April 2007 - Congregation Beth Ami

MARCH 2007
ADAR 5767
Scholar-in-Residence
Cantor Howard
Shalowitz
and
Luncheon
Honoring
Brooke Kantor,
Lou Menachof & Werner Berg
March 9 &10
Beth Ami is hosting a weekend of Jewish music, March 9 & 10, featuring
Cantor Howard Shalowitz. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, he will talk on “Ladino Music,”
the music of the Jews exiled from Spain in 1492. Refreshments will follow.
At the 9:30 a.m. service Saturday, he will discuss the history of synagogue/
congregational melodies. During the hosted luncheon that follows, he will talk
on “The History of American Jewish Music from Plymouth Rock to Rock ‘n
Roll.”
Cantor Shalowitz represents the Conservative Movement’s Cantor’s
Ambassador program, bringing professional cantors to smaller synagogues to
explore the beauty of Jewish liturgical music and the history and development
of Jewish music.
On Saturday, the congregation wants to honor three of its long-time
volunteers with engraved leaves on the Simcha Board and a Shabbat luncheon.
Lou Menachof, Brooke Kantor and Werner Berg have given many years
of faithful service to our community as High Holy Day Hazzanim. If you would
like make a contribution for these dedicated volunteers, please send your check
to the office and write Hazzanim on the memo line. Thank you for your support.
IN
Beth Ami
Community
Pesach Seder
Tuesday, April 3
6 p.m
Friedman Center
Reservation form
on page 19.
THIS ISSUE
Rabbi’s Remarks .................................................
Events & Activities at Beth Ami .........................
March Calendar (only in hardcopy version) ......
Announcements .................................................
Mazal Tov to Our Bar Mitzvah ...........................
Your USY ............................................................
Moses’ Complaint ..............................................
Nursery School News .........................................
Israel from the Left Coast ...................................
Yom Hashoah ......................................................
Silent Appeal Donors 2006 .................................
page 3
.page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 7
page 7
page 8
page 9
page 9
page 10
President’s Page ...................................................... page 11
Facilities Update ...................................................... page 11
Shop the Gift Shop for Passover ............................. page 12
Generous Contributions ............................................ page 13
Donation Form ......................................................... page 14
March Yahrzeits, Birthdays, Anniversaries .............. page 15
Jewish Community Announcements & Contacts .... page 16
Advertisements ......................................................... pages 17-19
Event RSVP Form ..................................................... page 19
March Services ......................................................... back page
Congregation Beth Ami
Congregation Beth Ami
Mission Statement
4676 MAYETTE AVENUE
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
(707) 360-3000
(707) 360-3003 FAX
OFFICE@BETHAMISR.ORG
WWW.BETHAMISR.ORG
Through celebration, learning, prayer and
community, we seek to enrich our lives, transform
our hearts, help heal the world and
sustain our Jewish heritage.
Rabbi George Schlesinger
Hours of Operation
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
PERSONNEL
Rabbi George
Schlesinger
360-3004
rabbi@BethAmiSR.org
Juli Scherer, Ex. Director
360-3012
juli@BethAmiSR.org
Eric Mossman,
Bookkeeper
360-3011
Bookkeeper@BethAmiSR.org
Elizabeth Jarlsberg,
Adminstrative Support
360-3000
office@bethamisr.org
2006-2007
OFFICERS
AND BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
President, Andy Fleming
andyflem@gmail.com
Treasurer, Henry Cohn
henry_s_cohn@yahoo.com
Secretary, Robin Winning
robinwinning@sbcglobal.net
VP for Administration,
Al Batzdorff
abatz@sonic.net
VP for Youth and Education,
Dave Ballo
david_ballo@agilent.com
Office
Library
Gift Shop
12 - 4 p.m.
12 - 4 p.m.
closed
12 - 4 p.m.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
closed
closed
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
3:45 - 6 p.m.
closed
3:45 - 6 p.m.
closed
closed
9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
closed
3 - 5 p.m.
closed
3 - 5 p.m.
closed
closed
10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Karen Gould, Newsletter
360-3000
gouldk@sbcglobal.net
Lenore Monsour,
Nursery School Director
360-3030
ns@BethAmiSR.org
Elisabeth Van Nuys,
Religious School Director
360-3000
rs@BethAmiSR.org
Ruth Turner,
Friedman Center Director
360-3021
ruth@friedmaneventcenter.com
Susy Raful & Helen
Margolese, Gift Shop
360-3022
Susanne Batzdorff,
Librarian
sbatz@sonic.net
360-3006
Rick Concoff
Kehillah Director
360-3000
Sharon Benson,
USY Advisor
(858) 735-8816
scusynf@hotmail.com
Call the office at
360-3000 to leave
a message for:
•Rosalie Schweit,
Gift Shop Invitations
•Patty Bernstein,
Torah/Haftarah Reading
VP for Facilities,
Jon Simkovitz
jsimkovitz@gmail.com
Library Committee Chair,
Susanne Batzdorff
sbatz@sonic.net
Nursery School Committee
Co-Chairs,
Judy Gunnar
judester@cutleryweb.com
Richard Lazovick
rbl@sonic.net
Religious Practices
Committee Chair,
Patty Bernstein
basberyl@sonic.net
Religious School
Committee Chair,
Val Kreger
jvkreger@sbcglobal.net
Youth Programs,
Michele Guttenberg
clarityink@aol.com
Members at Large
Zach Baurer
zach@gandgfoods.com
Bonnie Boren
b_boren@sbcglobal.net
Richard Kahn
brownkahn@comcast.net
Members Ex Officio
Rabbi George Schlesinger
rabbi@BethAmiSR.org
Juli Scherer
juli@BethAmiSR.org
Marcia Gladstone
mglad@sonic.net
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 2
DEADLINE FOR
APRIL SHOFAR
MARCH 16
All editorial submissions must
be received in the Shofar box
in the Beth Ami office or via
email on or before the
deadline. All submissions
are subject to editing for
clarity,
brevity and
content. Please submit
articles as Microsoft Word
documents via email
attachments. Contact Karen
Gould, Editor, at 360-3000 or
at gouldk@sbcglobal.net with
corrections, concerns or
questions.
The Shofar is a periodical
issued monthly except for a
combined May/June/July
issue. It is published by
Congregation Beth Ami, 4676
Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa,
CA 95405. All members in
good standing receive the
periodical free. Yearly
subscriptions are $25.00. This
month’s issue is:
Volume 12
Issue 6
Issue Date: March 1, 2007
RABBI’S REMARKS
Rabbi George Schlesinger
It’s been nearly a month now since Paula and I have been
back from our travels and while I’ve briefly spoken about our
journeys during Shabbat morning services in February, I thought
that perhaps many of the rest of you would be interested in
what we did during our six weeks of travels.
First, let me set the stage. At Autodesk where Paula works,
all employees in the United States receive a six-week paid
sabbatical every four years. After four and a half years there,
Paula received permission for her sabbatical and not wishing
to be apart that long, I asked our president, Andy Fleming,
religious practices chair Patty Bernstein, and the Board of Trustees for permission to take my summer vacation in winter along
with my two winter weeks. This gave me six consecutive
weeks to accompany Paula.
She wanted to call this sabbatical her “Spirit, Mind and
Body” tour. The “spirit” was cared for in Jerusalem where
we spent three weeks; the “mind” was addressed on a 14-day
tour entitled “The Route of the Maya” in Central America (El
Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize), and the “body”
was soothed for three days on beaches of Belize. It was a
perfect mix of spirituality, adventure, learning, and relaxation.
As I mentioned at services, I don’t want to do a travelogue. That’s somewhat unnecessary. Many of you have been
to Israel and Jerusalem; some of you have been to these same
Central American countries. It’s not my intention to tell you
that we walked on Ben Yehuda Street or went to the Kotel or
even that we were in Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan and the
market at Chichicastenango.
It’s not where we were that was so meaningful but what
we experienced and learned that made these trips so special.
I’d like to share with you some of our experiences when
we tried to give “virtual tourist” dollars to vendors in Israel.
In case you’re unfamiliar with “virtual tourism,” it was an
idea first floated in 2001-2002 when Israel’s tourism industry
took a severe downturn due to the second Intifada and suicide
bombers. Many of those afraid (or unable) to visit Israel gave
money to those brave souls who continued to visit in order to
help shore up businesses and restaurants in Israel. The idea
was to “pretend” that another tourist was there in the shop
buying goods or there in the restaurant ordering a meal, and
instead of paying for only the meals that were consumed, the
patrons would pay for the “additional meal consumed by the
virtual tourist.”
After the war in Israel this past summer, Paula and I thought
it might be necessary to continue giving virtual tourist dollars
so we announced that we would accept any “donations” to the
program. We didn’t receive much but the experience was
enlightening.
Our first couple attempts were somewhat clumsy, and consequently the recipients were embarrassed and reluctant to
accept anything we offered. Over the next couple of weeks,
we got better and the responses were mixed. We would
make repeated trips to certain commercial areas of the city
where merchants were dependent upon tourists, and we
would look for those shops that appeared to have the least
amount of tourist traffic. Some shops appeared to be tourist
favorites while others appeared almost empty. We would
chose some of the emptier shops to visit. We learned that
the best way to do this was by first establishing some sort of
relationship with the shopkeeper. This took some time on
our part. We had to be willing to spend time in conversation
with people. We would ask how business had been (after a
disastrous summer and very bad fall, the early part of winter
was shaping up better), we would spend time looking at merchandise, we would purchase something no matter how small.
And after all of that when we explained the concept of the
virtual tourist dollars, we found people more willing to accept
our “gift.”
Even after all this however, the responses were still
mixed. There were those who were embarrassed in spite
of all the time, effort and explanation we gave. They would
demure by saying they didn’t need charity or that things were
not really that bad. We would try to tell them it wasn’t charity but simply our way of trying to ensure that they stayed in
business and to let them know that there were others who
cared.
Some merchants responded by accepting the dollars, but
asking if it were permissible for them to give the money to
others who “really needed it.” They would say that they
knew others (shopkeepers or families) who were truly in need
and this would enable them to help out these others. Our
response was that once they accepted the “virtual tourist”
dollars they were free to do with them as they wished.
A third response was a quiet and most grateful “Thank
you.”
All in all, the experience of the “virtual tourist” dollars
was most enlightening.
Our synagogue experience was also uplifting as we
“davened” at two of Jerusalem’s most “happening” places:
Yakar and Shir Chadash.
Yakar is a small shul (about half the size of our sanctuary) and yet nearly 300 people were standing throughout the
service. People were even standing in the stairwells in order
to participate in this shul. Everyone knew the music and the
prayers and the “ruach” was simply unimaginable. Shir
Chadash is Egalitarian and Orthodox which means the
davening is still Orthodox yet they have a Mechitza (a separation) between the men and the women. But it is the only
shul in Jerusalem where women can read the Torah and participate in a “mixed” congregation and play a ritual role. There
were nearly 600 people, more than half of them women. As
at Yakar, everyone knew the music and the prayers.
As always, upon returning from Israel, I’m anxious to
go back. Anyone interested in joining me?
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 3
EVENTS
AT
BETH AMI
Ongoing programs at Beth Ami
TUESDAY
♦Exercise Class, 9-10:30 a.m., Social Hall
offered by the JCC Friendship Circle
♦Torah study with Rabbi Schlesinger every
2nd & 4th Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the Friedman
Center Board Room.
♦Conversational Hebrew with Judy Clack
Beginning Level, 10-11 a.m., Room 14
♦Israeli Folk Dancing
7 p.m., Friedman Center. For more info contact
Leanne Schy at 528-4874 or Leanne@sonic.net.
Torah & Talmud Study
Thursday evenings
Torah/Bible Class
Talmud Study
February 22
March 1
March 8
March 15
March 22
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
Location: Friedman Center Board Room.
Time: 7:00 pm.
THURSDAY
♦Exercise Class, 9-10:30 a.m., Social Hall
offered by the JCC Friendship Circle
♦ Conversational Hebrew
with Judy Clack Intermediate Level
10-11 a.m., Room 14
♦Torah & Talmud Study with Rabbi Schesinger,
7 p.m., Friedman Center Board Room.
Please see schedule at right.
The 24nd Annual
Book Discussion
Series
FRIDAY
♦Exercise Class, 10-11:15 a.m., Social Hall
Instructor Barbara Goodridge will teach class in the Social
Hall every Friday, except for the first Friday of the month
when class will be held in lounge.
offered by the JCC Friendship Circle
♦Shabbat Yoga, 4:15 - 5:15 p.m., Lounge, 1st Friday each
month. Call Hannah Caratti 578-4040 for more information.
SUNDAY
♦ Meditation/Chant
9:45-10:45 a.m., Friedman Center Chapel
Our discussion February on A Simple Story, by S.
Agnon was lively and uninhibited. The fact that Agnon is
a Nobel Prize winner did not keep our members from
being very frank in their critique. Our next meeting will
be March 7 at 10 a.m. in Room 12-13, Congregation
Beth Ami when our topic will be The March, by E.L.
Doctorow.
BOOK TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
The Sabbath
Ten Thousand Lovers
Foiglman
Like Never Before
A. J. Heschel
Edeet Ravel
Aharon Megged
Ehud Havazelet
Apr 11
May 2
June 6
July 11
5767 Rosh Chodesh
Women’s Gatherings
Month
Date
Time
Location
Nissan
Iyar
Sivan
Tammuz
Av
Elul
Monday, 3/19/07
Wednesday, 4/18/07
Thursday, 5/17/07
Saturday, 6/16/07
Monday, 7/16/07
Wednesday, 8/15/07
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
overnight fun
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
Friedman Center
Friedman Center
Friedman Center
private home
Friedman Center
Friedman Center
Dancing into Pesach
All Jewish women are invited to Rosh
Chodesh Nissan on Monday, March 19 at 7
p.m. in the Friedman Center. Wear freeflowing garments.
Thank you everyone who participated in
the Rosh Chodesh Tu B’ Shevat Seder. Your
contributions went to the Beth Ami general
fund. Rosh Chodesh Adar was a hamantaschen
bake off just in time for the Religious
School Purim Banquet. Please
contact Bonnie Boren, 528-1628 or
Vivian Klein, 538-8679.
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 4
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March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 5
Announcements
Nathaniel’s wish
Nathaniel Morrison
and his family would
like to thank everyone
at Beth Ami who sent
cards and offered well
wishes for him during
his treatment for
Hodgkins Lymphoma over the past five months. Nathaniel
officially completed treatment last month, and his doctors said
he can expect a full recovery. Nathaniel and his family
celebrated the end of his treatment by attending an Itzhak
Perlman concert in Berkeley, compliments of the Make-AWish Foundation. Getting to see Perlman play would have
been a treat in and of itself for Nathaniel, but the big treat
came after the concert when Perlman gave Nathaniel a private
lesson on a piece that Nathaniel wlll perform with Baroque
Sinfonia in Santa Rosa next month. Nathaniel emerged from
the lesson with Perlman with a big smile, saying, “That was
exactly what I wanted.” Nathaniel and his family appreciate
the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the support
and caring that they have received over the past few months
from the entire Beth Ami community.
Todah Rabah
Heartfelt thanks from Paul Lazovick
and me to everyone for all your prayers
and support. Your care and support made
it possible for us to share our lives in a
very special way. Thanks for all the cards, phone calls, emails, and special thanks to everyone who gave me rides,
cooked meals, did laundry and grocery shopping, especially
Susan Miller, Bruce Stolbov, Lindsay Kvam, Bill Cordell,
Leanne and Ethel Schy, Lillian Judd, Yona Miller, Karen Gould,
Sheila Katz Feiwell, Mimi Rubinstein and Harry Bushway.
My apologies if I forgot anyone.
Paul is doing very well; he still has to be careful about
infections and will always have to take medications to suppress
his immune system. However, he and Ilse are getting back to
a normal life: playing cards with friends, going out to dinner
and a show, if it isn’t too crowded. They even got to spend
time with their two-year-old grandson. Maybe soon he will be
able to travel, and they can visit their family here.
~Tish Levee
To my Beth Ami Family,
My heartwarming thanks to all the well wishers, all the
people that sent flowers and all the visitors. I can not thank
you enough and hope to see you soon.
I love you. ~Yours, Elsie Rich
Welcome to our new member
Karen Brodsky
Final call for entries for the 7th annual
Susy Raful essay contest
Essays are due in the Beth Ami office no later than
March 30, 2007.
Detailed information and rules covering the $500 prize
can be found at the Congregation Beth Ami website:
www.bethamisr.org, under the link “News & Events.”
~Bob Raful
Anniversary celebration
Susy & Bob Raful would love to see
you at Shabbat services on March
31. The Rafuls will lead services and host
a kiddush luncheon in honor of their 60th anniversary.
They request no gifts unless well wishers want to help
CBA with donations.
Calling all High School Students:
KEHILLAH: Community-wide teen (8th-12th grade)
program combines dinner, socializing and a lively
discussion of Jewish ideals and ethics.
Kids who say no to everything say yes to
Kehillah. KEHILLAH DIRECTOR, RICK CONCOFF, MA.
USY: If you’re in high school and looking for an
opportunity to have fun, perform community
service, see old friends, make new friends, or
simply hang out with other Jewish teens, then
don’t hesitate any longer and join us for a
SCUSY event. SCUSY ADVISOR, SHARON BENSON.
CALL
THE OFFICE AT
360-3000
FOR MORE INFORMATION.
THE BETH AMI COMMUNITY OFFERS ITS CONDOLENCES
TO:
•Jackie Katzel on the death of
her dear husband and our
special friend, Bud Katzel, who
died on December 30, 2006.
•Ivy Edelstein on the death of
her step-father, Bud Rivkin.
•Ellen Brosbe on the death of
her father, David Abrahams.
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 6
Mazal Tov to Our
Bar Mitzvah
MARCH 24, 2007
5 NISAN 5767
JERRY WILSON
Hello! My name is Jerry
Wilson, and my Bar Mitzvah
date is March 24: Vayikra. I
am in the seventh grade and
currently attending
Creekside Middle School. I
have been awarded Student
of the Month four times, as well as the Principal’s
Honor Award for Student of the Year. I enjoy drawing
and am interested in sharks and sea life. This foreshadows my goal to be an artist and biologist. I have been to
England, Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Greece, Israel, and
the Caribbean. I’m especially grateful for all of my
teachers in middle school and at Congregation Beth
Ami, including Marcia, Toña, Jane and Rabbi
Schlesinger.
YOUR USY
SCUSY SHIRTS
Sharon Benson
In February, we held
our annual “Lox Box”
fundraiser. Thank you
to all of those who
participated! It was a
great success! I also
want to thank all the
SCUSY parents for their support and delicious food
provided for the Lox Box Sleepover.
USYers attended a 3-day convention at Camp
Newman. We had a great time and learned what it is
like to be a Conservative Jew in this day and age.
Can’t wait till our next convention in May!
This month’s event will be “A Night at the
Movies.” Check our website for the latest details.
Pre-order your SCUSY shirts today! Our theme
is Curious George with a Jewish spin. Order slips are
at the Beth Ami office, shirts are only $15!
Don’t forget to visit us on the web for the latest
flyers, photos & forms. www.scusynf.com
Your SCUSY advisor,
Sharon Benson
T 707.703.42.44
C 858.735.8816
sharon@scusynf.com
Moses’ Complaint
(Inspired by Torah portion B’Shallah)
By Susanne M. Batzdorff
When Israel crossed the Sea of Reeds,
They praised G’d’s great and wond’rous deeds,
And Moses led the happy throng
In thanking Him with joyous song.
But soon the people’s happiness
Changed to dismay and deep distress.
To Moses they complained, and soon
Poor Moses sang a different tune:
Why, oh G’d did you pick on me?
I’m not right for the job, Lord, can’t you see?
I’m no longer young. I’m getting weaker,
And besides I’m a lousy speaker.
But worst of all, the people you freed,
Your chosen treasure, Abraham’s seed,
Are quite unworthy of your assistance,
And me they treat with scorn and resistance.
When they were slaves, you set them free.
They turned around and complained to me:
“Take us back to Egypt, that’s our home.
We’re hungry and thirsty, we don’t want to roam.
Why can’t we return now that Pharaoh’s dead?”
Sometimes I wish they had drowned instead.
Well, maybe that’s putting it too strong,
I love this people, don’t get me wrong.
I just can’t stand their attitude.
I wish they’d show some gratitude.
When they were thirsty, they cried to you.
You gave them water and sweetened it too.
When they had water, they cried for bread.
You gave them manna, they grumbled instead.
“It’s meat we want!” they demanded of me.
I, angry and silent, turned to Thee.
Now every night You give them quail.
Just wait, and soon for steak they’ll wail.
They criticize this, they grouse about that.
The manna’s too dry, the quails are too fat.
“The Egyptians were good to us,” they say,
“Why don’t we go back to Egypt today?”
The slavery is forgotten, the pain.
All that You’ve done for them’s in vain.
They’re stupid and stubborn, they’re crabby and lazy,
They spite me and smite me and drive me crazy.
Please, make an end, find a different man
To lead these vile creatures, if he can.
I’m old, I’m weary, I’d like to retire,
To put up my feet and sit by the fire.
I’ve turned rods into snakes and snakes into rods
And tried to make humans out of these clods.
I’ve had about all from them that I can swallow.
Please, find someone else to lead: I’ll follow!
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 7
NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS
Lenore Monsour
How a Rabbit became a Rabbi
(inspired by a true story)
Shabbat was almost here. The challah baked in the
oven. The kitchen was warm and smelled sweet. Anne
said, “The oven is hot!” Little Julia knew to stay back when
Anne opened the door to peek inside. Was the challah
ready? Outside, the air was crisp, the sky blue and the
sun was straight up overhead. Julia’s mama said, “We
are going to see the Rabbit!” The girl knew what to look
for. She was old enough to be in Nursery School. She
was two years old. It was a long walk up the bumpy path
to the courtyard. Julia had to walk all the way from the big
green door marked with the number 2. She was excited.
Mama lifted little Julia up so that she could see. She looked
for the fluffy white rabbit. She looked and looked, but could
not see it anywhere. Instead she saw many children sitting
in the courtyard on the ground. The children were gathered
in a circle sitting on orange squares of cloth. “Where is
the rabbit? Mama said we are going to see the rabbit!” In
the place where Julia thought she would see a fluffy white
animal with long ears, there was a man playing a big
guitar, singing Shabbat Shalom. The children sang too
and clapped their hands. Julia couldn’t see the rabbit
because the rabbit had been the Rabbi all along!
The End
Sometimes we think we know what we are getting only to
find something different in its place. However unlike the rabbit
and the Rabbi, when it comes to the Beth Ami Community
Nursery School our reputation as a superior nursery school
program is exactly what we are. The value of an expert staff
and the magic that takes place for children when they enter
our nursery school doors could never be confused for any other
program.
The Beth Ami Community Nursery School is looking for
100 Congregation Beth Ami Friends of the Nursery
School to make a small contribution of $25. Your contribution
will help support and maintain your Nursery School. What can
help you make the decision to support us? Knowledge of a
little jewel in your own backyard.
• The Nursery School was started 28 years ago by Ellen
Brosbe, Vivian Frye, and Carol Silverman.
• We are a California State licensed facility and conform to
California State childcare standards and reporting
requirements.
• We embrace ‘Reggio Emilia’ methodology – this is a childcentered approach that supports Jewish values. Integral to
this philosophy is communication via photo documentation of
children in each classroom.
• Through a Gold Foundation grant to Parent’s Place of Jewish
Family and Children’s Services, our school works with a
Mental Health Consultant available at no cost to parents,
children, or teachers.
• We offer before and after school Extended Day Care.
• We provide after school enrichment classes for three and
four year olds: Creative Art, Gymnastics, Pottery,
KinderMusic, and Yoga.
• Our Staff: Caroline Calvert, Anne Varco, Robyn FisherTachouet (2s) Debby Barbose, Lauren Kalmanson and Connie
Williams (3s) Jill Tager, Grace Doyle, Kathy Byrne, Michelle
Blanc (4s).
• If combined, the education of our staff would total over 50
years in college attendance in Early Childhood Education and
related educational fields.
• We are recipients of a First Five of California Kindergarten
Readiness Grant for Early Literacy.
• We have a new Early Literacy and Resource Library.
• Our child-to-teacher ratios are low to provide the very best
learning opportunities for young children.
We will be mailing out silent
appeal letters soon. Watch for
your yellow Nursery School
envelope in the mail this month.
Simcha Board • Tree of Life
Honor thy father, and thy mother...also thy aunt,
uncle, cousin, child, best friend, teacher with an engraved
leaf on our Simcha Board commemorating any joyous
occasion, bestowal of an honor, or cause for thanksgiving.
Leaf $360
Small Stones $1000
Large Stones $2500
We also provide the opportunity
for you to memorialize loved
ones on ourYahrzeit Board.
A plaque is $450.
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 8
ISRAEL
FROM THE
LEFT COAST
Bob Raful
We have been to Israel over 20 times and have never had
trouble during the security screening process. However, we have
often noticed other travelers enduring long, unpleasant ordeals.
SECURITY IS THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE, but we have
wondered about over-enthusiastic young screeners. So, I was
interested in a recent report on monitoring efforts by a NGO
(non-governmental organization), one of many human rights
groups in Israel.
If this looks like criticism, it is. To love Israel doesn’t mean
you have to love everything that happens there. Thank God for
the vibrant Israeli democracy which features plenty of kvetching.
Here is part of that report.
Trying to End the Humiliation
An innovative campaign against the humiliating treatment of
Israeli Arab and other non-Jewish passengers on flights to and
from Israel was initiated by Machsom Watch. They sent a letter
to the Director General of the Israel Airports Authority, and
Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, and offered to train airport
security staff and instill greater sensitivity towards travelers. The
letter, featured extensively in the Israeli press, has put the issue
high on the public agenda.
A senior Machsom Watch activist, told Israel TV Channel
One news, “We understand the need for security at the airport.
But when a woman sees security personnel tipping out her baggage
and laughing at her lingerie this has nothing to do with security.”
The campaign was initiated following months of accumulating
evidence on the harsh treatment of non-Jewish passengers by
security staff. Here are just two recent and typical examples:
•Ingrid Steinitz, a 71-year-old Danish grandmother, who
visited her family in Israel in November, arrived at Ben Gurion
Airport and was subjected to an exhaustive search of her body
and baggage lasting 2½ hours.
•Nadera Shalhoub Keverkian, Professor of Criminology
at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who, after undergoing one
of the most humiliating experiences of her life at Ben Gurion
Airport, was not able to travel to a conference on women’s rights
overseas. “The security officer’s friend was picking up my
underwear one piece after the other and joking about my bras,”
recalled Prof. Keverkian.
In an open letter to the Israel Airports Authority, Machsom
Watch stated they have been documenting human rights violations;
and “We want to offer our services on a voluntary basis – so that
our representatives can hold watches at the airport, including longterm training of staff at the transit points.”
The extent of the story’s media impact in Israel can be gauged
from English language coverage, with articles appearing in English
in Ha’aretz, the Jerusalem Post, the business paper Globes and
the Arutz Sheva radio station.
YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION
“Rebuilding our Lives:
From Darkness to Light”
Sunday, April 15, 2 p.m.
Friedman Center
Our many Sonoma County Holocaust survivors are the
inspiration for this year’s Yom Hashoah Commemoration.
Among the local survivors, Hilde Catz of Santa Rosa
will share her journey from darkness to light and resolution,
highlighted this past year by her visit to her hometown in
Germany as part of a re-union of former Jewish residents
and survivors.
Photographer Evvy Eisen will present her DVD, Multiply
by Six Million, featuring photographic portraits of California
survivors narrating brief accounts of their experiences and
how those experiences affected their sense of meaning and
values.
Six survivors of death camps will highlight the solemn
ceremony of lighting the memorial candles. In addition, teens
will light candles in a new ceremony this year to
commemorate and pledge to remember the lessons of the
Shoah. The teen winner and essay of the Susy Raful Essay
Contest will also be presented.
Cantorial soloist Leira Satlof of Congregation Shomrei
Torah will lead the audience in niggun and song. Fredi Bloom
of Congregation B’nai Israel will offer the traditional Eli Eli
and El Molei Rachamim. Rabbi George Schlesinger will
officiate.
A new memorial book and yellow candles to light on
Erev Yom Hashoah will be available to take home after the
conclusion of the Commemoration. Those who wish to
contribute names of friends or relatives lost in the Shoah to
the memorial book may obtain registration forms at the Jewish
Community Center or at any synagogue office. Others who
have submitted forms in prior years will receive a renewal
notice in the mail. Please return Victim Registration forms
to the JCC office by March 15, 2007.
The Yom Hashoah Commemoration is co-sponsored by the
Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County, Alliance for
the Study of the Holocaust, and Sonoma County synagogues.
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 9
INVITATIONS
BETH AMI GIFT SHOP
STOP BY OR CALL TO SEE
ALBUMS OF
BEAUTIFUL INVITATIONS
FOR ALL OCCASIONS.
ROSALIE SCHWEIT
527-9001
ELAINE GOLEMB
539-8084
2006 SILENT APPEAL DONORS
DEUTERONOMY - DEVARIM ($12,001
Michelle & Paul Zygielbaum
AND OVER)
NUMBERS - BAMIDBAR ($7,201 - $12,000)
Edith & Harry Friedman
Suzie & Billy Friedman
EXODUS - SHEMOT ($721 - $3,600)
Margorie & David Ballo
Debbie & Rael Bernstein
JoAnne & Sanford Bressick
Henry Cohn
Helen Dresser
Roz Edelson & Stan Feingold
Nancy & Andy Fleming
Dorothy & Abe Gerstein
Terry & Russ Gurevitch
Anne Brown & Richard Kahn
Valerie & Jonathan Kreger
Caroline & Richard Lazovick
Zara Raab
Rhonda & John Rosenbach
Ruth & Ira Rosenberg
Judi Rosenthal
Paula & Rabbi George
Schlesinger
Stanton Schneider
Arline Thomas
Robin Winning
GENESIS - BERESHIT ($18 - $720)
Evey & Lou Abramowitz
Sheyna Bakman
Rose & Jon Batzdorff
Susanne & Al Batzdorff
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Belofsky
Patty & Marc Bernstein
Barbara Branagan
Betty Boyd & Eli Cohen
Susan & Morton Cordell
Kim & Bill Cordell
Ety & Jeffrey Dranow
Laura Duggan
Jo Epstein
Bernice & Ed Fox
Betty Franks
Natalie Friedman
Vivian Frye
Elaine & Sherrill Golemb
Andrea & J. J.Goodman
Karen & Jeffrey Gould
Karen & William Gourdin
Barbara & Gary Greensweig
Fredrika & Brian Gross
Judy Gunnar
Evelyn & Leo Gurevitch
Gussie & Harry Hankin
Lillian Judd
Carolyn & Brooke Kantor
Claire Miller & David Kerben
Vivian & Irving Klein
Susan & Joseph Kleinbort
Jane Meyer & Alan Krubiner
Lindsay Kvam
Ellen Perry & Robert Lane
Doris & Irwin Langer
Tish Levee
Della Littwin
Joan Lubar
Dorothy Marder
Hella Margolin
Ruth & Martin Mazner
Barbara McGee
Allan Meltzer
Carolyn Metz
Susan Miller
Yona & Eli Miller
Signe & Joseph Minuskin
Myrna Morse
Adrea & Howard Moss
Ellen & Michael Mundell
Lyla & Asher Nathan
Gail Negrin
Edith Newman
Carol Newman
Lauren & Michael Newman
Norma O’Brien
Raynore & Verne Paule
Olga & Semyon Pekker
Sofya Pekker
Bernice & Sydney Perlman
Miriam Wald & Daniel Pickar
Robert Quinn
Susy & Bob Raful
Elsie Rich
Rieve Rockwell
Shirley & Bob Rosaler
Colleen & Steven Rose
Debbie & Greg Ross
Ruth Roth
David Rubin
Delphine Rubin
Miriam Rubinstein
Vivian Salmon
Marilyn Salsman-Stockfleth
Juli Scherer
Emma & Julius Schlesinger
Rosalie & Lester Schweit
Ethel & Stuart Schy
Ronit Sepulveda
Debbie & Tad Shapiro
Nancy & Ed Sherman
Kim & Lawrence Solomon
Janet & Jeffrey Stein-Larson
Leanne Schy & Mark Stoelting
Ricki Streitfeld
Sylvia Sucher
Barbara Tomin
Alicia Tonelli
Dolores & Julius Trichter
Ruth Turner
Judith & Larry Wallcave
Patricia & Jack Wegman
Bonnie Boren & Phil Weil
Ruth & Mortimer Weiss
Ellen Watson & Ronald Welch
Barbara & JohnWhitaker
Greta Winter
Lee & Stewart Wolfe
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 10
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Andy Fleming
What’s in a name?
A funny thing happened at the membership meeting in
January. As a matter of supposedly routine synagogue business,
the Board introduced a motion to approve changing the
corporate name of our organization (The process of actually
changing our corporate name with legal entities, such as the
State of California, is a simple one requiring the submission of
a few forms to the State). This generated a tumultuous and
confusing discussion, a perfectly split vote on the motion, and
ultimately, the withdrawal of the motion by a chastened
president.
This result was a reflection of inept preparation and
poor communication on the part of your president. But I believe
that it also demonstrates the difficulty that we as a congregation
are having in adjusting to significant change. Our underlying
culture, as a synagogue, is resistant to adapting to the changes
in the larger culture of which we are a part. I want to spend a
couple of Shofar articles exploring these changes, and how
we need to reflect seriously on the questions of who we are,
and what is our Purpose. How we answer those questions will
significantly affect how we choose to evolve in the future.
Currently, our corporate name is Santa Rosa Jewish
Community Center, Inc. dba Congregation Beth Ami. Of
course, we almost never go by that name. Everyone, inside
and outside of the synagogue, calls us Congregation Beth Ami.
In the past year, though, the local Jewish Community Agency
has affiliated itself with the Jewish Community Centers
Association, and has officially become a Jewish Community
Center. This caused some minor confusion for people who deal
with our corporate name, so our Board submitted the motion
to change our name to simply Congregation Beth Ami.
I believe that this issue actually provides a very
important opportunity for us to reflect on who we are, and
who we are not. A Jewish Community Center is a very specific
type of Jewish organization. Its purpose is to “provide
educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building, and
recreational programs” for all people (JCCA website). A JCC
is program centered, with its programs aimed at the largest
possible audience of people with an interest in Jewish culture.
The foundation purpose of a JCC is to promote Jewish identity
and continuity.
A synagogue is religiously based, and its foundation
purpose centers on religious observance and celebration, Jewish
education, and building a community of people with strong bonds
of connection to one another. Our programs and activities should
flow from these purposes. They are directed to people with
strong interest in Judaism as a religion and faith, as well as a
culture. While there is some professional staff, lay volunteers
are the main engines for implementing programs, and the rabbi
acts as the hub of the entire organization.
At one time, Beth Ami was both Santa Rosa’s main
synagogue, as well as its de facto Jewish community center.
Today, Jews here have many choices. We need to understand
that, and focus on our mission. Changing our name is part of
that. Next month I want to explore who we are now, and why
it is important to align our purpose with our real identity.
CONGREGATION BETH AMI VISION
A vibrant, growing campus for Jewish living
where the joys of Jewish values and rituals
are made accessible and relevant to the everyday
lives of our members.
A flourishing, prospering congregation
enjoying the wholehearted support, commitment
and involvement of all our members.
Update on facilities
The Facilities Committee has met four times since New
Years, working to develop plans and cost estimates for the
renovation work on the Sanctuary, social hall, kitchen, and
classrooms. We have exchanged design requirements and ideas
with representatives of The Fifth Resource Group, our
professional design partner. Our goal is to complete the
remodeling plans and estimates by late April, and submit them
to the Board for consideration.
While it is too early to know exactly what we will be able
to do, and what our design will ultimately look like, we have
made progress on defining some changes and priorities. In
particular:
♦Andrea Nett, representing the Kitchen Committee,
helped map out a very complete description of required changes
in the kitchen. It includes a significant increase in storage,
replacement of some of the appliances, new floors, washable
walls and ceiling, and stainless steel surfaces.
♦The Sanctuary is envisioned as an open space, with chairs
and other furnishings instead of pews.
♦The area behind the stage in the social hall, now used
for storage, can be more efficiently designed to retain the
storage, but also add a room that could have multiple uses.
♦New windows, and perhaps additional windows, should
create a more light-filled space throughout the facility.
♦Roofing needs replacement over the classrooms, and
the heating and cooling system needs replacement.
In the coming weeks, there will be a lot of back and forth
discussions between our committee and the designers, as we
seek to shape a plan that achieves as much as we can within
our budget. We will update membership as developments occur.
Members of the committee include Dave Ballo, Al
Batzdorff, Bill Cordell, Stan Feingold, Andy Fleming, Bill
Friedman, Rhonda Rosenbach, Jon Simkovitz, and Phil
Zeidman.
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 11
CONGREGATION
BETH AMI
JUDAICA GIFT SHOP
The Shop For All
Your Passover Needs
HAGGADOT, KIPPOT, SEDER PLATES,
MATZAH COVERS, KIDDUSH CUPS
H OURS
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, 3-5 P.M.
SUNDAY, 10 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
(WHEN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL IS IN SESSION)
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 12
GENEROUS
CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CONGREGATION
The next time you are looking for a meaningful way to celebrate a joyous occasion, remember a loved one, or
comfort a mourner, please consider a donation to Congregation Beth Ami.
When you make a gift, a card is send to the honoree or the family and your donation is
proudly acknowledged in the Shofar.
The minimum donation for each occasion is $7.50. Congregation Beth Ami truly appreciates your support.
CJEEF
in memory of Dee’s father, Harry Goldblatt
Dee & Julie Trichter
GENERAL FUND
In memory of my father, Hatskel Pipkin
Sheyna Bakman
A thoughtful donation
Debra Chapman
In memory of Paul Schwartz
Helen Dresser
In memory of Gisela Strauss, beloved
mother and grandmother
Vivian, Brian & Michael Frye
With thanks to the Beth Ami community for
misheberachs, cards, & healing wishes
Vivian Frye
In honor of the birthdays of Bob Raful &
Elisabeth Van Nuys
In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Avi Ballo
In honor of Maralee Joseph leading the
Mussar class
In honor of the 90th birthday of Andrea
Nett’s father
In memory of Bud Katzel
Speedy recovery to Lou Abramowitz,
Al Batzdorff, Hella Margolin & Elsie Rich
Marcia Gladstone
Get well Helen Margolese & Everett
Shapiro
In memory of Bud Katzel
Marvin & Sheila Hyman
In memory of Aubrey Cooper
Susan Kleinbort
In thanksgiving for Rabbi Schlesinger
Tish Levee
In memory of my mother
Helen Margolese
Speedy Recovery to Lou Abramowitz
Hella Margolin
In memory of Ethel Levine
Ruth Mazner
In memory of Jo Epstein & Bud Katzel
Speedy recovery to Al Batzdorff
Eric Mossman
In memory of Paul Schwartz,
my deepest sympathy
In memory of Ellen Brosbe’s father
Edith Newman
In honor of Bob Raful’s birthday
Sofya Pekker
In memory of my brother-in-law,
Milton Jekel
In memory of my father, Hillel Shiffman
Elsie Rich
In memory of Buddy Katzel
Robin Rose
In memory of Ira Hayes Rosenberg
Ira & Ruth Rosenberg
Mazel Tov to Avi Ballo on his Bar Mitzvah
Condolences to Sheyna Bakman on the
passing of her beloved daughter-in-law,
Nina
Get well to Al Batzdorff, Helen Margolese
Nathaniel Morrison, Elsie Rich & Howard
Moss
Judi Rosenthal
Thank you for the all-around support for
every gathering!
Rosh Chodesh Moon Mavens
Speedy recovery to Elsie Rich & Helen
Margolese
In honor of Beth Zygielbaum’s
engagement
Rosalie & Lester Schweit
In honor of Nathaniel Morrison’s
continuing recovery and to the fulfillment
of his talent and wishes
Mazel tov to the Ballo family on
Avi’s Bar Mitzvah
Speedy recovery to Elsie Rich
Helen Margolese & Al Batzdorff
Ethel & Stuart Schy
In memory of my daughter, Elizabeth
Carlson
Sylvia Sucher
In memory of Gorge Tyutinman, father of
Adolf
Adolf & Sarah Tyutinman
A generous donation
Darrell Watkins
In memory of my father, Jacob Tobais
Techner
Joyce Zenick
HARRIS FUND
In memory of Jack Guttenberg
Nancy & Ed Sherman
KEHILLAH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In appreciation of the following volunteers
and for their work on behalf of the
congregation: President, Andy Fleming;
Treasurer, Henry Cohn;
Secretary, Robin Winning;
VP for Administration, Al Batzdorff;
VP for Youth and Education, Dave Ballo;
VP for Facilities, Jon Simkovitz;
Library Committee Chair, Susanne
Batzdorff; Nursery School Committee CoChairs, Judy Gunnar & Richard Lazovick;
Religious Practices Committee Chair, Patty
Bernstein; Religious School Committee
Chair, Val Kreger;Youth Programs, Michele
Guttenberg; Gift Shop Volunteers, Susy &
Bob Raful, Helen Margolese, Natalie
Friedman
Mark Rosen
LIBRARY FUND
In memory of Jonathan Field
Speedy recovery to Al Batzdorff, Elsie Rich
& Sheyna Bakman
Susan Miller
A generous donation
Zara Raab
MALK FUND
In memory of Lori Weinberg, Paul Schwartz
& Sophie Shapiro
In honor of Brooke Kantor, Lou Menachof
& Werner Berg
Everett & Phyllis Shapiro
NURSERY SCHOOL FUND
In memory of my brother, Aaron Jack
Spieglman
Gail Negrin
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In memory of Yakov Zalessky
Sheyna Bakman
In honor of Rabbi George and Paula
Schlesinger
Danziger Family
In memory of Charles Feingold & Bud Katzel
Speedy recovery to Helen Margolese
Al Batzdorff & Elsie Rich
Roz Edelson & Stan Feingold
In memory of Jonathan Field
David & Pamela Field
In thanksgiving for Paul Lazovick’s recovery
and mine
Tish Levee
In memory of Zelichenok Boruch, father of
Rimma
Adolph & Rimma Rivkin
In memory of Vivian Kearns and Raymond
Lachman
Vivian Salmon
In memory of Bud Katzel and my beloved
husband, Ken Lipfield
Arline Thomas
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND
In memory of my father, Henry Mazur
Martha Mazur-Lane
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 13
Congregation Beth Ami Donation Form
The next time you are looking for a meaningful way to celebrate a
simcha, remember a loved one, or comfort a mourner, please consider
a donation to Congregation Beth Ami.
@Children’s Jewish Education Endowment Fund (CJEEF):
materials for the Celia Gurevitch Library.
Provides subsidies for childrens’ Jewish education, family
education, teacher training, and scholarships.
@Malk Fund: Feeds the local hungry.
@Nursery School Fund: Supports the Nursery School through
@General Fund: Contributes to operating expenses for the
synagogue, including salaries for the Rabbi, administrator and
other staff; maintenance of the Sanctuary and the entire
campus.
@Gift of Israel Fund: Encourages CBA youth to travel to
scholarships, educational materials, curriculum enrichment, and
teacher training.
@Or Ami Religious School Fund: Enriches the Religious
School curriculum and supports educational programs.
Israel (in conjunction with a Jewish Community Federation
program).
@Permanent Endowment Fund: Supports synagogue
@Harris Youth Fund: Provides scholarships for members of
@Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund: Enables the Rabbi to make
youth groups to attend conferences, conventions, or
organized tours.
@Zittin Fund
operations.
donations to charitable and deserving causes at his discretion.
@Library Fund: Fund purchases books and audio-visual
Today’s Date:__________________________________
T oday’s Date:__________________________________
Amount of Donation: ($7.50 minimum) $______________
Amount of Donation: ($7.50 minimum) $______________
Fund you’d like to contribute to__________________
Fund you’d like to contribute to__________________
Payment Enclosed_______Bill my account____________
Payment Enclosed_______Bill my account____________
Donation made by:_____________________________
Donation made by:_____________________________
Your Address (if not on file): ______________________
Your Address (if not on file): ______________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Please send an acknowledgement to:
Please send an acknowledgement to:
Name:_____________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________
Name:_____________________________________________
City_______________________State____________Zip_____
Check one:
Address:___________________________________________
City_______________________State____________Zip_____
Check one:
o
In honor of: ________________________________
o
In honor of: ________________________________
o
In memory of: ______________________________
o
In memory of: ______________________________
o
In appreciation of: __________________________
o
In appreciation of: __________________________
o
Mazal Tov to _______________________________
o
Mazal Tov to _______________________________
o
Speedy recovery to: _________________________
o
Speedy recovery to: _________________________
Please make checks payable to CONGREGATION BETH AMI
4676 Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Your kind generosity will be acknowledged in the Shofar and the honoree/family will be notified.
For office use only
Added to database:_______
Card sent: _________________
Method of payment:_______
Amount:__________________
Date Received:____________
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 14
MARCH YAHRZEITS
Secular dates correspond to Hebrew date of death
Observance of yahrzeit begins at sundown the previous day
All yahrzeits observed at Beth Ami
Announced on February 24 and 25
March 1
Morris Bernstein
Grandfather of Marc Bernstein
March 1
Frieda Goldman
Mother of Ethel Schy
March 1
Ruth Menachof
Mother of Dr. Louis Menachof
March 1
Anne Rothenberg
Aunt of Anne Mann
March 1
Arthur Chester Sharon
Grandfather of Noorillah Karr
March 2
Michael Calvin Brust
Father of Barbara McGee
March 2
Stan Diamond
Husband of Marilyn Diamond
Father of Lauren Newman
March 2
Phillip Feingold
Brother of Stanley Feingold
Father of Vivian Klein
March 2
Joseph A. Winestock
Father of Barbara Chadwick
Announced on March 3 and 4
March 5
Bert Menachof
Father of Dr. Louis Menachof
March 5
Barbara Milstein
Mother of Susan Milstein
March 5
Sol Tenser
Father of Dorothy Marder
March 6
William Friedman
Brother of Robin Rose
March 6
Nichama Rivkina
Mother of Adolph Rivkin
March 7
Polly Boyd
Mother of Elizabeth Boyd
March 8
Pauline Abramowitz
Mother of Louis Abramowitz
March 8
Bernard Bernstein
Father of Marc Bernstein
March 10
Jacob Stromer
Father of Marilyn Sommer
Announced on March 10 and 11
March 11
Mary Hahn
Mother of Edith Newman
March 11
Fannie Peretz
Mother of Evey Abramowitz
March 13
Edward S. Susnow
Father of Nancy Fleming
March 14
Ruth Rosenzweig
Sister of David Rubin
Aunt of Elizabeth Stalker
March 15
Ida T. Friedman
First Mother-in-Law of Dr. Jeanne Crump
March 15
Josephine Goldstein
Mother of Elaine Golemb
March 15
Eleanor Greensweig
Mother of Dr. Gary Greeensweig
March 15
Harold Kafton
Father of Alan Kafton
March 15
David A. Sher
Father of Norma O’Brien
March 16
Shirley Weiss
Mother of Marlene Jones
Grandmother of Ross Jones
March 17
Claire Abrahams
Mother of Ellen Brosbe
March 17
Lotte Hankin
Mother of Harry Hankin
Announced on March 17 and 18
March 18
Lazar Peretz
Father of Evey Abramowitz
March 19
Barbara Garam
Mother of Rose Batzdorff
March 19
Virginia Johannes Scherer
Mother of Juli Scherer
March 20
Helen Goldman
Sister of Lillian Judd
March 20
Merwin Weinberg
Brother-in-Law of Shirley Rosaler
March 21
Rae Abrams
Mother of Patty Bernstein
March 22
Morris Estrin
Uncle of Charlene Bornstein
March 22
Rachel Jones
Grandmother of Ross Jones
March 23
Tillie Streitfeld
Mother-in-Law of Ricki Streitfeld
March 24
Shai Ben Zalman
Father of Leo Gurevitch
Announced on March 24 and 25
March 25
Boruch Zelichenok
Father of Dr. Rimma Rivkin
March 26
Dora Altaras
Mother of Ety Dranow
March 28
Joseph Meyer
Father of Jane Meyer
March 29
Mannie Goldstein
Father of Elaine Golemb
March 30
Sylvia Helene
Kupperberg
Mother of Michaael Kupperberg
March 30
Jacqueline Joan
Rubin
Wife of David Rubin
Mother of Elizabeth Stalker
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 15
Announced on March 31 and April 1
April 6
Harry Estrin
Uncle of Charlene Bornstein
April 6
Harry Rubin
Brother of David Rubin
Uncle of Elizabeth Stalker
March Birthdays
1
3
3
4
4
5
6
6
6
7
11
12
12
13
15
16
16
17
17
17
17
20
22
22
23
23
23
28
29
Ben Goldman
David Butler
Kyle Marsh
Gary Greensweig
Leo Trepp
Rose Batzdorff
Robert Haley
Nancy Sherman
Lawrence Solomon
Debbie Bernstein
Louise Abrahams
Joan Sommers
Ashley Weinert
Jennifer Schilling
Raynore Paule
Miriam Rubinstein
Dora Taubinsky
William Cordell
Ruth Mazner
Adolf Tyutinman
Debbie Abrams
Jacqueline Sutter
Esther Robinson
Stewart Wolfe
Olga Pekker
Jose Collazo
Kim Cordell
Adolph Rivkin
Warren Davis
March Anniversaries
2
2
2
9
12
12
19
21
21
21
24
26
27
28
Karen & Jeffrey Gould
Sydney & Bernice Perlman
Greg & Elizabeth Stalker
Gussie & Harry Hankin
Al & Susanne Batzdorff
J.J. Fitzgibbons & Andy
Goodman
Rabbi George & Paula
Schlesinger
John and Barbara Whitaker
Alan & Shari Kafton
Brian and Ruth Wilson
Ed & Nancy Sherman
John & Stacy Clark
Jeanne & Donald Crump
Steve & Colleen Rose
Jewish Community Events
Santa Rosa Chapter of Hadassah
General Meeting in the Beth Ami Social Hall
Wednesday, March 14, 11:30 a.m. Catered Event
RSVP required, Betty Kale, 542-3202
The 22nd Jewish Music Festival, March 8-25
Concerts throughout the Bay Area.
Box Office: www.jewishmusicfestival.org ~or~
www.brownpapertickets.com. Phone sales: 800-838-3006.
New Space for the Jewish Community Free Clinic
The Clinic has moved to a wonderful new temporary
location in Rohnert Park (6307 Commerce Blvd.). By the
blessings of G!d and so many supporters – Marilyn Jaffe,
the City of Rohnert Park, Lynne Conde, Argonaut
The Wonderful Yiddish Theater at the Friendship Circle Luncheon
Investments, the Codding Foundation and many more
Monday, March 19, noon
hard working folks– we acquired our space the day before
The fee for this event is $8.00 for members of Friendship Circle, $10 for
the first night of Chanukah, December 15, 2006!
non-members. This includes lunch and dessert. Payment is accepted at
Miracles were celebrated all around! A wonderful
the door. RSVP required, Barbara Scharf 528-1182 at the JCC office.
dedication ceremony was attended by the city council,
the mayor, the Clinic board of directors, community
♦Joyful Preparation for Pesach: Purification of the Heart
leaders, local newspapers, television and Rabbi Elisheva
with Rabbi Shefa Gold
Salamo, who helped bless and celebrate the new space.
Congregation Ner Shalom,
Many, many thanks go to so many people who helped
85 La Plaza, Cotati
us locate, dedicate, and move to our new space. Also,
Kabbalat Shabbat ................................... Fri., Mar. 23, 7-9 p.m.
deep gratitude goes out to so many more who have
Workshop .............................................. Sat., Mar. 24, 9:30 a.m.- 5:30
donated to us and to those who continue to volunteer
p.m.
their time (too many wonderful people to list here). We all
Havdalah & Evening of Chant ............... Sat., Mar. 24, 7:30 p.m.
are helping the most vulnerable in our community, and
For more information contact
when we help each other we heal the world.
Shoshana Fershtman, 292-5199, cfershtman@sbcglobal.net ~or~
For more information about the Jewish Community
Sheila Katz, 849-5944,
Free Clinic, to
drkatzmeow@pacbell.net
make
a
donation
or
to
The
Bureau
of
Jewish
Education
♦Absolute Music Concerts
is proud to present
volunteer call
March 25 Orient Express, Doug
in partnership with the JCC of Sonoma County
585-7780. Or
and
co-sponsored
by
the
Morton, Director
Jewish Community Federation
s
s
e
t
i
come by and
May 6 String Circle, Joe Edelberg,
cre Myster
e
S
visit us!
Director
g
g
n
L’Shalom,
in
i
Works by Strauss, Lanner, Schrammel,
l l veal The Se
K
a
r u n a
e
T
Schulhoff and Smetana
Re
Sonomacond Annual
Gerstein
–
May 20 John Parr and Adler Fellows of
Feast o County
E
x
e
c
u
t
i
v
e
the San Francisco Opera with popular
f Jewish
L
e
Director
a
r
nin
arias
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, SONOMA COUNTY PROGRAMS
FOR MORE INFO: 528-4222 OR WWW.JCCSOCO.ORG
May 27 The Red Hot Chachkas Klezmer
All concerts are Sundays at 2 p.m. at
the Friedman Center
Tickets: $15 adult, $12 student.
Charge tickets at 528-4222
JEWISH COMMUNITY CONTACTS
g
Sunday, March 18 · 1:30 – 5 pm · FREE
1501 MENDOCINO AVENUE, SANTA ROSA
at Santa Rosa Junior College REGISTRATION: DOYLE STUDENT CENTER CAFE
Hadassah, ROSE ANN PREMI .................................. 537-9208
Hillel, DAVID RUBINSTEIN ........................................... 795-5464
Jewish Community Federation .......................... 568-6207
EVA SELIGMAN-KENNARD ..........................................
JNF-Trees in Israel, SHEVI POSMAN ........................ 535-8805
Jewish Community Free Clinic, KARUNA GERSTEIN 585-7780
Jewish Community Info & Referral ........ 1-877/777-5247
JUDY MUSANTE
Jewish Community Relations Council ...... 415/957-1551
SUZAN BERNS
Jewish Family & Children’s Services ................. 571-8131
DIANA KLEIN
Jewish Community Center ................................. 528-4222
Calling all needleworkers and potential
needleworkers! Plan to join us on Tuesday,
March 13, at 7 p.m. at the home of Joy
Danzig. We will explore the beginning of
a Pomegranate Guild for Jewish
Needlework here in Sonoma
County. We will get to know each other
and discuss ways to enhance the Jewish home
and synagogue using the art of needlework. The guild
is based on its members sharing stitching techniques
and projects with each other. For more information,
you can access the Pomegranate Guild website,
www.pomegranateguild.org. To respond and get
directions, contact Joy at 573-3753, Julie Stout at 5469584 (evenings best for both), or e-mail Joy at
marlenejoy42@yahoo.com.
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 16
Serving Sonoma County since 1875
Family Owned and Operated
Honoring all Jewish Traditions
Orthodox Caskets and Supplies – Tahara Service Facilities
Traditional and Memorial Services – Shipping Services to
& from our area – Pre-Planning/Pre-Funding Plans Available
Telephone: 525-3730
Fax: 525-3735
The Daniels Family: William, Patricia, Wesley, Carol & Aimee and staff
are available for arrangements seven days a week.
1225 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa
CA Lic.: FD-209
CA Lic.: CR-92
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 17
NORTH BAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC.
JOHN LEIPSIC, MD & ASSOCIATES
THE POWER OF INTEGRATED TREATMENT FOR KIDS, TEENS AND FAMILIES
Psychiatric evaluation, medication management and
psychological testing
Psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults
Experienced and competent clinicians
Intake Information – 542-8979
1421 Guerneville Road, Suite 114
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
www.nbbhealth.com
Earnings Devoted to Philanthropy
SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPEL
CHEVRA KADISHA
1501 Divisadero Street
3415 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Lafayette, CA 94549
(415) 921-3636
(925) 962-3636
FD 262
www.sinaichapel.org
FD 1523
pre-need funeral arrangements available
Gene B. Kaufman, Executive Director
Free consultations
◆ Party planning
◆ Kosher catering available
Call Fran Piotrkowski
707-793-9645 ◆ fran@parkavecater.com
◆
Santa Rosa Mortuary
Eggen & Lance Chapel
1540 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa ~ 545-3747
Honoring your traditions with orthodox caskets,
burial containers and Tahara Services.
Santa Rosa Memorial Park
1900 Franklin Avenue, Santa Rosa
Every life is worth loving and remembering ~ always…
Dedicated lawns and services for Beth Ami families.
Ask us how to secure the price of cemetery property
with pre-need planning. Call today ~ 542-1580
Concerned about the cost of funeral services?
Don’t be. Pre-need planning lets you control costs by
protecting today’s prices. Compare and save.
COA 107 CR 171
March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 18
FD 240 & 1779
CONGREGATION BETH AMI RSVP FORM
1. Check the boxes next to the dinners you are interested in attending.
2. Mail/Bring this form with payment to Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Name:______________________________________________Phone:________________________________________
Community Pesach Seder
Tuesday, April 3, 6 p.m., Friedman Center
____(indicate #)
Member adult $40
____(indicate #)
Member child $22
____(indicate #)
Non member adult $44
____(indicate #)
Non member child $24
Name
please circle meal choice
_________________________ chicken brisket vegetarian
_________________________ chicken brisket vegetarian
________________________ chicken brisket vegetarian
_________________________ chicken brisket vegetarian
_________________________ chicken brisket vegetarian
_________________________ chicken brisket vegetarian
_________________________ chicken brisket vegetarian
Amount enclosed for this event
__________
RSVP by Tuesday, March 27
Monthly Shabbat Dinners
Friday, April 6
Friday, May 4
Friday, June 1
#of adults_______# of children_____
#of adults_______# of children_____
#of adults_______# of children_____
6:00 P.M. DINNER (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)
7:30 P.M. FAMILY SHABBAT SERVICES
8:30 P.M. ONEG
LIVE MUSIC BY ZIM ZUM & FOLK DANCING
Adult @ $12 each =
Youth (6-12) @ $7 each=
Amount enclosed for this event
__________
__________
__________
RVSP By 5 p.m. on Tuesday the week of
the dinner to avoid late fee!
The Friedman Center has everything you
need for any special event. Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, receptions, banquets, fundraisers up to 465
people. State-of-the art audio and visual systems,
perfect acoustics. Full stage with theatrical lighting,
6500 sq. ft. ballroom.
Ample parking.
Ruth Turner, Director, 360-3021
Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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Exceptional Senior Living
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Studio - 3 bedroom residences
Monthly rental includes: Three meals daily
Weekly housekeeping ~ Scheduled transportation
Utilities and cable TV ~ Full time activity program
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR
AND COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH!
2375 Range Avenue, Santa Rosa (707) 575-3722
+
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March 2007 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 19
DATED INFORMATION.
PLEASE DO NOT
DELAY DELIVERY.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 185
Santa Rosa, CA
Volunteer opportunities at Beth Ami
LIBRARY
We could use some help on staffing our library. If you enjoy
reading and meeting people and if you have a couple of hours a
week to spare, we would love to hear from you.
Our volunteers first get orientation in how our library
works and initiation into the hows and whys of our
computer before they need to work on their own. The
work is not strenuous and always interesting.
For additional information call Susanne Batzdorff, 538-9731
Library hours:
Sunday 9:15-12:15 p.m.
Monday 9-12 p.m.
Tues. & Thurs. 3:45-6 p.m.
MARCH SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Friday Evening, March 2
(Candle Lighting: 5:47 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, March 3 • 13 Adar
9:30 a.m.
Shabbat Tetzaveh-Zachor Services
Potluck lunch following services
(Saturday Havdalah: 6:45 p.m.)
5:30 p.m.
Purim Banquet
7:00 p.m.
Traditional Purim
Megillah Reading
8:00 p.m.
The Motown
Megillah
Friday Evening, March 9
(Candle Lighting: 5:54 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Evening Services
Guest Cantor Howard Shalowitz
Ladino Music: The Secular Music
of the Sephardim
MORNING
MINYAN:
Saturday, March 10 • 20 Adar
9:30 a.m.
Shabbat Ki Tissa-Parah Services
Luncheon honoring our Hazzanim
(Saturday Havdalah: 6:52 p.m.)
Guest Cantor Howard Shalowitz
Shabbat Morning: The History of
Trop, Nusach and Synagogue/
Congregational Melodies
Shabbat (after/during) Lunch: The
History of American Jewish Music
from Plymouth Rock to Rock ‘n Roll
Friday Evening, March 23
(Candle Lighting: 7:07 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.
Erev Shabbat Services
Saturday March 24 • 5 Nisan
9:30 a.m.
Shabbat Vayikra Services
Jerry Wilson, son of Ruth and Brian
Wilson, will be called to the Torah
as a Bar Mitzvah
Hosted kiddush luncheon after services
(Saturday Havdalah: 8:06 p.m.)
Friday Evening, March 16
(Candle Lighting: 7:01 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Evening Services
Friday Evening, March 30
(Candle Lighting: 7:14 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.
Shabbat Evening Services led by the
Raful’s granddaughter, Sarah Raful
Saturday March 17 • 27 Adar
9:30 a.m.
Shabbat Vayakhel-Pekudei HaChodesh
Services
10 a.m.
Tot Shabbat
Potluck lunch following services
(Saturday Havdalah: 7:59 p.m.)
Saturday March 31 • 12 Adar
9:30 a.m.
Shabbat Tzav-HaGadol Services
Kiddush luncheon hosted by Susy &
Bob Raful in honor of their 60th
wedding anniversary
(Saturday Havdalah: 8:13 p.m.)
Sundays & Legal Holidays 8:30 a.m. AND Mondays & Thursdays 7:30 a.m.