E-KI
July 7, 2005 Vol. II No. 27
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Chukat – Numbers 19:1
Judges 11:1
The children of Israel are, to say the least, not an easy bunch! They reject their covenantal responsibilities time and again for a piece of meat, a golden calf, a sexy Moabite; they yearn for the “good old days” in Egypt. They are truly children, infantilized by slavery and unable to endure freedom.
Pushing this difficult group, Moses has the voice of the prophet, confronting evil, yet he remains humble. He demands that they understand the Torah they are receiving and refuses to accept either God's or the people's demands that his status be elevated. Yet the Torah is unequivocal – Moses is fatally flawed. He is condemned to die in the desert, forbidden entry to the Land of Israel, a land to which the people have dreamed of returning for 400 years.
In this week’s Torah portion the people rebel once again, complaining to Moses about the lack of water. God tells Moses to order the rock to yield its water. Moses then responds to the people: "Listen, you rebels, shall we get water for you out of this rock?" In his frustration with them, Moses hits the rock, water pours out and the people temporarily quench their thirst.
After enough pushing, even Moses lost his temper. This is exactly what makes Moses a realistic role model for all of us! He succumbed to his frustration, lost his temper, and hit the rock. He was human! How do we handle the most challenging situations in our lives? Can we avoid making a mistake that might have a negative impact on us or on others? Perhaps we should remember, through our own difficulties, that even Moses struggled with this problem and that there are no easy answers.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Peter C. Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat - Friday, July 8 – Evening Service at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 9 –Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. Participants: D’var Torah – Jay Rosen; Torah Reader – Sallie Olson.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, July 15 – Evening Service at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 16 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. English Reader – Claire Schweriner; Rydal Park at 2:00 p.m.
Coming Up –Friday, July 22 – Sizzlin’ Membership Shabbat Barbecue at 6:00 p.m. & Informal Service at 8:00 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 Pettinati 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 TONIGHT at 6:00 p.m., 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!
KI Puppets at Pajamarama II – Save Wednesday, August 10, for this Kehillah program at Barnes & Noble. More info to follow.
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: Daniel Gordis, Home to Stay; Valerie Zenatti, When I was a Soldier, a young French émigré’s account of life as an Israeli soldier. For Children: Pelagie Doane, The Story of Moses; Shirley G. Milgrom, Haym Solomon.