E-KI
August 4, 2005 Vol. II No. 31
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online
Shabbat Masei– Numbers 28:9
Jeremiah 2:4
In this week’s Torah portion, Masei, Israel stands on the banks of the Jordan River, ready to enter the Promised Land. First, the path of their journey is reviewed and then the laws pertaining to the division of the Land are given. The text is similar to watching a three-hour video of a friend’s vacation accompanied by more details than we would want to know. While we sit frustrated and bored, is there a benefit? Maybe we could learn something. Some day we may travel to the same place and it may be helpful to know where to stay, good places to eat and interesting things to see.
In the case of this week's Torah portion, there is a benefit from learning about someone else’s travels. The listing of all of the places that Israel encamped and some of the incidents that are recalled help us to recognize that we have to know where we have been in order to know where we are going.
We read Masei during the summer – a time for family trips, camp and family outings. All of these activities involve travel - journeying from one place to another. All journeys begin with great anticipation, finally being seated on the plane or pulling the car out of the driveway and onto the highway. All summer journeys include the famous question, “Are we there yet?!” This question is one that the Children of Israel must have asked as they took the steps toward their destination – the land of Israel. Are faith and the promise of a place unseen enough to bear the difficult burdens ahead?
This trip was not an easy one for the Israelites. It was filled with 40 years of troubles. All the wandering in the desert did have a purpose — to prepare Israel to receive the Torah, as well as to witness the miracles along the way. Each site noted in the list of encampments was a place where Israel learned about themselves.
Our journey is always one of seeking Torah (learning) and applying its teachings to our lives. While we accept travel today as routine and sometimes challenging, this portion teaches us that travel, if viewed as an opportunity, can lead to growth. Travel is an opportunity to learn, to experience new things and to serve as another source of blessing.
So, in the last weeks of summer , travel safely and enjoy the journey!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Peter C. Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities
This Shabbat - Friday, August 5 – Family Service at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, August 6 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m.
In the Week Ahead – Friday, August 12 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m.; Evening Service at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m.; 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. RSVP required. Call KI (215) 887-8700.
Coming Up – Friday, August 26 – Shabbat in Blue Bell – Light dinner and Tot Shabbat at 5:45 p.m Guitar-led service at 7:15 pm. RSVP if you plan to come to dinner (215) 887-8700. Extended oneg to follow.
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.
KI Puppets at Pajamarama II – “Stories and Songs from the Zoo!” at Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, August 10, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Join Torah Turtle, Mitzvah Monkey, Bracha Bear and Shira Salamander in song along with help from their friends from KI. Program is free and no registration is necessary. Black tie not required; P.J.s optional and fun!
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!
Register Now - Sunday Soccer League - sponsored by the JCC Klein Branch/Kehillah - All boys and girls, pre-K through 7th grade as of September, 2005, are invited to join our intramural instructional soccer program held on the Mandell Campus in Elkins Park for ten consecutive Sundays beginning September 11, 2005. Registration is $85.00. Information and registration forms: (215) 635-0557 (Kehillah of Old York Road).
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! Thank you for supporting 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.
The Israeli Scout Friendship Caravan – Appearing at Rodeph Shalom Suburban, on Tuesday, August 9, at 7:30 p.m.; Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell on Friday, August 12, at 7:30 p.m.; Temple Sinai (Dresher) on Monday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Seating limited. Meet the Scouts after the show! Funding provided by The Center for Israel and Overseas, through NACIE, of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
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, August 25, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Program: “Sleepless in Elkins Park.” For more information, reservations and transportation, contact Michele Kramer (267) 808-6264 and leave a message including your name, phone number and mailing address.
Cultural Council 60+ - “The Vintage Harmony Singers, A Barbershop Chorus Sings the Oldies” on Thursday, September 8. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. KI member luncheon fee is $8.00 with a reservation by September 1, $10.00 for guests and for member reservations after September 1. Send checks to KI, Attn: Cultural Council. Information: Doris Parker, 215-886-9267. Sponsored by the Rosenau Fund. First meeting of the season.
Jews in Cuba – Jewish Cuban scholar and author Maritza Corrales speaks on Tuesday, September 13, at 5:30 p.m. at the law offices of Eisenberg Rothweiler Schleifer Weinstein & Winkler, 1634 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. Lecture is free but space is limited. RSVP by September 9 to Steven Malamud (215) 832-0900 or smalamud@hiaspa.org. Sponsored by Hias and Council migration Service.
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.
Jewish Genealogy Seminar – Jewish Family Heritage: Connecting to Our Past on Sunday, September 18, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Adath Jeshurun. Registration: JGSGP members - $15; nonmembers - $20. Sponsored by Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia and Kehllah of Old York Road. Registration/Information: Mark Halpern JGSGP@comcast.net.
Social Action Opportunities
Emergency Liver Donation Needed – Family of 31-year-old woman asks for your help in finding a liver transplant designated specifically for her. For more information (877) 223-3386 or www.liverforalife.com.
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, September 27. [No session in August.] Information: Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815.
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 to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday before 8:00 p.m. services. (You can also visit the bookcarts at the Oneg.) For Adults: Daniel Silva, A Death in Venice; Kurt F. Stone, The Congressional Minyan. For Children: Carol Racklin-Siegel, retold and illustrator, Rebecca, in Hebrew and English; Anne E. Neimark, One Man's Valor : Leo Baeck and the Holocaust.