Dear KI Congregants, Early in 2020, we determined that the national rise in anti-Semitism and hate crimes demanded an increase in our security measures. To protect our school children, staff, members and guests, the Board of Directors voted to engage armed security officers whenever our building was open. At that time...
Ukraine is in the news. Daily reports pour in about the buildup of Russian troops, as many as 130, 000, to the north, east and south of the country. Diplomatic activity is also escalating but without a clear path to resolving the situation. NATO is on alert. Ukrainian civilians are...
The Parashah of T’tzaveh is directed at both a settled and evolving community of Jews. The sidrah contains very detailed instructions presented by G-d to be transmitted by Moses to the Jewish people. There are several passages in this portion that are meaningful to our religious lives and patterns of...
Every so often a congregant questions how we decide on the issues we support. We recognize that this important question deserves a considered response. Our committee was established in 2016, and shortly thereafter we decided that we would support positions taken by the Religious Action Center (RAC) which for more...
The Purim Story is a new Megillah retold and introduced by Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D., Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel (KI) in Elkins Park, PA published by Tablo Press (2021). Written for use at home or in the synagogue, The Purim Story features new, original artwork by Marlene D’Orazio Adler. Written as a...
There is a verse in this week’s Torah portion that resonates with our community and me. This week’s Torah portion is really the instruction manual for the building of our sanctuary, and in the middle of all of these details is this spiritual line: And let them make me a...
“And These Are the Laws…,” The Revelation at Sinai Continues, The Ten Commandments at KI, and Live Long and Prosper! This week, we continue to experience G-d’s ongoing revelation to the Jewish people, through His servant, Moses our Teacher. After the awesome drama of the giving of the Ten Commandments to...
It is with abounding pride and gratitude that I have agreed to become the next Senior Rabbi of Keneseth Israel In Elkins Park, PA. Founded In 1847, KI is a place of significant renown, a leader in and beyond the Reform movement for generations. The Jewish community of Philadelphia has...
January 20, 2022 KI Board of Trustees Approves KI’s Next Rabbi Dear Congregants: On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, the KI Board of Trustees overwhelmingly approved the recommendation of the Rabbinic Search Committee to offer the position of KI’s next rabbi to Rabbi Benjamin David, effective July 1, 2022. This is...
The Torah portion for this week, Yitro, includes the story of the giving of the Ten Commandments. It is not well known that in Jewish law, the Eighth Commandment, “You shall not steal,” is actually understood to be a prohibition against kidnapping. While this interpretation goes all the way back...
