 | Volume 8, Number 1
Tishrei / Cheshvan 5775 - October 2014 |
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KI Online | |
Have you looked at Kesher Israel's updated website lately?
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KI Thanks Cecelia & Jim Baker For All Their Help This Yom Tov Season! | |
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Welcome to the latest edition of the Kesher Connection.
Thank G-d, we all recently enjoyed another wonderful season of Yom Tovim together at Kesher Israel Congregation. Although the holidays are now behind us, I believe it's important to pause and say "Thank You" to those who made our Yom Tovim so special -- by volunteering their time, skills, and financial support.
Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur
- From Selichos through Ne'ilah, Cantor Seymour Rockoff, Mark Infield, and Rabbi Gewirtz did a terrific job leading our services
- Lee Seigel for expertly handling the varied Torah readings
- Ellis Rosenberg for sharing his terrific Shofar blowing talents with our congregation
- Rabbi Schertz for leading the Shofar service
- KI's Gabbaim, Sandy Krevsky, and Scott Gordon for making sure all honors were accorded, and that KI's services ran smoothly
- The Frankston-Morris-Gasner and Burcat families for sponsoring the beautiful pulpit flowers which enhanced our sanctuary
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The volunteers who helped switch all of KI's Torah, table, and Ark covers before and after the High Holidays
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The volunteers who helped in setting up and putting away KI's Machzorim for the High Holidays.
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Eunyce Press and Cecelia & Jim Baker -- KI's hard-working office management team -- for all of their invaluable assistance in preparing our congregation for the Yom Tovim
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Dena Rockoff and granddaughters for running junior services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
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Dr. Sandy Silverstein and Stu Brenner for the many hours they spent on KI's annual High Holiday yearbook
- Everyone who donated so generously to KI's Rabbi's Discretionary Fund to help others with their Yom Tov expenses
Sukkos
- Rabbi Schertz - for making sure our congregation received a shipment of beautiful Lulav and Esrog sets
- Quincy Rogers for leading a team of volunteers in assembling KI's Sukkah (and the volunteer who wishes to remain anonymous who put our Sukkah away).
- Quincy Rogers for sharing his musical talents with us at KI's Supper in the Sukkah
- Dena Rockoff and her hard working Supper in the Sukkah team of volunteers
- Central PA's Kosher Mart for creating a wonderful fundraising opportunity for KI during Chol HaMoed Sukkos
- Sadie Brenner, Jill Henig, and KI's many Hershey Park volunteers
- Oleasa Salkin for greeting and providing coffee to KI's many visitors on Chol Hamoed
- Dr. Bryan & Tammy Reid - whose Aravos bush was essential for KI's Hoshanah Rabbah service (and helped raise over $120 for worthy Tzedakah causes in Israel)
- Everyone who helped make Simchas Torah so lively
- The many generous sponsors of this year's Simchas Torah Kiddush (please see below)
- Norman Gras for all of his time and efforts he put into KI's Simchas Torah Kiddush
- The eight terrific students from Yeshiva University's "Torah Tours" program who chose to spend Shemini Atzeres, Simchas Torah, and Shabbos Bereishis with our community
- The Reid, Frankston-Morris, Powers, Salkin, and Males families for housing and hosting our Torah Tours team
Looking at this list makes one realize that for our Shul to function, run programs, and enjoy wonderful Yom Tovim together, we all need to find ways to get involved. Each of us can find some way to volunteer our talents, resources, and/or time so that Kesher Israel can continue to enhance our lives.
KI thanks each volunteer (and I apologize if I have omitted anyone). We need and appreciate each and every one of you. There are so many opportunities to volunteer at KI. Please contact me to see how you can help in the coming year.
Wishing you the very best,
Rabbi Akiva Males
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Recent KI Happenings 
At this year's Saturday Night Selichos Program (September 20th), KI showed the moving film 'A Hero In Heaven' -- a 45 minute documentary chronicling the life of Michael Levin (z"l), the only American-Israeli soldier killed during the Israeli/Hezbollah war of 2006. (KI's own Avi Mindlin is married to Michael's sister Elisa.)
'A Hero in Heaven' tells the story of Michael's devotion to his family, the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
After the well-attended film was shown, IDF Colonel Avi Bluth shared a short presentation with us on the role of 'Lone Soldiers' in the IDF. 
(Avi & Adi Bluth and family recently relocated to our community so Avi can attend the US Army War College in Carlisle this academic year.)
Please click HERE to learn more about The Lone Soldier Center which Michael's family established in his memory.
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KI Participates in Tzom Gedalia Rabbinic Pulpit Swap
KI once again partnered with Congregation Sons of Israel (Allentown, PA) for a unique Fast of  Gedalia program. On Sunday, 9/28/14, our two OU Synagogues engaged in a 'Rabbinic Pulpit Swap' -- wherein Rabbi David Wilensky and I attended Mincha / Maariv services with each other's respective community and delivered a High Holiday message between the two services.
In speaking with Rabbi Wilensky while we each drove back home that night, he remarked how impressed he was with the warm welcome (and dinner) that he received at KI.
KI thanks Rabbi Wilensky and his Shul for partnering with us in this wonderful program.
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Kesher Israel Congregation Welcomes Torah Tours to Harrisburg
The conclusion of the holiday of Sukkos at KI was greatly enhanced by the presence of eight  energetic college students (four young men along with four young women) who joined our congregation through Yeshiva University's Torah Tours program. Aside from providing a wonderful amount of liveliness to KI's services, the Torah Tours team did an excellent job at preparing and delivering thoughtful words of Torah at several of KI's programs. The students also did a great job at interacting with everyone in the congregation. The positive feedback has been phenomenal.
Kesher Israel Congregation sincerely thanks:
- Yeshiva University for their ongoing service to our congregation
- This year's YU Torah Tours team: Ariana Kaufman (Memphis, TN), Akiva Lautman (Cleveland, OH), Dina Rubin (Lawrence, NY), Judah Max Dobrinsky (Teaneck, NJ), Monique Sieratzki (Queens, NY), Avi Lerer (Teaneck, NJ), Yossi Goldschein (Woodmere, NY), and Lexi Zimmer (Monsey, NY)
- The Reid, Frankston-Morris, Powers, Salkin, and Males families for housing and hosting our 2014 Torah Tours team
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From The KI Mailbag
Dear Rabbi Males and Kesher Israel Congregation, Thank you so much for your warm hospitality. Your community was so warm and welcoming -- and it really made my Yom Tov all the more enjoyable. I learned a tremendous amount from all of the different types of people we met, and I am truly grateful to have had such a wonderful experience. Thank you! Avi Lerer (2014 Torah Tours Team)
P.S. We did stop at Cabela's and it was amazing! Here's a group photo we took there:
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Dear Kesher Israel Congregation, Thank you for your Rosh Hashana care package! Each year my Chag is made sweeter by your thoughtful gifts (figuratively & literally). I hope you all had a wonderful set of Chagim! Sincerely, Lee Henig Ithaca College, NY _____________________
Dear KI Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, Thank you for your generous contribution of $200 to the Detroit Jewish Federation's Disaster Relief Fund. Many Jewish families are still struggling in the aftermath of the summer flooding in the Detroit area. As much as your financial contribution is appreciated, the solidarity that you have demonstrated with those suffering is an even greater comfort. Please extend my personal gratitude on behalf of all of us in the Detroit area to the members of Kesher Israel. May your entire community be blessed with a year of health, happiness, peace, and prosperity. Sincerely, Rabbi Yechiel Morris Young Israel of Southfield (Michigan) _______________________
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In Other KI News
Click HERE to read a great Patriot News article about how KI wished a 'Shanah Tovah' to Jewish US troops deployed oversees before Rosh Hashana.
US Army Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel (Rabbi) Shmuel Felzenberg distributing Shanah Tovah treats and High Holiday prayer books sent from Kesher Israel Congregation to Jewish GIs stationed in Afghanistan.
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KI was able to once again assist the Harrisburg Public School Foundation by raising funds to purchase school supplies for a local Harrisburg public school class. Through the help of more than 20 generous donors, more than $500 was raised in this effort. KI thanks all of the generous sponsors who helped us reach out to our community's children in need.
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 All of us at Kesher Israel greatly appreciate the Kosher bakery at our friendly Linglestown Rd. Giant supermarket.
This year's pre-Simchas Torah party at KI was greatly enhanced by a moving presentation of a plaque of appreciation to Steve Balchunas -- the store's bakery department manager. Before Norman Gras presented Steve with his award, Burt Morris treated all in attendance with a brief history of how the Kosher bakery program at Giant came into existence.
Be sure to look for the plaque Steve received from KI next time you're in the Giant bakery section!
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An Important KI Congregational Meeting Will Be Held on Sunday, November 2nd at 10:00 AM.
Please Make Every Effort To Attend. Thank You!
Tickets for KI's Raffle -- On Sale Now!
Who couldn't use some extra cash? You could win up to $2,000 and support KI at the same time, by buying your raffle ticket before December 1st! Each ticket is $50.00 or three for $100 -- and has a chance to win in three separate weekly drawings -- November 17th, 24th, and December 1, 2014.
Don't miss this opportunity, please support KI and buy tickets today!
You can also purchase tickets through KI's secure website HERE.
______________________  KI's Rabbi's Discretionary Fund was proud to donate a Mezuzah for a doorway leading into the Jewish Group Home's newly constructed 'Four Seasons Room' (on N. 2nd Street). KI's ambassadors -- Jonah and Daniel Cleff -- were happy to install the new Mezuzah on our behalf.
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KI's 5775 / 2014 Simchas Torah Kiddush
 KI's Simchas Torah Kiddush luncheon was held this year on Shabbos, October 18th, and was an opportunity to come together as a community for a final Yom Tov meal. This year, KI also celebrated a Siyum on the entire Mishnaic order of Nashim, and also recognized the devoted participants of KI's daily Minyan.
The Mishnaic order of Nashim contains seven intricate tractates of Mishnayos which we have studied together at KI's daily Mincha / Maariv Minyan for just about the last three years.
Simchas Torah -- the day when we completed the annual Torah reading and then began it anew -- was the perfect time to celebrate this accomplishment.
This Kiddush luncheon was made possible through the generosity of our sponsors.
(All monies raised beyond the costs of this Kiddush went towards replenishing KI's weekly Kiddush fund.)
The following sponsorship opportunities were available for this year's Simchas Torah Kiddush:
Aliya Sponsor - $36
Hagbah Sponsor - $54
Gelilah Sponsor - $100
Chazak Sponsor - $150
Chazak Chazak V'Nis'Chazek Sponsor - $200 and higher
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Here is a list of our sponsors:
Chazak Chazak V'Nis'Chazek Sponsors:
David & Renee Heyden
Joel & Gail Burcat
Frankston-Morris-Gasner Families
Paul Barresi
Dr. Stan & Ruth Lewin
Cheryl & Norman Gras
Chazak Sponsors:
Dan & Gloria Grabenstein
Gelilah Sponsors:
Rabbi Akiva & Layala Males
Charlie & Eunyce Press
Janice & Dovid Davis
Dr. Jerry & Sadie Brenner
Rita & Barry Gordon
Ricki & Bob Gold
Rabbi Barry & Sandy Nussbaum
Hagbah Sponsors:
Lee & Eva Siegel
Barry & Susan Stein
Judy & Dan Schulder
Joel & Debby Hervitz
Alvin Rostolsky & Elaine Blecker
Dr. Ralph & Sandy Picciotto
Aliyah Sponsors:
Ephraim Sandow
Davida & Morris Ogun
Jack & Penny Ogun
Frances Cleff
Betsy & Murray Katz
Maurice & Viviane Benoudiz
Viv & Norman Bergel
Tatyana & Elie Benoudiz
Deb Lenker
Dr. Moshe Bell & Dr. Holly Engelman
Mark & Louise Powers
Ann & Ellis Rosenberg
Phil & Abbey Goldstein
Ann Feierman
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KI Dedication Opportunities
Are you looking to make a dedication in memory / honor of a friend or loved one? A number of new dedication opportunities at KI are now available:
1) Become a sponsor of an exciting future KI program
2) Help fund one of KI's other projects.
3) Sponsor a Kiddush (basic = $180) or Shalosh Seudos (basic = $50) in honor of a special occasion
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Please share your ideas, suggestions, or concerns with me. I look forward to receiving your input, so I can best fulfill my rabbinic duties.
KI Office: 717-238-0763
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