E-KI

September 9, 2004         Issue 36

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9

Isaiah 61:10

This week’s Torah portion is a double portion, Nitzavim and Vayelech.  Nitzavim is familiar to many of us because it is read on Yom Kippur.  It contains some of Moses’s final instructions to the people Israel before he dies.  Moses explains that if we obey God’s covenant we will be embraced, but if we turn from God’s ways we will not.    He encourages the people, saying it is not too difficult for us to live by God’s laws. And he reassures us that if we go astray God will take us back.  In Vayelech Moses prepares to die, empowering Joshua to succeed him.  He advises Joshua and bids him preserve all the words of the Torah. 

In the second portion – Vayelech – we receive a commandment to read Torah.  The commandment relates to Sukkot,  “When all Israel comes to appear before Adonai your God in the place which He will choose, you shall read this Teaching (Torah) aloud in the presence of all Israel.  Gather the people – men, women, children and the strangers in your communities – that they may hear and so learn to revere Adonai your God and to observe faithfully every world of this Teaching (Torah).”  This verse is especially significant because the text specifically points out that all of the people – men, women and children, and non-Jews who live in the community – should study Torah.  Previously we are commanded to teach our children, but the word for children (banim) could be translated either as sons only or as both sons and daughters. 

This verse in Deuteronomy was used to justify the teaching of Torah to women and girls in a time when Jewish women learned mostly by tradition rather than by formal education.  It is so easy for us to forget that until recently women, children and non-Jewish family members were largely left out of formal Jewish institutions.  Now that we are included, we sometimes take our participation for granted.  As we begin the school year again and as we enter into this time of sacred religious reflection, let us all think about the things that we might not have been able to do in previous generations.  And let us vow in the coming year to take full advantage of those rights our foremothers and forefathers worked so hard to achieve for our sake.  They stood at Sinai and made a covenant for us all.  

 

Shabbat Shalom.

 

Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz 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! 

 

Driving Alert!

When you are coming to KI, please be aware that Township Line Road is closed during the day from Church Road to Old York Road.  Meetinghouse Road may be blocked at Township Line, so you might not be able to cross Township Line on Meetinghouse.  Use the entrance to our parking lot off Meetinghouse Road at Old York Road.

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week, Friday, September 10  – Special welcome to prospective members!  Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Shabbat Evening Service at  8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Saturday, September 11 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library – Rabbi Sussman will lead the discussion; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, , when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Brian Andrew Strauss, son of Wendy and Gary Strauss.

In the Week Ahead, Wednesday, September 15 – Rosh Hashanah evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Thursday, September 16 – Rosh Hashanah Service at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary;  Youth Service at 10:00 a.m. in Rothschild Auditorium; Hearing Impaired Rosh Hashanah Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel; Tot Family Service at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary; Tashlich service at 4:00 p.m. at Wall Park.   Friday, September 17  – Shabbat Evening Service at  8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Saturday, September 18 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library – Rabbi Peter Rigler will lead the discussion; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary; Shabbat service at 2:00 p.m. at Rydal Park.

Listen to Most recent Shabbat evening sermon – click on this link! http://www.kenesethisrael.org/Sermons/ShabbatService.htm  

Upcoming Holidays

Selichot —“Exploring the Days of Awe: Focusing on our Relationship with God.” Join our clergy on Saturday, September 11, at 8:00 p.m., as together we explore a variety of Hasidic texts, interspersed with rich Hasidic melodies. The evening will begin with dessert, followed by our Study Session, and conclude with our annual Selichot service. Please note that this year we will also be taking time during our Selichot prayers to mark the 3rd Anniversary of September 11th.  Usher in the Days of Awe in study, prayer and song with your friends at KI.

High Holy days —Rosh Hashanah begins on Wednesday evening, September 15.  Yom Kippur begins on Friday evening, September 24, with Kol Nidre services.  See complete list of services in your High Holy Day Information mailing.

Tashlich – on Thursday, September 16, at 4:00 p.m. (after the Rosh Hashanah Family Service at KI) at Wall Park. Brief Tashlich ceremony in which we symbolically cast our sins into the water, followed by an Oneg.  Join us and invite your friends for fun and food.  Sponsored by the Preschool and Religious School PTA’s.

Sukkot – Brown bag dinner on Wednesday, September 29, at 6:00 p.m.   Sukkot Festival Service at 7:15 p.m.  Sukkot Festival Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 30.  [All synagogue offices are closed on Thursday for the holiday.]

Adult Education

“Israel and the Media: A journalist looks at how his profession covers the Jewish state and the conflict in the Middle East” —Jonathan Tobin, Executive Editor of Jewish Exponent, will speak on on Sunday, September 19, at 10:00 a.m.  Coffee and bagels.  Sponsored by the KI Israel Committee.  Please join us!

WRJ/Sisterhood Paid-Up Membership Brunch – Paula Marantz Cohen, author of Jane Austen in Boca and Much Ado about Jessie Kaplan, and Professor of English at Drexel University, on Sunday, October 3, at 10:00 a.m. in K/G.  Books will be available for purchase and for signing.  Brunch includes champagne cocktails.  Free to women who have paid WRJ dues ($36) and to new female congregants.  $15 for men and non-congregants.  Make checks payable to KI Sisterhood and mail to KI, Attn: Evelyn Rosenfeld, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA   19027.  RSVP’s to Mickie Levin by Sunday, September 26, at (215) 698-0314.

Kehillah Trip to Israel—Family trip to Israel from December 22, 2004, to January 2, 2005, led by Rabbi Sussman, Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom of Adath Jeshurun, and Rabbi Robert Leib of Beth Am.  Visit Jerusalem, Eilat, Netivot and Tel Aviv, with opportunities for B’nai Mitzvah at Masada.  Approximate cost is $2,900 per person, double occupancy — family discounts available.  Sponsored by the Kehillah of Old York Road.  Arrangements by Ayelet Tours.  Information (800) 237-1517 or ayelet@ayelet.com.  For reservations:  Karen Kantor, Kehillah (215) 635-0557.

Cultural Council 60+ - Dr. Joel Schwartz – ADHD: Adult Deficit Humor Disorder – on Thursday, October 14, lunch at 11:30 a.m.    Sponsored by the Rosenau Fund.  KI member luncheon fee is $7.00 with a reservation by October 1, $10.00 for guests and reservations after October 1.  Send checks to K.I., Attn: Cultural Council.  Information:  Doris Parker, 215-886-9267.

Cultural Opportunities

Yujia Wang Recital – Save Saturday evening, October 2, for a return engagement.  Candlelight dinner at 6:00 p.m. ($18/adult and $6/child 12 and under).  Reservation deadline for dinner is Wednesday, September 29.  Concert  at 8:00 p.m. ($18/adult and $12/child).  Send checks (payable to KI Family Concerts) to KI, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA   19027.

New Books and New Look in the Meyers Library – The Meyers Library has a whole new look thanks to a recent donation by the Meyers family. Come and enjoy our comfy chairs and beautiful reading tables.  New adult books include:  Jewish Lives, Jewish Learning, by Diane Tickton; The 33rd Hour, by Mitchell Chefitz; The Jewish Approach to God: a brief introduction for Christians, by Neil Gilman; Hidden Power (Presidential marriages that shaped our recent history), by Kati Marton; Reversible Errors, by Scott Turow.  And for children:  The Seven Species (stories and recipes inspired by the foods of the Bible), by Batt Biers-Ariel; Jews in America, by Hasia R. Diner;  Saying Goodbye to Grandma (presenting death to children), by Moshe Halevi Spero; The Hebrew Letters Tell Their Story, by Reudor. Join us for the Library Re-dedication on Sunday, October 17, at 11:30 a.m.

WRJ Art Calendars—are now available for individual purchase.  Order forms are in the Administrative Office.

Save the Date – Saturday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. – Silent Auction at KI.  More details to follow!

Thoroughly Modern Millie – WRJ-KI Theatre Trip to the Merriam Theater (Philadelphia) on Sunday, November 21, beginning with a blintze brunch at 10:30 a.m. at KI.  Brunch, bus transportation and orchestra seats are $98/person.  Reservations must be made by Friday, October 15.  Call Barbara Bronstein for information and reservations:  (215) 673-1435.

Preschool and Religious School

First Day of Religious School – Parents, please join your children for the opening day of Sunday School on September 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.  Meet the new school and synagogue staff.  Sing songs and welcome back old friends.  Hear about new KI programs for this year.  Enjoy coffee and bagels with other parents.  (Students should eat breakfast on their own.)

Senior KIFTY Thousand-Bracelet Project—in memory of the victims of terror in Israel.  Bracelets available for $5 each in the Religious School Office.

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

Social Action Opportunities

Annual High Holy Day Food Drive – Perform your first mitzvah of the New Year.  Fill the bag you receive at Rosh Hashanah services or use your own supermarket bag.  Return your filled bag to the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank Truck parked outside KI on Yom Kippur Day.  Unopened, non-perishable food only.

Honey for Rosh Hashanah – Specially packaged honey available NOW in all KI offices at $5, to benefit the KI PTA’s (Religious School and Preschool).

Shanah Tovah Greetings – For only $3 per name, WRJ Sisterhood will send an acknowledgement of your good wishes for the New Year to family, friends, and congregants.  Send in the name and address of each person you wish to receive your New Year’s greeting.  One acknowledgement will be sent to each recipient, listing the names of their well-wishers.  Make your check payable to KI Sisterhood.  Send with names and address to Ann Schrage, 3007 Turner Avenue,  Roslyn, PA   19001.  Deadline September 8.  Information: Ann (215) 659-4153.

ARMDI (American Red magen David for Israel) presents Joshua Nelson and the Jubilee Choir – in concert on Sunday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m. at Beth Sholom Congregation.  Nelson is a Grammy-nominated African-American, raised as an Orthodox Jew.  He and his choir perform “kosher gospel music.”  The concert will raise urgently needed funds  for emergency medical supplies and equipment for Magen David Adom in Israel.  Reserved seating $36.  General Admission $25.  Children under 13 $18.  Information: 215-947-7007.

Attention, Genuardi’s Shoppers – Thank you for your past participation in the Community Cash Back program, administrered by eScrip.  It is now time to renew your commitment to KI by renewing your membership in this program.  Simply go to eScrip.com and follow the instructions for re-registering your Genuardi’s card number, or you can call e-Scrip at 1-800-801-4973 (have your Genuardi’s card number handy).   If you are joining the program for the first time, you can complete a form at Genuardi’s, register at eScrip.com, or use one of the forms from the information stand in the KI Lobby.  Remember, our Group name is Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, and our Group ID# is 1002448.

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 the last Tuesday of each month.    Information:  Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815. 

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’s greeting card design won the Social Action Art Contest last year.  Each card (available for $5 in the Administrative Office) helps provide books to children in need.   You can help the Sefer Project by donating new or gently used children’s books.

Ways To Get Involved

Know a family that is thinking of joining KI?  Bring them on September 12 to the first day of Religious School (see above).  Rabbi Peter Rigler will be giving tours to prospective families.  Prospective students can see Religious School in session.  Questions: (215) 887-8704.  We will also be having a prospective member Shabbat on Friday, September 10.

Welcome Cantor Amy Lefko -- Gala Dessert Buffet Reception on Wednesday, September 22, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Rothschild Auditorium.  No charge.  RSVP by Sunday, September 19 to Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926. Sponsored by WRJ/Sisterhood, Brotherhood and the KI Music Committees.

Annual Congregational Hanukkah Bazaar and Book Fair – on Sunday, November 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Do you know a vendor who would like to participate?  Contact Carol Levy (215) 641-1204.

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.

Sharing Our Simchas – Share your happiness with our congregational family.  Consider underwriting our beautiful Oneg Shabbat.  Contact the Administrative Office, (215) 887-8700, for further details.

Sisterhood Gift Shop— will be open on Sunday mornings during Religious School hours, beginning on September 12.  Other days by appointment only.   Call Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 or Shirley Sivitz (215) 884-3774.