Shabbat Shoftim– Deuteronomy 16:18
Isaiah 51:12

“A Mighty Stream of Justice”

It started with an e-mail from a Reform synagogue in Baton Rouge. “We are housing 400 people,” they told us, and added, “Please send help.” The decision was made instantly. On Tuesday, September 6, we would collect a limited spectrum of clothes and baby supplies. Rabbi Peter Rigler, who oversees our Social Action Program at KI, would do the coordinating. Rabbi Rigler, with the help of a congregant, found a trucking firm in New York ready to donate a truck and driver to go to Louisiana.

By 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, a stream of volunteers began working their way to the synagogue. Then the cars and vans started to show up. Some had one bag. Others had a dozen cartons. Boxes of diapers and cases of water multiplied. The traffic in front of the synagogue started to back up. A huge stream of relief materials grew from the entrance toward the curb.

In the auditorium, volunteers began opening the donated bags and boxes. A mountain of pet food grew near the front door. Filled, sealed and labeled boxes were brought out to the lobby and grouped by type: men’s’ clothes, women’s clothes, baby clothes and more. It was as if the prophet Amos’ image of a “mighty stream of justice” was growing at KI.

In the end, several hundred people volunteered. Numerous local business donated supplies. Donations of over ten thousand dollars, mostly in small amounts, came in. Entire families worked together sorting clothes for hours. Little kids greeted donors at the curb and escorted people into our building. Via a local TV station, we were able to contact the Philadelphia Black Clergy to help us with shipping the materials south. But most impressive of all was our lobby, piled sky-high with boxes of “stuff.” It was a breathtaking sight – hundreds, if not thousands, of boxes filled with clothing and supplies ready to go.

This immense outpouring of humanitarian relief by the members of KI and the surrounding community says a great deal about us as individuals, a congregation, a community and a country. It says that love of neighborhood, decency, generosity and a willingness to help not only live but strive to express themselves. People needed to do something to help with hand, heart and wallet.

We built a mountain of love and created a stream of justice at KI this week. As a congregation we were truly shining. But the work is not over, nor are the misery of the floods and the pain of loss and dislocation. Hopefully, the means and the will to meet that pain with genuine human concern will not diminish.

On behalf of Rabbi Rigler and all the leadership of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, thank you for your generosity, your time and willingness to be of service. As the Torah says this week, “Justice, justice, you shall pursue.” We have “done good” and actively pursued justice this week. We should continue to do good as long and as hard as we can until all hurts are soothed and every pain is eased. Thank you for being a devoted and inspirational congregation. As so many of you said so many times this week, “I’m proud to be a part of KI.”

© 2005. Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, All rights reserved. Please do not use this material without express written permission of the author.

Shabbat Shalom,

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 at (215) 782-8188 or via e-mail for 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.

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 via e- mail .

YIDDISHKEIT: GROWING UP JEWISH IN AMERICA - Temple Judea Museum exhibition opens on Sunday, September 18. Reception at 3:00 p.m. Program: artist Joan Myerson Shrager at 4:00 p.m.

WRJ/SISTERHOOD OPENING PROGRAM—on Tuesday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m. Ethel Hofman, food columnist at the Jewish Exponent, cookbook author and past president of the International Association to Culinary Professionals, will discuss her book Mackerel at Midnight: Growing Up Jewish on a Remote Scottish Island. Discount copies available at $13 Sisterhood members free - $4 for non-members. 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 4th 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 e-mail.

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.

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 or e-mail or Ellen Edelman Grossman (215) 576-0160 or e-mail . This is a wonderful event. We hope you will be part of this mitzvah.