E-KI December 30, 2004 Issue 52
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215.887.8700
Torah Time Online Shabbat Shemot – Exodus 1:1 Isaiah 27:6 Exodus: The creation of our people This week we begin the book of Exodus. Exodus, or Shemot (“names” in Hebrew), is a very different book from Genesis in both content and form. Genesis was the story of a family. Many of us relate well to the conflicts, the tensions, and the travails that the family of Abraham experienced over the years. In Genesis we begin in the Garden of Eden and we end in Egypt – together, reunited, but forever changed. Exodus is the story of a people. Almost immediately the names of the sons are converted into tribes; we are told they came down as seventy but then they multiplied. In the first twelve lines we read descriptions of how our people were fertile and prolific, multiplying, increasing greatly, spreading out and growing. The more they pushed us down, the more we thrived. But it was not biology alone that created Am Yisrael – it was a shared history and a commitment to our heritage. There has been much debate in recent years about the “truth” of the Exodus story. Were we really in Egypt? Did the Jews build the pyramids? Questions such as these may never be answered. However one might wonder, if we were not in Egypt why would someone invent such a story? The answer, according to my Bible teacher, Dr. David Sperling, is to create an identity as a people. If the Jews were never in Egypt they needed to create a collective narrative. Just as the Americans fought the British for the sake of freedom and representation in order to become the land of the free, so too did we Jews emerge from slavery dedicated to ridding the world of oppression. Regardless of whether or not we were actually in Egypt, the story of this week’s Torah portion creates the identity of our people. Having lived through this horrible experience, we as a people are devoted to helping others who are strangers in a land, who are persecuted, or who are downtrodden. This week the world has experienced a loss so great we are just beginning to comprehend it. Like every citizen of the world, we as Americans have been called upon to help. As fellow human beings we are asked to open our hearts and our wallets to those whose lives have been devastated. As Jews we are not asked, we are commanded to help our brothers and sisters across the globe - to feed the hungry, to nourish the orphans, the widows, the sick and the weak. If you have not already sent a donation, the Union for Reform Judaism is accepting checks that will be distributed to appropriate agencies. Please see the information below. As we read this week about the formation of our people, may we as Am Yisrael work to help all those in need both in our community and around the world.
The Reform community has a long and strong history of generosity when floods or earthquakes devastate communities, when houses of worship burn in the fires of racial prejudice, when terrorism causes havoc, and when other disasters cause untold harm to people across the planet. In such times, the Union activates the Union Disaster Fund for contributions, which are then forwarded to appropriate agencies
Union for Reform
Judaism Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI
Worship & Study Opportunities This Week – 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. English Reader – Norman Brody; Torah and Haftarah Reader – Ira Bartnick; D’var Torah – Sallie Olson. In the Week Ahead – Friday, January 7 – Family Shabbat Service at 7:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, led by the 9th Grade of our Religious School. Saturday, January 8 – Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m., when we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Justin Ross Handler, son of Jo-Anne and Todd Handler. 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. Attention, Singers!!! – Please join the Adult Volunteer Choir for ongoing rehearsals on Tuesday nights, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. We are preparing for the Shabbat service on February 11, “Our Cantorial Legacy.” 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: 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 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.
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. 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 Northeast Philadelphia! 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 January 27 (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.
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