Shabbat Vayera– Genesis 18:1
II Kings 4:1

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayera, we continue to read about one of the great nomads in the Biblical tradition, Abraham, "the son of a wandering Aramaean." The portion begins with a narrative that is often used as a model for how we should behave toward others. Three strangers unexpectedly appear in the desert and approach the tent of Abraham and Sarah.

"Looking up, [Abraham] saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, he said, ‘My lords, if it please you, do not go on past your servant.” (Genesis 18:2-3) The patriarch rushes out to greet them and invites them into his home for food and shelter. It's clear that Abraham and his wife had an "open tent" policy, a policy that in nomadic culture is not just related to morality but to survival.

We are historically a nomadic people, taught to open our tent and to invite others in. We are taught that Abraham’s tent was open on all four sides (Genesis Rabbah 48:9). This allowed Abraham to let any passing stranger know that s/he was a potential guest. Also, Abraham could see people in all directions. He could then go out from his tent and offer them food, drink and a place to rest. Abraham did not fulfill the mitzvah of Haknasat Orchim (welcoming the stranger) alone; he involved his family. Sarah prepared the bread and his servant prepared a calf.

We are taught that the mitzvah of Haknasat Orchim transformed Abraham into a prophet. As Jews we marry under a chuppah (wedding canopy) that is open on all sides to remind us of this mitzvah. As we study the example demonstrated by our patriarch Abraham and our matriarch Sarah to welcome strangers and make them feel at home, let us strive as a congregation to be better hosts. Let us always be mindful to keep our tent doors open, whether those doors are the doors of our home or the doors of KI. We are reminded by the mitzvah of welcoming guests not only to be kind when people are here but also to help bring them in. Share the spirit and warmth of KI with our community and build for our future together. Just as our people were rewarded because of Abraham and Sarah's genuine hospitality, may we all be rewarded with abundant blessings for making the stranger feel at home among us.

Shabbat Shalom!

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, on Saturday, December 10, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. 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.

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. On Friday, December 9, Ruth Messinger will speak at 8:00 p.m. Shabbat services. Ms. Messinger, president and executive director of American Jewish World Service, will present, "Jews as Global Citizens," highlighting the work of AJWS and its 270 projects in over 35 countries throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine. She will specifically address the work that AJWS does in Africa fighting Global AIDS, responding to the food crisis in Niger, and providing relief to the displaced in Zimbabwe. She will also provide personal accounts about the ongoing genocidal campaign in Darfur, Sudan.

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.

KESHER VOLUNTEER TRAINING - Free 8-week program to prepare to visit Jews who are homebound or in nursing homes, hospitals, hospice. December 1, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at KI. Information: Lonnie Beer at (215) 646-2115, ext. 116. Co-sponsored by the Kehillah of Old York Road and Jewish Family & Children’s Service.

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.

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

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, December 22 from noon to 2:00 p.m. Program: “Grandparenting.” 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.)