March 1 SATURDAY
Shabbat Morning Service
Ethical Society
10:00 AM
Lay Led

March 5 WEDNESDAY
Council Meeting
Ethical Society
7:00 PM
Michael

March 9 SUNDAY
Family Torah Group
Call 215-629-1995

March 15 SATURDAY
Shabbat Morning Service
Ethical Society
10:00 AM
Lay Led

March 16 SUNDAY
Choir Rehearsal
6:30 PM
Call Beverly, 215-557-3777

March 17 MONDAY
"Reel Jews" Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival
Call Joan, 215-561-5193

March 21 FRIDAY
Kabbalat Shabbat & PURIMSPEIL
7:30 PM
Ethical Society

March 22 SATURDAY
Shabbat Morning Service
House
10:00 AM
Lay Led

March 22 SATURDAY
Spirituality Group
Member Home
3:15 PM

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

This year is the 60th anniversary of the founding of modern Israel. The Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival is commemorating this event with an award winning film: A Hebrew Lesson. This is a story of life in an ulpan where personal stories blend with the complexities of Israeli reality. It won the Best Documentary Award in Israel. Anyone who has had the experience of learning a foreign language or anyone who is interested in learning what it is like to be an oleh hadash (new immigrant) would enjoy this sometimes comic, sometimes poignant film.

This film will be shown Monday, March 17th at 7:00. at the Gershman Y. The director is scheduled to speak after the performance. Tickets are $10 each. Students and seniors: $7.00. WHYY members 2 for 1 admission. This amount to $5.00 per person. Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance. Special price tickets must be bought in person since they require an ID.

So far there are 5 people going. An optional veggie dinner is planned before the show. Call Joan (215-561-5193) if you are interested in joining us, either for the dinner or for the film or for both.

If you take part in a Leyv Ha-Ir~Heart of the City service, sooner or later you might have the experience of being in a chevruta, or dyad. Chavurah comes from the word chaver, meaning friend. Chaver is also the root of the word Chavurah, the living-room size gatherings of Jewish people that sprung up all across the country in the 1980s and still flourish today. Judaism teaches that when two people encounter each other, the presence of God is felt.

Whenever I organize chevruta,groups as part of a service, I get feedback from some people saying how miserable this made them and from other people saying it was the most meaningful part of the service. There definitely are strong feelings about meeting in two-somes to study, discuss, share. If you hate being in a dyad, then maybe it just isn't for you. I try to offer alternatives such as reading more in-depth in the siddur (prayerbook) or taking some moments for meditation.

But in case, you are someone who could appreciate chevruta, with some extra support, I offer the following to you: The experience of being in chevruta, can be a spiritual opportunity. Can you use whatever resistance comes up for you as a learning opportunity? As an invitation to grow into your higher self?

Some people tell me they can't stand chevruta, because they feel intimidated by their partners, maybe because the partner has high intelligence or a thorough Jewish background, or whatever. This is a chance to value yourself and hold onto yourself, even in the face of others who seem more able, more talented, more whatever it is you feel you lack.

On the other hand, some people tell me they can't stand chevruta, because their partner isn't stimulating and intellectually challenging enough. This is a chance to cultivate patience, respect, tolerance in yourself.

Chevrutah allows a time for making Jewish tradition your own through dialogue. In traditional Jewish settings, such as yeshiva, this is the primary learning model. Discovery through discussion with another person is a valued method of Jewish learning. Being in relationship with other seekers is a tried and true Jewish form of encountering God.

Next time we engage in chevruta during a service, I'll be interested to hear your experience and feedback.

All the best,
Rabbi Julie

Leyv Ha-Ir held its eleventh retreat at Pendle Hill, a Quaker-run campus, in Wallingford, PA. This number does not reflect the two Shabbaton events held in Fairmount Park on alternate years.

Fourteen of our members stayed for the weekend and five commuted for Saturday services, meals and activities. Judging from the evaluations, the weekend was a huge success. Roby Jacobs and Iris Newman led Friday Shabbat services, followed by Rabbi Julie, with the help of Cantor Jack Kessler, leading Saturday's service. Lots of singing, good conversations and recognition of Iris Cutler's very special birthday, accompanied by a huge cake and champagne.

The Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation has been established to perpetuate the memory and legacy of the six million Jewish Martyrs, to provide educational programs for children, visitors, and future generations, and to use the Holocaust to teach tolerance and understanding to all.

The Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation is dedicated to preserving the truth and raising awareness about the Holocaust and is supporting ongoing efforts to enhance the one-quarter acre of property on which the monument sits into a more significant Holocaust remembrance site.

The Foundation, in partnership with the Fairmount Park Commission, is looking to create a destination location where visitors and future generations can be educated on the lessons of the Holocaust, offer a place for reflection,confront hatred, and promote human dignity.

The Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation can be contacted at 2100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-832-0515

Sol Volk, our resident Yogi, led an early morning yoga session at the Retreat. He is pictured here as part of an article in the January 2008 edition of "Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation".

Some of us have memories of Sabbath dinners with lots of family and friends, and what a good time we had. In April, we're going to have a big potluck Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Julie, singing, and stories, and you're invited. Come to the Community Room of the William Penn House, 1919 Chestnut Street, on Friday, April 4th, 6:30 PM. Everyone is welcome, with or without a Jewish background. We welcome you to schmooze, nosh, learn and have a fun Shabbat with friends.

The meal will be veggie/dairy. Some suggestions about what you might bring (enough for 6-8 people): dips and crackers, salads, quiche, kugel, blintzes, cut-up fruits and vegetables, fish filets, fish salads, cooked vegetable dishes, cakes, cookies, fruit desserts, ice cream, bottles of wine, fruit or vegetable juices...

There will be no charge, but we ask that you let us know how many will be coming and what you are bringing. Please call 215-629-1995 or send an email to info@leyvhair.org. We won't be having a service, but there will be traditional blessings.

-Attention Leyv Ha-Ir Women and All Who Are Interested-

You Are Cordially Invited to Participate in a CHAI*-TEA and To Experience The Delightful and Fun SECRETS OF NATURAL BEAUTY Presented by Consultant and National Speaker SUSAN BUDENSTEIN Author of Look Good, Feel Great, Fast!

You'll Learn:
· Natural Facelifts
· How To Give Yourself a SPA Massage
· Age-Less-Ness
· Aromatherapy From Your Kitchen
· Move Gracefully At Any Age
· The Value of Touch
· Yoga At Your Desk
· Fast Energy, Good Snacks
· Quiet Your Mind, Any Time, Any Place

plus + plus + plus +

Wear a fancy, special, or fun hat and win a prize!

JOIN US ON SUNDAY, APRIL 6TH, AT 4 PM
Location: 1901 JFK Boulevard/#2818

You'll have a great tea-time (with fancy noshes, of course!) And you'll learn so much about how to be Jewishly Beautiful!

The cost? Just *18.00 (because this *chai is a tax-deductible donation to Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir)

*Mail your $18.00 check to: Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir/PO Box 15836/Philadelphia, PA 19103 by Wednesday March 26, 2008

"Secrets of Natural Beauty showed everyone in our group how easy it is to preserve and enhance our beauty and vitality. We were transformed...We learned how to keep ourselves more beautiful and vital..." Sheila Marguson, Women's Business Retreat, Arlington, VA

Questions? Call Myrna at 610-896-7776