Worship
Morning and Evening Minyan TIMES
Monday through Friday
Shacharit6:45am except Rosh Hodesh 6:30 am.
8:00 a.m. Sundays and MAJOR Legal Holidays
FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF MINYAN TIMES FOR THE MONTHS OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER CLICK HERE
Minyan Times for Oct/Nov
Contact Information
2500 N. 3rd Street
Harrisburg, Pa 17110
717-238-0763
E-Mail- kesherisrael@aol.com
Rabbi-Dr. Chaim E. Schertz
717-232-2694
President-Norman Gras
717-856-5913
E-Mail—Normangras@aol.com
Rabbinic Fellow
Rabbi Akiva Males
717-234-2005
E-Mail Rabbimales@yahoo.com
NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS
FOR ALL YOUR PROGRAM NEEDS
SIMPLY CALL THE OFFICE
Appoint a teacher for yourself; acquire a friend for yourself; and judge everyone favorably. ~ Pirkei Avos
MIKVAH OF HARRISBURG
............. Harrisburg is pleased to inform you that we have a modern and functioning Mikvah.
When traveling through or regular appointments can be made with Varda Gewirtz. She checks the answering machine regularly.
Simply call the Mikvah hotline at 717-238-2233
MIKVAH OF HARRISBURG
HARRISBURG IS PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT A MODERN MIKVAH IS AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT
The contact person is Varda Gewirtz . The Mikvah hotline phone number is 717-238-2233. Messages are check regularly.
BREAKING NEWS
OUR OWN RABBI MALES GAVE THE OPENING PRAYER AT THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUST CLICK ON THE LINK VIDEO OF RABBI MALES IN WASHINGTON
MANY THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT OUR SYNAGOGUE.....
JUST CLICK ON THE BLUE LINK FOR THE LATEST PROGRAMING KI CONNECTION
.....ATTENTION.... ATTENTION...KESHER ISRAEL IS NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS FOR ALL PAYMENTS !!!
The OU has many new synagogue services .. This newsletter highlights a few of these services. For further information go to the OU website.. OU.org
News and Announcements
Department of Homeland Security Program Guidance for Receiving Subsidies for At-Risk Non-Profits
Read the IPA memo regarding the Homeland Security subsidies for at risk non-profits for 2008 here. Please note that these grants are limited to non-profits located in urban areas. For a complete list of eligible areas, please consult the OU memo.
A chart with links to the applications, deadlines, and any information sessions about each state’s grant process can be found here. This chart will be updated as each state’s information becomes available.
Our Way Annual Purim Megillat Esther PowerPoint Presentation
Sign up now to include your deaf, hard of hearing, visually challenged, learning disabled and elderly members of your community in this wonderful opportunity. Experience Megillat Esther in a new way on Purim this year. Don’t delay, Purim is Thursday night March 20th.
Available at synagogues and schools throughout the US and Canada.
Over 100 synagogues and schools participated in this program last year.
Easy to use. Just insert disc into your laptop and project to a screen in front of the synagogue.
$100 donation to Our Way/NJCD for software.
Click Here to download a sample of the presentation!
To order, contact Batya Jacob at jacobb@ou.org or 212-613-8127.
Take Five for Torah Purim Divrei Torah
Take Five for Torah, a popular program that is presented by the Orthodox Union though OU Radio, is preparing for Purim by offering a series of thought-provoking five minute divrei Torah insights with Purim-related themes beginning March 10 through Purim. Make sure to log onto http://www.ouradio.org starting Monday.
Creations and Innovations: Celebrating the Best of Congregational Education
CAJE is soliciting proposals for a first-of-its-kind poster session for CAJE 33 that will showcase innovations in congregational education. Successful proposals will receive one $250 discount off the CAJE 33 early bird conference fee of $835 for a reduced rate of $585.
For more information and to apply, visit log on to http://www.caje.org , click “register now” and select “presenter” as a registrant type. You will not have to make a conference payment until your proposal for the poster session is accepted. The deadline for this application is Friday, April 4, 2008. Applicants will be notified of their acceptances by Friday, May 2, 2008.
In addition to contact information, you will be asked to respond to the questions listed below. Each response should be no longer than 400 words. We recommend that you type your responses in a Word document that you save, copy and paste into the text boxes on the website.
* Please describe your innovative project, program or initiative.
* How did you measure the success of the program?
From the IPA
Talking Politics in Shul
Can a member of the clergy endorse a candidate from the pulpit or speak on political issues of interest to voters? Is a house of worship legally permitted to register voters or distribute voter guides? Answers to these and many other questions are contained in Politics and the Pulpit 2008: A Guide to the Internal Revenue Codes Restrictions on the Political Activity of Religious Organizations recently released by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. This guide sets out in plain English the rules governing political activity that apply to nonprofit organizations (including churches and other religious groups) that are exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
For information on upcoming Kesher Israel events and programming, please contact:
Rabbi Akiva Males / Office: 238-0763 / E-Mail: rabbimales@yahoo.com / http://www.kesherisrael.org
For 40 years, Jerusalem has been undivided, free to all faiths, and prospering as the capital of Israel. For 40 years, the official policy of the Israeli government was to unite the city under a single Israeli authority, and to reject repeated international calls for the redivision of the city into Jewish and Arab zones. The Orthodox Union has long supported the Israeli government’s position. Yet recently, some inside both the U.S. and Israeli governments have suggested that “some” of Jerusalem could be split off from the rest of the city - we oppose any such redivision of Jerusalem, our holy and eternal capital. It’s time to take action, and here’s how: OU’S JERUSALEM’S WEBSITE
ASK THE RABBINIC FELLOW
If you would like to contact our Rabbinic Fellow simply email him
or call him @717-234-2005
HERE’S SOME QUESTIONS THAT RABBI MALES ANSWERED RECENTLY:
Hello Rabbi Males,
I noticed on your email that Candle Lighting time is listed as 7:15. I’ve been lighting by the times listed on the Chabad website, and for this Shabbos it is listed as 7:53. Please let me know why there is such a difference in the times.
Good Shabbos to you and Layala!
ANSWER
Good question! Here’s the basic answer:
7:53 is the real candle-lighting time for this week. (Candle lighting is always 18-20 minutes before sunset.)
Throughout the summer, Kesher Israel takes in Shabbos early on Friday nights (hence the Friday night Mincha at 7:00 PM throughout the summer.)
If one is accepting Shabbos early, candles should be lit around the same time the congregation recites the Kabbalas Shabbos prayers.
If KI begins mincha at 7:00 PM we’ll be in the middle of Kabbalas Shabbos close to 7:15 PM.
I hope this explains the consistent 7:15 PM candle lighting time for the summer.
All the best!
Rabbi Akiva Males
Good Morning, Rabbi -
Yesterday a friend of mine asked if orthodox law would allow burial of a person with a tattoo in a Jewish cemetery. I’ve never heard anything of this before, but my guess is there is no law against it. I know it is unusual to hear from me, but perhaps you can send an answer from one of the professional staff.
ANSWER:
Although the Torah clearly prohibits one from getting a tattoo, there is absolutely no reason why one who has done so cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery. I don’t know how this misconception has become so widespread over the years. (Perhaps it was begun by a parent who was trying to convince his/her child not to get a tattoo?)
Here is a terrific piece written on the matter: http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1474
All the best ,
Rabbi Akiva Males
Rabbinic Fellow
Kesher Israel Congregation
2500 N. Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 238-0763
KEEP ASKING AND LOOK FOR MORE ANSWERS WEEKLY !
Meet our RABBINIC FELLOW, Rabbi Akiva Males.
Rabbi Males grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and the Wisconsin Institute of Torah Study. He received his Rabbinical Ordination (Semicha) at the Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens, NY. He holds a B.S. from Nyack College and a Certificate in Advanced Rabbinics and Synagogue Management (Touro College). During the academic year 2006-2007 Rabbi Males served as a Judaic studies instructor at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns in Lawrence, NY. He and his wife Layala are excited to be part of the Kesher Israel Family for the next two years.
HEAR RABBI MALES ON OU RADIO WITH AN EXPLANATION OF WEARING TZIT TZIT IN A CEMETERY
Fringes in, or out, at the cemetery? The answer is uncovered when you click on “Listen Now”.
“> http://www.ou.org/index.php/takefive/tzitzit_in_the_cemtery/
TRAVEL
Hershey is just 12 miles from Harrisburg. Hershey Park seasonally provides a kosher food vendor within the park under strict Rabbinical Supervision. For more information contact Norman Gras
Baltimore is just 90 miles from Harrisburg.
Philadelphia is just 120 miles from Harrisburg.
New York City is just a 3 hour drive.
As you can see we are very centrally located.
Here are a few places to stay within walking distance of our congregation.
Hilton Inn 717-233-6000
The Crown Plaza 717-234-5021
The Days Inn 717-233-3100
River House- Korman Rental Properties 717-238-8105
Traveling to Harrisburg?
Need a place to stay? Call Jill Brodsky 717-421-7105 for Shabbat home hospitality.
Need directions? MAPS
ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER (JCC)Harrisburg’s JCC
The community all comes together in the Jewish Community Center. The services there are numerous and the site serves as a locale for many events within the community. A kosher, shomer Shabbat facility, the JCC also serves as home base for the preschool and day school .
Numerous sports facilities are available through the JCC, including an exercise gym, swimming pools, and racquetball courts. The JCC provides ample opportunities for children of all ages to participate in competitive sports activities. Physical and social benefits of team sports in a Jewish environment is just part of the appeal of the JCC. Adults can also participate in team sports or a variety of exercise classes from tai chi to spinning. Health club facilities include sauna, steam room, and whirlpool.
The JCC also offers classes and social opportunities for children, adults and senior citizens. You can also grab a quick lunch or snack in their automat style machines. Freshly made sandwiches from the JCC kitchen supervised by Norman Gras’ kosher catering are community favorites.
During the summer, the JCC operates its Green Hills Swim Club in the beautiful Fishing Creek Valley (a 10-minute drive from the JCC). Green Hills Swim Club is a private 23 acres of land featuring a large outdoor pool, water slide, picnic tables, ga ga court, playset, and a full service concession stand.
MIKVA
The community also supports and maintains a mikva within the eruv to allow for women and men in the community to fulfill halachic obligations 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Call 717-238-2233 for further information.
THE ERUV
Spanning about 1.5-2 miles, our ERUV is inspected on a regular basis and maintained to strict halachic standards.
For more information call 717-234-ERUV.
PROGRAM
EVENTS
NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS SIMPLY CALL THE OFFICE!!!
JUST CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR PROGRAMING INFORMATION ....
KESHER CONNECTION
ASK JOEL BURCAT, JACK LOCK,CHARLES PRESS, JOSH FIRST, OR THOMAS WALTON ABOUT SACRAMENTAL WINE
LINKS
United Jewish Community of Greater Harrisburg
3301 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-1436
Phone: 717-236-9555
Fax: 717-236-8104
http://www.jewishharrisburg.org
The Rabbi David L. Silver
Yeshiva Academy
c/o Jewish Community Center
3301 North Front Street
2nd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717)238-8775 - Office
(717) 238-8773 - Fax
www.Yeshivaacademy.org
HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA
“The Sweetest Place on Earth”
Hershey Attractions
More information on The Central Pennsylvania Region
Harrisburg’s Website
HOUSING WITHIN THE ERUV
This listing will change regularly.. These are the properties observed within this past week. These are by no means complete but meant as a service for all to see what Harrisburg has to offer.
These are the Second Street Properties as of 6/17/2007
Listings_of_Housing_Available.doc
Please check the links for a virtual tour of some of the properties
2533 N. 2nd Street
Detached 2650 Second Stree
CONTACT US
It is easy to contact us by email. Our secretary checks our email daily. Please feel free to call her at 717-238-0763 or our
KESHER ISRAEL GIFT SHOPPE
Contact Eva Seigel @234-6056 or Louise Powers @233-1516
ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS
SPONSOR A KIDDUSH or
BE A SHALOSH SEDUDOS PATRON
Call Cecelia in the office from 9am to 1pm @ 238-0763 or
Mrs. Sadie Brenner in the evenings @ 238-0698
About Us
Kesher Israel Congregation was founded in 1902 by men and women who were determined to create a religious presence in Harrisburg that focused on the study of Torah, acts of loving kindness and, foremost, a belief in the G-d of Israel.
After 100 years, Kesher Israel continues to hold true to these principles and thrives as an Orthodox synagogue. We are a congregation of 250 families and individuals from many places and backgrounds. We are a community through our commitment to the values of observance of the mitzvoth, of Jewish family life and prayer. In our daily and Shabbat services, we conduct our prayers with dignity and an appreciation for the beauty of holiness.
Our present synagogue is located in a lovely residential neighborhood on Third and Schuylkill streets. The sanctuary was built in 1949 and expanded in 1963 to include the kitchens, social halls and offices. The congregation supports an active sisterhood and youth program. The congregational cemetery and memorial chapel are located at 35th and Oliver Street.
Kesher Israel has enjoyed strong rabbinic leadership throughout its history. Our first rabbi was Eliezer Silver, a world-renowned scholar and president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis. His son, Rabbi David Silver, of blessed memory, was our spiritual leader from 1932 to 1983. Rabbi Silver was the driving force behind the creation of our Yeshiva Academy of Harrisburg, the Jewish Home for the elderly and a host of other community institutions. After Rabbi Silver’s retirement, Dr. Chaim E. Schertz was elected as rabbi of the congregation. Under Rabbi Schertz’s guidance, Kesher Israel has developed an intense program of Jewish learning for adults.
Expanding and thriving past its centennial year, Kesher Israel Congregation continues to flourish as a light of Torah learning and Jewish tradition in Central Pennsylvania. Kesher Israel also continues to welcome those who seek a warm and joyful traditional synagogue and community.
CLASSES
Shabbos
10:20 a.m. Junior Congregation - Grades 1-6 in the Daily Chapel
Wednesday Nights with Rabbi Barry Nussbaum
Post Mincha Classes on the Torah portion or laws of the holidays in their season
Sundays
After morning minyan
”Breakfast and Learning” in an informal setting with Yosef Chiger and others.
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Tuesday
3:00 p.m. Cantor Rockoff reviews customs of prayer and the weekly Torah portion
Kosher Food
HERE IS THE LATEST ON KOSHER FOOD FROM KOAOA..KOAOA_News_Release.pdf
IN ADDITION HERE IS MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU KOSHER TODAY . COM
CHECK THIS OUT… A NEW WAY TO BUY KOSHER MEAT
It is our distinct pleasure to announce that GlattOnDemand.com has partnered with Kesher Israel Congregation to offer delivery of Glatt Kosher meats straight to your door, at bargain New York City prices. Every order submitted will receive the careful attention of our dedicated staff as they prepare to ship you the finest Glatt Kosher meats available!
GlattOnDemand.com believes in supporting your local Jewish community in Harrisburg, PA. Our goal is to create partnerships with as many congregations nationwide as we can. It is our hope that by making it easier to obtain Kosher food anywhere in the country, many congregations will gain a helpful tool with which to attract new membership. GlattOnDemand.com will do our part by donating 1.8% of your purchase Kesher Israel Congregation. Simply make sure to select Kesher Israel Congregation, on the checkout page as your preferred synagogue.
Visit our website at www.GlattOnDemand.com today and save 10% on your first order by entering the discount code “newcustomer” during the Google checkout process. We are confident that once you have experienced our service and tasted our products you will become part of the growing group of return-customers.
With that we implore you to fire up your grill, Glatt Kosher meat is on its way to your home!!!
Challah with a Twist
Enjoy fresh homemade Challahs every week!
717-234-6863
Norman Gras Caterers
Have your event catered in style with Kosher Food.
717-856-5913
Harrisburg’s Jewish Community provides several opportunities to buy kosher food at local stores.
Here is the latest kosher liquor list.....liqour_list.pdf
Giant Foods
Local Grocery Store Featuring Kosher Meat & Bakery
4450 Oakhurst Blvd. & Linglestown Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Store Phone: 717-652-7795
Giant Foods Website
Sacramental Wine Information
Call:
Joel Burcat 717-234-8105
Jack Lock 717-236-4810
Charles Press 717-545-1081
Josh First 717-260-0953
Thomas Walton 717-238-2718
100th Anniversary Celebration
Kesher Israel is proud to have reached its 100th anniversary. Our synagogue has remained just as vibrant and influential in the Harrisburg Jewish Community as in its past. We have ongoing celebrations to commemorate one century of Jewish teaching, learning, and spiritual unity.
We continue to make improvements to our facilities, and generous donations help to make our ceremonies enhanced through ornate tapestries and religious adornments. It is only through the loving kindness of our membership, that we are able to continue serving G-d in the manner that our fathers have exemplified for us.
Kesher Israel Synagogue and its spiritual leaders applaud all those that contribute to the vibrance of our great institution of Jewish worship. We appreciate our great community atmosphere and the wonderful people that help us honor Hashem in the way that we have traditionaly done.
Membership
Kesher Israel Synagogue provides a warm community that accepts Jews of all backgrounds to learn and grow in a friendly Jewish environment.
We strives to provide a Jewish experience for any and all Jews that desire Judaism in their lives.
Our membership consists of both young and old families, many families have been with our congregation for several generations.
We welcome visitors to the Jewish community of Harrisburg, and encourage visitors to take advantage of our home hospitality within our community.
K.I. would like to welcome you to our congregation & our community.
Here is our membership form to
join our community. MEMBERSHIP_APPLICATION.doc
Sisterhood
The Sisterhood at Kesher Israel Synagogue holds many events throughout the year to help the betterment of the congregation.
Check back soon for upcoming sisterhood events and a feature on the gift shop.
Library
The Rabbi Berel & Mrs. Frieda Zafran Library
Please feel free to visit the Kesher Israel Judaica Library. There are many texts to study and read, in both Hebrew & English. Enjoy our books in the library, or take them home to experience them further.
We are about to purchase more books for our Synagogue’s library. Please inform us of what books you have so we can avoid duplicate purhcases. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
LEADERSHIP
Executive Board
President: Norman Gras,
Vice President (Membership): Barry Gordon,
Vice President (Programming): Burton Morris,
Secretary: Ann Rosenberg,
Treasurer: Dan Schulder,
Financial Secretary: Eunyce Press,
Gabai: Rabbi Barry Nussbaum,
Gabai: Rabbi Moshe Yoseph Gewirtz
Board of Directors
Robert Lipman,,
Louis Reis,
Dr. Stan Lewin,,
Philip Goldstein,
Joel Burcat,
Joel Hervitz,
Val Kakramanov,
Lenard Brenner,
Yosef Chiger,
Sadie Brenner,
Marcy Flicker,
Ricki Gold,
Alvin Rolstosky,
Sandy Silverstein-Past President,
Lee Seigel-Past President,
Dr.Rabbi Chaim E. Schertz, our spiritual leader since 1984, was ordained at
Yeshiva University, where he received his B.A. in Jewish Philosophy. He
received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Western Philosophy from New York University.
Rabbi Schertz has served as a chaplain with the U.S. Armed Forces and was
the Director of the Hillel Foundations at Brooklyn College and Pennsylvania
State University. He has taught philosophy and literature at universities
in Pennsylvania and Colorado. A nationally renowned Talmudic Scholar, Rabbi
Schertz teaches both daily and Shabbat classes on Gemara and Chumash. He
and his wife Reva have two children. They are the proud grandparents of two boys.
Cantor Seymour E. Rockoff,received his rabbinical and cantorial training at
Yeshiva University, where he received a M.A. in Music. After serving as a
chaplain with the U.S. Army, Cantor Rockoff served as a Cantor for the famous
Yeshurun Synagogue in Jerusalem. He has a special interest in modern Jewish
music and has delighted audiences around the world with his recordings.
Cantor Rockoff’s style of blending traditional and modern Jewish
melodies has made services at Kesher Israel a beautiful
and joyous experience. He and his
wife Dina have two children.
Our RABBINIC FELLOW Rabbi Akiva Males,Rabbi Akiva Males grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and the Wisconsin Institute of Torah Study. He received his Rabbinical Ordination (Semicha) at the Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens, NY. He holds a B.S. from Nyack College and a Certificate in Advanced Rabbinics and Synagogue Management (Touro College). During the academic year 2006-2007 Males served as Judaic studies instructor at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns in Lawrence, NY. He and his wife Layala are excited to be part of the Kesher Israel Family for the next two years.
Rabbi David L. Silver, of blessed memory, was our spiritual leader from 1932 to 1983.
His work with the Jewish community in Harrisburg and beyond was exemplary
in his time. A strong advocate of the State of Israel, Rabbi Silver initiated
Harrisburg’s first hebrew day school, now his namesake, The Rabbi David
L. Silver Yeshiva Academy. We are grateful to him and what he has done for
our community.
Organizations
Kesher Israel Synagogue harbors several organizations that carry out activites for the synagogues membership, and the Harrisburg Jewish community.
NCSY
Harrisburg’s Youth Leader
Dena Rockoff-717-578-3620
Youth Group intended for education and youth leadership in Jewish Orthodox society. Meeting other Jewish youths and performing community service are primary goals of the organization.
Join NCSY’s New MSN Mailing Group
Visit NCSY’s Regional Website To Learn More to See
Classes & Activies
for learning organizations.
Happenings
READ THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE KESHER CONNECTION