E-KI

December 16, 2004         Issue 50

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Vayigash – Genesis 44:18

Ezekiel 37:15

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, Joseph decides to reveal his true identity to his brothers. Joseph up to this point uses his family’s assumptions concerning his fate since his brothers had thrown him into the pit. From that point on, they did not really know what happened to him, and apparently, he had no contact with his family until they came to buy food from him.  

His brothers understand the situation differently.  From their point of view, they have come to get food from one of the most powerful people in Egypt—indeed, in the entire region. Their behavior is tailored to that situation. In some sense, until Joseph identifies himself to his brothers, we get two stories for the price of one. The brothers are hungry for food; Joseph is hungry for revenge.

Once Joseph decides that he must tell his brothers the truth, he realizes It is impossible for him to rejoin his family from his current position. To do so, he must make a dramatic change that will change his status at once and will enable the reunion. Joseph asks his guards to go out of the room and leave him alone with the guests. Through this act, Joseph makes a much larger symbolic statement, he strips himself of all the characteristics that define him as an important person. Joseph stands alone and revealed. Now he can again become a member of the family. He is one of them—neither higher nor lower in status or power.

Joseph understood the actions that were required to rejoin his brothers on an equal level, as part of a common story. His acts helped build a new relationship, and began the long journey toward reconciliation.

Joseph's behavior did not weaken him; instead, it expanded his possibilities. He didn't lose his power, and he gained something tremendous--the ability to be himself in the deepest sense, and thus to interact authentically with others.

The struggles we have with those close to us are real. The pain, anger, and hurt that we feel cannot be denied. But that cannot be the end of the story. As the Book of Genesis repeatedly reminds us, brothers and sisters may at times find themselves in conflict, but they can achieve reconciliation. Our Torah teaches us that with effort we can mature emotionally and spiritually, put our anger, our rivalry and our conflicts aside, and realize the true depth of the family bonds that sustain us and keep us together. Then we will truly understand the words, "Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together as one."

 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week – 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.  

In the Week Ahead – “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.  Saturday, December 25 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Lounge; Shabbat Havurah Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel:  Torah Reader—Sallie Olson; D’var Torah—Norman Olson; Service Leaders—Bobbi Weiss (English) and Louis Wolf (Hebrew).

Coming Up – Shabbat Evening Services on Friday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) will begin at 6:00 p.m.

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:  The New Rabbi, a congregation searches for its leader, by Stephen Fried; The Slow Way Back, by Judy Goldman; Reporting Live, by Lesley Stahl; Mr. Sammler's Planet, by Saul Bellow; Taking Judaism Personally: creating a meaningful spiritual life, by Judy Petsonk.  For Children: Alexandra's Scroll, a story of the first Hanukkah, by Miriam Chaikin; All the Lights in the Night, by Arthur Levin, illustrated by James E. Ransome; Day of Delight, a Jewish Sabbath in Ethiopia, by Maxine Rose Schur; Daniel the Wise, by Marcus Lehman; Bar Mitzvah, by David Mamet.

Adult Ed Classes – Movie: Crimes & Misdemeanors at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 19 – Bella Friesel; Jewish Supreme Court Justices with Dr. Norman Olson on Sunday, January 9, at 10:00 a.m.; Advanced Beginners’ Hebrew with Rabbi Rav Soloff on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., from January 13 to February 24; Book discussion: Reading Lolita in Tehran (Azar Nafisi), led by Fredda Segal, on Wednesday, January 12, at 2:00 p.m. ; Rabbi’s Spring Forum – Entering the Gates of Prayer – with Rabbi Peter Rigler on Sundays, January 30 and February 6 at 9:45 a.m.

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.  Admission is free and open to the public.

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. 

Lunch ‘n’ Learn – about the Torah portion of the week with Rabbi Sussman in Center City on Thursday, January 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m.  Call the Clergy Office  by noon on Wednesday, January 19, for reservations and information.  If you would like to receive e-mail reminders about Lunch ‘n’ Learn, call the Clergy Office (215) 887-8702.

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

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. 

Junior KIFTY Field Trip – on Tuesday, December 28 – 7^th & 8^th graders – noon to 6:00 p.m. – Lunch, movies and the King of Prussia Mall!  Watch for flyer!!

KIFTY Winter Camp – on Wednesday, December 29 – 3^rd through 6^th graders – 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Movies, lunch and crafts!  Watch for flyer!!

Annual Hat & Mitten Drive – Drop off items in Preschool hallway.  Drive sponsored by the Preschool.  Runs until December 24^th.

Social Action Opportunities

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

Martin Luther King Day Service—Join us for a community observance of Martin Luther King Day at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 17, 2005, at LaMott A.M.E. Church.The service is sponsored by the Cheltenham Area Multifaith Council.  Further details to follow.

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   Please contact Jessica Charmont jcharmont@philafederation.org (215) 832-0855.

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.