posted Apr 16, 2009 10:00 AM by KT Communications
| April 1, 2009
Kol Tzedek Weekly Newsletter
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In this Newsletter- Rabbi Lauren Introduction and Hametz note
- RESCHEDULED: Pre-Passover Haggadah Treasure Hunt in Clark Park, Apr. 2
- Shabbat Mishpocha Service, April 4
- Passover Learning & Matzah Making!, Apr 5
- Kol Tzedek Kabbalat Shabbat Services, April 10
- Shabbat Pesach Dinner, Apr. 10
Birkat HaHamah, April 12
Have a Seder? Need a Seder?
- Save the Date--upcoming Events
As Passover approaches , we are invited to begin a
process of physical and spiritual transformation. Along with making travel plans and
arrangements for seder, we take time to remove the hametz (products made with
yeast) from our kitchens and from our lives.
Each of us does this a bit differently.
Some of us spend days scrubbing our floors and cabinets, ridding
ourselves of any trace of not kosher for Passover food items. Some of us simply
remove any bread or bread products and replace them with matzah.
No matter what our specific observance, taking the
time to remove hametz is an important mitzvah of Passover that helps us prepare
for the spiritual journey of Passover.
According to our tradition, hametz has come to symbolize arrogance "because
the bread raised itself above the level of matza though it was only filled with
pockets of hot air" (A Different Night: The Family Participation
Hagaddah). Thus, when we rid ourselves
of our hametz, it is an opportunity to remove any sense of arrogance or
judgment that gets in the way of us truly being ourselves. It is an opportunity to get back to the
basics, to remind ourselves of who we are at our most basic point, of the
simple goodness in each of us. If we
think about it, the arrogance, the judgments, the pretenses that we hold on to
so much of the time are much of what keeps us in MItzrayim-in the narrow
place. When we can get back to our core
self and remind ourselves that we our soul is connected to the Divine soul,
then we are able to find our way to the wide open expanse, to freedom.
Several people have inquired over the years about
selling hametz, a custom that enables one to declare any hametz in your
possession no longer yours. You can do this yourself
by selling your hametz to a neighbor or friend for some small amount of
money. It is also customary to give some
money toward tzedakah (charity). According
to Jewish law, the ritual sale of chametz must be completed by Tuesday, April 7
at 5 PM. If you wish, you can authorize Rabbi Lauren to sell your hametz on your
behalf. Complete the form by Monday, April 6, no later than 12pm. Click here to find the form on our website to sell your hametz through Rabbi Lauren.
If
you do remove food from your house, please consider donating it to a
charity or social service agency. Kol Tzedek has donated food in the
past to the Mazzoni Center and the Bethesda Project. You can also drop
off food at the Jewish Community Services Building at 2100 Arch Street.
Have a blessed and bountiful Pesach.
Rabbi Lauren
RESCHEDULED: Pre-Passover Haggadah Treasure Hunt in Clark Park
Thursday, April 2, 6:30-7:30pm
Clark Park (by the playground)
Clear skies permitting... if rain, head to 4312 Spruce St. instead.
Come one, come all for a pre-Passover Haggadah Treasure Hunt in Clark Park
Cryptic
clues will lead teams around the park and each new location will offer
insight on the evolution of the haggadah over time. With Passover just
around the corner, this evening activity will get everyone
thinking about how to prepare for a meaningful (and fun) holiday. Feel
free to bring copies of haggadot.
Questions? You can reach Michal @ 215-872-5521
RSVP to michal.waldfogel@gmail.com
Shabbat Mishpocha Service Sat, April 4, 10am - 10am Calvary Center, 48th St. and Baltimore Ave.
Kol
Tzedek Shabbat Mishpocha Service
Every first Saturday of the month, 10 am, Calvary Center, 48th St. and
Baltimore Ave.
Kol Tzedek's Mishpocha (Family) service is an opportunity to children
and adults to pray together in community. The service is structured
like a traditional Saturday morning service and includes a reading from
the weekly torah portion, an interactive story, and lots of singing!
This service is open to everyone and is especially suited for families
with children between the ages of 2 and 6. An early lunch vegetarian
potluck follows the service. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share
and help KT reduce its carbon footprint--bring your own plate and silverware!
Questions? Email: shabbat@kol-tzedek.org
Matzah Making & Pre-Passover Learning!
Sunday, April 5, 2009, 3-5pm
A Special Family Education Program for Passover
For grown-ups of all ages and children 5 and up
Rabbi Lauren will lead us in some family learning around Passover
themes
and then together we will make our own matzah, in 18 minutes flat
(literally)!
RSVP to rabbi@kol-tzedek.org
Kol Tzedek Kabbalat Shabbat Services
April 10 (every second Friday of the month)
6:30-7:30pm, dinner immediately following at Naomi Segal and Rie Brosco
Calvary Center, 48th St. and Baltimore Ave.
Join us for our participatory, traditional, and meaningful Shabbat evening services.
Shabbat Pesach DinnerFriday April 10, 7:45 p.m. sharp!
Home of Rie and Naomi (near Clark Park)
Enjoy
a
Shabbat pesadikhe meal, hosted by Naomi Segal and Rie Brosco
following services. THIS IS NOT A POTLUCK; we are strictly Kosher for
Passover. Instead, please help cook and prepare by emailing naomirie@verizon.net. (note--email address briefly posted incorrectly on website--there should be no dot between naomi and rie). RSVP to shabbat@kol-tzedek.org for location details.
Have a Seder? Need a Seder?
Members
of the Kol Tzedek community with extra seats at their seder tables,
please email Rebecca at religiouslife@kol-tzedek.org. Please include
important details--what night and time? Is your seder vegetarian? Cats
in your house? etc.... If you're seeking a seat at a seder, you should
also email Seder-matcher Rebecca at religiouslife@kol-tzedek.org.
Birkat HaHamah
April 12, 11 am-2 pm, Clark Park
Birkat
HaHamah is a blessing of the sun that occurs every 28 years. With
energy efficiency becoming an area of focus in our community and our
country, this is a great time for us to learn about and celebrate the
energy we get from the sun.
Join us for a day of solar cooking and learning about the solar industry.
We'll
begin with a kid-friendly make-your-own solar cooker activity. We'll
be making matzo pizza - bring your own toppings if you'd like. While
the pizza cooks, we'll bless the sun and then eat. After lunch there
will be a presentation about solar energy. More details and timing to
follow.
We are suggesting a $5 donation to cover pizza ingredients and solar cooker materials.
Save the Date--Upcoming Events
Community Shabbat Gathering
Saturday, April 18, 5pm-7pm
Hosted by Jay Sand, Lauren Krug, Molly & Liliana Sand
44th and Pine Streets
RSVP to jaypsand@yahoo.com for exact address
Spend the last daylight hours of Shabbat sharing a community meal
and enjoying each others' company. There will be crafts and toys for
the kids and some singing and music for all to enjoy!
All are encouraged to come, kids and adults alike! Please bring some veggie potluck food to share.
Interfaith Peace Walk in West Philadelphia
Sunday May 3, 2-5 PM Beginning at Hillel House on Penn Campus
Since November of 2003 Jews, Christians, and Muslims have come together
to plan Interfaith Peace Walks for Philadelphia. These walks have included
stops for prayers, teaching, singing, and fellowship at mosques, synagogues,
churches and Independence Mall. This year's route will begin at Hillel House at
the University of Pennsylvania Campus (where Rabbi
Lauren will be sending the group of walkers off with an opening
prayer), travel to the Philadelphia Masjid and
end at the Philadelphia Cathedral. During these walks we have prayed
for the
safety and freedom of all people. We ask all to embrace hope, not fear
and to
seek peace through love and justice, not military might. We ask you to
join us
to show that peace between people of all faiths is possible. This is a
Family Friendly event, but please be advised of the length of the walk!
If you have any questions or would like to meet up with fellow Kol Tzedekers before the walk, email jackconviser@hotmail.com.
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Kol Tehilla Musical Shabbat Service Friday, May 15
details on Kol Tzedek online calendar,
http://www.kol-tzedek.org/home/ktcalendar
Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, May 28
details, TBD
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