E-KI June 17, 2004 Issue 24
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online Parashat Korach Numbers 16 I Samuel 11
Jewish Leadership Today
The Torah is often acutely realistic and nowhere is its verisimilitude sharper than when it reports on the internecine politics of the ancient Hebrews. In this week’s Torah portion we read about the challenge laid down by Korach and his followers to the leadership of Moses. A self-appointed demagogue, Korach accused Moses of overreaching his authority and cynically raised a kind of populist challenge to Moses’ legitimacy as a leader. The community was instantly plunged into crisis and although Moses survived the insurgency, the ripple effect of Korach’s rebellion continued to haunt Israel for generations. Providing good leadership in all types of different situations is a universal challenge. Good leadership makes all the difference in politics, business, religion and even family life. Great leaders have inspired and led communities and nations to greatness. Evil leaders have brought catastrophe and suffering to millions of people. Moses was a great leader. Initially, he did not want to lead but soon acquiesced to the call of duty. He stood up to Pharaoh and then guided his people through the desert for forty years. He legislated, advised and judged. He prepared his community for battle and for peace. Moses’ leadership was so inspiring that the Torah declared “there will never be another prophet in Israel like Moses.” (Deut. 34:10) However, there have been other great leaders throughout the history of the Jewish people. Joshua, David, Judah Macabee, Hillel and others have led us through the worst of times and the best of times. In the modern age, perhaps the greatest Jewish leader was Theodore Herzl, the founder of the Zionist movement. Next week in Vienna, Austria, Jewish scholars will be gathering in honor of the 100th anniversary of his death to assess his place in Jewish history. We also are the beneficiaries of good leadership at the congregational level. On this Shabbat we will thank Karen Sirota for leading our congregation for the last four years and install Carey S. Roseman as our president. We have been well served by all our previous presidents and should all be very hopeful about our future because of the quality of our leaders. Please join me in extending our deepest thanks to Karen for a job well done and greeting Carey with a vote of full confidence. Together, all of us will work for the future success of our wonderful congregation.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
This Week, Friday, June 18 —Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary – Installation of Officers and Board of Trustees. Saturday, June 19 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel; Rydal Park Shabbat service at 2:00 p.m. In the Week Ahead, Friday, June 25 – Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Saturday, June 26 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Clara Lacey Reinheimer, daughter of Joan and Craig Reinheimer. Welcome Cantor Amy Lefko—at Shabbat services on Friday, July 2, at 8:00 p.m., and throughout July and August. Sizzling Shabbat Barbecue— Come join us for a family-style barbecue, Shabbat dinner and casual summer Shabbat service on Friday evening, July 23. This event, sponsored by the KI Membership Committee, is a great time to invite prospective members to get to know our KI community. Weather permitting, we will barbeque and eat outside together around 6p.m. More details coming soon! 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 10:30 a.m. in the Library. Congregational Events 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. Cultural Opportunities Israeli Scout Caravan—Return engagement in Philadelphia on Monday, June 28, at 8:00 p.m. at Gratz College—free admission. Experience Israel with a unique blend of Hebrew & English song and dance. Hosted by Gratz College Alumni Association with additional funding by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. From Emigrant to Immigrant: Reflections on Coming and Becoming — Temple Judea Museum exhibition of original artwork and archival materials through June 30, 2004. Save the Date—Jonathan Tobin, Executive Editor of Jewish Exponent, will speak on “Israel and the Media: A journalist looks at how his profession covers the Jewish state and the conflict in the Middle East” on Sunday, September 19, at 10:00 a.m. Brunch and discussion. Watch for more details. Visit Israel—Livnot U’Lehibanot program offers highly subsidized five-month program for young Jewish adults (age 20-30). Limited number of free round-trip air tickets available. September 2004 thru January 2005. No Hebrew or level of religious observance required. Funding through the Jewish Agency for Israel. More information available at 1-888-LIVNOT-0 or click on the “Five Month Program” at www.livnot.com. Cultural Council 60+ - next program in September. Preschool and Religious School Preschool Camp – begins June 21. Reading and Arts & Crafts Program—Jewish folktales for preschoolers through 3rd graders (with their parents) on Thursday, July 15, at 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the Meyers Library. 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 Are you Blood Type “O?” -- Our area blood bank is running low. If anyone you know is "O", please contact them about donating blood. Pikuach Nefesh- it's a mitzvah. Call 1-800-448-4543 to schedule an appointment. 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—Summer hours by appointment only. Call Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 or Shirley Sivitz (215) 884-3774.
This E-KI Update can be
emailed to you weekly. Email your request to:
Note: Announcements for E-KI
|