Thursday, November 7, 2013
Hanukkah Fair on November 17th, 2013
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Hanukkah with the kids? Need a few last minute gifts? Join us on Sunday, November 17th at 11:30am for a fun filled Hanukkah Fair with crafts, shopping and the beloved Janice Buckner!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
From NYTimes: Poll Shows Major Shift in Identity of U.S. Jews
L'Dor V'Dor?
Poll Shows Major Shift in Identity of U.S. Jews
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
The first major survey of American Jews in more than 10 years finds a significant rise in those who are not religious, marry outside the faith and are not raising their children Jewish — resulting in rapid assimilation that is sweeping through every branch of Judaism except the Orthodox.
The intermarriage rate, a bellwether statistic, has reached a high of 58 percent for all Jews, and 71 percent for non-Orthodox Jews — a huge change from before 1970 when only 17 percent of Jews married outside the faith. Two-thirds of Jews do not belong to a synagogue, one-fourth do not believe in God and one-third had a Christmas tree in their home last year.
“It’s a very grim portrait of the health of the American Jewish population in terms of their Jewish identification,” said Jack Wertheimer, a professor of American Jewish history at the Jewish Theological Seminary, in New York.
The survey, by the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project, found that despite the declines in religious identity and participation, American Jews say they are proud to be Jewish and have a “strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people.”
While 69 percent say they feel an emotional attachment to Israel, and 40 percent believe that the land that is now Israel was “given to the Jewish people by God,” only 17 percent think that the continued building of settlements in the West Bank is helpful to Israel’s security.
Jews make up 2.2 percent of the American population, a percentage that has held steady for the past two decades. The survey estimates there are 5.3 million Jewish adults as well as 1.3 million children being raised at least partly Jewish.
The survey uses a wide definition of who is a Jew, a much-debated topic. The researchers included the 22 percent of Jews who describe themselves as having “no religion,” but who identify as Jewish because they have a Jewish parent or were raised Jewish, and feel Jewish by culture or ethnicity.
However, the percentage of “Jews of no religion” has grown with each successive generation, peaking with the millennials (those born after 1980), of whom 32 percent say they have no religion.
“It’s very stark,” Alan Cooperman, deputy director of the Pew religion project, said in an interview. “Older Jews are Jews by religion. Younger Jews are Jews of no religion.”
The trend toward secularism is also happening in the American population in general, with increasing proportions of each generation claiming no religious affiliation.
But Jews without religion tend not to raise their children Jewish, so this secular trend has serious consequences for what Jewish leaders call “Jewish continuity.” Of the “Jews of no religion” who have children at home, two-thirds are not raising their children Jewish in any way. This is in contrast to the “Jews with religion,” of whom 93 percent said they are raising their children to have a Jewish identity.
Reform Judaism remains the largest American Jewish movement, at 35 percent. Conservative Jews are 18 percent, Orthodox 10 percent, and groups such as Reconstructionist and Jewish Renewal make up 6 percent combined. Thirty percent of Jews do not identify with any denomination.
In a surprising finding, 34 percent said you could still be Jewish if you believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
When Jews leave the movements they grew up in, they tend to shift in the direction of less tradition, with Orthodox Jews becoming Conservative or Reform, and Conservative Jews becoming Reform. Most Reform Jews who leave become nonreligious. (Two percent of Jews are converts, the survey found.)
Jews from the former Soviet Union and their offspring make up about 10 percent of the American Jewish population.
While earlier generations of Orthodox Jews defected in large numbers, those in the younger generation are being retained. Several scholars attributed this to the Orthodox marrying young, having large families and sending their children to Jewish schools.
Steven M. Cohen, a sociologist of American Jewry at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, in New York, and a paid consultant on the poll, said the report foretold “a sharply declining non-Orthodox population in the second half of the 21st century, and a rising fraction of Jews who are Orthodox.”
The survey also portends “growing polarization” between religious and nonreligious Jews, said Laurence Kotler-Berkowitz, senior director of research and analysis at the Jewish Federations of North America.
The Jewish Federations has conducted major surveys of American Jews over many decades, but the last one in 2000 was mired in controversy over methodology. When the federations decided not to undertake another survey in 2010, Jane Eisner, editor in chief of The Jewish Daily Forward, urged the Pew researchers to jump in.
It was a multimillion-dollar effort to cull 3,475 respondents from a pool of 70,000. They were interviewed in English and Russian, on landlines and cellphones from Feb. 20 to June 13, 2013. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus three percentage points.
Ms. Eisner found the results “devastating” because, she said in an interview, “I thought there would be more American Jews who cared about religion.”
“This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us as Jews,” she said, “to think about what kind of community we’re going to be able to sustain if we have so much assimilation.”
The intermarriage rate, a bellwether statistic, has reached a high of 58 percent for all Jews, and 71 percent for non-Orthodox Jews — a huge change from before 1970 when only 17 percent of Jews married outside the faith. Two-thirds of Jews do not belong to a synagogue, one-fourth do not believe in God and one-third had a Christmas tree in their home last year.
“It’s a very grim portrait of the health of the American Jewish population in terms of their Jewish identification,” said Jack Wertheimer, a professor of American Jewish history at the Jewish Theological Seminary, in New York.
The survey, by the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project, found that despite the declines in religious identity and participation, American Jews say they are proud to be Jewish and have a “strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people.”
While 69 percent say they feel an emotional attachment to Israel, and 40 percent believe that the land that is now Israel was “given to the Jewish people by God,” only 17 percent think that the continued building of settlements in the West Bank is helpful to Israel’s security.
Jews make up 2.2 percent of the American population, a percentage that has held steady for the past two decades. The survey estimates there are 5.3 million Jewish adults as well as 1.3 million children being raised at least partly Jewish.
The survey uses a wide definition of who is a Jew, a much-debated topic. The researchers included the 22 percent of Jews who describe themselves as having “no religion,” but who identify as Jewish because they have a Jewish parent or were raised Jewish, and feel Jewish by culture or ethnicity.
However, the percentage of “Jews of no religion” has grown with each successive generation, peaking with the millennials (those born after 1980), of whom 32 percent say they have no religion.
“It’s very stark,” Alan Cooperman, deputy director of the Pew religion project, said in an interview. “Older Jews are Jews by religion. Younger Jews are Jews of no religion.”
The trend toward secularism is also happening in the American population in general, with increasing proportions of each generation claiming no religious affiliation.
But Jews without religion tend not to raise their children Jewish, so this secular trend has serious consequences for what Jewish leaders call “Jewish continuity.” Of the “Jews of no religion” who have children at home, two-thirds are not raising their children Jewish in any way. This is in contrast to the “Jews with religion,” of whom 93 percent said they are raising their children to have a Jewish identity.
Reform Judaism remains the largest American Jewish movement, at 35 percent. Conservative Jews are 18 percent, Orthodox 10 percent, and groups such as Reconstructionist and Jewish Renewal make up 6 percent combined. Thirty percent of Jews do not identify with any denomination.
In a surprising finding, 34 percent said you could still be Jewish if you believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
When Jews leave the movements they grew up in, they tend to shift in the direction of less tradition, with Orthodox Jews becoming Conservative or Reform, and Conservative Jews becoming Reform. Most Reform Jews who leave become nonreligious. (Two percent of Jews are converts, the survey found.)
Jews from the former Soviet Union and their offspring make up about 10 percent of the American Jewish population.
While earlier generations of Orthodox Jews defected in large numbers, those in the younger generation are being retained. Several scholars attributed this to the Orthodox marrying young, having large families and sending their children to Jewish schools.
Steven M. Cohen, a sociologist of American Jewry at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, in New York, and a paid consultant on the poll, said the report foretold “a sharply declining non-Orthodox population in the second half of the 21st century, and a rising fraction of Jews who are Orthodox.”
The survey also portends “growing polarization” between religious and nonreligious Jews, said Laurence Kotler-Berkowitz, senior director of research and analysis at the Jewish Federations of North America.
The Jewish Federations has conducted major surveys of American Jews over many decades, but the last one in 2000 was mired in controversy over methodology. When the federations decided not to undertake another survey in 2010, Jane Eisner, editor in chief of The Jewish Daily Forward, urged the Pew researchers to jump in.
It was a multimillion-dollar effort to cull 3,475 respondents from a pool of 70,000. They were interviewed in English and Russian, on landlines and cellphones from Feb. 20 to June 13, 2013. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus three percentage points.
Ms. Eisner found the results “devastating” because, she said in an interview, “I thought there would be more American Jews who cared about religion.”
“This should serve as a wake-up call for all of us as Jews,” she said, “to think about what kind of community we’re going to be able to sustain if we have so much assimilation.”
Monday, September 23, 2013
Simchat Torah 2013
Come dance and celebrate! Thursday, September 26th, 2013 at Huntington Jewish Center at 7pm
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Pizza in the Hut 2013
In Vayikra 23:42 “And you shall dwell in sukkot for seven days, every person in Israel (the people) shall dwell in sukkot; in order to ensure that your generations will know that I placed the children of Israel in sukkot when I took them out of Egypt, I am the L-rd.”
Come share our sukkot meal - PIZZA!
Sunday, September 22nd at 11am
Friday, September 13, 2013
Wishing You an Easy Fast
And while you cleanse your body in search of spiritual clarity, please remember those who go without food and bring a food donation for the St. Hugh Food Pantry. May you have an easy fast.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Wishing You a Sweet New Year
They need non-perishable foods, and preferably not in glass bottles.
Items like:
Peanut butter and jelly
Tuna fish
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Rice
Beans
Canned fruit
TP and paper towels
Cookies and crackers
Friday, August 30, 2013
Slichot Services 8pm
Slichot Saturday, August 31 at 8 pm
T'shuvah, the act of "turning" or transformation, is a spiritual process that takes time, patience, discipline, and honesty. The Jewish tradition recognizes this by designating the month preceding the High Holy Days (the month of Elul) as preparation for T'shuvah. It's a time to talk less and think more, to take stock and examine oneself. In Hebrew this process is called cheshbon hanefesh, literally, the "accounting of the soul." Only when emotional and psychological preparation has been done, can we truly begin the process of "turning" back to the Divine and back to our true selves.
In synagogues special penitential prayers called Slichot are recited during Elul. On Saturday, August 31 at 8:30 pm we will hold our annual Slichot service. Rosh Hashanah will be less than a week away.
Starting with the recitation of the Slichot prayers we begin asking ourselves great questions: "Where am I? Who am I? What are my regrets? Can repairs be made? What changes do I need to make?"
This is the beginning of our Holy season. As we unite in prayer, we strengthen ourselves for the spiritual work ahead of us. As T'shuvah gathers force within us, we are propelled toward the Days of Awe, confronting not only who we have been, but also who we might yet become.
Our Slichot prayers also contain a special Healing Service in which we pray for ourselves, our loved ones, and all who are struggling with illness.
Cantor Judy Merrick will be joining us and this is a wonderful opportunity to meet her.
Shannah tova tikuteyvu
Rabbi Arthur
PS. Everyone is invited to bring refreshments.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
New Forum on the Middle East - August 10th
Turmoil in the Middle East: What the Media Won't Tell You
Egypt, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan! Why are they fighting amongst themselves? Learn what's really happening.
Forum on Saturday, August 10 following Torah Study and Services at 10:00. With our own Nissim.
Egypt, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan! Why are they fighting amongst themselves? Learn what's really happening.
Forum on Saturday, August 10 following Torah Study and Services at 10:00. With our own Nissim.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
The Blessing of Peace
When
the blessing of shalom
Is lacking,
However
much we have
Of other
blessings –
Wealth
or power,
Fame or
family,
Even health
–
They all
appear as nothing.
But when
shalom
Is present,
However
little else we have
Somehow
seems
Sufficient.
Herschel
Matt from Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat Vehagim – our Reconstructionist Prayer Book
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Saturday Morning Forum on Israel
 |
|
|
Saturday, May 25th Shabbat Service & Israel FORUM
10 AM Torah Study, then short service
and
continuing our series.....
"The State of Israel:
She is Young, Beautiful and Successful"
Is she really young or does she just look young?
Historic overview presented by
Nissim Yeheskel Saturday May 25, 2013 following Services
|
Monday, May 20, 2013
Angels of Kindness
I love our prayer book. After 6 years of membership I still manage to stumble upon jewels that I've somehow never seen before and they pierce my heart with their beauty. This is one:
Angels
are another name for feelings.
When
we love and act with kidness
we
create angels of love and kindness;
when
we hate and act with violence
we
create angels of hatred and violence.
It
is our job to fill the world with angels of love:
messengers
of kindness
that
link people together as one family.
Rami
M. Shapiro
from Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat Vehagim Reconstructionist Prayer Book (affectionately referred to as "The red book")
Friday, May 17, 2013
Hannah's Bat Mitzvah
Mazel Tov, Hannah!
We're so proud of you!!
Services 10am sharp on Saturday, May 18th
Friday, May 10, 2013
Open House - Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Heather Forest will be sharing stories for Shavout this Saturday, May 11th at 10am.
Here's a little something from Heather's website:
About
Storytelling
Storytelling is one of
humanity's oldest art forms and an enduring educational method. Telling or
simply listening to a well-crafted story is a compelling, imaginative
experience. As a folk art, storytelling is accessible to all ages and abilities."
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Here's a little something from Heather's website:
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Shavuot - May 14th 7:30 pm
From the Rabbi:
"A Jewish wit informs us that any Jewish holiday can be summed up in nine words: "They tried to destroy us; We Won; Let's eat!" It works with most holidays: Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim etc. However, it doesn't apply to Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks which marks 50 days after Passover.
"A Jewish wit informs us that any Jewish holiday can be summed up in nine words: "They tried to destroy us; We Won; Let's eat!" It works with most holidays: Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim etc. However, it doesn't apply to Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks which marks 50 days after Passover.
Shavuot was originally one of the three great agrarian pilgrimage festivals. Jews from all around the Mediterranean would come to Jerusalem and give thanks for the first fruits of spring. There they would offer up their sacrifices and pray for continued health and prosperity for the land.
When the community became urban, Shavuot was transformed into the anniversary of the giving of the Torah. Just as rain nourished the land making life abundant, so too the Torah was the Mayim Hayim, the very water of life, nourishing the soul and bringing blessings to the people. While Passover celebrates the "escape from" oppression, Shavuot celebrates the "escape to" freedom, self-determination and divine values.
On Tuesday evening everyone will each receive a copy of the Book of Ruth complete with commentary. (Yes, you may keep it.) We will review the highlights of this unique text which celebrates the wisdom, daring and strength of women. Then we shall discuss a two-page essay by Judith Plascow, "Attending Again at Sinai, Judaism from a Feminist Perspective."
Following our one hour study we will hold a Yizkor Memorial Service.
A paragraph from Judith Plascow's essay:
"The ways in which male God-language continues to legitimate male authority are difficult to demonstrate, for this language has become so familiar, it is simply taken for granted. Since we "know" that male language is generic, and we subject God-language to many layers of translation, it is difficult to imagine that the literal level of images has any effect. As Mary Daly argued years ago, however, the symbol of the father God-or the godfather as she calls him-is rendered plausible by patriarchy and, in turn, authorized male-dominated social structures by making women's oppression appear right and fitting.""
Snacks (milchik) are welcome!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
This Weekend @ KSS
It's a busy, beautiful weekend at Kehillath Shalom Synagogue:
May 3rd - Friday Night Forum - Safety and Security in our Houses of Worship - All Welcome - 7:30
May 4th - Opening Night of KSKP production of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - 7:30pm
May 5th - Matinee of Willie Wonka - tickets available at the door
Shabbat Shalom!
May 3rd - Friday Night Forum - Safety and Security in our Houses of Worship - All Welcome - 7:30
May 4th - Opening Night of KSKP production of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - 7:30pm
May 5th - Matinee of Willie Wonka - tickets available at the door
Shabbat Shalom!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
May 3rd Forum
Do you belong to a house of worship in our area? If so, DO NOT MISS this forum:
Houses of Worship
A significant and timely Friday Night Forum
What are the realities in our area? How can we best protect ourselves from violence before it happens?
A panel of experts will discuss the troubling real issue of safety and security in our faith communities.
Forum is at 8:15 p.m.
Please join us for Friday night services at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Tickets Still Available for Willie Wonka!
Call (631) 470-3551 and Carolyn will get you premium seats!
"Come with me and you'll see a world of pure imagination..."
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
For the Blessings of Spring Flowers - Dayenu
 |
|
Even
though Passover is over, it isn’t too late to count your blessings and to help
KSS.
|
Dear Kehillath Shalom Synagogue Members and Friends,
The Board hopes you and your family had a peaceful and
meaningful Passover. Just as the Haggadah reminds us to say Dayenu (“That would
have been enough for us”) for all the blessings that the Israelites received
that helped bring them out of bondage in Egypt and into freedom in the Land of
Milk and Honey, it is also a good time to recognize how blessed we are here in
2013.
Today, we are asking that you support Kehillath Shalom
Synagogue by making a financial contribution to our Dayenu Fundraiser.
Let us remember the many blessings in our lives and realize
how much more we have than would have been enough for us. Please count your
blessings and consider making a donation of $2 for each one.
Blessings:
I have a safe and permanent place to live. Dayenu!
I have enough to eat. Dayenu!
I have clothes to keep me cool and to keep me warm. Dayenu!
I have a spouse/partner who supports me. Dayenu!
I have _____ children and grandchildren. Dayenu!
I have _____ siblings. Dayenu!
I have _____ parents, in-laws, grandparents and great
grandparents. Dayenu!
I have _____ nieces and nephews. Dayenu!
I have _____ pets. Dayenu!
I have _____ bathrooms in my home. Dayenu!
I have _____ televisions in my home. Dayenu!
I have _____ cars. Dayenu!
I have _____ computers, tablets and cellphones. Dayenu!
I have _____ years of KSS supporting me by providing a place
to worship, a place to gather with other Jews and a place to promote spiritual
peace and growth. Dayenu!
Total number of blessings _____ x $2 = _____
Please make your check payable to Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
and mail it to the office at 58 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724. You can also make a donation via
credit card if you call the office at 631-367-4589.
For next year and many more years after that at KSS,
Scott Ash
(Fundraising Committee, Chairperson)
Monday, April 29, 2013
Open House for Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
Come celebrate Shavout with us at the Kehillath Shalom Synagogue Open House featuring Heather Forest!
Date: May 11th
Time: Services begin at 10am
Place: Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
58 Goose Hill Rd. in Cold Spring Harbor, NY
To learn more about Shavuot click here.
Date: May 11th
Time: Services begin at 10am
Place: Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
58 Goose Hill Rd. in Cold Spring Harbor, NY
To learn more about Shavuot click here.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Services Led by our post Bar and Bat Mitzvah Students
Just a reminder that Saturday's Torah studies and services (April 27th) will be led (without parental input) by our own post Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, Daniel and Morgan.
Said parental units are very proud and hope very much that the community will come out in force to support the efforts of these two young adults who are making such and effort to practice Reconstuctionism - participatory Judiasm.
As always, Torah study begins at 10am and Services at 11am.
Shabbat Shalom!
Said parental units are very proud and hope very much that the community will come out in force to support the efforts of these two young adults who are making such and effort to practice Reconstuctionism - participatory Judiasm.
As always, Torah study begins at 10am and Services at 11am.
Shabbat Shalom!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
A Special Open House Celebration of Shavuot -May 11
Heather Forest will be helping us celebrate Shavuot on May 11th!
We will be hosting an Open House - free to the public with services at 10am led by our congregants and Hebrew School students followed by Tales of Giving and Receiving at 10:30 with Kehillath Shalom Friend, the talented Heather Forest. Light nosh will follow.
Come meet (and celebrate) with the wonderful folks (if I do say so myself) of Kehillath Shalom Synagogue.
All are welcome!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Willie Wonka - the Amazing Chocolatier
A Note from our producer, Deborah Globus:
Dear me - what have I gotten myself into?
Producers aren't supposed to be IN the show? Producers aren't supposed to have to *gasp* memorize lines.
But then, neither are Hebrew School directors or parents. And all of them will be in this year's production of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory presented by The Kehillath Shalom Kids Players.
Want to come watch us
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
An Afternoon in Celebration of the Arts
ARTS SALON
An Afternoon in Celebration of the Arts
Sunday, April 28, 2013
New time: 3:30 - 5:30p.m.
Join Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
for an engaging afternoon of member-led
Performances, Arts, Food & Community
no judging, no sale – only pure enjoyment
• NO ADMISSION CHARGE •
Share KSS’s passion for and interest in the Arts with children in the community.
Bring in donations of art supplies for the Huntington Head Start’s
pre-school and pre-k programs.
Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
58 Goose Hill Road • Cold Spring Harbor
631-367-4589
Monday, April 22, 2013
The Rabbi's Thoughts Following Events in Boston
BOSTON AND PRAYER
Alexander Solzhenitsyn has remarked: “Where once violence was the last resort, alas, today it is the
first resort.” Once again a major city of our nation has been rocked by violence. Senseless death and
bloodshed have become all commonplace in our world. Patriots’ Day in Boston was meant to mark the battles of Lexington and Concord. Sadly, the struggle for safety and freedom never is concluded.
Our prayers go out to the victims and their families, to all who have been touched by this evil action.
At the same time we celebrate the selfless compassion of the bystanders and responders who rushed into the fray to help.
After 2011, after Columbine, after Newtown, and after Boston we realize that the enemy is not this
or that religion, this or that community: the real enemy is the hatred. How do we battle hatred?
It’s everyone’s responsibility. What the world needs is a unified religious voice preaching loudly and
constantly for tolerance, peace and compassion. All faiths, without exception, need to proclaim the
simple truth that all people are created in the image of God, each and every life is of infinite worth.
To quote the Talmud and the Koran: “To destroy one life is as if one destroyed an entire world. To save one life is as if one saved an entire world.”
And so we pray the words of the Bratslaver Rebbe,
May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease
when a great peace will embrace the whole world
Then nation shall not threaten nation
and humankind will not again know war.
For all who live on earth shall realize
we have not come into being to hate or destroy
We have come into being
to praise, to labor and to love.
Compassionate God, bless all the leaders of all nations
with the power of compassion.
Fulfill the promise conveyed in Scripture:
"I will bring peace to the land,
and you shall lie down and no one shall terrify you.
I will rid the land of vicious beasts
and it shall not be ravaged by war."
Let love and justice flow like a mighty stream.
Let peace fill the earth as the waters fill the sea.
And let us say: Amen
In prayer,
Rabbi Arthur L. Schwartz
Alexander Solzhenitsyn has remarked: “Where once violence was the last resort, alas, today it is the
first resort.” Once again a major city of our nation has been rocked by violence. Senseless death and
bloodshed have become all commonplace in our world. Patriots’ Day in Boston was meant to mark the battles of Lexington and Concord. Sadly, the struggle for safety and freedom never is concluded.
Our prayers go out to the victims and their families, to all who have been touched by this evil action.
At the same time we celebrate the selfless compassion of the bystanders and responders who rushed into the fray to help.
After 2011, after Columbine, after Newtown, and after Boston we realize that the enemy is not this
or that religion, this or that community: the real enemy is the hatred. How do we battle hatred?
It’s everyone’s responsibility. What the world needs is a unified religious voice preaching loudly and
constantly for tolerance, peace and compassion. All faiths, without exception, need to proclaim the
simple truth that all people are created in the image of God, each and every life is of infinite worth.
To quote the Talmud and the Koran: “To destroy one life is as if one destroyed an entire world. To save one life is as if one saved an entire world.”
And so we pray the words of the Bratslaver Rebbe,
May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease
when a great peace will embrace the whole world
Then nation shall not threaten nation
and humankind will not again know war.
For all who live on earth shall realize
we have not come into being to hate or destroy
We have come into being
to praise, to labor and to love.
Compassionate God, bless all the leaders of all nations
with the power of compassion.
Fulfill the promise conveyed in Scripture:
"I will bring peace to the land,
and you shall lie down and no one shall terrify you.
I will rid the land of vicious beasts
and it shall not be ravaged by war."
Let love and justice flow like a mighty stream.
Let peace fill the earth as the waters fill the sea.
And let us say: Amen
In prayer,
Rabbi Arthur L. Schwartz
Safety and Security in our Houses of Worship
Safety and Security in our
Houses of Worship
A significant and timely Friday Night Forum
Do you belong to a house of worship in our area? If so, DO NOT MISS this forum. What are the realities in our area? How can we best protect ourselves from violence before it happens?
This panel of experts will discuss the troubling real issue of safety and security in our faith communities.
- Inspector Edward Brady – Commanding Officer, Suffolk County Second Precinct
- Frank Petrone, Supervisor – Town of Huntington
- William R. ("Doc") Spencer, M.D. – Legislator, 18th
- District, Suffolk County
- Lisa Jamison, LMSW – Division Director for Family Services, Family Service League
Friday, May 3, 2013
Forum is at 8:15 p.m.
Please join us for Friday night services at 7:30 p.m.
Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
58 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Sponsored by the Kehillath Shalom Social Action Committee.
Open to the entire concerned community.
All are welcome!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Reminder: no services Friday and special forum Saturday
Just a reminder: There will be no Friday Night Services this week.
Saturday Morning services will include...
Forum: She is Beautiful, Share your Feelings about Israel's Beauty
Saturday Morning services will include...
Forum: She is Beautiful, Share your Feelings about Israel's Beauty
When: Sat, April 20, 12pm – 1pm
Description: You are welcome to bring a photo, artifact, or anything that represents your personal feeelings about Israel
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Art Salon, An Afternoon in celebration of the Arts
Art Salon
An Afternoon in celebration of the Arts
Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Sharing our artistic talents with the community.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Congregationsal Meeting Wednesday
Important Reminder:
Congregational Meeting Tonight
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
7:30pm
Congregational Meeting Tonight
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
7:30pm
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Kehillath Shalom's Kids Production: Willie Wonka!
Come and support the KehillathShalom Kids Players with tickets to this year's performance!
Contact Carolyn Mufson at 631-470-3551
And if you'd like to go the extra step and put an add in the playbill please call Deborah Globus at 631-935-2777 for prices and options.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Kehillath Shalom Trip to Philidelphia
Did you know that Kehillath Shalom Synagogue has a mysterious secret benefactor that sponsors a bus trip once a year in order for us to bond and learn about new places in that special way you can only do when traveling with people?
This year's trip was to Philidelphia where we visited Beth Shalom Synagogue - the only shul designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright; Mikva Israel - the onldest congregation (though not the oldest building) in the United States; and the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Below are pictures of some of the things we saw on our wonderful trip!
 |
| The floor plan of Beth Shalom is based on the Rabbi's hands |
The Bimah at Beth Shalom. Kadosh - meant to be said three times is done in three levels.
The vaulted ceilings sweep up from behind the bimah - the building itself is meant to evoke Mt. Sinai, with elements of the tents of Jacob and the sands of the desert.
the chandalier of G_d's light divided into color so that it may be beheld.
The ark at Mikva Israel and their Torahs (minus the finials made by Meyer Myerson [who was the friend of Paul Revere] because they were recently valued at 7.2 million dollars...)
a chair as old as Mikva Israel, established in 1740 (36 years before the Revolution - double chi! Very lucky for the Patriots!)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A Community Seder on Long Island
The wise child asks, "What do we learn from our suffering as strangers in Egypt?"
The wicked child asks, "How can the Israelites have let themselves be enslaved?"
The simple child asks, "What kind of hard labor did Pharaoh impose on the Israelites?"
The silent child is overwhelmed by the cry of the injured, the sigh of the weary, and the groans of those who are oppressed.
from A Night of Questions, a Haggadah
Where will you spend the second night of Seder?
Monday, March 18, 2013
Ten Modern Plagues - An Interpretation
During our Women's Seder last week we wanted to put into perspective the travails that women in our world still go through on a daily basis. This is a partial list, with suggested (if not endorsed) organizations to look into learning more or donating. Action is important; if you feel called to action I encourage you to follow it.
Ten Modern Plagues
representing the travails women around the world still face
today…
Malala Yousafzai – the 14 year old young woman Afghani
student shot by the Taliban for trying to get an education.
To
learn more or donate: United Nations Girls Education Initiative
www.ungei.org/
Jyoti Singh Pandey – Indian woman fatally gang raped on a
bus in Delhi.
To
learn more or donate: Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network - www.rainn.org/
Dawn
Hochsprung, Anne Marie Murphy, Lauren Gabrielle Rousseau, Mary Sherlock and Victoria
Soto – the adults who lost their lives defending students in the Newtown
massacre.
For
opportunities to donate:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/connecticut-elementary-school-shooting-how-to-help_n_2302760.html/
Shannon Lowrey and Lee Ann Nichols – killed in 1994 at the
Brookline Massachusetts Planned Parenthood reproductive health clinic.
To
learn more or donate: Planned Parenthood – www.plannedparenthood.org/
Russian feminist punk-rock band, Pussy Riot, imprisoned
indefinitely for staging a protest concert.
To
learn more: www.freepussyriot.org/
Anat Hoffman of Women of the Wall, repeatedly imprisoned
for championing women’s right to pray at the Western Wall.
Young girls the world over being subjected to Female
Genital Mutilation.
To
learn more or donate: Equality Now - www.equalitynow.org/
Representative Gabby Giffords, recovering from a brain
injury caused by a gunman “protesting” her politics.
To
learn more or donate: www.americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/
Kasandra Perkins fatally shot by her boyfriend, NFL player
Jovan Belcher, and Reeva Steenkamp, fatally
shot by her boyfriend, Oscar Pistorius.
And ALL who have suffered and died in advancing the cause of
women’s rights throughout the world.
To
find a way to help in alignment with your
concerns for women: www.charitynavigator.org/
Friday, March 8, 2013
3/8 Services Cancelled Due to SNOW!
Dear All,
Please note: FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES ARE CANCELLED FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH on account of too much snow!
Sincerely,
Ileen, president
Please note: FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES ARE CANCELLED FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH on account of too much snow!
Sincerely,
Ileen, president
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
KSS Community Seder - All Are Welcome
Community Seder at Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
Looking for a warm and intellectually-stimulating place to celebrate the second night of Passover? Join Rabbi Arthur, the community of KSS and friends on March 26th for our Community Seder.
For more information or to RSVP please call the office at (631)367-4589
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Announcing Our Women's Seder
You're invited:
Women's Seder - March 14, 2013
Time: 6:30pm
Adults $25 & Children under 12 $10
RSVP to the office (631)367-4589 and let us know you're coming...with friends :)
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Celebrating Purim in Style
After we obliterated the name of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (and I'm not talking about Voldemort!) we celebrated Purim with some karaoke and singing our hearts out:
(singing Bridge Over Troubled Water together. I love how family oriented we are!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)