E-KI

October 6, 2004         Issue 40

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Bereshit

Genesis 1:1

Isaiah 42:5

In my third year of Rabbinical School I spent the summer working as a chaplain at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.  It was a difficult job - I would literally go from bed to bed on my assigned floors asking people how they were and if they wanted to talk to a chaplain.  Before each knock I would take a deep breath wondering what I would say to these people and how I, a perfect stranger, could be helpful.  More often than not I would find that the people I spoke to did want company.  Many of them had no one to talk to, no one to help them through their pain, no one to be with them.

When I approached my supervisor asking what we could do to help these people, his response was quite interesting.  I thought he would advise me how to get in touch with a relative or friend.  Instead he said to me, God sent you.  But I could not be of much help, I thought.  These people were only in the hospital a few days.  They needed more than a half an hour of my time.  Johnny, the minister who was my supervisor, then quoted from Genesis 2:18 “It is not good for man to be alone.”  Therefore God sent you. 

This week we read again from Genesis.  In the midst of the two creation stories, the banishment from the Garden of Eden and the stories of Cain and Abel we find this simple verse “It is not good for man to be alone.”  Perhaps you, like I, always interpreted this verse to mean that people should find partners in life. Johnny opened my eyes to the true meaning of this verse.  God wanted to give us trees and flowers, birds and fish, and companions.  Not only for marriage, but for friendship and companionship. 

Think about the individuals in your life. Think about all those situations in which you say “I wish I could do something” or “What a shame.”  There is something you can do –   you can be with the person in need.  Even if it is only for an hour, even if you don’t say a word.  “It is not good for man to be alone.”  Don’t rely on God to send help, because God may be sending you. 

 

Shabbat Shalom.

 

Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler

 

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

This Week, Friday, October 8 – Tot Shabbat at 6:00 p.m.;  Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m., honoring Sharon MacCabe.  Festive Oneg to follow.  Saturday, October 9 -- Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library – Rabbi Rigler will lead the discussion; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, when Rebecca Sutow and Jennifer Teitell will become B’not Mitzvah.

In the Week Ahead – Friday, October 15 –Shabbat dinner at 6:00 p.m. by reservation only; Shabbat evening service and Installation of Cantor Amy E. Lefko at 8:00 p.m.   Guest Cantors Jonathan Comisar and Vadim Tunitsky.  Saturday, October 16 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m., when we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Rachel Lee Dodies, daughter of Cathy and David Dodies; Shabbat service at 2:00 p.m. at Rydal Park; Havdalah service at 5:30 p.m., when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Gregory Fredrick Leon, son of Jennifer and Stuart Leon.

Herman and Lilyan Feingold – Memorial plaques will be unveiled in the KI Chapel on Friday, October 22, following evening services.  Daughter Carolyn Kurtz invites friends and neighbors of her parents to join in the celebration of the Feingolds’ lives.

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

Special Shabbat Services for Kids – on October 30 Mini-Minyan at 9:30 a.m. and Junior Congregation at 10:30 a.m.  Family dinner and Shabbat service on Friday evening, November 5.  Tot Shabbat on Friday, November 12.  Blue Jeans Shabbat on November 19.

Attention Singers!! – Ongoing rehearsals on Tuesday nights 7:30-9:00 p.m.  The group is now preparing for the Sephardic Sabbath on November 12.

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

Adult Education

Rabbi’s Fall Forum – Anti-Semitism in America – on Sunday, October 10, at 9:45 a.m. at KI – “An Old Problem in a New Land: Anti-Semitism in America, 1492-1880.”  Lectures II & III on October 17 & 24.

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.  Luncheon fee is $10.00.  Send checks to K.I., Attn: Cultural Council.  Information:  Doris Parker, 215-886-9267.

Strengthening the Bonds: Interfaith Families at Home and in the Community – Conference for families, extended families and Jewish community leadership on Sunday, October 17, from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Steinhardt Hall, University of Pennsylvania (215 S. 39th St.)  Registration fee $36/person, $50/couple at the door.  Sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia and Faithways (Interfaith Family Support Network).  For more information, call 215-732-6634, or visit www.jfcsphil.org/faithways.

Lunch ‘n’ Learn – with Rabbi Sussman in Center City on Thursday, October 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m.  Call the Clergy Office  by October 18 for reservations and information.

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

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.

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.

Community Family Concert Series -- Time for Three – on Sunday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m. at KI – Nicolas Kendall & Zachary DePue, violins; Ranaan Meyer, double bass.  $15/adults, $5/12 & under.  Pizza or salad lunch  at noon available by reservation $5/person.

Preschool and Religious School

Junior KIFTY Hayride – on Saturday, October 16, from 5:30 to 11:00 p.m.

Save the Date – Saturday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. – Silent Auction at KI to raise money for our Preschool Playground.  $10/person includes admission and refreshments.  Cash bar.

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. 

VOTE on November 2 -- Montgomery County Absentee Ballot forms 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.