E-KI

September 29, 2004         Issue 39

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Chol Ha Moed Sukkot

Exodus 33:12

Ezekiel 38:18

 

First, let me explain the phrase "Chol Ha Moed". It refers to the intermediate days of a festival (either Sukkot or Passover). Traditional Jews observe Sukkot for nine days with the first two and last two days as full holidays. The five days between are known as "Chol Hamoed" or ordinary days.

Sukkot symbolizes temporality, and living in huts gives us a sense of the fragility of life. We remember that the Jews first lived in sukkot when they were brought out of slavery in Egypt (Leviticus 23:33-36). Three thousand years ago we were an agrarian people. Our livelihood was intertwined with the seasons and the elements. Would the we get the much-needed rain or would our fields lie parched? Sukkot also celebrates the fulfillment of the annual agricultural season. The harvest festival is a powerful event seen in most cultures.

Even though most of us are no longer farmers, much of the Jewish calendar still revolves around the agricultural calendar. In a world that is increasingly removed from nature, celebrating festivals like Sukkot reminds us of the natural world. Perhaps most importantly, our connection with agriculture reminds us of food and how we are blessed to have it abundantly in our lives.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday!

Rabbi Peter 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 from Church Road to Old York Road.  Use the entrance to our parking lot off Meetinghouse Road at Old York Road.

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

Wednesday, September 29—Sukkot Festival Service at 7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Thursday, September 30 — Sukkot Festival Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Upstairs Minyan – Saturday, October 2, at 10:30 a.m. in the Library.

Farewell to Sharon MacCabe – Join us on Friday evening, October 8, at Shabbat services (8:00 p.m.) to celebrate the many years that Sharon’s music has enhanced our services.  A festive Oneg will follow the service.

Installation of Cantor Amy Lefko – Special Shabbat evening services on Friday, October 15, at 8:00 p.m.  Watch for more information.

Torah, Toast and Tefillah - on Saturday, October 23.  Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m., light breakfast at 10:00 a.m., Shabbat services at 10:30 a.m.  Join us!

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

Upcoming Holidays

Simhat Torah – Consecration of new Religious School students during Simhat Torah services on Wednesday, October 6, at 7:15 p.m.  Morning Sukkot Festival Service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 7.  [All synagogue offices are closed on Thursday for the holiday.] 

Adult Education

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.

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.

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 Opportunities

Yujia Wang Recital –Saturday evening, October 2.  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.

American Jews in America’s Game – Martin Abramovitz, president of Jewish Major Leaguers, Inc., will speak on Sunday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. at KI, sponsored by the KI Brotherhood.  The organization’s first project has been a set of 142 commemorative baseball cards, one for each Jewish major league player (back to 1870).  Log onto to their website for more information: www.jewishmajorleaguers.org.

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.  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.  To raise money for our Preschool Playground. 

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

KIFTY Carnival – on Sunday, October 3, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot.  Grades 3-6.  Lunch is available.  Lots of games – including “Dunk the Rabbi” – every child wins a prize!  $10/person covers all games.

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

Special Blood Drive – Julia Rosenthal, 20-month-old granddaughter of Sandy and David Rosenthal, is fighting kidney cancer and needs your blood donation.  The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Tuesday, October 12, from 2:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. , in the Rothschild Auditorium at KI.  For appointments, call the Administrative Office (215) 887-8700.

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, administered 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. 

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.  Rides to the polls are available.  Contact Rabbi Peter Rigler for information  (215) 887-8702.

Ways To Get Involved

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.

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.  Other days by appointment only.   Call Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 or Shirley Sivitz (215) 884-3774.