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The Pulse of Our Congregation October 2006

In this Issue

October 2006 Activities

Register for free Kehillah of Center City Taste of Judaism Classes

Message from Rabbi

Coming to Philadelphia Soon — The JRF Convention

Tikkun Olam Opportunity with Jewish Relief Agency

Become a Kesher Volunteer Para-Chaplain


 

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 evylhi@hotmail.com, if you'd like to have an acknowledgement card sent.

Thank you.


Taking Stock
A poem, by John Mason

I look through

my shelves

my closets

my cabinets

looking at

my life

This thing

– I forgot it was there

Where did I get it

and why?

Does it do anything

for me

now?

Donate it

maybe someone

could use it

I can’t

I look in the mirror

and see

I do this thing
twitch

jerk

Why do I do that?

How did it start?

Does it help me?

Can I stop it?

Can I change?

Can I get rid of

the stuff

I don’t need?

I asked myself that

last year

Also next year

and I keep looking

all year.


Newsletter Design:

Ilene Hass
Creative Solutions
for Business Marketing




Dear Friends,

LaShanah Tovah.

I hope everyone has a sweet new year. Now that the holidays are over, I encourage each of you to sustain your spiritual energy throughout the year by increasing connections in community. As you know, Leyv Ha-Ir is a congregant-centered community. We are much more successful when you view yourself as an owner/operator rather than a customer. Please consider attending: Our monthly Council meetings (open to the entire community); Shabbat Morning Services (First and third Saturdays); or our Adult Education (Prayer book Hebrew classes). Together we are creating a vibrant Jewish Community.

Shalom,

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


  • October 2006 Activities
  • October 1 SUNDAY
    Kol Nidre
    Ethical Society
    6:00 PM
    Rabbi Julie

    OCTOBER 2 MONDAY
    Yom Kippur
    Ethical Society
    10:00 AM
    Rabbi Julie

    OCTOBER 4 WEDNESDAY
    Council Meeting
    Ethical Society
    7:00 PM
    Michael

    OCTOBER 7 SATURDAY
    Sukkot/Shabbat Service
    Penn Center House
    10:00 AM
    Lay-Led

    OCTOBER 8 SUNDAY
    Kehillah Sukkah Tour
    Various Places
    10:30 AM - 5:00 PM

    OCTOBER 9 MONDAY
    Columbus Day

    OCTOBER 14 SATURDAY
    Simchat Torah Service
    Gershman Y
    7:30 PM
    Lay Led

    OCTOBER 18 WEDNESDAY
    Prayerbook Hebrew Class
    Ethical Society
    7:00 PM
    Rabbi Julie

    OCTOBER 21 SATURDAY
    Shabbat Service
    Ethical Society
    10:00 AM
    Lay Led

    OCTOBER 28 SATURDAY
    Shabbat Service
    Home
    10:00 AM
    Lay Led

    OCTOBER 29 SUNDAY
    Bagels & Books
    Joanne's
    11:00 AM

    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 are 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 tasteofjudaism@comcast.net for more information on the October-November series.

  • Message from Rabbi
  • Dear Chevre,

    Now that the High Holy days are almost behind us, it’s time to reap the harvest of all the intention and hard work and fervent prayer that went into creating a very special time for our community. It’s a wonderful feeling to open our doors and have congregants pour through them, filling the room with so much energy and purpose. May this great start carry us into a year of learning and laughter, brave action and quiet moments in Jewish community.

    One of my goals for this year is to support interested folks in taking the next step in ritual competence. Our beginning Hebrew class is one place for people to take a next step. I’ll also be working with families through our Family Torah program to incorporate Judaism in meaningful ways into their lives and. I hope to help them integrate more into the life of Leyv Ha-Ir. A number of individuals are working towards conversion with me or with mentors working along side me. And finally, people interested in learning to chant from the Torah (you must be a Hebrew reader already) are welcome to talk with me; in past years when there’s been a critical mass of interested folks we’ve had some workshops in this area. .

    I look forward to getting to know each of you better as we work together, sing together, grow a congregation together.

    With blessings for a year of abundance and peace,
    Rabbi Julie

  • Coming to Philadelphia Soon — The JRF Convention
  • The JRF (Jewish Reconstructionist Federation) convention is rapidly approaching, November 9 – 12 at the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing. At this time they are looking for volunteers for various functions, especially from our host area congregations. The volunteer needs include:

    • Hospitality - Greeting in the hotel lobby, help to organize first time attendees.
    • Home Hospitality – Contact Evy Simon if you can host a visitor in your home. Home hospitality will not be “advertised,” but JRF is hoping to make some homes available if requests come up.
    • Packet filler ideas - Articles, Philly info, vendor info.

    If you would like to devote some time to help make this convention a success, please contact Bobbi Cohen at 215-236-0689 or bobbic0689@aol.com. If you have additional question about volunteer opportunities, please contact Joan Gordon at 973-809-7876 or convention@jrfconvention.org. Volunteering is also a great way to meet fellow Reconstructionists.

    Information about the convention itself can be found at www.jrfconvention.org. A mailing will be sent to all full dues paying member soon.

  • Tikkun Olam Opportunity with Jewish Relief Agency
  • Collect and distribute food to low income Jewish families

    Dates: Sundays, October 22nd, November 19th and December 17th.

    Time: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

    Meeting Place: Congregation B’nai Abraham, 527 Lombard Street

    Please contact Catherine if you are interested in participating, 215-832-0597 cfischer@philafederation.org

  • Become a Kesher Volunteer Para-Chaplain
  • Make a caring connection with Jews who are ill or isolated.

    The Joan Grossman Center for Chaplaincy and Healing, offers a free 8 week training program in Jewish values, listening skills, healing and issues of aging.

    Where: Society Hill Synagogue, 418 Spruce Street

    When: Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30 PM (Starting October 19th for 8 weeks)

    To register or for more information, call Lonnie Beer at 215-646-2115 ext. 116.

    :: 215-629-1995