E-KI
June 9, 2005 Vol. II No. 23
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Nasoh – Numbers 4:21
Judges 13:2
Naso, this week’s Torah portion, begins with a further account of which Israelites were in the desert. Moses and Aaron recorded all of the tribes and all of their members as God commanded. We then immediately turn to priestly laws about family relationships and community. Next the portion discusses individuals called Nazarites who take vows to abstain from certain behaviors. And finally the text recounts the priestly blessing.
This Torah portion always precedes the holiday of Shavuot. Year after year I am struck by the last line of the priestly blessing “Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel and I will bless them.” It is not the priests who bestow blessing, or any of us for that matter; it is God who bestows blessings upon us. But in that one word “link” is the key to the transmission of Judaism.
Confirmation is a ceremony whereby our Jewish teens confirm their Jewish identities. But even more than a confirmation, it is a celebration of achievement in Jewish education. Our students and our families have made a commitment to learn more, to do more, and to experience more. On Confirmation they celebrate what they have learned and the Jewish leaders they are becoming.
This Sunday night I, along with the other clergy, will have an opportunity to bestow the priestly benediction upon our students. It is our hope that we have succeeded in linking them with The Eternal and through this link they will be blessed. For all of you who have received the priestly benediction at a bar or bat mitzvah, a wedding, another life cycle moment, may this Shavuot be a chance for you to renew that link and strengthen your connection to God and to our people. We hope you will join us on Sunday evening for Erev Shavuot services and on Monday morning at 10:30 for Confirmation.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Stacy Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat - Friday, June 10 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. Evening Service at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 11 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. Morning Service at 10:30 a.m., when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Julie Elizabeth Seidman, daughter of Amy Jo Seidman and Robert Seidman. Sunday, June 12 – Consecration of Confirmands at 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 13 – Shavuot Festival and Confirmation Service at 10:30 a.m.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, June 17 – Service and Installation of Officers at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Jennifer Paige Bender, daughter of Merryl and Scott Bender. Services at Rydal Park at 2:00 p.m.
Coming Up – Friday, June 24 – Joint service with Rodeph Shalom at KI 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
KEEP KI ON THE AIR! For more than 40 years, a single fund at KI has supported our weekly Shabbat and annual High Holy Day broadcasts. With increasing broadcast costs, the Tyson Fund no longer has sufficient money to keep us on the air for long. We need your personal financial help to continue this vital service to thousand of area residents, many of whom are senior citizens and shut-ins! Send your donation to KI and note "KI Radio" on the memo line. If you want to learn more about how you could help, please call Rabbi Sussman at 215-887-8702. Many thanks for KEEPING KI ON THE AIR!
Cultural Opportunities
KI Men’s Softball –We need you to cheer us to victory! Next game is Thursday, June 16, at Mondauk 4 ( http://www.jeffjet.com/Fields.htm for directions). Everyone is invited to come support our team.
Monthly Lunch and Learn 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, June 23, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Program: “Medicare Changes for 2006.” For more information, reservations and transportation, contact Michele Kramer (267) 808-6264 and leave a message including your name, phone number and mailing address.
The Beauty of Holiness: Judaic Treasures – Exhibition of Judaica and Jewish art from The Leon and Julia Obermayer Collection (The Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art, Congregation Rodeph Shalom) and the Temple Judea Museum (Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel) from June 17 through August 12, 2005 at the Temple Judea Museum. Program on Friday, June 24, at 8:00 p.m. Shabbat Service at KI led by combined clergy. The exhibition will be open from 7:00 p.m. Special Oneg after the service, sponsored by The Temple Judea Museum and The Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art.
Social Action Opportunities
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 Tuesday, June 28. Info: Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815.
Adult Education
Center City Lunch ‘n’ Learn with Rabbi Lance Sussman – on Thursday, June 16, at noon at Paul Jaffe’s office. Lunch: $10. RSVP to Clergy Office (215) 887-8702. To be added to the Lunch ‘n’ Learn e-mail list, send your e-address to barbara@kenesethisrael.org.
Preschool and Religious School
Builders, Bakers & Babysitters needed – Save some time on Father’s Day weekend – Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday, June 17-19 – to complete this exciting project. Builders, bakers and babysitters needed. Contact Sharon Sood (215) 782-8188.
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!
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 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.
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: Sholem Asch, Salvation, the original edition, (20% longer than first presented to American audiences); Tova Mirvis, The Outside World. For children: Susan R. Topek, Israel Is, a board book illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn; Richard Goldhurst, America Is, an easy-to-read book that tells about Jews, little known and well known, from those who arrived in the United States with Columbus up to the present.