March 2011 • Adar 5771

A nondenominational synagogue center serving the Jewish community in the greater Chico area

Gala Purim Celebration March 20

Includes Carnival, Megillah & Show, Music and Dinner!

This year Purim day falls on a Sunday, March 20, and that gives us an opportunity to gather the whole community, young and old, for a festive holiday celebration! Everyone come in costume for an afternoon of fun and merriment! We’ll begin at 4 p.m. with a Purim Carnival for the children and their families, at which they will play games, make hamantaschen, and do the mitzvah of making Mishloach Manot (goody baskets) for our Sages.

Then at 5 p.m., adults and kids alike are all invited to the reading of the Megillah—noisemakers included—accompanied by a hilarious original Purim Shpiel (play), “Shushan 4G,” written by up-and-coming humor writer, Shira Danan, and performed by our own cast of kosher hams. Also, the Religious School will unveil their illustrated Megilah made by the students. Music will be provided by our famous Purim Band, known this week as The Jewdles. We’ll finish the evening with a Purim “Se’udah” (dinner feast) and delicious hamantaschen, the famous Purim pastries.

Be sure to bring some money for our collection of matanot la-evyonim, Purim Tzedakah, which will be given to the Torres Shelter. If you can make a dish for the dinner or bake hamantaschen, please contact Kristy Bergson, 228-5481, kb.lu@yahoo.com, and she will sign you up to help.

Mitzvah Day: Helping our Synagogue, the Local Community, and Israel

March 6 is Mitzvah Day! All ages are welcome to join us from 10-2 p.m. at CBI. We need to do some repairs, painting, and sprucing up for CBI. We will also be making placemats for those served by Meals on Wheels, who are happy to receive something special when they begin to receive lunches from strangers. This will serve the local community. Our international project for the day will be making individualized purses for the elderly clients of the senior center in Israel with whom we have created ties, and pencil cases for the residents of orphanage Yemin Orde, which burned in the Carmel fire and left the 400 residents, already stripped of their families, now homeless again.

Lunch will be served to all who participate, and we will again have donated books for sale. Please bring clothes and toiletries to donate for the Torres shelter, and books to donate for our sale. If you can assist with preparations for Mitzvah Day, please e-mail Phyllis Cullen, pcul429@gmail.com. Those who will be working to spruce up the building can contact Michael Mulcahy, mulcahybldr@hotmail.com.

See you there!

Shabbat Scholar Gil Ariely on March 25

Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. we have a very special speaker at CBI. Shabbat Scholar that evening is Professor Gil Ariely, visiting professor from Israel, who will speak on “Futures of Israel and the Jewish People,” based on the new field of Futures Studies.

Shabbat Scholar Dr. Gil-ad Ariely is the Chief Knowledge Officer and senior researcher at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism of Lauder School of

Government Diplomacy and Strategy, at The Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya. He teaches e-Government, and on learning-competitions in asymmetric conflicts, researching operational learning and innovation. Dr. Ariely earned his Ph.D.

at the University of Westminster, London, and is teaching this semester at Chico State, thanks to the American Israeli Cooperative.

Last Mitzvah day we had a used book sale to raise money for tikkun olam projects

Arron, Dawn and Sophie Rambach at Purim Carnival, 2010

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Make Your Seder Reservations Now for April 19 at Canyon Oaks

For the first time, Congregation Beth Israel will hold our annual community Passover Seder at Canyon Oaks Country Club. Rabbi Danan will lead a joyful and participatory Seder on the second night of Passover, Tuesday, April 19, at 6 p.m. Canyon Oaks will cater the elegant event, offering your choice of two entrees, kosher chicken or vegetarian. In order to encourage family participation, the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund will cover the cost of the meals for all children (ages 12 and under) of CBI members who make Seder reservations.

In past years, our wonderful Seder has sometimes been “plagued” by last minute reservations and unpaid no-shows. In order to meet Canyon Oak’s catering reservations deadline and cover our costs, we must have your reservation form and check in to the CBI office no later than Friday, April 8. You’ll find the reservation form on page 9 of this newsletter. We cannot take any reservations by phone or e-mail, and we hope to limit walk-ins to Elijah the Prophet. Please insure your places at the Seder and help to make our event a success by making your reservation as soon as possible.

Alternative Shabbat Experiences Offer “Re-Jew-venation”

Making Prayer Real, March 26 / Neshama Yoga, April 30

Our next alternative Shabbat Experience takes place Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. (in place of our regular class and service). We’ll continue our exploration of “Making Prayer Real,” including discussion and meditations led by Rabbi Danan. Our topic will be, “(How) Does Prayer Work?” and will include an introduction to the Amidah as well as the subject of personal prayer. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to order and read the book Making Prayer Real by Rabbi Mike Comins. Bring a veggie-dairy dish to share for our potluck Kiddush afterward. New participants are always welcome.

Our next Jewish Yoga“Neshama/Soul Yoga” led by Lance Ferris with Rabbi Julie Danan, will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. We plan to rotate Neshama Yoga and Making Prayer Real on alternate months.

The CBI newsletter is edited by David Zeichick. Deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month. Send submissions to david@zeichick.com. Layout by Carla Resnick.

CBI Office Hours Administrative Assistant Liz Bohn

e-mail: admin@cbichico.org Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 1–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with Rabbi Danan, call 342-6146.

Congregation Beth Israel • PO Box 3266 1336 Hemlock St • Chico, CA 95927

Ph: 530-342-6146 • Fax: 530-342-0278 www.cbichico.org

Executive BoardPresident ..................................................................... Irv SchiffmanVice President/Membership ....................................Dave BermannVice President/Bldg and Grounds ..................... Michael MulcahyVice President ........................................................... David ZeichickPast President/Capital Campaign ............................David HalimiTreasurer ......................................................................Stan GottliebSecretary ....................................................................Jona PressmanSisterhood President .......................................... Donna GreenbergCommittee ChairsBuilding and Grounds .................................... Marshall ThompsonCommunication ............................................Terri (Lind) RichmanFundraising .................................................................. Karen RogersReligious School ......................................................... Steve NaimanRitual .............................................................................Keren CarterTikkun Olam/Social Action .....................................Phyllis CullenSocial and Cultural .................................................. Kristy BergsonSunshine and Mitzvot .................................................. Sue MintzesMember-at-large....................................................... Leanna RawleyMember-at-Large ........................................................John MitchellMember-at-large................................................... Elisa Kleiman

Rosh Chodesh Adar II on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

In the Jewish world of moon watching, we welcome the month of Adar II, which holds the festival of Purim. As we prepare for Purim we remember It’s Adar, let’s increase our Joy! Why? Because winter is winding down and the joyful thoughts of spring are around the corner. Come and celebrate the New Moon of Hebrew month of Adar II on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at CBI. We will gather to share our lives, explore the themes of Purim, connect to the sacred rhythms of the Jewish year and enjoy our first tastes of the new month. This monthly program is free for CBI Members, although preregistration is helpful so that there are enough supplies. The next Hebrew month is Nisan and holds the holiday of Passover. We will celebrate Monday April 4, at 7:30 p.m. Please contact Keren Carter at 809-0303 or KerenChaya@comcast.net

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From Our Rabbi: New Ways to Experience Shabbat at CBIby Rabbi Dr. Julie Hilton Danan

Starting with the secular New Year 2011, CBI has begun offering alternative Shabbat Experiences once a month. We’ve expanded beyond our traditional Friday night Kabbalat Shabbats and Saturday morning Torah services, and even our monthly Mishpachah (family-style) Shabbats. Over the past two months we have offered Making Prayer Real, Havdalah & Jewish Movie Night, Shabbat University, and Torah Yoga. These new Shabbat experiences were well received and energized our regular Shabbat participants while also involving some of our congregants who don’t usually join us on Shabbat. As Ritual Chair Keren Carter put it, these new Shabbat events were “re-Jew-venating” for all of us! I want to thank Keren and her hard-working committee for helping to develop this series, and especially for preparing a wonderful dinner and evening for our “Melave Malka” (Saturday Night Jewish Party), cosponsored by the Religious School and Sisterhood.

Thanks as well to Lance Ferris, our wonderful Shabbat Yoga teacher who made participants of all ages and abilities feel welcome and involved in his session. By the way, we found out that “Torah Yoga” is a registered trademark, so we’ve decided to rename it “Neshama Yoga.” Neshama means “soul” in Hebrew and is also related to the Hebrew word for “breath.” While Lance teaches yoga, I offer Jewish meditations, Torah insights, and teachings from Jewish mysticism about the body and breath.

Based on the strong reception for these new Shabbat programs, we plan to continue to offer one Saturday morning alternative Shabbat Experience each month (when possible, the last weekend of the month). For now, we’ll alternate between “Making Prayer Real” (our learning/discussion/meditation session about prayer), and Neshama Yoga.

We will also try to offer an alternate Friday night

cultural Shabbat program about once a month, too. Shabbat University is based on half-hour video lectures from The Learning Company on Jewish subjects. To make it more engaging, we’re going to change the format next time. We’ll do just the table prayers with our Oneg Shabbat, allowing more time to not only watch the lecture but also have accompanying presentations and discussions. Other planned events include a Shabbat Potluck & Sing-along, and some outdoor Shabbat walks or picnics.

But What About Kaddish? But as we offer new and varied ways to

experience Shabbat at CBI, we still want to honor the traditional mitzvoth, especially the mitzvah of saying Kaddish for a loved one who has died. Saying Kaddish is a crucial way to honor our deceased, stay connected to them on a soul level, do a mitzvah in their memory, and reaffirm our faith in life and in G-d after a loss. So on those Shabbats where we have an alternative experience or offer a social or cultural event, we can and do still make time to say Kaddish. I have prepared pages with Kaddish de-Rabbanan, also known as the Rabbis’ Kaddish. On one side of the page are selections from Pirke Avot, the Chapters of our Fathers. On the other side is this special version of the Kaddish. When we learn some of the Sages’ Torah teachings, we can say this version of the Kaddish, whether during or separate from a service. I first made this page with the guidance of my Orthodox rabbi in Texas when my beloved mother passed on. I knew that I’d need to take any opportunity to say Kaddish: not only at service but even at a class or board meeting. So anyone who needs to say Kaddish can do so at a service, at a special Shabbat event, or potentially at any CBI event with at least a minyan (10 Jews) in attendance. Just let me know and we’ll be sure to make the time to do the mitzvah.

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Julie

Coffee with the Rabbi

Ever want to just chat with the Rabbi over a cup of coffee or tea, without making an appointment or even coming to a service? On Thursday, March 31 (Cesar Chavez Day), at 11 a.m., meet Rabbi Danan at Bidwell Perk and we’ll shmooze about anything

that’s on your mind. No need to RSVP, but if you want to give a heads-up you can e-mail: rabbi@cbichico.org.

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From the President

By Irv Schiffman

Congregation Beth Israel’s annual Silent Auction has come and gone and Karen Rogers did a splendid job organizing the event with the help of the usual suspects. The place looked beautiful, the soups and cheeses were tasty, the wine flowed freely, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. We missed some of our usual bidders who might have helped to increase the evening’s take, particularly given the present economy, but nonetheless it was a successful evening for CBI. A list of contributors to the Auction will appear in the April newsletter

At the CBI board meeting following the Auction, board members considered ways to improve upon the Auction’s success. One idea is to announce in the CBI newsletter some of the larger items that will be available at the auction. Another is to include such an announcement on our Facebook page. Because the Silent Auction is such an important part of our fundraising efforts, we welcome ideas as to how to increase its effectiveness. As a matter of fact, we welcome ideas for all kinds of fundraisers (although a head shaving fundraiser may be beyond the pale).

Nitsa and I will be returning to Israel in late March to visit our growing family there and to celebrate Passover with the extended family in Metulla. We expect to hear lots of discussion about the changing Middle East and how it will affect Israel. The questions Israelis will be considering include whether or not the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty will remain in effect, whether or not Egypt will increase access to Gaza, whether or not the new Egyptian government will support Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives, and whether or not the Egyptians will continue to prevent terrorism emanating from the Sinai. Looking north, and particularly affecting our family in Metulla on the Lebanese border, Israelis are pondering the consequences of Hezbollah assuming a dominant position in the Lebanese government. And, they wonder, what will happen in Lebanon if and when the UN Special Tribunal indicts Hezbollah members for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Perhaps I’ll have more to say about this in the April newsletter after some of the dust over there begins to settle.

CBI Book GroupWendy Diamond, CBI Library Chair

Our discussion of the Brothers Ashkenazi has been postponed so you still have time to join us. We hope you will!

Sunday, March 6 The Brothers Ashkenazi by I.J. Singer. The author is reputed to be a better writer than his famous brother. It has just been re-released with a new introduction.

Date to be arranged Farewell Babylon by Naim Kattan. Recounted by an important Canadian writer, this is a memoir of growing up as a Jewish boy in Baghdad in the 1940s.

Dates and locations are announced via e-mail. If you would like to be included in updates, contact Harriet Spiegel at hspiegel@csuchico.edu.

HaSifriyah The Library Corner

“Books are made for use, not to be hidden away.” —Sefer Hasidim

Celebration of Abraham Annual Dinner Focuses on Service to Humanity

The seventh annual Celebration of Abraham Dinner will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2011, 5:30 p.m. at the LDS/Mormon Church at East Avenue and Mariposa. Celebration of Abraham brings together Jews, Christians, and Muslims to learn about one another’s faiths and to get to know one another as neighbors. Dinner is potluck and vegetarian, so please bring a dish to share.

The theme of this year is “Serving God by Serving Humanity in the Abrahamic Faiths,” and Rabbi Danan is chairperson of the evening’s program. The program is designed for all ages, including kids and teens, and childcare will be provided.

Faith communities will have display tables at this event to highlight their service and charitable projects, as well as the role of serving others in their religions. For CBI, Loretta Steinke and Nelda Jessee have volunteered to put together our display, which will teach about tzedakah and mitzvot, so please let them know if you can help.

During the evening, we will do an interfaith “mitzvah project,” putting together emergency hygiene and school kits that will be distributed to people in areas of need. CBI will be providing zipper-type “zip-loc” bags as well as bandaids for these kits. Contact Rabbi Danan if you would like to do the mitzvah of providing these or other materials on our list.

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Sisterhood/Haverot NewsBy Donna Greenberg

Happy March! Spring is just around the corner and I cannot wait for flowers to bloom and warmer weather! Because I write these articles before many events take place, I want to once again thank all of our participants who contributed in planning, participating and cooking for our annual Sisterhood Shabbat. As in past years, this year was a great success! I can’t wait for the Sisterhood Shabbat in 2012.

Sisterhood/Haverot’s 21st Anniversary Party was held at the end of February thus I will report next month on this fabulous event and the grand time we had. I can tell you that dinner was held at the House of Bamboo, special desserts were served, the wine was flowing and gifts were presented to those in attendance. Thank you to Kristy Bergson, Pam Dakof, Terri Lind, Sue Mintzes and Loretta Steinke for helping me organize this party. Beautiful invitations were mailed to all of our members.

Our next Women’s Issues will take place on Sunday, March 13, at the home of Loretta Steinke. Watch your e-mail/regular mail for more information. This is a wonderful opportunity to bond with each other and to speak frankly and honestly about any issues you may have. Drinks and snacks will be provided. I hope many of you can attend.

Haverot/Sisterhood continues our tradition of sponsoring the Friday night Onegs on the second Friday of the month, with occasional exceptions. We are in need of helpers throughout the year. A great big THANKS to Nelda Jessee for providing the Oneg in February; it is greatly appreciated. Also, if you had not noticed, we are honoring our “Sisters” each month on their birthdays at the Sisterhood Onegs with a birthday blessing and Nelda creates a lovely card each month. Please volunteer your time. This is a wonderful mitzvah!

I know everyone involved in Sisterhood/Haverot wants to continue to have a thriving and popular assemblage. But we can’t run this organization without help. Volunteer to become a member of the board and get involved. I know many of you have fantastic and creative ideas for programs and projects! Our current board would like to invite any ladies interested in seeing what is involved to attend our next board meeting. The meeting will be on Wednesday, March 9th at 7 p.m. at the home of Sue Mintzes. I hope some of you can attend this meeting. We have a variety of positions open and would love to have some new members become involved. And, as I stated last month, becoming a board member is not only FUN (with some work involved), but you also make lasting friendships and, furthermore, help to contribute to the well-being of our Synagogue and our Sisterhood/Haverot.

Feel free to call or e-mail (891-6439 or drg@mv.mv.com) if you have any questions, comments, concerns or willingness to help.

Shalom, Donna

Sisterhood 2010-2011 CalendarWomen’s Issues .........................................................March 13Meditation ................................................................... April 10Bagel Brunch .................................................................May 15End-of-the-year Brunch ................................................June 5

Sisterhood BoardPresident ................................................... Donna GreenbergTreasurer ..........................................................Kristy Bergson VP/Interest Groups ..............................................Pam DakofSecretary/Sunshine .............................................Sue MintzesMembers-at-Large ..... Loretta Steinke and Terri Richmond

Other Shabbat Events in March

Join us for Mishpachah Shabbat on Friday, March 4! It’s also Shabbat Across America, the night when thousands of Jews gather all over North America for communal meals and Shabbat services, so be sure to come and bring a friend (but please RSVP to the CBI office, 342-6146, admin@cbichico.org, so we can prepare enough food). We’ll begin at 5:30 p.m. with Tot Shabbat. At 6 p.m. we’ll say kiddush and hamotzi and enjoy a Shabbat dinner prepared by the Green and Shapiro-Fisher families. Dinner is followed by a family-friendly Shabbat service and then dessert. There is no set fee for this event; your donations in any amount help to keep our program going.

On Saturday, March 5, at our 10 a.m. Torah Service, Loretta Steinke will offer the Devar Torah, on the anniversary of her Bat Torah portion. Loretta notes that there are “seventy facets” to the Torah and she hopes to cover them all, at the rate of one per year!

Helene Ginsberg will lead Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, March 11, 7:30 p.m. There will be no Saturday service that week. On March 11-13, Rabbi Danan, Rabbinic Student Keren Carter, and some other CBI members will journey to Ashland for a retreat with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder of the Jewish Renewal movement. Rabbi Danan has been invited to present one of the afternoon sessions at the Ashland retreat.

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March 2011 Adar 5771CBI Calendar

2 7 2 8 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2

1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9

2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6

2 7 2 8 29 30 31 1 2

Sun M o n T u e W e d Thu Fr i S a t

3:30 p.m. Religious School

4:45 p.m. Exploring Judaism for Parents

6:30 p.m.Mah Jongg

3:30 p.m. Religious School

4:45 p.m. Exploring Judaism for Parents

6:30 p.m.Mah Jongg

3:30 p.m. Religious School

4:45 p.m. Exploring Judaism for Parents

6:30 p.m.Mah Jongg

3:30 p.m. Religious School

4:45 p.m. Exploring Judaism for Parents

6:30 p.m.Mah Jongg

4:45 p.m. Exploring Judaism for Parents

6:30 p.m.Mah Jongg

5:30 p.m.Celebration of Abraham at LDS

Giant Purim Celebration for all ages4 p.m. Children's Purim Carnival5 p.m. Megillah Reading & Shpiel6 p.m. Se'udah (festive dinner)

2 p.m. Sisterhood Women's Issues

10 a.m. Mitzvah Day at CBI2 p.m. Book Club

5:30 p.m. Confirmation Class

5:30 p.m. Confirmation Class

11 a.m. Sages' Brunch

7 p.m. Executive Board Meeting

9 a.m. Adult Study

10 a.m.Torah Service

9 a.m. Adult Study

10 a.m.Torah Service

10 a.m. Making Prayer Real

9 a.m. Adult Study

10 a.m.Torah Service

NO Service

5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat

6 p.m. Mishpachah Shabbat

Shabbat across America

5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat

6 p.m. Mishpachah Shabbat

7:30 p.m.Kabbalat Shabbat

NO Service

7:30 p.m.Kabbalat ShabbatDr. Ariely speaks

2 p.m. Ritual Committee Meeting4 p.m. Religious School Parents Meeting

February

April

7 p.m. Rosh Hodesh

6:30 p.m. Intermediate Hebrew

6:30 p.m. Intermediate Hebrew

6:30 p.m. Intermediate Hebrew

6:30 p.m. Intermediate Hebrew

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Shabbat Services for MarchCBI celebrates Kabbalat Shabbat on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., often accompanied by instrumental music, except for the first Friday of the month when we usually have an early Mishpachah (Family) Shabbat. An Oneg Shabbat follows. Shabbat Saturday morning services generally begin with a brief guided meditation. The first hour of the service consists of prayer; the second hour is a Torah reading and a Torah study. About noon we have a Kiddush and socialize over a light lunch. Once a month we will offer alternative Shabbat Experiences in place of our usual schedule.

Friday, March 4Light Candles at 5:43 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.6:45 p.m.

Mishpachah Shabbat & Shabbat across AmericaTot ShabbatDinner, prepared by the Green and Shapiro-Fisher familiesFamily-friendly Service for all ages

Saturday, March 5 9 a.m.10 a.m.

Adult Study ClassTorah Service led by Rabbi DananParashat PekudeDevar Torah by Loretta SteinkeKiddush provided by Bonnie Mitchell in honor of John’s birthday.

Friday, March 11Light Candles at 5:51 p.m.

7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat led by Helene Ginsberg.Oneg provided by Sheri Trimboli in honor of her birthday.

Saturday, March 12 No Service No Service – Enjoy your Spring Break Shabbat!

Friday, March 18Light Candles at 6:58 p.m.

NO Service NO Service—Enjoy Shabbat at Home

Saturday, March 19 9 a.m.10 a.m.

Adult Study ClassTorah Service led by Rabbi DananParashat TzavKiddush provided by Keren Carter

Sunday, March 20 Purim Day4 p.m.5 p.m6 p.m.

Giant Festive Purim Celebration!Children’s CarnivalMegillah Reading & Purim Shpiel (Play)Se’udah (festive dinner)Contact Kristy Bergson if you can help with meal. Come in costume and bring money for tzedakah.

Friday, March 25Light Candles at 7:05 p.m.

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Scholar Dr. Gil Ariely will speak on “Futures of Israel and the Jewish People”.Oneg sponsored by the Passovoys

Saturday, March 26 10 a.m.(Instead of class and

service)

Making Prayer Real – Alternative Shabbat Experience led by Rabbi Danan. POTLUCK Kiddush.

Thanks to the Halimis, the Sisterhood (Nelda Jessee), Robin Black, Carla Resnick, the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, and Dave Bermann for providing Oneg and Kiddush in the month of February. Thank you to the Zeichick and Naiman families for providing the Mishpachah Shabbat dinner in February.

Call Betty Senseman, 345-7727, to schedule your Oneg or Kiddush. To celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or any special event with the community, please provide a Friday night Oneg or a Saturday Kiddush this year. Preferably make and serve it yourself, or alternately make a donation of $25 (Saturday Kiddush, $50), and we’ll find a volunteer to prepare it.

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Religious SchoolBy Carol Edelman

Every year, I comment at this time about how rapidly the months are passing, and this year is no exception. We are moving at a fast pace with wonderful projects in all our classes. The highlight for this month of course is Purim. We join the congregation at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, with costumes, carnival booths, mishloach manot (baskets of food to prepare for our sages), megillah reading, songs, a special Purim Shpiel and the traditional festive Purim dinner. As wonderful as these few hours promise to be, they will be even more wonderful as we unveil our magnificent new megillah made by the students of our religious school. Ruth’s class is spearheading the work, but all the classes are contributing to our very own very special megillah!

So much more is coming in the two remaining months before we break for summer. I just want to give you a head’s up about a few of the special activities we are planning. On April 16, the B’nai Mitzvah class under Keren’s guidance will be leading the first hour of the Shabbat morning service. The four students in this group (Emma Carden, Jacob Landes, Sadie Pressman, and Joy Zeichick) will wow you with their stage presence, their Hebrew skills and their commitment to doing this. I hope that many will be there to applaud their hard work and success. I particularly want to encourage other religious school families to be there; watching the older students lead a service is a good role modeling experience for our younger scholars.

April ends with Passover and we are planning a special seder with students and sages for Tuesday the 26th, the last day of the holiday. Another important date to remember is Friday, May 6. The mishpachah service that night will be lead by Ruth’s class. And Tuesday, May 24, will be a spectacular celebration of a wonderful year of religious school. Last year’s May party was rained out, so this year we will make up for it with double the fun.

We do a very good job at this school. We may be small, but we are active and successful in bringing the spirit and love of Judaism to our youth. We have a wonderful cadre of talented teachers that make this happen and I want to thank Sarah, Lisa, Ruth, Keren, David, Rabbi Julie and aides Charlette and Hannah for making miracles happen week after week.

Chico’s CROP Walk – Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m.

CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcoming Poverty. For CBI participants, we will be walking with the Interfaith community and 75% of funds raised will go directly to AJWS (American Jewish World Services – a well-established Jewish organization “created to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among people across the globe.” The additional 25% is donated to Chico Area Interfaith Council to disperse to the Torres Shelter and Community Food Locker. This 1.5-mile walk raises funds for, and awareness of, the needs of people who are hungry, displaced, or struggling to recover from disasters. For forms and additional information contact Keren Carter at 809-0303 or KerenChaya@comcast.net

The ALEPH Jewish Renewal Kallah 2011 is coming to California!

This year¹s theme is Or Chadash: Enrich, Inspire, and Brighten Your Jewish Path • June 27-July 3, 2011Click www.aleph.org/kallah.htm for more information

Mark your calendar today to attend this week-long retreat on the stunningly beautiful campus of the University of Redlands, in Southern California, and join this wonderful biennial, international, inter-generational community!Something for everyone..........

Adults: Inspiring, innovative classes ranging from Sacred Storytelling to the Hidden Beauty of Talmud to Yoga to Jewish Responses to Suffering to Jewish Shamanic Practice. Creative prayer services that draw from all varieties of Jewish prayer, chant and song, as well as wilderness exploration, dance, kirtan and meditation. A phenomenal life-changing, week-long community of hundreds of passionate Jewish seekers. A Shabbat that is deeper and richer and higher than you have ever experienced it before.

Kids’ Kallah: Multi-age groups from 5 to 12 will enjoy art, theater, singing, swimming and more. Kids will have their own opportunity to create community and to focus on the Kallah theme, and will culminate in an All-Ages Shabbat Davvenen (prayer) and special theatrical performance, written and directed again by playwright Ezra LeBank.

Kallah’s Bechira Teen Program: After an incredibly successful first year in 2009, The Bechira Teen Program returns for ages 13 though 16. Teens will be guided through the wilderness to gain insight into their own life journeys through self-awareness and group building activities, Jewish teachings, and earth connection.

If we send in ten or more registrations together from CBI, we can get a 5% discount. Please contact Rabbi Danan if you would like to attend with a CBI group.

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Campership Assistance for Summer Camp

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Cut here & mail _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Reservations and Checks are due by Friday, April 8, 2011 CBI Community Seder Reservation Form

Names, phone number___________________________________________________________

№ of Adults @ $30_____@ $40______ № of Children FREE __________ № of Children @ $20 _______

№ of Chicken Entrée _____________ № of Chicken Entrée __________ № of Chicken Entrée _______

№ of Vegetarian ________________ № of Vegetarian _____________ № of Vegetarian __________

Total № Attending ___________ Total Amount of Check Enclosed $___________

We are delighted to hold this year’s Seder at Canyon Oaks Country Club and we must strictly adhere to their reservations deadlines. We MUST have your reservation form and check in the CBI office no later than Friday, April 8 in order to insure your place at the Seder. Drop off or mail to: CBI, P.O. Box 3266, Chico, CA 95927. We cannot hold places based on phone calls or emails. If you require financial consideration, please call Rabbi Danan, 342-6146.

Led by Rabbi Julie DananCanyon Oaks Country Club, 999 Yosemite Drive, Chico

Date is: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 • Time is 6 p.m.

Elegant Full-Course, Traditional, Seated Seder Dinner:Your choice of Kosher Chicken or Vegetarian Entrée

Adults: Members $30, Non-Members $40 • Children Under 12 FREE, Non-Member children $20

Congregation Beth Israel’s Community Passover Seder

CBI will once again be offering camperships (camp scholarships) from the Gert Lenner Fund, for CBI member children who plan to attend Jewish summer camps. If your child is attending a Jewish camp this summer and you would like to request a campership, please write a letter of application to the Gert Lenner Fund Committee, c/o CBI, P.O. Box 3266, Chico, CA 95927, or give it to Liz at the CBI office. Include the name(s) of your child(ren), which camp they are applying for, and the cost of the camp program.

Scholarships will be allocated based on the number of applicants and the availability of funds. Deadline is April 1.

You should also apply directly to the camp for financial assistance. And be sure to visit the website: www.onehappycamper.org, which lists numerous scholarships for Jewish camps, including JWest, an especially generous stipend for first time campers entering grades 6-8. There is even a new campership for PJ Library alumni or those who have siblings in the PJ Library program.

10 | w w w.cb ich i co .or g

DESIGNER ISSUE DATE ACCT. EXEC.MB 05.07.09 JLD

FILE NAME REV. DATEHELENGINSBERG050709R1 04.30.09

N E W S & R E V I E W B U S I N E S S U S E O N L Y

USP (BOLD SELECTION)PRICE / ATMOSPHERE / EXPERT / UNIQUE

Helping Children Heal for 25 years

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HELENE GINSBERG, LCSW341 Broadway #400B • Chico • 530.342.1523

William A. Landes, M.D.Medical Director/Owner

Skypark Walk-In Medical Center2485 Notre Dame Blvd.

Suite 230Chico, CA 95928

Phone: (530) 899-9500FAX: (530) 899-4040

Dennis DeromediRealtor, President, Chico Assoc. Realtors 1998Realtor of the Year 1999

220 West 6th St. Chico, CA95928Office: 530-899-2313 Fax 530-899-2314 Cell: 530-321-1828E-Mail dennis@deromedirealestate.com

DEROMEDI & ASSOCIATES

REAL ESTATE

$500 donation to CBI General Fund for each list-ing received and sold through this ad. $1,000donation if I have the listing and I sell yourhome without another agent.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE BAGELDID YOU KNOW WE HAVE EXCELLENTPASTRAMI AND WE ROAST OUR OWN

TURKEY BREASTS FOR 4 HOURS?

BAGELS AND MORE.

CALL SCOTT FOR DELI TRAYS

345-3443

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

David T GreenFinancial Advisor.

2101 Forest Ave Ste 120Chico, CA 95928530-892-8460

Your Ad here!Advertise in the CBI News!

Contact the office at 342-6146 to find out how.

CB I News | 11

DonorsWe would like to thank the following congregants and friends:

Building FundGreg Einhorn & Maureen Knowlton: In memory of Aghdas Abadia HalimiMichael & Beverly Paull: In memory of Julien Bauer & Aghdas Abadia HalimiRoxanne Pollack: In memory of Aghdas Abadia HalimiInge Schmidt: In memory of Aghdas Abadia Halimi

Carmel Fire RestorationRobin Black: In honor of Edward KahnAvraham Danan & Julie Hilton DananHelene Ginsberg & Andrew SaberskySharon KaplanWilliam & Marie LandesJoel & Susan MintzesMichael & Wendy Diamond MulcahySteven & Maria NaimanChaim & Lisa Rappaport: In honor of Lucy & MiaRussell Shapiro & Heather FisherLoretta SteinkeMonica Zukrow & David Green

Rabbi’s Discretionary FundAl & Sandy AbramsJason Becker

Rabbinic Studies FundRobin Black: In honor of Keren CarterJames W. & Nelda Jessee: In honor of Keren Carter and all she doesInge Schmidt: In honor of Keren Carter’s Rabbinic Studies

Religious School Fund Russell Shapiro & Heather Fisher

Gert Lenner FundMatthew & Isabel Fine: In memory of Aghdas Abadia Halimi

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?And if I am for myself alone, what am I then?And if not now, when?—Hillel

BirthdaysStanley Gottlieb .........................March 1Lisa Rappaport ............................March 3Laurie Feldman ...........................March 5Hallie Green ................................March 7Sheri Trimboli.............................March 7

Itai Mich.......................................March 8Joel Passovoy ...............................March 8Alan Tochterman .......................March 8Gabrielle Green ..........................March 9Matthew Fine ............................March 10John Mitchell ............................March 10Kane Cassidy Corwin ..............March 12Ruth Gordon .............................March 14Max Carden ..............................March 16Julie Hilton Danan ...................March 16Abraham Sabersky ...................March 16Melissa Green ...........................March 19Jed Wyrick .................................March 19Aaron Halimi ............................March 22Karen Rubinoff..........................March 22Rene Price ..................................March 23Jona Pressman ..........................March 24Elicia Stein .................................March 25Dorothy Levine .........................March 30Louis Arnoff ..............................March 31

YahrzeitsLouis Goff ...................................March 6Remembered by Steven G. Margolin

Milton Margolin .......................March 8Remembered by Steven G. Margolin

Geri Cohen ...............................March 11Remembered by Irma Dakof

Harold Diamond .....................March 11Remembered by Michael & Wendy Diamond Mulcahy

Jerome Schoenfeld ..................March 11Remembered by Karen & Richard Rogers

Abraham Bresnick ................. March 12Remembered by Marshall Thompson & Andrea Lerner

Akiba Halimi .......................... March 13Remembered by David & Fran Halimi

Robert Lind ............................. March 13Remembered by Mike & Terri Richman

Felix Levy ................................ March 15Remembered by David & Fran Halimi

Klara Sabersky Zaton ............ March 15Remembered by Helene Ginsberg & Andrew Sabersky

Issac Sirkin ...............................March 16Remembered by Mark & H.T. Levine

Sylvia Levy ...............................March 17Remembered by Marjorie Kremer

Phillip Merenbloom ...............March 17Remembered by Robert Merenbloom

Felix Levy .................................March 18Remembered by Marjorie Kremer

Florence Merenbloom ............March 19Remembered by Robert Merenbloom

Arthur Gordon ....................... March 20Remembered by Norman & Jean Corwin

Martin Stern ............................March 21Remembered by Samuel & Carol Edelman

Lawrence E. Rosenfeld .......... March 22Remembered by David & Fran Halimi

Gohar Halimi ......................... March 23Remembered by David & Fran Halimi

Harry Arnoff ........................... March 24Remembered by Louis & Selda Arnoff

Jackie Carter ........................... March 25Remembered by Tim & Keren Carter

Jessica Nicoletti ...................... March 25Remembered by Elizabeth Sperber

Robert D. Solomon ................ March 25Remembered by Joel & Susan Mintzes

Barry Bergson ........................ March 27Remembered by Justin & Kristy Bergson

Lotfollah Hal Halimi ............. March 27Remembered by David & Fran Halimi

Hans Gold Schmidt ............... March 29Remembered by Inge Schmidt

Bessie Diamond ..................... March 30Remembered by Michael & Wendy Diamond Mulcahy

Else Kahn Schmidt ................ March 30Remembered by Inge Schmidt

Gene Altman ...........................March 31Remembered by Michael & Wendy Diamond Mulcahy

Todah Rabbah, Many Thanks to

Thanks to chairperson Karen Rogers, the Halimis, the Schiffmans, Leanna Rawley, and numerous other wonderful volunteers who made our Silent Auction a success. A full list of thank-you’s and of businesses that donated will be listed in the April newsletter.

New Member Mollie Zuehlke, a student at Butte College, for running errands for Rabbi and Liz.

Michael Mulcahy for repairing part of the roof and numerous other facilities fix-ups at CBI.

Many thanks again to Rob Greenberg, whose tireless efforts making sure CBI’s aging computer system continues to work, are so very much appreciated!

Congregation Beth Israel

Congregation Beth Israel is an independent, egalitarian Jewish community whose roots date back a century. The synagogue is both nondenominational and unaffiliated. Our guiding principle is K’lal Yisrael, the unity of the Jewish people. True to that spirit, CBI embraces a diverse membership of Jews from all backgrounds as well as interfaith couples and those exploring Judaism. We serve about 100 families in the greater Chico area with a wide range of programs for toddlers, tweens, teens, adults, and seniors. Our Religious School is very strong, and our Sisterhood is very active. Services are held Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. with an early family service the first Friday of the month, and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. We also hold services on all major Jewish holidays.

The ideal to which we strive is Mordecai Kaplan’s concept of the “synagogue center,” in which a congregation serves both as a house of worship and as a community center. Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan provides the inspirational leadership for our Jewish values: study, Torah; worship and practice, Avodah; social action, Tikkun Olam; acts of kindness, Gemilut Hasadim; and connection with the Jewish People, Am Yisrael.

Congregation Beth Israel Post Office Box 3266 Chico, CA 95927

Return Service Requested

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PA I D Chico, CA

Permit No. 955

Mark your calendar

March 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mishpachah Shabbat

March 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mitzvah Day

March 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purim Celebration

March 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr . Ariely

March 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celebration of Abraham

Contents

From Our Rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

From the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Sisterhood/Haverot News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

March Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Shabbat Services for March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The band at last year’s Purim Celebration