E-KI

September 1, 2005         Vol. II No. 35 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Re’eh – Deuteronomy 11:26 -- Isaiah 54:11

Dear Friends,

As I write E-KI this week, the extent of the disaster in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is just beginning to emerge.  Although damage estimates have yet to be assessed, it is clear that Katrina has already taken a catastrophic physical, emotional, and financial toll on hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Sadly the death toll will continue to rise. We don’t yet know what, if any, type of material goods these communities will need in the days ahead, but we can be certain that they will all need our prayers, as well as considerable financial assistance.

How can we comprehend such a tragedy?  We have already received many e-mails and phone calls from individuals asking what they can do. I know that many of you have already contributed to the various relief organizations set up to help with rebuilding and healing the affected areas. If you have not yet done so or are willing to give again, please give through the Union for Reform Judaism Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund.   

A natural response to a disaster such as this is to question one's faith. How, we may ask, could God allow such a thing to happen? There is no answer to such a question. And yet, it is not wrong to ask. How can we view such horror and not question? I do not believe that God willfully causes natural disasters. Our planet is subject to laws of nature which are neither good nor evil. Holiness is found, not in nature, but in our awareness of, and our response to, the world in which we live.

As Jews, we are commanded to work in partnership with God to repair our world. There is a great deal of work to be done. We are waiting to hear from our sister congregations in the area what we can do to help. When we receive more information or requests for assistance, we will be notifying the congregation.

Please also join us at 7:15 p.m. tomorrow evening for Family Shabbat Services, as together we add our prayers for those in need.

May those in need feel our love and support!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Peter C. Rigler

Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund

Union for Reform Judaism

633 Third Avenue

New York, NY   10017

www.urj.org/give/

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Shabbat - Friday, September 2 – Family Service at 7:15 p.m.  Saturday, September 3 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m.  English Reader—Evelyn Ringold; D’var Torah – Linda Nesvisky; Torah Reader – Adele Hauptman.

In the Week Ahead –  Friday, September 9 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. – welcome Beth Berman and dedication of new playground; Tot Shabbat Dinner at 6:30 p.m. ($5/child and $10/adult.  After 9/6 $8/child, $12/adult. Information (215) 887-8704);  Prospective Member Shabbat at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, September 10 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m.; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m., when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Steven Edelman, son of Lori and David Edelman.

Coming Up  - Selichot - Saturday, September 24 -  Selichot Reception & Study Session at 8:00 p.m. - "Songs of the Heart: The Book of Psalms and Jewish Spirituality Today;" Service at 9:30 p.m.

High Holy Days – Look for information in the mail.

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

First Day of Religious School – Elkins Park: Sunday, September 11.  First weekday session and first Confirmation Academy in Elkins Park is Tuesday, September 13.  Blue Bell: Thursday, September 15.  Information packets are in the mail.

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.

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).

KI College Connection – We’d like to maintain contact with all member undergraduate college students.  We will send the Bulletin, birthday cards, e-mail greetings, connection to the URJ college KESHER network, holiday gift packages.  Send your college student’s address to Chris Smith at cesmith@comcast.net.

 

Cultural Opportunities

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 $10.00. Send checks to KI, Attn: Cultural Council.  Information:  Doris Parker, 215-886-9267.  Program 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, author of Myths and Facts;  and Roz Rothstein, National Director of StandWithUs.  Free community-wide program presented jointly by The Israel Action Committees of KI and Old York Road Temple – Beth Am.    Complete flyer and registration:   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.

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.

WRJ/Sisterhood Opening Program—on Tuesday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m.  Ethel Hofman, food columnist at the Jewish Exponent, will discuss her book Mackerel at Midnight:  Growing Up Jewish on a Remote Scottish Island.  Sisterhood members free; $4 for all guests.  Special dessert reception.  RSVP to Joan Kamen at (215) 947-5926 by Monday, September 12 .

Monthly Lunch and Learn Program for Seniors who want to continue to live vital and independent lives.  Meets 4^th Thursday of each month at KI.  Sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ STAR Program. Next meeting is Thursday, September 29, from noon to 2:00 p.m.   Program: “Seniors and Friendship.”  For more information, reservations and transportation, contact Michele Kramer (267) 808-6264 and leave a message including your name, phone number and mailing address.

Dedication of Wall Hanging - on Friday,  October 7, at 7:00 p.m., before Family Service.   Quilted wall hanging by KI member Lori Mukai, based  on text from Isaiah (54:13), "All your children shall be  taught of  the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your  children." Information:  Temple Judea Museum (215) 887-2027, or TJMuseum@aol.com.

Community Family Concert — on Saturday, October 15—Stefan Jackiw, violin, Max Levinson, piano.  Dinner at 6:00 p.m.  Concert at 8:00 p.m.  Save the date!

Light up the Night, Bids, Bites and a Bit of Jazz – on December 10, 2005, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., KI will host a goods & services auction to raise funds for KI’s scholarship programs.  We hope you will come and bring your friends!  We hope you will also consider donating a good or service.  How about a weekend at your home in Aspen (or the Jersey shore) or that mint condition Dhurri rug?  If you are a decorator, designer or other professional, consider offering a one-hour consultation.  Let your creative juices flow and call Sharon Buckingham at (215) 885-9429 to discuss donations.  This event at KI in Elkins Park will include good food, good music and good fun.

 

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, September 27. 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.

Sharing is Caring Hanukkah Dinner for residents of Federation subsidized housing – on Wednesday evening, December 7, 2005, in the Krauskopf-Ginsburg Auditorium.   Volunteers are needed to cook, set up, host/hostess or serve.  Sign-up information will be available shortly in the Administrative Office and on-line at the KI website.  Send contributions to help defray the cost of the event (payable to KI – Sharing Is Caring) to KI.  Information: Debbie Zlotnick (215) 782-8684 (dzlotnick@comcast.net) or Ellen Edelman Grossman (215) 576-0160 (edelgross@aol.com).  This is a wonderful event. We hope you will be part of this mitzvah.

First Annual "USO Canteen" - on  Saturday, November 13, at KI.  Big Band sound with  Brian Pastor Band, special appearance by  the "Andrews Sisters."  To support "Liberty USO,"  serving military personnel in the Philadelphia and  South Jersey area.  Save the date - more information  to follow.     

 Announcements

Todah Rabah to our member, Marc  Brookman, and the law firm of Duane Morris  Heckscher for the donation of furniture for our KI  offices.

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: Lawrence Hoffman,  Gates of Understanding, a companion volume to Gates of Prayer;  Mitch Frank,  Understanding the Holyland  answers questions about the Israeli - Arab conflict.  For Young People:  Nancy Karkowsky, Grandma's Soup,  illus. by Shelly O. Haas;  Michael Katz,  In the Streets of Moscow and Other Stories,  illus.by Yael Hershberg; Yona Zeldis McDonough,  Eve and Her Sisters:  women of the Old Testament.