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The Pulse of Our Congregation September 2006

In this Issue

September 2006 Activities

Register for free Kehillah of Center City Taste of Judaism Classes

Message from Rabbi

Would you like to learn to read the prayers in Hebrew and begin to understand what they mean and why?


 

Marking Life Cycle Events

Making a financial contribution to Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir is a great way to mark special life events, simchas, yahrzeits, etc. We are happy to send an acknowledgement of your contribution to a designee of your choice. Contributions can be sent to our regular P.O. Box address, or contact Evy Simon, at 215-561-7474 or [email protected], if you'd like to have an acknowledgement card sent.

Thank you.


One Shabbat
A poem, by Marci Fleet

The candles were lit,
illuminating the room,
and warming our souls,
welcoming the Shabbat
into our lives,
with Rabbi Julie's kind words.

The past week
had been an especially long one for me,
my mind was aching from the tension.

Surprisingly,
I was transported
to a more peaceful state with
Jack Kessler's spiritual,
and folksy guitar playing,
reminding me of many moons before

And I felt very at home,
melting into my seat.


Newsletter Design:

Ilene Hass
Creative Solutions
for Business Marketing




Dear Friends,

Al Cheyt Shechatanu Lifanecha -- For the sin we have committed in your face -- Every year we catalogue an alphabet full of sins for which we ask forgiveness. The month of Elul started on sundown August 24th. This new month started our 40 day journey of self and communal examination which culminates with Yom Kippur.

One of the sins, for which I am asking forgiveness, this year, is the sin of giving up. This year, more than any year in my life, I have compromised my belief in idealized potential. I have given up on the idea of progress for some individuals and institutions. One way this sin presents itself is that I have had grievances for which I will not ask redress, because I do not believe that the person or system has the capacity to make right what was wronged.

As much as this seems that I am complaining about someone else's sin, I am really talking about me. I used to believe in the potential for growth of all people and all institutions. I used to demand accountability and improvement. I used to demand excellence of myself and others.

I pray that in this coming year, I will once again have faith in humanity to get better.

Shalom,

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


  • September 2006 Activities
  • September 2 SATURDAY
    Shabbat Service
    Ethical Society
    10:00 AM
    Lay Led

    September 6 WEDNESDAY
    Council Meeting
    Ethical Society
    7:00 PM
    Michael

    September 13 WEDNESDAY
    High Holy Day Preparation
    Ethical Society
    7:00 PM
    Rabbi Julie

    September 16 SATURDAY
    Shabbat Service
    Ethical Society
    10:00 AM
    Lay Led

    September 16 SATURDAY
    Selichot Service
    Kennedy House
    8:00 PM
    Rabbi Julie

    September 22 FRIDAY
    Erev Rosh Hashanah
    Ethical Society
    7:30 PM
    Rabbi Julie

    September 23 SATURDAY
    Rosh Hashanah
    Ethical Society
    10:00 AM
    Rabbi Julie

    September 24 SUNDAY
    Rosh Hashanah
    Kennedy House
    10:00 AM
    Rabbi Julie

    Click here for complete details and a registration form to attend our high holiday services.

    Click here for a complete look at activities for the upcoming two months.

  • Register for free Kehillah of Center City Taste of Judaism Classes
  • Taste of Judaism 1 classes will be held in October-November and is free. Register now! This is an introduction to Jewish life and Jewish traditions and is presented by Kehillah of Center City. Rabbi Julie Greenberg will be participating in Taste of Judaism 2 in February 2007; more information to follow on this. Contact [email protected] for more information on the October-November series.

  • Message from Rabbi
  • Dear Chevre,

    This is the month of Elul, a time of preparation for stepping together into the New Year. In synch with the turning of the season, we are each invited by our tradition to turn our own selves towards re-alignment with our God mission in the world: to do the inner work that allows us to be mitzvah-makers, doers of good deeds, bringers of light into the world.

    A major theme of the upcoming holy days is forgiveness---forgiving ourselves, forgiving each other---getting rid of the “gunk” that keeps us repeating, endlessly, the patterns that keep us stuck. As a community we will be creating opportunities to do some of the spiritual work of readying ourselves for the holy days of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. Check the calendar for our pre-holiday workshop and for selichot services. (The name “selichot” is related to “slicha,” which is how Hebrew-speakers say “I’m sorry.”)

    The greater the suffering and pain of the world, the more we need to ground ourselves in strengthening the vessels: our spiritual selves, our sacred rites, our community. Let’s create joy and beauty together as we move through the month of Elul into our New Year.

    I am so glad to be on this journey with you.

    L’Shanah Tovah,
    Rabbi Julie

  • Would you like to learn to read the prayers in Hebrew and begin to understand what they mean and why?
  • For people who know how to read Hebrew phonetically (you know the sound that each letter makes) we invite you to take the next step in learning to understand the Hebrew language. We'll be learning prayer (siddur) Hebrew in a structured and supportive setting. Each student will be working independently at home, and in partnership with another learner, and will be closely guided by Rabbi Julie Greenberg, an experienced teacher who has taught hundreds of people to read and understand the prayer book. Join us for an adventure in learning that will deepen your connection with the past, present, and future of Judaism.

    We welcome you.

    WHEN: Wednesdays - October 18, November 15, December 20

    TIME: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

    WHERE: Ethical Society Building, 1906 Rittenhouse Square

    COST: $10 for each sessions plus cost of text (for members); $15 for each session plus cost of text (for non-members)

    For additional information contact: Sibyl Cohen, 215-568-9827 or [email protected]

    :: 215-629-1995