Shiru L`Adonai Shir Hadash – Sing Unto God a New

October 2011
Tishrei / Cheshvan 5772
Your Jewish Neighborhood in Lafayette, CA
“Shiru L’Adonai Shir Hadash – Sing Unto God a New Song”
ones you want to learn. You will find yourself, as
I do, singing them on the treadmill or in the car.
You will learn the prayers of the service even if
you do not read Hebrew – those prayer chants do
not change week to week. (Though sometimes,
as you have heard on the High Holy Days, the
melodies reflect the traditional “nusach” mode,
connected to that holy day.) Jewish music carries us through the year and helps us understand
and attune our souls to the season and meaning
of the traditions.
As we enter this New Year together, plan to
bring an extra measure of joy into your lives by
joining us for more Shabbatot to add your voice
to the joyous chorus following the Psalmist’s
advice: “Sing unto God a new song.”
L’shana Tova Tikateyvu v’tichateymu! Jamie,
Talia and Mira join me in wishing you and your
families a year of life and strength, of goodness,
health and song!
Rabbi Judy Shanks
Rabbi Judy Shanks
Ours is not a
synagogue that
sticks with
all the same
melodies every
week of the
year. But if you
come more
than once or
twice a year,
you will be
photo by Michael Fox
As a child, I fell in love with Jewish worship and learned
all the prayers of the Shabbat liturgy through song, long
before I understood a word of Hebrew. How fortunate I
was to grow up in a synagogue (in Phoenix, Arizona) that
placed a high value on bringing Jewish music into all our
gatherings and celebrations, even inviting the community
to sing with the cantor before such participation was
the norm in Reform synagogues. I count those blessings
and add to them my special luck in never encountering a
music teacher who not-so-kindly suggested I “mouth the
words” instead of singing out, as other friends describe
in their devastating experiences. What a shame to be
silenced, robbed of one of the greatest sources of prayer
and joy our tradition has to offer. If someone said that to
you, and you stopped singing, it is high time you start singing out once again.
When we gathered with our Christian and Muslim
friends to commemorate September 11th last month,
almost to a one they commented about the beautiful
music, and especially about how the songs rose from the
lay-people in the pews, not just from our cantor. At Temple
Isaiah we have our Friday night Shabbat “regulars” – lots
of them – who fill our sanctuary with their heart-felt
prayers contained in melody. When a “non-regular”Temple
member comes to services for a yahrtzeit (anniversary of
a loved one’s death) or to support a friend for a life-cycle
ritual, s/he almost always comes to the cantor or one of
the rabbis and says: “I loved the music! Was this a special
singing Shabbat?”
All our Shabbatot are special and they are all filled
with beautiful music from the many genres of Jewish
music, traditional and modern. On the third Shabbat of
the month our music is enhanced by our talented and
soulful Mizmor Band. Most Erev Shabbat services Cantor
Korn accompanies himself on the piano, adding another
wonderful dimension from someone so filled both with
masterful musicianship and deep Jewish learning. Ours
is not a synagogue that sticks with all the same melodies
every week of the year. But if you come more than once or
twice a year, you will be treated to melodies you know and
Tina DeStephen, Ellen Emold, and Ellen Baer
schmoozing at the WOI Kickoff Dinner.
treated to melodies you know
and ones you
want to learn.
TEMPLE ISAIAH
3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549
Temple Isaiah’s mission is to embody, enhance, and
perpetuate our Jewish tradition by providing a
welcoming spiritual home where the membership gathers to worship God, study Torah, engage in acts of Tikun
Olam, participate in Jewish rituals and life
cycle events, and experience the joy of being a part of
a caring community.
President
Executive
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Lisa Hirsch
Robert Goldberg
Sharon Fischel
David Douglas
Susan Rideout
Steve Ellis
Parliamentarian
Paul Menaker
Phone Ext
Rabbi
Roberto Graetz 314
Rabbi
Judy Shanks 314
Asst. Rabbi
Alissa Forrest 314
Rabbi Emeritus Shelly Waldenberg 314
Cantor
Leigh Korn 314
Executive Director Michael Liepman 310
Education Director
Rabbi Nicki Greninger 318
Gan Ilan Director
Liz Kaufman 320
Youth Director
Ira Rosenberg 313
Adult Programs
Deb Philips 301
Librarian
Val Morehouse 322
Clergy Secretary
Nina Jones 314
Education Asst.
Nathan Bellet 311
Communications Dir. Deb Phillips 323
Hebrew Tutor
Karen Gourdin 324
Office Staff
Erika Linden 300
Tonna Lusareta-Stevens 315
Office (925) 283-8575
Fax
(925) 283-8355
Religious School (925) 284-9191
Gan Ilan Preschool (925) 284-8453
Gift Shop
(925) 284-4933
Website
www.temple-isaiah.org
Ruach Vol. 60, No.3 October 2011
Ruach is published monthly except in July by Temple
Isaiah. Ruach is breath, wind, or spirit. It also means
soul. May it be a breeze of fresh Jewish spirit arriving
at your home.
Editor
Julie Candau
editor.ruach@temple-isaiah.org
Photographer
Michael Fox
Copy Editors Ellen Baer, Miriam Cairns,
Jeanie Conneran, Hadele Groman,
Julie Magilen, Val Morehouse,
Carol Olmert
2 Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011
5772 High Holy Days and Festivals – Schedule of Services
Kol Nidre: Friday October 7
5:15 p.m. 1st Service, Sanctuary
8:15 p.m. 2nd Service, Sanctuary
Yom Kippur: Saturday, October 8
8:15 a.m. 1st Service with Yizkor, Sanctuary
8:30 a.m. Tot Service, CCJDS Makom
8:30 a.m. Family Service, LOPC*
11:45 a.m. 2nd Service with Yizkor, Sanctuary
11:45 a.m. Teen Service & High Holy Day
Program, Adult Lounge
2:00-4:00 p.m. Kesher Isaiah Community
Conversations
2:00-4:00 p.m. Sacred Chanting
4:00 p.m. Afternoon Service:
A Confession for our Time, Sanctuary
5:00 p.m. Neilah Service, Sanctuary –
followed by Community Break-the-Fast
Sukkot: Thursday, October 13
9:00 a.m. Service in the Sukkah
Friday, October 14
5:45 p.m. Bring-Your-Own Sukkot Dinner
6:30 p.m. Shabbat-Sukkot Service in the
Sanctuary followed by kid-friendly Oneg with
games and activities
Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret:
Wednesday, October 19
6:30 p.m. Service & Religious School
Consecration, Sanctuary
Thursday, October 20
9:00 a.m. Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
Service with Yizkor, Beit Knesset
*Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church,
49 Knox Drive, Lafayette
Shelter Inc. 25th Anniversary Celebration at Isaiah
For 25 years, SHELTER, Inc. has successfully
prevented and ended homelessness for thousands of Contra Costa families, over 175,000
men, women and children. To celebrate this
milestone, SHELTER, Inc. is hosting a 25th
anniversary celebration dinner at Temple
Isaiah on Saturday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
The evening will include speaker Steve
Lopez, Los Angeles Times columnist, who
wrote the book turned movie, The Soloist, as
well as highlights of SHELTER, Inc.’s 25 years
of serving Contra Costa County. For more
information or to make a reservation, visit
www.shelterincofccc.org or contact Elaine
at (925) 957-7566. Cost is $100/person.
Special thanks to Contra Costa County’s faith
communities who have supported SHELTER,
Inc. over the years. Winter Nights Returns With New Programs
Our Winter Nights program, in which Temple Isaiah hosts homeless families with children
and ambulatory elders, returns to Temple Isaiah Monday, December 19 through Monday,
January 2. The rotating shelter program, sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa
County, runs countywide from mid-October through late April, with over 22 faith communities
serveing as hosts. A description of Winter Nights can be found at www.cccwinternights.org/
quickfacts.html.
There are countless ways to get involved, including cooking meals, playing games with children, helping with homework, driving people to outings, providing overnight supervision, and
donating gifts, among many other ways to volunteer. New for Winter Nights this year:
New Program Chairs: Rebecca Calahan Klein, Jonathan Klein, Jeff and Tina Goodfriend are
jointly running the program, taking over from Sandy Anderson and Cindy Coleman.
Volunteer Orientation: Even if you volunteered for Winter Nights in the past, we ask that
you come to one of two volunteer orientations, held at Temple Isaiah on Tuesday, November,
15, at 7 p.m. and Sunday December 4, at 11 a.m. for about one hour.
Food Programming: We will build on the successful food games that last year helped guests
of all ages learn about healthy eating. Additionally, we will use the new USDA Food Plate to
guide menu planning and add a hot breakfast for guests.
Job Search Skill Building: We will add activities such as resume writing and job interview
tips to assist guests in their job search.
Library Cards: We are working with the Contra Costa County library to help ensure that
every child and adult guest who wants one, leaves Temple Isaiah with a library card. We plan
to take guests for a visit to Lafayette Library.
Winter Nights is a way for us to express our Jewish values such as hospitality, kindness, and
repairing the world. Deuteronomy 10:19 says “and do therefore love strangers because you
also were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Please join us as we build on the success of years
past at Winter Nights. For questions, send an email to infowinternights@gmail.com.
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
NEWS AND INSPIRATION
Celebrating 60 Years Since Our Founding
Shana Tovah! On behalf of the Temple Board and staff,
I wish all of you and those you love, a sweet year filled
with good health, positive opportunities, balance,
wholeness, and most importantly, peace.
It’s hard to believe, but we will be celebrating our
60th anniversary this year. We owe this celebration
to our founders. In 1951, Temple Isaiah began when
a League of Jewish women was formed from a few
Jewish families in the East Bay. The League’s first organized effort began with the conversion of the Lafayette
Town Hall into a Jewish Sunday School for two hours
each Sunday morning.
After holding services in an Episcopal church, 47
families pledged a total of $7,700 in January 1952 and
began looking for possible sites for a synagogue. After
hearing that a nightclub was folding, a few members
quickly worked out the financing. In a leap of faith,
ten courageous members co-signed the loan, and the
nightclub plus 14 hillside acres were miraculously
purchased for $53,000 in 1953. The road up from Mt.
Diablo Boulevard was marked by a 20-foot tall Tiki god
and landscaping consisting of a dried up waterfall and
a beat-up canoe.
Hard to imagine, but this has been our home ever
since. These brave visionaries created a Temple com-
Daniel Pearl
World Music Day Concert
Sunday, October 23, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
In the Social Hall - Free of charge
A multi-cultural concert honoring
the memory of Wall Street Journal
Reporter Daniel Pearl featuring talented
performers and remembrances from
friends who knew Danny.
Performers Include
Vocolot (soulful womens’ a capella)
Rivka Amado (Sephardic, Ladino)
Gerry Tenney & the Lost Tribe (bluegrass)
Michael Tobin (original folk/rock)
Michael Gill & Friends (progressive),
featuring Callie Thomas, Katja Cooper, and
Edo Castro
Robbie Dunbar (folk, rock)
and special guests!
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
munity from scratch, which has grown to over 925
families today on a beautiful campus. The founders
had a can-do attitude, doing whatever it took to keep
the Temple running with limited resources. Every bit
of usable space was converted into religious school
classrooms, meeting rooms and a chapel. Then in
1953, for the first High Holy Day services in the new
center, Jan Peerce chanted Kol Nidre…via a phonograph record.
We hope to regenerate this pioneer energy for
our next 60 years. We’ve already done so much: built
a sanctuary and social hall in 1965 and renovated
both along with our Temple House the past 10 years.
To accommodate our growing religious school, we
built a new school building in 1997, providing the
opportunity to create a thriving preschool. Our religious school is innovative and cutting edge. We have
a successful youth program and teen school. The list
goes on. I know that we can do anything if we put
our minds to it. Let’s work together to make an even
more amazing 60 years to come.
Lisa Hirsch, President
Lisa Hirsch
President
23rd Annual Contra Costa
Jewish Book and Arts Festival
Begins November 5
Is the Demise of Books Coming Soon?
Say It Isn’t So Alan Jacobson!
Sunday, November 6, 11:30 AM
at the Contra Costa JCC
While the demise of publishing has been predicted since the
first Gutenberg Bible came off the press, the book business as
we know it is definitely undergoing a revolution. Questions
abound: Will there be book stores in our future? Will cost
benefit analysis trump society’s love of a hand-held book?
Noted author and Temple Isaiah member Alan Jacobson
(Inmate 1577, Hard Target) portrays the future of book
publishing.
Admission: $8. Tickets will be available at the door and
at www.jfed.org./bookfestival. For more information:
510.318.6453 or riva@jfed.org.
Temple Isaiah is a proud sponsor of this event.
Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011 3
COMMUNITY
Mazal Tov
■ To Yariv and Christa Robinson, on the birth of
their second set of twins, Ezra and Raziela, on August
4, 2011.
■ To Gail and Steve Koff, on the birth of grandson,
Raguen S Koff, to parents Michael and Brandy Koff, on
August 19, 2011.
■ To Marilyn and Carl Hirsch, on the marriage of son
Bryan Hirsch to Sonia Chang-Diaz, on September 4,
2011 in Massachusetts. The wedding was attended by
generations of Chavurat Chaverim, a chavurah that has
been together for thirty years.
■ To Sophie Lurie, Isabel Fine, Michaela Sasner,
Jocelyn Purcell, Eleanor Roeder, Leah Douglas,
Nicole Prozan, and Samantha Martin for making it
as finalists in the Orinda Idol contest, and to Idol winners Sophie Lurie, Michaela Sasner, Samantha Martin.
got shabbat?
Join us for “come as you are” family services on the first Friday of
the month (except October & April). Bring the whole family for
dinner, a lively song session and interactive services followed by a
yummy dessert oneg, Israeli dancing, arts & crafts, and more.
5:45pm Dinner
6:30pm Singing, Services, Dessert & More!
2011-12 Dates & Yummy Themed Onegs
• October 14: got sukkot? Fruit &
Chocolate Oneg
• November 4: Cupcake Oneg
• December 2: Doughnut Oneg
• January 6: Milk & Cookies Oneg
• February 3: Ice Cream Sandwich Oneg
• March 2: Candy Oneg
• April 1st: No got shabbat? due to Passover
• May 4: Root Beer Floats
Eat, Pray, Learn:
3rd Shabbat Dinner & Speaker
Following the 6:30 Shabbat service on the third Friday of the month,
adults are encouraged to stay for a catered dinner and speaker.
Dinner is $20 per person.Yearly schedule and online registration are
available at www.temple-isaiah.org/eatpraylearn.
The speaker on Friday, October 21, Dawn Kepler, of Building
Jewish Bridges, will speak on how to be a fabulous grandparent in
an interfaith family. Your child has married someone not Jewish.
You love their new spouse but you worry. Will my grandchildren be
Jewish? Will I say the wrong thing, if I express my concerns and feelings? Should we invite the non-Jewish in-laws to Jewish celebrations
at our home? Can we do Jewish activities with the grandchildren
without over stepping our children’s boundaries? Which holidays
will they celebrate and how? Join other parents and grandparents to
explore how to be terrific grandparents to your intermarried child
and their family.
Our month of Holy Days continues with the celebration
of the harvest in our Sukkah and dancing
with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah
Sukkot Morning Service
Thursday, October 13, 9:00 a.m. in the Sukkah
got sukkot? Friday, October 14
5:45 p.m. Bring-Your-Own Picnic Dinner
6:30 p.m. Shabbat-Sukkot Service in the Sanctuary,
Followed by a kid-friendly “got shabbat?” style Oneg
Simchat Torah Service &
Religious School Consecration
Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 p.m.
In the Sanctuary
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
Service with Yizkor
Thursday, October 20, 9:00 a.m.
In the Beit Knesset
Visit www.temple-isaiah.org/gotshabbat
for more info and to pre-pay for dinner.
4 Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
COMMUNITY
Welcome New Members
Joined July 13 to August 16, 2011
Get Involved – Volunteer!
Are you new to Temple Isaiah and looking for ways to get involved and meet
people? Or are you a long-time member
with the desire and time to get more
involved? There are many fun and (sometimes) exciting ways to help our community excel while also working alongside great people. Some of the committees and projects needing volunteers
include Social Action, Havurah, Education
(adult and child), Endowment, Kulanu
(young families), Finance, Community
Organizing, Building and Grounds, and
Leadership Development. The time commitment can be as little or as much
as you want. Best of all, you will be
able to work with dedicated, inclusive congregants – all working for great
causes and common goals.
If you are looking for the right fit and
want to know the specific current needs
of our committees, please contact David
Douglas at david@douglasparking.com
or (510) 444-7412 ext 14. Lunch & Learn Series
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Our lunchtime learning series continues on Wednesday, October 12, at 12 p.m.
Emily Blanck, AIPAC Leadership Management Director, East Bay Sacramento Valley,
will speak on the Middle East uncertainty: coming to grips with the Arab Spring,
Turkish relations at an all-time low, and Iran hardening its nuclear capabilities underground while developing ballistic missile capacity. How will the U.S. and Israel deal
with this changed environment? How does the Jewish community meet these challenges and keep Israel safe and secure so she can take risks for peace?
Cost is $10 per session or $90 for all nine sessions. For the complete yearly schedule and online registration visit www.temple-isaiah.org/lunch&learn.
Yizkor Elohim
June 26, 2011
■ Jack Warga, father of Charna Schakow. In Florida.
August 7, 2011
■ Arthur Warga, brother of Charna Schakow. In Houston, TX.
August 18, 2011
■ Liliane Schiff, mother of Laurette Gennis, mother-in-law of Alan Gennis,
grandmother of Elle and Eli. In Santa Barbara.
August 18, 2011
■ Temple member Myron Tobenkin, husband of Joyce Tobenkin, father of
Steve and Patty Tobenkin.
August 20, 2011
■ Monte Krimston, husband of Fran Lieber Krimston, father of Joan and
Josh Krimston, grandfather of five, brother-in-law of Temple Member Susan
(Thom McDannel) Lieber and Fred Lieber, uncle of Ashley and Samee
McDannel, Stephanie, Ron and David Lieber.
August 27, 2011
■ Arny Ferrick, father of Tracy (Stephen) Gordon and Reed (Nancy) Ferrick,
grandfather of Evan and Brendan Gordon and Jordan and Gabe Ferrick.
September 14, 2012 ■ Louise Weild Zimmerman, mother of Linda Tripp, mother-in-law of Lyle
Tripp, grandmother of Andy and Peter. In Southern California.
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011 5
COMMUNITY – WOMEN OF ISAIAH
Shanah Tovah to You and Your Loved Ones
Gloria Schiller,
Women of Isaiah
Co-President
Knitting group is led by the talented Margie Kaplan, and
the Gift Shop has been brilliantly renovated by Peggie
Winston, Nancy Crevin, and Kim Drucker. Stop by and
see the beautiful new shop. As if that weren’t enough,
our Ma’agal Tzedakah team, Lynn Epstein, Greta Frantz,
and Ellen Bernstein Ellis, bestow grants to selected
Temple youth programs and Jewish charities. Michele
Holtz spreads the word about it all via the Sister-to-Sister
newsletter.
We’re looking forward to another year filled with
numerous activities, new friends. Join us and enjoy our
amazing Women of Isaiah – Stronger Together.
Barbara Kaplan & Gloria Schiller,
WOI Co-presidents
photo by Michael Fox
Barbara Kaplan
Women of Isaiah
Co-President
The first year of our WOI presidency was packed
with programming. The Kick-Off Dinner 2010,
chaired by Melinna Gershik and Karen Goldberg,
and with a dedicated committee of Women of
Isaiah, was an exciting start for the year for The
Sisterhood of Women of Isaiah. Sherry Rowen led
us through San Francisco Chinatown to learn its history and do tea tasting. Next came a walking tour of
the Berkeley Food Ghetto, where we found marvelous restaurants and tasted yummy food.
Karen Maas, organizer extraordinaire, set up
docent-led museum tours, diverse theater outings,
followed by dinner, plus other activities, such as Jan
Wahl speaking about musicals at the Rheem Theater
in Moraga. We can’t wait to see what’s coming this
year.
Cheryl Kohleriter led us on beautiful hikes where
we met new women, and reconnected with ladies
we haven’t seen in a while. Jeanette Gross led healing circles with sacred chanting, helping those in
need of spiritual healing. Karen Marriner and Ellen
Montague continued as ever creative-chairs of Rosh
Chodesh with Rabbi Shanks and with Susan Epstein,
whose beautiful voice led us in song at the Women’s
Retreat.The Women’s Seder, chaired by Lynn Epstein,
with Rabbi Shanks and Rabbi Greninger, is an intergenerational event that grows every year.
Donna Green and Diana MaKieve organized
Sports Day including tennis, hiking, golf, walking,
and a delicious lunch. A creative Handiwork and
Barbara Morris and Marilyn Hertz at the WOI Kickoff
dinner.
NEW
GIFT SHOP
HOURS
Tuesday, Wednesday 4 - 6 pm
Friday 9 am - 1 pm
Sunday 9 am - 1 pm
photo by Michael Fox
Come see our
amazing remodeled look!
284-4933
Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, Marilyn Hirsch, Cheryl Kohleriter and Katya Boch
at the WOI Kickoff dinner.
6 Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
October 2011
Sunday
Tishrei — Cheshvan 5772
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
9:15am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Service
followed by vegetarian
potluck
2
3
Religious School in Session
8:30am Library Open
(‘til 1pm)
9am Adult Ed: Exploring
Judaism
10:10am Adult Ed:
Beginning Hebrew
11:15am Adult Ed:
Conversational Hebrew
7pm Women of Isaiah
12:50pm Kleztones
Board Meeting
Rehearsal
7pm Choir Rehearsal
9
9:30am Anshei Isaiah
Builds Sukkah
10
10:30am Women’s Torah
Study
4
5
1pm Library Open (‘til 6)
10:30am Jewish Book
8:30am Library Open
Group
(‘til 1pm)
12pm Library Open (‘til 6) Erev Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
9:15am Ganeinu Toddlers 8:15am Early Service
9:45am Ganeinu Babies 8:30am Tot Service
6:30pm Executive
Committee Meeting
7:15pm Al Anon
6:45pm Noar Night
7pm Choir Rehearsal
5:15pm Kol Nidre Early
Service
8:15pm Kol Nidre Late
Service
2pm Kesher Isaiah
Community Conversations
(‘til 4pm)
4pm Afternoon Service: A
Confession for our Time
5pm Neilah Service
11
12
13
14
15
12pm Lunch and Learn
Series
Sukkot - Office Closed
9am Sukkot Morning
Service
Sukkot
9:15am Ganeinu Toddlers
9:45am Ganeinu Babies
5:45pm got sukkot? Dinner
6:30pm Shabbat Sukkot
Family Service followed
by Oneg
Chol Hamoed Sukkot
9:15am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Service
followed by Vegetarian
Potluck
20
21
22
3pm CSA Pickup (‘til 7)
6
7
8
8:30am Family Service
11:45am Teen Service
11:45am Late Service
12pm Sacred Chanting (‘til 4)
7:15pm Al Anon
6:45pm Noar Night
7:30pm Committee Night 16
17
18
19
Sukkot
Sukkot
6pm Anshei Isaiah Sukkot
Potluck
5:30pm Cancer Support
Group
7pm Sacred Chanting/
Healing Circle
7pm WOI Knitting &
Handiwork
Sukkot
pm Library Open (‘til 6)
3pm CSA Pickup (‘til 7)
Erev Simchat Torah
7:15pm Al Anon
7:30pm Board Meeting
7:30pm Anshei Isaiah’s
Clix Pix
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat 9:15am Ganeinu Toddlers 8:45am Torah Study
Torah - Office Closed
9:45am Ganeinu Babies 10:30am Shabbat
9am
Shemini Atzeret/
Service (B’not Mitzvah:
12pm Library Open (‘til 6)
Simchat Torah Service
Madeleine Weinberg &
6pm Happy 1/2 Hour
Julia Lauer)
Oneg
6:30pm Simchat Torah
6:30pm 3rd Shabbat
Service with Religious
Service followed by Eat,
School Consecration
Pray, Learn Dinner &
Speaker
6:45pm Noar Night
24
25
26
27
28
1pm Library Open (‘til 6)
8:15am WOI Last
Wednesday Hike
8:30am Library Open
(‘til 1pm)
3pm CSA Pickup (‘til 7)
12pm Library Open (‘til 6) 12pm Talmud Study
9:15am Ganeinu Toddlers 8:45am Torah Study
9:45am Ganeinu Babies 10:30am Shabbat Service
(B’nai Mitzvah: Aaron
Baum & Noah Prozan)
6:45pm Noar Night
8pm Shabbat Service followed by Oneg
Religious School in Session
8:30am Library Open(‘til 1)
9am Adult Ed: Exploring
Judaism
10:10am Adult Ed: Beginning
Hebrew
11:15am Adult Ed:
Conversational Hebrew
12:50pm Kleztones Rehearsal
23
Religious School in Session
8:30am Library Open (‘til 1pm)
9am Adult Ed: Exploring
Judaism
10:10am Adult Ed: Beginning
Hebrew
11:15am Adult Ed:
Conversational Hebrew
4pm Rosh Chodesh:
it’s a girl thing!
5pm Daniel Pearl Music Days
30
7pm Anshei Isaiah Board
Meeting
7:30pm WOI Rosh
Chodesh Cheshvan
7:15pm Al Anon
31
Religious School in Session
8:30am Library Open (‘til 1pm)
9am Adult Ed: Explore Judaism
10:10am Adult Ed: Beg Hebrew
11:15am Adult Ed:
Conversational Hebrew
12:50pm Kleztones Rehearsal
4pm Scholar Lecture: Daniel
Sokatch of the New Israel
Fund
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
Thank You to Our High Holy
Day envelope
stuffing team:
Katya Bock
Anna Marie Levy
Karen Chandler
Elaine Lederman
29
6pm New Member Wine
Tasting
And
honey cake bakers:
William Broussard
Mike Brent
Roger Lamm
Joanne Peterson
Ziva Rave
Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011 7
YOUTH AND EDUCATION
No End to Jewish Living and Learning
B’nai Mitzvah is not an end, but another important
step along the path of Jewish living and learning. I
say these words often to families at our 7th grade
B’nai Mitzvah University, or in my office as they prepare for this special milestone. Through b’nai mitzvah preparation, students learn to participate in and
lead Jewish worship, and to read and interpret the
Torah for themselves. These are huge accomplishments, but they are not everything.
This summer, as I co-directed Camp Kefli with Ira
Rosenberg, our Youth Director, I stood looking out
on the Social Hall filled with over 165 people, laughing, playing, learning, and connecting. Over 45 of
Rabbi Alissa Forrest,
those were Isaiah high school and college students
Teen School Director
who had chosen to devote the last two weeks of
summer to create a strong Jewish community and make a difference in the
lives of campers. As the counselors who return years later often say, Camp
Kefli helped them build leadership skills and confidence, in a supportive
community that guided them through their adventures with family and
friends, in college and the workplace. This also holds true for LAFTY and
the Avodah Teaching Assistants in the Religious School.
At last year’s Confirmation Trip to the Religious Action Center in
Washington, DC, 23 tenth graders sat down with Rabbi Graetz, Deb
Phillips, and I to reflect on their experiences and prepare for their last two
years at Noar Night, our Wednesday teen school.They said “Confirmation is
not an end, it’s another step along the path of Jewish living and learning.”
This year, they’ve helped create their own program, expressing interest
in following up on their learning from Seventh Grade Fund and Mitzvah
Corp Projects, participating in a community service project such as Habitat
for Humanity, wrestling with ethical issues from a Jewish perspective, or
perhaps having their class meet off campus at a restaurant or student’s
house. They are taking ownership for their Jewish education.
There is no end to Jewish living and learning, only new opportunities
for growth and inspiration. Many paths exist after b’nai mitzvah, in Noar
Night, Anachnu, and LAFTY events, as teaching assistants and counselors.
They can travel to Israel, attend Jewish overnight camp, participate in the
East Bay Teen Foundation, Write-On Israel, take an online teen class from
Gratz College, or create an independent study. If you or your teen don’t
know the right path to take, call, email, or Facebook me – I am happy to
guide you on this journey.
Rabbi Alissa Forrest
Baseball and Israel Birthright Trip
Are you between 18 and 24 years old? The Israel Association of Baseball
(IAB) invites you to join the first-ever Birthright/Baseball/Softball trip to
Israel. Israel has been invited to participate in the World Baseball Classic
Qualifiers in the fall of 2012. This provides us with a unique opportunity
to spread the great game of baseball throughout Israel and you can be a
part of it. Our 10-day specialty program includes all the “must see” sites
and topics. In addition we will explore Israel through the lens of the game
of baseball.The trip takes place from January 1-11, 2012. For details and to
register, visit www.birthrightisrarel.com and www.israelyourway.net.
8 Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011
Ganeinu
Parenting My Jewish Baby
Friday Mornings
Fall Session Starts October 7
Join our Friday morning facilitated group for
parents and caregivers, and their infants and
toddlers. Play, sing, and celebrate Shabbat
and holidays with your child and others. The toddler group meets
from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m, and the infant group joins in from 9:4510:45. Pre-registration is required. More information available at
http://www.temple-isaiah.org/ganeinu or contact Josie Levi
at (925) 284-8453 or ganeinu@temple-isaiah.org.
Shabbat for Tots
Shabbat Morning Program
9:30-11:00am - Oct. 29,
Jan. 21, Mar. 17, May 19
Geared toward families with children age
0-5, Shabbat for Tots is an interactive Shabbat
morning experience. Enjoy food, activities and
prayer with other young families. All are welcome. More info and
RSVP at www.temple-isaiah.org/shabbatfortots.
Sunday Morning Studies
New Course Begins November 6
Embodied Judaism: Mikvah, Tefillin, Tefillah with
Rabbi Greninger, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 11:15 a.m.–12:30
p.m., Oneg Room, Cost: free
Register at www.temple-isaiah.org/adulted.
While Judaism can be intellectual and emotional, it is
also inherently physical. There are a number of important Jewish rituals that help us connect to God, Judaism,
and spirituality through our bodies, and in this course
we will explore three of those rituals: mikvah, tefillin,
and tefillah. Come learn about the ancient tradition of immersion
in the mikvah, exploring how and why the ritual of
mikvah has modern applications. We will also explore
the ritual of laying tefillin – what it symbolizes, how
it’s done, and why it can be meaningful for liberal
Jews. Finally, we will examine the physicality of tefillah,
discovering how body movements can enhance and
energize our experience of prayer.
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
YOUTH AND EDUCATION
New Teva and Omanut Religious School Programs and Teachers
This fall we are thrilled to welcome several new teachers to our Religious School faculty, as well as several new
Religious School programs. At Temple Isaiah, we acknowledge – and celebrate – that there are many different ways
to connect to Judaism and Jewish life. As a result, we will
offer a variety of paths of Jewish learning to match the
various learning styles and passions of our children. I am
delighted to introduce you to the Religious School ‘tracks’
offered to 3rd and 4th graders this year, as well as the teachers who are leading them.
Talmud Study Restarts
For more than a decade, a group has gathered at Temple
Isaiah for a noon time Talmud study session with Rabbi
Graetz. Some students have been with the group since
inception. Others came on board along the way, and new
participants join every year.
The noon hour is spent using rabbinic texts as the
springboard for lively conversations around Jewish practices, thoughts, and personalities. We will enter into ‘virtual’ discussions with ancient teachers and modern thinkers
alike. Learning how our rabbinic ancestors think and why
they think what they think can help us understand who
we are, why we make the choices we do, and how we can
enrich our own Jewish journeys.
First Session: Thursday, October 27, 12 noon to 1
p.m., Oneg Room. If you wish to combine this hour of
study with lunch, please arrive early or stay after the class.
Please note: Rabbi Nicki Greninger will lead Talmud study
from October through December 2011. Rabbi Roberto
D. Graetz will resume the lead of Talmud study when he
returns from his sabbatical in January 2012.
Save the Date
Kulanu Family Lech L’cha Hike
Angel Island
Saturday, November 5
More information coming
soon via email.
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
Teva – Nature
Teva (the-vah) is our nature program for 3rd and 4th graders, in which
students have the opportunity to understand God, Torah, and Israel
through nature and the outdoors. While classroom-based, this program
includes opportunities for outdoor learning around the campus and
beyond, as the class celebrates and learns about seasonal, eco, and wilderness based traditions of the Jewish people. For example, students
might have discussions around a fire in an outdoor classroom / ‘campground’ on campus, take a short hike to connect with the experience of
Moses climbing Mt. Sinai to get the 10 commandments, or participate in
an organic garden project connecting with Israel and the holidays.
Teva Teachers: Eyal Elhasid & Adrienne Kemp
Eyal moved to California three years ago from Israel,
and this is his third year teaching at Temple Isaiah’s
Religious School. After a few years practicing law
in Israel and running his own business, Eyal moved
here to join his wife’s family in the Bay Area. Eyal
is passionate about nature, gardening, and the outdoors.
Adrienne (“Adi”) moved to the
Eyal Elhasid
Bay Area this summer. For the
past four years she taught at a
Reform Jewish day school in Los Angeles in second
and third grade classrooms, while studying landscape
design and horticulture at UCLA.Adi is a nature lover
who adores gardening, hiking, rocking climbing, and
camping. Adrienne Kemp
Omanut – Art
Omanut (oh-mah-noot) is our art program for 3rd and 4th graders,
in which students learn about God, Torah, and Israel through art. In
Omanut, students have the opportunity to deepen their artistic skills
and their spirituality, learn about many of the great Jewish artists and
Jewish art-forms, and create their own works of art based on Jewish
topics. Omanut students have studied different Jewish views about God
and then created art pieces in the style of Israeli artist Yaakov Agam to
reflect their differing relationships with God.
Omanut Teacher: Halley Bass
Halley likes to refer to herself as a “free-spirited Jew from Chicago.”
Her foundation in Judaism began at North Shore Congregation Israel in
suburban Glencoe, IL, where she was an active participant through high school graduation. Halley worked
as a teacher’s assistant and created art pieces to supplement youth educational programs. She continued
her Jewish leadership as Education Chair of the campus Hillel at DePaul Unversity. Currently she sings in
Temple Emanu-el’s young adult choir and participates
in group meditation at Berkeley Moishe House.
Halley Bass
Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011 9
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS
Special Gifts August 1-31, 2011
Angel Network Fund
In memory of:
Peter Bigelow, from Betsy Bigelow
Carlene Berman Flowers Fund
In memory of:
Mary Dorband, from Mel and Barbie Bacher
Cantor’s Music Fund
In honor of:
Cantor Korn and his services, from Seymore and
Marilyn Hertz
The birth of Avi Lauritz, grandson of Emily Blanck
and Dan Weiss, from Havurah Ballagan: The
Bergs, Colemans, Maxons, and Silvers
In memory of:
Bev Gross, from Frank and Deanne Winer
Morris Redsun, from Steven and Deb Slotsky
Myron Tobenkin, from Harold and Betty Redsun,
Murray and Eileen Teitel
For the yahrzeit of:
Ted Eder, from Herbert and Margaret Eder
Sam Gross, from Herbert and Margaret Eder
Rae Levenson, from Shirley Maccabee
Celia Paul, from Yale and Arlene Downes
Cantor Ted Cotler Library Fund
In memory of:
Peter Bigelow, from Betsy Bigelow
Myron Tobenkin, from Donna and Douglas Kooler
For the yahrzeit of:
Miriam Crevin, from Larry and Nancy Crevin
Libby Marcus, from Steve Ellis and Ellen BernsteinEllis
Daniel Baron Feed the Hungry Fund
In memory of:
Marvin Baron, from Jonathan and Debra Kalan,
Joe Lurie, Herschel and Joan Solomon, Frank
and Deanne Winer
Mary Dorband, from Jonathan and Debra Kalan
Aylon Engler, from Herschel and Joan Solomon
Bev Gross, from Herschel and Joan Solomon
Paula, sister of Bev Hillman, from Herschel and
Joan Solomon
Myron Tobenkin, from Howard and Diane Spielman
Jack Varga, from Jonathan and Debra Kalan
Arthur Warga, from Jonathan and Debra Kalan
For the yahrzeit of:
Reuben Glick, from Bobbi Baron
Lois Hilman, from Bobbi Baron
General Fund
In honor of:
Lillian Katzburg’s grandson Jesse’s wedding, from
Helen Ann and Norman Licht
The marriage of Bruce Kaufman and Nancy
Gilbert, from Debbie and Barry Kaufman and
family
In memory of:
Mary Dorband, from Ivor and Beryl Silver
Myron Tobenkin, from Yale and Arlene Downes,
Barbara and Roy Kaplan, Terry Solomon
10 Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011
General Fund Con’t
Jessica Winig, from Marvin and Ruth Epstein, Ivor
and Beryl Silver
For the recovery of:
Evelyn Graetz, from Edward and Phyllis Miller
For the yahrzeit of:
Rose Marie Berke, from Gordon and Elinor Berke
Florence Desser, from Mark and Valerie Milner
Lionel Comaroff, from Norman and Nancy Price
Bessie Harris, from Mildred Hauer
Sheldon Harris, from Mildred Hauer
Bettye Kaufman, from Alan and Susan Kaufman
Bruce Lebowitz, from Mark and Valerie Milner
Richard Lesser, from Ruth Lesser
Ruth Pfeifer, from David Millstein and Carole
Carluccio
Jack Price, from Norman and Nancy Price
Ivy Blum Memorial Fund
In honor of:
Tracy Ucuzoglu becoming Treasurer, from Jennifer
and Benjamin Paul
Jacob M. Tarkoff Gan Ilan Fund
In memory of:
Mary Dorband, from the Pettler/Shapiro Family,
Neil and Karla Smith, Mitchell and Karen
Tarkoff, Martha Ann and Sanford Wishnev
Prayer Book Fund
For the yahrzeit of:
Marvin Heller, from Charles and Linda Carson
Edith Metzner, from Peter and Aliza Metzner
Project Hearth for the Homeless Fund
In memory of:
Mary Dorband, from Mark and Jane Sedley
Elaine Ferrick, from Dan Weiner and Lynn Gitomer
Bev Gross, from Dan Weiner and Lynn Gitomer,
Steve and Sandra Wolfe
Dale Jensen, from Dan Weiner and Lynn Gitomer
Jerold Milner, from Dan Weiner and Lynn Gitomer
Jessica Winig, from Mark and Jane Sedley
Rabbi Graetz’ Discretionary Fund
Donations from:
Morris Collen, Pierre and Lisa Hirsch
In appreciation of:
Rabbi Graetz, from Steve, Patti and Joyce Tobenkin
In honor of:
Rabbi Graetz and his services, from Seymore and
Marilyn Hertz
In memory of:
Herbert Anderman, from David and Meredith Olson
Peter Bigelow, from Betsy Bigelow
Myron Tobenkin, from Len and Robbie Cohn,
Herbert and Margaret Eder, Beryl Esserman
For the yahrzeit of:
Herbert Anderman, from Barbara Anderman
Minnie Anderman, from Barbara Anderman
Jack Carson, from Charles and Linda Carson
Yehudit Eliahu, from Shalom and Shoshana Eliahu
Philip Glickman, from Rochelle Freedman Hassen
Edith Metzner, from Peter and Aliza Metzner
Rabbi Shanks’ Discretionary Fund
Donations from:
Carol Lawton and Pieter Williams, Shirley Maccabee
In appreciation of:
Rabbi Shanks, from Steve, Patti and Joyce
Tobenkin
Rabbi Shanks for her officiation at our wedding,
from Bruce Kaufman and Nancy Gilbert
Rabbi Shanks and in memory of Marty
Rosenberg, from Miriam Rosenberg, Ruth
Rosenberg-Krickx, and Guido Krickx
In honor of:
Rabbi Shanks and her services, from Seymore
and Marilyn Hertz
The wedding of Sondra Altman and Cal Podrid,
from Yale and Arlene Downes
In memory of:
Bev Gross, from Valerie Morehouse
Myron Tobenkin, from Howard and Barbara Adler,
Shirley Allen
Jessica Winig, from Hugh and Mary Anne Winig
For the yahrzeit of:
Herbert Anderman, from Barbara Anderman
Minnie Anderman, from Barbara Anderman
Sondra Goldberger, from Sheryl and Jim
Goldberger
Edith Metzner, from Peter and Aliza Metzner
Ida Nankin, from Sheldon and Nancy Nankin
Rose Nankin, from Sheldon and Nancy Nankin
Religious School and Youth Fund
A donation from:
Jonathan and Tal Winchell
In memory of:
Aylon Engler, from Frank and Deanne Winer
Sima Redsun-Bernzweig, from Len and Robbie
Cohn
Morris Redsun, from Len and Robbie Cohn
For the yahrzeit of:
Dori Ellis, from Steve Ellis and Ellen Bernstein-Ellis
David Shuman, from Stewart and Sally Bloom
Social Action Fund
In memory of:
Leonard Tornheim, from David and Tina De
Stephen
Sara Wallach, from Frank and Deanne Winer
For the yahrzeit of:
Henry Burke, from Jean-Pierre and Susan Aglietti
Ted Burke, from Jean-Pierre and Susan Aglietti
Stanley R. Harris Memorial Lecture Fund
In memory of:
Bev Gross, from Ellen Baer
Myron Tobenkin, from Harry Wolf
Women of Isaiah Fund
In memory of:
Dale Jensen, from Cherri and Irvin Shiffman
Terry Marks, from Cherri and Irvin Shiffman
for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPEL
CHEVRA KADISHA (FD #1523)
3415 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, 94549
GAN SHALOM CEMETERY
1100 Bear Creek Rd. Briones, 94553
Jay Lewis
(FDR#3301)
Managing Funeral Director
(925) 962-3636
www.sinaichapel.org
www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information
Temple Isaiah Ruach, October 2011 11
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
Shabbat
Worship Services
Paid
Lafayette, CA
94549
Permit No. 30
Saturday, October 1
9:15am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Deut. 32:1-52; Haazinu
Friday, October 7 – Kol Nidre
3800 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 283-8575
Address Service Requested
5:15pm Kol Nidre – First Service
8:15pm Kol Nidre – 2nd Service
Saturday, October 8 – Yom Kippur
8:15am – 1st Service with Yizkor
8:30am Tot Service
8:30am Family Service at LOPC
11:45am – 2nd Service with Yizkor
11:45am Teen Service & Program
12:00pm Sacred Chanting
2:00pm Kesher Isaiah Conversations
4:00pm Afternoon Service
5:00pm Neilah Service, Break Fast
Ti m e ly i nfo r matio n EN C LOS ED: P lea se d eliv er b y Oct o b er 1
Friday, October 14 – Sukkot
5:45pm got Sukkot? BYO Dinner
6:30pm Shabbat Sukkot Family
Service Followed by Oneg
Saturday, October 15 – Sukkot
9:15am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Chol Hamoed Sukkot
Friday, October 21
6:00pm Happy 1/2 Hour
6:30pm Third Shabbat Service,
Followed by Eat, Pray, Learn Lecture
and Dinner
Saturday, October 22
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Madeleine Weinberg and
Julia Lauer B’not Mitzvah
Gen. 1:1-6:8, Bereshit
Friday, October 28
8:00pm Shabbat Service
Followed by Oneg
Saturday, October 29
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning Service
Aaron Baum and Noah Prozan
B’nai Mitzvah
Gen. 6:9-11:32; Num. 28:9-15, Noach
For complete High Holy Days
schedule, see page 2
Hot Off the Presses: An Inside Look at Israel
Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund
Sunday, October 30, 4:00 p.m. in the Social Hall
Reception to Follow
Daniel J. Sokatch is the Chief Executive Officer of the New Israel Fund (NIF), the leading
organization committed to equality and democracy for all Israelis. Before joining NIF, Sokatch
served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. Prior to his tenure at Federation, he served as
the founding Executive Director of the Los Angeles based Progressive Jewish Alliance. In
recognition of his leadership, Sokatch has been named to the Forward newspaper’s “Forward
50,” an annual list of the fifty leading Jewish decision-makers and opinion-shapers, in 2002,
2005 and 2008 and 2010.
The New Israel Fund is a partnership of Israelis and supporters of Israel worldwide, dedicated to
a vision of Israel as both the Jewish homeland and a shared society at peace with itself and its
neighbors. NIF strengthens organizations and leaders that work to achieve equality for all the
citizens of the state; realize the civil and human rights of all, including Palestinian citizens of
Israel; recognize and reinforce the essential pluralism of Israeli society; and empower groups on
the economic margins of Israeli society.
This event is sponsored by Temple Isaiah’s Israel and World Jewry Committee and Women of Isaiah.
Save the Date...
Zack Bodner, Pacific Northwest Regional Director, AIPAC
Sunday, January 8, 4:00 p.m. in the Social Hall