Upload
lamquynh
View
216
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
It is easy to see that no one has a monopoly on extremism any longer, which makes the whole place a pow-der keg. Jerusalem, Ir Shalem, the City of Peace, seems to be the epicenter of its opposite: hatred, oppression, and violence.
Circle back to Rabin, of blessed mem-ory. He knew that a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital and access to the Temple Mount, would be a necessary condition for the survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Though many claim the dream is dead, the facts on the
The month of November is framed by recent tragedy and old time thanksgiving. It begins with the anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination 20 years ago and concludes with our celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. In good Jewish tradition, we begin with tragedy and end with joy.
Much has changed in the world since that sad day when Rabin was felled by a murderer’s bullet. The hopes he held for peace in the Middle East seem shattered. Not only has the whole area blown up in the flames of religious extremism, the very struggle for Israel’s continued existence is now being challenged by turning a political conflict into a religious one. The politics were difficult enough; the religious conflict may prove intractable.
As I write these lines, UNESCO has temporarily erased a clause in yet another anti-Israel resolution declaring the Western Wall (the Kotel) in Jerusalem a Muslim religious symbol, denying a Jewish connection to this site that for generations has been the “go to” place for our longings for a Zion rebuilt. Under that headline, there lies another one: Ateret Cohanim, a Jewish religious-nationalist organization that seeks the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, has purchased yet more homes in the Arab neighborhood of Silwan, denying the Palestinians living there the rights to their deeds, in an attempt to erase the presence of non-Jews around the Temple Mount.
December 2011Kislev / Tevet 5772
November 2015Cheshvan / Kislev 5776
Rabbi Roberto Graetz
From Tragedy to Hope
Mic
hae
l Fo
x
ground declare otherwise: the less viable a Palestinian state on the West Bank becomes, the less likely the chance of a demo-cratic state of Israel, and the greater our settlement in all of the land, the less likely the chance of a Jewish state in the long run. We can argue back and forth on every little detail and even agree or disagree on who is at fault and who is to blame, but at the end of the day we are going to see a two state solution or a binational state that eventually will be neither Jewish nor democratic.
Let us not forget to be thankful for Rabin’s legacy. The assas-sin killed the man – one of the last true leaders – and delayed the realization of the dream but not our aspirations for a time of peace and bridge-building yet to come. As we get closer to Thanksgiving – remembering that the pilgrims modeled the festival after our Feast of Booths, Sukkot – we go back to Jewish history. Some say that Chanukah was a delayed celebra-tion of Sukkot, postponed because of the pagans’ presence in the Temple halls. As soon as the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, our eight-day festival began.
It is a time for thanksgiving: for the blessings in our lives, for living at a time when Israel is reborn and prosperous, and for not letting go of the dream of better times when Jerusalem will once again be a City of Peace. Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu … Yes, peace will come one day.
Rabbi Roberto GraetzRabbi Graetz leading the dancing at our Simchat Torah celebra-tion on October 4.
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org2 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
TEMPLE ISAIAH
945 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549Temple Isaiah’s mission is to embody, enhance, and perpetuate our Jewish tradition by providing a welcoming spiritual home where the membership gathers to worship God, study Torah, engage in acts of Tikun Olam, participate in Jewish rituals and life cycle events, and experience the joy of being a part of a caring community.
President David Douglas
Executive Vice President Jasmine Tarkoff
Vice President Tony Crea
Vice President Dan Myers
Secretary Karen Goldberg
Treasurer Steve Lipson
Parliamentarian Robert Goldberg Phone Ext
Rabbi Roberto Graetz 308
Rabbi Judy Shanks 308
Associate Rabbi Alissa Miller 308
Rabbi Emeritus Shelley Waldenberg 308
Cantor Leigh Korn 308
Executive Director Debbie Kirsch 301
Education Director Rabbi Nicki Greninger 313
Gan Ilan Director Liz Kaufman 108
Youth Director Jory Gwasdoff 311
Membership Abby Seitelman 306
Facilities Rental Michaela Caughlan 303
Librarian Melissa Gianotti 316
Clergy Secretary Nina Jones 308
Education Asst. Deb Phillips 315
Gan Ilan Asst. Jeanette Woskow 109
Comm. & Dev. Dir. Jen Boxerman 310
Hebrew Tutor Joel Siegel 318
Office Staff Sonia Das 300
Bookkeeper Sherry Tsai 302
Office 925-283-8575
Fax 925-283-8355
Religious School 925-284-9191
Gan Ilan Preschool 925-284-8453
Gift Shop 925-284-4933
Website www.temple-isaiah.org
Ruach Vol. 64, No. 04, November 2015
Ruach is published monthly except in July by Temple Isaiah. Ruach is breath, wind, or spirit. It also means soul. May it be a breeze of fresh Jewish spirit arriving at your home.
Editor Judy [email protected]
Photographer Michael Fox
Copy Editor Neal Modelevsky
Goodbye and Thank You to Nathan Bellet
Last month, we said good-bye to Nathan Bellet, our longtime education department assistant, who has taken a new job. Nathan worked at Temple Isaiah for over 11 years during which he sup-ported all our youth and
education programs including JQuest, Noar Night, Camp Kefli, Kulanu, youth groups, and adult education classes, and was a great help to everyone at the temple in IT matters. We honored Nathan at our Sukkot Shabbatarama on October 2 and presented him with a gift from the temple at JQuest on October 11, his last day at Temple Isaiah. We are all grateful to Nathan for his many years of dedicated service to our community and wish him well in his new position.
Please join us in wel-coming back Deb Phillips as our interim education assistant. A lot of you will remember Deb who worked at Temple Isaiah for many years in a variety of roles. You can contact her at [email protected] or 925-284-9191.
Assistant Rabbi SearchWe are pleased to announce the formation of a committee to search for an assistant rabbi to join our clergy team following Rabbi Graetz’s retirement. Serving on the com-mittee are co-chairs Jill Douglas and David Matz, clergy members Rabbi Judy Shanks and Cantor Leigh Korn, and committee mem-bers Sandy Anderson, Dave Bressler, Kendra Fried, Dan Greenberg, Karen Maas, Neal Modelevsky, and Jeff Rosenthal.
The committee members represent a cross section of Temple Isaiah’s diverse commu-nity and were selected for their unique perspectives and their connections to the temple, as well as their personal and profes-sional backgrounds.
The search committee’s goal is to recom-mend a candidate to the board of directors by March for approval pursuant to the temple’s bylaws. If the board approves the committee’s recommendation, and the can-didate accepts, the new assistant rabbi will start around July 1, 2016.
As the search progresses, we will keep the congregation informed with occasional emails and articles in the Ruach.
Multi-Faith ThanksgivingLet’s gather togeth-er with our neigh-bors in Contra Costa County for a special Thanksgiving cele-bration on Sunday, November 22, at 4 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels
Episcopal Church, located at 2925 Bonifacio Street in Concord. It is an opportunity to give thanks for our blessings and be in commu-nity with others in the Multi Faith ACTION Coalition. Clergy from all over the county will participate, with our own Cantor Leigh Korn leading a multi-faith choir. Find inspi-ration, share gratitude, and commit to con-fronting poverty in an uplifting and informa-tive service. Refreshments will be served.
This event is sponsored by the Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition, Contra Costa County residents working together to address the root causes of poverty through advocacy and public policy change. Our shared values and our experiences as faith groups provid-ing food, shelter and other services make us strong voices for those in need. For more information, email [email protected].
Deb Phillips
Nathan Bellet
Smiles and s’mores for the Gray family at the Kulanu camping trip in October. What’s Kulanu? See Rabbi Miller’s article on page 9.
Joan
ne
Pete
rso
n
Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 3www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
NEWS AND INSPIRATION
Hot Topic Shabbat With Rabbi Shanks Friday, November 20
6:30 p.m. Shabbat service followed by dinner and
discussion of
The Road to Character by David Brooks
$12 per person for dinner
catered by Yalla Mediterranean
RSVP at www.temple-isaiah.org/hottopic
Save these dates for our other Hot Topic Shabbats:
Friday, January 19, with Rabbi Graetz
Friday, April 15, with Cantor Korn
Cantor’s Concert Sunday, January 10
At 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Remembering Yitzhak Rabin“Yitzhak Rabin: His Life, Death, and Legacy,” a community-wide sympo-sium marking the 20th anniversary of his assassination, will take place on Sunday, November 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of the East Bay, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. The program is a presentation of the Federation and Lehrhaus Judaica and features panel discussions and work-shops with leading scholars and his-torians, including Amos Guiora, Zohar Avigdori, and Fred Rosenbaum. Temple Isaiah is among the many area Jewish organizations sponsoring the event.
Yitzhak Rabin, the fifth prime minister of Israel, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (with Shimon Peres and Yasir Arafat) in 1994, and signed a peace treaty with Jordan that same year. In 1995, Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish Israeli following an appearance at a peace rally attended by over 100,000 in Tel Aviv.
The event will conclude with Dror Israel’s interactive, multime-dia Rabin exhibit and a reception.
The event is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration is strong-ly recommended. www.lehrhaus.org
Yitzhak Rabin
Welcome New Members September 12 – October 11, 2015
Please see your printed copy of the Ruach for this month’s new member listing.
Jackie Nissim, Beryl Silver, Wendy Holcenberg, and Karen Tarkoff at Women of Isaiah’s kick off dinner on October 12.
Mic
hae
l Fo
x
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org4 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
Reverse CommuteA long time ago in a land far away lived a little girl who had no idea that Jews were a minority because she was surrounded by a loving nation in which everyone is like mishpacha – family. If you told that little girl that one day she would leave Israel or “descend from the country,” as Israelis call it, she never would have believed you. Why? Because her paternal grandfather sur-vived the Holocaust to make a Jewish home in Israel; because her maternal grandfather escaped the Soviet Union, walking all the way from Bukhara to Israel to make a home in the Promised Land; and because on Passover, we always recite “Next Year in Jerusalem,” and, as Jews, have only one real home in the world. Leaving Israel seemed a betrayal of all that.
You probably guessed it: that little girl was me. And yet, as I sit here in sunny California I am able to write these words “guilt free.” It is not that I have turned my back on Israel or that Israel is not forever my home. It is because I have now found another home where I am no less Jewish, right here in the US.
When I moved here over 20 years ago, I was heartbroken. As a teenage girl I left behind everything I knew to come to a new county with a language I was embar-rassed to speak and a culture that seemed to me nothing short of absurd. I was devastated because, as a high school student, I already knew exactly what I wanted to do in the army and was working towards it. I did not want to leave my country. And so I promised my beloved Israel and myself that I would soon return, that the move to New Jersey was a temporary one.
As time went by, English was no longer a barrier for me, and I was so accustomed to the American culture that going back and visiting Israel made me view Israeli culture in a whole new light – and not always a very flattering one at that. Yet in my heart I still felt guilty to be happy here, comfortable in my new home. I couldn’t even think about one day raising Jewish kids outside of Israel and still had every intention of returning home.
I knew I had assimilated to life here when my friends were not just Israeli, Hebrew speakers, or Jewish; when I visited Israel and yearned to come back to the big roads and air-conditioned hous-es; and when I enjoyed people smiling and greeting each other with “have a good one” in the grocery store, no longer feeling that it was superficial, but rather pleasant and polite. It was then that I met Mr. Smith – my husband, Joshua – and was finally ready to put the fantasy of my eventual return to rest. My husband, who is as American as apple pie, would have a hard time surviving the rough exterior of the Israeli culture (which actually is very sweet on the inside, as the name sabar, cactus fruit, would suggest).
Deciding to stay in the US permanently transformed my think-ing and made me appreciate that I have made a reverse commute. I realized that in the years I have lived here, I have changed from being a complete khilonit (a nonobservant Israeli) to becoming a much more observant Jew. Leaving Israel may have distanced me from the land, but it has brought new meaning into my heart
about being Jewish. I was finally able to admit that I was happy and had a real Jewish home outside of Israel.
Unlike my younger self, our kids are very aware they are a minority. Often they are the only Jewish kids in their class, espe-cially since our move to the Bay Area two years ago. Yet that has not prevented them from developing a Jewish identity that is just as strong as mine. They feel proud of their heritage and connect-ed to the Jewish community and to Israel. They may not breathe the air of Israel or be surrounded by our ancestors’ language, but they don’t fall short of their Israeli counterparts in feeling Jewish or in having a sense of belonging to their community.
As I celebrate the all American holiday of Thanksgiving this year, not with a turkey shawarma “rotisserie-ing” in the streets of Tel-Aviv, but with the whole turkey accompanied by the bright orange colors of pumpkins, I am thankful for living in this country as a Jewish-Israeli-American. I am thankful for finding the community of Temple Isaiah where a bit over a year ago my family was welcomed with open arms and smiling faces to our very newest vibrant Jewish home. And within this new home, I am thankful for finding a treasure – the Israel & World Jewry Committee – where I found many people like me, Israel-lovers with varying opinions and passionate spirits. I invite all of you to come join the committee as we rally for Israel and focus on the positive things she has to offer. If you cannot make it to our meetings, I encourage you this Thanksgiving to invite Israel into your heart.
Keren Smith, Israel & World Jewry Committee Member
Keren Smith
ISRAEL AND WORLD JEWRY
■
■
Yizkor Elohim October 12, 2015
Joanne Lee Blum, mother of Katie Berryhill (Jon), grandmother of Brian and Deanna Berryhill.
October 18, 2015Lawrence Newman, father of Lisa Tucker (Douglas), grandfather of Belinda and Lucas Tucker.
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 5
COMMUNITY
On October 13, Anshei Isaiah joined the Israel and World Jewry Committee and Women of Isaiah in sponsoring a program on campus anti-Semitism. Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, co-founder of the AMCHA Initiative, presented a compelling picture of what is happening at some colleges that is negatively affecting Jewish students and what AMCHA and other organizations are doing to combat it. Also in October, Anshei Isaiah sponsored Monday Night Football at Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek. While the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens were bashing each other around, we drank, ate, and enjoyed each other’s company – a great guys’ night out!
More great events are on tap. Game Night at Dave Solomon’s house on Saturday, November 21, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. is a guys only event that features grilled burgers and dogs with all the fixings, dessert, beer, wine, and soda. Participate in a pool tournament, play poker, or hang out with old friends and have an opportunity to make new ones. This event is limited to the first 25 men who sign up. www.temple-isaiah.org/ansheievents
We’re making our third annual trip to Oracle Arena for Golden State Warriors Jewish Heritage Night on Wednesday, December 16, at 7:30 p.m. to see the World Champion Warriors take on the Phoenix Suns. Our allotment of 60 tickets is going fast. Go to www.temple-isaiah.org/gowarriors to pur-chase tickets.
Our final event of 2015 will be Moo Shu and a Movie on the evening of Thursday, December 24. Mark your calendar and watch for more information.
And don’t miss our 9th Annual Trivia Night fundraiser for our Temple Youth Fund on Saturday, January 23, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner and a challenging game of Trivia created by Scott Danish, our unrivaled emcee. Start organizing your team of friends, family members, havurah, co-workers … everyone is welcome.
Men, you can see some of the many options available to you as an Anshei Isaiah member, so join now and help us continue our good work. www.temple-isaiah.org/joinai.
Joel Willen, Anshei Isaiah President
Joel Willen
Men, Get Involved!As the New Year for Anshei Isaiah gets underway, there are so many different options for men and their families to get involved in temple life.
This past Sukkot twenty men met on a Sunday morning to build the temple’s new and enlarged sukkah, a great idea from Nadav Rave and Dave Solomon. That evening, the new sukkah was the setting for an intergenerational celebration led by Rabbi Graetz, Rabbi Miller, and Cantor Korn, culminating in a wonderful potluck dinner. Plans are being made to encourage more groups to use the expanded sukkah next year.
Welcome to Reutlinger EXPERIENCE OUTSTANDING 5-STAR SENIOR LIVING
4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506
• Caring, secure, welcoming environment
• Dynamic programming for individuals of all abilities, interests and passions
• Continuum of care: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing & Short/Long Term Rehab
• Faith-based Jewish values environment with respect for all beliefs
Call (925) 964-2094 today for a personal tour. www.rcjl.org • License # 075600335
To Steven Wolff, son of Marilyn Wolff Goodman and the late David Wolff, on his engagement to Elizabeth Schreiber of Greenwich, Connecticut.
To Sarah and Danny Shapiro on the birth of son Max Pike Shapiro, born September 21, 2015.
To Sherry and Harvey Rowen on the birth of grand-daughter Charlotte Ivy Ross, born October 3, 2015 to Sarah and Grant Ross.
To Karen and Chuck Fiske on the birth of grand-daughter Miriam Rose Bubb, born October 7, 2015 to Lauren Fiske and Johnny Bubb.
To Nina and Jim Meehan on the birth of daughter Meadow Sarah Meehan, born October 12, 2015. Proud grandparents are Vivian and Dave Auslander and Judy and Jim Meehan.
To Jamie Simon-Harris, daughter of Zina Rosen-Simon and Barry Simon, named the next executive director of Camp Tawonga, succeeding Ken Kramarz in 2017. Camp director for the past eight years, Jamie will serve as associate executive director during the transition.
Mazal Tov■
■
■
■
■
■
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org6 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
COMMUNITY
WOI Gift ShopThe largest selection of Judaica
east of the Oakland Hills.
945 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549(925) 284-4933
Hours: 4 - 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday,
9am-1pm on Sunday.Or by appointment.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev Please join us on Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. in the Adult Lounge for our first program of the year, featuring All of the Above: Single, Clergy, Mother a one-hour documentary about the nontraditional paths that two rabbis and a cantor took to become single mothers. Tablet says: “Be sure to have a hanky ready ... the candor and sensitivity with which these women speak about these struggles – not just the emotional hurdles they cleared in choosing to become single parents, but the financial ones they still face and the social ones they encounter in being pioneers professionally and personally – is thoroughly rivet-ing and instructive.”
Rabbi Shanks will lead a ritual for welcoming the new month of Kislev, and all of us will have the opportunity to get to know one another better and discuss issues raised by the film that are important to us as Jewish women. All are welcome!
Questions? Email Karen Marriner at [email protected] or call her at 925-759-3221.
Mah Jongg: The Art of the GamePlease join Women of Isaiah on Sunday, November 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Social Hall for a fascinating presentation by Gregg Swain, co-author of Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game: A Collector’s Guide to Mah Jongg Tiles and Sets. Gregg will discuss the history of the game, the signifi-cance and artistry of the Chinese images, and the American Jewish connection to this popular pastime. She will illustrate her talk with examples of Mah Jongg sets from various periods.
The cost of the event is $5 for WOI members and $7 for non-WOI members. Gregg will be happy to provide information about your set after her talk for a $5 donation to WOI. Signed books will be available for purchase at $24.95.
We’ll have tables set up for displaying sets if you would like to bring yours along, and the Women of Isaiah Gift Shop will host a pop-up Mah Jongg bookstore. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP at www.temple-isaiah.org/woimahjongg.
Gregg Swain
WOI kick off dinner guests Debbie Weinstein, Arlynn Bloom, and Ellen Whittom.
Linda Peters, Kendra Fried, and Kathryn Fireman at Sole to Soul, WOI’s annual kick off dinner. Kendra was the featured speaker at this year’s event.
Mic
hae
l Fo
xM
ich
ael
Fox
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 7
Why Angel Network?When people ask me why we continue to be members of Temple Isaiah, there are many answers, but when people ask me why we joined Temple Isaiah in the first place, the answer is easy: Angel Network. When my children were four and six, we decided it was time to join a synagogue. We “tested” out sev-eral, and when I found out that Temple Isaiah had a purposeful and ingrained connection to social action, I was sold.
The opportunity to join Angel Network really spoke to me. I have always had a volunteer spirit deep inside me but had not found the outlet or opportunity to serve. We wanted to connect our children to something service-orient-ed, and Angel Network was that connection. Since 2004, Angel Network has been a focus for me. I have served as a volunteer for meals, cards, and visits and as a meals coordinator and am now the Angel Network publicity chair.
If you have not discovered the opportunities for service through Angel Network, I encourage you to contact Jill Jacobson at [email protected] or Ruth Willen at [email protected] now. I guarantee it is well worth your time.
Ilana Israel Samuels, Angel Network Publicity Chair
Ilana Israel Samuels
Zina Rosen-Simon and Ruth Pettler at the top of Mt. Diablo on SHELTER Inc.’s annual hike in October. Over $135,000 was raised to help homeless families obtain permanent housing.
Shelter Dinners: November 9-13November: a time to give thanks and to give back. Please help us provide a week of healthy and delicious dinners to the cli-ents of Mountain View Emergency Family Shelter in Martinez on Monday, November 9 through Friday, November 13. Women of Isaiah’s social action chairs, Lynn Harrington-Golde and Gail Walden, coordinate this twice yearly ViA Isaiah project and need volunteers to make meals, shop for staples and supplies, deliver food and supplies to the shelter, and be on the serving and clean-up team.
We thank those of you who have already responded to our call for volunteers, but there are still slots to fill. Go to www.temple-isaiah.org/shelterdinners for detailed information, including menus, shopping lists, and volunteer instructions, and sign up today! Contact Lynn at [email protected] or Gail at [email protected] if you have questions.
ViA ISAIAH –– VALUES IN ACTION
Volunteer Now for Winter NightsIf we could provide a place for the homeless where they can be warm and safe at night, keep families together in dignity, provide good food, play games with the children, give presents to all, and let them know that we care, how could we not do this?
When Maynard Lichterman introduced Winter Nights Shelter to Temple Isaiah with those words in the December 2004 Ruach, he could scarcely dream how deeply it would become woven into the fabric of our congregation.
For 12 years, temple members have been incredible, dedicating time, talent and resources to create a holiday haven in our Social Hall and oneg area for homeless families with children. It’s an awe-inspiring mitzvah. We need you to be part of it.
Winter Nights runs from December 20 to January 4, and now is the time to sign up at www.temple-isaiah.org/wn. We’re grateful that over 150 of you have regis-tered online, but we need many more to shop, set up, cook, wash dishes, do laundry, stay overnight, and host activities. Please visit the website to find a date and job that works for you.
We’re super excited – To see guests enjoy homemade meals and dinner crews work their magic. To feel lifted by musicians, storytellers, LAFTY, Kulanu, and, yes, Santa and his excellent elves. To share the nightly circle and the light of Shabbat. To welcome new volunteers and embrace those who return year after year. To be inspired by our guests’ courage and humbled by their gratitude.
We’ll celebrate both Christmas and New Year’s, delivering presents and cheer, as always. The calendar brings a new gift: guests can stay in the shelter 24/7 on Thursdays and Fridays, which means extra meals and rest, and a chance for more activities and excursions.
If you can’t volunteer, consider donating useful items: new toiletries, sleeping bags, and gift cards for gas, BART, Target, and Walmart.
Please look for more details in temple emails and announce-ments. Winter Nights is an integral part of ViA Isaiah’s social action program and is sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. Please contact us with any questions or suggestions at [email protected].
Above all, we hope Winter Nights will be a sukkat shalom — a shelter of peace — where our guests will find comfort, healing and renewal. May we all strengthen each other, and together be a blessing: “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel.”
Joanne Peterson and Neal ModelevskyWinter Nights Co-Chairs
Neal Modelevsky
Joanne Peterson
8 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
November 2015 Cheshvan / Kislev 5776
288:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service
Bat Mitzvah (Leigha Miller)
27Office Closed:
Thanksgiving
5pm Tot Shabbat Snack5:30pm Tot Shabbat
Service Followed by Dinner
8pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg
26Office Closed:
Thanksgiving
252423
12:30pm Mah Jongg
7pm P’tach Libeynu for Family Members
30
22JQuest and Adult
Education
4pm Multi Faith Thanksgiving Service
29
218:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service
(Bat Mitzvah: Daniella Yadegar)
6pm Anshei Isaiah Game Night
209:15am Ganeinu
6pm Happy Half Hour Oneg
6:30pm Shabbat Service with Mizmor Band
7:30pm Hot Topic Shabbat Dinner
1910am Neshamah Yoga
12pm Talmud Study1pm TEXTorah Study
188:30am WOI Hike10am My Jewish Baby
4pm JQuest
6:45pm Noar Night7pm Adult Choir
Rehearsal
1710am Neshamah Yoga
12:30pm Writing Workshop
4pm JQuest
7pm Knitting and Handwork
7:15pm Board Meeting
16
7pm Anshei Isaiah Board Meeting
7pm Rosh Chodesh
15JQuest and Adult
EducationMitzvah Day at the
Cemetery1pm Mighty Kleztones
Rehearsal
3pm Mah Jongg Author Event
148:45am Torah Study9:30am Tot Shabbat10:30am Shabbat Service
(B’nai Mitzvah: Gabe Silberglitt and Carmen Horenstein)
13Shelter Dinner Week
8pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg
12Shelter Dinner Week10am Neshamah Yoga
12pm Talmud Study1pm TEXTorah Study
11Shelter Dinner Week10am My Jewish Baby
4pm JQuest
6:45pm Noar Night
10Shelter Dinner Week10am Neshamah Yoga
4pm JQuest
9Shelter Dinner Week
10:30am Women’s Torah Study
7pm Sacred Hebrew Chant and Healing Circle
8JQuest and Adult
Education
1pm Rabin Symposium
3pm Angel Network Tea
2
7pm WOI Leadership Team Meeting
1JQuest and Adult
Education1pm Mighty Kleztones
Rehearsal3pm HaMakom Grief
Support
3
12:30pm Writing Workshop
4pm JQuest
410am My Jewish Baby
4pm JQuest6:45pm Noar Night
5 69:15am Ganeinu
5:45pm Shabbatarama Dinner
6:30pm Shabbatarama Service
78:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat
Service (Bat Mitzvah: Ilana Rubin)
Mic
hae
l Fo
x
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 9
YOUTH AND EDUCATION
Rabbi Alissa Miller
In publicity for temple gatherings you may have seen the word, “Kulanu,” and asked yourself, “What is Kulanu?” Kulanu means “all together” in Hebrew. After the success of the first Temple Isaiah family retreat about eight years ago, a number of participating families were excited by their experience and were eager to see similar types of programming throughout the year. In a way, they wanted a “youth group” for families. Through that energy we cre-ated a family-oriented group that is about building community and connecting families through informal Jewish programs and activities geared to all temple families with at least one child in kindergarten through 6th grade. It is Jewish family fun.
I have had the great privilege of working with dedicated com-mittee members to create programs that strengthen Kulanu’s vision. Kulanu enhanced the Tashlich experience after the family Rosh Hashanah service by starting a community picnic and creat-ing a family-oriented ritual. We’ve co-sponsored the annual family Chanukah party with Women of Isaiah and this year joined with Anshei Isaiah for the community Sukkot dinner. We’ve partici-pated in Havdalah after an Iron Chef competition and enjoyed Havdalah and square dancing on Western Night. Last month we celebrated reading the creation story as we spent an evening together in nature and camped under the stars. And nothing beats the annual family retreat at Camp Newman.
Rachel Setton, a Kulanu committee member for several years, shares some reflections about her experience:
We always knew we wanted to raise our children Jewish. The reasons for this differ between my husband Dave and me, but overall we agreed to join a temple so that our children would know where they came from, understand the struggles and triumphs of their ancestors, and have the opportunity to experience Jewish culture. We joined the temple for those three simple reasons, nothing more. Technically, JQuest could have provided this to our children without any involvement from us. So today, as we reflect back on the reasons for join-ing Temple Isaiah, we are both surprised and grateful for the things we didn’t expect or ask for: tradition, community, and purpose.
Tradition. Every year our family hikes to the Star of David at Camp Newman during the family retreat. Our kids climb up the hill, and together we yell “Shalom” with a smile. It is an event that we all look forward to.
Community. Every year my husband flips latkes in the kitchen at Isaiah while I dish out turkey and apple sauce with other volunteers. Meanwhile our kids make candles and menorahs in preparation for Chanukah with their Isaiah friends. Instead of wishing they could celebrate Christmas, they ask to bring their friends to celebrate Chanukah.
Purpose. Kulanu forces the family to prioritize our daily lives, disconnect from technology, have meaningful conversa-tions, and volunteer our time. The kids get what they want from us, our undivided attention. What we get is learning, sat-isfaction, and enjoyment because it feels really good to focus
Kulanu: Being All Togetheron the things that matter most.
These events and many others, like the Tashlich service and the campout, provide us a place and time to be who we are with kind and caring people who support us, embrace us, and inspire us. For the kids, these events tell them that being Jewish can be really, really cool. For the parents, we unknowingly become the benefi-ciaries of all the good that comes from the Kulanu programming. Tradition, community, purpose: for me that is Kulanu.
We hope that you will join us for this year’s great Kulanu events.
Rabbi Alissa Miller
Toasting marshmallows and hanging out at the Kulanu camp-ing trip in October.
Upcoming Family Fun with Kulanu
Chanukah Party – Sunday, December 6
Volunteering at Winter Nights – Thursday, December 24
Bowling and Dinner – Saturday, February 27
Family Retreat – Friday, April 15 to Sunday, April 17
Shavuot with Urban Farmers – Sunday, June 12
Joan
ne
Pete
rso
n
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org10 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS
Daniel Baron Feed the Hungry Fund
In honor of:The marriage of Nancy and Marc Loewenthal’s
daughter Emily, from Jane and Mark RabinovitzTemple Isaiah’s clergy, from Marcia Liberson
For the yahrzeit of:Reuben Glick, from Bobbi BaronLois Hilman, from Bobbi Baron
Gan Ilan Preschool Fund
In honor of:Cindy Gershen’s special birthday, from Debra and
Jonathan Kalan
General Fund
Donations from:Debbie Goldberg, Herbert and Debra Kleinberger
In appreciation of:Our outstanding clergy, staff, choir, and musi-
cians from Anonymous
In honor of:Evelyn Graetz’s special birthday, from Ruth and
Marvin Epstein, Linda and Milford WaldroupSloan Kleinberger, from Rachel and Jason Burge
In memory of:Irving Frisch, from Michael Frisch Shirley Nankin, from Nan and Rex Andrews,
Joanne GighliottiValezy, Elka, Haim, Lubov, Suma, Gersh, Semon,
Aster, and Getsh, from Anonymous
For the yahrzeit of:Lionel Comaroff, from Nancy and Norman PriceHarriet Fels Farber, from Betsy Fels PottruckMax Kaufman, from Charlotte StolbackDoris Mason, from Linda and Milford WaldroupJack Price, from Nancy and Norman PriceGail Stolback, from Charlotte Stolback
Ivy Blum Memorial Fund
In honor of:Malcolm and Linda Mendelson’s special anniver-
sary, from Marilyn and Seymore HertzAndrea Wagman’s special birthday, from Norman
Hamilton
For the yahrzeit of:Irving Geldin, from Susan Geldin and familyMilton P. Jacobson, from Barbara Bacher and
family
Jacob M. Tarkoff Scholarship Fund
In honor of:Leah Winchell’s bat mitzvah, from Karen and
Mitchell Tarkoff
Angel Network Fund
In appreciation of:The Angel Network, from Charlotte Stolback
In honor of:Jan Trzesniewski’s special birthday, from Penny
KermitTickets for Yom Kippur, from Cori Puma
In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Ann Katzburg, Beverly Kivel
For the yahrzeit of:Molly Berkowitz, from Lillian Berkowitz
Cantor’s Music Fund
In honor of:Benson Joseph blowing the shofar on Rosh
Hashanah, from Arlene and Yale DownesCantor Korn at our wedding, from Sarah and
Brian LandesMarilyn Robinson’s special birthday, from Nancy
and Larry CrevinHarrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan
and Michael Smith
In memory of:Sia Lassauer, from Linda and Milford Waldroup
For the yahrzeit of:Miriam Crevin, from Nancy and Larry CrevinTed Eder, from Margaret and Herbert EderJohn Goldeen, from Jeanie Goldeen Conneran and
Michael ConneranSheldon Harris, from Mildred HauerMary Hull, from Nancy and Larry CrevinMillie Levene, from Karen Maas and Steven
WeinzimmerWilliam Rolnick, from Leah Rolnick-Brunstein
Cantor Ted Cotler Library Fund
In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Cindy Silver
Carlene Berman Flowers Fund
For the recovery of:Jasmine Tarkoff, from Beryl and Ivor Silver
Charles Emold Fund
In appreciation of:Rabbi Greninger’s Kol Nidre children’s program,
from Ellen Emold
In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Joanne and Phillip Peterson
Memorial Plaque Fund
In memory of:Josephine Butschowitz, from Aliza and Peter
MetznerRichard Butschowitz, from Aliza and Peter MetznerEleanor Director, from Melissa and Larry
JakubowitzEnrico Metzner, from Aliza and Peter MetznerIrma Metzner, from Aliza and Peter MetznerHelene Berowitz Weber, from Roberta, Susan, and
Margo Weber and their familiesHoward Bloom Weber, from Roberta, Susan, and
Margo Weber and their families
Prayer Book Fund
In honor of:Faith and Dan Greenberg, from Elaine HighietLorraine Wolf Gold’s special birthday, from Sali
and Paul JohnsonRobin and Steve Rodman’s marriage, from Judy
and Terry Matzkin
For the yahrzeit of:Hy Karsh, from Barbara Reikes
Project Hearth for the Homeless Fund
In memory of:Nancy Price’s father, Henry Weil, from Carol and
Robert Lowitz, Lynn Gitomer and Daniel Weiner
For the yahrzeit of:Gary M. Green, from Lois GreenLawrence May, from Nora, Ken, Scott, and Julie
Fishbach
Rabbi Graetz’s Discretionary Fund
In appreciation of:Rabbi Graetz, from Anonymous, Frances and
Robert Chan, Sandra and Robert Goldberg
In honor of:The wonderful wedding ceremony for Samee
McDannel and Adar Dembo, from Susan Lieber and Thom McDannel
Our wedding, from Samee Lieber McDannel and Adar Dembo
Raquel Guerstein, from Charlotte Nagel and Raul Poniachik
For the yahrzeit of:Janice Blum, from Kim and Mark Drucker
Special Gifts September 1 – 30, 2015 Jacob M. Tarkoff Scholarship Fund, Cont’d
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 11
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS
In honor of, Cont’d:Jorge Echvarria’s special birthday, from Simone
Wexler-HellerThe naming of Sloan Leah Kleinberger, from Lucy
and Joseph FelcherHarrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan
and Michael Smith
In memory of:Irwin Kroot, from Simone Wexler-HellerShirley Nankin, from Alice and Robert Breakstone,
Elaine Highiet, Joanne and Phillip PetersonHenry B. Weil, from Nancy and Norman Price
For the yahrzeit of:Sylvia Cohen, from Barbara Knibbe Harry Muscat, from Angela and Michael Kurtzman
Religious School & Youth Fund
In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Joanne and Phillip Peterson
For the yahrzeit of:Isaac Lackner, from Anna and Martin LacknerMina Granierer Lackner, from Anna and Martin
LacknerArnold Kravitz, from Mina and Rick KravitzMax Felsman, from Mina and Rick Kravitz
Rabbi Greninger’s Discretionary Fund
In appreciation of:The honor bestowed upon our family at Rosh
Hashanah family services, from Wendy and Craig Buchman
The honor bestowed upon us, from Naomi and Paul Greenstone
Rabbi Miller’s Discretionary Fund
In appreciation of:Our wedding, from Sarah and Brian LandesRabbi Miller, from Courtney Berman and Daniel
Sandman
In honor of:Harrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan
and Michael Smith
Rabbi Shanks’s Discretionary Fund
In appreciation of:Rabbi Shanks, from Anonymous, Phyllis Harford
and Steven HallertRabbi Shanks helping move our son into his new
house, from Regina and Simon Yanovsky
In honor of:Robert Cowin’s special birthday, from Simone
Wexler-Heller
Rabbi Shanks’s Discretionary Fund Cont’d Winter Nights Fund
In appreciation of:Arlynn and Craig Bloom, from Martina Janitz
Women of Isaiah Fund
A donation from:Judy and Steve Carney
In honor of:Judy Carney’s work with Ali, from Shari Simon and
Dave ParkerRabbi Graetz’s wonderful High Holidays services,
from Sandy and Dave AndersonCantor Korn’s fabulous High Holidays music and
spirit, from Sandy and Dave AndersonRabbi Miller’s wonderful High Holidays services
and support for our youth, from Sandy and Dave Anderson
Rabbi Shanks’s wonderful High Holidays ser-vices, from Sandy and Dave Anderson
For the yahrzeit of:Joseph Sheldon Goldberg, from Karen and Larry
GoldbergMarjorie Singer, from Sandy and Dave Anderson
Friday, November 6
5:45pm Shabbatarama Dinner6:30pm Shabbatarama Service
Saturday, November 7
8:45am Torah Study 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Ilana Rubin, Bat Mitzvah
Genesis 23:1-25:18, Chayei Sarah
Friday, November 13
8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg
Saturday, November 14
8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Gabe Silberglitt and Carmen Horenstein, B’nai Mitzvah
Genesis 25:19-28:9, Tol’dot
Friday, November 20
6:00pm Happy Half Hour Oneg6:30pm Shabbat Service with
Mizmor Band7:30pm Hot Topic Shabbat Dinner
Saturday, November 21
8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Daniella Yadegar, Bat Mitzvah
Genesis 28:10-32:3, Vayeitzei
Friday, November 27
5:30pm Tot Shabbat8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed
by Oneg
Saturday, November 28
8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Leigha Miller, Bat Mitzvah
Genesis 32:4-36:43, Vayishlach
SHAbbATWorSHIP SErvIcES
Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE
PaidLafayette, CA
94549 Permit No. 30
Timely informaTion enCloSed: PleaSe deliver by november 1
Address Service Requested
945 Risa RoadLafayette, CA 94549(925) 283-8575
Kulanu, Women of Isaiah and the Gift Shop are teaming up for a Chanukah celebration
Family Chanukah PartySunday, December 6
Food, fun and fond memories! Kulanu and Women of Isaiah invite families with young children to join us for a Chanukah party starting at 11 a.m. in the Social Hall.
JQuest families, please attend after your scheduled class. Preschool and non-JQuest families are welcome any time.
Cost is $5 per person. Please bring a new or gently used book to
donate to the Jewish Coalition for Literacy.
RSVP to guarantee enough food at www.temple-isaiah.org/kulanuchanukah
Shabbat Chanukah ServiceFriday, December 11 7 p.m. Favorite Recipe Latke Potluck8 p.m. Service followed by OnegJoin us for a special Shabbat service with Chanukah celebration, and sing along. Remember to bring your chanukiyah to light!
Celebrate Chanukah at the Rink Sunday, December 13, from 4 - 6 p.m.
Temple Isaiah Chanukah celebration at Walnut Creek on Ice with donuts, candle-lighting, and Your Jewish Neighborhood! FREE to attend. $10 per person to skate. We hope to see you there!