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E-KI June 3, 2004 Issue 22
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online Parashat Beha’alotecha Numbers 8 Zechariah 2 This week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha, contains instructions for installing the menorah in the sanctuary and for consecrating the priests and the Levites. Also within this Torah portion we hear the children of Israel complaining to Moses again about the lack of meat; bitterly they bemoan their mundane diet of manna. Moses asks God, “Why have you laid the burden of this people upon me?” He is counseled by God to appoint seventy experienced elders and officers to share leadership with him.
Little had changed for the Israelites during the earlier years of the wilderness journey. Just after entering the wilderness they are filled with the same complaints. They tell Moses how they long to be back in Egypt where at least they were able to eat onions. Now, two years later, after receiving the commandments at Sinai and being given permission to build a sanctuary, they again complain. The Israelites whine and say, “ We remember the free fish we used to eat in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. Now our stomachs are shriveled. There is nothing at all nothing but manna to look at.”
Torah commentators ask, “What is the source of this grumbling?” The grumbling was not from hunger or the lack of food. Each day they were provided with enough sustenance. Their memory was selective, choosing to recall food rather than suffering, forgetting the thrill of liberation. All they can remember is the fish they ate. W. Gunther Plaut, author of the Torah commentary we use in Reform synagogues, believed that this section of Torah was meant to teach us that “boredom, lack of challenge, and a life filled with inconvenience can bring serious seeds of discontent.”
As we approach the summer this lesson could not be more pertinent. Even those of us with many blessings may grow tired of our daily routines. We may follow the ways of our ancestors and take to complaining. So, let us use the coming months to break out of our old ways and do something different for a change. The Israelites eventually spent so much time complaining that they were unable to imagine a better life. In next week’s Torah portion, representatives are sent to the Promised Land and report that there is no way they can live there. They lose their trust in each other and their faith in God. If we take advantage of our time we can avoid those feelings of discontent.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Peter Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
This Week, Friday, June 4—Family Shabbat service at 7:15 p.m. in the Chapel – Teacher Appreciation Shabbat – Shir Joy will sing. Saturday, June 5—Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Upstairs Minyan at 10:30 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat morning services at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Whitney Helene Henderson, daughter of Harriet Goldstein and John Henderson; Havdalah service at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Kelsey Kats, daughter of Marina Kats. In the Week Ahead, Friday, June 11 —Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Saturday, June 12 — Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat morning services at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Alyssa Nicole Kress, daughter of Laura and Marc Kress; Havdalah at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Adult B’not Mitzvah of Judy and Renee Greenberg. Summer Service Schedule – Through Labor Day, Friday evening services at 8:00 p.m. in the chapel and Saturday morning services at 10:30 a.m., also in the chapel. Torah Study Havurah will also continue on Saturday mornings in the Library at 9:00 a.m. Congregational Events Annual Meeting of the Congregation—Sunday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m. Report of By-Laws Committee with proposed changes to KI By-Laws was sent in the mail, This report will be presented and voted on at this meeting. All members of KI are urged to attend. Annual Dinner & Installation Shabbat—Dinner, Shabbat services and Installation of Officers and Trustees of the Congregation and its constituent groups — on Friday, June 18, at 6:00 p.m. Dinner is $37.50 per person. Please respond by June 11. Call Administrative Office for more information (215) 887-8700. Invitations were mailed. Cultural Opportunities Cultural Council 60+ - Natalie Pompilio, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter, Embedded in Iraq: The Capture of Sadam Hussein, Thursday, June 10, lunch at 11:30 a.m $10.00 for guests and members. Contact Doris Parker, 215-886-9267. From Emigrant to Immigrant: Reflections on Coming and Becoming — Temple Judea Museum exhibition of original artwork and archival materials through June 30, 2004. Preschool and Religious School Dorney Park Trip—Sunday, June 6, Family Day. $35 includes transportation and entrance to the Park. Bus leaves KI at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. For more information call the Religious School office (215) 887-8704. Preschool Camp – begins June 21. 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 Mitzvah Day 2004 Thank you to everyone who participated in Mitzvah Day’s various projects, including people who donated money and those who gave blood. We collected nearly 50 units of blood for the Red Cross, and we prepared over 350 meals for Aid for Friends and My Brother’s House. Mitzvah Day Clothing Drive Extended -- To donate your used (clean, wearable) clothes, bring to KI by Monday, June 14. Social Action Committee— Do you care about social justice? Join the Social Action Committee and help shape KI’s action in the community around us. If you have ideas on how we at KI can make a difference contact Rabbi Peter Rigler through the Rabbinic Office at 215-887-8702 or rabbipcr@kenesethisrael.org 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 during regular business hours. 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 KI family. We can’t do it without your help! It’s a great chance to share your love of KI with prospective members and meet current members as well. Contact Leza Raffel at (215) 884-6499 for further details. KI 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 KI 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 KI’s Celebration Fund underwrite our beautiful Oneg Shabbat. Contact the Administrative Office, (215) 887-8700, for further details. Sisterhood Gift Shop—Open on Sunday, June 13, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Summer hours by appointment only. Call Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 or Shirley Sivitz (215) 884-3774.
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