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Shabbat Message

12/01/2023 05:24:16 AM

Dec1

Dear Hevre,

While this week has brought the relief of knowing that dozens of the hostages have been reunited with their families, it is all the more heartbreaking to know that dozens are still left behind, now that the pause in fighting has ended. At this difficult time, when so many of us are struggling with the nightmare taking place, we will begin to educate ourselves...Read more...

Shabbat Message

11/10/2023 05:45:18 PM

Nov10

Dear KHN Hevre, 

Today and last evening mark the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass, named after the shattered glass that littered the streets after the vandalism and destruction of Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues and home. On November 9 -10, 1938, at least 91 Jews were killed, 7,500 Jewish businesses were vandalized, and...Read more...

Shabbat Message

11/03/2023 05:42:00 PM

Nov3

Dear KHN congregation, 

I have spent time with many of you this past week through Torah study, phone calls, chance encounters and visits. For so many of us, it's difficult not to think nearly all the time about what is happening in Israel and Gaza. I'm grateful to receive the gift of Shabbat during which I turn off the news for a day. I encourage you to...Read more...

Shabbat Message

10/27/2023 05:08:39 PM

Oct27

Dear KHN Community,

This week’s Torah portion is Parshat Lech-Lecha, the portion that describes the beginnings of the Jewish people.

God said to Avram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

I will make of you a great nation, 
And I will bless...Read more...

Shabbat Message

10/20/2023 06:04:44 PM

Oct20

Dear Hevre,

Last evening hundreds of people gathered in person and online at Shir Ami in Newtown for a vigil in support of Israel and peace. Bucks County Jewish clergy, along with interfaith colleagues, a representative from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and two Israeli speakers shared poems, thoughts, psalms and words of grief and hope. It was a...Read more...

Shabbat Message

10/06/2023 05:46:05 PM

Oct6

Dear Hevre,

It has been such a special and meaningful time with you over these last few weeks of holidays. Being with many of you in the KHN sukkah and with families in our home sukkah this week was delightful. We are heading into the last weekend of chag with Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

I had never heard of Shemini Atzeret until my twenties...Read more...

Important Shabbat/Havdalah Updates/Sukkah Additions and Rabbi’s Message

09/28/2023 08:28:05 PM

Sep28

Dear Hevre,

We will have regular Shabbat services tomorrow evening in person and on Zoom at 7:00 pm. We will reschedule the New Members Shabbat.

Also, due to projected rains and/or damp conditions, we are going to postpone the Life and Legacy event; we will not be meeting for Havdalah this week.

However, it is...Read more...

Shhabat Message/Zoom Helper(s) Request

09/22/2023 05:50:00 PM

Sep22

Dear Hevre,

*A timely request* While we already have a Zoom helper for Kol Nidrei, we are still looking for helpers for Monday morning all the way through Yizkor.

Please let me know if you are available this Monday from 9:15 am – 1:00 pm (ish), or from 5:00 pm until the end of Neilah ASAP at rabbidianamiller@gmail.com Thank you! I will confirm...Read more...

Rosh Hashana Announcement

09/14/2023 09:48:09 PM

Sep14

Dear Hevre, 

5784 is upon us tomorrow evening.

PLEASE make sure that you have signed up online because Joe will be leaving at 11:30 am tomorrow and there will not be anyone to help you with sign-up. Also, please join us on Zoom if you are not feeling well. 

Moroccan and Libyan citizens have faced disasters...Read more...

09/08/2023 03:04:47 PM

Sep8

Dear Hevre,

We are one week away from Rosh Hashanah: we are about to welcome 5784.

How do we greet one another for the New Year?

In Yiddish we say, Gut Yontif [good yom tov], Gut Yor, a good holiday, a good year.

In Hebrew, Shanah Tovah, a good...Read more...

09/01/2023 05:10:07 PM

Sep1

Dear Hevre, 

We are now halfway through Elul, two weeks away from Rosh Hashanah. 

Many of us meet each morning on Zoom in community and learn from and with each other. Please join us, every morning except for Shabbat at 9:00 am (link removed for security) It’s powerful to hear the teachings from our KHN members and the sound of the...Read more...

Shabbat Message

08/25/2023 04:02:02 PM

Aug25

Dear Hevre,

As I’m in the midst of noticing and appreciating the senses (or the hopefully temporary loss of a couple of them) as well as being in the season of teshuvah, turning, returning, I share this poem with you.

Initiation Song from the Finders Lodge – Ursula Le Guin

Please come bringing new...Read more...

Elul & Shabbat Announcements

08/17/2023 08:01:58 PM

Aug17

Dear Hevre,

Hodesh tov! Today is Rosh Hodesh Elul and tomorrow morning at 9:00 am we will begin our monthlong journey toward Rosh Hashanah, meeting each morning of the month of Elul (except for Shabbat). During this month we are engaging in a cheshbon hanefesh, a searching of our souls, and engaging in teshuvah, turning, returning, and doing the deep work of repentance. Between...Read more...

Shabbat Message/Pittsburgh Verdict Statement

08/04/2023 04:38:01 PM

Aug4

Dear Hevre,

This week our country received the final verdict surrounding the Tree of Life murderer. I’d like to share with you the public statement released by our Pittsburgh Reconstructing Judaism affiliate, Congregation Dor Hadash, following the final verdict in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre case:

Congregation Dor Hadash, one of the three...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

07/28/2023 06:21:35 PM

Jul28

Dear Hevre,

It’s extraordinary what has been happening in Israel lately. Frightening, and inspiring. Yesterday I heard that 20% of Israelis have been protesting for seven months. Imagine over 60 million Americans out on the streets for seven months protesting! But what happened this week, during the week of Tisha B’Av, has really scared...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

07/21/2023 12:41:39 PM

Jul21

No message - vacation

07/14/2023 06:21:31 PM

Jul14

Dear Hevre, 

I look forward to seeing you this evening at KHN at 7:00 pm or on Zoom at:

(Address removed from blog for security reasons)

 

I will be out of town from this Sunday July 16 until next Sunday the 23 when I will be welcoming the Mayer brothers for...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

07/07/2023 06:18:31 PM

Jul7

Dear Hevre,

Yesterday re-opened my eyes to where we are in Jewish time on the yearly calendar. It was not July 6 that did it but rather the 17 of Tammuz, which reminded me to re-orient myself to the Jewish calendar.

We have entered the time period called the Three Weeks (bein hameitzarim/between the straits) leading up to Tisha...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

06/23/2023 04:34:35 PM

Jun23

Dear Hevre,

As I emerge from five days of retreat during which I meditated, walked, chanted, and studied Jewish and Buddhist texts, I see anew the blessings and the curses of how much of our lives can be spent online. The blessings are clear to me as Zoom allowed us to be together during COVID lock downs and continues to connect us as a community, wherever we are. I share ideas with...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

03/17/2023 06:41:17 PM

Mar17

Dear Hevre,

It alarms, saddens and angers me that on April 1 Tennessee will enact its anti-drag bill. This will jeopardize the livelihood of many and unnecessarily cause innocent people either to hide or to risk getting misdemeanors, jail time, fines and felonies. And of course the risk that this will impact public gender expression is real, as we know how many laws there are...Read more...

Rabbi's Message/Contemplative Shabat IN PERSON and on Zoom Tomorrow Morning

03/10/2023 05:55:21 PM

Mar10

Dear Hevre,

There are two subjects I would like to share with you.

The whole world, the Jewish world and in particular the disability rights world, lost a warrior activist and teacher this week with the sudden death of Judith Heumann, of blessed memory.

You can read her obituary in the New York Times: Judy...Read more...

Rabbi's Message/Purim/Israel Zoom Programs

03/03/2023 03:55:57 AM

Mar3

Dear Hevre,

I'm looking forward to a festive Shabbat with you, followed by a Purim celebration!

We are meeting in person this evening at 7:00 pm as well as online.

***This evening Sandra Herman will be sponsoring an Oneg in memory of her sister Susan Shapiro, z’l.

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 am we will meet in person for Shabbat Zimra as well as online.Read more...

Statements Regarding Israel and Palestine

02/28/2023 05:28:11 PM

Feb28

Dear Hevre, I’m concerned and heartbroken to hear what is happening with Israelis and Palestinians. I’m sharing the statement by Reconstructing Judaism and the RRA, as well as one by the group T’ruah: the rabbinic call for human rights, of which I am a member, concerning all the violence taking place in Israel and in Palestine.

We must condemn all of these acts of terrorism and...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

02/24/2023 05:50:01 PM

Feb24

 איך  געהאַט כּוח  װאָלט
װאָלט איך געלאָפֿן אין די גאַסן 
,װאָלט און געשריגן: שלום
שלום, שלום, שלום

Volt ikh gehat koyekh,
Volt ikh gelofn in di gasn,
Volt ikh geshrign Sholem,
Sholem,Sholem,Sholem.

If my voice were louder,
Read more...

Rabbi's Message

02/17/2023 04:12:00 PM

Feb17

Dear Hevre,

We are going about our days and certain parts of our lives seem stable. We hold certain things to be true and feel them as permanent. And that’s a good thing. We need to rest in that, at least have some pretense that change isn’t always happening. I know I do. And then things change. In this case, your rabbi lets you know that she will be leaving the area next year....Read more...

Rabbi's Message

02/03/2023 05:30:00 PM

Feb3

Dear Hevre, 

There is joyous hopefulness in this week’s Torah portion, Beshalach. God splits the sea and Moses leads the Israelites through it, and Miriam leads all the Israelite women in song and dance to celebrate. True, the Israelites soon begin to complain about life in the desert. Nonetheless, we read about a formerly enslaved people beginning their journey to becoming...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

01/27/2023 05:56:30 PM

Jan27

Dear Hevre, 

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance day, the day the UN General Assembly chose to mark the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. This is distinguished from Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Remembrance day which marks the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943, when Jewish resistance fighters fought against the Nazis. Today is an...Read more...

Update

01/22/2023 11:34:51 AM

Jan22

January 13, 2023 message supplied by Rabbinic Intern. 
January 20, 2023 no message.

Rabbi's Message

01/06/2023 04:06:08 PM

Jan6

Dear Hevre,

There are so many ways to stay connected and to be part of our community. In this month of Tevet, we must carry the memory of the lights of Chanukah into the rest of these next few months as we slowly begin to move into more light and the time when the Earth will begin to blossom again. It’s good for our souls to help others in need and to partake of the holiness and...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

12/30/2022 04:08:47 PM

Dec30

Dear Hevre,

 

The Jewish calendar includes holiday observances which often have time-bound obligations. To make sure that commandments could be fulfilled at their appointed times, four Jewish new years were created. The Mishnah (RH:1:1) specifies them as 1 Tishri which is Rosh Hashanah, the new year for the seasons; 15 Shevat which is Tu...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

12/23/2022 04:14:16 PM

Dec23

Shabbat Shalom, Happy Chanukah, Chodesh Tov and Merry Christmas for those who celebrate. 

I look forward to seeing you at 7:00 pm on Zoom for our musical Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat service. Please bring your menorah and Shabbat candles if you have them. 

The Zoom link is: 

See you soon!

Rabbi Diana

Read more...

Rabbi's Message

12/16/2022 04:18:48 PM

Dec16

Dear Hevre,

As many of you know, KHN co-sponsored an event on the 10th anniversary of Sandy Hook led by CeasefirePA and co-sponsored with several other religious and civic organizations. It was heart-breaking to hear a woman tell her story of losing her uncle to gun violence (while being in the same area) for the first time and the reminders of all the atrocities that have...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

12/02/2022 04:29:31 PM

Dec2

Dear Hevre,

We live our lives each week, with constant news coming our way and swirling thoughts within us. Occasionally, we take a breath during it all, perhaps meditate, pray, say a blessing. No matter what we do, we cannot ignore how disturbing some of the news is, as it has been lately reminding us that antisemitic ideas as well as other hatreds proliferate. I...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

11/25/2022 04:30:00 PM

Nov25

Dear Hevre,  Hodesh tov! We have entered the Hebrew month of Kislev. We will be illuminating the darkness with the lights of Chanukah later this month. I hope that everybody had a happy Thanksgiving.  As we are about to enter Shabbat, I want to acknowledge how difficult this week has been. Our hearts are broken and we are fed up with the gun violence happening in our country.  On Sunday we learned about the...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

11/18/2022 04:30:00 PM

Nov18

Dear Hevre,

We have understandably been focused on the recent mid-term elections here in the United States. Many of us also have questions and concerns about what's going to happen as the new government in Israel forms and takes office, likely in the days or weeks ahead. Several progressive Zionist organizations and their leaders expressed grave concerns about the likelihood of...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

11/10/2022 04:30:00 PM

Nov10

Please join me in welcoming Renee Brachfeld and Rabbi Mark Novak tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm for Shabbat services on Zoom. You must register first to receive a link at:

https://www.kehilathanahar.org/event/honey-from-the-rock-stories--songs-from-the-jewish-tradition-.html

_______________________________________________________________________

I want to thank those in our community who volunteered and worked at polls...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

10/21/2022 06:01:00 PM

Oct21

Dear Hevre,

We have finished the whole fall holiday cycle with great attendance in person and on Zoom. Thank you again to all those who prepared, organized and participated in every aspect of the high holidays. It takes a village, and we have a special one at the Little Shul.

We are back to Breishit, to Genesis, in our weekly Torah portion. It is in...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

09/20/2022 07:02:00 PM

Sep20

Dear Hevre,

I recently got off a live audio Zoom call with President Biden who was addressing American rabbis and cantors. Among other topics, he addressed the topic of antisemitism in our country and how profoundly affected he was hearing the haters in Charlottesville chanting “Jews will not replace us.” He observed that hate is never fully defeated, rather it hides under a rock...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

09/16/2022 08:04:00 PM

Sep16

Dear Hevre,

I’m still basking in the joy of the gathering Scott and my friends and family together for our wedding after which Scott and I enjoyed four days on Cape Cod. [I'm actually still also revved up from Adirchai's visit and having an aufruf with our KHN community!] I’m energized and inspired by this gorgeous September weather, and all the blessings of our...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

09/02/2022 05:49:00 PM

Sep2

Dear KHN Community,

During these days of Elul leading up to Rosh HaShanah, we are given the time to focus on introspection, engaging in cheshbon nefesh, an accounting of our soul. It really helps to support this work while surrounded with others on a similar journey.

If you are feeling far from the themes of teshuva, of returning, or are feeling...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

08/19/2022 06:25:10 PM

Aug19

Dear Hevre, 

I am so happy to be back with our community. Thank you to our wonderful lay-leaders, Andy, Anita and Lynne, who led services this month. You too can lead services whenever you would like. Please let me know if you would like to learn more skills to that end. I love that we are a participatory community. 

I can’t say that my...Read more...

Rabbi on Sabbatical

07/18/2022 11:15:40 AM

Jul18

Rabbi Diana was on sabbatical from mid-July through mid-August, as such there are no weekly messages from her during that time.

Rabbi Message

07/15/2022 04:49:40 PM

Jul15

ear Hevre,

This evening, our speaker Veronica Laputska will speak BEFORE we have our shortened services so please come inside or on Zoom before 7:00 pm so that you can be there for the beginning of the program. Unless you are coming in person, please register beforehand at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtcOCrqzMuEtJa4M9w6I9Gb2CHrrB327TGRead more...

Rabbi's Message

07/01/2022 02:53:00 PM

Jul1

Dear Hevre,

All week long I have been glowing and reliving the memories of this past Sunday’s celebration in honor of my 10 (really 11!) years at KHN. The organizers put boundless loving attention and care into creating a flawless event that not only showered me with appreciation, love and honor but brought the community together in a way that fostered a sense of belonging and...Read more...

Rabbi's Message/Havdalah Ritual for Losing Abortion Access TomorrowEvening on Zoom

06/24/2022 11:47:33 AM

Jun24

Dear Hevre,

I just this moment learned about the fall of Roe V. Wade. I am sad, furious, aghast and not at all surprised. The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has been preparing for this day and they will be hosting a Jewish community vigil over Zoom at 4:00 pm today. This will be a space to mourn this loss Jewishly, and for holding the collective outrage and the anxiety...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

06/17/2022 03:03:26 PM

Jun17

Dear Hevre, 

I’m delighted to say that this evening we will be celebrating two amazing KHN students-Noah Levinson and Nina Meixler-who went through the Shul School and are being confirmed this evening! The curriculum we studied was centered on racism and Jew-hatred/anti-Semitism as well as efforts in our country toward becoming anti-racist,...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

06/10/2022 03:27:00 PM

Jun10

Dear Hevre,

In this week’s Torah portion we encounter the ancient Priestly Blessing:

May the Eternal bless you and protect you.

May the Eternal shine Divine light upon you and be gracious to you.

May the...Read more...

Rabbi Message

05/27/2022 06:12:48 PM

May27

Dear Chevre,

This week, the Torah reading in Parshat Bechukotai describes the blessings and curses that the Israelites will face depending on whether or not they follow the commandments.  

We have certainly been in touch with sadness, anger, and fear this week in our nation and in our world. There are real curses, afflictions, and plagues that we...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

05/20/2022 03:45:00 PM

May20

Dear Hevre,

We will require masks again inside KHN as the CDC has designated the risk of transmission of COVID in Bucks County as HIGH. There will not be an Oneg this evening since it may rain and we couldn’t have it outside. We will re-evaluate as we follow recommendations. There will continue to be Zoom access. 

Ideas can be powerful....Read more...

Rabbi's Message

05/12/2022 11:56:00 AM

May12

Dear Hevre,

It is a beautiful time of year to wander in the fields and woods, on the tow path or by the river.  

In Torah Study and in Mystical Monday we read a prayer by Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, the great-grandson of the founder of Hasidism. He wrote a prayer about connecting with the divine in and through nature:

Read more...

Rabbi's Message

05/06/2022 05:59:00 PM

May6

Dear Chevre,

It often feels as if the world in on fire. The climate crisis worsens, reproductive rights are at risk, there is violence in Israel, the war in Ukraine lingers on. We need to face these crises head on with our words, actions and resources.

We also need to rest: turn off the news, spend uninterrupted time with friends, family and...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

04/22/2022 05:27:00 PM

Apr22

Dear Hevre, 

Chag Sameach and Happy Earth Day!

Today is the 7th day of Pesach, the day which commemorates the miracle of kriat yam suf, the splitting of the Sea of Reeds which allowed the Israelites to escape from Pharaoh and his armies for good. The Israelites were terrified before crossing the Sea because what...Read more...

Rabbi's Message

04/08/2022 06:00:03 PM

Apr8

Dear Hevre,

As a community, this will be the first time that we are joining together in person (with Zoom access) where we will be mask-optional. There will even be an Oneg! Some of us are more than ready for this option, and some of us are not ready. 

We have been isolated from...Read more...

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784