E-KI

December 9, 2004         Issue 49

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Miketz – Genesis 41:1

Zechariah 2:14

 

Miracle of Miracles

 

Don’t let anybody kid you:  Hanukkah is important.  It may not be in the Torah.  It may not even be in the Bible but it is important, real important!  Hanukkah was the first post-Biblical holiday developed by the Jewish people.  Its mere inclusion in the calendar testifies to the flexibility and developmental nature of our tradition.  Second, Hanukkah celebrates miracles, and not just the miracle of the oil but miracles “baz’man hazeh,” miracles in our own day. 

What’s a miracle?  There are technical and problematic definitions of miracles.  There are also poetic and metaphorical understandings of the miraculous.  Everyone, hopefully, has had an experience of something wondrous in their life, something luminous.  The lights of the Hanukkah menorah remind us that there are miracles, large and small, in each of our lives.

What are the miracles “of our time?”   Life is a miracle.  Love is a miracle. Unexpected forgiveness is a miracle.   Healing is a miracle.  A new day is a miracle.   Rediscovered courage is a miracle.   The break of day is a miracle.  A night sky of stars is a miracle.  Even in memory, you can find a miracle.

Each night of Hanukkah, as you light your Menorah, think about the miracles, small and large, real or poetic, which inform your life.  Each one of is a blessing.  Each one is a ray light. Each one is a “candle of hope.”

 

A happy and light-filled Hanukkah!

 

Shabbat Shalom!

 

Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week, Friday, December 10 – Hanukkah Extravaganza!    Tot Shabbat Service at  6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Lighting of Giant Menorah and congregational dinner at 6:30 p.m.  (by reservation only).  Shabbat Hanukkah Service at 8:00 p.m. featuring Adult Volunteer Choir and Shir Joy (our Junior Choir), 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.

In the Week Ahead – Friday, December 17 - Blue Jeans Shabbat at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Lounge with a special presentation on Camp Harlam by Acting Director, Frank DeWoskin.  New Member Shabbat Service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Prospective members are welcome to join us as well.   

Coming up – “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.  Israeli dancing with Rak-Dan!  Jointly sponsored by KI Music Arts Committee and Brotherhood.

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.

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.

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 Council 60+ - Deanne S. Comer, Holocaust Education in the Public School:  How Does It Work?” – Thursday., January  13.  Lunch at 11:30 a.m.  KI member luncheon fee is $8.00 with a reservation by January 5, $10.00 for guests and reservations after January 5.  Send checks to K.I., Attn: Cultural Council.  Information:  Doris Parker, 215-886-9267. 

Free Career Counseling and Job Placement – program for Jewish women up to age 55, who are unemployed or under-employed and live in the Delaware Valley.  Contact Jewish Educational & Vocational Service Career Strategies cs@jevs.org or (215) 854-1874.

Cultural Opportunities

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!

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.]

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. 

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

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.

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.

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.