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From The Desk of Kesher Israel's Rabbinic Fellow The Kesher Connection |
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Volume 1, Number 7
Adar II / Nisan 5768 -
March/April 2008 | |
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Greetings everyone, and welcome to the latest edition of The Kesher Connection. With Purim just behind us and the holiday of Pesach rapidly approaching, one might understandably feel a bit overwhelmed.
As we are aware, Pesach plays a crucial role in the structure of Judaism. It is through the holiday of Pesach that we relive our national history, while transmitting our traditions from one generation to the next.
While there certainly are a number of preparations to be made for Pesach, we must not lose sight of the fact that the holiday should be a joyous occasion for families to join together. G-d, wants us to enjoy Pesach and eagerly anticipate its arrival.
Please feel free to contact Rabbi Schertz or me with any Pesach concerns you might have.
Layala and I wish you a Chag Kosher V'Sameach - a Kosher and happy holiday!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Akiva Males
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Recent KI Programs
KI enjoyed a memorable trip to the Gamut Classic Theatre for a sold-out showing of The Chosen on March 2, 2008. The informative post performance talk-back/discussion led by Rabbi Schertz and J. Clark Nicholson helped us all better understand the context and message of Chaim Potok's story.
KI thanks the following people who chose to be sponsors of KI's showing of The Chosen:
Mr. & Mrs. D. Grabenstein
Mr. & Mrs. M. Reuveni
Dr. & Mrs. S. Lewin
Mrs. F. Goldberg
Mr. & Mrs. J. Salkin
Mr. Ruby Rosenberg
Mr. & Mrs. S. Krevsky
Mr. & Mrs. D. Davis
Mr. & Mrs. N. Gras
Mr. & Mrs. D. Schulder |
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In honor of Rosh Chodesh (the new month) Adar II, the Kesher Israel Sisterhood sponsored a wonderful Friday night Shabbos dinner on March 7, 2008. Rabbi Akiva Males delivered a talk regarding many of the startling similarities between Megillas Esther and the Nuremberg Trials that followed World War II. This was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to join together for a delightful evening. KI thanks Norman Gras for catering a delicious Shabbos meal.
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KI was excited to welcome renowned Israeli entertainer Oneg Shemesh as our guest Chazan/Cantor for the Shabbos of March 14-15.
Oneg is a student of the late Shlomo Carlebach & has entertained Jewish audiences around the world.
Oneg led a lively Friday night Kabbalos Shabbos service, as well as the Shabbos morning services at KI, and conducted a well received musical Kumzits/Melaveh Malkah on Saturday night.
KI thanks Mrs. Ann Feierman for generously sponsoring this program, and the Frankston/Morris and Gold families for opening their homes to Oneg.
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KI's Pre-Purim Brewery Tour
KI enjoyed an informative & fun filled pre-Purim tour of the Appalachian Brewing Company on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Pleasantly surprised by our large crowd, ABC's wonderful head brew-meister Jonathan Reeves led us through the entire beer making (and tasting) process. KI thanks Jonathan and ABC for welcoming our large group and accomodating all of our needs.
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The KI Wine Cellar hosted a "working" wine tasting event on Sunday, March 23. The purpose of this event was to help everyone finalize their orders for new Pesach wines. KI's wine distributor, Rosenberg Blue Star brought a total of 12 new and interesting whites and reds in several price ranges for tasting. KI thanks Joel Burcat, Joshua First, Jack Lock, Charles Press, and Uziel Walton - the devoted staff of its Wine Cellar - for ensuring that all of our kosher wine needs are met in a most festive manner.
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Upcoming KI Programs
KI continues its Pre-Pesach tradition of inviting the Harrisburg Jewish community to take a break from Pesach preparations and enjoy a relaxing Shabbos with us. Aside from providing delicious meals on Friday night and Shabbos day, KI will also provide plenty of food for thought to properly prepare us for Pesach.
This year's Pre-Pesach Shabbaton will be April 11-12, 2008.
 KI is proud to welcome Rabbi Alex Israel as this year's Scholar in Residence.
Rav Alex Israel is a leading faculty member at Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi, Orot College for Women, and Emunah VeOmanut, Jerusalem - where he has been a favorite teacher of several KI young women who have studied in Israel.
We look forward to learning from Rabbi Israel at each of the Shabbos meals. Rabbi Israel will also deliver the Shabbos morning sermon as well.
What: Annual KI Pre-Pesach Shabbaton
When: April 11-12, 2008
Where: Kesher Israel Congregation
Cost: Adults - $21 per meal, Children - $10 per meal, Families - $60 per meal
All reservations must be made by Friday April 4, 2008. After April 4, the cost will be $25 per meal for adults and $65 per meal for families.
(KI will be serving a catered Friday night & Shabbos morning meal. There is no fee for attending the third meal/Shalosh Seudos.)
Please RSVP with Cecelia in the KI office (717)238-0763 or kesherisrael@aol.com ASAP. (The KI office now accepts Visa & Mastercards.)
KI thanks Oleasa Salkin for agreeing to be the chairperson of this program. You can reach Oleasa at (717) 221-9616 or osalkin@comcast.net
Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available. |
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You've Got Questions . . . He's Got Answers
 With Pesach rapidly approaching, we probably all have a number of questions we'd like to ask. In light of this need, Rabbi Schertz will be conducting a question and answer session immediately following the Pre-Pesach Shabbaton lunch at KI next Shabbos (April 12). This event can proceed most efficiently if a list of questions is submitted beforehand. Please e-mail your Pesach questions to rabbimales@yahoo.com so that I can prepare a list for the Shabbos Q & A session. |
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On The Road Again
This past week, I had the pleasure of participating in a three day Torah study event in Teaneck, NJ for synagogue rabbis, sponsored by Yeshiva University. I found the program very productive. Aside from the learning that went on, I also had a chance to share ideas with many interesting people. I look forward to following up on several leads that I believe will greatly benefit KI.
Layala and I then spent the following Shabbos in Chicago, IL as guests of Rabbi and Mrs. Leonard Matanky and Congregation KINS of West Rogers Park. This trip was made possible by a grant from Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future. While our Shabbos in Chicago was both enjoyable and educational, we are very happy to be back in our own home again. |
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KI Student Highlights
Oze Henig has safely returned from a most rewarding trip to Honduras. As part of a Jewish student group from Brandeis University, Oze played a hands on role in trying to improve life in an impoverished village.
Oze described his experiences in a soon to be published article in Harrisburg's own Community Review newspaper. In his concluding paragraph, Oze wrote:
"We left Honduras after only a week, leaving behind a beautiful country, rich in culture, and full of friendly, yet impoverished, people. The week I spent doing physical labor, interacting with local people, and living outside the small town of Gracias was not only humbling and meaningful, but also fun and rewarding. On top of it all, it was truly special to be able to have such an experience within the framework of Jewish ideals and practices. Thank you to all those who supported my trip, it has been one that will remain with me for the rest of my life. The money donated supported a great organization and truly helped a population in need."
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KI Leads The Way In Tzedakah
As members of KI, we should all feel proud that we have been actively involved in trying to improve the lots of those less fortunate than ourselves.
 On March 18, 2008, KI received a letter from the American office of Magen David Adom of Israel (the equivalent of the American Red Cross) thanking us for a donation of close to $1,000. This was the sum of several months of small donations collected on a daily basis in the daily KI minyan tzedakah box. Every dime truly does add up!
KI raised close to $1,500 in its Purim charity (matanos l'evyonim) campaign. These funds were distributed to families in need both locally and in Israel.
As we all know, preparing for Pesach can be a bit costly. For many centuries, there has been a beautiful Jewish custom of providing "Maos Chitim" - money for holiday supplies to families in need. Between now and Pesach, you can fulfill this important mitzvah by sending a check to KI. Please write "Pesach Fund" in the memo section and specify if you would like the money to go towards local charities or those in Israel. You can also donate to this fund with your credit card by calling Cecelia at the KI office (717) 238-0763. |
Chometz For Sale!
Rabbi Schertz will once again be arranging for the sale of our chometz products before Pesach this year. Please contact the rabbi at (717) 232-2694 soon in order to make him your agent for the sale. Rabbi Schertz requests that we all take care of this matter in a timely fashion. |
News From The KI Wine Cellar
The KI wine cellar will be open for Pre-Pesach sales on Sunday, April 6 and Sunday, April 13 from 9 to 11 AM. Come and choose from our wide selection of traditional and new Pesach wines and help support the shul!
For more information, please contact the devoted staff of the KI Wine Cellar: Joel Burcat, Joshua First, Jack Lock, Charles Press, and Uziel Walton.
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The KI Classifieds
 Arielle Salkin is working on organizing a KI Talent Show for the month of June. Do you have any ideas for this event?
The Harrisburg Jewish community will join together once again this year for the annual "Unto Every Person There is a Name" program. The Holocaust memorial program begins Wednesday evening, April 30, 2008, at 7:30 PM. The KI representative for this year's program is Cheryl Gras. Please contact Cheryl Gras to reserve a time slot (15 minutes each) at (717) 234-2196 or ccmkay@aol.com
KI recently learned we may be eligable for a government grant to improve synagogue security. Do you have any experience at grant writing? KI would greatly value your assistance.
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Let's Stay In Touch!
Please feel free to share your ideas, suggestions, or concerns with me. I look forward to receiving your input, so I can do my best to fulfill my duties as your Rabbinic Fellow.
KI Office: 717-238-0763
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