VOLUME 32, NO.2 APRIL/MAY 2016 AdAR BET – NISSAN – IYAR 5776The

BETH JACOB

CONGREGATION

Purim and Passover both require us to confront Jewish destiny by reenacting history. The links—both similarities and differences between the holidays—teach us who we are and how we respond to the world in which we live.

Consider the similarities:- Both stories tell of oppression at the hands of

someone who hates us. - Both contain a hero who goes to a despotic

leader to free the Children of Israel—Esther goes to King Achashverosh and Moses goes to Pharaoh.

- Both of the heroes had relatives who supported them—Esther had her uncle Mordechai, and Moses had his siblings Miriam and Aaron.

- Both heroes find their courage and help bring about redemption.

- Both stories have a large treasure moving from the enemies to the Jewish people.

- Both stories revolve around wine and children. - Both stories ultimate goal is creating a home

in Israel. In the Passover story, we leave Egypt on the way to the Promised Land. In Purim, Achashverosh’s descendant Cyrus allows the Jews to return to Israel.

The stories are clearly linked, but the most interesting aspect of the comparison is the differences. In the Passover story, the key actor in redemption is God. God brings plagues, instructs Moses what to say to Pharaoh and how to split the Sea of Reeds by lifting his rod. God guides us into

the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. In the Purim story, we find the exact opposite situation. There were no signs and wonders. In fact, there is not mention of God’s name in the book. Mordechai conceived a plan to rescue the Jewish people and Esther found the courage to approach the King. It was a risky, dangerous plan, which was only the first step in redemption. Her tactic worked and then the Jewish people had to fight on their own to succeed.

Listen to how Rabbi Irving Greenberg describes the difference (The Jewish Way, p. 250): “On Purim, however, the mature Jewish people, rejecting the need for audiovisual fireworks, discerned God’s presence in their history. This understanding enabled them to encounter God in the reality of natural, or partially redeemed, history. They concluded that, after all, in Shushan, flawed human beings had been the carriers of divine redemption.”

Both paradigms from Passover and Purim remind us of our current condition: danger and slavery exist. The potential for redemption and renewal exists alongside that reality. The message of remembering both the human and Divine role in redemption underscores the core message of Judaism—the need to create a world free of oppression and hatred. Let’s celebrate our freedom and embrace the responsibility to bring redemption to our world.

a message from rabbi ezray

–CONNECTION BETWEEN PURIM AND PASSOVER–Rabbi Nathaniel Ezray

NEW! Family Shabbat SErvicE

First Saturday of each month at 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

April 2ND AND May 7TH

For families with children ages 0-7 years old led by Bill Futornick and Rabbi Ilana. Followed by Kiddush luncheon with the community in the Social Hall.

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1550 Alameda de las PulgasRedwood City, CA 94061 Ph: 650-366-8481 • Fax: 650-366-4629Religious School Ph: 650-366-8483E-mail: cbj@bethjacobrwc.orgWebsite: www.bethjacobrwc.org

CLERgY

Rabbi.............................Nathaniel Ezray

Ritual Director..................Bill Futornick

Cantor.............................Barbara Powell

Rabbi Emeritus.......H. David Teitelbaum

Cantor Emeritus...................Hans Cohn

PROfESSIONAL STAff

Executive Director.................Gary Geller

Religious School Director........................

Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon

Preschool Director.........Ann Cauterucci

Engagement Director....Rebecca Schwartz

Controller ……………....Laura Bahbout

Director of Family Educational

Programs……..Natalya Martyushova

Office Managers ……Maryjane Simmons

and Rosa Whitten

Assistant to Preschool Director…………..

Kristin Blake-Sanon

Religious School Coordinator…………..

Alex Lane

Custodian..............................Hue Truong

FirSt Friday rockiN’ Shabbat

April 1ST AND MAy 6TH

6:15 p.m. Service • Dinner following

NeW Lower Prices!Adults (ages 13 years and up): $18.00 per adult

Children (ages 4 – 12 years): $9.00 per childYoung Children (3 and under): No Charge

Maximum Family Price: $54.00

RSVP for dinner on Wednesday prior by 4:30 p.m.www.bethjacobrwc.org/cbj/worship/shabbat/

Voice Deadline

The deadline to submit copy for the June/July 2016 issue is:

Friday, April 15, 2016. please email your articles

and photos to Office Manager: rosa@bethjacobrwc.org.

For parents and grandparents with babies and toddlers

(birth to 30 months)Join our new teacher, Meredith Liron,

an early childhood educator and CBJ member

Songs and discussion in the preschool’s toddler classroom followed by Kiddush lunch at a reserved table

in the Social HallFree to all members and non-members

No advance sign-up required

Shabbat for baby & Me

seCoND saturDays at NooN aPriL 9thmay 14th

third Friday Family Shabbat

April 15TH AND May 20TH

5:30 p.m. Dinner • 6:15 p.m. Service

NeW Lower Prices!Adults (ages 13 years and up): $16.00 per adult

Children (ages 4 – 12 years): $9.00 per childYoung Children (3 and under): No Charge

Maximum Family Price: $50.00

RSVP for dinner on Wednesday prior by 4:30 p.m.www.bethjacobrwc.org/cbj/worship/shabbat/

TheVoice is published six times per year by Congregation Beth Jacob, a Conservative congregation.

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“The Power of Two” is the inspirational tale of San Francisco Bay Area-based twins who refuse to let a disabling and life-shortening illness get in the way of their quest for a better life. Isabel “Isa” Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel “Ana” Stenzel are biracial twin sisters both born with cystic fibrosis and gifted with “gaman”, the Japanese word for perseverance, which has helped them thrive despite their disease. Called to action by their life-saving double lung transplants, they strive to help those still in need of organ transplants and those suffering from CF live improved lives.

Isabel Yuriko Stenzel Byrnes, MSW, MPH (Stanford, ’94, University of California, Berkeley, ’98, ‘99) is a bereavement social worker at Mission Hospice, where she counsels bereaved adults, teens and children, and leads a writing group for those who are grieving. She has worked at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital as a social worker and has over 20 years’ experience working with childhood chronic illness. Isabel has cystic fibrosis and received a double lung transplant twelve years ago. Isabel has been an active leader for various cystic fibrosis and organ transplant organizations for two decades. Isabel and her late twin published the memoir, “The Power of Two”. Isabel has lectured around the country on topics such as living well with illness, transitioning, grief and loss, end-of-life issues and organ donation, including a TEDx Stanford talk in May 2014.

suNDay, aPriL 3rD at 2:00 P.m.

Film screening THE POWER OF TWO with author Isabel Stenzel Byrnes

ThE POWER TO CREATE, ThE WIll TO PERfECT.ThE ABIlITy TO DREAM, ThE CAPACITy TO lOVE.

On Rosh Hashanah, I centered my talk around these four concepts, words that appear in our shiva siddurim, A Minyan of Comfort. The text of the siddur describes them as the gifts that God gives us to be used wisely on our earthly journeys. These words so beautifully encapsulate the unique capabilities that we as human beings are endowed with.

These words also define in so many ways the CBJ community. We are people who dream, create programs and connections, strive for perfection, and most of all, we are a community that shows incredible love.

Last month, we celebrated receiving Rosh Pina certification for our commitment to inclusion of all. Love drove us to dream that we could become a synagogue of inclusion. But dreaming is not enough. Thanks to dedicated staff and volunteers, we have created an incredible community of inclusion. And we are constantly looking to make ourselves even more inclusive, to welcome those from the broader community who may not have yet found a synagogue home.

In like manner with our partners in Israel,

we go from dreaming to executing to perfecting our connections, all with the backdrop of love of Israel. Alan Fisher and Barbara Sommer dreamed of a medical center in the Arava, and as a community we made it happen. Aleh Negev is the paradigm of the fulfillment of a dream conceived in love. Stay tuned for the next project!

I could go on and on: family services for our younger families; Shabbat jam sessions for our religious school kids; a thriving Sisterhood and Men’s group. All of these and so much more are examples of how we put the four concepts above into action.

And on another note…I want to express my deepest gratitude to the CBJ

community for honoring me at our biennial Gala. I am humbled and honored at the level of support you have shown, both for me personally, and more importantly, for CBJ. I am blessed to be a part of this community, and I look forward to many more years together. On behalf of Michelle and myself, please accept my thanks.

Bill Futornick, Ritual Director

Bill’s Message

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As I write this I am still ‘basking in the afterglow’ of the Gala. It was a beautiful evening that seemed to me to strike all the chords that make our community so

special. We came together to honor our beloved Bill—wonderful teacher, mentor, and spiritual guide to all of us. As a community, we gave so generously to meet our financial goals and continue to achieve all the objectives on our wish list. The room was overflowing as every effort was made to seat all those who wanted to be part of this event. And the auction items and ‘pay to play’ events contribute more than the financial benefit they bring, but are also events which further the ongoing deepening of our relationships to each other. The culmination of the evening may well have been the “Fund the Need” fundraiser. We had asked for funds to purchase iPad packages for the Religious School and to add lighting to the yard outside the school building so the kids could have recess outside during the shorter and darker winter days and the rest of us can also enjoy the lighted landscape for picnics and pot luck dinners during warmer months. The love for our kids was palpable as we raised almost twice as much as we had hoped for. Rest assured that the additional funds will be put to use to further enhance our school.

The spirit that enveloped us the night of the Gala is, thankfully, not elusive at CBJ. You can feel it much of the time. I especially love Shabbat at CBJ and it is a wonderful fact that our numbers are increasing at Shabbat services and at our Kiddush lunches. We are creating a variety of entry points for all our members— young families, kids, those looking for a short

service, a more musical service or a traditional service—to find their path to celebrating Shabbat. And the vibe is wonderful.

It is odd that despite my Jewish education it is only in the last several years that I discovered Shabbat as the respite from the week that it is. Like so many of us I worked long hours which included nights and weekends and tried to figure out how to find more balance. It had not occurred to me that Shabbat is our tradition’s solution to that problem. I love the Shabbat concept—a day of rest. For me it’s a day that I can intentionally practice gratitude. When I come to CBJ on Shabbat I feel the warmth of the community. I clear my head from the past days and focus on my blessings. My eyes are regularly opened by Rabbi Ezray’s teachings and Bill’s musings in Power Hour. I enjoy hanging out and lunching with friends.

With all the progress we have made with our Shabbat offerings we want to be sure that we are meeting as many needs as we can. By the time you read this you should have received an updated Survey about our Shabbat offerings. We are interested in seeing how you feel about the services and activities that we have on offer and how we can do better. Please take a few moments to answer the survey and, if you missed the survey, feel free to get in touch with me to share your thoughts.

I have come to believe that embracing the Shabbat concept—the idea that we need a day of rest—is the antidote to so much that ails us. We struggle to keep our heads above water with our extraordinarily busy lives. Taking a day to disconnect, to reflect, and be embraced by your community—whether in services, at study, on a hike or a bike ride—is restorative. So if you haven’t already, please join us for Shabbat.

by Sue borg, PreSident

President’s Message

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Children’s books for holidays have come a long way in recent years. With Pesach on the horizon, the preschool staff would like to share some of our favorite holiday titles with you.

Sammy Spider’s First Passover by Sylvia A. Rouss – All of Sammy’s adventures are fun for children, this one has rhymes, mazes, puzzles and more to delight everyone.

Is It Passover Yet? By Chris Barash & Alessandra Psacharopulo – in this story, a family is gathering with loved ones to share the joy of togetherness and freedom that Pesach brings. Have fun as they clean the house, set out their best dishes, and fill their home with food.

The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah by Leslie Kimmelman & Paul Meisel – realizing that Pesach will be here before she knows it, the Little Red Hen sets about preparing to make matzah from start to finish. But will she get help? Instructions for making your own matzah are included.

The Littlest Levine by Sandy Lanton & Claire Keay – Hannah doesn’t like being the littlest Levine. She is too short to hang fruit from the sukkah and too young to light the Chanukah candles by herself, but when Pesach comes she gets a chance to shine in a big way!

What I Like About Passover by Varda Livney – from seeing family and friends to lighting candles and reciting the four questions, a little girl describes the traditions involved in the celebration of Pesach.

The Passover Parrot by Evelyn Zusman & Katherine Janus Kahn – Ann’s favorite Pesach story, and best read in a “parrot” voice! Hametz the parrot learns how to sing Ma Nishtanah, but what will happen when he’s up in a tree holding the afikomen?

After the holiday a fun family activity is to sit together and write your own holiday book. Talk about the way you celebrated, and the things that you did. Have your children dictate words to you and illustrate, add family photos, collect clip-art, or cut pictures out of magazines. It might be the start of a new family tradition, and the first volume in a series! Chag Samaech!

A MessAge froM Ann CAuteruCCi, PresChool DireCtorA MessAge froM Ann CAuteruCCi, PresChool DireCtor

Membership Engagement Director Rebecca Schwartz~It’s Time to Get Involved~

We tell the Passover tale every year, sharing again our people’s story. Maybe the same family members sit around the same table. Maybe a new set of friends or community is gathered this year. But again we tell the tale. At CBJ we believe in the power of story and sharing our personal stories.

We are collecting old family photographs from our members’ years at CBJ. The photo display at our special Shabbat honoring long-term members was so popular we want to create an ongoing digital library available to the entire community. You may scan your photos and email them to me, or bring the prints into the office and we will scan them for you.

Every month we invite a member with an interesting story or history to speak to the congregation on Shabbat. Watch for those Fourth Friday speakers and learn more about our community stories.

And please take advantage of the opportunity to share YOUR story with us. Rabbi and Bill have invited every single CBJ member to meet with them one-on-one. We want to know more about who you are, where you come from, what you want from your synagogue, and how we can make your CBJ membership a more meaningful experience for you.

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a message from reLigious sChooL DireCtor

by RABBI ILANA GOLDHABER-GORDON

Making RooM foR Shabbat

When my husband and I were graduate students at MIT, we often got together with friends to play complex board games. I became pregnant in my last year of graduate school, and others in our group were also thinking in that direction. I clearly remember musing to our friend Matthew around that time, “What will we do if our kids don’t like board games?” Matthew responded, “Don’t try to convince them. Just play in front of them. If they see that you like doing it, they will want to do it, too.”

Matthew was right—about board games, and about every value we transmit to our children. Our children know what we really value, and it is not always what we say we value.

What do you value about being Jewish? The answer to that question may not be obvious. You care about Judaism, else you wouldn’t be at CBJ. But why? And how do your children see you living it? It’s not easy to fit Judaism into the pace of Silicon Valley.

Shabbat can be part of the answer. Ahad Ha’Am, one of the great writers of the early Zionist movement, famously said, “More than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.” Shabbat can be a time out of time. Put the world on freeze. Stop trying to do, to make, to win,

to accomplish, and just enjoy being. When we return to our regular lives after Shabbat is over, the pace has not changed but it feels less frantic. That day—or, if 25 hours is too much, whatever part of the day you set aside as Shabbat—infuses the rest of the week.

Like exercise, and diet, and all the things we know we should do for our own good, Shabbat is not easy. For us adults, it is hard to hold that to-do list at bay. And for most kids, “just being” is not an option.

Can we at CBJ help make it happen? What if we had classes on Shabbat mornings that excited a range of child interests? Imagine a class in Jewish Lego, a debate club, a drama club. With the kids happily engaged, could parents allow themselves to yield to the relaxation of Shabbat?

If you’d like to see CBJ become a Shabbat home for more families, let me know. I’m looking for ideas, for volunteers, and for energy to make it happen next fall. Many years ago, one my teachers, a professor of Chemistry who was also a deeply religious Jew, said to me: “People are governed by inertia. It is hard to start work, and it is hard to stop.” Doing Shabbat is hard. But if we do it together, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be worth it.

GOURMET CATERING FOR ALL EVENTS

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We are very blessed that our long-serving Rabbi

Emeritus David Teitelbaum and Cantor Emeritus Hans

Cohn continue to be vital and beloved members of

our community long into their retirements. Each

is a special man, whose love, wisdom and devotion

continues to impact our lives.

This year both men will celebrate their 90th

birthdays. We are excited to have special programs to

honor each man and their families individually.

Rabbi DaviD TeiTelbaum

We were blessed for 38 years at Congregation Beth

Jacob to have Rabbi David Teitelbaum serve as our

Rabbi.

It was exciting this year, when Rabbi Teitelbaum was

quoted by President Obama connected to marching

in Selma, Alabama for civil rights. Not only was Rabbi

Teitelbaum a moral visionary in battling for civil rights

and on behalf of Soviet Jewry, he was a visionary leader

of this community for 38 years. His towering intellect

and gentle compassion left a powerful imprint on our

community. He and Robin are treasured gems in our

community.

To celebrate Rabbi Teitelbaum’s birthday, we have

invited noted author of San Francisco Jewish history,

Fred Rosenbaum, of Lehrhaus Judaica to speak during

services and later at Kiddush on Saturday, April 30th.

He is preparing a special lecture especially for the

day: Human Rights, Jewish Values: Rabbi David

Teitelbaum and the Transformation of Bay Area

Jewry

In selecting this topic, Fred Rosenbaum noted that

Rabbi Teitelbaum was at the center of so many turning

points in local history. His lecture will describe

these pivotal events and detail Rabbi Teitelbaum’s

contributions.

It is meaningful for us to mark Rabbi Teitelbaum’s

birthday with a wonderful lecture, delicious kiddish

and warm tribute.

CanToR Hans CoHn

For 31 years, Cantor Cohn brought a special spirit to

CBJ. His inspiring voice created joy and connection

during services. A generation of students felt his love

and influence as he guided them through Bar/Bat

Mitzvah and Jewish education. He led a world-class

choir and was always there for each congregant during

moments of joy and sorrow. He taught us how to live

with optimism and embrace of our Jewish legacy.

His book is entitled Risen from the Ashes—the title

captures Cantor Cohn’s influence—he has taught us

resilience and how to live with purpose.

We will celebrate Cantor Cohn’s 90th birthday

with a special musical performance on Sunday, June

5th at 3:00 p.m. by the renowned Alexander String

Quartet—an ensemble Cantor Cohn and Nina were

particularly excited to bring to CBJ. The music chosen

by Cantor Cohn will feature selections by Beethoven

and Dvorak. Cantor Cohn particularly loves a

movement in the Beethoven piece which musically

quotes the opening strains of Kol Nidre.

Now in its 35th year, the Alexander String Quartet

has performed around the world to international

acclaim. Based in San Francisco, they serve as

Ensemble in Residence for San Francisco Performances

and Directors of the Morrison Chamber Music Center

in the College of Liberal and Creative Arts at San

Francisco State University. Additionally, the Alexander

String Quartet’s annual calendar of concerts includes

engagements at major halls throughout North America

and Europe.

We are overjoyed to bring the gift of inspiring music

to celebrate Cantor Cohn’s birthday. Tickets will be

$18.

What a beautiful privilege it is to honor these two

men and their families as they celebrate their 90th

birthdays.

May they go from strength to strength!

Happy Birthday David and Hans—

with great love from CBJ.

by rabbi nathanial ezray

Celebrating Special Birthdays

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90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONSCeleBrAtiNg rABBi teitelBAuM’S 90th BirthDAY

ShABBAT moRnIng, APRIL 30, 2016 gUEST SChoLAR, FRED RoSEnBAUm, oF LEhRhAUS JUDAICA,

WILL SPEAK ON “HUMAN RIGHTS, JEWISH VALUES: RABBI DAVID TEITELBAUM AND

ThE TRAnSFoRmATIon oF BAy AREA JEwRy.”

SERvICES START AT 10:00 A.m., kIDDUSh LUnChEon To FoLLow.

CeleBrAtiNg CANtor hANS CohN’S 90th BirthDAY SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2016, 3:00 P.M. CONCERT BY THE ALExANDER STRING QUARTET

PRESENTING:

DvoRAk STRIng qUARTET no. 12 In F mAJoR,

OPUS 96 BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTET NO. 14 IN C# MINOR, OPUS 131 TICKETS $18

PesaCh 5776/2016

Kasher the beth JaCob KitCheN

Wednesday, april 20th at 9:00 a.m.We need your hands! Bring toWels and

a touch of elBoW grease. our clergy Will guide us, and We Will have custodial staff on hand

for the heavy lifting.

saLe of Chametz forms DeaDLiNe

please suBmit forms By friday, april 22nd at 9:00 a.m.

first seDer

friday evening, april 22nd

if you have room at your taBle, please let us knoW. please contact the office if you do not have a seder

to attend and We Will help you find one.

seCoND Night CommuNity seDer

saturday, april 23rd at 6:15 p.m.everyone is invited to join us for a night of story, study

and song, led By raBBi ezray. appropriate for all ages and Backgrounds. games, activities and

a children’s seder.make your reservation on our WeBsite By

monday, april 18th.

Passover aND shabbat morNiNg serviCes

saturday, april 23rd at 10:00 a.m.sunday, april 24th at 10:00 a.m.friday, april 29th at 10:00 a.m.

saturday, april 30th at 10:00 a.m. (includes yizkor)

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(wE RECommEnD ConTACTIng ThE SynAgogUES To ConFIRm SChEDULES)

ChAbAD north PeninsulA, usuAlly At MArriott hotel, 1770 s. AMPhlett blvD., sAn MAteo, 650-341-4510CongregAtion beth JACob, 1550 AlAMeDA De lAs PulgAs, reDwooD City, 650-366-8481

CongregAtion eMek berAChA, 4102 el CAMino reAl, PAlo Alto, 650-857-1800CongregAtion kol eMeth, 4175 MAnuelA Avenue, PAlo Alto, 650-948-7498

PeninsulA sinAi CongregAtion, 499 boothbAy Avenue, foster City, 650-349-2816PeninsulA teMPle beth el, 1700 AlAMeDA De lAs PulgAs, sAn MAteo, 650-341-7701

suNDays moNDays tuesDays WeDNesDays thursDays friDays

8:00 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. congregation emek

Beracha

8:30 a.m. chaBad north

peninsula

9:15 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. congregation kol

emeth

8:00 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. congregation emek

Beracha

7:45 p.m. congregation kol

emeth

6:30 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. congregation emek

Beracha

8:00 a.m. peninsula temple Beth

el

7:15 p.m. peninsula sinai congregation

7:45 p.m. congregation kol

emeth

6:30 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. congregation emek

Beracha

7:00 a.m. CongRegaTion beTH

JaCob

7:45 p.m. congregation kol

emeth

6:30 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. congregation emek

Beracha

6:45 a.m. and 7:45p.m. congregation kol

emeth

7:00 a.m. peninsula sinai congregation

6:30 a.m. congregation emek

Beracha

CantorBarbaraPowellJewish liturgical music has inspired

popular and classical composers over the centuries. Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” incorporates musical patterns of the shofar as it’s sounded during the Yamim Nora’im. A similar allusion to our sacred music drew Cantor Cohn to Ludwig von Beethoven’s String Quartet no. 14 in C# minor, Opus 131. The sixth movement of

the piece opens with the strains of the haunting Kol Nidre that we sing on Yom Kippur. Said to be the composer’s favorite of his string quartets, its complexity and beauty are extraordinary, as each of the 7 movements flow, one to the next, in a dramatic and moving progression. The excellence of this composition is a fitting tribute to our beloved Cantor Emeritus. I look forward to seeing you at the concert on June 5th, when the Alexander String Quartet will perform this piece in honor of Cantor Hans Cohn.

AlexAnder String QuArtet

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For our Second Friday, April 8th at 7:30 p.m. we will welcome the return of Imam Abdullah Antepli. Imam Antepli has two high profile roles: he serves as Program Director for the Muslim Leadership Initiative for the Shalom Hartman Institute, and he is Chief Representative of Muslim Affairs and adjunct faculty member at Duke University.Through the Muslim Leadership Initiative, Imam Antepli is reaching out to Muslims throughout the U.S. to gain a wider understanding of Judaism, Israel and the American Jewish community.

Imam Antepli visited CBJ in November, and inspired us to learn more about Islam and appreciate the richness of each other’s religious texts and traditions. In April, Imam Antepli will be speaking about our shared stories—focusing on Moses in the Quran. As we will be preparing for Passover, this is a wonderful opportunity to bring new discussions to our family Seder.

Sunday, April 10 at 10:30 a.m., Jonah Hassenfeld will give a talk about Jewish Identity: Has the challenge to define ourselves changed (or not?) through history. Jonah is completing his PhD in Education and Jewish Studies at Stanford University. he is a Jim Joseph Fellow and wexner Fellow/Davidson Scholar.

MERcAz LIMMuD / ADuLT EDucATION

MArk the DAteS iN Your CAleNDArS AND CoMe to leArN At CBJ!

APril bAt MitzvAh

My name is Olivia Meak. I’m a 7th grader at Kennedy Middle School in Redwood City. I have two younger sisters, Erin and Carrie. My hobbies include running x-country, playing soccer, swimming and cooking.

For my Tzedakah project, I chose to raise money for neph Cure. neph Cure is the only non-profit organization that is committed to support research for all sorts of kidney diseases. I chose this organization because my cousin Ali Gratz unfortunately passed away last September from a kidney disease called FSgS. In honor of Ali, I will also be participating in the Color Me Rad 5k run in March.

My portion is Shemini. Shemini is about the Kosher laws in Judaism and Aaron’s sons, Nada and Abihu. I have enjoyed studying my portion with Rabbi Ezray. I would like to thank Bill, Rabbi Ezray, Cantor Barbara, Rabbi Ilana Gordon, and all of my CBJ teachers for helping me prepare for my Bat Mitzvah.

Olivia Meak April 2, 2016

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MAy bAr MitzvAhs

My name is Jeffrey Hoyle and I am a 7th grader at Charles Armstrong School. I will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on May 28, 2016 and I am very excited

to become a man. I have a younger brother named Brian and we live in Atherton.I like sports. Anyone who knows me, knows that my first passion is doing

something athletic. I am a goalie on an Alpine Strikers Traveling Soccer Team and on my School Soccer Team. I play Baseball for Menlo-Atherton Little League and I am on my School Basketball Team and Street Hockey Team. My favorite summer camp is Decathlon Sports Camp because all day I participate in many different kinds of sports. I also like riding my bike and swimming, but if I have some free time on the weekends, I like to race electronic go-carts at K1 Speed.

I like to think that I am a giving person every day. I have a younger brother that I try to help and share things with when I can. I am a mentor at my school

for younger kids and I volunteer when I can to feed the homeless and raise money for local causes. I also try to listen to my teachers and do the right thing when I can—because I am a rule follower—which coincidentally is what my Torah portion is about.

I would like to thank my mom for always believing in me and encouraging me to do my best. I would like to thank Bill (for throwing the ball with me while teaching me my Bar Mitzvah portion), Cantor Barbara and Rabbi Ezray for helping me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah and for giving me the confidence I need to be Bar Mitzvah.

Jeffrey HOyle MAy 28, 2016

I’m a seventh grader at Hillview Middle School in Menlo Park. I was born in NYC and lived there and Westport, CT until I was 8 years old, when we moved to California. I like to hang out with my friends, play guitar, play golf, ski and follow my favorite team, the new England Patriots. For the past four summers, I’ve spent two weeks at Walton’s Grizzly Lodge sleep away camp, which I love.

For my tzedakah project, I’m raising money for the Special olympics. I chose to support this organization because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in sports on a fair playing field.

My portion is Emor which speaks of festivals, Shabbat and blasphemy.I’d like to thank Rabbi, Bill, Cantor Barbara, my teachers, classmates, friends,

and especially my parents and my little brother Ryan for helping me to this point.

Drew ScHwartzMan MAy 21, 2016

My name is Toby Teksler and I am a 7th grader at Egan Junior High. I live with my parents and older brother, Jakob, in Los Altos. My hobbies are playing soccer, practicing martial arts, playing video games, and I love traveling with my family.

For my Tzedakah Project I chose the organization named Fresh Lifelines for youth (Fly). Fly is an organization that helps young people who have gotten into trouble relating to drugs, crime, or have a troubled family life. Fly helps these kids get their lives back on track through innovative programs that include education, leadership training, and one-on-one mentoring.

I want to thank my parents and grandparents, Bill, Rabbi Ezray, Cantor Barbra and all the teachers at CBJ.

tOby tekSler MAy 14, 2016

Page 12

From Diane HowarD

dear friends,the first residents of

our community Were the ohlone indians. When the spanish came, redWood city Became part of a 35,000 acre spanish rancho oWned By the arguello family. the year Was 1795,

and horses and cattle grazed. the rancho provided local missions With food and animal hides. logging in the santa cruz mountains Became essential to the rapid groWth of san francisco, and during that time, the logs had to Be dragged to san francisco By teams of oxen. a deep Water channel Was discovered in the area of our doWntoWn, and a Wharf Was estaBlished to transport the logs to san francisco. a small village consisting of the houses of the laBorers sprang up around the Wharf, and the locals called the area redWood landing.

then in 1850, california Became a state, and the arguello family faced the possiBility of losing their rancho. they hired simon mezes to negotiate With the state to retain their property. in 1853, to thank him they gave him a piece of their land, Which he named mezesville, Which later Became redWood city. he ordered surveys of What Became our doWntoWn, and most of the streets he laid out still exist today.

he sold lots to the laBorers for $75.00.

the first post office arrived in 1856 and Was called the redWood city post office. redWood city Was the only real community When san mateo county Was estaBlished in 1856, so redWood city Became the county seat, although still not officially a city. a courthouse Was needed and mezes donated the property Where the courthouse stands today. the courthouse is the fourth to occupy that site.

in 1863 the railroad arrived and land values escalated. Wealthy san francisco families Built homes in redWood city, and in 1867 citizens petitioned for incorporation as a city. We Became the first community in san mateo county to Be incorporated as a city.

i have taken you through this historical journey Because in 2017, redWood city Will celeBrate its 150th Birthday – its sesquicentennial. We Will Be planning a numBer of events, and We Would love to have you involved. in future neWsletters, i Will keep you posted and up-to-date on What’s Being planned and hoW you can help. if you have any questions or Would like to Be in touch, you can reach me on my cell, #650-208-4774 or email: dhoWard@redWoodcity.org.

i hope you Will join me in celeBrating our Birthday in 2017. it Will Be a very exciting year for redWood city!

Sincerely,

DIANE HOWARDredWood city council memBer

Page 13

Save the dateS

CBJ Men’s Club plans fun social events throughout the year. We’ve made our own beer,

played poker and gone out on the town. Contact rebecca@bethjacobrwc.org

to learn more if you’d like to help plan future events or

just make sure you’re on the mailing list.

Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Men’s Club dinner at harry’s hofbrau, redwood City

Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Men’s Club Poker game at CBJ

meN’s CLub

CBJ’s active Sisterhood gathers women of all ages for social activities, learning, recreation, spiritual

endeavors and service to our synagogue and the greater community. We meet monthly and

have engaged in guided mediation and yoga, learned to bake Jewish foods, planned and

created rituals, studied with inspiring teachers, listened to each other’s stories, created art,

enjoyed music, taken an architectural walking tour in San Francisco, visited art museums,

and have eaten a lot of food. Dues are $36/year.

Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Passover recipe tasting

Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. gardening/Beekeeping

if you do not receive our evites and emails please make sure we have your correct information.

Contact sisterhood@bethjacobrwc.org.

sisterhooD shmooze

CBJ is a vibrant, engaged community whose members are connected to the notion of tikkun

olam in multiple and overlapping ways. Partners in Action coordinate projects throughout

the year that bring together different ages and groups within the congregation.

Monday, April 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Blood Drive

tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Jewish Coalition for literacy training Session

tiKKuN oLam – PartNers iN aCtioNCbJ rePairiNg the WorLD

Page 14

Recent contributionsADult eDuCAtioN FuNDBy: Ann & Steve Chalmer

CAreS CoMMitteeBy: Annette Weiss

CBJ kiDS JAM FuNDIn memory of: beloved mother, Harlene by Harise & Peter Staple

geNerAl FuNDBy: Ruthellen Harris; Mae WeintraubIn honor of: Bar Mitzvah of Zev Goldhaber-Gordon by Stephanie Bloom; and gratitude of Stephanie Bloom and Maya Bloom’s help by Miriam & Sherman Bloom; Norm Berkman’s 80th Birthday by Ruth Seiler; and appreciation of Debra and Mark Leslie for their generosity and friendship and Gayle and Al Notowitz for their friendship and spirit by Marian & David FinkelsteinIn memory of: Miriam Reboh by Kerstin Reboh; Janis Paslin by John & Reva Segall; father Morris by Frederica & Frank gold; beloved husband, Edward by Annette Stein; Samuel by Alisa Yaffa; Laurie’s beloved Aunt, Lil by Laurie & Joseph Ackerman; Laura’s beloved father, Judah Folkman by Laura & Brian Steuer; Daniel Charles Siegel, MD, PHD by Caryn, Rebecca, Eric & Mark Siegel; Herbert Rosenbaum by Ophra & Gary Rudolph; Goldie and Bernard Birnbaum by Sylvia and manfred wildmann; Fred melmon by Ann & Stan Forman

hiNeNi FuNDBy: Stefi Rudolph

iSrAel ACtioN FuNDIn memory of: Eric Kermit by Lillie Kermit

kiDDuSh FuNDIn honor of: Bill Futornick by Jacki SilberIn memory of: Nate Richards by Lala & Marvin Richards

koreNgolD CAMPerShiP FuNDIn memory of: David Korengold and beloved husband, Mort by Etty Korengold

liBrArY FuNDIn memory of: Celia Midman by Harise Staple

liNDAuer DiSABilitY FuNDIn honor of: Norm Berkman’s 80th Birthday and Jeanette Goodman’s Birthday by Diane & Jon Levinson

rABBi ezrAY’S DiSCretioNArY FuNDBy: Danielle & Richard Beres; Nancy & Greg Sterling; David Waksberg & Ellen Bob; Susan & David PlotnikoffIn honor of: Joanne Arfin’s Big Birthday by Martha LeviantIn memory of: Lily Radcliffe by Lillie Kermit; mother and Noah and Isaac’s grandmother, Suzanne by Bruce Feldstein; beloved mother, Ruth by Sarahann Shapiro; Lucille Zelinsky by Lala Richards; beloved Grandson Jonah by Diane

Brown; Fred melmon by Sheila Devore and Seth Skootsky; Grace Belsky by Donna & Vic Horwitz; Rose Leviant by Martha Leviant

rituAl DireCtor’S DiSCretioNArY FuNDBy: Danielle & Richard Beres; Rita & Alexandre Blumstein; Charlotte Scheier; Dr. Judith Schiffner; Susan & David PlotnikoffIn memory of: beloved grandmother, Sylvia by Debi Kaplan; Dorothy’s beloved mother, Molly by Dorothy & Paul Wachter

SPeCiAl NeeDS FuNDIn honor of: Cantor Barbara Powell for making Tali’s Bat Mitzvah so special by Danielle & Richard Beres

StellA rAkoNitz PSAlM FuNDIn memory of: Paul and marietta Fulton by Joy & David Stiefel

YAhrzeit FuNDIn memory of: mother, Dorothy Leven by Linda & Ed Rosen

Youth FuNDIn honor of: Abraham Alesna by Danielle & Richard Beres

Page 15

Yahrzeits April to May 2016

Friday, april 1Saturday, april 2

Isadore Gershman

max Gluck

rIta Grenn

rachel kushIn

Frances ross

dorothy sahn sIeGal

Jacques salem

Friday, april 8Saturday, april 9

marcel aknIn

ruth azrIel

lInda Berns

evelyn BIttner

vera Brenten

herBert FeldsteIn

davId Gluck

Isadore halpren

roBert hertzenBerG

Jay hornsteIn

Freda korenGold

marGaret loeB

rosalyn manesse

selma polInsky

ruth roth

cecIle seGal

danIel sIlver

hurst sommer

BenJamIn WIener

Friday, april 15Saturday, april 16

max BernsteIn

Bernard BIrnBaum

Ida BroWn

ralph FIsher

JulIus levIne

morton levInson

Beverly mosely

IrvInG quart

Jerry schreIBman

zale teman

marc WeIss

Friday, april 22Saturday, april 23

matIlda tIll” aBrams

Joel axelrod

helen BerkoWItz

Bertram chalmer

olIva de reya poole

helen FlatoW

devera Gutterman

Bernard horoWItz

roBert kutner

Ben mandel

maxWell martell

ephraIm mason

aBraham mervIs

clarIce mIller

herman mIller

aBe mIttler

Joseph puleo

lIlIane salem

roBert schlossBerG

laura seeman

elaIne shaloWItz

clara sherman

emmanuel storey

les sussman

BarBara talcott

norman WaIner

Friday, april 29Saturday, april 30

mIchael aaronson

Jacques aknIn

Jack aknIn

shIrley BrIscoe

eva cohn

dr. arno dennIs

JaIme devore

dorIs Fenn

Ilan aIken Forderer

molly Frankel

IrvInG GoldsteIn

russell cleveland Joyner

Jack kanner

GeorGe kelly

max kutner

pearl kutner

royston lee

Faye lehman

BenJamIn machanIck

Jerome mallon

arnon matItyahu

ted rosenBerG

helmut seGall

elena spector

Friday, May 6Saturday, May 7

ruth Beslove

Bluma Brenner

arleen chasson

JudIth m. dIamant

roBert dorIn

roBert FInGerman

loretta GreenBerG

elIas hazIot

renee kleIn

shoshana levIn

hyman mencher

stella rakonItz

evelyn ranno

aaron schlIsserrman

BarBara schoenFeldt

mIchael seeman

rose sImon

paulIne sterlInG

leonard stIeGer

Friday, May 13Saturday, May 14

sophIe arFIn

GeorGe Beck

GlorIa BeIGel

Gustav BerGer

pearl BroWn

henry BursteIn

leroy davIs

evan ellIson

JulIus FleIscher

emanuel FrIedman

JennIe Gladstone

shIrley Goldman

alIce GruBer

anna Gurman

davId keller

leonard levIn

Irene levIne

Janet schoenFeldt

vIta sIletsky

sIGmund sommer

solomon tsIBel

paul WolF

Friday, May 20Saturday, May 21

ruth aron

leo Bloom

naomI chanG

Florence davIdson

Betty FaBer

dave GoldBerG

helen Golden-stern

mala GoldschmId

mIrIam harrIs

GeorGe heller

patrIck kretschmer

phIlmore leemon

mayer lIcht

Irene oBradovIch

sophIe roBInson

arthur sahn

davId sherman

BessIe sIrInsky

Friday, May 27Saturday, May 28

steFan BerGer

hannah Boxer

hIlda Bresler

theodore Bronk

Barney Brotman

yoseF tzvI elIezer

JulIus Fulton

marIetta Fulton

alFred GessoW

eGon GoldschmIdt

JudIth harte

Jack hIGham

leWIs Jackson

leonard leven

shlomo levIn

maurIce lIdzBorskI

ethel lIndauer

davId loBree

lIlyan lynn

Freda mervIs

GracIa mosserI

kermIt moWBray

martIn popky

Judy sIdman

malka spIeGel

charles WeInsteIn

anna WeIss

annIe Wener

lazar Wener

danIel Weston

Jack WInston

If you would lIke to add loved ones to the yahrzeIt lIst or have a correctIon, please send an emaIl to cbj@bethjacobrwc.org.

Page 16

CoNDoleNCeS to… Arne & robert benowitz on the pAssing of their beloved mother toni benowitz

JAson egnAl (bonnie) on the pAssing of his beloved mother mimi egnAl,

grAndmother to AlAinA And zAchAry

sAlly Koen (nelson) on the pAssing of her beloved grAndmother sAlly ruben

sArA leslie (Josh) on the pAssing of her beloved fAther JAmes gAviser,

grAndfAther to devin, sAmuel And theodore

pAul melmon (nAncy) on the pAssing of his beloved fAther fred melmon,

grAndfAther to JuliA, rebeccA And eli

mArK (Joyce), debbie (phil), michAel And Jon (doreen) lAndes

on the pAssing of their beloved fAther nAt lAndes

grAce rosenberg on the pAssing of her beloved mother grAce belsKy

bArry schnur (ivAnA) on the pAssing of his beloved mother hArriet schnur,

grAndmother to hArrison, JonAthAn, sofiA, tristAn And dAniel

melAnie wolf-greenberg (dAvid) And douglAs (vicKi) And their fAmilies on the pAssing of

their beloved mother phyllis wolf

May Their MeMory Be a Blessing

Beth JacoB NewsPlease don’t hesitate to contact the CBJ office and let us know of your lifecycle events.

cbj@bethjacobrwc.org • 650-366-8481

April

Check website calendar for up-to-date information at www.bethjacobrwc.org/calendar.html

MAy

Check website calendar for up-to-date information at www.bethjacobrwc.org/calendar.html