What role does the media play in this?

On Tuesday, September 14 at 8:00 PM in the Rabb Chapel at KI, Ricki Hollander, Sr. Research Analyst for CAMERA, will examine how the media is used as a battle front and how inaccurate and distorted characterizations of Israel and of events in the Middle East fuel anti-Israel and anti-Jewish prejudice. This presentation will not only analyze examples from the media, but it will also focus on strategies of how to respond when there are media inaccuracies and distortions.

Admission is free of charge.

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA) is a media-monitoring, research and membership organization devoted to promoting accurate and balanced coverage of Israel and the Middle East. Knowing that public perception of events ultimately shapes public policy, CAMERA has developed a combination of research, education and activism that enlists CAMERA’s 65,000 members and 16,000 letter-writers to participate directly in communicating the facts about Middle East issues to media outlets. CAMERA also supplies accurate information directly to the public on key topics discussed in the news. The organization is not aligned with any political party, nor does it take positions on policy issues.

Shavua tov,

Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman

כִּי פָתֹחַ תִּפְתַּח אֶת יָדְךָ לוֹ וְהַעֲבֵט תַּעֲבִיטֶנּוּ דֵּי מַחְסֹרוֹ אֲשֶׁר יֶחְסַר לו
Open, open your hand; and lend, lend, enough to fill the need.
-Deuteronomy 15:8

Please join Benj and me in responding to Parashat Re’eh’s commandment to lend by making a new micro-loan this week, through an organization below or other means, of $5 or $5000, whatever you are able to give.

Loans in our local Jewish community:
Yad Chessed http://www.yadchessed.org/
Hebrew Free Loan Society (Jewish Family and Children’s Service) www.jfcsboston.org

Loans in the United States:
Accion http://www.accion.org/
Tzedec Community Investing (Jewish Funds for Justice) www.jewishjustice.org

Loans in the Middle East and around the world:
Lend for Peace www.lendforpeace.org
Kiva www.kiva.org

If you make a loan this week, let me know where your loan is headed (rabbiemma@congki.org; 617-277-9155). Next week we’ll see here where the KI community is having an impact on the world.

We invite you to join one or more of these learning opportunities as we prepare for the High Holy Days.
Focusing on the theme of renewal, we ask the questions: How have I been? Who am I now? And what will I be?

During the month of Elul, join us to read and reflect, to learn text and discuss in small groups at KI or in someone’s home, to tour Mayyim Hayyim, have a holiday cooking lesson, or enter the meditative space of selichot prayers. Please be in touch with Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman (rabbiemma@congki.org or 617-277-9155) or
Director of Congregational Learning Jennifer Rudin (jrudin@congki.org or 617-277-9155) if you’d like to learn more about any of these opportunities.

Join Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman on three Wednesday evenings in the back of the Rabb Chapel for text study and reflection on the questions of our theme. Text will be provided in the original and in English; adults with all levels of experience learning Jewish text will be welcome voices in the conversation.
Wednesday, 8/11, 7:30-8:30pm How have I been?
Wednesday, 8/18, 7:30-8:30pm Who am I now?
Wednesday, 8/25, 7:30-8:30pm What will I be?
House Meetings: Renewal for the High Holy Days
Three KI families will host evening sessions in their homes during Elul. If you would like an opportunity to join a small group for learning and reflection towards renewal this High Holiday season, please contact Maria Benet: mbenet@aol.com; 617-739-5182.

Renewal through Immersion
Mayyim Hayyim, the community mikveh, will host an evening of learning for the KI community. Come learn about the mikveh and about immersing to prepare for the High Holy Days. If you’re inspired, sign up to take the plunge for a sense of renewal this High Holiday season. To reserve your space, contact Shirley Abrams, Hadran Administrative Assistant at hadranassistant@yahoo.com or call 617-566-0079 ext. 214.

Thursday, 8/26, 7:00-8:30PM
at Mayyim Hayyim, 1838 Washington Street in Newton

Role of Prayer in a Child’s Life

Join Director of Congregational Learning Jennifer Rudin in the back of the Rabb Chapel for learning and conversation about the role of prayer at various ages and stages of children’s lives. To reserve your space, contact Shirley Abrams, Hadran Administrative Assistant at hadranassistant@yahoo.com or call 617-566-0079 ext. 214.
Tuesday, 8/31, 7:30-8:30pm

High Holiday Cooking
Looking for inspiration for your holiday meals this year? Join chef Jim Solomon from The Fireplace for an in-kitchen learning session, replete with stories from his holiday table and yours. Come away with new recipes and ideas for your table. To reserve your space, contact Shirley Abrams, Hadran Administrative Assistant at
hadranassistant@yahoo.com or call 617-566-0079 ext. 214.

Monday, 9/13, 7:30pm

Selichot
This year, Selichot will be a rich evening of communal learning, creative work, honoring our outgoing and incoming leadership, and meditative davenning just before midnight. Join us for all or part of the evening:

Saturday night 9/4
• 8:30-9:15pm Text learning and reflection with Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman
• 9:15-10:15pm Nosh and creating together a beautiful piece of welcoming artwork for the High Holy Days
• 10:15-11:00pm Honoring the outgoing USY and KI boards; installing the new boards
• 11:00-midnight Selichot service with readings on our theme

After-Kiddush Learning
Join Rabbi Bill Hamilton in the Rabb Chapel after Kiddush on Shabbat mornings 8/28 and 9/4 for learning to prepare for the Yamim Noraim.

Elul Sermons
On Shabbat mornings through the month of Elul in the main sanctuary, a variety of voices will invite the congregation to reflect in preparation for the High Holy Days.

High Holiday In-Shul Electives
On both days of Rosh Hashana and on Yom Kippur, take an hour to learn and reflect. Details about timing and location will be available outside the sanctuary.

• Rosh Hashana Day 1: Who am I now? Reflection and learning on prayer with Rabbi Daniel Klein,
Director of Jewish & Student Life at Gann Academy
• Rosh Hashana Day 2: What will I be? Reflection and learning on tzedaka with Rabbi Emma Kippley- Ogman
• Yom Kippur: How have I been? Reflection on teshuva and conversation about the essays from Who By Fire, Who By Water with Director of Congregational Learning Jennifer Rudin

HIGH HOLIDAY SEATS FOR MEMBERS

Family Membership–2 tickets with your membership……………..INCLUDED
Single Membership—1 ticket with your membership………………INCLUDED
Children’s ticket age 6-13 are $36
age 13-22 tickets are $54
age 22 or older tickets are $180
visiting family members or guests (any age)are $180

HIGH HOLIDAY SEATS FOR NON-MEMBERS
MAIN SANCTUARY tickets are $ 450 (limited space availability)
EPSTEIN AUDITORIUM tickets are $ 450

• Please pay at least 50% of your dues and building fund bill by August 1, 2010 in order to reserve your High Holiday seats.

• Final payment for dues and building fund is due by October 15, 2010–unless arrangements have been made through the KI main office.

• Extra seats must be paid for in full at the time of your reservation request.

• Dues and/or seat purchases can be paid for either by mail, phone, or in person.

• For your convenience we accept Master Card, Visa or Discover.

• It is our policy not to deny membership at KI to anyone due to financial constraints. Please call me, at

617-277-9155 to discuss need based arrangements.

Click here to download a ticket order form.

For High Holiday Childcare information click here.

If you have any additional questions please call the KI Main Office at 617-277-9155, or email me at execdir@congki.org.

Thank you,
Scott Allen
Executive Director

Click here for pictures from the picnic.

Click here for the list of the past year’s volunteers.

The past year has seen tremendous achievements for all of us at KI. We successfully adopted a new siddur, welcomed a new Executive Director, established new governance, launched Friday night KICKS services, Hesed initiatives, and Israel Affairs energies, while strengthening our Schools and daily learning opportunities. Volunteerism soared this year as this past Sunday’s remarkable Thank You Picnic demonstrated, honoring more than 200 members actively engaged in building a stronger KI. I want to specifically thank Scott Plotkin our outgoing President and Jason Skolnick our new President for their uncommon devotion, wisdom, and passion that inspires me anew each and every day.

Finally, as you may recall, last year my family and I enjoyed a couple of months in Israel that helped us renew our spirits. This summer we will be traveling, once again, to Israel from the last week of July until the end of August (July 26-Aug. 27) with a very similar purpose in mind. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to refurnish my inner-life and to share the fruits of my experiences with you this fall.

During this summer’s stay in Israel, KI will be well-served by our outstanding team of senior professionals, including Rabbi Kippley-Ogman, Jennifer Rudin, Scott Allen, Ellen Band, Carol Killian, and with the additional, highly valued, support of Rabbi Joseph Schultz. One month from now you’ll be hearing about the promising new ways we as a community look forward to preparing for and celebrating this fall’s High Holidays.

I look forward to seeing you all at KI throughout this month of July and to greeting you upon our return from Israel on Shabbat of August 28th and the following day at a special picnic that you’ll be hearing about.

May your summer prove healthy, relaxing, and fulfilling.
Rabbi William Hamilton