library. Children preschool to 3rd grade. Milk and cookies, too!
Do you have 10 minutes to Help the Religious School ? Rabbi Stacy Rigler needs individuals to answer two questions about Religious School for accreditation. Rabbi Stacy Rigler (Educator@kenesethisrael.org ).
Be an Advocate for KI! There are still limited spaces available for Religious School and Preschool for next year. If you know people who might be interested in KI, please give the name to Kathy Goldenberg at (215) 885-2425 or Rabbi Stacy Rigler at (215) 887-8704.
Announcements
KI Annual Meeting – on Wednesday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m. Election of Officers, Trustees, and select members of the Executive Committee. Presentation of programming and financial reports. Refreshments will be served.
Installation of Congregational Officers and Trustees, Constituent Group Officers – on Friday, June 17, at 8:00 p.m. at the Shabbat Evening Service. Festive Oneg to follow.
Free Tay-Sachs & Canavan Screening – during May at area locations. Information: (215) 887-0877 or ntsad@aol.com or www.tay-sachs.org. Sponsored by National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association of Delaware Valley.
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: Joseph Ellis, His Excellency, George Washington; Ha Jin, Waiting; Alexander McCall Smith, The Sunday Philosophy Club; Lucjan Dobroszycki and Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gemblett, Image Before My Eyes: a photographic history of Jewish life in Poland, 1864-1939; Seymour Hersh, Chain of Command, the road from 9/11- Abu Ghraib; Edward Cohen, The Peddler's Grandson: :Growing up Jewish in Mississippi. For children: Opal Wheeler, Moses, illustrated by Linford Donovan, (for younger readers); Carla Greene, Moses the Great Lawgiver, illus. by Anne Lewis; Robert D. Abrahams, Sound of Bow Bells, the story of Sir David Salomons; Sylvia Rothschild, Keys to a Magic Door, the biography of I.L. Peretz, illus by Bernard Krigstein; Nina Jaffe, The Uninvited Guest and Other Jewish Holiday Tales, illus. by Elivia.