SAVE THE DATE - Temple Beth Abraham

the
Volume
March
T E M P L E
Vo lume 35 , Num be r 7
B E T H
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M a rc h 2 0 1 6
TBA School’s Auction Goes to the Prom - 80s Style
More photos on pages 6 & 7
A B R A H A M
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A d a r 1 / A d a r 2 57 7 6
Adar /
DIRECTORY
SERVICES SCHEDULE
Services, Location, Time
Monday & Thursday
Morning Minyan, Chapel, 8:00 a.m.
On Holidays, start time is 9:00 a.m.
Friday Evening
(Kabbalat Shabbat), Chapel, 6:15 p.m.
Shabbat Morning, Sanctuary, 9:30 a.m.
Candle Lighting (Friday)
March 4
5:48
March 11
5:55
March 18
7:02
March 25
7:08
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
Torah Portions (Saturday)
March 5
Vayakhel
March 12
Pekudei
March 19
Vayikra
March 26
Tzav
TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM
is proud to support the Conservative
Movement by affiliating with The United
Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Advertising Policy: Anyone may sponsor an issue
of The Omer and receive a dedication for their
business or loved one. Contact us for details. We
do not accept outside or paid advertising.
The Omer is published on paper that is 30%
post-consumer fibers.
The Omer (USPS 020299) is published monthly
except July and August by Congregation Beth
Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The
Omer, c/o Temple Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid
Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610-3232.
© 2016. Temple Beth Abraham.
The Omer is published by Temple Beth Abraham,
a non-profit, located at 336 Euclid Avenue,
Oakland, CA 94610; telephone (510) 832-0936. It
is published monthly except for the months of July
and August for a total of ten issues per annum. It
is sent as a requester publication and there is no
paid distribution.
To view The Omer in color,
visit www.tbaoakland.org.
i
GENERAL INFORMATION:
All phone numbers use (510) prefix unless otherwise noted.
Mailing Address
336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610
Hours
M-Th: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fr: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Office Phone
832-0936
Office Fax
832-4930
E-Mail
info@tbaoakland.org
Gan Avraham
763-7528
Bet Sefer
663-1683
STAFF
Rabbi (x 213)
Mark Bloom
Richard Kaplan,
Cantor
kaplanmusic@hotmail.com
Gabbai
Marshall Langfeld
Executive Director (x 214) Rayna Arnold
Office Manager (x 210)
Virginia Tiger
Bet Sefer Director
Susan Simon 663-1683
Gan Avraham Director
Jill Rosenthal & Marta Molina
Bookkeeper (x 215)
Kevin Blattel
Facilities Manager (x 211) Joe Lewis
Kindergym/
Dawn Margolin 547-7726
Toddler Program
Volunteers (x 229)
Herman & Agnes Pencovic
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD
President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Mark Fickes 652-8545
Eric Friedman 984-2575
Alice Hale 336-3044
Laura Wildmann 601-9571
Etta Heber 530-8320
JB Leibovitch 653-7133
Susan Shub 852-2500
COMMITTEES & ORGANIZATIONS: If you would like to contact the committee chairs, please contact the synagogue
office for phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
Adult Education
Chesed
Development
Dues Evaluation
Endowment Fund
Finance
Gan Avraham Parents
Gan Avraham School
Committee
House
Israel Affairs
Membership
Men’s Club
Omer
Personnel
Public Relations
Ritual
Schools
Social Action
Torah Fund
Women of TBA
Youth
Aaron Paul
Warren Gould
Leon Bloomfield & Flo Raskin
Susan Shub
Charles Bernstein
Susan Shub
Toni Mason & Lauren Smith
Gary Bernstein
Stephen Shub
JB Leibovitch
Ulli Rotzscher
Jereme Albin
Lisa Fernandez/Rachel Dornhelm
Laura Wildmann
Lisa Fernandez
Eric Friedman
Alice Hale
Marc Bruner
Anne Levine
Molli Rothman & Jessica Sterling
open
WHAT’S HAPPENING
MAH JONGG
Join us on the second Shabbat
of the month as we gather
in the Chapel after Kiddush.
March 12
ADULT EDUCATION
THIS MONTH:
Continuing on March 6 and 13, Rabbi Art Gould will
be teaching a class on Talmud Brakhot. The Talmud
contains the oral law and the multiple layers of
discussions about each of the topics. The Talmud
is broken up into six sedarim or orders and each
of those is further broken down. The first of these
orders is brakhot and covers, you guessed it,
blessings. It starts with the shema and moves onto
the amidah, blessings for food and birkhat hamazon,
kiddush, havdalah and more.
COME BUILD JERUSALEM
Using 70,000 LEGO blocks
Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
Reservations are required!!! susan@tbaoakland.org
Building Blocks Workshops. Under the direction
of Stephen W. Schwartz AIA, Architect
Stephen will lead everyone in the construction of a
400 square foot LEGO model of the entire old city of
Jerusalem including the walls, the gates, the Kotel, the
Beit Hamikdosh, David’s tower, the Montifiore windmill
and 80 buildings within the walls.
This workshop is great for children in 3rd through 6th
grades. We have a limited number of spots for children
age 5, 6 and 7 who can come with a parent.
This workshop has been fully paid for by contributions
made at the TBA Auction as well as by very generous,
anonymous donors. We thank you for your gifts!!!
10:00 a.m. in the Chapel for this exciting opportunity.
March 20th - Nily Shiryon will be back in the U.S.
and teaching us about
PESACH: TWELVE O’CLOCK AND ALL IS
WELL…
What is the secret to keeping children – and anyone,
for that matter—interested and at the Seder table,
rather than bored and under it, tying people’s shoes
together? Is it by getting through the Haggadah as fast
as possible, or can it actually be by slowing down?
What to do and how to do it.
This class is just in time for Seder planning so come
and join us—Nily is a wonderful speaker and feels a
special bond with our community.
Reading of the Megillah
March 23 6:15 p.m.
Sanctuary, TBA
10:00 a.m. in the Chapel.
SAVE THE DATES – NEXT MONTH:
April 17 - Nitzhia Shaked will be returning for a
one day class on Pesach from Biblical Times to the
Present. Come and learn about how the holiday has
evolved into what we celebrate today.
10:00 a.m. in the Chapel.
Raza de Shabbat
with Cantor Kaplan
March 25 7:30 p.m.
TBA, in the Chapel
See PAGE 8 for events for Women of TBA and Men’s Club
1
FROM THE RABBI
Jewish Renewal in Poland
When people hear the words “Jewish Renewal” in the United States, they tend to associate
those words with meditation or a particular movement. In Poland, where over 40 members
of our congregation will be visiting this summer, it means something very different.
Approximately 3,000,000 Polish Jews perished in the Holocaust, wiping out almost 90% of
the Jewish population there. The few who were lucky enough to survive emigrated to Israel,
the United States, Australia, and many other places
around the globe. It was assumed that Jewish life in
Poland was gone, never to be heard from again.
Instead, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Jewish life
is experiencing a true renewal. JCC’s have sprung up
and are thriving in Warsaw and Krakow. Synagogues
have been restored in those cities and even in other
smaller towns throughout Poland. There is now a Hillel
for college students, and they are beginning to build a
preschool for the youngest students. There is a Jewish
festival in Krakow held every summer where thousands
of Polish people flock to, both Jewish and non Jewish.
As hard as it is to believe for those who witnessed
the Holocaust, Poland is, quite possibly, the least
anti-Semitic country in all of Europe. Today’s Polish
Jewish community receives a great deal of support by
the Polish government. Many non-Jewish Poles consider themselves Judeo-philes. One of the rabbis in
Poland reports that, several times a week, he meets with
someone who proudly discovers that they have Jewish
ancestry and wants to reclaim their Jewish heritage for
themselves.
This is a Jewish community that we thought was permanently relegated to the pages of history books. Yet, here
we are, a true story of true Jewish renewal. I can’t wait
to meet more of this community in June.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark Bloom
Learn Torah with Rabbi Bloom & other TBAers
Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Woodminster Cafe.
No knowledge of Hebrew is required.
2
FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Sabbatical Year Is A Time for People and the Land to Rest
and Renew
By Mark P. Fickes
Every seven years, Jews celebrate the Sh’mita, or Sabbatical Year. Like Shabbat, the
Sh’mita provides us the opportunity to grow spiritually and experience the unity of
Creation. It also allows us to reflect on how we related to the Earth. The concept of the
Sh’mita seems so relevant today given the stress the modern world puts on our lives and
on our planet.
The Torah says, “and the land shall rest a Sabbath to G-d.” This occurs by people refraining from planting, pruning, plowing, harvesting or engaging in any other form of working the land. The second commandment of Sh’mita is that all seventh-year produce
is ownerless and free. The third commandment is for Jews to cancel outstanding debt
obligations between each other. The fourth commandment is to sanctify all seventh-year
produce by handling it respectfully, consuming it completely, and not doing any business
with it.
Sh’mita helps us realize that the Earth is not merely some resource to be used and
abused; rather, we must give the land time to rest and renew. If we want to live on the
land, we must be its stewards and care for it. This time of rest and renewal can help us
reflect on the sanctity in our food, and help us reconnect with the G-d as the source of
all things. Resting and relinquishing ownership can give us greater insight into the modern world. We get the opportunity to free ourselves from the constant pursuit of material
goods and the illusion that they signify our value in this world.
The last Sh’mita year began on Rosh Hashanah 5775 (September 2014). So, while the
next one is till nearly six years away, it is not too soon to consider the ways in which
we can all find opportunities to rest and renew. The values of Sh’mita can enrich our
thinking every day, not just during the Sh’mita year. In reflecting on the Earth and our
relationship to it, there are so many opportunities to renew. Some might consider eating
more healthy, organic and local food, in order to connect ourselves to the land where we
live. In this way, our efforts at rest and renewal can help us reach for the ideal – a vision
that can move us to treat the world around us with the care it deserves.
Please Join Us for Morning Minyan
on Mondays & Thursdays
Join the regulars at our Minyan service, each Monday and
Thursday usually starting at 8:00 a.m. The service lasts
about an hour, and is really a great way to start the day. As
an added bonus, breakfast is served immediately afterwards.
To use the old expression – try it, you’ll like it. If not as a regular, just stop in once or twice and see what it’s all about.
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THANK YOU
EDITORS COLUMN
Thank You For 1980s Schools Auction Turnout
By Elizabeth James
Like, oh my God: TBA brought back the ‘80s on Jan. 30 with the 16th annual Spring Social and Auction to benefit
TBA schools. The social hall was transformed into a totally tubular 1980s prom fantasy with vinyl records, cassette
tapes, and super rad shimmering walls. DJ heyLove spun some radical tunes while TBA members rocked out in their
most bodacious prom outfits – sequins, sequins, and more sequins. The event drew 200 guests and more than $34,000.
A shoutout to everyone who made the night possible: Our very own pregnant prom queen – Angela Engel, her slammin’ prom committee – Toni Mason, Roberta Masliyah, Becky Shahvar Brown, and Elizabeth James, Jason Edelstein
– our awesome auctioneer, the Men’s Club for keeping the Bartles and James flowing all night long, Jing Piser for her
tasty treats, Rayna Arnold and all the TBA staff for being generally amazing, Riva Pollard for designing our catalog,
and all the volunteers who worked check-in and check-out, who decorated the day before, who sold raffle tickets and
ran childcare, all the solicitors who got us some amazing items, all the donors who dug deep, our Gan and Bet Sefer
staff who work so hard every day, and all the attendees who made our night so special. We raised a terrific amount of
money for the Gan and Bet Sefer and everyone had an awesome time. You rock, TBA!
Exercise and Religion: Both Can Make You Feel
Renewed
By Lisa Fernandez
Exercise and religion. Both can make you feel renewed.
Here’s a story that embodies both.
One Shabbos in March, I had just finished teaching an
8 a.m. spin class at the Club at the Claremont.
I had showered and changed into a black, sporty dress, on my way
out to a bar mitzvah (I won’t say whose). I was almost out the door
when the club manager told me that the 9 a.m. teacher was a no-show.
I popped my head in. About 25 club members were already on their
bikes, waiting for class to begin and the teacher was not answering her
phone. I sprung into action.
(There’s nothing worse than not having your teacher not show up for
class and I felt a mitzvah was in order here despite the fact that yes, I
was teaching a spin class on Shabbat.)
I strapped on my cycling shoes and taught the entire class in my dress.
The class was super happy and grateful. Mitzvah accomplished!
Then, it was religion time. I raced home, (didn’t shower) and threw on
a purple version of the same dress. I made it to the bar mitzvah a bit
late, but not so late that I missed the Torah or Rabbi Bloom’s sermon.
THE OMER
We cheerfully accept member submissions. Deadline for articles and letters is the seventh of the month
preceding publication.
Editor in Chief Rachel Dornhelm
Managing Editor Lisa Fernandez
Layout & Design Jessica Sterling
Calendars Jon Golding
Cover Photo Collage
B’nai Mitzvah Editor Susan Simon
Help From People like you!
4
Copy Editors
Jessica Dell’Era, Nadine Joseph, Richard Kauffman, Lori
Rosenthal, Jan Silverman, Debbie Spangler
June Brott, Jessica Dell’Era, Charles Feltman, Elizabeth
Proofreaders James, Jeanne Korn, Anne Levine, Susan Simon, Debbie
Spangler
Distribution Hennie Hecht
Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610
E-Mail omer@tbaoakland.org
CSA BOX SIGN UP
SIX WORD MEMOIRS
Community Supported Agriculture: CSA for TBA?
By Shosh Blackman
Do you want to follow Michael Pollan’s recommendation to “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants”? Do you want to
eat in a way that is sustainable and helps renew your health and the planet? Then consider signing up for a TBA CSA
subscription. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a way to get a weekly box of fresh, seasonal, organic produce
from a local farm.
My family has been CSA subscribers for over 20 years, and our pickup spot is our local elementary school. Our CSA
box of vegetables and fruit comes from Full Belly Farm near Davis. In addition to the box, we receive a weekly newsletter with recipes and stories about the owners and workers. Subscribers are even invited to camp out at the Farm, whenever they want. When our kids were little we’d party at the farm’s annual October Hoes Down Festival with a straw bale
maze, flower head wreath assembly, local live music and swimming in the river. We appreciate that it takes all of 5 minutes to pick up our produce – we bring a bag into which we empty our CSA box. It’s fresh and delicious, and we know
we’re helping our family’s health and the environment.
Keep in mind that our family needs to supplement -- the box is generally not enough for the
week. And the produce might not vary enough
for some folks. During the winter there are a
lot of greens and root veggies (which we consider a fun cooking challenge), with the variety
increasing in late spring and summer. But, the
produce we get is organic and local, generally
fresher than what we find in the grocery store.
If you are curious about or interested in this
opportunity or just have questions please email
us at shosh@blachman.org. We need at least
30 subscribers to make the TBA CSA pick-up
point happen. Subscription costs range from
$16 to $18 per box, depending upon how many
weeks you commit to and prepay.
Six-Word Memoirs: Renewal
Compiled by Jessica Teisch
Shabbat gives renewal to me weekly.
Renewed, refreshed, revitalized, it’s called Shabbat.
-Karen Bloom, newly 46
Crisis of conscience, scrub, don’t flub.
-Kate Flick Garcia, age 66
Hapuna Beach waves crashing renews spirits.
El Nino’s drenching rain eases drought.
Attend March DC AIPAC, fight BDS.
Practice mindfulness, accept life’s imperfect flow.
Plant a tree for Tu B’Shevat!
-Ann Rapson, celebrating 61
In coming issues please send us your six word memoirs
to Jessica Teisch at j.teisch@sbcglobal.net with the word
“six word memoir” in the subject line. Please include
your name and your age, because part of the beauty is
seeing how we feel about Judaism at different ages.
The Six-Word Memoirs on Jewish Life is a partnership
between Reboot (www.rebooters.net) and Larry Smith.
In November 2006, writer and editor Larry Smith issued
a challenge to fans of his online publication, SMITH
Magazine. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s legendary
shortest of short stories (“For sale: Baby shoes, never
worn”), Smith asked readers to describe their lives in six
words. Since then, the Six-Word Memoir® made its debut
in 2006, nearly one million short life stories have been
shared on the storytelling community SMITH Magazine
website.
I woke up, and saw potential.
The Three P’s— Passion, Persistence, Persuasion.
-Andrew Gordon
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TBA SCHOOLS AUCTION - JANUARY 30
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TBA SCHOOLS AUCTION - JANUARY 30
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WOMEN OF TBA, OUR SISTERHOOD
MEN’S CLUB
A BIG Thank You
to the Women
who Organized our
Women of TBA
Shabbat
Amy Tessler, Lynn Langfield, Outi Gould, Treya Weintraub & Jessica Sterling
Girls Night Out!
Girlfriend Sex Talk
We welcome Xanet Pailet, a sex and intimacy
coach and creator of Girlfriend Sex Talk, for
schmoozing, wine, and a discussion about what’s
working…and not working in your sex life…
and how to make it better! This is an informal
conversation, just amongst us girls and Xanet
will give us some of her best tips and answer all
of your questions.
Thursday, March 3
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Baum Center: 341 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
Girls Night Out is a casual, monthly event to
gather TBA women together for relaxed and
unstructured social time.
FREE.
RSVP requested but not required to:
Jo: joilfeld@me.com
Lara: laragilman@me.com.
Sponsored by WTBA &
Oakland Ruach Hadassah
Rosh
Chodesh
Monday,
March 14
On behalf of The Women of TBA (WTBA) and
Oakland Ruach Hadassah, we would like to invite
all East Bay Women to join our Rosh Chodesh
group.
The group meets monthly on the Monday close to
Rosh Chodesh, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at rotating
members’ homes. The meetings are facilitated by
members of the group.
Our new book is The Grammar of God by Aviya
Kushner The meeting will open with a short discussion about the significance of the new month.
Questions? Amy Tessler at abtessler@comcast.net
or (510) 482-1218 to get on the distribution list for
the upcoming meeting locations. FREE.
Men’s Club Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 17, 7 PM: Men’s Club Poker
Saturday, April 2, 9:30 AM: Men’s Club Shabbat
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PURIM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Fun Volunteer Opportunities for Purim
Baking, Basket Assembly and Delivery
Purim is just around the corner and we need over 100 volunteers to pack and
deliver our Mishloach Manot baskets to our entire congregation.
We are also baking Hamentashen this year in our new kitchen with Jing!
If you can do any of the following, please contact Amy Tessler
at abtessler@comcast.net or call 510-482-1218
March 14-18
• Hamentaschen Baking in the TBA kitchen for two or more hours on: Day
Time
Monday, March 14
Wednesday, March 16
Thursday, March 17
Friday, March 18
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
March 20
• Basket assembly: Social Hall, from 8:30 - 10:00ish a.m.
• Basket pickup/delivery: Social Hall, starting at 9:00 a.m. - 11:30ish a.m.
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COMMUNITY EVENT
Stand With Us Event at TBA
About 200 people attended the Stand With Us event at
Temple Beth Abraham on Saturday, February 27.
Roseanne Barr shared her personal journey to becoming a supporter of Israel, in conversation with Dr. Lenny
Kristal, well-known local advocate for Israel and former
radio talk show host in London.
SAVE THE DATE
East Bay
Tikkun Olam Chessed Day
April 10
YES, the opportunity you have been waiting
for! We can repair the world! Join Jews from
around the East Bay on Sunday, April 10, as
we engage in over 10 different chessed activities ranging from outdoor projects with Urban
Adamah and Redwood Regional Park to working with seniors. Activities scheduled throughout the day. Sign-up available shortly.
Leadership positions for some of the projects
are also available for that day.
Roseanne Barr and Rabbi Bloom
Contact Rachel Goldstone for more information:
rachelgoldstone@comcast.net.
Live Streaming Try it, you’ll like it!
By Naomi Applebaum
What is live streaming? Through your computer, you can hear any event as it’s going on in our TBA Main
Sanctuary. Events include: Shabbat Services, High Holiday Services, Weddings, B’nai Mitzvahs, etc. You, our
members, your friends or relatives near or far who might not be able to attend a service or event can connect to the
audio on the TBA website and listen to the entire event while it’s in progress. Just remember, at this time we have
only listening capability. Visual is not yet available.
To connect:
online go to www.tbaoakland.org
Once on the webpage, click “for live streaming” at the top of the page.
To follow our Shabbat Service, you might want to order a Siddur from the TBA office.
10
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The Tale of the Emmas: The Power of a
Name
By Madeline Weinstein
This is a tale of serendipity, of paths intersecting and
stories coming full circle. It is also a story demonstrating
the power of a name.
At High Holiday services last year, congregant Emma
Rosenthal was looking through the Yahrzeit booklet,
scanning the names of those whose lives had been
remembered. Suddenly she was startled at seeing the
name of Emma Rothenberg, remembered by yours truly,
her granddaughter.
Emma Rosenthal and her roommate (ANOTHER Emma)
were renting a house in North Oakland whose original
owner had been an Emma Rothenberg. The landlord of
the property had shown the two young Emmas the deed
when he rented to them, being charmed by the notion that
the house would once again be filled with more Emmas.
Could the Emma Rothenberg in the Yarhzeit booklet, and
the one listed on the deed, be one and the same? There
was only one way to find out.
Emma Rosenthal contacted her mother Lori, who in turn
contacted me, upon which a match was made. Emma
Rothenberg was indeed one and the same – my grandmother and the original owner of Emma Rosenthal’s
home. My two sisters and I grew up in the house right
next door. A flurry of e-mails began. I notified my sisters and subsequently the word went out to all of their
children and grandchildren. EVERYONE wanted an
opportunity to go down memory lane to revisit their
warm memories from the matriarch of their family.
Would the two Emmas currently in residence at the house
allow them that opportunity? The request was made,
graciously accepted, and a date for the visit was set.
The big day came and the Rothenberg/Roth clan arrived,
including great-great granddaughter,
Jemma, who was named after Emma.
To add to the coincidences we found
out that Jemma, a student at Portland
Jewish Day School, was attending the
same school where Emma Rosenthal’s
roommate had been a graduate! (Of
additional note, my oldest granddaughter, Maud Emma also carries Emma’s
namesake). Dinner and a big tray of
rugelach (Grandma Emma’s specialty)
was enjoyed by all along with many
shared stories. Everyone visiting
seemed to have a different favorite
memory from the house and it was
fabulous to once again be inside the
Emma Rothenberg
home where so many wonderful family dinners had taken
place decades ago.
As a parting gift our family presented the two current
Emmas of the house with a framed photo of Emma
Rothenberg. Emma Rosenthal had previously remarked
that she and her roommate had felt the presence of our
grandmother in their house (long before they knew the
connection to our family) and they had jokingly asked
each other “what would Emma do” whenever they had a
concern. Now they could look directly at her picture and
call up her wisdom with any future dilemmas.
May Emma’s memory (all of them) continue to be a
blessing.
11
COOKING
Cooking A to Za’atar
By Faith Kramer
If I was writing a book about Jewish cooking from A to
Z, za’atar would probably be the last entry, but the mix of
herbs and seeds is one I often reach for first when I want
to give foods a Middle Eastern flavor boost.
Za’atar (also spelled zatar or zahtar) as we know it in
the U.S. is a for a woodsy and nutty mix of dried herbs
and sesame seeds and sometimes other spices. In the
Middle East, the word also refers to a type of hyssop,
an herb botanically related to oregano and marjoram.
Many za’atar mixes include the dried, powdered hyssop. Hyssop (or eizov) is mentioned in the Torah for its
medicinal properties. The herb has antiantimicrobial and
antioxidant compounds. Its minty, slightly bitter taste
made it the original karpas, or bitter herb of the Pesach
seder.
In addition to or in place of the Levantine hyssop, the
mixes include dried, powdered oregano, thyme, marjoram and sesame seeds. Some versions also include salt,
ground cumin (which adds an earthy note), and or ground
sumac (a dried red berry with a slightly sour taste).
Za’atar mixes are available in small boxes or bottles in
some larger or speciality supermarkets. Middle Eastern
markets often carry the mix in larger size, less expensive
bags. It is also easy to make your own (see recipe section). The mixes available commercially are generally
what is known as “green za’atar,” which appears green in
color and may include a small amount of sumac. There is
also “red za’atar” which refers to a mix that is mostly red
and includes a much larger amount of sumac. It is popular in Jordan. If a recipe just refers to “za’atar” use the
green variety.
Za’atar can be used as is, sprinkled on top of salads,
yogurt, fresh cheese and cooked meats or vegetables.
Or mix it to taste with olive oil, lemon juice and
perhaps some minced garlic and use it as a
marinade or rub for chicken or vegetables, as a salad dressing, or as a topping or mix-in for hummus. Brush
on top of flatbreads before baking
or reheating.
12
GIL MARK’S ZA’ATAR MIX
(ADAPTED FROM THE
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF JEWISH FOOD)
Makes about 2/3 cup
3 Tbs. sesame seeds
1 Tbs. dried, ground marjoram
1 Tbs. dried, ground thyme
1 Tbs. dried, ground oregano
2 Tbs. ground sumac
2 tsp. salt (optional)
Heat dry fry pan over medium heat. Toast
seeds, shaking pan often until golden,
about 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and
let seeds cool. Combine the seeds with the
marjoram, thyme, oregano, sumac and salt
(if using) in a spice grinder (or use a
throughly cleaned coffee mill). Grind.
Store air tight at room temperature container for up to 60 days.
Note: If you have access to dried Israeli
or other Levantine hyssop, substitute it
for all or part of the dried marjoram,
thyme and or oregano.
ZA’ATAR DRESSING OR MARINADE
Makes about 1/2 cup
This versatile dressing is the starting
point for a lot of kitchen experimentation. Try marinating chicken thighs in
it before grilling, or try the Roasted
Za’atar Vegetables recipe.
1 Tbs. za’atar mix
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest
1 Tbs. water
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper, or to
taste
Mix za’atar, oil, juice, zest and water
together. Let rest 10 minutes. Stir
in salt and pepper. Taste and
correct seasonings. Mix well
immediately before using.
COOKING
ROASTED ZA’ATAR VEGETABLES
Serves 4
Feel free to substitute any fresh vegetable or vegetable combinations. If vegetable roasting times differ, be sure to
marinate and roast them in separate pans.
1 recipe Za’atar Dressing, divided
6-7 cups prepared, sliced vegetables
(I used about 5 cups stemmed and
quartered Brussels sprouts and about
2 cups red and yellow bell peppers cut
into 1/4" slices.)
1 pint cherry tomatoes
Oil or oil spray
Salt and black pepper to taste
Marinate the Brussels sprouts and peppers
in about ¾ of the dressing mixture and
the tomatoes separately in the remaining
mixture for about a half hour. Heat oven
to 450 degrees. Grease two rimmed baking
trays. Pour the Brussels sprouts and peppers out in single layer with dressing on
one (use an extra baking tray if needed).
Place the tomatoes with dressing in the
other.
Roast, using a spatula to turn the vegetables occasionally until slightly charred
or blackened and cooked through, about
20 minutes for the tomatoes and 40 minutes for the Brussel sprouts and peppers.
Combine vegetables and any liquids from
baking pans in a large bowl and toss well.
Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Serve hot, warm or room temperature.
Salad variation: Place 4-6 cups of salad
greens (chopped if necessary) in bowl
before adding vegetables and liquids.
Toss well add additional salt, pepper,
olive oil and or lemon juice as necessary.
Serve soon after combining.
CHICKEN SCHNITZEL WITH ZA’ATAR
Serves 4-6
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast
OR cutlets cut 1/4” thick
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 Tbs. za’atar mix
1/4 tsp. dried red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 Tbs. minced lemon zest
3 eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil
Lemon wedges
If unsliced, slice chicken breasts horizontally into 1/4” thin cutlets. Place
cutlets on a sturdy board, cover with
plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until very thin. Mix salt, pepper,
za’atar, pepper flakes and flour together
in a wide, shallow bowl or rimmed plate.
Mix bread crumbs and lemon zest together
in another. Place eggs in a third.
Pour about 1/2” of oil in a deep fry pan
over medium high heat until a bit of the
bread crumbs sizzles.
Dip cutlet in egg until coated, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Coat
on both sides with flour mixture and then
crumb mixture. Fry until golden brown on
each side (about 2-3 minutes per side).
Place on paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Repeat with each cutlet, adding more oil
as needed. Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Faith Kramer writes a food column for the j weekly and
blogs her food at www.clickblogappetit.com Contact her
at fjkramer@msn.com
13
BBYOLA’ATID
Welcome to New BBYO Leader
LA’ATID
Amanda Cohen is thrilled to be joining the BBYO and TBA communities after several
years in youth and community engagement. Amanda will take over being the onsite representative for BBYO working with our thriving chapter. She will also lead our La’atid
youth group for 4th through 7th graders. From Philadelphia (born and raised), Amanda
has a Bachelor’s in History and History of Art & Architecture from the University of
Pittsburgh’s Honors College and a Master’s in History Museum Studies from the State
University of New York’s Cooperstown Graduate Program. She began her career in the
museum field—exploring connections between history and contemporary social justice
issues at the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, and helping community
members curate their own exhibits at Seattle’s Wing Luke Asian Museum. She arrived in
the Bay Area in 2012, first working as an educator at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.
From there, she transitioned into the Jewish non-profit world, working with the Diller
Teen Tikkun Olam Awards to recognize and help further the work of Jewish teen social
action leaders. In 2014, Amanda became the proud chapter advisor of Josephine Esther
Mentzer (JEM) BBG #2540, and it was here that her appreciation for BBYO grew. In her
spare time, Amanda enjoys hiking, camping, singing in a local choir, and searching for the best pizza in the Bay Area.
All TBA 4th through 7th graders
are invited to our first-ever Purim-themed
Cooking & Community Service
Sunday, March 6, 2016 | 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Temple Beth Abraham Social Hall
We’ll be baking hamantaschen, and making mishloach manot (gift bags filled with goodies, along with cards) for the domestic violence survivors that Shalom Bayit works with.
We’ll also have time to socialize, get to know each other, and play games.
RSVP today here: http://goo.gl/forms/Iuwz0JQ0SS
In order to make mishloach manot, we need your help! Please bring a bag of candy
or sealed nonperishable snacks with you to the event (e.g. small bags of pretzels, etc.
No nuts, please). Likewise, if you have any bags of candy or snacks at home but won’t
be able to make it to the event, please feel free to drop off these items at TBA’s main
office, or to bring them to Bet Sefer any day prior to the March 6 event.
Thank you, all! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the
number below (or to visit me in the Baum Center; I’m there most Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Thursday afternoons). Looking forward to seeing you all on March 6!
Amanda Cohen
BBYO East Bay Regional Director, Central Region West
327 MacArthur Blvd | Oakland, CA 94610 Visit
336 Euclid Ave | Oakland, CA 94610 Mailing
O: (510) 251-1667 T-Th
14
BBYO
BBYO Girls Bake &
Clean Up the Shoreline
of the San Francisco Bay.
Saturday 2/6: We had a lot of fun
preparing for our bake sale by baking
together! Thank you to Jenny Berg
& Ray Plumhoff for hosting this.
Sunday 2/7: We were able to raise $200 at our bake sale,
which will now go towards sending our members to
conventions and other chapter needs!
Sunday 2/7: Other members of our chapter
helped out at Save the Bay, where we
collected trash and planted plants on the
shoreline of the San Francisco Bay.
15
GAN AVRAHAM
Credit: Josh Posamentier
16
YOUTH SERVICES
Please Join Us for
TBA’s Youth Services
SHABBAT MISHPACHA
for preschool-aged children
and their families.
Kitah Gimmel classroom.
March 5
10:15 a.m.
T’FILLAT Y’LADIM
for children in Kindergarten,
1st & 2nd grade
and their families.
In the Chapel.
March 5
10:15 a.m.
JUNIOR CONGREGATION
for children in
3rd - 6th grade.
In the Chapel.
March 19
10:15 a.m.
17
JOIN A CHAVURAH
VOLUNTEER BOARD
JOIN A NEW TBA CHAVURAH!
Do you want to be a part of a smaller, more intimate group within Temple Beth Abraham?
Forming or joining a chavurah could be what you’re looking for!
What is a chavurah?
From the Hebrew word for friend, a chavurah is a group of people (singles, couples, families, or a mix of these)
who meet regularly (usually monthly in each others homes) to experience Jewish life together. Joining a Chavurah
is one way to meet other TBA members in a smaller, more personal setting.
What does a chavurah do?
Each chavurah is created to reflect the interests of its members. There could be groups with any of the following
interests: socializing, Jewish study, Shabbat gatherings, social action, holiday celebrations, camping, hiking, music,
sports, etc. The group could meet with or without children. Each chavurah is completely autonomous and can
decide as a group when, where, and how often to meet. It is important for all members to be committed to working
together toward building the community.
How large is a chavurah?
A chavurah is generally made up of between 5 and 10 families or individuals. It could include members who
already know each other, or a mix of some old and new friends or acquaintances.
How do I join a chavurah?
The process of joining a chavurah is very simple. Just fill out the questionnaire by October 15. Sometimes it takes
awhile to put together the right group, but it’s worthwhile to wait for a group that’s a good fit. Hard copies are also
available in the office at TBA. https://ccjds.wufoo.com/forms/temple-beth-abraham-chavurah-questionnaire/
How do I find out more?
If you have questions, contact Amy Wittenberg, our chavurah coordinator, at: amyw@earthlink.net
Volunteer Opportunities
WELCOME A NEW MEMBER: Do you have
time to help deliver TBA’s new member
baskets? If so, please contact Virginia at
virginia@ tbaoakland.org
GIVE A NEW PARENT AN HOUR TO SHOWER
This is a perfect mitzvah for those with
daytime flexibility. Volunteers are needed to provide short daytime sits free
of charge to our new moms and dads
allowing them to shower, get a haircut, or
just take a walk.
Interested sitters should contact us at
womenoftba@ tbaoakland.org.
18
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
There is always an opportunity to volunteer at Temple Beth Abraham. Please
consider helping a cause or event you
feel a connection to.
FEED THE HUNGRY:
TBA volunteers at CityTeam to feed
the hungry on the fourth Sunday of
each month from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
If you wish to volunteer contact
Caren Shapiro at cjshapiro@hotmail.com
JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS
Growing from Mistakes
By Tori Morton, 3rd Grade Teacher Contra Costa Jewish
Day School, and Dean Goldfein, Head of School
The idea of renewal pervades both Judaic and General
Studies at Contra Costa Jewish Day School. Tori Morton,
an outstanding third grade Lead teacher, shows how cultivating the skill of resiliency energizes learning with the
spirit of renewal each day.
Third and fourth grade CCJDS families have been participating in a Parent-Teacher Book Club. This book club
is an opportunity for the parents and teachers from these
classes to get together outside of school to discuss books
related to child development and learning.
One book this Parent-Teacher Book Club has read and
discussed is Mindset by Carol Dweck. The book’s take
away message is that people have and can develop mindsets that either support or hinder our learning and success.
Those who have or develop a “fixed mindset” believe that
intelligence is innate and unable to change. Those with
“fixed mindsets” tend to avoid or give up when faced
with challenges. On the other hand, those with “growth
mindsets” believe that intelligence and skills can be
gained through practice and effort. Therefore, those with
“growth mindsets” tend to thrive in the face of challenges
and demonstrate resilience and grit, which are increasingly important skills in today’s workforce.
By helping our children develop “growth mindsets,” we
are giving them the gift of renewal; when children view
mistakes as opportunities for growth, which form new
synapses in their brain, they can see mistakes as essential
keys to unlocking new knowledge and deeper levels of
understanding. Placing value on effort and growing from
mistakes can renew a learner’s spirit, wonder, and their
desire to develop and share new ideas.
CCJDS is now accepting applications for the 2016-17
school year. Interested?
You are invited to tour, contact Amy Wittenberg,
Admissions Director at amyw@ccjds.org,925-284-8288.
Visit our website ccjds.org. CCJDS is a Kindergarten
– 8th grade Jewish day school located in Lafayette. The
school offers van service from Oakland and Berkeley.
19
LIFE CYCLES
Zoe Matsuzaki, March 5, 2016
My name is Zoe Matsuzaki. I am 13 years old and I live in
Bethesda, Maryland. I moved to Maryland one year ago from
Alameda and I am coming back to California to celebrate my
bat mitzvah on March 5. My family and I had been members at
Temple Beth Abraham since I was two years old. I feel very close
to TBA and the community here because I went to Gan Avraham
and Bet Sefer for many years. My torah portion is Vayakhel from
the book of Exodus, chapters 36-38. It is about the very detailed
building of the first tabernacle. For my mitzvah project I am
donating a portion of my bat mitzvah money to pediatric cancer
research in honor of a friend who overcame this horrible disease.
In my free time I play soccer and lacrosse and love swimming and
boogie boarding. I also love to watch my team, the Golden State
Warriors! I am so happy to be celebrating my bat mitzvah back
here in California and hope you can all join me.
Ilan Breines, March 12, 2016
My name is Ilan and I am in 7th grade at Head-Royce school.
I have a sister, Tamar, in 5th grade. I have played soccer competitively for the Montclair Clippers and I now play lacrosse and
soccer for my school. In my leisure time I enjoy skate boarding,
solving all types of Rubik’s cube puzzles and watching television,
particularly Family Guy and American Dad. Adi Schacker is my
honorable tutor and my Torah portion is Pikudai, which is about
the construction of the Tabernacle. I hope you will join me at my
Bar Mitzvah.
Sponsor a Kiddush
Do you have a simcha to celebrate
or a person to remember?
Share this occasion with your
Temple Beth Abraham family.
Call or send an email and Rayna,
who can help arrange this for you.
Rayna Arnold, Executive Director
rayna@tbaoakland.org
(510) 832-0936
20
LIFE CYCLES
1
Paz Avidor
2
Hilary Altman
Mark Beilock
Isaiah Goldstein
Jeffrey Rothman
Lisa Sadikman
Ori Sasson
3
Ilan Breines
Oona Grace Swartz
Sara Ur
Naomi Whittle
4
Leah Kaizer
5
Debra Barach
Lowell Davis
Rachel Lorber
Sandy Schotland
6
Lilah Kayman
7
Nancy Berger
Benjamin Bernstein
Ward Hagar
Anthony Kay
Mark Langberg
Marie Lorenz
Julian Ring
8
Denise Bostrom
Mark Fickes
Amy Maidenberg
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Julia Mendelsohn
16
Adam Miller
Janice Reisman Prystowsky
Chris Wike
Victoria Zatkin
9
Joanna Berg
Jeremy Bruner
Lielle Schotland
10
Sasha Carey
Karen Glasser
Keren Nathan
Anya Wayne
11
Madeline Garber
Jon Golding
David Mendelsohn
Carolyn Shaw
Noah Stiegler
13
Noa Sara Bernstein
Harvey Blatter
Katara Shea Dinkin
Rickie Shea Dinkin
14
Joseph Aamidor
Naomi Bernstein
Isadora Blachman-Biatch
Sara Broach
Ayla Ruth Rosenblum
Naomi Rosenblum
15
Samuel Bowers
Lloyd Silberzweig
Vicki Weller
Lydia Adams
Tiago Dreyfuss
Katie Anna Kaizer-Salk
Elya Prystowsky
Aaron Sunshine
17
Jonah Kunis
18
Aviv Berlin
Elliot Gordon
Esther Pinkhasov
Rebecca Posamentier
Joan Rubin
20
Jennifer Kopp
Hana Rotman
21
Gizelle Barany
22
Penelope Hagan
Talia Hagan
Daniel Klein
Sophie Levin
David Paulson
23
Kenneth Cohen
Aaron Feldhammer
Oliver Goldman
Mala Johnson
David Lindenbaum
Betty Ann Polse
Sanjiv Sanghvi
Ariela Simon
Elon Simon
Jessica Teisch
24
Rebecca Glick
Daphne Gordon
25
Rayna Arnold
Hannah Govert
Sara Govert
Stephanie Mendelsohn
Sandy Schwarcz
26
Kathryn Burge
Ellen Collaco
Susan Cossette
Daniel DeBare
Liam Geagan-Jessel
28
Svetlana Partsuf
Jill Rosenthal
Barbara Rothblatt
29
Jennifer Goodman Abrami
Barak Albert
Deborah Kahane Rego
Kirk McLean
Yuval Wolf
30
Tosha Schore
Ilana Share
31
Seth Elkins
Adin Ilfeld
Madeleine Leibovitch
Is your birthday information wrong or missing from this list? Please contact the TBA office to make corrections.
Mazel Tov
To Daniel Levinsohn & Yulia Rozen, on the birth of a
daughter, Maya Levinsohn.
21
LIFE CYCLES
May God comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
ADAR 1 21-24
ADAR 2 2-8
ADAR 2 9-15
Harry Jaffe
Sam Pachefsky
Esther Segal
Richard Bersin
Sophie Breslov
Max Clar
Kate M. Berkovitz
Mildred Davis
Morris Davis
Anna Dietz
David Rosenfeld
Marjorie Kauffman
Celia Kessler
Sydney Sylvia Ross
Mabel Stevens
Mary Berger
Matilda Bloom Holzman
Helen Katzburg
Louis Rothenberg
Daniel Shuster
Milton Weintraub
Max Pearl
Clara Ramo
Harry David Levine
Harry Simon
Frederick Harland Spector
Abraham Baim
Anna Cohen
Tille Cohen
Samuel Jaffe
Harry Janger
Sara Schmulowitz
Arthur Yarman
Louis Adler
Rachel Aelion
Philip Bakar
Charles Bernard Bernstein
Arnold Liss
Henry Ramek
Phyllis Zangwill
Avram Mendel Goldberg
Sue Kraft
Edythe Schultz
Willliam Miller
Lilly Shoehalter
Nathan Feldman
Jacob Saidian
Mollie Forkos
Sara Goldberg
James Jonas
Nathan Polse
Jacob Rubin
Lloyd Silver
Howard Morse Spector
Sheba Widlan Bookin
Ruth Miriam Cowan
Ernest Harvey Friedman
William Groskopf
Ann Krause
Ira Kurtz
Shirley Langfeld
Dorothy Sarver
Sidney Jerome Zywotow
Isaac Biederman
Ziesel Friedman
Daniel A. King
Morris Klang
Eli Schwartz
Olga Banks
March 1-4
ADAR 1 25-ADAR 2 1
March 5-11
Goldie Alper
Leonard Fixler
Melvin Klein
Abraham Louis Schneider
Roy Gonsenhauser
Rose Bruder
Cora Coulter
Irving Selig Goldman
Cassel Gulinson
Anna Jacobs
Moses Seligson
March 12-18
March 19-25
Moses Frankel
Shirley Handloff
Isador Margolin
Rachael Rutter
ADAR 2 16-21
March 26-31
Helen Goldberg
Harold Usef
J. Leon Bloch
Charles Marcus
David Saadia
Dora Spellman
Ida B. Edelson Riskind
Martin Howard Semendoff
Florence Brettler
Harvey Casson
Audrey Cohen
Sara Riva Goldberg
Sidney Liroff
Louis Schwartz
Benjamin Sutz
Allen Silver
Abraham Silverman
David Galant
Carol Kirsch
Recent Deaths in Our Community
Renate Kay, Mother of Anthony (Amy Kittiver)
Thalia Broudy
Thomas Lee Hastings, Father of Caroline Hastings
(Ward Hagar)
Ruth Zielenziger, Mother of Michael (Diane Abt)
A Legacy Gift Lasts Forever
Include TBA in your Estate Planning so that your message to your family is loud and clear:
“The existence of Temple Beth Abraham is important to me and for the future of Jews in Oakland.”
Contact TBA’s Executive Director Rayna Arnold for further details
(510) 832-0936 or rayna@tbaoakland.org.
22
DONATIONS
Charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined.
Courtyard Project–Next Big
Thing Fund
Renat Engel
David & Stella Goodwin
Sandy & Dawn Margolin
Philip & Amy Mezey
Adam & Diana Miller
Barbara Oseroff
Klaus-Ullrich Rotzscher
Stephen & Susan Shub
Gideon Ur & Carol Behr
Bruce & Alicia von Kugelgen
Hugo & Laura Wildmann
Raphael Breines & Rinat Fried
Jonathan Carey & Amy Schoenblum
Alden F. Cohen & Sabrina Berdux
Jessica Dell’Era
Renat Engel
Noah & Carrie Garber
Neil Goteiner & Nadine Joseph
Judith Klinger
Josh Mailman & Juliette Linzer
Richard & Edie Mills
Randy & Lori Morris
Allen & Ellen Rubin
Will & Rebecca Sparks
Greg & Jessica Sterling
Bet Sefer Disc Fund
Celia Hill, in memory of Selma Jackson
Gan Discretionary Fund
Joan & Hershel Solomon, in memory of
Blanche Roth Neuman
General Fund
Ruth Feldman, in memory of Louis
Fledman
Bruce Goldberg & Jana Good
Fifi Goodfellow, in memory of Moshe
Naggar
Louis & Lisa Goodman and Ann
Rapson, in memory of Pearl S.
Goodman
Harold & Mimi Jaffe
Barbara Oseroff, in honor of Paul
Leibovitch Bar Mitzvah!!
Curtis & Adi Schacker, in memory of
Stacy and Sandy Margolin’s mother,
Shirley Margolin
Elaine Teune, in honor of my mother
Sarah Meltz
Kiddush Fund
Gregory & Ruth Morris, in memory
of Bernard Layner, Robert Morris and
Marion Morris
Cantor Discretionary Fund
Maurice & Barbara Weill, in memory of
Lawrence “Sonny” Singerman
Silver Library Fund
Celia Somers, in memory of Charles
Somers
Endowment Fund
Ilya & Regina Okh, in memory of my
brother David Okh
Hertz–Israel Scholarship
Fund
Jason & Nora Morton, in memory of
Ava Star
Fifi Goodfellow, in memory of Latifa
Naggar
Adele Mendelsohn-Keinon & Irwin
Keinon, wishing Alan Silver a speedy
recovery!!
Hertz Interfaith Fund
Minyan Fund
Wasserman Fund
Martin & Evelyn Hertz, in memory of
Sylvia Hertz
Elaine Teune, in honor of my father
Cecil Meltz
Marc & Janet Wasserman, in memory of
Leo Wasserman
Silver Playground Fund
Jessica Sacher, in memory of Etty
Bernstein
Rabbi Discretionary Fund
Jeanee Ann & Tony Hoffman
Anthony Kay & Amy Kittiver-Kay,
from the Kittiver-Kay family with
thanks to Rabbi Bloom
Sharon E. Fogelson, in memory of Lily
Mary Fogelson
Gerald & Ruby Hertz, in memory of
William Morofsky
Pola Silver Fund
Ron Ostomel, D.M.D & Adele
Ostomel, wishing a speedy recovery to
Alan Silver
It is a Jewish tradition to give contributions to commemorate life cycle events and other occasions. Are you celebrating a birthday, engagement, anniversary, baby naming, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or recovery from illness? Or perhaps remembering a yahrzeit? These are just a few ideas of appropriate times to commemorate with a donation to
Temple Beth Abraham. These tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated and are a vital financial supplement
to support the wonderful variety of programs and activities that we offer.
Thanks again for your support! We could not do it without you! Thank you for your generosity.
Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Abraham and mail to: 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
or donate online at http://tbaoakland.org/giving/donate
23
24
6
13
3
Adar II
20
27
7
14
21
28
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
18
Adar II
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
11
Adar II
9-10aMinyan
Minyan (Chapel)
(Chapel)
8a-9a
9a Rosh
9:30a
RoshChodesh
Chodesh
(Contact Amy Tessler for details)
4
Adar II
7p TBA Book Club “Last of the Just”
by Andre Schwartz-Bart
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
27
Adar I
22
15
8
4p-6p Bet Sefer
19
Adar II
29
4p-6p Bet Sefer Purim Carnival
7:30p TBA Board Meeting
12
Adar II
4p-6p Bet Sefer
5
Adar II
4p-6p Bet Sefer
28
Adar I
2
9
16
23
30
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
6p Confirmation Class w/Rabbi Bloom
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
7:30p Introduction to Judaism
20
Adar II
No Kindergym / No Confirmation Class
No BBYO,AZA, BBG or Intro to Jud.
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
9a Gan Avraham Purim Play
6:15p Erev Purim - Megillah Reading
ta’anit esther / erev PuriM
13
Adar II
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
6p Confirmation Class w/Rabbi Bloom
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
7:30p Introduction to Judaism
6
Adar II
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
6p Confirmation Class w/Rabbi Bloom
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
7:30p Introduction to Judaism
29
Adar I
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
6p Confirmation Class w/Rabbi Bloom
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
7:30p Introduction to Judaism
22
Adar I
3
17
PuriM
24
31
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
4p-6p Bet Sefer
21
Adar II
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
No Kindergym
4p-6p Bet Sefer
14
Adar II
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
4p-6p Bet Sefer
7p Men’s Club Poker Night
7:30p Jewish Women’s
Meditation Group
7
Adar II
18
25
No Shabbat Kindergym
6:15p-7:15p
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
7:30p Raza de Shabbat
with Cantor Kaplan
shushan PuriM
15 '' 7:26p
Adar II
9:30-10:30a & 10:45-11:45a
Shabbat Kindergym
6:15p-7:15p
GLEE-BA Kabbalat Shabbat
with Hot Dog BBQ
8 '' 7:20p
Adar II
rosh choDesh
11
9:30-10:30a & 10:45-11:45a
Shabbat Kindergym
6:15p-7:15p
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
1
'' 6:13p
Adar II
6:15p-7:15p
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
rosh choDesh
10
4
9:30-10:30a & 10:45-11:45a
Shabbat Kindergym
24 '' 6:06p
Adar I
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
4p-6p Bet Sefer
30
Adar I
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
4p-6p Bet Sefer
7:30p WTBA Girls Night Out
23
Adar I
Always check the Congregational E-mail or the Weekly Shabbat Bulletin for more up-to-date information. Please note any corrections care of Rayna Arnold at the TBA office.
5
Pekudei
12
26
8:09p Havdalah (42 min)
9:30a-12p Shabbat Service
Kiddush sponsored and in honor of
Barbara Rothblatt’s 80th Birthday
Tzav
16
Adar II
8:03p Havdalah (42 min)
shaBBat Zachor
19
9:30a-12p Shabbat Services
10:15 Junior Congregation
Vayikra
9
Adar II
6:56p Havdalah (42 min)
9:30a-12p Shabbat Service
Bar Mitzvah of Ilan Breines
1:00p Mah Jongg (Chapel)
2
Tsihrei
9:30a-12p Shabbat Services
Bat Mitzvah of Zoe Matsuzaki
10:15a Shabbat Mishpacha
10:15a T’fillat Y’ladim
6:49p Havdalah (42 min)
shaBBat shekaliM
Vayakhel
25
Adar I
March 2016
Calendars in The Omer are produced 30-60 days in advance using the best data available from the TBA Administration Staff. This calendar is also available at our website www.tbaoakland.org
5p CityTeam-Volunteer to Feed the Hungry
10:30a Sunday KindergymA Toddler Experience
17
Adar II
8:30a Mishloach Manot
10a Nily Shiryon special presentation
Mishloach Manot Delivery Day
10
Adar II
10a A Taste of Talmud
w/Rabbi Art Gould
Vashti’s Banquet
3p Build Jerusalem in Lego’s
with Bet Sefer!
Daylight saving tiMe Begins
10a A Taste of Talmud
w/Rabbi Art Gould
10:30a Sunday KindergymA Toddler Experience
3p La’atid Hamantashen
and Shalom Bayit event
26
Adar I
1
4p Kitah Hay Kashrut dinner
4p-6p Bet Sefer
21
Adar I
Adar I 5776 / Adar II 5776
25
3
10
17
Pesach ii
24
11
4
18
Pesach iii
25
19
12
5
Pesach iv
No Bet Sefer
18
Nisan
26
4p-6p Bet Sefer
7:30p TBA Board Meeting
12p Kitah Gimmel Seder
11
Nisan
4p-6p Bet Sefer
4
Nisan
4p-6p Bet Sefer
26
Adar II
6
28
Adar II
7
13
20
Pesach v
27
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
No Kindergym this week
6p Confirmation Class w/Rabbi Bloom
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
19
Nisan
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
No Kindergym this week
12p Kitah Bet Seder
6p Confirmation Class w/Rabbi Bloom
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
12
Nisan
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
No Confirmation Class this week
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
5
Nisan
14
21
28
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
No Kindergym
No Bet Sefer
Pesach vi
20 '' 7:57p
Nisan
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
No Kindergym
12p Kitah Alef Seder
No Bet Sefer
13
Nisan
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
4p-6p Bet Sefer
6
Nisan
9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster)
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
10-11a & 11:15a-12p Kindergym
6p Confirmation Class w/Rabbi Bloom
4p-6p Bet Sefer
7p BBYO-AZA and BBG
7:30p Jewish Women’s Meditation Group
7:30p Introduction to Judaism
7:30p WTBA Girls Night Out
27
Adar II
8
15
22
29
Gan & Office Closed
No Shabbat Kindergym
6:15p-7:15p
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Pesach vii
21 '' 7:58p
Nisan
Gan Closed
Office Closes at 1p
No Shabbat Kindergym
No Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Ta’aniT BechoroT/erev Pesach
14 '' 7:52p
Nisan
6:15p-7:15p
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
9:30-10:30a & 10:45-11:45a
Shabbat Kindergym
7 '' 7:45p
Nisan
6:15p-7:15p
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
9:30-10:30a & 10:45-11:45a
Shabbat Kindergym
29 '' 7:39p
Adar II
6:15p-7:15p
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Always check the Congregational E-mail or the Weekly Shabbat Bulletin for more up-to-date information. Please note any corrections care of Rayna Arnold at the TBA office.
Gan closed this week
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
17
Nisan
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
10
Nisan
9-10a
8a-9aMinyan
Minyan(Chapel)
(Chapel)
9a Rosh
Chodesh
9:30a
Rosh
Chodesh
(Contact Amy Tessler for details)
3
Nisan
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
25
Adar II
1
9:30-10:30a & 10:45-11:45a
Shabbat Kindergym
22 '' 7:33p
Adar II
2
Tazria
9
16
23
30
8:41p Havdalah (42 min)
9:30a-12p Shabbat Service
Pesach viii
22 Pesach VIII
Nisan
8:09p Havdalah (42 min)
9:30a-12p Shabbat Service
Pesach i
Pesach I
15
Nisan
8:03p Havdalah (42 min)
shaBBaT haGadol
Metzora
9:30a-12p Shabbat Services
Bat Mitzvah of Sasha Carey
10:30 Junior Congregation
8
Nisan
9:30a-12p Shabbat Service
Bar Mitzvah of Seth Elkins
1:00p Mah Jongg (Chapel)
6:56p Havdalah (42 min)
rosh chodesh
shaBBaT hachodesh
1
Nisan
9:30a-12p Shabbat Services
10:15a Shabbat Mishpacha
10:15a T’fillat Y’ladim
6:49p Havdalah (42 min)
shaBBaT Parah
men’s cluB shaBBaT
Shmini
23
Adar II
April 2016
Calendars in The Omer are produced 30-60 days in advance using the best data available from the TBA Administration Staff. This calendar is also available at our website www.tbaoakland.org
8:36p Havdalah (42 min)
5p CityTeam-Volunteer to Feed the Hungry
16
Nisan
10a Adult Education w/Nitzhia Shaked
1:30p La’atid Chocolate Seder
9
Nisan
10:30a Sunday KindergymA Toddler Experience
easT Bay Tikkun olam
chessed day
2
Tsihrei
10a Adult Ed. Bette Birnbaum”Why and How to Visit the Sick”
10:30a Sunday KindergymA Toddler Experience
24
Adar II
Adar II 5776 / Nisan 5776
Temple Beth Abraham
327 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94610
PERIODICALS
POSTAGE
PAID
Oakland, CA
Permit No. 020299
SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 10
East Bay Tikkun Olam Chessed Day
YES, the opportunity you have been waiting for! We can repair the world!
Join Jews from around the East Bay on Sunday, April 10, as we engage
in over 10 different chessed activities ranging from outdoor projects
with Urban Adamah and Redwood Regional Park to working with
seniors. Activities scheduled throughout the day. Sign-up available shortly.
Leadership positions for some of the projects are also available for that day.
Contact Rachel Goldstone for more information: rachelgoldstone@comcast.net.
WHAT’S INSIDE
TBA Directory..........................i
What’s Happening............... 1
From the Rabbi..................... 2
From the President............... 3
Editors Column..................... 4
CSA Box at TBA..................... 5
Six Word Memoirs................. 5
TBA Schools Auction............ 6
Women of TBA...................... 8
Men’s Club............................ 8
Purim Volunteers Needed... 9
Community Event.............. 10
Community Connections.. 11
Cooking Corner.................. 12
BBYO/La’atid...................... 14
Gan Avraham News.......... 16
Youth Services..................... 17
Volunteer Bulletin Board.... 18
Jewish Day School............. 19
Life Cycles........................... 20
Donations............................ 22
Calendar............................. 24