E-KI
July 21, 2005 Vol. II No. 29
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Pinchas – Numbers 25:10
I Kings 18:46
Proud of Israel
The Torah portion this week, Pinchas, is more than a little bit disconcerting. It begins with a story about religious zealotry and its rewards. The focus of the story is Pinchas, a son of Aaron, who takes violent action against an exogamous couple in the camp of the Exodus. In part, the idea of extremism is echoed in the Haftarah with a story about the multi-dimensional character of Elijah.
Like other Biblical reports, these stories of justifiable religious violence must be viewed in the context of their time and place. They are not precedent for extremist actions in our own time and place. They come from a different world and, like sacrifices, are neither the essence nor the normative practice of Judaism. They need to be left in the past and deplored in the present.
This week, all of us had the opportunity to witness a test of democracy versus religious extremism in Israel. A huge crowd of 30,000 or so opponents of disengagement from Gaza gathered near Netivot, Philadelphia's twin Israeli city, located in the northern Negev. The army and security forces held their ground. The Keneset reaffirmed its political decision to disengage. There was haranguing, pushing, pleading and even some punching. But it stopped there. The responsible leadership of the opposition understood they had lost and sent their people home. The big winner, however, was Israel.
Of course, we might not be done with the opposition to disengagement. There are still hardcore settlers, and the chance of extremist supporters from outside of Gaza coming into the fray is high and dangerous. A few determined people can, as we know, cause a lot of trouble. But the big picture is clear. Israel has again held on to its democratic principles and that is something to be proud of.
We hear a lot of talk about democracy today. I think we have just seen the will of a true democratic nation put to the test and remain tethered to its democratic moorings. Let us hope and pray that one day the Palestinians will have the same ideological commitment to change through politics, not vicious and unforgivable terrorism.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D., D.D.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat - Friday, July 22 – Sizzlin’ Membership Shabbat Barbecue at 6:00 p.m. & Informal Service at 8:00 p.m. Invite your unafilliated friends to see the warmth and vitality of our synagogue. The BBQ is $6 for all KI members, but free to any members bringing prospective members and free to prospective 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. Saturday, July 23 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, July 29 – Evening Service at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 30 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m.
Coming Up – Saturday, August 13 – Havdalah at the Jersey Shore – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the home of Karen and Rob Sirota. Members, prospective members and shore friends are invited for wine and hors d’oeuvres. Call KI (215) 887-8700 by Friday, August 5 to RSVP and to get directions.
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 - 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.
Last Summer Story Hour – on Wednesday, August 17, at 6:30 p.m. in KI’s Meyers Library. There will be stories and arts & crafts for 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 –Mazal tov to our softball team on a great season! Playoff game against Beth Am on Monday, July 25, at 6:00 p.m. at Plymouth Field. (http://www.jeffjet.com/Fields.htm for directions). Everyone is invited to come support our team.
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.
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.
Kesher: Jewish Americans & Israel – Making the Connection – on Sunday, September 18, at 9:45 a.m. Speakers: Dr. Mitchell Bard, Executive Director of the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, leading authority on U.S. Middle East policy, and author of Myths and Facts; and Roz Rothstein, National Director of StandWithUs, prominent pro-Israel advocacy organization.Free community-wide program presented jointly by The Israel Action Committees of KI and Old York Road Temple – Beth Am. Optional breakfast at 8:45 a.m. - $5/person prepaid. Send checks (payable to OYRT-Beth Am) to Old York Road Temple – Beth Am, 971 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001. Advance registration required by Monday, September 12. Information – http://www.kenesethisrael.org/Happening/Kesher_9_18_05-1.pdf or call Selma Dafilou (215) 887-2832. Program made possible by a grant from the Kehillah of Old York Road, a project of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia in cooperation with the Jewish Outreach Partnership.
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.
Sharing Is Caring Hanukkah Dinner – Please join us on Tuesday, August 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room for an organizational meeting to plan for the Sharing is Caring Hanukkah Dinner to benefit area seniors in Federation and local housing. Our last dinner was a huge success and we are looking forward to continuing this wonderful tradition. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. For information contact Debbie Zlotnick at DZlotnick@comcast.net or Ellen Edelman Grossman at Edelgross@aol.com .
Kesher: Volunteer Para-Chaplaincy Training Program on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., beginning on October 6, at KI (room 110). This program is run by the Joan Grossman Center for Chaplaincy and Healing of the Jewish Family and Children's Service Information about registration will be available soon.
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: I.B.Singer, In My Father's Court, a memoir; Lawrence A. Hoffman, The Way into Jewish Prayer. For Children: Nancy Sohn Swarz, In Our Image: God's First Creatures; Doug Lambier and Robert Stevenson, Genesis for Kids: Science Experiments that Show God's Power in Creation.