Shabbat Noach– Genesis 6:9
Isaiah 54

This week’s Torah portion, Noah, contains two popular biblical narratives: the story of Noah's Ark, and the story of the Tower of Babel. In both, God is displeased with humankind's transgressions and creates havoc for them.

The Noah story clearly lays out reason for God's displeasure: humanity has sinned. As a result God creates a Great Flood to drown all the living, except for one man, Noah, and his family, and the animals. After the deluge is withdrawn, God gives humankind a second opportunity to live lives of righteousness, a covenant symbolized by the rainbow.

After a long list of genealogy (to illustrate the passing of time), we come to the story of the Tower of Babel. All the people’s of the earth are gathered in one place, and speak one language. They decide to build a city with a huge tower that will reach into the sky, "to make a name for ourselves" (Gen. 11:4). God sees what the people plan to do and, concerned about their intention, turns their one, common language into many different languages (their speech sounds like "babble," from which the tower gets it name), and scatters the people around the earth, thus preventing them from building the tower.

In our own ways, we are all tower builders. It is the nature of humans to strive to reach to God. It is an odd juxtaposition that the Tower of Babel story reflects God's blessing rather than God's punishment for man's arrogance. Let me explain. God creates diversity by confounding the speech of the whole earth and by scattering humanity over the face of the earth. This diversity encourages seeking God in many ways. As Jews, we are reflections of many of the diverse places that we have traveled and lived.

The Tower of Babel story is biblical authority against a singular approach to God. The builders of the Tower of Babel were creating a tower of uniformity, but God did not want all people to be the same. As Jews we are taught to be a light to the nations and to follow the Torah. We are also taught that pluralism is not only a virtue, but a necessary imperative to achieve God's divine plan.

Shabbat Shalom!

JOIN KI PUPPETS AT PRESCHOOL SHABBAT - Parents with babies and toddlers, join us on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Lounge (when Preschool is in session).

USO MINI-EXHIBIT - From now until November 13, the Temple Judea Museum’s lobby showcases will contain USO and military related materials drawn from KI family collections.

FIRST ANNUAL "USO CANTEEN" - on Sunday, November 13, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at KI. Big Band sound with Brian Pastor's 17-piece orchestra, special appearance by the "Andrews Sisters." Donuts, coffee, soda and sandwiches are included. Tickets: $25 ($15 for students) A portion of the proceeds will go to support "Liberty USO," serving military personnel in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. Click here for more information.

BACH's GOLDBERG VARIATIONS - on Sunday, November 20, at 3:00 p.m. Bach Festival of Philadelphia presents renowned harpsichordist Jory Vinokour, direct from Carnegie Hall.

WRJ/SISTERHOOD CHANUKAH BAZAAR & CRAFTS SHOW —on Sunday, November 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at KI. Admission is free. More than 50 vendors. All price ranges. Open to the public.

WOMEN'S ROLES IN JUDAISM - WRJ/Sisterhood Rosh Hodesh program - Discussion led by Cantor Amy Lefko on Monday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. Free admission. Light refreshments. RSVP by November 28 to Janice Schwartz (215) 576-5802.

Fine art! Jewelry! Sports & theatre events! Restaurants and private dining experiences, and more! On December 10, 2005, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., KI will host Light up the Night, Bids, Bites and a Bit of Jazz, a goods and services auction, which will raise money for scholarship programs at KI. The fundraiser has all the elements of a successful evening: a worthy cause, a fun event, good music and tasty treats. Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz of NBC 10 will emcee! Please come share in the fun and be prepared to bid on something for yourself, or perhaps on a Hanukkah gift for someone special! Hors d’oeuvres and dessert. $10.00/person ($15.00 at the door). For information, call Sharon Buckingham at (215) 885-9429. For a sampling of items that will be available for auction, click here.

WRJ/Sisterhood presents DR IRENE REITER discussing A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve on Monday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m. Admission free for Sisterhood members; $4/guests. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by December 12 to Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926.

HURRICANE KATRINA- People returning to New Orleans need help repairing their homes, November-January. Brotherhood offers opportunity for you to help. Minimum three days; you pay transportation; housing, tools & training provided. NFTB assessing volunteer interest before proceeding with project. Information: Rick Gusdorff (215) 782- 1446 or click here.

DARFUR CALL TO ACTION - Please help the Social Action Committee as we join with the American Jewish World Service e-activism campaign for Darfur, Sudan. We hope you'll sign the Darfur Call to Action from American Jewish World Service on their website.

NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY, November 6. Do a mitzvah!! You can (1) help sort food collected by the High Holiday Food drive for Federation's Mitzvah Pantry from 9:30 a.m. to noon OR 12:30 p.m to 3:00 p.m. at SHARE Food Program Warehouse, 2901 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia. Information: Mark Rubin (215) 831- 0525 or by e- mail. OR (2) you can deliver food packages for the Jewish Relief Agency from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from the JRA warehouse at 9986 Gantry Road, Philadelphia (Northeast). Information: Rachel Dunaief (610) 660-0190 or by e-mail. Flyer for both, click here.

"Iraq: Finding the Right Road" on Wednesday, November 16 at 8:00 p.m. at Congregation Adath Jeshurun, 7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Policy Action Network. Panel discussion features FPRI Senior Fellow Edward Turzanski, Philadelphia Inquirer analyst Dick Polman, and Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom. The program is free and open to the public. RSVP or call (215)732 3774, ext 303.

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 Tuesday, November 29. Information: Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815.

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, November 17 from noon to 2:00 p.m. Program: “Ethical Wills.” For more information, reservations and transportation, contact Michele Kramer (267) 808- 6264 and leave a message including your name, phone number and mailing address. (There is no program in October due to the holidays.)

LUNCH AND LEARN IN CENTER CITY WITH RABBI SUSSMAN - on Thursday, December 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m. RSVP to Barbara Steinberg.