E-KI June 9, 2004 Issue 23
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online Parashat Shelach Lecha Numbers 13 Joshua 2
This week’s Torah portion, Shelach Lecha, is probably best known for the account of the Jews scouting out the land of Israel. The 12 scouts return with a negative report. The Israelites will never be able to conquer the land because its inhabitants are too mighty for them. At this, the Israelites return to complaining about leaving Egypt. God then lashes out at them for their ingratitude. Just after this episode, the text turns to laws that the Israelites should observe once they are in the promised land. Amidst laws regarding sacrifices and wearing tzizit ("fringed garments") the Torah uses a term which deserves exploration. The term in Hebrew is Ger toshav but here appears in several different forms. Ger toshav translates as a resident who lives amongst you. This person is not an Israelite, but is a long term member of the community. This term has reemerged in recent years as we welcome more and more couples into our communities in which only one of the two partners is Jewish. Rabbis, looking for more accurate ways of defining the diverse nature of interfaith families, have begun to embrace the term “ger toshav” to describe those congregants who may not be Jewish themselves but who have decided to live their lives within the Jewish community. The term “ger toshav” appears this week in the description of sacrifices made by the entire community when they enter the land of Israel. The text is clear when it states that every citizen, including the non-Israelite who has taken up residence, should make these sacrifices for “there shall be one law for you and for the non Israelite who lives among you. You and the one who lives among you, alike, the same ritual and the same rule shall apply to you.” The text recognizes the need for the entire community to celebrate and share, to sacrifice and worship together at this great event. I am proud to work in a congregation that works hard at forming one inclusive community where all those that choose to dwell amongst us are welcome to do so. I am reassured that we recognize the sacrifices and devotion of every member of the community and allow each member to participate fully in times of joy and sacred events. I pray that in the entire Jewish community, we will continue to reach out to all of those who wish "to dwell within our walls. "
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
This Week, 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. In the Week Ahead, Friday, June 18 —Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel – Installation of Officers and Board of Trustees. Saturday, June 19 – Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.
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. The next Upstairs Minyan is on Saturday, August 7, at 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, 11:30 a.m. 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 Preschool Camp – begins June 21. Senior KIFTY Thousand-Bracelet Project—in memory of the victims of terror in Israel. Bracelets available for $5 each in the Religious School Office.
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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