E-KI
June 30, 2005 Vol. II No. 26
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Korach – Numbers 16:1
I Samuel 11:14
Character. That is the one word description that Rabbi Chaim Stern gives to this week’s Torah portion, Korach, in his book Day by Day - Reflections on the Themes of the Torah. Stern takes this idea from the central episode in the Torah portion, Korach’s attack on and rebellion against our leader Moses. Korach and his followers Datan and Abiram question Moses’s authority and leadership. A rebellion ensues. Moses turns to God for help rather than taking Korach on himself and God helps Moses to destroy Korach and his followers. Following the rebels’ deaths, the remaining Israelites turned on Moses and Aaron for destroying their community. They too were subsequently killed. The Torah portion concludes with a detailed list of the priests’ duties and tasks so that their special privileges were clear to everyone.
It is ironic that on the weekend when we celebrate our Independence, which started as a rebellion, we read the lesson Korach. It was not the questioning itself that got Korach into trouble, it was the manner in which he sought to challenge authority and the way in which Moses responded. We like to think that our ancestors started the American Revolution for the ideals of liberty and freedom. Korach, on the other hand, seemed to be motivated by his own desire for power and his feelings of jealousy. As with so many things in life, it is not always the actions, but the motivations behind them that are the true measure of a person’s character. This weekend as we celebrate the Fourth of July, may we all be encouraged to take on a new fight, to challenge something that is not right in our personal, professional or national lives - and may we do it in a spirit that is holy and good.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Stacy E. Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat - 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.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, July 8 – Evening Service at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 9 – Torah, Toast & Tefillah
Coming Up –Friday, July 22 – Sizzlin’ Membership Shabbat Barbecue at 6:00 p.m. & Informal Service at 7:30 p.m. Join us as we welcome prospective members to KI. Be an advocate for KI! Invite your unafilliated friends to see the warmth and vitality of our synagogue. The BBQ is free to any members bringing prospective members and free for all prospective members. $6 for all KI members. If you are interested in helping to cook or set up for the BBQ, please contact Andy Brookman at (215)887-0777 or admbrook2002@yahoo.com.
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 Our Discovery Garden Grow - Our Playground is nearly Complete - Sponsorship opportunities for our new playground from pavers to Noah’s Ark Playhouse. Contact Sharon Sood (215) 782-8188 or via e-mail at soodlempert@cavtel.net information on how you can donate to this exciting project. A brochure was mailed to KI members and is available in the Administrative Office at KI.
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.
Meet Our New Preschool Teacher at Our Summer Story Hour – on Tuesday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m. in KI’s Meyers Library. Barbara Petnoti will be joining our Preschool as the 5’s teacher and will be reading during the story hour. Beth Berman, our new Preschool Director, will also be in the library for this fun summer activity. There will be stories and arts & crafts for children preschool to 3rd grade. Milk and cookies, too! Mark your calendar for the final story hour on Wednesday, August 17, at 6:30 p.m. in KI’s Meyers Library.
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 at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at Cedar Hill in Horsham . Everyone is invited to come support our team. (http://www.jeffjet.com/Fields.htm for directions).
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.
Kehillah Pajamarama at Barnes & Noble – on Wednesday, July 20, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. First of two bedtime storytelling programs for the young and young-at-heart. Stories read by local clergy. Attire: pajamas!
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, July 26. 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.