This week's Torah portion is Chayei Sarah, "Sarah's life." After the drama of the akedah (binding) of Isaac in last week's portion, the Torah continues this week with Sarah's death and burial. Some commentators say she simply couldn't handle the pain caused by the event.

Sarah's life was not easy. Throughout her marriage, she was forced to relocate, to endure the advances of other men, as well as years of barrenness. The text reminds us that Sarah, like Abraham, endured a number of trials to become the "mother" of the Jewish people. Nothing would come easy and nothing would be simple. That being said, the Torah reminds us of Sarah's wonderful and fulfilling life

It is not just the title "life of Sarah," that seems strange but how her age is recorded. I am not sure what the original reason for the strange wording was, but I do know that throughout the history of Jewish commentary on these verses, much discussion has focused on the way the words are arranged. The Torah is tells us that Sarah is 127 years old at the time of her death, but what it literally says is: "And this was the life of Sarah: one hundred year, and twenty year, and seven years; the years of Sarah's life."

The Sefat Emet (1847-1905) notes that the age of Sarah was broken up this way to remind us of the changes in our lives and also that we must find meaning at all times in our own lives. "There must be differences: variations and changes during the years of a person's lifetime. There are special times during a person's youth, and special times during a person's old age. But the ones who are truly righteous," the Sefat Emet concludes, "find fulfillment in all their days. Now, certainly, since things are not naturally this way, it must be a gift from God."

Who can find fulfillment at every moment? This is our challenge! We must live our lives and believe that today is the best day. How are you today? How many of us answer wonderful?

May Shabbat remind us of the joy we have in our lives and help us to make each day count.

Shabbat Shalom!

COMING UP - Friday, November 16 - Blue Bell - Potluck dairy dinner at 6:00 p.m.; Tot Shabbat at 6:45 p.m.; Family Service at 7:00 p.m. Elkins Park - Italian Shabbat - Service at 8:00 p.m. with music of Salomone Rossi and guest speaker, Dr. David Ruderman, Professor of Modern Jewish History and Director of the Center for Advanced Jewish Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Sponsored in memory of Ruth Koch by her family.

EMBROIDERED NAMES ON SHABBAT TABLECLOTH - Have you noticed the lovely embroidered cloth that adorns one of the tables during the Oneg Shabbat? This cloth displays beautifully embroidered names of congregants who wish others a "Good Shabbat." It's a lovely sentiment and KI is the beneficiary of the funds raised from this project. Many congregants have already supported this endeavor. I hope you will consider joining them. One line - $25. For information call Babe Hernes (215) 379- 5438 or Doris Parker (215) 886-9267

KEEP KI ON THE AIR - WNWR 1540 A M - every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. But the radio broadcasts could go silent, and soon. Work is underway to create an endowment to fund the broadcasts for the future. In the meantime, we need your immediate help to continue this vital service to thousands of area residents, many of whom are senior citizens and shut-ins! Please send your donation to KI. Many thanks for KEEPING KI ON THE AIR!

OUR TORAH JOURNEY: Inscribing Our Future

EVEN THOUGH OUR TORAH IS COMPLETE, our Project isn't. Help us to reach our goal! For more information, to learn about levels of giving and Dedication Opportunities, contact the co- chairs of our Torah Project Committee by e-mail.

KIFTY EVENTS-Saturday, November 3, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. "Youth Lounge Night." Free. Sunday, November 4, noon to 5:00 p.m. - Red Cross Babysitters Course at KI. $60/person. Register with Janet, 215-887-8704. Sunday, November 4, Noon to 2:30 p.m.- Club 34 "Camp Day" - lunch included. $12/KIFTY $22/nonmembers. Saturday, November 10 from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. Sr. KIFTY - Progressive Dinner in Princeton - $40 KIFTY Members $60 Non- KIFTY Members.

2ND ANNUAL KI RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FAMILY RETREAT AT CAMP HARLAM - Save the date Friday November 30 to Sunday December 2. If you are interested in being on the planning committee please contact Rabbi Peter Rigler.

PRESCHOOL 50TH ANNIVERSARY - Richard E. Rudolph Jr. Preschool is having a Birthday! Spend the year celebrating our big 50! We are looking for names, phone numbers, addresses of anyone who attended or worked the Richard E. Rudolph Jr. Preschool over the last 50 years. If you are good at assisting, planning, and/or organizing please help with all the fun celebrations coming our way. Contact Beth K. Berman by phone (215)885-2425 or by e- mail.

PRESCHOOL 50 EVENT - Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso presents, "Nurturing the spiritual imagination of young children," on Thursday, December 13, at 7:30 p.m.at KI. For more information, click here. To order Rabbi Eisenberg Sasso's children's books, click here.

VISIT THE KI/WRJ GIFT SHOP - Stop in and see what is NEW for the 2007-2008 Season! Plan ahead for Hanukkah. Dreidels, menorahs, candles, and many gift items! New items of Judaica on sale each month. Free Gift Wrapping! Tuesday, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, noon- 2:00 p.m.; Sunday 9:30 a.m.-1.00 p.m.

"TREASURES FROM THE COLLECTION OF MIMI GRIMES"- Now open at the Temple Judea Museum.

PHOTOS OF TEL AVIV? - The Temple Judea Museum is looking for family snap shots, formal photographs and other memories of trips to Israel SPECIFICALLY centered around Tel-Aviv in conjunction with a TJMuseum exhibition scheduled for 2009 in celebration of Tel-Aviv's centennial. Photographs will be scanned and returned to the owners immediately. Please contact Rita Rosen Poley, museum director: (215)887-2027.

TheatreAtKI is presenting a staged reading of "Address Unknown." This powerful play adapted from the book will be presented on the main stage in Krauskopf/Ginsburg Auditorium on November 7 at 2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

"RELIGION AND THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION" - KI Cultural Council 60+ on Thursday, November 8. Speaker: Rabbi Lance Sussman. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by the program. Reservations by November 1: KI members $10 - guests $12. Reservations after November 1: $12 for KI members and guests. All admissions at the door $14. Send checks to KI. Information: (215) 887-8700 or Doris Parker: (215) 886-9267

TIME FOR THREE - Saturday, November 10, at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $30. Kids ages 8-12 are free when accompanied by paying adult. Supper at 6:00 p.m. ($10/person). Click here for details.

SUNDAY SHUL SCRAPBOOKING - Sunday, November 11, at 9:30 a.m. Set some time aside to mark the traditions and special occasions in the life of your family. Join other KI members with an interest in scrapbooking each month from September to May, during Sunday school hours in the Tyson Foyer. For dates and more information please contact Pamela Saltzburg.

"A CHANGE OF HEART CHANGES EVERYTHING: HOW EMOTIONS CHANGE PHYSIOLOGY" - Brotherhood brunch on Sunday, November 11, at 10:00 a.m. Click here for more information.

3RD ANNUAL SQUARE DANCE - Line dancing, too, on Sunday, November 11. Chuck wagon style supper at 6:00 p.m. Dancing at 7:00 p.m. Click here for details.

ROSH HODESH KISLEV - "The Image Of Light In Our Lives And The Power It Brings To Us." Monday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Stacy Rigler will lead a Rosh Chodesh Program to celebrate the new month. Light refreshments. RSVP: Janice Schwartz at (215) 576-5802.

SPAGHETTI & THE EAGLES WITH THE BROTHERHOOD - Sunday, December 16, at 4:30 p.m. Click here for more information.

SEARCH THE WEB AND HELP KI - Just Point and Click! KI Sisterhood has become a member charity of Goodsearch.com, a search engine similar to Yahoo or Google. The advantage to using Goodsearch is that for every search you do, a donation is made to our own KI Sisterhood. Go to their website and enter Keneseth Israel Sisterhood into the space marked "Who do you Goodsearch for?" For each and every search you do, a donation will be made to KI Sisterhood! How much easier can it get? Please pass the word to every one you know. Anyone can donate this way, not just congregants. Sisterhood thanks you in advance for your support!

FIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA have consumed nearly 645 square miles, destroying over 1,300 homes and displacing 500,000 people. To assist the affected communities, the Union for Reform Judaism has opened a disaster relief fund to provide general relief for area families and rebuilding efforts. In addition, the Union is accepting donations of gift cards for vendors serving the affected area to provide direct assistance to impacted individuals and families.

SAVE THE DATE! - Volunteer to help serve holiday dinner to homeless people in Philadelphia on December 25. Watch your mail for more information.

GENUARDI SHOPPERS - You've earned several thousand dollars for KI by signing up for e- Scrip! If you have never registered your card, please consider doing so. Sign-up slips may be found on the information table in the main lobby. Register on-line, or fill one out and return it to the Administrative Office. Questions, call Ruth at (215) 677-0326.

TRIP TO ISRAEL WITH RABBI SUSSMAN - December 23 to January 1. You must register for the trip with Ayelet Tours. For information about the trip, e-mail Barbara.

5TH ANNUAL HOLOCAUST FILM SERIES - "The Rape of Europa" - Sunday, November 11, at 2:00 p.m., at Gratz College; "2 or 3 Things I Know about Him" - Monday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m., at Gratz College; "Dear Mr. Waldman" - Wednesday, November 14, at the Highway Theatre in Jenkintown; "The Black Book" - Thursday, November 15, at the Highway Theatre in Jenkintown. Discussion sessions follow the films. Contributions: $10/adults; $5/Seniors and Students. Click here for more information.

SUPPORTSIGHT - Educational seminar about macular degeneration on Monday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Susan Harmelin, Licensed Nutritionist and Dietician, will speak. "Be Health 'Wise' - Helping to Prevent AMD and/or Slowing Its Progression."

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE - Monday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m., at Gratz College. Sponsored by the Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council.

NEIS GADOL: CELEBRATING HANUKKAH & ISRAEL 60 - Wednesday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m., at KI. Kehillah Community Choir, conducted by Hazzan David Tilman, and guest appearance by the Robyn Helzner Trio. Click here for information and reservations.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHANUKAH CELEBRATION - Saturday, December 8, at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., at Longwood Gardens. Featuring Westminster Conservatory Youth Chorale. Click here for details.

KEHILLAH OF OLD YORK ROAD - Visit the Kehillah website for current happenings.