E-KI July 1, 2004 Issue 26
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online Parashat Balak Numbers 22:2 Micah 5:6 July 4: A Revolution in Jewish History
This weekend we will be celebrating the 228th year of American independence. July 4 is an important date for us as Americans and as Philadelphians. It is also an important date for us as Jews. The fact of the matter is that July 4 also marks a revolution in Jewish history. On July 4, Jews became citizens of the United States. “So what,” you say? What’s the big deal? The big deal is that since the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 CE by the Romans, the Jews had not only been a stateless people but they has also been universally classified as “alien residents,” that is, as strangers, not citizens and certainly not equals. The first country in the world to break that horrific pattern was the United States! In short, July 4, 1776 marked a revolution in Jewish history.
The July 4th Revolution is even more remarkable when you consider the fact that when, a decade later, various European countries began to debate emancipating and naturalizing their Jewish communities, every one of these states had sustained, vigorous debates on the matter. Moreover, the results were uneven and unstable with Jewish enfranchisement constantly waxing and waning due to the political exigencies of the moment. The United States alone embraced us without qualification. Of course, there were many legal and constitutional battles left to fight, but in principle and on paper, Jews and Judaism were both “first class” in America.
In this country, we are free to practice or not practice Judaism as we see fit. We are free to participate or not in the political processes of this land. In reality, the choice is ours. On this July 4, let’s resolve to embrace our responsibilities as Jews and Americans and let us give thanks for the wonderful privilege of having both traditions as our own. Let us join with the prophet Balaam , who in this week’s portion exclaimed, “How goodly are your tents O Jacob, your sanctuaries O Israel!.” “How good” it is that the homes of the people of Jacob can exist without fear in this country. “How good” it is that the “sanctuaries of Israel” exist in the United States without restrictions or limits or legal disabilities. On this July 4th, 228 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed in our town, take a moment to offer a prayer of gratitude and a minute to vow to uphold both traditions with pride and with a deep sense of personal commitment.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.
P.S. Do you enjoy reading Torah Time? Consider coming to the Torah Study Havurah - a weekly Torah discussion held at 9 am on Saturday morning in the Library. It is informal, all levels of Torah students are welcome, and you can come once or on a regular basis. No RSVP needed, The Havurah meets every single week of the year, so join us!
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities This Week, Friday, July 2—Shabbat evening services at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Welcome our new Cantor, Amy Lefko, this Friday and throughout July and August. Saturday, July 3 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel. In the Week Ahead, Friday, July 9 - Shabbat evening services at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Welcome our new Cantor, Amy Lefko, this Friday and throughout July and August. Saturday, July 10 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel. Sizzling Shabbat Barbecue— Come join us for a family-style barbecue Shabbat dinner and casual summer Shabbat service on Friday evening, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. 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. 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 Cchapel. 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. Cultural Opportunities 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 KI Family Concert – Children's’ entertainer Allan Lieberman on Sunday, July 11at 2:00 p.m. $2 per person or $6 for family of 4 or more. Bring friends, enjoy songs and snacks and welcome our new cantor, Amy Lefko! Information: (215)885-2425
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. Do your part—register AND vote. Pennsylvania Voter Registration and Montgomery County Absentee Ballot forms now available in the Administrative Office during regular business hours. 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.
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