E-KI

December 2, 2004         Issue 48

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Vayeshev – Genesis 37:1

Amos 2:6

In my family we have a joke. Whenever one of us wants to do something that we can’t really explain, something that often comes with a great sacrifice of time or money, we say - It’s the “right” thing to do.  That tends to end the discussion. 

This week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev tells two stories.  One is of Joseph’s descent to the land of Egypt.  The other is a story about Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers, and his daughter-in-law Tamar. In both stories we find examples of people who tried to do the “right” thing.

Joseph wanted to share with his brothers the information he learned in his dream, thinking they would benefit from knowledge about the future.  His brothers found this to be arrogant.  When Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him, one brother, Reuben, stood up and said, “We should not kill him but rather throw him into a pit,” with the hopes that he, himself, would save Joseph later—a daring move given that he had ten brothers united against him.  Joseph, later in the story when he was in Egypt, refused to sleep with his master’s wife, even though she assured him there would be no consequence.  His refusal landed him in jail. 

Tamar’s story is a bit more complex.  Her husband, Judah’s son, died.  Tamar was promised to Judah’s next oldest son, as was the custom.  (Women were supposed to marry the next available kin in order to produce a son to carry on the father’s name.) The second son also died.  Judah, having only one son left, did not want Tamar to marry the youngest son.  After a period of many years Tamar tricked her father-in-law into sleeping with her in order to have a child in her late husband’s name. Her move was bold and risky, but she was trying to honor her husband’s memory. 

In all of these stories individuals are not rewarded right away for their acts of courage and bravery.  I find this is often the case when you do the “right” thing.  Standing up and doing what is right rarely has immediate rewards.  More often, as was often the case in Vayeshev, doing the right thing comes with a price.  Where the reward comes for each of the individuals is generations later; their children or grandchildren are rewarded by the choices they make.  This lesson resonates with us today.  It is sometimes those moments of risk, those moments of righteousness, that are the stories we are most proud to share with our children and grandchildren.  At the time we may question how we could take such a stand, but looking back we know, without a doubt, despite the risks and the losses, it was the right thing to do. 

 

Shabbat Shalom!

 

Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler

 

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week, Friday, December 3 – Family Shabbat Service at 7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, led by the 8^th Grade in our Religious School.   Saturday, December 4 –Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Upstairs Minyan at 10:30 a.m. in the Library:  Torah Reader—Linda Nesvisky; D’var Torah—Allen Britton, Service Leaders—Evelyn Ringold (English), Irv Matusow (Hebrew).

Hanukkah – come join your KI family for the first night of Hanukkah.  We will be lighting our first light on our Giant Menorah at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, in the lobby.

In the Week Ahead – Friday, December 10 – Hanukkah Extravaganza!    Tot Shabbat Service at  6:00 p.m.  Lighting of Giant Menorah and congregational dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Space is filling up fast for the dinner – reserve now! [Before December 3, $11.50/adult  $7.50/child.  After December 3 $12.75/adult  $9.00/child.  Information:  (215) 887-8704.]  Shabbat Hanukkah Service at 8:00 p.m. featuring Adult Volunteer Choir and our Junior Choir, Shir Joy, plus the Hebrew Hammers (our new teen band).  Special Hanukkah Game Show Oneg.  Saturday, December 11 –Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Robby Scott Raben, son of Lisa and Luke Cabanel and Cliff Raben.

Coming up –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!

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.) For Adults:  Dorit Rabinyan, Strand of Pearls; Michael Chabon,The Final Solution, a detective story; Elisa Klapheck, Fraulein Rabbiner Jonas, the story of the first woman rabbi; Rabbi Benjamin Blech,Eyewitness to Jewish History; David Liss, The Coffee Trader.  For Children: Braid the Challah, a board book by Betty Paluch, illus. by Patti Argoff; Pappa's Lattkes, by Michelle Edwards, illus. by Stacey Schuett; Walking the Bible, an illustrated journey through the greatest story ever told, by Bruce Feiler; Miriam, by Beatrice Kormley ( a retelling of the Biblical story for young adults); The Coat of Many Colors, by Jenny Koralek and Pauline Baynes.

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.  Sponsored by the KI Outreach Committee.

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.

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.

Rabbi Sussman Lecture - A House Divided Against Itself:  American Jews in the Civil War – Monday, December 20, at 8:00 p.m. at Temple Sinai in Dresher.

Cultural Opportunities

Israeli Folk Dancing -- with Don Schillinger, RAK-DAN Israeli Dancing, on Mondays from 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm. in the Rothschild Auditorium.  Program runs  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 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!

Tradition Reflected: The Hebrew Bible in American Stained Glass–Exhibition at the Temple Judea Museum in cooperation with The Willet Stained Glass Studios and Rambusch Studios. Continues through January 14, 2005.

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

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. Supplies are limited. Proceeds benefit KIFTY. Information: Janet Luterman (215) 887-8700 x133. 

Preschool Hanukkah Havurah – Sunday, December 5, 4:00-6:00 p.m.  Make a family Hanukkiah. Make latkes, spin dreidels, celebrate with friends.  Bring a brown bag dinner.  RSVP Preschool: (215) 885-2425.

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

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

Social Action Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to help feed hungry Jews in the Northeast!  Volunteers are needed to deliver Shabbat packages from the Mitzvah Food Pantry at Congregation Beth Sholom on the first and third Thursday of each month. The packages can be picked up between  11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m   Program set to begin on Thursday, December 2.  Please contact Jessica Charmont jcharmont@philafederation.org (215) 832-0855.

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.

Red Cross Blood Drive—Wednesday, December 22, 1:30—7:30 p.m. at KI.  Appointments are preferred.  Call 215-451-4326.

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 December 28 (last Tuesday of the month).    Information:  Gladys Segal (215) 635-5815. 

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 and to explore the connection between ancient Jewish texts and current events.  Conference sponsored by URJ’s Religious Action Center.  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.