E-KI July 8, 2004 Issue 27
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online Parashat Pinchas Numbers 25:10 Jeremiah 1:1 One of the most troubling episodes in our Torah bridges last week's portion Balak with this week's reading of Pinchas. At the end of Balak, the king of Midian, unable to destroy the Jews, turns to debauchery. Young women are sent into the Israelite camp to seduce the Israelites. As the plan succeeds and the Israelites succumb to temptation, God's wrath is inflicted upon them in the form of a deadly plague. This week’s Torah portion picks up the story. We are told that one of the Israelites brought a Midianite woman in front of the tent of meeting. When Pinchas, son of Elazar and grandson of Aaron the priest, saw this, he left the assembly and, taking a spear in hand, followed the Israelite into the chamber and stabbed both of them to death. The Torah teaches that as a result of the stabbing by the zealous Pinchas, the plague against the Israelites was ended. Not only that, but Pinchas is granted a covenant of peace for the horrific act of stabbing the Israelite man and Midianite woman. The Torah's description of Pinchas' action and of God's reaction raises some disturbing questions. Does the Torah condone zealousness? Are there no limits to what the Torah believes can be done in the name of God? This is especially disturbing since we live in a time where we witness endless horrific acts performed in the name of God. The story of Pinchas has also troubled Jewish sages throughout the ages. The Rabbis of the Talmud understand Pinchas' act as singular, and acceptable only with the testimony of God. No matter what the provocation, the Rabbis teach that zealousness such as Pinchas' requires immediate excommunication; an individual prone to such action cannot be abided in the community. The Hassidic commentator Rav Nathan reflects that, "After the great zealousness that he acted upon for God, God gives him as a gift the Covenant of Shalom. It is as if the Torah is hinting that the path of Shalom is always preferable to, and more successful than, the path of zealousness and war." Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Peter Rigler
P.S. Do you enjoy reading Torah Time? Consider coming to the Torah Study Havurah - a weekly Torah discussion held at 9:00 a.m. 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 9—Shabbat evening services at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Welcome our new Cantor, Amy Lefko, and her guest, student cantor Devorah Avery. Rabbi Sussman is speaking: Between Faithful and Fanatic. 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. In the Week Ahead, Friday, July 16 - 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 17 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel. 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 Chapel. 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. Sizzling Shabbat Barbecue— Come join us for a family-style barbecue Shabbat dinner, followed by a Family 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. Dinner is $8 per person or $20 per family. Bring a prospective member and dinner is free! Weather permitting, we will barbeque and eat outside. [Note: There is no 8:00 p.m. service on July 23.] Upstairs Minyan -- on Saturday, August 7, at 10:30 a.m. in the Library. Intimate, warm, lay-led Shabbat service, followed by brunch. Havdalah Down the Shore -- Special Havdalah service on Saturday, August 14, in Margate. Watch for more details. Selichot —We will explore with our clergy Hassidic texts about prayer and our relationship with God, all interspersed with rich Hassidic melodies. The reception begins at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11 in the Krauskopf-Ginsburg Auditorium, followed by the Study Session, and then Selichot services in the Sanctuary. High Holy days --Rosh Hashanah begins on Wednesday evening, September 15. Yom Kippur begins on Friday evening, September 24, with Kol Nidre services.
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 11 at 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 in the Clergy 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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