E-KI

December 23, 2004         Issue 51

 

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027   215.887.8700

 

Torah Time Online

Shabbat Vayechi – Genesis 47:28

I Kings 2:1

There is a famous Midrash about a group of blind people and an elephant. Each one touched a different part of the animal and then described the elephant based on their own particular perceptions.  One compared the elephant to a long tube.  A second portrayed the elephant as an enormous barrel.  A third, feeling the elephant’s ears, depicted it as resembling large drapes.  Each person described what they felt--accurate as a part of the elephant, but completely misleading as a representation of the entire animal.

That same discrepancy between individual perception and objective reality recurs every day.  All of us view the world through our own eyes, listen to its sounds through our own ears. As a result, we often do not recognize the larger import of events because we are chained to our own particularity.  The result is that we often fail to perceive the larger picture.

That same inability to see the larger picture is exemplified by the fears of Joseph’s brothers.  In the Torah story the entire family—the patriarch Jacob and the eleven remaining sons—had moved to Egypt upon Joseph’s recommendation.  They settled in Goshen and busied themselves herding sheep.  Throughout this time, the courtier, Joseph, treated his family with great honor and love.

 But with the death of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers become terrified that there were no longer any restraints on their powerful sibling.  Perhaps, they reasoned, Joseph was kind to us and protected us for our father’s sake, out of respect for his feelings.  Now that our father no longer lives, our brother will seek revenge on us for all the evil we did to him. From the perspective of the brothers, what they did to Joseph was certainly unforgivable.  

Joseph looks at the bigger picture and struggles to understand what happened from God’s vantage point.  So he says, "Have no fear!  Am I a substitute for God?  Besides, although you intended me harm, God intended it for good, so as to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.  And so, fear not.  I will sustain you and your children.”

 From the human perspective, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery.  From the divine perspective, they initiated a process that would assure the survival of countless human beings many years later. Like Joseph’s brothers, we must be responsible for our own actions from our own perspective.  But like Joseph himself, we also need to look to a higher, more encompassing vision of what life can be.  Joseph’s response is a reminder that we do not assign ultimate meaning—God does.

 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Worship & Study Opportunities

This Week – “Shultide” on Friday, December 24 - Chinese dinner at 6:00 p.m.  Reservations required.  Special music program.  Shabbat Evening 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).

In the Week Ahead – Friday, December 31 — Shabbat Evening Service at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Saturday, January 1 —  Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Lounge; Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.  D’var Torah – Sallie Olson.

Coming Up – Tot Shabbat on Friday, January 14, at 6:00 p.m.  Family dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Rothschild Auditorium.  $5/children  $10/adults by January 7.  $8/child  $12/adult after January 7.  Information:  Fran Braslow (215) 887-8704.

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  - 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: Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides, 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.

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 member 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 in 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.

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!!

Social Action Opportunities

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.