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KI InfoPresident’s Oil, Oil Everywhere – The Beginning of the End of OPEC?Message As someone who remembers the first oil embargo It has always been difficult to swallow the idea thatArnold Meshkov by OPEC in 1973 (long lines for gasoline, every other the United States has an “ally” in the Saudis. is isPresident day purchases based on the last number of your license a country that denies its women basic human rights, plate), driving down the road and seeing that a gallon and is brutal to any political opposition. It is the KI at Your of gas is less than $2 is pretty remarkable. My initial philosophical home of radical Islam, a philosophy that Fingertips reaction to the dramatic drop in gas prices was that this continues to brutalize the world, and in particular its is good news – more cash in people’s pockets, better for own people in the Middle East. Many of us remember Remember to the economy. the photos of President Bush holding hands with the check e-KI or Saudi king with some slight nausea. But perhaps not so great and not so fast. In the Keneseth last 10 years, through fracking technology, the United We as Jews have an obligation to protect the world Israel.org States has become a net exporter of oil and gas. Even and its environment, as the Torah and our texts teach Israel, a country that Golda Meir bemoaned as the that these are gifts from God, and that we do not have for the latest KI only country in the Middle East without oil under its permanent ownership of anything. So even with the weekly news ground, has found vast supplies of natural gas just off attraction of cheap gasoline and oil, let’s not yield to and events. its coast. Many countries in Europe, such as Germany the temptation to return to our old ways of living. and the Scandinavian countries, have become very Continue to watch your thermostat, and use public serious about using alternative energy such as solar transportation when you can. Consider buying that and wind. France, for better or worse, gets most of hybrid car, and maybe when the new Tessla comes out its energy from nuclear power. Even the automobile take a look at it. industry has helped out after decades of resistance, increasing fuel efficiency greatly. e Prius has become I found this Midrash on Ecclesiastes on the Internet, a common sight on the roads, and I even see solar and it summarizes my feelings and maybe yours as well: panels on roofs in Pennsylvania. “When God created the first human beings, God let In response to this shift in energy policy, the major them around the Garden of Eden and said:‘Look at my player in the OPEC manipulation game, Saudi Arabia, works! See how beautiful they are – how excellent! For has continued to produce much more oil than the your sake I created them all. See to it that you do not demand justifies. As oil costs the Saudis about $7 a spoil and destroy My world; for if you do, there will be barrel to produce, even at current prices they make no one else to repair it.’” (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah, 1 billions. Although in the short-term, the Saudis may on Ecclesiastes 7:13). be successful, is this the beginning of the end of the influence of oil-producing countries in world politics? Happy Spring and looking forward to Passover! Let’s hope so, for the betterment of the world and for Israel.2 MARCH 2016

From the BimahHaman and Modern Anti-Semitism ere’s an old Jewish saying that “when the ( Jewish) dormant here in the U.S. ere are some signs the Rabbi’smonth of Adar begins, happiness increases!” e beast is trying to get out of the box here too, but we Messagereason for the expansion of happiness at this time of have allies and resources we can and should employ.year is because the holiday of Purim takes place on the Second, through our various agencies, we need Rabbi Lance J.13th day of Adar (actually, Adar II this year), which to keep pressure on the governments in the UK, Sussman, Ph.D.corresponds to the secular date of March 23. As always, France and Germany not to cave and give any officialwe will read the Megillah, make a lot of noise and host approval to anti-Semitism. We also need to continuethe OYR community Purim carnival. It is going to be to challenge the official sponsors of anti-Semitism,a blast. including countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, through diplomatic channels, and terrorist groups like ISIS, Of course, there is a dark side to Purim and that Hamas, Hezbollah and the rest of them, throughis the story of Haman and his evil plan to destroy counter-terrorism and active media work.the Jews of ancient Persia. We celebrate becauseHaman failed, and have a great time at the expense of Purim is fun. It gives us a chance to laugh in the faceour persecutors. But it is dark humor because there of danger and there is danger abroad today. Hard toare still too many Hamans out there, even today. imagine a world without an active Haman, but untilContemporary anti-Semitism is both different and the then, let’s make some noise, have some fun for ourselvessame as anti-Semitism in the past. On the one hand, and show our determination to our enemies.anti-Semitism is at an all time low in the United States.On the other hand, anti-Semitism is raging in many with Rabbi Lance Sussmanother, if not most places, in the world today. All you wanted to know about Passover but were afraid to ask! Anti-Semitism in the United States has largelybecome marginalized to the extremes of both the left Sing-a-long to yourand right of the political spectrum and some extreme favorite Passoverreligious organizations. But for the most part, it is songs!only significant in American Jewish life because of itsabsence. I recently asked my Confirmation Class if any RSVP to theof them had been directly affected by anti-Semitism. &OHUJ\ RI¿FHNone of them had a significant encounter in their own 215-887-8702lives. Today, American Jews live, work and play prettymuch wherever they want. Of course, in many places,anti-Semitism is dormant rather than extinct. It cancome back. But for the time being, anti-Semitism isdown in America and support for Israel is solid. It is aremarkable Purim moment in Jewish history. By contrast, all across Europe and the MiddleEast, even in South America and the Far East, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is growing. It is beingfueled by traditional stereotypes of Jews as greedy andconspiratorial, by direct campaigning, by anti-Semiticregimes and organizations, by the complexities of theArab-Israeli-Muslim conflict and by how that conflictis covered in the world media. In short it is a mess.Even C. Merkel, the leader of Germany, was forced toadmit anti-Semitism is growing again in Germany andnot just among Germany’s Muslims. More and more,Jews and Judaism are less welcome today than theywere yesterday in many places around the world. What can we do about the resurgence of globalanti-Semitism? First, we need to make sure it remainsWant to suppor t KI? Ca ll 215-887-8700 or vi s i t w w w.kene s e t hi s r a el.or g. Tha nk you! SHALOM KI 3

From the Bimah Here Comes the Fun: Beatles Take Over Purim at KICantor’s Purim atMessage KI is not to be missed, andAmy E. Levy once again, theCantor spirit of fun will be in the air thanks to Travel in time to the days of “peace, love and rock “a little help n’ roll,” and experience the story of Queen Esther set from my in song to your favorite Beatles melodies. e set friends” – our list includes:“It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night” sung by talented Quest Vashti, to the song “It’s Purim” sung to the popular Noar students! Beatles’ tune “She Loves You.” As if the songs weren’t enough, Quest Noar students will be performing their e own choreography as well – this is one gifted group of festivities students!! So don’t just “Let it Be” … join us! will begin on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. with a Brown Bag Dinner, followed by a 7:00 p.m. Megillah Reading and Beatles Purim Musical. Please join us as our Quest Noar students present “ e Beatles’ Purim.” Students performing include: Jessie Knapp, Rachel Reale, Oren Schwartz, Rachel Eisenman, Daria Lapidus, Naomi Guth, Jared Glass, Emily Kane and Jacob Kane. Cantor Levy is directing the musical and Bonnie Kane is assisting with the Beatles costumes and sets. Kehillah CORE VALUE Bernstein Tribute A Rousing Success More than 900 people attended our Bernstein program on January 31st! We are so grateful that our Old York Road community is united by Jewish musical experiences! Special thanks to my talented colleagues and friends I am blessed to work with: Cantor Amy E. Levy, Elena Zarkh, Rebecca Wolpert Schwartz, Jeffrey S.Weber, Cantor Josh Gordon, organ virtuoso Andrew Senn and pianist Mark Daugherty, more than 65 fantastic singers who rehearsed endlessly, Rabbi Jeffry Schnitzer, percussionist, harpist Samantha Wittchen, and wonderful boy soprano OwenYoder. - Hazzan David Tilman4 MARCH 2016

WorshipPurimPurim is celebrated by the reading of the Scroll Purim is an unusual holiday.of Esther, known in Hebrew as the Megillat Esther. Esther is the only Book of the Bibleis story takes place in the land of in which God is notPersia (today’s Iran) at the time when mentioned. Over time, HamanAhasuerus was king. Under his rule, became the embodiment of every anti-Haman, the King’s prime minister, Semite in every land where Jews wereplots to exterminate all of the Jews of oppressed. e significance of Purim isPersia. His plan is foiled by Queen not how it began, but what it has becomeEsther and her cousin Mordechai, who - a thankful and joyous affirmation ofultimately save the Jews of the land from destruction. Jewish survival against all odds.Traditionally, congregations read the Megillah at In the Book of Esther, we read that Purim is aservices on Purim. When the name of Haman is read, time for “feasting and merrymaking” as well as for KI On The Radiothey use noisemakers to drown out his name. “sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor” WWDB 860 AM (Esther 9:22). In addition to reading the Megillah, Shabbat Morning Service at 10 a.m. celebrants dress up in Includes a broadcast of Friday costumes; have festive Night’s Sermon. Radio broadcasts are parties; perform sponsored by theTyson Radio Fund. silly theatrical Our Main adaptations of the Sanctuary is looped for those story called “Purim who have T Coil- Enabled Hearing spiels”; send baskets aids or cochlear implant processors. Additionally, the of food to friends FM system is also available. called mishloach manot; and give gifts to the poor called matanot l’evyonim. In addition we eat Hamantaschen,1JDUVSFE
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XXXLFOFTFUIJTSBFMPSH$BQJUPM4UFQTMarch Worship ScheduleFriday, March 4 5:30 p.m. Havdalah 5:30 p.m. 4th Grade 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Friday, March 25Shabbat Shekalim - Service Havdalah Service Morning Service ShabbatTzav –Vayakhel – Exodus Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Bar Mitzvah ofTyler Leviticus 6:135:1 Samuel Glass Friday, March 18 Jordan Kramaroff 8:00 p.m. Shabbat8:00 p.m. Shabbat Shabbat Zachor – 2:00 p.m. Rydal Park Evening ServiceEvening Service Friday, March 11 Vayikra – Leviticus 1:1 Shabbat Shabbat Pekudei – 5:45 p.m.Tot Shabbat Saturday, March 26Saturday, March 5 Exodus 38:21 7:00 p.m. Family Wednesday, March 23 9:00 a.m.Torah Study9:00 a.m.Torah Study 8:00 p.m. Shabbat Shabbat Service w/ 7:30 p.m. Erev Purim 10:30 a.m. Shabbat10:30 a.m. Shabbat Evening Service Shir Joy – led by 5th Megillah Reading & Morning ServiceMorning Service grade Shpiel Bat Mitzvah of Nicole Saturday, March 12 Lillian Farber 9:00 a.m.Torah Study Saturday, March 19 Thursday, March 24 10:30 a.m. Shabbat SHALOM KI 5 Morning Service 9:00 a.m.Torah Study PurimWant to suppor t KI? Ca ll 215-887-8700 or vi s i t w w w.kene s e t hi s r a el.or g. Tha nk you!

Youth and Education Survey Says: Thumbs Up on JQuest B’YachadJQuest e results are in: JQuest B’Yachad is working. Fall While the overall tone of the survey of parents assessments completed by students and parents were and students was very positive there was concernRabbi Stacy then analyzed by Arlene B. Holtz, Ph.D., a professional over Hebrew. is is understandable as it is the mostEskovitz Rigler, in the field of Jewish Educational Evaluation and chair significant curricular change. We have been evaluatingDirector of of the JQuest B’Yachad evaluation committee. the Hebrew program carefully, tracking every studentReligious individually in 4th to 6th grade, and including moreEducation We are thrilled to see that the data indicates an practice time to ensure all students are meeting overall positive perception of JQuest B’Yachad among predetermined benchmarks for Hebrew decoding. families. Ninety-five percent of the students report that they are “happy” or “satisfied” there. Eighty-nine percent Logistics was another area of concern; we know the of the students have made a new friend and 90% of the issue of location is a challenging one. JQuest B’Yachad students report that they are learning. seeks to create a seamless experience for parents, but also honor the deep connections that our families feel As there is no baseline data on family satisfaction for their congregations. We read in the survey both a prior to this school year, we will use the data from sense of frustration and an understandable sense of this initial survey to chart progress going forward. loss for past experiences. We understand that each Follow-up parent, teacher and student surveys will be synagogue gave up something significant to form this conducted in March 2016. new endeavor. e location and logistics are symbolic We found that the data was similar across the three of this loss however the overall synagogues and the rate of excitement for the new friendships response to the survey was being made has us hopeful. consistent with the overall percentage of enrollment. e educators are working to address the feedback, and are happy e responses, especially to answer any questions about the the open-ended comments, program. e JQuest leadership indicate that the students deeply appreciates the willingness of are coming together to our KI community to come with us on this journey as create a new community and the parents are interested we help our kids bring Jewish learning to life. in forming their own new community. Preschool Preschool Art Program Launches “older babies” and created a young toddlers’ room just News for them. is is an exciting development for our During the last month, Rita Poley, the TJ Museum school and its future and allows us to provide the best Liz Sussman, M. Ed. Director, has been hard at work getting ready to launch in developmentally focused education. Director of Early our Preschool’s Arts Alive Program. Our gallery is Childhood now ready and open. It is beautiful and filled with We all know what is coming up! It’s Purim: Judaism’s Education art and workstations. KI artist, Marlene Adler, has “Mardi Gras” with fun, noise begun working with our students, and singing. at means masks,6 MARCH 2016 teaching them about art studios and noisemakers and a big selection the creation of new art. Rita and of Purim songs! e costumes are Marlene have also lined up other KI going to be great from tiny Queen artists to serve as volunteers for the Esthers to the latest in super and Arts Alive Program. e response Disney heroes. has been unbelievable and we have Before you know it, we will artists ready to go for the next 12 be announcing enrollment for months! It is going to be fabulous our summer programs and fall and we will have a grand opening on enrollment as well. Be on the Sunday, March 6th. lookout for more information about our Junior Kindergarten is month, we also opened a new classroom for our one year-olds. class opening in the fall! ings are good at the KI By the end of 2015, it was clear that our Infant Center Preschool. So hold tight and be ready as we continue to was at capacity and that new little ones were already go from “strength to strength.” being enrolled for 2016. So we created a class for our

Lifelong Learning Ahavat Israel CORE VALUEA Piece of KI History Revealed An Israel to EnjoyBy Rita Rosen Poley By Bill Dodies e museum’s winter exhibition is drawn totally from the Four guys are standing on a street corner... an TJM permanent collection. As such it is a powerful statement of American, a Russian, a Chinese man...and an Israeli. the museum’s fulfillment of its mission to preserve the breadth of A reporter comes up to the group and says to them, the history of the Jewish people. “Excuse me....what’s your opinion on the meat shortage? e exhibition, Waiting for God, showcases artist Kezia e American says:“What’s a shortage?” e RussianLechner’s powerful series. In beautifully expressive works the artist tells a story says,”What’s meat?” e Chinese man says,”What’s anof the tremendous loss and suffering the Jewish people endured during the opinion”? e Israeli says;“What’s ‘“excuse me?’”Holocaust. To augment the artist’s gift to our collection, I chose objects fordisplay that would add a further dimension. Some are contemporary to the Excuse me, but is there anything going on in IsraelHolocaust and some refer to earlier times of crisis in Jewish history. other than the ongoing Arab – Israeli conflict? You betHere are just a few: there is. ere is the Israeli Philharmonic, founded by Bronislaw Huberman before Israel was even a state,Der jude als Rasseschänder staffed by the top instrumentalists of Europe, and first( e Jew as Race Ravisher) conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Today it is recognized as one of the top symphonic groups in the world. ere is very rare, 1934 anti-Semitic book is the is the wonderful Batsheva Ballet, the outstanding operamuseum’s most recent gift, received from Jeanne and companies in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, BeershevaDr. Arnold Brenman as the exhibition was being and countless choral groups in almost every city andinstalled. It purports to show the dangers for “Aryan” town in Israel (my own daughter sang for 20 years inGerman women when having contact with the chorus of Hod Hasharon.) Many drama troupesJewish men. from Shakespeare to O’Neill -- almost any cultural activity you can name. e Israeli film festival has wonJudith’s Prayer many accolades and films in many languages are shownEngraving, 1875 almost daily.Judith, a woman of Bethulia, works deliverance for her city—and thus for allJudea and Jerusalem—by bewitching the Assyrian captain, Holofernes, and Much of the amazing cultural explosion in Israelcutting off his head. is due to (may I say it?) IMMIGRATION! Israel’s economic miracle is due as much to immigration asLondon Sunday Express, 1933 anything else. In 1948 the population was 800,000.Germans Deny Persecution, “Name One Jew Who Has Died” Dr. Goebbels Today, it is almost eight million. Foreign-born citizensGift of Alma Finestone of Israel currently account for over one third of Israel’sAs Propaganda Minister, Goebbels exerted totalitarian control over the media, population. is is almost three times the ratio ofarts and information in Germany. He established a propaganda technique foreigners to natives in the United States. Israel isknown as “ e Big Lie” based on the principle that a lie, if audacious enough now home to more than 70 different nationalitiesand if stated with sufficient conviction and repetition, will be accepted as truth and cultures. is diversity, this amalgam of differentby the masses. peoples has only added to the cultural development and expansion of expression of the country. Between 1990Dachau Chess Set and 2000, 800,000 olim from the former Soviet UnionEngraved: Camp Dachau 1946 SS immigrated to Israel.Gift of Dr. Andrew WoldowAfter the war the Dachau Concentration Natan Sharansky said:“For us in the Soviet Union,Camp became a prison for German Nazis we received with our mothers milk the knowledge thatawaiting trial -- this chess set was made and because you are a Jew, you had to be exceptional in yourused by prisoners awaiting trial. profession - whether it was chess, music, mathematics, medicine, or ballet - that was the only way to buildPurge; e Nazi Seizure of Power, 1995 some kind of protection for yourself, because you wouldAltered book, matches always be starting from behind.” So this, too, is theArtist Doug Beube’s powerful work of book story of Israel -- it started in tough circumstances butarts sets a Nazi propaganda book “aflame” as soon excelled as a nation. May it go from strength toa reference to the Nazi burning of strength.Jewish books. Shalom and L’hitraot!Want to suppor t KI? Ca ll 215-887-8700 or vi s i t w w w.kene s e t hi s r a el.or g. Tha nk you! SHALOM KI 7

Lifelong LearningAward Winners, New Titles, Purim Books at Meyers LibraryBy Ellen Tilman Every year the Association of Jewish Libraries be shunned. e final Adult Book Discussion session Library Programsselects books to receive its Sydney Taylor Book of the year will take place on Tuesday, May 10. e At a GlanceAwards. ese are given in three categories to titles title is TBA.that best portray the Jewish experience. I am honored Jewish Film Series March 15to serve on this prestigious committee and in June, Adult BookI will become the committee e Meyers Library sponsors a Jewish Film Series Discussion Groupchair. e winner for younger in conjunction with the KI Community Nightchildren, Ketzel the Cat Who Program and e Temple Judea Museum. e March 20Composed by Leslea Newman, final film in the series, e Woman in Gold will be Polis Memorial Plateis based on a true story. Ketzel, shown on Tuesday evening April 5. Dedicationa pet of Jewish composer, Memorial Plate DedicationMorris Moshe Cotel, wrote April 5an award-winning one minute e Meyers Library received a generous Jewish Film Series:piano composition. is is a beautifully illustrated, donation in memory of longtime library volunteer, The Woman in Goldheartwarming story. Adam and omas by Aharon Robert Polis. We will affix a memorial plate toAppelfeld won in the older category. Appelfeld, an a Young Adult bookcase on Sunday morning, KI authorIsraeli author, tells the story of two young boys who March 20 at 10:00 a.m. to commemorate this gift. Judy Maslin willsurvive the last winter of World War II living in the Please join us and the Polis family for this event. speak about herwoods and helping each other. e Hired Girl by Refreshments will be served. newly publishedLaura Amy Schlitz won the STBA for teen readers. New Books in Our Collection book,Also a National Jewish Book Award winner, it’s the Rabbi and Judy:story of Joan, a 14-year old Catholic girl, who becomes e Philadelphia Jewish Genealogical Society of A Memoira domestic for a Jewish family in Baltimore where she Greater Philadelphia was looking for a new home for on Sunday,learns and grows in unexpected ways. All of these titles some duplicate materials. e Meyers Library is the March 13,as well as the honor and notable books are available in recipient of their generosity. We added many new at 10:30 a.m.the Meyers Library. titles to our collection. We have resources to help the The program isOverdue Books family genealogist to explore his/her family roots. free and open Come by to check out these new additions. to the public. In recent years the Meyers Library has not issued Purimfines for overdue books. Beginning on February 1,2016 a new Overdue Book policy went into effect. We hear the Megillah read on Wednesday, MarchBooks may be borrowed for a period of two weeks. 23 as part of the celebration of Purim. e library has books for both adults and children on this fun- ey may be renewed (if no one has a reserve on the filled holiday. Take a look at our extensive cookbooktitle) for an additional two weeks by contacting the collection to find a new recipe for hamentaschen.library. Books not returned on time or renewed will be Automation Updatesubject to an overdue fine of $1 per week. Please returnyour library books on time to avoid Library automation continues to move ahead. Inhaving to pay a fine. early January we entered book number 7,000 into theAdult Book Discussion Group computer database. I estimate there are still about 3,000 books to complete. More volunteers are needed e next scheduled Adult Book to help process every book in the Meyers Library. BasicDiscussion Group will be Tuesday computer skills are required for this job. Contact EllenMarch 15 at 12:30 p.m. Please for more details and to volunteer.note the change in time. Bring a bag Become a Book Reviewerlunch. Dessert and coffee will beprovided. We will discuss National Have you noticed the book recommendationsJewish Book Award winner All Who Go Do Not appearing in Shalom KI? Have you read a Jewish bookReturn by Shulem Deen. is very personal memoir that you recommend others read? Would you like tois a look at an extremist sect within Judaism. It has see your name in print? Contact Ellen about becomingbeen called a moving and revealing exploration of a Book Reviewer for our “Good Reads” column.Hasidic life, and one man’s struggles with faith, family,and community. Deen was a member of the Skverers, e Library is open on Tuesday and Wednesdayone of the most insular Hasidic sects in the U.S., and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; ursdays from 10:00knows little about the outside world--only that it is to a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., whenever JQuest B’Yachad is in session. Visit our book carts Friday evenings after services. Make the KI Library your home away from home.8 MARCH 2016

In Our CommunityA Win at WINSTY! Here Comes Spring and Adult Ed is Ready!!!! KIFTY had a great time at NFTY-PAR’s WINSTY in January!We exceeded the membership goal that was set for us at SLK in Please join our growing communityAugust, and had 12 KIFTY members join over 150 teens from the of learners and friends andregion. e focus of our weekend spent at Temple Emanuel in CherryHill was Social Action. We enjoyed Friday night services with special come to the following programs:speakers and did an open program, which allowed us to explore ourJewish identity through creative writing. We started Saturday with Maimonides Caféservices followed by Torah study around modern day plagues and the Thursday, March 3, 11:30 a.m.week’s parsha, Bo. Our afternoon was spent in different sessions onmental health, interfaith, and inequality. After dinner, we spent time Sylvia Gentry, facilitatorwith our host families, had Havdalah and then a fun night at Funplex!To commemorate Martin Luther King Day on Sunday, we participated How Jesus Became Godin projects around the New Jersey community, such as working with Thursday, March 10, 11:30 a.m.special needs teens to repair books. We had a great weekend and cannotwait to see our PAR friends again this month when we host NFTY- Dr. Rita AltmanPAR elections here at KI! Hosting elections is an honor, and KIFTY (Sponsored by the Rosenau Fund)is looking forward to planning one of the most important days of theyear. We will create programs for PAR teens to participate in, coordinate LeRoy Neimanfood, and make sure those running for board feel at home at KI. Thursday, March 17, 11:30 a.m. Seder Plates for Sale in the Andy Clyman, facilitator WKI Gift Shop and Gallery The Evolution Of Music and Sound The Seder plate serves as the centerpiece of the Seder table, Reproduction from the Music Box and traditionally holds six items, each of which symbolizes a part of the Passover story: Karpas (green vegetable), Haroset (sym- to the iPod bol for mortar), Maror (bitter herbs), Zaro’ah (lamb shank bone) Thursday, March 24, 11:30 a.m. Hazeret (Bitter Vegetable) and Beitzah (roasted egg). Norman Rubin, facilitator In addition to the items on the Seder plate, the Seder table should also have three pieces of Matzah wrapped or covered in a Jews and Magic: History Matzah cover and a container of salt water or vinegar in which to Monday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. dip the Karpas. Movie shown and discussed by Evonne and Isaak Kruger Many contemporary Jewish households add additional items to the Seder plate to symbolize modern liberation struggles.The Art Tour of Spain most common new item is an orange, which honors the role of Thursday, March 31, 11:30 a.m. women. Arlene Spector, facilitator Passover begins on Friday April 22, 2016. Please stop into our WKI Gift Shop and Gallery to peruse our fine selection of Lecture/Luncheon at The Doubletree Passover plates, Matzah holders, Passover wines and gifts. and Concert at The Kimmel Update your holiday table with a new Seder plate or search for Friday, April 1, 10:45 a.m. a special gift to bring to your family Seder this year!Want to suppor t KI? Ca ll 215-887-8700 or vi s i t w w w.kene s e t hi s r a el.or g. Tha nk you! SHALOM KI 9

LifecyclesMazel Tov to our Mazal Tov to the following congregants on theirBar/Bat Mitzvah Students Special Simchas . . . My name is Ethan Samuel Births Glass; my Bar Mitzvah is March 5, 2016. I am in seventh grade Micah Ann Kirshenbaum, daughter of Meredith & Eric Kirshenbaum, at Wissahickon Middle School. great-granddaughter of our members Lois & Jerry Rosenau I enjoy playing basketball, lacrosse, soccer and tennis and We mark with sorrow the passing of . . . play on my school’s soccer andbasketball teams. I also play travel soccer and Arlin M. Adams, our member and husband of our memberfor Wisslax lacrosse. For my Mitzvah Project, I, Neysa Adamsalong with four of my school friends, organizeda basketball event to raise money for the Child Elliot Kane, step-father of our member Ellen ( Jeffrey) PlautLife Department at Children’s Hospital ofPhiladelphia. We had a huge turnout, including Betty Horwitz, our member and mother of our memberABC news, and had lots of fun organizing and Elysa Horwitzparticipating in the event. We raised $2,600and also made three baskets filled with crafts Mark Venit, father of our member Kyle (Hannah) Venitand games for the children at CHOP, which wepresented at our school with our principal and a Albert J. Finestone, our member and father of our membersCHOP representative. My parents are David and Toby ( Joel) Grubman and Jay (Randy Schwartz) FinestoneElaine Glass and my brother is Jared. Anna Cohen, our member My name is Tyler Jordan Kramaroff; my Bar Mitzvah is Colleen Alexander, our member and the mother of our member March 19, 2016. I attend the Liz ( Jeff ) Brown Keith Valley Middle School. For my Mitzvah Project I am Lillian Davidson, mother of our member Joe (Amy) Davidson collecting sports equipment and donating it to various charities Member in the Newsin the Philadelphia area for kids who are notas lucky as other kids. My hobbies include Our member Judy Brown and her daughter Jodi Silvermansports, hanging out and relaxing. I play baseball, have authored You’re On Your Own, NOW WHAT, a how-to manualbasketball and street hockey. My parents are Chad of survival basics for young adults getting ready to head off toand Lauren Kramaroff. college. It also serves as a journal for mothers, inviting them to personalize the guide by filling in their own advice and My name is Nicole Lillian strategies for everything from health to cooking at college. When Farber; my Bat Mitzvah is Jodi’s oldest child, Ellie, went to college, Jodi was inspired to March 26, 2016. I am in seventh write a mom’s guide to help her daughter adjust to life away from grade at the Julia R. Masterman home. She wanted Laboratory and Demonstration to share this guide School in Philadelphia. I enjoy with other moms, and playing video games, spending as she embarked ontime with family, friends and my dog Joey, riding formalizing thisroller coasters and swimming. My Mitzvah journal, she realizedProjects include volunteering in the school library who else would beevery morning, helping with the Mitzvah Garden better to help createeach year since it started, and helping at the it than her own mom,new HaMotzi Dinners. My parents are Joel and who equipped her soKimberly Farber. many years ago. To learn more about the book, go to www. tipsandwisdom.com10 MARCH 2016

In Our Community “Shvester Redn” - Sister Talk Upcoming Events By Lynore Eisman Women of KI Board Meeting Sunday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. Purim is a joyous holiday in March that teaches us about strengththrough adversity. Who saved us from the wrath of Haman? A woman! Queen HaMotzi KI Community DinnerEsther is the heroine of the story. In honor of Esther, who stood up for her Sunday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m.community when they were in danger, weshould all take time to celebrate the women in “Clear Your Plate, Fill Your Cup”our lives! Wednesday, March 30 @ 6:00 p.m. Join us for a Passover Program filled with March is also Women’s History Month. prayer, dancing, and singing. A “light supper” e National Women’s History Month theme will be served. $20/person.Your check tofor 2016 honors women who have shaped Women of KI is your reservation. Send attn:America’s history and its future through their Janice Schwartz-Donahue at KI, by 3/23/16.public service and government leadership. I cannot think of a better time to celebrate Communitythe important roles women have in our world Dinners Aretoday! So here’s to the women who champion Growinghuman rights and social action, the womenwho cook for the needy, the women who worka full day and then come home to take careof their families, the women who teach, thewomen who volunteer, and all of the wonderfulwomen who are heroines in our own lives!We celebrate you! Is There a Necessity in NOT Knowing Our second HaMotzi dinner was held Ultimate Reality? December 27th and was a great success. anks to the help of Caryl Levin and her dynamic Adult MEN OF Education group along with other volunteers, savory chilies were enjoyed by our 35 guests and REFORM By David Pinsky 18 KI volunteers. is was triple the number of guests from our first dinner. Personally visiting JUDAISM several of the local food pantries to hand out flyers made all the difference. Woody Allen is credited with modifying a Groucho Marx quote that now goes,“I would never join a religion that would take someone like me as a member.” Cantor Amy and her adorable daughters led us in the blessings and song. All the guests enjoyed But what is religion? My college philosophy professor defined it in part as “an taking home fresh fruit, breakfast bags, bagels,attempt to answer the unanswerable.” A more standard and recognizable dictionary canned goods, and leftovers from the dinner.definition is “a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon Several children and grandparents were thrilledby a number of persons. . .” Religion involves taking a leap of faith when analyzing to have coloring books, crayons, and books tometaphysical (beyond science) questions. e question then becomes, which leap of read. One guest shared that he felt like he wasfaith do I embrace? Are our science and religion scholars getting closer to answering at a wedding being in the KG auditorium andmetaphysical questions? Are we capable of knowing ultimate reality? Or is German not in the basement, as he often is at other mealphilosopher Immanuel Kant correct when he suggests that human reason only locations.enables us to impose order on reality? We are beginning to build a community among However, it cannot provide metaphysical truth. From a technological standpoint, the guests and KI members. If you signed upmankind has undoubtedly improved transportation and communication systems. I to help, we will be contacting you over the nextrecall a B’nai Mitzvah at KI that Skyped on our large screens so that an uncle could months. If you have not signed up yet, pleaseparticipate in the service. But are we getting closer to knowing God? join us for this important and fulfilling KI Social Action initiative. We are providing food for the An inescapable by-product of actually knowing the answer to life’s difficult body and soul.questions (i.e. afterlife?) is that it might lead to negative consequences. Forexample, if the afterlife was great, people might defy Judeo-Christian ethics and Paulette Sterman-Soroko, [email protected] themselves in order to get to that known better place. If, on the other hand, it KI HaMotzi Committeewas terrible (i.e. hell), then people might live in fear. Somehow it seems fitting andbeneficial that we cannot divine our last day on earth. As participants in life, we must “place our bets” somewhere. Although article spacelimits my explanation, Judaism at KI does offer a place to “place your bets” and feelgood about it. e next time you see me at KI, feel free to stop me and allow me toelaborate. Yom Tov! Be well!Want to suppor t KI? Ca ll 215-887-8700 or vi s i t w w w.kene s e t hi s r a el.or g. Tha nk you! SHALOM KI 11

March 2016 CalendarSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday     4:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. JQuest B’Yachad Maimonides Café Shabbat Evening Torah Study 6:15 p.m. Service 10:30 a.m. Quest Noar Shabbat Morning 7:30 p.m. Service Adult Choir 5:30 p.m. Rehearsal Havdalah Service      9:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m.JQuest B’Yachad @ AJ JQuest B’Yachad Adult Ed. Program Shabbat Evening Torah Study Service10:00 a.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m.Women of KI Board Quest Noar Officers Mtg. Shabbat MorningMtg. Service 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.12:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal Board of Directors 5:30 p.m.Shir Joy Rehearsal Mtg. 4th Grade Havdalah@ AJ ServiceClub Kifty12:45 p.m.Arts Alive GalleryOpening Daylight      Savings Time Starts 12:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m.9:15 a.m. Adult Book Disc.Group Adult Ed. Program 5:45 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat & Dinner Torah StudyJQuest B’Yachad @ AJ 4:30 p.m. Israel Comm. Mtg. JQuest B’Yachad 7:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m.10:30 a.m. Family Shabbat Service Shabbat MorningLibrary Program - 6:15 p.m. w/Shir Joy, led by 5th ServiceJudy Maslin Quest Noar Grd. 2:00 p.m.12:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Rydal Park ShabbatShir Joy Rehearsal KI Community Night@ AJ 7:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal     Purim 9:15 a.m. NO JQuest B’Yachad 6:00 p.m. 11:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m.JQuest B’Yachad @ AJ NO Quest Noar Bring Your Own Brown Adult Ed. Program Shabbat Evening Torah Study 7:30 p.m. Bag Dinner Service12:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m.Purim Carnival @ KI 7:00 p.m. Shabbat MorningNO Shir Joy Rehearsal Erev Purim Celebration Service – Megillah Reading 4:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. KIFTY Meeting Beatles Purim Schpiel presented by Quest 6:30 p.m. Noar students KIFTY Movie Night 7:30 p.m. Music Arts Program    NO JQuest B’Yachad 6:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 11:30 a.m.NO Shir Joy Rehearsal Brotherhood Meeting JQuest B’Yachad Women of KI – Adult Ed. Program 7:00 p.m. 6:15 p.m. Clear Your Plate & Fill Adult Ed. Program Quest Noar Your Cup 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. KI’s Senior Moments Adult Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Comm. Event Religious Practices Comm. Mtg.12 MARCH 2016

April 2016 CalendarSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Keneseth Israel Phone Directory   Administrative Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-887-8700 7:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. Rabbinic Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-887-8702 W of KI Passover Wine Torah Study JQuest B’Yachad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-887-8704 display Fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-887-1070 10:30 a.m. Preschool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-885-2425 8:00 p.m. Shabbat Morning Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-887-2027 Heritage Shabbat Service Gift Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-884-4364 Evening Service w/ Shir KI 5:00 p.m. Club KIFTY 5 – 6 grds Program     Spring Spring Celebration Celebration9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.  11:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Weekend 9:00 a.m. WeekendW of KI Passover Adult Ed Prog. JQuest B’Yachad @ KI Maimonides Café Shabbat Dinner Torah StudyWine display 7:30 p.m. by RSVP only  6:15 p.m. Israel Comm. film 10:30 a.m.9:15 a.m. Quest Noar 8:00 p.m. Shabbat MorningJQuest B’Yachad @ AJ 7:00 p.m. Congregational Service Adult Ed. Prog. 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Service10:00 a.m. KI Community NightRabbi’s Spring Forum    7:00 p.m.11:30 a.m. Library Film Festival 11:30 a.m. 5:45 p.m. 9:00 a.m.W of KI Board Mtg. “Woman in Gold” Adult Ed. Program Tot Shabbat & Dinner Torah Study12:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m.Shir Joy Rehearsal Adult Choir Rehearsal Officers Mtg. Family Shabbat Service Shabbat Morning@ AJ w/Shir Joy – Service  7:30 p.m. Honoring Rabbi Kevin & Spring Board of Directors Mtg. Chana Rothman 2:00 p.m. Celebration 1:00 p.m. Rydal Park Shabbat9:15 a.m. Weekend *Afternoon showingKI Family Event Library Film Festival “Woman in Gold”12:00 p.m.Shir Joy Rehearsal 4:30 p.m. JQuest B’Yachad4:00 p.m.Capitol Steps Show 6:15 p.m. Quest Noar 7:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal      1st night of  First day of Passover Passover9:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.JQuest B’Yachad W of KI Interfaith Prog. Preschool Passover Preschool & Infant 9:00 a.m. program Center closed Torah Study10:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.Rabbi’s Spring Forum JQuest B’Yachad 11:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. Adult Ed Program Offices Close Shabbat Morning12:00 p.m. 6:15 p.m. ServiceShir Joy Rehearsal Quest Noar 5:00 p.m. Early Passover Shabbat 6:00 p.m.3:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Service 2nd night Congrega-Music Arts Prog. Adult Choir Rehearsal tional Seder      Offices ClosedNO JQuest B’Yachad 6:30 p.m. NO JQuest B’Yachad 12:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m.NO Shir Joy Rehearsal Brotherhood Meeting NO Quest Noar Rydal Park Passover Adult Ed. Program Passover & Yizkor Torah Study NO Adult Choir Seder Service Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Shabbat Morning Shabbat Evening Service ServiceWant to suppor t KI? Ca ll 215-887-8700 or vi s i t w w w.kene s e t hi s r a el.or g. Tha nk you! SHALOM KI 13

Contributions All listings indicate donor first, followed by the honor or memorial in italic print.YAHRZEIT FUND Steven E. Glauser, Aaron & Gail Newberg, Rose Sitvarin, CANTOR’SDONOR, IN MEMORY OF Beatrice Glauser Lillian Newberg Bessie Skorupsky PHILANTHROPIC FUNDHerbert Altman, Margaret Goldenberg, Frances Nodiff, Sheldon Somerman, DONOR, IN HONOR OF Anne G. Altman Mark Kay Anna Kramer; Reba Nodiff Bernard Somerman; Isadore Somerman Jay Finestone, TobyLiz Arbittier, Lynne Arbittier Shelley Goldin, Laurence & Grubman, Audrey Kanoff, Samuel Pressner Marylou Nodiff, Ruth & Philip Spergel,Stuart C. Baer, Pearl Baer Lee Horowitz; Amy E. Levy Emily & Anna Kramer Philip Horowitz;Barbara S. Batt, Harry Batt Howard Greenberg, Sarah Spergel THE CARING COMMUNITY Sallie Olson, Norman OlsonThelma Bayuk, Michael Brecker Dean S. Spiegel, DONOR, IN HONOR OF Samuel Trachtenberg Dana Perlman & family, Mary Ann Lam; Joan Gross, Florence Nathanson Mary Jane & Joanne & Steve Beck,Flora Becker, Shirley Silverman Meyer H. Silverman KI Caring Community James Daniel Becker Rita Poley, Arthur Poley Tania Haftel, Bernard Haftel; Brenda Teich, GENERAL FUNDElsa Behrend, Herman Haftel; Shanlee Pollack, Diane Barmish Clara R. Behrend Minnie Haftel Pauline Kirsh DONOR, IN MEMORY OF Marvin & Linda Waxman,Judy Bell, Jonathan Bell Carl & Florence Herman, Leonard Portnoy, Freda Waxman Leonard Hoffman, Joyce Goldstein; Anna Portnoy Jacob WeinbergerMerryl & Scott Bender, Sadye Herman; Rita Altman Weinberger, Reuben Goldberg; Fannie Sokoloff; William Printz, Ruth Gerben; Rochelle Rabeeya, Abe Rabinowitz Isador Sokoloff Ruth Sondheim Samuel Mazzy Norman OlsonIrene Birnbach, Edward E. Itzenson, Phyllis Raskin-Macey, Richard Weiss, Amy Seidman, Arlin M. Adams Herbert Itzenson Mendl M. Raskin Helen Weiss Norman Olson; Barbara SteinbergMichael Bleshman, Ruth Joseph, Anna P. Bram Isabelle Ripkin, Linda & Michael Winheld, Rosalyn Bleshman Ida Jaslow; Sol Jaslow Robert L. Rosen The following have Barbara Myerson Katz, made a contributionFranklin L. & Janet L. Myerson Albert Rodstein, Jerome M. Zaslow, in memory of ArlinMarcia Brody, Martin Brody Jeffrey Rodstein Anne Zaslow Adams: Diane Kendall,Richard Brown, Herman K. Stern Marvin I. Rosen, Spencer Zaslow, Nona Levin Abrams; Sidney Brown Elizabeth Rosen Sandra Zaslow Beatrice Apfelbaum; Janet & Timothy Kerry, Rochelle & Herb Bass;Eric Cardonick, Nelson V. Haas Sally Rosen-Plon, ADAMS LIBRARY FUND Joan & George Brantz; Morris Cardonick Robert L. Rosen Leonard I. Garth; Marsha Bonnie Klein & DONOR, IN MEMORY OF & Richard Gash; SandyAnna B. Cohen, Abraham Klein, Helene Ross & family, Kohn; Morton & Judith Morton Cohen Edward J. Ross Beryl Halpern, Arlin Adams Langsfeld, III; Aaron Rubin Jacob Solomon & Susan Becker; FredaClaudia Cohen, Arlene Rubin, Lois Hitchman, Arlin Adams Sacks; Amy Seidman; A. Douglas Abraham Leslie Knapp, William Feldscher; Dolph Simons; Gertrude Norman Shenkman Frank Rubin; Morris Rubin Marvin & Louise Kleiman, SingerPhyllis & Martin S. Cohen, Arlin Adams Harry Marcus Cohen Elaine Leibowitz, Henry Rubin, Dora Rubin The following have Benjamin Swait Caryl & Mike Levin, made a contributionElma & Herbert Davis, Deborah & Bill Rubinsohn, Arlin Adams in memory of Albert J. Syd Litten Caryl & Mike Levin, Milton Brownstein; Finestone: Martin T. Glass Hanley Rubinsohn Mimi & Allan Schneirov,Julia Davis, Paul Kraft Arlin Adams Mary Eno & Dan Wagner; Jill Levine, Stanley Rankin Greta Rubinstein & family, Jacob & Laura Fattal;Sheila DeAnnuntis, Roman Rubinstein ADULT EDUCATION FUND David & Nancy Fox; Emily William Cooper Ruth Lipschutz, & Howard Greenberg; Gail Robert Walkenstein Barbara Rudnick, DONOR, IN MEMORY OF Greenspon & Ross Attix;Ruth Dodies, Harry Smith Anne G. Altman Art & Jackie Matusow; Miriam & Jim Logan, Jay & Sharon Bornstein, Judy & Yigal Ron; Linda &Lynore Eisman, Arlene Schwartz Bill & Rona Safier, Albert J. Finestone Michael Winheld Blume Balaban Henrietta Safier Philip London, Jules & Connie Kay, DONOR, IN HONOR OFRenate Elgart, Rose L. London Neil & Elyse Saladoff, Fred Breslow Regina Schoenwetter Herbert Saladoff Amy Seidman, Murray Madnick, Caryl & Mike Levin, Brian RissingerEstelle E. Ellis & family, Sol Cohen; Marilyn Savitz, Lois Packer Florence Ellis Herman Madnick Leonard David Savitz GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP Ruth Singer, Bernard Miller FUNDJoAnne & Gary Entrekin, Benita & Jerome Mandel, Ronald J. Schindler, Betty Weil Milton E. Belkin Erna Schindler DONOR, IN HONOR OF DONOR, IN MEMORY OFMarty & Ellie Feldsher, Carol & Steven Mansh, Leonard & Joanne & Jim Adler, Amy & Joseph Katz, Edward Sciaky Fannie Carroll Ruth Schoenberg, Great-grandchild of Albert Finestone Lois & Jerry RosenauMiriam Finkel, Morris Finkel Irwin Matusow, Sam Schoenberg Barry & Marty Manson, Anna Silverstein JUDITH ALTMAN MUSEUM Albert FinestoneDori Fisher, Harry Ginsburg Ross Schriftman, FUND Eve Mennies, Harry Goldman William Schur,Karen Franklin, Regina Schoenwetter DONOR, IN MEMORY OF Howard Bleznak Stanley R. Sundheim; Jane C. Schwartz, Jeanne Spiegel Barbara N. Michaels, Howard I. Schwartz Rhea & Robert Dennis KAHN MUSIC PROGRAM Ruth Ann Nibauer & family, Albert J. FinestonePenny Frederick, Claire & Ed Schweriner, DONOR, IN HONOR OF Harriet Blau; Irving Cohen; Barbara & Nelson Mishkin, Samuel Judd ARCHIVES FUND Jacob Weinstein Samuel Chud; Jill Adams, Frances Mishkin Selma Shapiro, DONOR, IN HONOR OF Birthday ofMorty Freedman, Edward Shapiro Rhoda Hershman Morris Friedman Marilyn Neigut & family, Ruth & Philip Spergel, Alvin J. Neigut Lemuel Sichel, Our Wedding AnniversaryMarlene Glass, Joseph L. Sichel I. Eddie Sachs Lisa Nerenberg, Sophie Nerenberg Leon Silver, Morris SilverEve Glassberg, Albert Glassberg Dolph Simons, Adolph Simons14 MARCH 2016

Contributions All listings indicate donor first, followed by the honor or memorial in italic print.MILLICENT & MARK KAY CLARENCE L. & ESTELLE DONOR, IN HONOR OF David & Estelle Steinberg, Trees for IsraelMEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP S. MEYERS LIBRARY Special Birthday ofFUND FUND Carol Stern McMichael, Alan Gross If you wish to Lance J. Sussman purchase a tree, inDONOR, IN MEMORY OF DONOR, IN MEMORY OF TYSON RADIO FUND memory or honor of Shanlee Pollack, a loved one, in thePeggy & Kay Brylawski, Arlin Adams My birthday and DONOR, IN MEMORY OF KI Forest in Israel,Stanley Goldenberg, All of the KI Staff please contact the Eve Mennies, Arlin Adams; Alyne Feldman, KI Office, 215- Arlin Adams; Jenny Denkin; Bobbi & Dick Weiss, Jacob Feldman; 887-8700.We will Robert Gamberg; Albert Finestone Birth of Thelma Feldman be happy to mail Nancy Rosen Asa Janos Pillischer a beautiful tree DONOR, IN HONOR OF Babe Hernes, Arlin Adams certificate for you.KING DAVID HARP LEO & FAY ROSENAU The cost is $15.75,SOCIETY Barbara Rudnick & MEMORIAL FUND Bonnie Klein, checks are payable Irwin Matusow, Albert Finestone to: KI Forest,DONOR, IN MEMORY OF DONOR, IN MEMORY OF 8339 OldYork Road Marriage of Bev & Joe Scarpignato & Elkins, Park, PAEllen & Frank Abrahams, Howard & Naomi Tilman Jerry & Lois Rosenau, family, Arnold Ditnes 19027. David Meyers; Ilse Neuberger; Kurt L. Stern Helene & Bob Wagman, Pauline Rosenau; Anita & Murray Madnick, Marriage of Hermann Stern Arnold DitnesAnita & Murray Madnick, Howard & Naomi Tilman Jennie Denkin SHARING IS CARING FUND DONOR, IN HONOR OF MUSIC ARTS FUNDSallie Olson, DONOR, IN MEMORY OF Helen Schneeberg, Marcia Morante DONOR, IN MEMORY OF Dottie Klein; Paulette Sterman-Soroko, Speedy Recovery ofMark & Elaine Pitkow, Phyllis Silver, Arlin Adams Mother of Robert Leiter Barbara Rudnick Jennie Denkin VALERIE POLLACK DONOR, IN HONOR OF WOMEN OF KENESETHDONOR, IN HONOR OF SCHOLARSHIP FUND ISRAEL Brenda & Joel Shear,KI Adult Choir, DONOR, IN MEMORY OF 55th Wedding Anniversary DONOR, IN HONOR OF Marriage of of Beth and Howard & Naomi Tilman Constance C. Pollack, George Abrams Natalie Shamberg, Samuel Coane Marriage of Eisman’s sonSonnie Katz, SOCIAL ACTION FUND Birth of Marriage of RABBI’S PHILANTHROPIC Catherine Gail Miller Howard & Naomi Tilman FUND DONOR, IN MEMORY OF ONEG SHABBAT FUNDElaine Lipschutz, DONOR, IN MEMORY OF Joan & Phil Kamen, Special Birthday of Michael Lerner DONOR Rhoda Hershman Barbara Bronstein, Arlin Adams TEMPLE JUDEA MUSEUM/ Marc & Marlene AdlerBarbara Rudnick & FINE ARTS FUNDIrv Matusow, Birth of Eli Charlotte & Jerry New, Brenda Baumholtz Fred Breslow; DONOR, IN MEMORY OFROBERT L. KLEIN Ivan Hamberg Les Cooperson &MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND Bernice & Harold Horn, Robyn Miller Sallie Olson, Arlin M. Adams Bernard MillerDONOR, IN MEMORY OF Lynore & Elliot Eisman Andy Plasky, Rita Poley, Albert FinestoneCarol Stern McMichael, Albert Finestone Julius & Elaine Ellison Irvin Klein Shanlee Pollack, Jeffrey & Ellen Plaut, Albert Finestone Caren & Jeffrey FogelDR. MANFRED R. Elliot KaneKRAUSKOPF MEMORIAL DONOR, IN HONOR OF Goldin FamilySCHOLARSHIP FUND Janice Schwartz-Donahue, Albert Finestone Natalie Shamberg, Sonnie Katz in memory ofDONOR, IN MEMORY OF Birth of Albert Finestone Fredda L. Segal, Beau Maxwell Lipson;Kay Brylawski, Arlin Adams Rita Poley Natalie Shamberg Joseph L. KrauskopfWe Appreciate The Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel Date: _______________ 8339 OldYork Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027Thoughtfulness Of The enclosed contribution is to the _____________________________________________FundThose Who Support KI In Memory of ______________________________________________________________ In Honor of _______________________________________________________________...by remembering and honoring Please acknowledge to:their friends and loved ones through Name ___________________________________________________________________their generous contributions to KI’s Address __________________________________________________________________special funds. City ________________________________________State _____ Zip_________________ Donors Name ______________________________________________________________ We apologize ahead of time for any Address _________________________________________________________________donations that may be missing from City ________________________________________State _____Zip_________________this issue. If you would like it to appearnext month, please contact Anita by Please make checks payable to Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel.phone (215-887-8702) or e-mail ([email protected]). Sorry for anyinconvenience.Want to suppor t KI? Ca ll 215-887-8700 or vi s i t w w w.kene s e t hi s r a el.or g. Tha nk you! SHALOM KI 15

Keneseth Israelite฀฀ ฀ ฀฀ ‘LOTS’ OF JEWS IN PERSIASENIOR STAFF Purim translates to the word lots inSenior Rabbi, Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D., D.D. English, thus the holiday is known [email protected] / 215-887-8702 Feast of Lots. Historically this relates to theAssociate Rabbi, Kevin M. Kleinman late biblical period in the Persian [email protected] / 215-887-8702 when its second-in-command official,Cantor, Amy E. Levy the vizier, Haman Ha-Agagi, decreed [email protected] / 215-887-8702 destruction of its Jews. How was the dateExecutive Director, Brian Rissinger for this destruction to be determined? [email protected] / 215-887-8700 drawing lots.The rest of the Purim story isDirector of Religious Education well known and probably covered elsewhereRabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler in this issue. My objective is to begin [email protected] / 215-887-8704 the long history of the Jewish people inDirector of Early Childhood Education Persia which continues, in much, muchLiz Sussman, M.Ed. diminished numbers, to this [email protected] / 215-885-2425Rabbi Emeritus, Simeon J. Maslin, D. Min. Reports of the Jewish presence inCantor Emeritus, Richard Allen Persia vary; some say the sojourn beganExec. Director Emeritus, William Ferstenfeld, F.T.A. 3,000 years ago, some 2,700 years ago. Some report that outward migration fromOFFICERS Jerusalem started with the destruction of the FirstTemple; others say it beganPresident, Arnold Meshkov [email protected] earlier, when the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and sent theFirst Vice President, Evonne Kruger [email protected] Israelites into captivity at a place called Khorasan.Vice President, Janice Schwartz-Donahue [email protected] By the time of the historical events whichSecretary, Nathan Zinberg [email protected] gave us Purim, the Persian Empire was at or near the peak of its power. Its territoryAssistant Secretary, Karen Langsfeld [email protected] reached from the Balkans in the West to the Caucasus. Jews were scattered throughoutAssistant Secretary, Susan Fried [email protected] the Empire not only in the area of present- day Iran, but also in what is now Armenia,Treasurer, James Rosenthal [email protected] Georgia, Iraq, Bukhara, and the Caucasus itself. In fact, it is estimated that 20 percentAssociate Treasurer, Robert Roseman [email protected] of the Persian Empire’s population was Jewish---which may be up to 10 millionAssociate Treasurer, DeniseYarnoff Soloff [email protected] people. Lots of Jews indeed!!Honorary Presidents Not so many years after the destruction of theTemple in Jerusalem the Jews wereHon. Arlin Adams, Hon. Paul L. Jaffe, Joyce Fishbein, Hon. Jan E. DuBois, a powerful force within Persia.The Persian king Cyrus the Great, having conqueredMiriam Finkel, Connie Kay, E. Harris Baum, Norma Meshkov, Karen L. Sirota, the Babylonians, decreed that Jews could return to Jerusalem and provided fundingCarey S. Roseman, Andrew J. Flame, Peter J. Soloff, Richard Weiss for rebuilding theTemple. Could this have been an early example of the power of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel is lobbying---did the cities of Hamadan, an affiliate congregation of the Union for Isfahan, andTeheran have their own Reform Judaism versions of our K Street?:OHSVT ELKINS PARK Next month I will write more about the Persian Empire, its successors, and how theTHE BULLETIN OF KENESETH ISRAEL & THE MEYERS LIBRARY 8339 Old York Road Jewish people in Persia were treated. Elkins Park, PA 19027Editor, Donna Bleznak Keller 215-887-8700 Dick Weiss, Immediate Past PresidentAssistant Editor, Anita MadnickGraphic Designer, Lindsay DeMarco16 MARCH 2016

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For The Future KI CORE VALUES Yahadut Mitkademit Limmud Reform Judaism Sacred LearningSundays, April 3, April 17 & May 1 As a diverse community rep-10:00 A.M. Rabbi Sussman’s resenting a broad constituency T’fillot KehillahSpring Forum: Mi Casa Es Tu Casa of nearly 1,000 families strong, Prayer and Spirituality Community we have identified seven coreThursday, April 7-10 values that define the heart Tikkun Olam Ahavat IsraelKI Spring Celebration Weekend and soul of our congregation. Social Justice/Repair of the Jewish Pride/Love of Israel WorldFriday, April 15 Look inside for the core7:00 p.m. Shabbat Family value symbol – revealing our Hiddur MitzvahService Honoring Rabbi commitment in action! Arts and CultureKleinman & Chana Rothman Address Service Requested: PresortedSunday, April 17 8339 OldYork Rd., Elkins Park, PA 19027-1597 1st Class3:00 p.m. Music Arts Event US PostageFriday, April 22 Paid5:00 p.m. Early Passover Permit #81Shabbat Evening Service Langhorne, PASaturday, April 23 please recycle6:00 p.m. 2nd NightCongregational SederFriday, May 207:00 p.m. Camp Shabbat EveningService