E-KI
June 16, 2005 Vol. II No. 24
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Beha’alotecha – Numbers 8:1
Zachariah 2:14
Going Up: KI’s New Playground
“When you set up the lamps,” this week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha, begins, “the seven lamps shall give light in front of the Menorah.” The Hebrew for “when you set up” is based on the same word as “Aliyah” or “going up,” the same term used for being called up to the Torah and for resettling in Israel. In both instances, “Aliyah” is not just spatial but spiritual as well. The idea is that when we make “Aliyah,” we move to a higher level of life.
While we are not setting up a giant seven-branch Menorah in front of KI these days, we are in the process of “setting up” a new, spectacular playground. The new playground is a project of our Preschool community. Like the “setting up” of the ancient Menorah, it has been more than materials and fundraising and processing from its inception. Indeed, it is more than a volunteer based “community build.” It has been a wonderful exercise in community building.
When I arrived at KI this morning at 8 a.m. to witness the kickoff of “The Build,” there was already a crew on hand. As the morning progressed, more and more folks showed up, tools in hand, many of them taking the day off from work so they could work at the synagogue. Together, the goal is to have a state-of-the-art playground/discovery garden in place by next week.
Just as the ancient Levites built, lit and sustained a Menorah as a symbol of our enduring tradition, so dozens of families at KI have committed themselves to build a Jewish future, light a Jewish spirit and sustain our heritage by creating a special sacred space for our children to grow, play and explore. In its own way, our new playground lights the front of our structure with the radiance of children running, climbing, and skipping for joy.
Of those hard at work this morning in our playground, of those who helped develop it plan and of those who have supported this work from its inception, we pray with the Psalmist of old, “May Your favor, O God, be upon us; establish the work of our hands that it may long endure! Amen.” (Ps. 90)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D., D.D.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat - Friday, June 17 – Service and Installation of Congregational Officers and Trustees, and Constituent Group Officers at 8:00 p.m. Festive Oneg to follow.
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.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, June 24 – Joint service with Rodeph Shalom at KI at 8:00 p.m.
Coming Up –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!
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.
Cultural Opportunities
KI Men’s Softball –We need you to cheer us to victory! Next game is Monday, June 20, at Jack Russell Field (http://www.jeffjet.com/Fields.htm for directions). Everyone is invited to come support our team.
The Israeli Scout Friendship Caravan – Appearing at Shaare Shamayim on Wednesday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m.; Adath Jeshurun on Thursday, June 23, at 8:00 p.m.; Or Hadash (Fort Washington) on Saturday, June 25, at 8:00 p.m.; Congregation Tifereth Israel (Bensalem) on Sunday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Seating limited. Meet the Scouts after the show! Funding provided by The Center for Israel and Overseas, through NACIE, of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
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
History of Ancient Israel – Rabbi Sussman will speak at a luncheon at Caryl Levin’s home on Thursday, July 7, at 11:30 a.m. Space is limited. Call Caryl at (215) 635-7078.
Announcements
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: Jack Dann, editor, Wandering Stars, an anthology of Jewish fantasy and science fiction; Gordon S. Wood, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. For children: Maude and Mishka Petersham, Moses illus. by P.T. Lynch; S. Simhoni, Legends of Moses the Lawgiver, illus. by A. Luizada.