July 2015 Volume 24, Number 7 - Congregation Kol Ami 2015 Volume 24, Number 7 CKA will celebrate the Fourth of July with a community BBQ and Havdallah service, followed by fireworks!

This is a BYO event; CKA will provide non-alcoholic drinks, plates, and utensils.

Dinner Z Havdallah Z Fireworks Z Friends Z Independence!

Congregation Kol Ami is the cornerstone of living, learning, and celebrating Jewish life in SW Washington®

July 2015 Volume 24, Number 7

CKA will celebrate the Fourth of July with a community BBQ and Havdallah service, followed by fireworks! Plan to bring an item for your family for the grill, and also bring a dish to share with everyone based on your last name: A–K: Dessert F L–Z: Side Dish

July 4 Havdallah & BBQ, 6:30 p.m. at CKA

The key to a successful

Bagel On!® is YOU

It’s fun, it’s important, and we’ll give you a cool T-shirt and food.

Be a volunteer - sign up athttp://vols.pt/9Yr3m1

We need volunteers of all ages for setup, take-down, and various positions during the fair.

Page 2 Tammuz / Av 5775 u July 2015

(Continues on next page)

The Prez SezWe just inducted our newest board member at the June meeting. Rebecca K is already proving she will be an asset to our group. The board also approved the new contract with Rabbi Dunsker, so we have the continued services of our loved rabbi. I am looking forward to the new fiscal year. There are b’nei mitzvah just around the corner. Please support their very worthy projects. We have such amazing kids at CKA. They all find unique and interesting causes for their mitzvah projects. I can really see their desire to help make the world a better place.

I am happy to say, the gala did make its budget with enough left to make a nice donation to the Clark County Food Bank, who partnered with us. I am looking for committee members for next year’s gala. I have one person who is strongly considering being a co-chair, but I need a whole committee. It is only right that the people involved in our various projects move around the congregation over time. We are blessed with so many people willing and able to help in any way they can. Spreading out the responsibilities means none of us have to be overwhelmed with work.

The Volunteer Appreciation event went well. There was plenty of good food, good drink, and great socializing. Thank you to the committee (Deawn H, Wendy C and Autumn S), who did the bulk of the planning, shopping, and coordinated everything else. The board and staff were the hosts. They did a great job. I saw Mark R and Neal H pitch in to help clean up, even though they were supposed to be honored guests themselves. You just can’t keep a good volunteer down. Volunteers are a major part of CKA in every way. I thank you all very much for all the time, effort, work, and thought each one of you gives to CKA. It takes each one of us to make a great community work well.

Bagel On! is taking up the bulk of my attention just now. This will be our second event. We are trying to learn from last year to make this year

even better. The county has told us 119th Street will be open on August 23. I am praying for perfect construction weather so there won’t be any delays. We will need many volunteers the day of Bagel On. Everything from running errands for others to directing traffic for parking to keeping the trash receptacles from over flowing will need to be done. Rest assured there is a task suited for everyone, the more of us who step up, the shorter our shifts will be. We’ll send out a volunteer

spot sign up, and you can always let Alan G know you are willing to help. I am responsible for making sure we have plenty of good Jewish entertainment. Avi has agreed to play for us, and the Klezmer band is in the works for an agreement. I need some more performers. If you have an idea, please let me know. Additionally, if you have an idea for a booth that reflects Jewish culture, let Alan know. Last year some of the most popular spots included the dreidel game table and the table to have your name printed in Hebrew letters. Put on your thinking cap and let Alan know. (See ad on page one for signup link.)

Your membership packets should be either in your hands or soon will be. Please consider stepping up to a higher membership dues level. The budget is always a tight rope walk. Fulfilling our mission to be the cornerstone of living, learning and celebrating Jewish life in Southwest Washington® requires an adequate budget. Dues are the main source of revenue. The Congregational Dues level is the dues for membership. Lower amounts are available for those for whom Congregational Dues are overly burdensome. We also have several funds that need some financial attention.

Laura and Mike S

invite you to join their family

when their daughter

Lilyis called to the Torah

as a Bat Mitzvah

Saturday, July 25, 2015

at 10:00 a.m.

Congregation Kol Ami

Kiddish luncheon follows

Congregation Kol Ami Page 3

President’s message (Continued from previous page)

CNE, SRES, ABR, QSC

Teresa Litman

Broker Excellence

in Real Estate

Call 360-907-7556

TRUSTED ADVISOR SKILLED NEGOTIATOR EXPERT FACILITATOR

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAYNorthwest Real Estate

Israel ExplainedCKA members often ask me important questions about Israel. These are not political questions; rather they are of a historical or legal nature. On an occasional basis (or as good questions come in) I will use this space to answer them.

May Arabs vote in Israel?Arab citizens of Israel, like all citizens of Israel, may vote in national elections. Arabs who lived in what became Israel in 1948 became Israeli citizens. After 1967, when Israel annexed the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem, Arabs were offered citizenship. Arabs who live in East Jerusalem who declined citizenship are still eligible to vote in municipal elections. In this last election the small Arab parties got together and ran as one slate called the Arab List. They won 13 seats in the Knesset, and hold the third largest number of seats out of all parties in the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). There are Arab individuals who are on other party slates who are also members of the Knesset.

Were Jews allowed to visit the Western Wall between 1948 and 1967 when Jordan controlled East Jerusalem?No. The Western Wall was called the Wailing Wall at various points in history. From 1948 to 1967, it was called the Wailing Wall because Jews were not allowed to visit it. In addition, Jewish cemeteries and synagogues in East Jerusalem were vandalized during this period.

If you have a question about Israel, email me ([email protected]) and I will try to get the answer for you or include it in this occasional column.

David Wolf

In particular the Jan Herson Scholarship funds gets depleted every year to help cover religious education costs for our kids. With school just around the corner, this fund needs your support.

As I write this I am sitting in the sun on our deck. I just saw the horse in the pasture next door bully a deer to leave his territory, and earlier there was a good sized coyote in the pasture. It’s a perfect, peaceful day. I wish many of such days for all of you as you enjoy your summer.

Robin H

We invite you to share our joy as our son

Zachary Aaronis called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah

Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

Congregation Kol Ami

Kiddish luncheon immediately following the service

Anne and Richard

Please RSVP by July 15


KAWRJ Connections

Summer fun and tikkun olamSaturday, July 11, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Join KAWRJ and Evergreen Habitat for Humanity for a ladies only build. Learn new skills and build on old ones while making a hardworking family’s dream of home ownership a reality. It will be a rewarding experience you won’t forget! Not the DIY type? Don’t worry – all skill levels are welcome, tasks are geared to ability, and experienced workers are there to help every step of the way.

Details � Ladies only this time; ages 16 and up � Exact location will be announced closer to the date � Wear work clothes, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a hat � Work gloves and all tools will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer

� We can either bring our lunch or go out to eat – there will be a one hour lunch break.

� Bring plenty of water!

Please RSVP to [email protected].

Sit and Sip with your “Sisters”July 16 and August 13, 5:00 p.m.Come move and groove down at Esther Short Park for the Six to Sunset Concerts. Bring a chair and something to nosh/drink and enjoy the music with KAWRJ.

July 16: Patrick Lamb will play his R&B-inspired soul music with the flavor of jazz on his saxophone.

August 16: Soul Vaccination will treat your ears and feet to their funky soul music.

It would be nice to know if you are thinking of coming so we can try to sit together (RSVP to [email protected]). The concerts start at 6:00 p.m. and go until about 8:00 p.m., but folks start setting up their picnics around 5:00. It’s hard to save spots, so come early and enjoy some time to chat and catch up.

Save the date:

Fall Membership Dinner and meetingWednesday, September 30We plan to spend some time in the Sukkah during this event. More details as the date approaches. We look forward to seeing you there!

Look for an email later this summer with membership

renewal information. We make it easy with online registration and payment.

No envelopes, no postage!


Sponsored by Kol Ami Women of Reform Judaism

Kol Ami Women of Reform Judaism Year-End RecapFundraising to support CKA and Camp Kalsman

� Summer Wine Tasting Event: Raised $1,600 for Camp Kalsman Fund

� Harvest Hoedown: Raised over $3,000 for Camp Kalsman Fund. Total contribution this year was an unprecedented $4,500

� Family Game Night: Raised over $2,000 for CKA. Purchased a washer and dryer and will be “outfitting” the laundry area soon

Gift Shop � Shop Management: Thoughtful and responsible stewardship of the gift shop, offering Judaica to members and the community

� Hanukkah Extravaganza: Brought local Judaica vendors together for a spectacular event

� Bagel On: Participation and raising awareness of our gift shop to the community at large

Wee Kol Ami � Providing opportunities for those with young children to be a part of CKA pre-religious school (every fourth Sunday during the school year)

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:03 WITH MUCH LOVE, PRIDE, AND JOY

WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE THIS SPECIAL MOMENT IN OUR LIVES AS OUR DAUGHTER

IS CALLED TO THE TORAH AS A BAT MITZVAH

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2015 AT TEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING

KIDDISH LUNCHEON FOLLOWING SERVICE

CARRIE S AND JEFFREY L

PLEASE RESPOND BY JULY 10TH

Programming to Support CKA � Honey Sticks: Rosh Hashanah welcome � “CKA From Here to There”: a map to connect the religious school children and their families

� Oneg Support: One regular and one Italian theme potluck

� Israeli Dancing: Fun for all after a Friday night family service

Regular Programming and Special Events for our members

� Third Sunday Socials: Books & Bagels, Crafting for a Cause, Hamentaschen baking, Good Deeds With Beads (for WHO), Making and Sharing Memories (group discussion), walk along the Columbia

� Adult Socials: Sweet and Savory, and Post Holiday Recovery Party

� Bi-weekly: Mah Jongg and Bridge at CKA, as well as regularly at a private residence

� Outings: Oregon Jewish Museum (Anne Frank Exhibit), and movie night “Woman in Gold”

� Special Events: One Book, One Read; Paint-n-Sip


“Kehillat Olam” is the official cemetery of Congregation Kol Ami

Besides offering at-need services, Northwood Park offers a full line of pre-arrangement plans for both cemetery and funerals.

Call today for one of our counselors to answer all of your questions. We have prices and programs to fit each individual need.

We are conveniently located near I-5, across from the Clark County Fair Grounds

16407 NE 15th Avenue, Ridgefield q 360-574-4252

northwoodparkfh.com q Locally owned and operated

Minhagim = Customs מנהגיםMinhag hamakom (the accepted practices of a place) refers to the customary ways that different groups of Jews pray. When a person joins or visits a synagogue, he or she is expected to learn and follow the local customs.

From time to time the Religious Ritual Committee will publish, as a benefit for new members, the minhagim (customs) that we follow in our services at CKA.

Entering and exiting the sanctuaryThe congregation stands during the most important prayers of a service. During these times especially, any interruptions to prayer should be limited. Please enter or exit the sanctuary during services only when the congregation is sitting. While it may be more convenient to move while the congregation is standing, it is considered less respectful and more disruptive. Please do not enter or exit when the congregation is standing.

Always face the TorahThe Torah is the most honored member of our congregation, and so when it is out of the Ark we try not to turn our back on the Torah. Please follow the Torah as it is carried through the sanctuary by turning your head and/or body so that you always face it. In this way we show the Torah proper respect.

Tallit on bimaThe corners of a Tallit are knotted with tzit tzit which are a reminder of the mitzvot. When coming in close contact with the Torah, wearing a tallit shows our love and respect for both the Torah and its teachings. Every Jewish person should be covered with a tallit when on the Bima for contact with the Torah such as Aliya, Torah reading, Torah holding, etc. There are always extra Tallitot available, so if you did not bring your own, please borrow a tallit from the rack in the sanctuary.

In order to ensure that the Tallit is treated with proper respect as well, please remove it before entering the bathroom. Special hooks are available attached to the wall outside the bathroom doors.

No applauseReligious services, whether Shabbat worship or holidays are meant to honor God rather than individual humans. Applause is a sign of appreciation toward humans. During services, no matter how much you liked what you heard or saw, please do not applaud. Tell the person after services how much you liked his or her part. In this way you may have the opportunity to not only honor the feeling of services, but also honor the individual and create a closer relationship through having the conversation.

CKA Board meeting recapThere were two major topics for the board meeting. The first was approving the new contract with Rabbi Dunsker. It was overwhelmingly approved, and she will continue as our Rabbi for 2016 – 2021. It is our hope the next contract will not have an end date.

The other topic was whether it was a prudent idea to have a beer garden at Bagel On!, and more generally to sell alcohol at our fundraisers involving the greater community. It was a thoughtful board discussion with many good arguments made. In the end, the board voted to allow such sales. Of course all the laws need to be followed, and over-serving anyone is not to be permitted.

Rebecca K joined us for her first board meeting. It is a pleasure to have her on board.

The July board meeting will revisit the rental/facility use policy and the vendor policy.

Vicki L

new member


Save the Date

The Bible PlayersSaturday evening, November 14Tired of the same old boring Bible that you were taught as a kid? The Bible Players, a Torah Comedy Duo based in New York City, are teaching Jewish values and sweeping the nation! Andrew Davies and Aaron Friedman use theater and improv to infuse comedy and laughs into tales from the Torah and beyond.

Andrew and Aaron have made it their mission to find humor in the unlikeliest of places. The Bible Players’ new Torah comedy show is a hilarious romp through the Bible using improv games and dynamic scenes to teach modern lessons. The Bible Players teach about mitzvot, good deeds, and about being a mensch. From “Moses & the Burning Bush” to “Balaam & the Donkey,” these wacky stories are sure to entertain and delight ALL ages!

Stayed tuned for more details.

Religious & Hebrew SchoolSchool registration is now open! We are registering students online again this year. You will receive more information via email and membership packets, but in the meantime please fill out the registration with this link: http://goo.gl/forms/bywCVPbVM5 by Monday, August 31.

Religious School begins 9/20; Hebrew School resumes 10/8.We can’t wait for another full year of learning and fun!

High Holy Day scheduleS’lichot program and service Saturday, September 5, 7:00 p.m.Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Monday, September 14 Morning service, 10:00 a.m. Family service, 3:00 p.m. Tashlich service, 4:30 p.m. (location TBD)Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 a.m.Yomim Noraim Memorial Service Sunday, September 20, 1:15 p.m.Kol Nidre Tuesday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.Yom Kippur Wednesday, September 23 Morning service, 10:00 a.m. Adult study session follows morning

service Family service, 3:30 p.m. Mincha, 4:30 p.m. Yizkor, 6:00 p.m. N’eilah & closing, 6:45 p.m. Break-the-fast, 7:15 p.m.Erev Sukkot Service Sunday, September 27, 6:30 p.m.Simchat Torah and Consecration Service Sunday, October 4, 6:30 p.m.

Please contact Karen Kohler, [email protected] if you are interested in participating in a High Holy Day honor. To register: bit.ly/highholydays2015.

We did it! We reached our Gala goal to net $50,000. Thank you to all of our sponsors whose support allowed us to assemble such an entertaining evening.

VICKI MERLE SHINNEMAN LICENSED MASSAGE PRACTITIONER

360.609.2537 [email protected]

Therapeutic Massage

WA #60351595

Restore - Rejuvenate

Road closure119th Street will be closed just east of CKA from July 7–August 20. We encourage you to enter our parking lot from 72nd Avenue through Glenwood Church, and exit onto 119th. Exception: on August 1 we will need to enter and exit from 119th Street.


Inscribe your loved ones’ names on our newly dedicated Yahrzeit wall

Each plaque contains the English and Hebrew name of your loved one, and both the secular and Hebrew date of death. Memorializing your loved one in a place of ongoing Jewish life and learning is a beautiful way to honor their memory.

These 2" x 6.5" plaques are permanently on display on the beautiful Yahrzeit boards in the Congregation Kol Ami sanctuary.

Plaques may be purchased by members for $360 or by non-members for $720. Contact the office for more details.Plaques may be purchased by or for Jewish family members of our congregation, their non-Jewish spouse, and immediate children.

Honor the memory of your loved ones

Honor the memory of your loved one

Inscribe your loved ones’ names on our newly dedicated Yahrtzeit wall.

Each plaque contains the English and Hebrew name of the loved one and both the secular and Hebrew date of death. Memorializing your loved one in a place of ongoing Jewish life and learning is a beautiful way to honor the memory of a loved one.

6.5” W

2” H

Ken Kohler

כלב בן אברהם ושרה !29 Tammuz 5756 July 16, 1996

These 2”x6.5” plaques are permanently on display on the beautiful Yahrzeit boards in our Kol Ami Sanctuary.

*Plaques can be purchased by or for Jewish family members of our congregation, their non-Jewish spouse and immediate children

Plaques may be purchased for a $360 (member) or $720 (non-member)either using the online order form or a printable form which may be mailed in to the Kol Ami office.

CKA Gift Shop We have Judaica for all

seasons of the year.If you find something online, we may be able to get it for you at the same or lower cost, or we can help you look for specific items. Your purchases at CKA Gift Shop benefit KAWRJ and ultimately Kol Ami.

CKA gift shop is open whenever staff is in the building. Or for assistance anytime, contact:

Sue Meyer [email protected] 360-281-9372

Memorial Wall Plaque Order Form

Purchaser InformationName ___________________________________

Address _________________________________

________________________________________

Phone ___________________________________

o Check enclosed (make checks payable to CKA)o Please charge my: o Visa o MasterCard

Account # _______________________________

Expiration _______ 3-digit security code _____

I hereby authorize Congregation Kol Ami to charge my credit card for each plaque:

o $360 (member) o $720 (non-member)

Signature ________________________________

To appear on plaquesEnglish name _____________________________

Hebrew name ____________________________

Date of death ____________________________

For additional names, attach separate sheet.

*Plaques can be purchased by or for Jewish family members of our congregation, their non-Jewish spouse, and immediate children.

Proceeds will go to the CKA General Fund. Please return your form and payment to the CKA office, or mail to:

7800 NE 119th StreetVancouver, WA 98662

!Memorial Wall

!Memorial Wall Plaque Order Form !Name of Person Purchasing Plaque:_____________________________________________________ Credit Card [ ] Check [ ] Address:_________________________________________________________________________________ Phone #:_________________________________________________________________________________ Please Charge My: [ ] Visa [ ] Mastercard Account #_____________________________________ Expiration________________________________ 3-digit Security Code__________ !I hereby authorize Congregation Kol Ami to charge my credit card [ ] $360.00 (member) [ ] $720 (non-member) !Signature________________________________________________________________________________ !!To Appear on Plaque !!English Name:___________________________________________________________________________ !Hebrew Name___________________________________________________________________________ !Date of Death___________________________________________________________________________ !!!!"la%ues can ,e purchased ,1 or 3or 4e5ish 3amil1 mem,ers o3 our con8re8a9on: their non<4e5ish spouse and immediate children

Dedication August 1, 2014

6 Av 5774


Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday28 29

Ritual Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm

30 1 2 3Shabbat Service,

7:30 pm

4Torah Study, 9:00 amShabbat Morning Service, 10:00 amHavdallah and picnic, CKA, 6:30 pm

(see p.1)

5 6CKA Board Meeting,

7:15 pm

7 8Mah jong and bridge,

1:30 pm

Bagel On! committee meeting, 7:00 pm

9Education Committee

meeting, 6:30 pm

10Shabbat Service,

7:30 pm

11KAWRJ Women’s Build with

Habitat for Humanity (see p.4)Torah Study, 9:00 amTot Shabbat, 9:00 amShabbat Morning Service, 10:00 am

12Engagement committee

meeting, 10:30 am

13CKA Board meeting,

7:00 pm

14 15 Hadassah study group,

10:00 am

16KAWRJ at Six to

Sunset concert, Esther Short Park, 5:00 pm (see p.4)

17Early Shabbat

Service & potluck,6:00 pm; potluck theme is Hawaiian food

18Torah Study, 9:00 amShabbat Morning Service, 10:00 am

19 20 21Lunch & Learn, noon

22Mah jong and bridge,

1:30 pm

23 24Shabbat Service,

7:30 pm

25Tisha b’AvTorah Study, 9:00 amShabbat Morning Service and Bat

Mitzvah of Lily S, 10:00 am

26 27Facilities Committee

meeting, 7:00 pm

28Clark County Food

Bank, 5:30 pm

29Bagel On! committee

meeting, 7:00 pm

30 31Shabbat Service,

7:30 pm

1Torah Study, 9:00 amShabbat Morning Service and Bar

Mitzvah of Zachary B, 10:00 am

2 3Ritual Committee

Meeting, 7:00 pm

4 5Bagel On! committee

meeting, 7:00 pm

6 7Shabbat Service,

7:30 pm

8Torah Study, 9:00 amTot Shabbat, 9:00 amShabbat Morning Service and Bat

Mitzvah of Rose L, 10:00 am

Congregation Kol Ami July 2015 Calendar

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Clark County’sJewish Community

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FUNERAL SERVICE

SINCE 1854

Documents

July 2015 Volume 24, Number 7 - Congregation Kol Ami 2015 Volume 24, Number 7 CKA will celebrate the Fourth of July with a community BBQ and Havdallah service, followed by fireworks!