E-KI
June 23, 2005 Vol. II No. 25
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Shelach Le’cha – Numbers 13:1
Joshua 2:1
What would be your reaction if you suddenly found yourself in a strange place where you didn’t know anyone or anything? That’s exactly what happens to the Israelites in this week’s Torah portion. Twelve spies are sent by Moses to scout the land of Israel and report what they find. Are the people who dwell there strong or weak, few or many? Are the towns they live in open or fortified? Is the soil rich or poor? Is it wooded or open?
After 40 days, the scouts return, with a bunch of grapes so large it must be supported by two men on a frame (now the symbol for Israel Tourism).
'"We came to the land you sent us to; it does indeed flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who inhabit the country are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large;’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, 'The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them. '" (Numbers 13:32-33) With the exception of Joshua and Caleb, all the spies claimed the land was impenetrable.
It is believed that out of fear the ten spies fabricated a story which sent the people into a state of panic; they wanted to go back to Egypt and slavery rather than risk entering the land of Israel. Wouldn’t most of us, faced with the unknown, prefer to return to the everyday world we’re familiar with?
God was incensed with the Israelites’ attitude. He threatened to obliterate the people, but Moses interceded in their behalf. The edict was rescinded, but as punishment for their lack of faith, the Israelites were doomed to wander the wilderness for forty years, a journey that should have taken only two. Hopefully, we can learn from this week’s portion that changes and challenges in our lives, while scary, can lead us to new lands and new discoveries.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Peter C. Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat - Friday, June 24 – 7:00 p.m. opening of joint museum exhibition with Rodeph Shalom at KI; service at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 25 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. Participants: English Reader – Marlene Sellers; Hebrew Reader – Irv Matusow; D’var Torah – Mollie Serdikoff; Torah Reader – Sallie Olson.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, July 1 – Family Service at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 2 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m.
Coming Up –Friday, July 22 – Sizzlin’ Shabbat Barbecue at 6:00 p.m. & Service at 7:30 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
Help Wanted – The Religious School is looking for someone 15 or over with computer expertise (knowledge of Windows Update, Internet, Windows XP Professional, Networking) to work with students aged 8-16 and KI teachers in the KI Computer Lab on Sundays from 9:15 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays, 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. $10/hour. Call or e-mail Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler (215) 887-8704 or educator@kenesethisrael.org.
Story Hour – on Tuesday, July 19, and Wednesday, August 17, at 6:30 p.m. in KI’s Meyers Library. Arts & crafts. 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 TONIGHT at Cedar Hill in Horsham (http://www.jeffjet.com/Fields.htm for directions). Everyone is invited to come support our team.
The Israeli Scout Friendship Caravan – Appearing at Adath Jeshurun TONIGHT, 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.
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.
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, July 28, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Program: “Successful Aging.” For more information, reservations and transportation, contact Michele Kramer (267) 808-6264 and leave a message including your name, phone number and mailing address.
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.
Announcements
News from the Meyers Library— Library hours are: 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.