The Weekly Whisper Congregation Kol Emet

March 11, Thursday
7:15a: Morning Minyan

March 12, Friday
8:00p: Shir Shel Shabbat Service, led by Rabbi Schein

March 13, Saturday
9:30a: Shabbat Service, led by Rabbi Schein

Girls’ Night Out
Mar 11 (Thu) 7:15p

By-laws Committee Meeting
Mar 11 (Thu) 7:00p

Kol Emet Kids Love Disco
Mar 13 (Sat) 5:30p - 8:00p

Aid for Friends
Mar 14 (Sun) 10:00a

Jr. Youth Group Laser Tag Party
Mar 14 (Sun) 12:00p - 1:45p

KE Youth Group "Movie & A Mitzvah"
Mar 14 (Sun) 5:00p - 7:30p

Give Me Your Hand: Creating a Caring Community
Mar 19 (Fri) 6:30p - 7:30p

Girls’ Night Out
Kol Emet Sisterhood
Mar 11 (Thu) 7:15p
The Brothers Moon, 7 West Broad Street, Hopewell NJ 08525
If you’d like to carpool to the dinner, please let us know. Due to problems with the EVITE sent out last week, we were unable to identify those who RSVP’d. Please let Dayna know if you had responded earlier. We don’t want to miss your response! Seating is limited.

Cost: $48 per person

RSVP by Mar 4: Dayna Henry (squiretedayna@aol.com or 215-962-2972)

By-Laws Committee Meeting
Mar 11 (Thu) 7:00p
Social Hall
The congregation is cordially invited to participate in the By-Laws Committee meeting. The agenda includes topics such as: contracts, amendments, congregational meetings, presidency, disputes, vacancies, and the nominating committee.

Kol Emet Kids Love Disco
Mar 13 (Sat) 5:30p - 8:00p
Join us for a fun filled fundraiser with DJ, Brian Smilk of Fired Up Productions.  A pizza and salad dinner will be served during the event along with dessert. Don't forget to bid on many of the wonder packages including: Phillies, Flyers and Trenton Thunder tickets.  Family outings to the Philadelphia Zoo, Franklin Institute and Camden Aquarium.  Plus 3 different weekend get ways.  In addition Rabbi Cove, Rabbi Schein and Carrie have donated their skills as well.

Cost: $45 per family

RSVP asap: Dina Bortnichak (dina@bortnichak.com)

Questions: Risha Neil (rishaneil@aol.com)

Aid for Friends
Mar 14 (Sun) 10:00a
Please bring a dairy meal (no meat), 2 veggies (frozen bags are fine) & a dessert. The meal should be able to feed at least 6 people. Bring your family & friends too. If you would like to make a meal, but you aren't able to attend, you can put your meal in advance in the refrigerators in the kitchen or in the mechanical room on Friday, March 12th. We also need 1 person to bring the completed entrees to Aid For Friends in Northeast Philadelphia the following week (Wed, Thu or Fri).  If your able to help out, please contact Wendy Jacobson-Simon.

Contact: Wendy Jacobson-Simon (Wellwatched@Verizon.net or 215-321-1465)

Attn: Youth Group, 4th - 5th Graders
Jr. Youth Group Laser Tag Party
Mar 14 (Sun) 12:00p - 1:45p
ULTRAZONE, 4201 Neshaminy Boulevard, Bensalem
Join the Kol Emet Jr. Youth Group for a fun afternoon of laser tag, pizza and beverages. Game tokens can be purchased separately at Ultrazone. Grab a friend and don't miss out on the fun!

Cost: $20 (payable in advance to Kol Emet)

RSVP asap to: Heidi Bush (heitobush@verizon.net or 215-493-4080)

Attn: Youth Group 6th - 8th Graders
KE Youth Group "Movie & A Mitzvah"
Mar 14 (Sun) 5:00p - 7:30p
Don't miss this very exciting event!  We will be making fleece pillows to donate to local emergency rooms.  Afterwards, we will have pizza, popcorn and watch "GET SMART."

Cost: $5 donation for materials

RSVP asap to: Heidi Bush (heitobush@verizon.net or 215-493-4080)

Give Me Your Hand: Creating a Caring Community
Mar 19 (Fri) 6:30p - 7:30p
Kol Emet Social Hall
As a community we take pride in being able to care for one another in times of need. Helping individuals and families struggling with acute and long-term illnesses takes dedication, compassion, and organization. There is much to be done on the practical level, as well as a need for spiritual and emotional support to overcome the fear and isolation that are often part of the experience. It is not always easy to know what to do or say and sometimes people fall through the cracks. We will structure our conversation using traditional Jewish teachings on Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick), illness, and healing. This program is open to anyone with an interest in bringing refuat hanefesh (healing of spirit) and refuat haguf (healing of body) to those living with illness and their loved ones.

Our presenter will be Rabbi Elisa Goldberg. Rabbi Goldberg has been the Director of the Joan Grossman Center for Chaplaincy and Healing of the Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia since November of 2000. Rabbi Goldberg graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1999 and Cornell University in 1990. She completed her Clinical Pastoral Education at Abington Memorial Hospital. She has worked as a chaplain in acute and long-term care facilities. In addition, she currently serves as a Spiritual Director at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.

Cost: Members free,  Non-members $5

RSVP asap: Kol Emet Office (office@kolemet.org or 215-493-8522)

Contact: Peter Forest (phforest2003@aol.com)

Kosher Passover Food Drive & Supermarket Gift Card Drive
Now to Mar 22 (Mon)
Lobbies of the Sanctuary & Pre-School/Religious School
Our annual Non Perishable Kosher Passover Food drive will start on Mar 7 and end on Mar 22. Place the Passover food in the labeled bins located in the foyer of the Sanctuary & Pre-school. Send in or hand in the supermarket gift cards to the the office. The suggested amount is $10 so the families can buy a fresh chicken for their Passover dinner. The recommended markets are Acme & Shoprite. All food & gift cards will be donated to the Mitzvah Kosher Food Pantry in Bensalem. Thank you for your generosity & support! Click here for Flyer.

Questions: Wendy Jacobson-Simon (Wellwatched@Verizon.net or 215-321-1465)

Attn: Youth Group, 4th - 8th graders
Youth Group Volunteer Opportunity at Manor Care
Mar 22 (Mon) 7:00p - 8:00p
Manor Care Nursing Home, Oxford Valley Road, Yardley
Do a mitzvah by helping the residents assemble breakfast bags and make get well cards for needy people in the area.  We'll also help the residents make festive spring crafts to brighten up their rooms. 

RSVP by Mar 19 to: Carolyn Mako (tmcjm@verizon.net or 215-493-6490)

Interfaith Passover Seder
Apr 6 (Tue) 6:00p
Kol Emet Social Hall
Celebrate a Passover Seder with members of several area faith communities: Yardley United Methodist Church, Woodside Presbyterian Church, Quaker Meeting of Yardley, Burlholme Baptist Church, and Galilee Village.

Cost: $18 per person

RSVP by Apr1 to: Kol Emet Office (office@kolemet.org or 215-493-8522)

Casino Night
Apr 17 (Sat) 7:30p
WIN GREAT PRIZES at Casino Night.  Join the Men's Club and Sisterhood for Kol Emet's big fundraiser. Enjoy Poker, Craps, Roulette, Bingo, Food, Wine, Beer, Beverage & Dessert. Bring all your friends.  This promises to be a fun night!

Cost: $62.50 per person

RSVP by Apri 1 to: Shelley Miller (shelleyjm@aol.com or 215-990-4911)

To donate items or services to be casino winnings please contact anyone on the Casino Night Committee

No prize is too large or too small. Examples might be:
      1. A couple hours of your time as a professional (tax preparation, carpentry, college advising, teeth whitening, babysitting, dog grooming - to name just a few);
      2. New items of value from coffeemakers to flat screen TVs;
      3. Gift certificates (from stores or restaurants);
      4. Tickets (for sporting events, theater, or other events);
      5. Merchandise from your business such as jewelry, leather goods or clothing;
      6. Use of a vacation place for a specific time, whether it be a condo at the shore or a house in the Poconos or a hideaway in Fiji;
      7. Any hobbies or passions such as offering a homemade dessert six times a year, or catering a dinner for six;
      8. Golf for three at your club;
      9. Autographed memorabilia;
      10. Instructions in golf, tennis, music, cooking and bridge;
      11. Travel items including airline tickets or hotel stays, and 
      12. Unique opportunities such as lunch with a politician, newsperson or athlete.

We will pair like donations into theme baskets and offer some for a silent auction and some for casino winnings. We will email you a form to fill out and then make arrangements to pick up your items. Thank you in advance. We can't wait for you to join us on Casino Night!! Your donations will not only be greatly appreciated, but they will be a tax write-off, too!

Co-Chairs: Shelley Miller sjmiller@sjmillergroup.com and Mark Henry squirehenry@aol.com

New Member Shabbat Dinner
Please join us as we welcome both our new and "potential" members for Shabbat
Apr 30 (Fri) Dinner 6:00p; Services 8:00p
Kol Emet Social Hall
Please mark your calendars for our reschelduled New Member Shabbat dinner as we celebrate Shabbat with our new and potential members. It is so important that we all come out at this time when building membership is a real priority. This is a potluck dinner. Also, if you know of any potential members, please let anyone on the membership committee know so we can reach out to them. Thanks so much for your anticipated support of this event!

Cost: Your Dairy or Parve "Dish"

RSVP by Apr 23 to: David Folkman (djfracer@aol.com)

Aleph Consecration
May 14 (Fri)
Aleph Consecration is a wonderful evening that your children work on all year. Under the guidance of Barbara Faber, they will lead an entire service and will be formally welcomed into the Congregation. The evening usually has some sort of celebration along with the service. In years past, it has been anything from a full dinner prior to the service, to an extended Oneg after the service.   In order to facilitate this memorable milestone in your children's lives, we are looking for some dedicated parents to assist in coordinating this event.

If you would like to volunteer, please respond to Randi Davis. This is your event. Your ideas and energy are needed to make the celebration personal to your class.

Contact: Randi Davis (davis193@comcast.net)

Kamp Kol Emet
WhoIsInvited: Ages 2 through 5
Registration for Kamp Kol Emet has begun!
Our summer program for children 2-5 years of age will run from Jun 22 - Aug 12. We offer a 2, 4, 6 or 8 week option, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Kamp Intro Letter
Kamp Registration Form
Kamp Rate Sheet

RSVP by Apr 1: Sue Mager, Kol Emet Office (office@kolemet.org or 215-493-8522 x103)

Kol Emet Fantasy Baseball Season
Have you ever dreamed of a being a major league baseball GM? Here is your chance. Sign up for fantasy baseball. We play on ESPN's fantasy site. It is a total points based league with customized scoring.

Anyone under the age of 18 needs written parental approval to participate.

Cost: $25 per person  ($5 from each person goes to the Men's Club)

RSVP by Mar 10:  Andrew Harrison (Adlerharrison@comcast.net or 215-493-3061) 

Simplified Scrip Program ENDED
The Simplified Scrip organization has announced that it has gone out of business.  It intends to refund money they have received for scrip they are not able to deliver.  Whatever information is now available can be found at www.simplifiedscrip.com .  Kol Emet will assess the situation and determine if it will offer an alternative scrip program in the future.

Questions: Karen Levy (karen52070@verizon.net)

Religious School:

• Regular classes this week and next.
• Passover Seder for ALL students March 23rd 4:45 till 6:45
• Regular classes on the 24th and 25th (due to snow days)
• School will be closed during Passover

Preschool:
Disco this Saturday night, check out the amazing prizes being raffled off...stop by the lobby this week and place your bids! It is worth it!

Family Education:
Sunday March 21st Passover University and Chocolate Seder. $10 per family....come join the learning and fun and all the chocolate you could possible eat....it will be awesome!!! See the flyer for more details.

Israel Trip:
Registration has started and Kol Emet members have until March 30th to register. Then it will be opened to the community......It will be a trip of a lifetime!!!

Questions/Suggestions: Carrie Shames-Walinsky (cwalinsky@kolemet.org or 215-493-8522 ext. 103)

Preschool Committee - Come and Be Heard
Meet in Carrie's office to discuss what's on your mind and hear what's on Carrie's!
Last Wednesday of each month at 10:30a.  March 31 is the next meeting.
The Preschool Committee invites you to be an active part in your child's education. You can show up once, show up every month, or even join the Committee.

Questions: Early Education Chairperson Dina Bortnichak (Dina@Bortnichak.com or 215-295-1646)

Jewish Sensibilities and End of Life Decisions
A special workshop sponsored by Tzedek v'Shalom
Mar 14 (Sun) 1:00p - 2:45p
George School Meeting House, Rt. 413, Newtown, PA
Judaism embraces life and accepts death as part of the natural cycle of life. This workshop addresses the hard decisions that we may have to make as the end of life approaches, for ourselves or for our loved ones. We will explore how these difficult decisions are guided and informed by Jewish spiritual wisdom and traditions. Guest speaker: Rabbi Dayle Friedman Director of Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Jewish Life Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Cost: $10 suggested donation

RSVP: (www.tzedekvshalom.org or 215-943-4565 or 215-295-2095)

Jewish Population Study Town Meeting
Mar 16 (Tue) 7:30p
Congregation Ohev Shalom, 944 Second St., Richboro
Learn more about the recently released 2009 Jewish Population Study of Greater Philadelphia. Mark N. Blattner, Chief Development and Strategy Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, will present key findings from the study and discuss its implications for the community.  The study was commissioned by Federation and conducted by the Albert Einstein Health Care Network's Center for Urban Health Policy and Research. This free program is hosted by Federation's Kehillah of Bucks County, the collaborative of area synagogues, Federation and other Jewish agencies active in Bucks County. It is open to the entire community.

Sheryl Sapriel serves as chairperson of the Board of the Kehillah of Bucks County.  Liz Gellis is the Kehillah coordinator.  To learn more about the Kehillah of Bucks County or the Jewish Population Study, call 215-579-9300, or log on to: www.jewishphilly.org.

RSVP: Sheryl Sapriel (ssapriel1@comcast.net)

Fiddler on the Roof Sing-Along
Mar 21 (Sun) 2:00p
Newtown Theater
Special Matinee! One time only! This is an amazing opportunity to bring your whole family, classroom, or school to see this classic Topol film on the big screen. Sit in the orchestra seats or the spacious balcony. Seating is first come, first serve. Tickets available online or at the door. Best yet, the audience is invited to dress as your favorite characters and sing along with the movie!

Cost: $10 Adults, kids 12 and under $7

RSVP: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/99641

Contact: Josh Boswell (josh.boswell@gmail.com)

Request for Volunteers at JFCS Holiday Services
Help Make a Caring Connection to Jews who are Isolated
Mar 22 (Mon) and beyond
Jewish Family and Children's Services trained Chaplains will be leading services in area facilities and we could use your help in creating a sense of community at these services and visiting with the seniors.  This is a perfect Mitzvah opportunity for families, teens, and religious school classes. Here is the Flyer.

Join JFCS at the following locations beginning March 22:

• Anna's Choice-Warminster
• Atria - Philadelphia
• Beaumont - Bryn Mawr
• Deer Meadows - Philadelphia
• Oakwood Residences - Philadelphia
• Plush Mills - Wallingford
• Quadrangle - Haverford
• River's Edge - Philadelphia
• Rydal House - Rydal
• Stapley in Germantown - Philadelphia
• Wellington Terrace - West Chester
• Universal Unitarian House

(List complete as of February 1, 2010. Call JFCS for additional sites.)

RSVP: Rivka Goldman  (267-256-2088)

Navigating the New Realities of Girl World and Boy World
Apr 14 (Wed) 7:30p
Congregation Adath Jeshurun, 7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park
The Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education is hosting Rosalind Wiseman, internationally recognized educator on children, teens, parenting and social justice and author of the New York Times bestseller, Queen Bees and Wannabees, for our 3rd biennial Community Parenting Program, "Navigating the New Realities of Girl World and Boy World: the effects of technology on children's interpersonal relationships and concrete strategies for helping them navigate conflict ethically." This is a must-attend program for parents of children of all ages, providing information that EVERY parent should know and that is never too early to learn!! Click here for the brochure.

Cost: $36 in advance, $50 after 4/7/10

RSVP at: www.acaje-jop.org

Contact: Lisa Licht (llicht@acaje.org)

Tribute to Israel Concert
Apr 18 (Sun) 7:00p
Ohev Shalom of Bucks County
Rebecca Schwartz, Sharon Katz, and Chana Rothman will headline a musical tribute to Israel to honor both Israel Remembrance day and Israel Independence Day. All proceeds to benefit the American Friends of Magen David Adom, Israel's second line of defense. An order form for tickets can be downloaded here. See http://www.afmda.org or the flyer for further details or to contribute. 

Cost: $18, $36, $54 (Senior & Junior discounts)

RSVP: Gail Lander (215-860-1511)

Questions:  Mark Melmed (mark@melmed.com or 215-359-5772)

Yom HaZikaron / Israeli Memorial Day Ceremony
Apr 18 (Sun) 7:30p
Beth Shalom Congregation
The Consulate General of the State of Israel and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will be holding a ceremony to honor the memory of those who have fallen in battle defending the Jewish State

5th and 6th Grade Camp JRF Retreat
Apr 30 (Fri) - May 2 (Sun)
An amazing opportunity to meet other Reconstructionist 5th and 6th graders from up and down the East Coast; A great way to spend time with your friends from Kol Emet; A fun way to explore Camp JRF; An unforgettable weekend of experiental Jewish education.  See the Flyer Here and get the Registration Form here .

Contact: Ariel (arielzaslav@gmail.com)

Jewish Overnight Summer Camp
Act Quickly for Grants
Overnight Camp Incentive Grant Program
Give your child the experience of a lifetime - a summer of fun at Jewish overnight camp.  Your child will have a blast in the great outdoors making new friends and participating in tons of activities like sports, arts, singing around the campfire and much more, all in a safe Jewish environment. And if you move quickly, you can save yourself up to $1,000 when you send your child to camp in 2010!  Use the coupon and you're set. Camp registration for summer 2010 is already in full swing, so don't be left in the cold!  Register for an amazing summer at camp now, and then go to onehappycamper.org/hanukkah to apply for your grant!

Contact: Kehillah of Bucks County (215-579-9300)

Congregation Tifereth Israel Kosher Mitzvah Pantry
2909 Bristol Road, Bensalem
Tuesdays
The Kosher Mitzvah Pantry needs your help on Tuesday afternoons to get ready for distributions on Tuesday nights. If you have an hour or 2 to help stock the shelves & bag some food, please contact Lynda.

Contact: Lynda Meshkov (lynda.meshkov@gmail.com or 215-493-6751)

The current Kol Emet Calendar can be found at www.kolemet.org/calendar
Click on a certain event on the calendar to view most of the pertinent details of that event.