Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

As the JRF and the RRC continue to restructure our movement for a better future, JRF has created a timeless Legacy Tribute Book in honor of our congregations. This keepsake memento will walk our members through the years of Reconstructionist history and highlight each of our communities in story and pictures. We are looking for your help to make this once-in-a-lifetime tribute book a reality. Would you consider making a gift to the JRF to support our lasting legacy?
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Between 1863 and 1935, five families of different ethnic backgrounds lived at 97 Orchard St., now the homs of the famed Tenement Museum. In the widely acclaimed 97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement, author Jane Ziegelman explores the ways in which food shaped the lives of the German, Irish, Italian, and Jewish families who lived at this residence.

Want to meet Jane Ziegelman?

The author will be giving a book lecture/signing at The Gershman Y on Tuesday, September 28th, at 7pm. Ms. Ziegelman will be on hand for tales of immigrant life and The Gersham Y will serve up culinary food samples inspired by the book.

The Gershman Y
401 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147

If you would like to attend, please contact:
Warren Hoffman, Director of Arts and Cultural Programming, Gershman Y
Phone: 215-446-3012
E-mail: whoffman@gershmany.org

Dr. Ilan Peleg, who has been teaching the Israel course at the RRC for 20 years, will lecture on Saturday at 12:30 on the Middle East Crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Media, PA.

Service, kiddush & lunch will precede Dr. Peleg’s lecture.

Dr. Peleg is a Senior Scholar in Washington’s Middle East Institute, the Editor-in-Chief of Israel Studies Forum, a chaired professor at Lafayette College, and the author of eight books and close to 100 scholarly articles.

The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session.

 
Ilan Peleg, Ph.D.
   Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law, Lafayette College
   Editor-in-Chief, Israel Studies Forum: An Interdisciplinary Journal
   Scholar, Middle East Institute, Washington, DC
   Professor of Israel Studies, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Congregation Beth Israel

542 South New Middletown Road
Media, PA 19063

Phone: (610) 566-4645    
Fax: (610) 566-2240

Has Or Hadash always been welcoming to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people? Yes! Has Or Hadash been officially listed as a welcoming congregation so that people searching for a synagogue will know that? Not until now!  read more »

Students Run Philly Style runners competing in the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon.Congregation Beth Israel of Media, PA, today announced that Students Run Philly Style has won its 2009 “Friend of the Community Award.” Students Run Philly Style is the only program in Philadelphia that sets up mentored training programs for students to try running as an outlet for their energy. Many students who have participated have enjoyed better health and more focus in school. The award will be given to program director Heather McDanel, following 8PM Shabbat services at Beth Israel on Friday, May 8.  read more »

Based on a similar initiative in Los Angeles, Students Run Philly Style connects students with adult mentors who help them imagine and accomplish goals beyond their dreams, including the completion of a marathon. The program has been credited with delivering powerful results for youth, including increasing high school graduation rates, improving health, providing safe choices after school and developing positive relationships with caring adults.

Friday April 24 and Saturday April 25 at Mishkan Shalom, 4101 Freeland Avenue, Philadelphia

Yehezkel LandauMishkan Shalom in Philadelphia invites you to a special “One Book Mishkan” weekend program: Peacebuilding in the Holy Land with Scholar-in-Residence Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations at Hartford Seminary and Co-Founder of Open House Center for Jewish-Arab Coexistence.  read more »

Professor Landau will discuss the weekend's theme with particular focus on the book The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan.

Lani RaiderJoin members of Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington, PA, on Friday, April 24 for a talk with Professor Lani Raider, Associate Professor at the Culinary Institute of America. Raider will speak on “Eating Deliciously and with Conscience: How We Can Support the Environment with Our Food Choices". The food choices we make now are more important than ever before. Eating is not a neutral act; our food consumption reflects and impacts much more than merely the calories needed to sustain life. Our daily food choices are a gateway to our past, our present and our future.

Rabbi Joshua Waxman displays Or Hadash's new megillah case.At Erev Purim services, members of Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington, PA, were treated to the first public showing of the custom made case which was designed to hold their internationally recognized Megillat Esther.

The birch wood case was designed and built by craftsman David Hale of Vermont. The calligraphy which wraps around the case was written by Rabbi Kevin Hale, the Sofer whose artistry is reflected in the layout and writing of the scroll itself.

Read the fascinating story of Rabbi Hale's creative partnership with Or Hadash members to craft their own Megillat Esther.

Submitted by Gail Morrison-Hall

Dr. Rumee Ahmed and Dr. Ayesha ChaudhryThe 2009 Or Hadash Dickstein Scholar in Residence Shabbat was held on Friday February 20 and Saturday February 21. The congregation was pleased to welcome Dr. Rumee Ahmed and Dr. Ayesha Chaudhry, Assistant Professors of Religion and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Colgate University. Drs. Ahmed and Chaudrhy participated in three lively, engaging and enlightening sessions.  read more »

The first session on Friday evening focused on modern Muslim conceptions of Islam and its place in the world in the context of the last 3oo years. Saturday morning’s expanded Torah study focused on the week’s Torah portion and analogous passages from the Qur'an, asking how we might make spiritual meaning of difficult sacred texts.