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The Pulse of Our Congregation August 2006

In this Issue

August 2006 Activities

Swim and Sushi for LHI Women

Books Through Bars

The New Ma Nishma is Out

RRC Launches New Web Site
 

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Dear Friends,

Leyv Ha-Ir -- Heart of the City recognizes that Israel's response to recent attacks has been justified. The violation of Israel's borders by Hamas from Gaza in the south and by Hezbollah from Lebanon in the north has made military force necessary in self-defense.

I would like to take this opportunity to explore our congregation's relationship to Israel and the Palestinian situation. This issue exemplifies a special attribute of our congregational life. We, the members of Leyv Ha-Ir have not always agreed about Israel. I maintain that we are a special island among Jewish communities because of the nature of this disagreement. In our congregation, those who have challenged Israel, have done it out of love for Israel and with the vision of an idealized Jewish state. Those who have consistently supported Israel have done so with prayers for peace. Although the disagreement at times has been pronounced, we have never stopped listening with love to each other. Our members show respectful understanding to the position of the other. Respecting the core humanity of each other, we are able to hold disagreement agreeably.

We pray for a quick and complete peace that resolves the difficulties Israel has had over the years. We pray that All will find a way to respect the humanity of others, in the Middle East and everywhere.

Shalom,

Michael Meketon, President
Leyv Ha-Ir ~ Heart of the City


  • August 2006 Activities
    		•

    Some of the events listed below have flyers with more detailed information about each activity. You can view these fliers as .pdf files and print them. The events with associated flyers are underlined with clickable hyperlinks to the associated flyers.

    August 2 WEDNESDAY
    Tisha B'Av
    Iris Newman's Apartment

    August 5 SATURDAY
    Shabbat Service
    Beverly's Apartment

    August 9 WEDNESDAY
    Council Meeting
    Bobbi's Apartment

    August 20 SUNDAY
    Rosh Hodesh
    Susan Berger's Pool in NJ

    August 22 TUESDAY
    Leyv Ha-Ir, the Jewish Dialogue Group and Kol Tzedek, the new Reconstructionist Synagogue in West Philly, are co-sponsoring an event called Spiritual Activism: A Pathway to Collective Liberation. This event will take place from 7 - 9 PM at the Calvary Church at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue and will be led by Claudia Horwitz, Director of Stone Circles, a nonprofit organization that sustains activists and strengthens the work for justice through spiritual practice and principles. This program will examine the links between internal spiritual practice and external movements for Social Change.

    August 27 SUNDAY
    Bagels & Books with Rabbi discussing "Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach" by Rabbis Alpert & Straub. $5 contribution.
    Joanne's Apartment

    As part of the Kehillah of Center City we are invited to attend all of the events that are sponsored by the Kehillah and our larger community:

    Join the Kehillah of Center City and the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA) to help feed those in need in our Center City community! The JRA provides food once a month to community members in need. The Kehillah of Center City is partnering with JRA to provide a way for residents of Center City to participate. Whether you have a car or not, the community has organized a way for you to:

    • Meet other Center City folks
    • Learn about the history of and how to prepare for this mitzvah with JRA co-founder, Rabbi Menachem Schmidt
    • Help pack and deliver food to our Center City residents
    Sign up for Sunday August 6th, Time: 9:00 am-1:30 pm; Meeting Place: Congregation B'nai Abraham, 527 Lombard Street.

    To learn more about these events, check out the link to Center City Kehillah.

    Click here for a complete look at activities for the next two months...
  • Swim and Sushi for LHI Women
    		•

    LHI women are invited to Susan Berger's in New Jersey: 1025 Society Hill, Cherry Hill. on Sunday, August 20 @ 3:00 PM Sharing at 3:00 PM At 4:00 PM learn how to make veggie sushi and eat with chopsticks. Swim to follow.

    The charge is $6 for supplies and food. Contact Susan Berger at 856-751-5574 or Joan Goldberg at 215-561-5193 for more information.

  • Books Through Bars
    		•

    A group of us volunteered last month at Books Through Bars. I must say that it is some of the most satisfying tikkun olam work I've done. We responded to letters requesting books from people in prison. I think some of the dictionaries in the back room were ours. They do packing every Tuesday night at 7:30. The address is 4722 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143. I plan on going again.

    Thanks to Richard, Margie, Sibyl and Iris. They all outlasted me.

    Michael

  • The New Ma Nishma is Out
    		•

    Check out the July-August issue of Ma Nishma.

  • RRC Launches New Web Site
    		•

    The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College has announced the launch of their new Web Site, www.rrc.edu, designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of visitors, with deep resources, easy navigation and beautiful new photography.

    Visit the new site
    :: 215-629-1995