November 2015 - Temple Isaiah

November2011
2015
December
Cheshvan
/
Kislev
5776
Kislev / Tevet 5772
From Tragedy to Hope
Michael Fox
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.
Rabbi Graetz leading the dancing at our Simchat Torah celebration on October 4.
It is easy to see that no one has a
monopoly on extremism any longer,
which makes the whole place a powder 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 memory. 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
Rabbi Roberto Graetz
democratic state. Though many claim
the dream is dead, the facts on the
ground declare otherwise: the less viable a Palestinian state on
the West Bank becomes, the less likely the chance of a democratic 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 assassin 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 celebration 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 Graetz
Goodbye and Thank You
to Nathan Bellet
TEMPLE ISAIAH
945 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549
Last month, we said goodbye 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 supNathan Bellet
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 welcoming 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
Deb Phillips
of roles. You can contact
her at debp@temple-isaiah.
org or 925-284-9191.
Temple 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.
David Douglas
Jasmine Tarkoff
Tony Crea
Dan Myers
Karen Goldberg
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
President
Executive Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
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 Lipson
editor.ruach@temple-isaiah.org
Photographer
Michael Fox
Copy Editor
Neal Modelevsky
2 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
Joanne Peterson
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
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.
Assistant Rabbi Search
We 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 committee are co-chairs Jill Douglas and David
Matz, clergy members Rabbi Judy Shanks
and Cantor Leigh Korn, and committee members 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 community and were selected for their unique
perspectives and their connections to the
temple, as well as their personal and professional backgrounds.
The search committee’s goal is to recommend 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 candidate 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 Thanksgiving
Let’s gather together with our neighbors in Contra Costa
County for a special
Thanksgiving celebration 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 community 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 inspiration, share gratitude, and commit to confronting poverty in an uplifting and informative 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 providing food, shelter and other services make us
strong voices for those in need. For more
information, email contactmfac@gmail.com.
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
NEWS AND INSPIRATION
Remembering Yitzhak Rabin
“Yitzhak Rabin: His Life, Death, and
Legacy,” a community-wide symposium 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 workYitzhak Rabin
shops with leading scholars and historians, 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, multimedia Rabin exhibit and a reception.
The event is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. www.lehrhaus.org
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
Welcome New Members
Please see your printed copy of the Ruach
for this month’s new member listing.
Michael Fox
September 12 – October 11, 2015
Jackie Nissim, Beryl Silver, Wendy Holcenberg, and Karen
Tarkoff at Women of Isaiah’s kick off dinner on October 12.
Cantor’s Concert
Sunday, January 10
At 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 3
ISRAEL AND WORLD JEWRY
Reverse Commute
A 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 survived 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.
Keren Smith
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 embarrassed 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 houses; 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 thinking 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
4 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
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, especially 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 connected 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
Yizkor Elohim
October 12, 2015
■ Joanne Lee Blum, mother of Katie Berryhill (Jon),
grandmother of Brian and Deanna Berryhill.
October 18, 2015
■ Lawrence Newman, father of Lisa Tucker (Douglas),
grandfather of Belinda and Lucas Tucker.
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
COMMUNITY
Mazal Tov
■ 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 granddaughter Charlotte Ivy Ross, born October 3, 2015 to
Sarah and Grant Ross.
■ To Karen and Chuck Fiske on the birth of granddaughter 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 RosenSimon 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.
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www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
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
Joel Willen
more groups to use the expanded sukkah
next year.
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 purchase 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
Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 5
COMMUNITY
Michael Fox
Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game
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.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev
WOI Gift Shop
The 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.
Michael Fox
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 riveting 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 kgmarriner@gmail.com or
call her at 925-759-3221.
Please 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 significance and artistry of the Chinese images,
and the American Jewish connection to
this popular pastime. She will illustrate her
Gregg Swain
talk with examples of Mah Jongg sets from
various periods.
The cost of the event is $5 for WOI members and $7 for nonWOI 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.
WOI kick off dinner guests Debbie Weinstein, Arlynn Bloom,
and Ellen Whittom.
6 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
ViA ISAIAH –– VALUES IN ACTION
Why Angel Network?
Volunteer Now for Winter Nights
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 several, and when I found out that Temple Isaiah
had a purposeful and ingrained connection to
Ilana Israel
social action, I was sold.
Samuels
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-oriented, 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 jj.angelnet@gmail.com or Ruth Willen at rw.angelnet@gmail.
com now. I guarantee it is well worth your time.
Ilana Israel Samuels, Angel Network Publicity Chair
If 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 registered 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
Joanne Peterson
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
Neal Modelevsky
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 announcements. 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 infowinternights@gmail.com.
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 Modelevsky
Winter Nights Co-Chairs
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 9-13
November: a time to give thanks and to give back. Please help
us provide a week of healthy and delicious dinners to the clients 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 ptlynn@comcast.net or Gail at
gail.walden@gmail.com if you have questions.
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 7
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
November 2015
1
Sunday
2
Monday
Cheshvan / Kislev 5776
3
JQuest and Adult
Education
1pm Mighty Kleztones
Rehearsal
3pm HaMakom Grief
Support
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
10am My Jewish Baby
9:15am Ganeinu
4pm JQuest
4pm JQuest
6:45pm Noar Night
5:45pm Shabbatarama
Dinner
6:30pm Shabbatarama
Service
12:30pm Writing
Workshop
7pm WOI Leadership
Team Meeting
7
Saturday
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat
Service (Bat Mitzvah:
Ilana Rubin)
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
JQuest and Adult
Education
Shelter Dinner Week
Shelter Dinner Week
10am Neshamah Yoga
Shelter Dinner Week
10am My Jewish Baby
Shelter Dinner Week
10am Neshamah Yoga
Shelter Dinner Week
4pm JQuest
4pm JQuest
12pm Talmud Study
1pm TEXTorah Study
8:45am Torah Study
9:30am Tot Shabbat
10:30am Shabbat Service
(B’nai Mitzvah: Gabe
Silberglitt and Carmen
Horenstein)
1pm Rabin Symposium
10:30am Women’s Torah
Study
3pm Angel Network Tea
7pm Sacred Hebrew
Chant and Healing
Circle
15
JQuest and Adult
Education
Mitzvah Day at the
Cemetery
1pm Mighty Kleztones
Rehearsal
6:45pm Noar Night
16
3pm Mah Jongg Author
Event
18
19
20
21
10am Neshamah Yoga
8:30am WOI Hike
10am My Jewish Baby
10am Neshamah Yoga
9:15am Ganeinu
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Service
(Bat Mitzvah: Daniella
Yadegar)
22
23
7pm Knitting and
Handwork
7:15pm Board Meeting
24
JQuest and Adult
Education
12:30pm Mah Jongg
4pm JQuest
12pm Talmud Study
1pm TEXTorah Study
6:45pm Noar Night
7pm Adult Choir
Rehearsal
25
6pm Happy Half Hour
Oneg
6:30pm Shabbat Service
with Mizmor Band
7:30pm Hot Topic
Shabbat Dinner
7pm P’tach Libeynu for
Family Members
6pm Anshei Isaiah Game
Night
26
27
28
Office Closed:
Thanksgiving
Office Closed:
Thanksgiving
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Service
Bat Mitzvah (Leigha
Miller)
5pm Tot Shabbat Snack
5:30pm Tot Shabbat
Service Followed by
Dinner
8pm Shabbat Service
Followed by Oneg
4pm Multi Faith
Thanksgiving Service
30
Michael Fox
29
17
12:30pm Writing
Workshop
4pm JQuest
7pm Anshei Isaiah Board
Meeting
7pm Rosh Chodesh
8pm Shabbat Service
Followed by Oneg
8 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
YOUTH AND EDUCATION
Kulanu: Being All Together
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 joining 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 conversations, and volunteer our time. The kids get what they want
from us, our undivided attention. What we get is learning, satisfaction, and enjoyment because it feels really good to focus
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
on 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 beneficiaries of all the good that comes from
the Kulanu programming. Tradition,
community, purpose: for me that is
Kulanu.
Rabbi Alissa Miller
We hope that you will join us for this year’s great Kulanu
events.
Rabbi Alissa Miller
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
Joanne Peterson
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 created 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 committee 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 creating 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 participated 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:
Toasting marshmallows and hanging out at the Kulanu camping trip in October.
Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 9
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS
Special Gifts September 1 – 30, 2015
Angel Network Fund
In appreciation of:
The Angel Network, from Charlotte Stolback
In honor of:
Jan Trzesniewski’s special birthday, from Penny
Kermit
Tickets 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 Downes
Cantor Korn at our wedding, from Sarah and
Brian Landes
Marilyn Robinson’s special birthday, from Nancy
and Larry Crevin
Harrison 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 Crevin
Ted Eder, from Margaret and Herbert Eder
John Goldeen, from Jeanie Goldeen Conneran and
Michael Conneran
Sheldon Harris, from Mildred Hauer
Mary Hull, from Nancy and Larry Crevin
Millie Levene, from Karen Maas and Steven
Weinzimmer
William 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
Daniel Baron Feed the Hungry Fund
In honor of:
The marriage of Nancy and Marc Loewenthal’s
daughter Emily, from Jane and Mark Rabinovitz
Temple Isaiah’s clergy, from Marcia Liberson
For the yahrzeit of:
Reuben Glick, from Bobbi Baron
Lois Hilman, from Bobbi Baron
In memory of:
Josephine Butschowitz, from Aliza and Peter
Metzner
Richard Butschowitz, from Aliza and Peter Metzner
Eleanor Director, from Melissa and Larry
Jakubowitz
Enrico Metzner, from Aliza and Peter Metzner
Irma Metzner, from Aliza and Peter Metzner
Helene Berowitz Weber, from Roberta, Susan, and
Margo Weber and their families
Howard Bloom Weber, from Roberta, Susan, and
Margo Weber and their families
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 musicians from Anonymous
In honor of:
Evelyn Graetz’s special birthday, from Ruth and
Marvin Epstein, Linda and Milford Waldroup
Sloan Kleinberger, from Rachel and Jason Burge
In memory of:
Irving Frisch, from Michael Frisch
Shirley Nankin, from Nan and Rex Andrews,
Joanne Gighliotti
Valezy, Elka, Haim, Lubov, Suma, Gersh, Semon,
Aster, and Getsh, from Anonymous
For the yahrzeit of:
Lionel Comaroff, from Nancy and Norman Price
Harriet Fels Farber, from Betsy Fels Pottruck
Max Kaufman, from Charlotte Stolback
Doris Mason, from Linda and Milford Waldroup
Jack Price, from Nancy and Norman Price
Gail Stolback, from Charlotte Stolback
Ivy Blum Memorial Fund
In honor of:
Malcolm and Linda Mendelson’s special anniversary, from Marilyn and Seymore Hertz
Andrea Wagman’s special birthday, from Norman
Hamilton
For the yahrzeit of:
Irving Geldin, from Susan Geldin and family
Milton 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
10 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015
Jacob M. Tarkoff Scholarship Fund, Cont’d
In memory of:
Shirley Nankin, from Joanne and Phillip Peterson
Memorial Plaque Fund
Prayer Book Fund
In honor of:
Faith and Dan Greenberg, from Elaine Highiet
Lorraine Wolf Gold’s special birthday, from Sali
and Paul Johnson
Robin 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 Green
Lawrence 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
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS
Rabbi Greninger’s Discretionary Fund
Rabbi Shanks’s Discretionary Fund Cont’d
Winter Nights Fund
In honor of, Cont’d:
Jorge Echvarria’s special birthday, from Simone
Wexler-Heller
The naming of Sloan Leah Kleinberger, from Lucy
and Joseph Felcher
Harrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan
and Michael Smith
In appreciation of:
Arlynn and Craig Bloom, from Martina Janitz
In appreciation of:
Our wedding, from Sarah and Brian Landes
Rabbi Miller, from Courtney Berman and Daniel
Sandman
In memory of:
Irwin Kroot, from Simone Wexler-Heller
Shirley Nankin, from Alice and Robert Breakstone,
Elaine Highiet, Joanne and Phillip Peterson
Henry B. Weil, from Nancy and Norman Price
In honor of:
Harrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan
and Michael Smith
For the yahrzeit of:
Sylvia Cohen, from Barbara Knibbe
Harry Muscat, from Angela and Michael Kurtzman
In honor of:
Judy Carney’s work with Ali, from Shari Simon and
Dave Parker
Rabbi Graetz’s wonderful High Holidays services,
from Sandy and Dave Anderson
Cantor Korn’s fabulous High Holidays music and
spirit, from Sandy and Dave Anderson
Rabbi Miller’s wonderful High Holidays services
and support for our youth, from Sandy and
Dave Anderson
Rabbi Shanks’s wonderful High Holidays services, from Sandy and Dave Anderson
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
Rabbi Shanks’s Discretionary Fund
In appreciation of:
Rabbi Shanks, from Anonymous, Phyllis Harford
and Steven Hallert
Rabbi 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
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
Religious School & Youth Fund
In memory of:
Shirley Nankin, from Joanne and Phillip Peterson
For the yahrzeit of:
Isaac Lackner, from Anna and Martin Lackner
Mina Granierer Lackner, from Anna and Martin
Lackner
Arnold Kravitz, from Mina and Rick Kravitz
Max Felsman, from Mina and Rick Kravitz
Women of Isaiah Fund
A donation from:
Judy and Steve Carney
For the yahrzeit of:
Joseph Sheldon Goldberg, from Karen and Larry
Goldberg
Marjorie Singer, from Sandy and Dave Anderson
Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 11
Non-Profit Org.
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Shabbat
Worship Services
Friday, November 6
5:45pm Shabbatarama Dinner
6:30pm Shabbatarama Service
Saturday, November 7
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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 Study
10:30am 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 Oneg
6:30pm Shabbat Service with
Mizmor Band
7:30pm Hot Topic Shabbat Dinner
Saturday, November 21
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Daniella Yadegar, Bat Mitzvah
Genesis 28:10-32:3, Vayeitzei
Friday, November 27
5:30pm Tot Shabbat
8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed
by Oneg
Saturday, November 28
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Leigha Miller, Bat Mitzvah
Genesis 32:4-36:43, Vayishlach
Ti m e ly i n fo r matio n EN C LOS ED: P lea se d eliv er b y n ov em b er 1
Kulanu, Women of Isaiah and the Gift Shop are teaming up for a Chanukah celebration
Family Chanukah Party
Sunday, 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 Service
Friday, December 11
7 p.m. Favorite Recipe Latke Potluck
8 p.m. Service followed by Oneg
Join 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!