E-KI

November 18, 2004         Issue 46

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Vayetze – Genesis 28:10

Hosea 12:13

This week's Torah portion, Vayetze, includes the well-known story of Jacob's dream. After fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob finds a place to rest and falls asleep. In his dream he sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. On this ladder angels are ascending and descending; God is "standing" on the ladder. In the same way that God spoke to Abraham and Isaac, God promises Jacob that he will indeed become a great nation and that his descendants will be blessed. Upon awakening, Jacob proclaims that had he realized the awesomeness of the place he would not have gone to sleep, for "God was in this place and I did not know it." He then names the place Bet El, the house of God. 

I would imagine that if any of us were to have a similar experience we too would proclaim the awesomeness of the place. Rabbis and sages throughout the centuries have commented on this story and on Jacob's reaction to his dream. Rabbi Lawrence Kushner wrote a book entitled "God Was in This Place and I, I Did Not Know". This book focuses on the many interpretations of this single verse.

The simple reading of the verse suggests we pause and ask ourselves the question , "How often is God present in our lives and we simply are not paying attention?" When we truly concentrate and live in the moment we recognize the holy moments. This morning a pre-school student pulled me aside with his mom and asked, "Where does God live?" I answered with the words of the Ba’al Shem Tov. "God lives wherever we let God in."

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

 

 

Driving Alert!

Township Line Road is set to re-open on Monday, November 22, for real this time!

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week, Friday, November 19 – Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge;  Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Saturday, November 20 – Junior Congregation at 10:30 a.m. in the Youth Lounge. Torah, Toast & Tefillah -  Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m., Toast (light breakfast) at 10:00 a.m., Tefillah (Shabbat morning service) at 10:30 a.m.  Torah Reader – David Goldstein; D’var Torah – Norman Olson; Service Leaders – David Smith (English), Irv Matusow (Hebrew).

In the Week Ahead – Friday, November 26 – Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Rabbi Sussman will speak: Becoming Israel.  Saturday, November 27 – Torah, Toast & Tefillah – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library; light breakfast at 10:00 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel.  Torah Reader—Nat Mayer, D’var Torah—Bill Dodies, Service Leaders—Norman Brody (English), Irv Matusow Hebrew).

Coming up –Hanukkah Extravaganza – Friday December 10.  Tot Shabbat Service at  6:00 p.m.  Lighting of Giant Menorah and congregational dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Shabbat Hanukkah Service at 8:00 p.m. featuring Adult Volunteer Choir and Junior Choir Shir Joy, and the Hebrew Hammers (our new teen band).  Special Hanukkah Game Show Oneg.  Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 17, with a special presentation on Camp Harlam by Acting Director, Frank DeWoskin.  New Member Shabbat Service at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 17.  “Shultide” on Friday, December 24.  Chinese dinner at 6:00 p.m.  $15/adult   $8/children 12 and under.  Reservations required by December 21.  Special music program.  Shabbat service at 8:00 p.m.  Jointly sponsored by KI Music Arts Committee and Brotherhood.

Attention Singers!! – Ongoing rehearsals for Adult Volunteer Choir on Tuesday nights 7:30-9:00 p.m.  Cantor Lefko would love to have you join!

High Holy Day Sermons 2004  – can now be viewed on our website.

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

Adult Education

News from the Meyers Library— Library hours are: Sunday 9:30-12:15,  Tuesday 4:30-6,  Wednesday 10-3:30, and Friday before 8:00 p.m. services. (You can also visit the bookcarts at the Oneg.) New Books: Tom Wolfe, I Am Charlotte Simmons; Landon Y. Jones, William Clark and the Shaping of the West; Rabbi Harold Kushner, Living a Life that Matters; Judea and Ruth Pearl, I Am Jewish: reflections inspired by the last words of Daniel Pearl;  Paul Aron, Ben the Alien Bird, an autobiography by one of the few Danish Jews to be interred at Theresienstadt.  For children: The Story of Hanukkah by Amy Erlich, illus. by Ori Sherman; The Hanukkah Story by Marilyn Hirsh; Celebrating Hanukkah by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith; Poems for Jewish Holidays by Myra Cohn Livingston, illus. by Lloyd Bloom. For young adults: The Jews in America by Frances Butwin; The Giving Tree (in Hebrew) by Shel Silverstein; Falling Up (in Hebrew) by Shel Silverstein.

Ask the Rabbi – A Conversation with Parents of Adult Children in Interfaith Relationships – Rabbi Lance Sussman – Sunday, December 5, 10:00—11:30 a.m.  Light brunch.  Sponsored by the KI Outreach Committee.

Adult Ed Classes – Movie: Crimes & Misdemeanors at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 19 – Bella Friesel; Hebrew at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 9 & 16 – Rabbi Rav Soloff; Book discussion: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – Beverly Green, leader.

Cultural Council 60+ - Susan Myers, Is This Any Way to Choose a President?on Thursday, December 9, lunch at 11:30 a.m.  Sponsored by the Rosenau Fund.  KI member luncheon fee is $8.00 with a reservation by December 1, $10.00 for guests and reservations after December 1.  Send checks to K.I., Attn: Cultural Council.  Information:  Doris Parker, 215-886-9267.

Lunch ‘n’ Learn – about the Torah portion of the week with Rabbi Sussman in Center City on Thursday, December 16, from noon to 1:30 p.m.  Call the Clergy Office  by noon on Wednesday, December 15, for reservations and information.  If you would like to receive e-mail reminders about Lunch ‘n’ Learn, call the Clergy Office (215) 887-8702.

WRJ Book Review - Irene Reiter will review The Georgetown Ladies’ Social Club by C. D. Heymann on Monday, December 13, at 10:00 a.m.  Refreshments.  WRJ members free.  Guests $3.00.  RSVP to Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 by December 6.

Kehillah Trip to Israel—Family trip to Israel from December 22, 2004, to January 2, 2005, led by Rabbi Lance 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

SILENT AUCTION – on Saturday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. to raise money for our Preschool Playground.  Auction items include:  Tour of Jewish Colonial Philadelphia by Rabbi Sussman, with lunch for up to six people; 4 box seats for 76’ers game on November 26; tea for two at the Four Seasons; sports memorabilia; dinner for two at Le Bec-Fin, and many opportunities for a night on the town!  Complete list: http://www.kenesethisrael.org/PreSchool/Auction-1.htm  $10/person in advance ($15/person at the door) includes admission and food.  Cash bar.  Live jazz! 

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.  Limited space is still available.  Call Barbara Bronstein for information and reservations:  (215) 673-1435.

Tradition Reflected: The Hebrew Bible in American Stained Glass–opening on Sunday, November 21.  Reception 3:00 p.m.  Noted stained glass expert Jean Farnsworth will speak at 4:00 p.m.  Exhibition in cooperation with The Willet Stained Glass Studios and Rambusch Studios.

Israeli Folk Dancing -- with Don Schillinger, RAK-DAN Israeli Dancing, on Mondays from 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm. in the Rothschild Auditorium.  This NEW program will start right after Thanksgiving weekend, on November 29, and run through May 23.  $7/adult and $4/student (under 21) per session.  [Note: no sessions on December 27, January 17, February 21, April 25, or May 30.]

Hazanukah! - Concert on Sunday, December 12, at 3:00 p.m. at KI, Hanukkah songs and Broadway tunes, featuring our own Cantor Amy Lefko and guests Cantor Allen, Sherrie Rosenblum, Cantor Jordan Franzel (Temple Or Ami), Cantorial Intern Ted Labow (Temple Beth El—Hillsborough, NJ), and Cantor Elena Zarkh (Old York Road-Temple Beth Am).  Dessert reception. Free!

Some Enchanted Evening – Saturday, January 8, at 6:00 p.m.  favorite Broadway show tunes and light opera presented in intimate Cabaret style – stellar cast presented in cooperation with Astral Artistic Services.  Candlelight dinner – Italian or vegetarian.  $35/person Space is limited.  Reservations honored in order of receipt but no later than January 4.  Checks (payable to KI – Family Community Concerts) to KI, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA  19027.

Preschool and Religious School

Second Grade Family Education Program:  Sunday November 21, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Next Religious School Community Time:  Sunday December 12 at 11:15 a.m.  We will celebrate Hanukkah!

Hebrew Eagles Tees— 100% cotton long-sleeve tees with Eagles logo in Hebrew and English.  $18 either dark green with white print OR white with bright green print. Order by December 1. Proceeds benefit KIFTY. Information: Janet Luterman (215) 887-8700 x133. 

Annual Hat & Mitten Drive – Drop off items in Preschool hallway.  drive sponsored by the Preschool.

Social Action Opportunities

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 November 30 (last Tuesday of the month).    Information:  Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815. 

Federation Super Sunday - Please volunteer to make phone calls on Sunday, December 12, at Gratz College. If you are available from 9-12, 11-2, or 12-3 please call Caryl Levin at (215) 635-7078.

For the Consultation of Conscience – Join Jewish leaders and advocates from across the nation in Washington, DC, March 13-15, to hear from key policy and government leaders about the issues that shape our lives. To explore the connection between ancient Jewish texts and current events.  Information:  Clergy Office (215) 887-8702.

Ways To Get Involved

 Attention, Genuardi’s Shoppers – It is now time to renew your commitment to KI by renewing your membership in the eScrip program.  You may call eScrip toll-free at 1-800-801-4973 (have your Genuardi's Club Card number handy), or if you have access to the internet, simply go to eScrip.com and click on "YES! Renew."   If you have never participated, you may either sign up at Genuardi's, use the internet (www.eScrip.com), or find a form on our information stand in the lobby.  Remember, our Group name is Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, and our Group ID# is 1002448.

Shabbat Pulpit Flowers --You can now sponsor the Shabbat pulpit flowers in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baby naming, safe travel, recovery from illness, or any other happy occasion. You can also sponsor the flowers in memory of a recent passing or a Yahrzeit anniversary.  An acknowledgement will be listed in the weekly Shabbat folder recognizing your generosity. Please make your check for $45.00 payable to: "WRJ Sisterhood," and mail to, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, Attn: WRJ/Sisterhood-Pulpit Flowers.  Questions: Michele Gusdorff (215) 782-1446. Your information must be received at least one week in advance to be listed in the Shabbat folder.

Membership News—KI’s Membership Committee is looking for current members to partner with our new members and help them become integrated into the KI family. This is a great chance to discuss with new members all the cultural, religious and social action opportunities available at KI. If you are interested in participating, or just want to join the Membership Committee to share your love of KI with prospective members, please call Andy Brookman at (215) 887-0777.

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. Special Hanukkah hours November 29 through December 10.  Call Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926 or Administrative Office (215) 887-8700.