Shabbat Lech Lecha– Genesis 12:1
Isaiah 40:27

This week in the Torah we read about Abraham's journey to becoming a Jew and the leader of our nation. He is told by God, “Lech lecha – Go forth to find your true self, go away from your homeland to the land of Israel.” The parashah goes on to explain the promises made to Abraham and Sarah and their covenant with God.

On the Hebrew calendar, this week is also Yitzhak Rabin's 10th yahrzeit. I have spent a lot of time thinking about the past 10 years. Ten years ago I was just applying to rabbinic school, just beginning to “Go forth,” to leave my family and homeland to live in the land of Israel for the year. It was an incredible year, one filled with learning about Judaism and learning about life.

Living in Israel is a requirement for all Reform rabbis. Hebrew Union College believes that you cannot serve the Jewish people if you have not spent time in their homeland. Having lived in Israel, I agree that you cannot really understand our people if you have never been to Israel.

Over 50% of the Jews in Philadelphia have never been to Israel. I know I have written about travel to Israel before, but I must say again, now is the time. Travel to Israel is up and more people are going than ever before. People have come to understand that we live in a world that is unpredictable, a world where terrorists seek to destroy all that is precious. We should not let them keep us away from a place that is so fundamental to our Jewish identity.

To me, the message of this week's parashah is that we are all called upon in life to take a stand, to do something difficult. Abraham chose to believe in one God and founded a great nation. That choice led to the creation of the People of Israel and the Land of Israel. If you have never stood on the stones of Jerusalem and looked out to the mountains where we are told Abraham walked, if you have never journeyed through the desert into the city of Beersheva where we are told that Abraham and his son Isaac dug seven wells - now is the time. Lech Lecha.

Shabbat Shalom!

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.

CULTURAL COUNCIL 60+- on Thursday, December 8. at 11:30 a.m. “The New Medicare Prescription Drug Law,” Ray Landis (AARP). KI member luncheon fee is $8 for members and $10 for guests with reservation & payment by December 1. $12.00 at the door. Send checks to KI, Attn: Cultural Council. Doris Parker, 215-886- 9267. [Note: Rabbi Sussman has been rescheduled for the June 8 meeting.]

A WEEK IN PUERTO VALLARTA AT A BEACHFRONT RESORT! GREAT SEATS FOR THE ‘76ERS AND FLYERS! Theater, restaurants, shopping, and more! Click here to see more of the items that will be available for auction at Light up the Night, Bids, Bites and a Bit of Jazz, a goods and services auction. FOOD! MUSIC! A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY GLENN “HURRICANE” SCHWARTZ with a special prize for the Best Bow Tie! 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.

IF YOU CAN WALK, YOU CAN DANCE - Square & line dancing on Sunday, December 11, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Fun for the whole family with square dance caller/teacher Glenn Matthew and line dance teacher Kerry Lubin. Tickets $10/adult $5/children by December 5. $12/adult at the door. Information & registration, 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.

COUNTDOWN CONCERT TO HANUKKAH—on Wednesday, December 21, at 7:00 p.m., at KI. Hanukkah favorites by cantors and choirs of KI, Beth Am, Beth Sholom, AJ, and the Perelman Jewish Day School. Hebrew Hammers too! Hanukkah refreshments for all.

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.

DO A MITZVAH!! You can still 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. Click here for flyer.

"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.

SHARING IS CARING HANUKKAH DINNER for residents of Federation subsidized housing – on Wednesday, December 7, at 5:00 p.m., in the Krauskopf-Ginsburg Auditorium. Volunteers are needed to cook, set up, host/hostess or serve. Send contributions to help defray the cost of the event (payable to KI – Sharing Is Caring) to KI. Information: Debbie Zlotnick (215) 782-8684 or e-mail or Ellen Edelman Grossman (215) 576-0160 or e-mail . This is a wonderful event. We hope you will be part of this mitzvah. Sign up here.

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.