View April 2014 D`var - Congregation Beth David

April 2014
5774
Organize Your Purse and Your Pockets with
Our Million Coin Campaign
We asked Bonnie Slavitt Moore about the “Next 50” tzedakah boxes being passed
out at the DI“Why” Passover Mishpaha Program on April 6.
I like my tzedakah box! What’s it for?
We are kicking off a fabulous program called the Million Coin Campaign. The
goal is to collect one million coins of any denomination. We’ll start on April 6,
and conclude the day before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our remodeled and
expanded building, near the end of 2015.
What will the money go toward?
All the money we raise will go toward creating an appealing space for our youth to
gather. We haven’t settled yet on the project, but one of the top ideas is a special
room for youth activities and socializing.
What should I do?
It’s the easiest fundraiser you’ll ever participate in! At the end of each day, just
empty your change from your wallet or pockets and feed the tzedakah box. When
your box is full, just bring the box to the main office and pick up another Next 50
tzedakah box.
The great part of this campaign is that every single person at Beth David can
participate - from our Tot Shabbat and PJ Shabbat participants, elementary school
students, teens, local college students, Jews’ Next Dor members, young families,
empty nesters and seniors.
How much can such a simple program raise?
Let’s say you relieve your pockets of five coins a day. The campaign will run
about 18 months, from April 2014 through December 2015. That’s roughly 600
days. This table shows a few scenarios.
Total From You
Total from 1,000
Congregants
4 Pennies and 1
Dime a Day
$84
$84,000
3 Nickels and 2 Dimes
a Day
$210
$210,000
1 Nickel, 3 Dimes,
and 1 Quarter a Day
$360
$360,000
Whoa!
Yes, isn’t it an exciting way to raise money to create great spaces for our youth?
I have to ask, who gets the job of counting all that gelt?
You can be sure it won’t be me. One of our banks has a coin-counting machine.
In This Issue:
From the Rabbi
Page 3
President’s
Perspective
Page 5
Calendar
Pages 16 & 17
April
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Page 28
Contributions
Pages 29 - 30
Mitzvah a
Month
Page 31
How can I get a tzedakah box?
In addition to being distrubted on April 6, boxes can be picked up at services on:
April 12th & 19th or at the Congregational Information meeting on April 20th.
Each household receives one box plus a box for each child.
Thank you, Bonnie!
1
Staff List
Main Office
408-257-3333
info@beth-david.org
Religious School
408-366-9101
religiousschool@beth-david.org
Daniel J. Pressman
Senior Rabbi
408-366-9105
pressman@beth-david.org
Philip R. Ohriner
Rabbi
408-366-9104
ohriner@beth-david.org
Tanya Lorien
Director of Operations
408-366-9107
lorien@beth-david.org
Barbara Biran
Ritual Director
408-366-9106
biran@beth-david.org
Monica Hernandez
Bookkeeping Associate
408-366-9108
hernandez@beth-david.org
Jillian Cosgrave
Front Office Associate
408-366-9110
cosgrave@beth-david.org
Lynn Crocker
Mkt & Comm Associate
408-366-9102
crocker@beth-david.org
Iris Bendahan
School Principal
408-366-9116
bendahan@beth-david.org
Andrea Ammerman
School Admin. Assistant
408-366-9101
JYEPAdmin@beth-david.org
JET
(Jewish Education for Teens)
JET@beth-david.org
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From the Rabbi
By Rabbi Daniel Pressman
Ask many American Jews, “What’s Passover about?” and they will likely say, “It’s about freedom.” Completely
true, but then we have to ask, “What do we mean by freedom?”
Remember that Moses’ demand of Pharaoh was, “Let my people go that they may serve me.” The Exodus was not
only an escape from bondage, it was a journey toward God and Sinai.
Too many people today associate freedom with unrestricted personal autonomy, without a societal context or even
external authority.
Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote eloquently about this many years ago:
Freedom means more than mere emancipation. It is primarily freedom of
conscience, bound up with inner allegiance. The danger begins when freedom is
thought to consist in the fact that “I can act as I desire.” This definition not only
overlooks the compulsions which often lie behind our desires; it reveals the tragic
truth that freedom may develop within itself the seed of its own destruction.
Heschel here reminds us that autonomy must have some limits, some governing ethic, or
it can succumb to our drives and appetites. We are brilliant rationalizers of our own
behavior. Even libertarians limit freedom. As David Boaz, a leading libertarian thinker,
puts it, “Libertarianism proposes a society of liberty under law, in which individuals are
free to pursue their own lives so long as they respect the equal rights of others.”
Heschel would have us, as Jews, go beyond this political position to include God and a
moral order—rights and responsibilities. He writes, “Freedom is the liberation from the tyranny of the self-centered
ego. It comes about in moments of transcending the self as an act of spiritual ecstasy, of stepping out of the
confining framework of routine reflexive concern. Freedom presupposes the capacity for sacrifice.”
“The tyranny of the self-centered ego” is all too common today. All of us have encountered people, in our personal
lives or through the media, who are monsters of self-regard and unbounded entitlement. Heschel tells us that such
people are not really free. They are ruled by their passions and their desires, what he calls “the tyranny of needs, the
vulgarization of the spirit.”
Heschel quotes a remarkable Midrash. In chapter 32 of Exodus, when God gave the second set of the Tablets of the
Commandments it says, The tablets were God’s making, and the writing was God’s writing, engraved upon the
tablets. The word for “engraved” is ḥarut. In Avot 6:2, we are told, “Read not ḥarut but ḥeirut (freedom), for none
can be considered free except those who occupy themselves with the study of Torah.” Our minds, our souls, and our
consciences need to be trained so that we can exercise our freedom for ourselves, balanced with awareness of our
responsibilities to others and to God.
Rabbi Shmuel Rosenberg came up with a great example of this:
Consider the example of two people. One is lying on his couch, watching a soccer game on television and
drinking can after can of beer. The second is exercising or playing basketball in order to improve his health.
The first seems relaxed, while the second is perspiring profusely. But who is the free man? Our first reaction
will be that the free man is the one lying on his couch. But he cannot even raise himself up. In contrast, all
the work of exercising…gives the person control over his body and maximal development of his talents and
abilities. In other words, it affords freedom. The person who exercises in order to give his body the
necessary freedom fulfills the injunction, “do not read ḥarut but ḥeirut.” He shows that, paradoxically and
strangely enough, we attain freedom through self-subjugation and self-discipline. The second way
sometimes promises much, but actually enslaves one. It is freedom that leads to enslavement.
At our Seders we should indeed celebrate the liberation from slavery, and rejoice in our wonderful freedom in
America, including the precious freedom to be Jewish. But we should also remember that our ancestors were not
freed in order to do whatever they wanted, but to journey to Sinai to become a holy nation.
3
We want to give our sincere thanks to
everyone who supported our father, Alex
Bauer, throughout and at the end of his life.
We thank you not only for the donations, the
generosity of which would have deeply
touched him, but also for the kindness the
whole community showed him. We are
grateful.
— Ken & Steve Bauer
Shabbat Mishpaha (Family)
Experience/Kita Alef/Bet Shma
Ceremony and Potluck
Friday, May 2nd at 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate Shabbat at our upbeat, familyfriendly service where you can grab a drum,
shaker or tambourine to enhance the spirit of
the celebration.
The service will include a special Kita Alef/Bet
Shma ceremony.
Join our potluck following the service (RSVP
at JYEPAdmina@beth-david.org).
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President’s Perspective
By David Hoffman, CBD Board President
Dear Friends,
As I write this Column, I am awestruck that more than
140 of you attended a special meeting of the
Congregation on the Sunday morning of daylight
savings, to listen and learn about our rabbinic search
process, and to vote in welcoming one of our own, Rabbi
Leslie Alexander, as our new Rabbi of Community
Engagement and Outreach.
I am relieved, as well, that one of the major tasks of my
presidential term, overseeing the hiring of a second rabbi,
has been accomplished.
The selection of Rabbi Alexander is but one major
component preparing for our “Next 50” years. Last year
at this time, Rabbi Ohriner and I led the board in
“visioning” for our future. From that board retreat, we
sought input from you during our June forum.
Arising out of both the board retreat and the June forum
were the need to hire someone with Rabbi Alexander’s
skills and background — and also prepare our physical
building for a new future.
On March 1st of this year, during Shabbat Shekalim, the
Shabbat in which we thank you for participating in the
annual campaign, Rick Tavan offered a drash. With his
permission, I am re-printing his remarks below, as they
encapsulate why the Next 50 Building and Endowment
Campaign is so important to our Kehilla:
**************************
Today is Shabbat Shekalim, the Shabbos of the shekels,
one of the Sabbaths leading up to Purim. The special
maftir reading describes the mandatory half shekel
census tax required of all Israelites for maintenance of
the Tent of Meeting. The haftarah recounts changes
made by King Jehoash to the system for accumulating,
counting and using the voluntary donations made to the
Temple and its priests. Jehoash laid down rules to ensure
that adequate funds would be available both for
maintenance of the Temple and for its operations, that is,
support of its staff.
Now what portion could be more timely as we launch our
Next 50 Campaign to fund renovation of our building
and its future maintenance?! Since that is a project dear
to my heart, please allow me a few personal reflections.
When Ann and I joined Beth David in the early ‘80s, this
side of the building was shiny and new. I still remember
the first service I attended here – it was a Friday night,
Shabbat Hanukah, and it happened to be the formal
dedication ceremony for the sanctuary wing. It had
actually been operational for a while but the custom is to
consecrate synagogues during the Festival of Dedication.
And there I was, casually dropping by, just “shul
shopping” as they say, at a grand celebration. What a
great time to meet congregants and soak in the
excitement of a new and better beginning! How could our
search have ended any other way than it did?!
Beth David has been our family’s spiritual home ever
since. We have learned a lot, prayed plentifully,
celebrated many simchas, consoled mourners and been
consoled in our own times of need. We raised two
wonderful children within these walls, made life-long
friendships and kvelled recently when our younger son
insisted that Rabbi Pressman officiate at his wedding.
(Fortunately, his fiancé and Rabbi were both amenable!)
Perhaps more than anything else, Beth David taught us a
model for group dynamics and collective decision
making that surpasses that of any other organization we
know, social or professional.
But that Hannukat Ha-bayit was thirty years ago and all
those simchas, all those services, all those meetings,
weather and work have taken their toll on our once-new
facility. What was then a showpiece is now, quite frankly,
more than a little shabby in places. Our Board asked the
same question as King Jehoash, “How did our house
reach this state? What can we do to return it to its former
beauty, to make it once again a home of which we can all
be proud?” Unlike the autocratic times of the Temple, we
operate more democratically here at Beth David. The
Board surveyed the membership about the facilities as
well as our programs and practices. A large majority of
the membership clearly expressed a desire for a better
building to support those programs. Thanks to the
leadership and hard work of Dan Skilken, Sandy Mayer
and many others, we have made great strides in
requirements specification, functional design and
financial feasibility analysis. We can do this! In the
“quiet phase” of a nascent capital campaign, twelve
families have offered more than 50% of the funds we
need, not only to renovate and expand the entire building
but also to provide a modest endowment for future
maintenance. That’s a powerful kickoff! The architects
are proceeding with detailed design based on our
feedback and ideas. It’s going to be great. I have never
been more excited about our synagogue.
So we’re on our way. Soon you will be asked to make
your pledges. Plural – pledges. Just as King Jehoash
designated separate monies for Temple repairs and
ongoing operation, so must we. We will have a capital
campaign under the able and enthusiastic leadership of
Continued on page 6
5
President’s Perspective
Jewish Camp
Scholarships
Available!
Continued from page 5
Bonnie Slavitt Moore. And we will also conduct our
regular, annual appeal for the funds we need to keep
the congregation operating. Some may want to
consider the two appeals together and our solicitors
should embrace that, understanding that the capital
portion is a one-time gift for which we must dig deeply
while the operating portion is annual and may not be
slighted. It won’t be easy for anyone, but I’m confident
that this outstanding congregation will respond. It is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (well, for some, twicein-a-lifetime) to turn our synagogue into an efficient,
effective and inspiring house of worship, house of
assembly and house of study for the Next 50 years. If
we all help, we can re-dedicate our synagogue during
Hanukah 2015!
No one asked me to deliver this message – I
volunteered, with some concern that I might be
stepping on others’ prerogatives. But I could not pass
up the opportunity to promote this exciting step in our
growth as a sacred community…
************************
And thank you Rick. I could not have said it any
better.
B’shalom,
David.
The Beth David Youth Commission is now
accepting scholarship applications for
Jewish summer camps. It is best that you
book your camp reservation as soon as
possible since they fill up rather
quickly. The scholarship application
contains all information regarding
eligibility.
You may obtain a scholarship application
from the Beth David office or by
downloading one from the Beth David
Youth web-page at www.bethdavid.org/community/youth-groups. The
deadline for an application is May 15th
and recipients will be notified by May 31st.
The More the Merrier
By Jeff Warwick, Membership VP
I am thrilled to be the new Membership VP on CBD’s Board of Directors. Here are some ideas I am
kicking around:
Increasing CBD’s membership would be great, and can be done by inviting a friend to an event at CBD,
perhaps for Shabbat and an Oneg Shabbat.
I am encouraging current members to enjoy the wonderful programming we already have, to learn the
names of all other congregants, and become involved in Chevrat Chesed as a volunteer or a coordinator.
What is Chevrat Chesed? Over 100 members at CBD are signed up as volunteers to help other members
through Chevrat Chesed. As volunteers they do everything from providing rides or meals to somebody
who is sick or stuck at home with an injury, to helping with errands, to visiting people, sometimes even
accompanying somebody to the opera. Contact ChevratChesed@Beth-David.org if you need help or want
to volunteer.
Our Welcoming Committee is doing a great job. The gold covered round table at Oneg Shabbats is the
welcoming table. If there is somebody sitting there that you do not know, feel free to stop by and
introduce yourself. Contact Margie Pomerantz if you would like to be on the Welcoming Committee.
Please contact me at MembershipVP@Beth-David.org or 408-623-0099 if you would like to volunteer on
the Membership Committee.
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Sale of Ḥametz
NOTE: If possible, all ḥametz – food not acceptable during Pesaḥ (Passover), or materials containing such
unacceptable food – should be destroyed or given away before the holiday begins. Should this be
impossible, the ḥametz may be stored in such a way that we are sure not to use it during the holiday and its
actual ownership is transferred to a non-Jew until the holiday ends. Please complete the form below and
return to the CBD office no later than Noon April 11, 2014.
KNOW ALL PEOPLE BY THESE PRESENT: That I, the undersigned, do hereby make and
appoint Rabbi Daniel Pressman my true and lawful representative to act in my place and
stead, for me and in my name and in my behalf, to sell all ḥametz owned and possessed by
me, knowingly or unknowingly, as stated in the Torah and defined by the sages of Israel
(e.g., ḥametz; hashash ḥametz—suspect ḥametz; and all kinds of ta’arovet ḥametz—ḥametz
mixtures); also, ḥametz that tends to harden and to adhere to the surface of pans, pots, or
other cooking or eating utensils, or whatsoever nature, and to lease all places wherein the
aforementioned ḥametz owned or possessed by me may be found, especially in the premises
located at my address listed below. Rabbi Daniel Pressman has the full authority and power
to sell said ḥametz and to lease said place or places wherein said ḥametz may be found, upon
such terms and conditions as discretion dictates. Rabbi Daniel Pressman has full power and
authority to assign or appoint a substitute or substitutes to act in my behalf with all the same
powers and authority that I have invested in the rabbi, and I do hereby ratify and confirm all
that Rabbi Daniel Pressman or a rabbinic substitute lawfully does or causes to be done by
virtue of these present.
And to this I hereby affix my signature on this ________ day of ______________
in the year ________________.
Name & Signature ___________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
City __________________________________ State _______________________
Telephone _________________________________________________________
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RotatingShelter@Beth-David.org
8
—
—
—
—
Would you like to provide a delicious hot meal for 15 appreciative men?
Can you donate funds for a month’s worth of groceries and supplies?
Do you have a bicycle that you can donate for a guest’s transportation?
You can do an important mitzvah yourself, with friends and family!!!
Join the CBD Volunteer Corps for the Faith in Action Silicon Valley Rotating Shelter
May 30-June 22!
On Friday evening, May 30 before Shabbat, fifteen guests and their night supervisor will move into our
multi-purpose rooms with all of the items needed to make themselves at home for the month: cots,
bedding, a personal trunk, a hygiene kit, and laundry soap with quarters. The art room is transformed into
a lounge area where they will store their own refrigerator (for dairy/parve groceries only) and a TV. They
sleep in the Multi Purpose room. Beth David’s job is to provide a safe, clean, supportive environment for
these men who are trying to get back on their feet.
Each guest has been carefully screened He must be clean and sober, employed or employable, and highly
motivated to work or get a job, save money, and transition into permanent housing. Unlike other shelters,
the Faith in Action Rotating Shelter is unique in that it provides a professional case manager who provides
strategic and logistic support and oversees their progress.
Shelter hours are 8 pm - 7 am. The guests will eat dinner at Beth David in the courtyard or lounge area,
where they will enjoy kosher or vegetarian meals. They will make their own dairy breakfast and lunches
with groceries provided by the Beth David community.
If you and your friends and family want to provide a hot dinner or donate funds for the guests, email
RotatingShelter@Beth-David.org or call Judy Gilford at 408-839-2051.
Providing hospitality and food to those in need is a central component of Judaism. Let’s welcome our
Shelter Guests with warmth, support, and delicious food!
To read more about Faith In Action Silicon Valley Rotating Shelter, visit www.faithinactionsv.org
**We are currently seeking an Assistant Coordinator who would like to grow into the position of
Coordinator of the Rotating Shelter at Beth David. If you are interested, please let Judy Gilford
know by email RotatingShelter@Beth-David.org or at 408-839-2051.
Please share our joy as our daughter, Noa,
is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on:
Saturday, April 26, 2014
We invite you to join us for a Kiddush luncheon
following the service. Opher and Naomi Har-el
9
10
11
JET Volunteers at Good Karma Bikes
This year our teen educational program has a new name:
JET (Jewish Experience for Teens).
JET is CBD’s high school program that fuses Social Action/Community Service opportunities with
social and cultural Jewish learning experiences.
Participating in our TMT (Teen Madrichim Program) is one example of the opportunities available
and social action projects is another. All in all 31 teens have volunteered their time.
A recent Social Action Project was volunteering at an organization called: Good Karma Bikes.
Good Karma Bikes works to restore people’s hope and self-determination by providing safe, reliable
bicycle transportation for homeless, jobless and low-wage workers, underprivileged youth, and
documented refugees. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for their clients; and sometimes
even facilitate a way off the street. They are a full-service, second-hand bike shop employing people
in homeless recovery.
The educational/overview component was presented by our long time member and Good Karma Bike
full-time volunteer: Arye Green. Arye met with the teens to explain the program and equate the work
that he does with the value of Tzedakah.
The eight teens who participated on March 9th for three and half hours, were not only taught bicycle
repair skills but also learned about social impact, community services, increasing self-esteem and
giving a second chance. Concisely: Tikkun Olam – Repair of the World – one of Judaism’s core
values. We are responsible as Jews to constantly strive for justice and to improve the world in which
we live.
12
All of the volunteers were treated to lunch that was provided by the JET program and to an ice
cream cone treat provided by the Good Karma Bikes volunteers.
Thank you to CBD member Arye Green and the volunteers of Good Karma Bikes: Craig, Gil and
Kalien, for coordinating the special Sunday workshop for the JET teens.
Thank you to Mayer
Adelberg*, Rafi Bendahan*,
Adam Graubart*, Hannah* &
Ryan Hittelman*, Miriam
Rivkin*, Jason Rauchwerk and
Ronen Taich for volunteering
their time.
In addition, thank you to
Joseph Bendahan and Marty
Rauchwerk for their
assistance.
My hope is that more teens will join our efforts to work together to repair some small part of our world,
and deepen their commitment and connection to Judaism and the community as we work together to
make things better.
For more information about Good Karma Bikes, check out: GoodKarmaBikes.org. They accept
donations of bicycles.
We have some exciting JET events coming up (e.g. a Wellness for Teens seminar, Passover
programming, and more!). For more information about our JET program, please contact Irene
Swedroe: JET@beth-david.org
*These teens are also TMTers
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14
15
April
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
1st of Nisan, 5774
2
2nd of Nisan
4:00pm JYEP - Jewel Program
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm NEXT 50 Steering
Committee (offsite)
Rosh Chodesh Nisan
7:00pm Intro to Judaism
7:00pm Musical Minyan
7:30pm Engaging Israel
6
6th of Nisan
9:00am Haftara Torah Trope
9:30am DI "Why" Passover
Mishpaha
9:30am Minyan
10:00am Adult Learning
During Passover Mishpaha
11:00am Adult Learning
During Passover Mishpaha
11:30am Family Ed Hour
1:00pm Boy Scouts Matzah
Baking
13
13th of Nisan
9:30am Minyan
7
7th of Nisan
10:00am Intermediate
Hebrew
2:15pm Beg Hebrew for FSU
Émigrés (offsite)
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm Lean In Circle
8
8th of Nisan
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm Engaging Israel
7:30pm Membership
Committee Meeting
9
9th of Nisan
7:00pm Minyan
7:45pm E-Board Meeting
(offsite)
14
14th of Nisan
15
15th of Nisan
16
16th of Nisan
Ta'anit Bechorot
8:00am Shacharit-Siyyum
4:00pm Office Closed
7:00pm No Evening Minyan
7:26pm Candle lighting
9:00am Office Closed
9:30am Services
12:30pm Kiddush
7:00pm No Evening Minyan
Erev Pesach
Pesach I
20
20th of Nisan
21
21st of Nisan
22
22nd of Nisan
9:30am Minyan
10:30am Cong Meeting
7:31pm Candle lighting
Begin Holocaust Museum
9:00am Office Closed
9:30am Services
12:30pm Kiddush
7:00pm No Evening Minyan
9:00am Office Closed
9:30am Services/Yizkor
12:30pm Kiddush
7:00pm No Evening Minyan
5th day of the Omer
Pesach VI (CH''M)
27
27th of Nisan
12th day of the Omer
Yom HaShoah
9:00am Haftara Torah Trope
9:30am JYEP - Sunday School
9:30m Minyan
10:45am JYEP - JGan
7:00pm Yom Ha’Shoah –
Holocaust Remembrance
Day
6th day of the Omer
Pesach VII
7th day of the Omer
Pesach VIII
28
28th of Nisan
29
29th of Nisan
10:00am Intermediate
Hebrew
2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for
FSU Émigrés (offsite)
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm Career Havurah
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm Engaging Israel
13th day of the Omer
14th day of the Omer
1st day of the Omer
Pesach II
9:00am Office Closed
9:30am Services
12:30pm Kiddush
7:00pm No Evening Minyan
23
23rd of Nisan
8th day of the Omer
4:00pm JYEP - Jewel Program
7:00pm Minyan
7:45pm General Board Mtg.
30
30th of Nisan
15th day of the Omer
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar
4:00pm JYEP - Jewel Program
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm NEXT 50 Steering
Committee (offsite)
16
April
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
3
3rd of Nisan
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah
4
4th of Nisan
8:30am Fri AM Talmud Study
9:45am Pirkei Avot
6:30pm Shabbat Mishpaha
Experience/Tanakh
Ceremony
7:17pm Candle lighting
7:30pm Shabbat Potluck
5
5th of Nisan
9:30am Services
12:00pm Ruah Rally
12:30pm Kiddush
1:30pm Book Discussion
Group
10
10th of Nisan
7:00 pm Minyan
7:30 pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah
11
11th of Nisan
8:30am Fri AM Talmud Study
9:45am Pirkei Avot
12:00pm Sale of Hametz
Deadline
6:30pm Services
7:23pm Candle lighting
18
18th of Nisan
12
12th of Nisan
6:00pm PJ Shabbat (offsite)
6:30pm Services
7:29pm Candle lighting
9:30am Services
12:00pm Ruah Rally
12:30pm Kiddush
17
17th of Nisan
2nd day of the Omer
Pesach III (CH''M)
7:00pm Minyan
3rd day of the Omer
Pesach IV (CH''M)
Shabbat HaGadol
9:30am Services
11:15am Tot Shabbat
12:00pm Ruah Rally
12:30pm Kiddush
19
19th of Nisan
4th day of the Omer
Pesach V (CH''M)
24
24th of Nisan
25
25th of Nisan
26
26th of Nisan
7:00pm Minyan
7:30pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah
Class
8:30am Fri AM Talmud Study
9:45am Pirkei Avot
6:30pm Services
7:36pm Candle lighting
9:30am Services/Noa Har-El
Bat Mitzvah
9:30am Zayin Shabbat School
10:30am Youth Congregation
11:00am Haverim Services
11:15am Tot Shabbat (ages 5
and under)
12:00pm Ruah Rally
12:30pm Kiddush
1:30pm Shabbat Schmooze:
Shmitta - Putting “You” in
Utopia
9th day of the Omer
10th day of the Omer
Highlights in
April
4th
6:30pm Shabbat Mishpaha
(Family) Experience/
Tanakh Ceremony
5th
1:30pm Book Discussion
Group
6th
9:30am DI "Why"
Passover Mishpaha
See Passover Service
Schedule on Page 27
11th day of the Omer
20th
10:30am Congregational
Meeting - Share in the
vision of a new CBD for
the next 50 years!
26th
1:30pm Shabbat
Schmooze
27th
7:00pm Yom Ha’Shoah
Holocaust
Remembrance Day
17
JYEP Students help pack
Mishloah Manot bags for
distribution on Purim.
Readers of The Family
Megillah reading on
Sunday morning.
“Harry Potter and the Purimspiel” presented throughout the Family Megillah
reading. Many thanks to Sarah Rock for writing and directing the spiel.
18
Winners of the
Costume Contest.
Sisterhood Silent Auction
had many great items
available for bidding.
19
Thank you to our teen volunteers for helping to make the carnival possible
First Annual
Hamen-Scotch-en!
What an event!
Who knew there was so much variation in Hamentaschen?!
And…Scotch…well…there is plenty of variety, too!
It was a fantastic evening – starting (of course) with the Gantze Megillah to a
full house…then (in true Purim fashion) on to the festivity portion of the
evening
Entrants and tasters alike had a
delightful time. We had nine
competing bakers and eight
competing scotches (as well as two
non-competing “non-scotch-ens”, one
etrog vodka along with some delicious
renegade Hamentaschen). All
libations and delectable treats were
welcome.
Costumes abounded – yet
photographers were scarce – so there
are few are the images to share.
However who could resist the
president preparing for the remodel
as Bob the Builder.
Or the Rabbi – appropriately dressed in a kilt for the ‘scotch event’.
It was indeed and event in the full spirit of Purim!
Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and party goers who made this evening a success!
20
Scholars in Residence,
Conversations in Jewish Learning,
and Shabbat Schmooze:
Ways to Become a Better-Informed, More Engaged Jew!
By Eleanor Weber Dickman
Thanks to our Adult Education Committee for
providing us with a variety of opportunities designed to
help us further our Jewish learning and stay wellinformed on current social and political events.
Case in point: Rabbi Elliot Dorff’s February 10th
presentation on Jewish values and cultural norms as
they relate to the issues that confront us today. With
humor, compassion, and trenchant relevance, Rabbi
Dorff asked us to use our ethical precepts to address our
everyday behavior, whether they be issues of social
justice, political integrity, personal precepts, or
religious understanding. He discussed the relationship
between moral mandates and communal responsibility.
An author of many books and articles on ethics, and the
chair of the Conservative Movement’s Committee on
Jewish Law and Standards, Rabbi Dorff’s masterful
discussion of societal rights and individual
responsibilitywas enjoyable and profound.
Our Scholar-in-Residence program was graced in
February by Dr. Jehon Grist, the Executive Director of
Lehrhaus Judaica, who offered several sessions,
including one focusing on the complex historical
relationship between Egyptians and Israelites before the
Exodus to the present day. He illustrated the power of
ancient enmities to affect social relationships of the
current day.
The “Conversation in Jewish Learning” held on March
13 featured an intimate exploration of one young
American man’s experience in the Israel Defense
Forces. In sharing his IDF military experiences, an
American youth, Ilan Benjamin, painted a vibrant
picture of Israel’s military strengths and the personal
passions of the young men and women who serve their
country with conviction and skill.
April and May promise equally stimulating and relevant
thought-provoking presentations.
On Saturday, April 26, Rabbi Allan Berkowitz will
give us insights into the Torah’s mandates regarding
“Shmitta,” the traditional celebration of the Earth which
takes place every seven years. This “Shabbat
Schmooze” will introduce a new Beth David initiative
to use the traditions of a Shmitta year to strengthen our
commitment to environmental responsibility according
to Jewish values. The program has been developed by
Rabbi Berkowitz and Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
(founder of the Baltimore Jewish Environmental
Network).
Israel is the focus of the May 20th Conversation in
Jewish Learning, which will focus on current issues
affecting Israel and the Middle East, presented by
newly-appointed Israeli Deputy Consul General Eyal
Naor.
Upcoming Adult Learning at a Glance
This Spring Beth David is offering a variety of rich
adult learning opportunities. Distinguished rabbis,
authors, educators, and government officials will
share their special knowledge and expertise on a
variety of religious, ethical, political, and
environmental issues.
Book Discussion Group –
Saturday, April 5th 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Isaiah (Biblical book), led by Rabbi Philip Ohriner First of the major (latter) prophets, he preached against
the evils, social and political, of his people, and against
entanglements with expansionist foreign nations.
Adult Learning During Passover Mishpaha
Program Do-It-Yourself Seder Ideas –
Sunday, April 6th
- 10:00 - 11:00 am - A Moral Order: Draw on Mussar
tradition for ethical enrichment of your Seder with
Rabbi Pressman
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Running a Kid-Friendly Seder
with Rabbi Ohriner
Shabbat Schmooze: Shmitta - Putting “You” in
Utopia with Rabbi Allan Berkowitz Saturday, April 26th 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Rabbi Allan Berkowitz explains core elements of
Shmitta and presents an overview of a new year-long
program that Congregation Beth David will pilot.
Conversations in Jewish Learning: Current
Issues Affecting Israel and the Middle East
Tuesday, May 20th 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Newly-appointed Israeli Deputy Consul General Eyal
Naor discusses external and internal developments
affecting Israel. A small donation to Adult Education is
requested at this presentation.
21
22
Assessing Our Inclusivity
By Iris Bendahan
Recently I attended the opening session of a
series of 4 workshops entitled “Navigating
Difference, Embracing Inclusion: Opening Your
Synagogue Door even Wider”. The workshop
was attended by both leaders and members of a
variety of synagogues throughout the peninsula
all keen on gleaning ideas to navigate a rather
rocky road to being truly inclusive.
The scope of what “Inclusion” means is daunting.
A look at the facilitators of the conference reflects
the wide range of people true Inclusion
encompasses David Robinson represents
KESHET (rainbow), an organization that works
towards ‘equality and inclusion of the LGBTQ
community into Jewish life’ in the Bay Area.
Diane Tobin represents B’Chol Lashon (in every
tongue), an organization that helps embrace
multi-culturalism in the Jewish community; Jews
today are not just Ashkenazi, Sephardi and
Mizrahi, but of every race and mix. Marilyn
Wacks represents Interfaith Family, an
organization that supports Interfaith families
exploring Jewish life. One attendee expanded
this idea further as she related her rough
experiences being from an entire family that
converted together. Finally, David Neufeld
represents INCLUDE, a division of Jewish
Learning Works (formally known as the Bureau of
Jewish Education in San Francisco), that focuses
on making sure that families with members with
special needs (learning, developmental, physical,
medical, social) are also welcomed and
embraced.
Another part of Inclusion is language. Of course,
we’ve all encountered the movement to choose
politically correct ‘PC’ terminology when it comes
to special needs and multiculturalism. We’re
working on keeping God gender neutral.
However, this meeting was the first time I
experienced making ‘preferred gender pronouns’
a part of each attendees introduction. That is do
you identify as a “she, her, hers” or a “he, him,
his”. When I told this to my daughter, a student
at UCB, she responded rather nonchalantly that
it’s very customary to ask a person for their
“PGPs”. Though I consider myself an inclusive
person, I’d never considered something as
simple as a school registration form with a
selection for male and female as being
exclusionary. But, indeed, what would a
transgender person check off with that kind of
selection?
Yet, the scope is bigger than this. Changing our
language, making sure that the building is easily
accessible to the wheelchair bound, and giving
folks with learning challenges equal opportunities
to engage are important aspects that we’ve
already been working on. But,whatabout the
everyday? Can we avoid giving someone
different ‘the look’? Can we put assumptions on
the shelf and embrace anybody that comes in
our door as a person, created ‘b’tzelem Elohim’
(in God’s image), without incorporating preconceived notions about whether they are gay,
converted, interfaith, multi-cultural, rich, poor or
special needs into the conversation? Can we do
so with our own kids, who are growing up with a
much more expanded view of humanity than we
did?
February was Jewish Special Needs Awareness
month. In honor of this the school’s Mitzvah of
the Month bulletin board was devoted to
Tolerance – Sovlanut in Hebrew. A friend who
defines themselves as gay, came to me and
asked why I would teach such a negative word
for tolerance. Tolerance should reflect something
happy and sovlanut comes from the Hebrew root
saval – which means to suffer, or bear (like a
burden). The Conservative movement has
coined the word “Keruv”, meaning coming closer,
to its efforts to bring different kinds of people
together within the community (specifically
interfaith), and this person thought I should use
“kabbalah”, meaning to receive instead; we are
familiar with Kabbalat Shabbat (receiving the
Shabbat), Kabbalat Panim (a reception), and
Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism (receiving the
tradition). I had associated the word Sovlanut
(tolerance) with Savlanut (patience). Though
both are from the same root ‘to bear’ - patience
being something that’s often difficult to bear - I
viewed savlanut as a positive trait, i.e. having
patience with many types of people. However,
this conversation, combined with my experience
at the Inclusion workshop made me contemplate
Continued on page 24
23
Assessing Our Inclusivity
By Iris Bendahan
Continued from page 23
the vantage point of this person. My friend
struggled for many years ‘in the closet’, and had
to experience much sevel - suffering to be able
to be true to themselves, with time becoming a
sort of crusader for sovlanut.
As I see it, when it comes to tolerant behavior,
we Jews should understand more than most
that the time for patience has past. Although in
many areas of the world people must still live in
the shadow of intolerance, here humanity has
evolved and societal norms have already
changed. For Judaism to flourish, we must be
true to its most basic concept mentioned about
36 times in the Torah (especially at Passover):
remember that we were once strangers in a
strange land and thus act with compassion and
justice towards the stranger. To me, this is the
heart of Inclusion. Whether the ‘strangers’ to
our Jewish communities represent these distinct
groups (LGBTQ, multicultural, interfaith, special
needs) or not, our mandate is to be respectful to
all by learning to be mindful of our language
and our actions. My friend actually called me
later to say that another good word for Inclusion
could simply be Kavod – respect. Indeed, our
Sage Hillel said “Do not judge your fellow until
you have stood in his place”. When we put
ourselves in these variety of shoes, and
implement the things we would like to see if we
were in those very shoes, then we will have
begun to smooth that road and change
Kaballah, Keruv, Kavod = Inclusion from a
concept to being truly inclusive.
On Passover we relive our coming out of Egypt,
the narrow place, to become the new Jewish
nation. In the Korekh step of our Seder, in
honor of Hillel, we eat matzah and maror (bitter
herbs) together (rather than separately) in a
sandwich. Together then, let’s all open our
doors and our minds wider, and live God’s
message by reaching out to receive, come
closer, respect = include all those who wish to
enter our sanctuary.
If you’re interested in participating in any of the
subsequent 3 workshops (which focus on
worship, education, and community
respectively), you can register at
www.jewishlearningworks.org.
Recent Acquisitions
The Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library has a broad
selection of Jewish reference material, fiction and nonfiction books, and periodicals, always including the latest
releases, for adults, teenagers and children.
The library is open during regular CBD office hours,
Monday - Friday, 9am – 4pm. We recently acquired the
following books:
Title/Author/Shelf Number
 Benny's Mitzvah Notes /Lumer, Marc/JP 136.7 L
 The Blessing Cup/Polacco, Patricia/JP
 The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible
Became Possible... on Schindler's list / Leyson,
Leon/YA 736.5 L
 Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People
Converting to Judaism and For Their Family and
Friends/Diamant, Anita/203.8 D
 Dancing in the Dark/Bavati, Robyn/YA B
 The Haggadah: Translation and New Commentary
Based on Talmudic, Midrashic and Rabbinic
Sources/ Joseph Elias/244.29 E
 The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic
Text/001
 How to Live a Jewish Life/Kolatch, Alfred J/220 K
 The Nazi Hunters/Bascomb, Neal/YA 736.3 B
 No Joke: Making Jewish Humor/Wisse, Ruth
R/500.7 W
 On Wings of Freedom: The Hillel Haggadah for the
Nights of Passover/ Richard N. Levy, editor and
translator/244.29 L
 The Passover Lamb/Marshall, Linda Elovitz/JE M
 Spice and Spirit: The Complete Kosher Jewish
Cookbook/Zivia Emmer & Tzipora Reitman,
editors/699 E
 Stones for Grandpa/Londner, Renee/JE 613 L
 The Ten Challenges: Spiritual Lessons from the Ten
Commandments for Creating Meaning, Growth and
Richnesss Every Day of Your Life/Felder,
Leonard/656.1 F
 The war Within These Walls/Sax, Aline/YA S
24
25
Commemorate the Victims of the Holocaust
Yom HaShoah Yahrzeit Candles are available in the CBD lobby
compliments of CBD Men’s Club
On the evening of Sunday, April 27, 2014, erev Yom HaShoah, please light a yellow candle
in your home.
As part of the worldwide Jewish community, it is our collective obligation to honor and
remember the six million who perished in the Holocaust.
A community-wide memorial service will be held at Congregation Beth David in Saratoga
on April 27 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
If you need a candle delivered please call Art Singer at 408-734-0711
SAVE THE DATE
After Hours Dropbox
Not able to make it to the
Synagogue during office hours?
Evening of Comedy & Jazz
in Honor of Rabbi Pressman’s Retirement
Sunday, June 8, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley,
14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos
We now have a secure drop box for
you to drop off donations and dues
payments. The box is located in the
door across the hall from the office,
between the bulletin board and
water fountain
Join friends, colleagues
and congregants as we
thank Rabbi Daniel
Pressman for 33 years of
service to Congregation
Beth David with two of his
favorite things--comedy
and jazz. In honor of
Rabbi Pressman's
retirement, internationally
known standup comedian
Joel Chasnoff will headline
a celebration of comedy
and jazz.
26
Twinkle, Twinkle
Little Star?
How we wonder where you are. The Archives
Committee has been collecting material relating
to Beth David's history, both for the synagogue's
50th anniversary and for posterity.
The Committee is now cataloging old Beth David
Stars (monthly newsletter). We hope to compile a
complete run of the Stars, but we have no copies
earlier than May 1967. Does anyone know if
there was a Star or predecessor from 1963 to
1967? If you have information, or actual copies,
please contact Susan Rojo or Miriam Marr.
We are also missing some copies of the Star from
1967 through 1976:
 1967
o January, February, March, April,
and June
 1968
o July
 1969
o September, October
 1970
o January, February, April, May,
June, July, and September
 1971
o January, March, June, July,
August, September
 1972
o January, February, May, July,
August
 1973
o April, May, and October
 1974
o August, September
 1975
o March, July, and November
 1976
o February
Passover Services
14th Erev Pesaḥ
8:00am Shacharit-Siyyum
No Evening Minyan
15th Pesaḥ I
9:30am Services
No Evening Minyan
16th Pesaḥ II
9:30am Services
No Evening Minyan
19th Ḥol HaMoed Pesaḥ
9:30am Services
20th Ḥol HaMoed Pesaḥ
9:30am Minyan/Torah Service
21st Pesaḥ VII
9:30am Services
No Evening Minyan
22nd Pesaḥ VIII
9:30am Services/Yizkor
No Evening Minyan
If these Stars are twinkling (or more likely
stashed away) in your home, please let the
Archives Committee know by emailing
Archives@Beth-David.org.
27
We wish the following members a very happy birthday. Be sure to attend the
Saturday, April 12th Ruah Rally (following services)
for a special birthday blessing.
1st
Nancy Skilken
Michael Riskin
Bernardo Kovar
Barbara Silverstein
3rd
Marilyn Goodman
5th
Zoe Handelsman
Shy Adelman
Pavel Smolyanitsky
Judith Varadi
6th
Aviv Lavian
Jacob Singer
Rhonda Farber
David Bress
Joanne Cornbleet
th
7
Harley Sauvage
Dan Weltsch
Cheryl Graubart
Eden Jamtgaard
8th
Jussi Rajna
9th
Daniel Gavens
Mark Levine
Debbie Cohen
Nathan Gilford
10th
Neal Kuhn
Frank Yashar
11th
Tal Lavian
Allen Rosenzweig
Lee Stone
12th
Wendy Harris
13th
Susannah Pfalzer
14th
Michael Slain
th
15
Arielle Bendahan
15th
Alexander Drukarev
Alison Ruebusch
Thomas Abel
16th
Ann Greenspan
Eli Goodman
Myrna Gluck
17th
Ravital Prokter
Natalie Spielvogel
Stephen Rock
Abigail Prokter
18th
Donald Field
Nimrod Tzori
Noa Har-el
Marcia Kaplan
Daniel Skilken
Michael Schaffer
th
19
David Abada
Michael Gold
19th
Sharon Abada
David Pennypacker
20th
Stanley Katz
Arthur Singer
Christel Sanders
Anna Tseitlin
21st
Susan Feinberg
22nd
Samuel Kogan
Elliana Pogrebinsky
Rhonda Raider
Riva Rubnitz
Herman Stern
Eli Harari
rd
23
Howard May
Joe Vela
Judy Applesmith
Miriam Tardos
24th
Donna Frankel
Letty Block
25th
Michael Rock
26th
Sherman Golub
Paul Freudenthal
Anna Drabovskaya
Leonid Veksler
27th
Rebecca Holtzman
Gaelle Glickfield
28th
Donald Fernandez
Linda Brummer
29th
Benjamin Clement
Howard Sussman
30th
Richard Dorsay
Sydnie Davis
N. Howard Blumstein
Anniversaries
We wish the following members a happy anniversary. Be sure to attend the Saturday,
April 26th Ruah Rally (following services) for a special anniversary blessing.
1st
Robert & Janice Torczyner
Michael & Sylvia Meltzer
18th
Andrew & Susan Raider
6th
Joel & Myrtle Schwartz
20th
Mikhail & Zhanna Movshovich
Jacob & Karen Deloumi
10th
Michael & Jeanette Parmett
14th
Herzel & Bonnie Ashkenazi
15
Ron & Susan Maltiel
th
21st
Karate & Deborah Vick
Richard & Joan Silberstein
28th
Bryan & Jan Ferguson
28
Contributions
Contributions are vital to the life of our community. We acknowledge the gifts received between
February 1, 2014 through February 28, 2014, from the following individuals and families
Annual Campaign
Congregation Beth David Fund (Continued)
In memory of my mother, Chaja Kulisz, from Anna
Kraus
In memory of my brother-in-law, Sidney Helfand, from
Sheila Weisberg
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
your husband & uncle, Hy Ramm, from Harry &
Joanne Cornbleet
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
your husband & uncle, Hy Ramm, from Stephen &
Lynne Kinsey
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
your husband & uncle, Hy Ramm, from Neal & Ricki
Gafter
Congregation Beth David, from Arkady & Larisa Gorsky
Congregation Beth David, for refuah scheleimah, from Igor
Gopp & Marina Arshanskaya
Congregation Beth David Anniversary
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in loving
memory of your husband & uncle, Hy Ramm, from
Edward & Eleanor Kiss
Congregation Beth David Bible and Siddur
and Mahzor Fund
In memory of my mother, Bess Gandel, from Martin
Gandel
Congregation Beth David Endowment Fund
Lynne Kinsey, in memory of your mother, Eunice
Coleman, from David & Deborah Hoffman
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
your husband & uncle, Hy Ramm, from Herman &
Phyllis Burdman
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
our husband & uncle, Hy Ramm, from David &
Deborah Hoffman
Congregation Beth David Fund
In memory of my father, David I. Bernstein, from
Roberta Schwartz
In memory of my father, Harvey Flieder, from Sheryl
Rattner
In memory of my mother, Anne Daniel, from Gerald
Daniel
In memory of my mother-in-law, Rena Preis, from Dr.
William Hubka
In memory of my father, Robert Seymon, from Jane
Jacobson
In memory of my mother, Rozalya Glikshteyn, from
Yelena Yatskar
In memory of my mother, Eva Yatskar, from Avraam
Yatskar
In memory of my father, John Mendel, from David
Mendel
Aggie Margolis, in celebration of Papa Aggie's 95
Birthday, from Martin & Nancy Newman
Lynne Kinsey, in memory of your mother, Eunice
Coleman, from Gerald Daniel
Lynne Kinsey, in memory of your mother, Eunice
Coleman, from Harry & Joanne Cornbleet
Kiddush Lunch Fund
Sponsor Kiddush on January 18, 2014 for Sisterhood
Shabbat, from CBD Sisterhood.
Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on February 15, 2014, in honor
of Anael's birthday, from Omid Khakshoor & Carla
Navarro
Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on February 15, 2014 in memory
of my husband, Arnie Addison, from Cookie Addison
Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on February 15, 2014 in memory
of my father, Arnie Addison, from Robin Sabes
Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on March 15, 2014 in honor of
Hadassah Shabbat, from Sharone Hadassah
Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on March 15, 2014 in honor of
Hadassah Shabbat, from Mark & Bette Emanuel.
Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on March 15, 2014 in honor of
Hadassah Shabbat, from Herman & Penina Stern
Sponsor Kiddush lunch, Passover Day 1, from Arieh &
Rama Strod.
Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on March 15, 2014 in honor of
Hadassah Shabbat, from Franklyn & Harriet Weiss
In memory of my mother, Hannah S. Pass, from Joel
Schwartz
In memory of Victor Cordovsky, Sonya Donde, Grigoy
Mishulovich, Roza Cherfos, from Kira Steelhammer
In memory of my uncle, George Steinberger, from Linda
Brummer
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
your loving husband & uncle, Hy, from Dr. Jack Moore
& Bonnie Slavitt Moore
Louis Dombro, in honor of the birth of your greatgranddaughter, Lydia, from Dr. Jack Moore & Bonnie
Slavitt Moore
Louis Dombro, mazal tov on the birth of your greatgranddaughter, Lydia, from Vivian Herman
29
Contributions (Continued)
Kiddush Lunch Fund (Continued)
Rabbi Pressman Discretionary Fund (Continued)
Lynne Kinsey, in memory of your mother, Eunice
Coleman, from Charles & Miriam Marr
Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in memory of Joel Pressman, from
Steven & Rita Schlosser
In memory of my beloved father, Harry Lazarus, from
Shelley Taboh
In memory of my grandfather, Israel Checkman, from
Harvey Checkman
In
memory
of my grandfather, Paul Resnick, from
March of the Living Fund
Harvey
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz & Families, in
Checkman
loving memory of your husband & uncle, Hy Ramm,
from Leonard & Sylvia Metz
Jacob Ouzillou, in honor of your bar mitzvah, from Judith
Gedalia
Milton Itzkowitz Fund for Emigres
Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in memory of your beloved
In memory of my father, Alfred F. Marr, from Charles &
brother, Joel Pressman, from Harvey & Ina Checkman
Miriam Marr
Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in honor of the birth of your
Operations Discretionary Fund
newest grandchildren, Nathan and Avital, from
In memory of my cousin, Arnold Dworkin, from Beryl
Harvey & Ina Checkman
Zimberoff
Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in memory of your brother, Joel,
Rabbi Ohriner Discretionary Fund
from Steven & Andrea Linder
In memory of my beloved mother, Elizabeth Lazarus, from Rabbi Daniel Pressman, mazal tov on the births of
Shelley Taboh
granddaughter Avital and grandson Nathan, from
In memory of my mother-in-law, Esfir Pavlivker, from
Steven & Andrea Linder
Yakov Agroskin
Bonnie Ashkenazi, in memory of your mother, Blanche
In memory of my father, Khalil Tabibian, from Rami
Lindenbaum, from Steven & Andrea Linder
Tabibian
Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in honor of Melissa, our future
In memory of my mother, Lucille Gould, from Susan
daughter-in-law's conversion to Judaism, from Michael
Gould
& Elaine Hamilton
In memory of our daughter, Tammy Toth, from Christopher Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in loving
& Susan Toth
memory of Hy Ramm, from Rhonda Farber
In memory of my father, Robert Cooper, from Bettina
Rama Strod Education Fund
Rosenberg
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
In memory of my father, Aron Guberman, from Dina
your husband & uncle, Hy Ramm, from Barry & Linda
Fayngold & Anatoly Guberman
Brummer
Sandra Mayer & Morrie Kirschen, in loving memory of
Religious School & Hebrew High Scholarship
your mother and wife, Harriette Kirschen, from Rami
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
Tabibian & Susan Gould
Hy Ramm, from Steven & Rita Schlosser
Howard Pomerantz, in memory of your mother, Estelle
Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library Fund
Pomerantz, from Rami Tabibian & Susan Gould
Rabbi Philip & Rabbi Shoshana Ohriner, in honor of Eli's
In memory of Abe's sister, Gloria Oldsman, from
upsherin, from Christopher & Susan Toth
Abe & Bayla Bromberg
Rabbi Philip Ohriner, for unveiling of Tammy Toth, from
In memory of Rose Bromberg, from Abe & Bayla
Christopher & Susan Toth
Bromberg
Rabbi Philip Ohriner, in honor of Melissa, our future
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of
daughter-in-law's conversion to Judaism, from Michael
Hy Ramm, from Fay Levinson & Joe Vela
& Elaine Hamilton
Social Action Committee
Rabbi Philip Ohriner, in honor of Melissa's conversion,
Richard & Dorothy Dorsay, in honor of your 50th
from Sam Hamilton & Melissa Seyedin
anniversary, from Adam & Aurianne Dorsay
Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, in memory of Hy
Varadi Youth Education Fund
Ramm, from Arye & Barbara Green
Sandra Mayer & Morrie Kirschen, in memory of Harriette Thelma Ramm & Rabbi Alan Berkowitz & Families, in
memory of Hy Ramm, from Andrew & Judith Varadi
Kirschen, from Arye & Barbara Green
Rabbi Philip Ohriner, from Barbara Adelberg
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Support CBD
Note: This form has been shortened for space needs, for a complete list of designated funds please see the online D’var or phone the office.
Donor(s): (If donor is a Beth David member, you may leave address blank)
Name____________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________
Street
City
State
Zip
In honor/memory of _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________
Acknowledge this donation to: (If acknowledgement goes to a Beth David member, you may leave address blank)
Name____________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________
Street
City
State
Zip
Additional Message:_________________________________________________________________________________
□ I do NOT wish to have my donation acknowledged in the D’var
Donation Amount: $_________or check one of the following: ____$18
____$36
____$72
____$108
______ Congregation Beth David Fund
____ Myuchad Fund (Special Needs Program)
______ Beth David Endowment
____ March of the Living Scholarship Fund
______ Kiddush Oneg
____ Balk Family Camp Scholarship Fund
______ Annual Campaign
____ Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library Fund
______ Capital Campaign
Discretionary Funds (please specify):
____ Religious School/Hebrew High Scholarship Fund
____ Rabbi Daniel Pressman
____ Rabbi Philip Ohriner
____ Bible and Siddur Fund
____ Religious School Principal
____ Hebrew High Principal
Billing: (Choose One)
____ Check/payment attached, please process directly.
____ Bill my account for the above amount and process immediately. Account # ________________
We appreciate your donations!
Mitzvah a Month
Jewish Family Services Project N.O.A.H.
Passover Food Drive Through April 7th
Help JFS collect and distribute Passover Food to families and seniors in our community. Donate non-perishable,
Kosher for Passover food items: gefilte fish, horseradish, jam, candies, matzah ball soup mix, latke mix, potato
starch, grape juice, macaroons, cookies, dried fruit (pre-bagged or pre-boxed), matzo meal, cake meal, and tea.
Look for food collection bin in CBD lobby.
Help Keep Minyan Alive
We invite you to look at your schedules and commit to attending at least one minyan during the week. Minyans
are held Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Monday – Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a Special Musical Minyan the First Tuesday of the Month
This Minyan incorporates the uplifting melodies of Debbie Freidman and Craig Taubman into the traditional
service to create an enhanced, spiritual experience.
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Congregation Beth David
19700 Prospect Road
Saratoga, CA 95070-3352
Change service requested
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 94
Cupertino, CA
Visit our website at: www.beth-david.org
Please email dvar@beth-david.org if you do not wish
to receive this printed newsletter in the future
Congregational Meeting – April 20th – See Flyer Inside on Page 15
ZmiRkudiya Performance
Sunday, May 4th – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join us we celebrate Israel’s 66th birthday featuring a music and
dance performance by the Religious School kids and Israeli food.
The event will begin with a Yom HaZikaron commemoration.
New Member Shabbat
Saturday, May 10th – 9:30 a.m.
Join us as we welcome our 5774 new CBD members with Shabbat
honors. Following services they will be joining us for Kiddush lunch.
Let’s give them a warm CBD welcome!
Conversations in Jewish Learning:
Current Issues Affecting Israel and the Middle East
Tuesday, May 20th – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Newly-appointed Israeli Deputy Consul General Eyal Naor discusses
external and internal developments affecting Israel. A small donation to Adult
Education is requested at this presentation.
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