The L`shanah tovah! - Congregation Beth El

The
tishri - cheshvan 5771 / September - October 2010
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from the rabbi
Preparing for the Days of Awe
Early or late, the High Holy Days are
always on time! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish
New Year, always falls on the first of the
Hebrew month of Tishri, but not always in
mid or late September. So this year, when
we celebrate the ten Days of Awe beginning on the evening
of September 8 (yes – two days after Labor Day!), it may feel
“early “but be assured that these sacred days are right on
schedule! Rabbi Alan Lew z”l (zichrono l’vracha – of blessed
memory) entitled his book about this season This is Real and
You are Completely Unprepared, suggesting that regardless of
when Rosh Hashanah falls on the calendar, we are never ready!
It is, of course, easy to get caught up in the logistics – who will be
in town and who is traveling; service times, schedules, dinners,
and was it really necessary for the first day of school to be this
week? Sometimes it feels like the totality of a holiday or occasion
is the disruptions of ordinary routines and the complications of
all the arrangements. I do not mean to minimize the toll this
takes or the work involved, but I encourage you to do what
you can – even if that means lowering your standards a bit so that you can enjoy the spirituality and joy of the holidays.
Yet, it is important to remember that the goal of the Days of Awe is
disruption; they come to shake us and bring to wakeful consciousness
all that which we take for granted or consider routine. The sound
of the Shofar, the preeminent symbol of the High Holy days, is
not pretty or gentle; it is an alarm, a summons, a penetrating
voice inviting us to reflect on our lives and our world. On Yom
Kippur, we further disrupt our ordinary lives with our all day fast.
The shofar, the Yom Kippur fast and the other rituals of the High
Holy day season are intrusive, their extraordinariness calling our
attention to so much which is ordinary. Even when I think I am
prepared for the sound of the shofar, it always surprises me. Of
course it is easy to stop there; but the surprise of the shofar’s
sound is the potential opening to notice within and without what
needs renewed attention if we were more wakeful. The great
medieval Jewish teacher, Rabbi Moses Maimonides explained the
meaning of the shofar’s call: “Wake up you sleepers from your
sleep...turn in teshuvah.” Teshuvah, from the Hebrew root for
“return,” is the process of reflection, reconciliation and refocusing
at the center of the High Holy days. Aviva Zornberg has taught
that authentic encounter and ultimate honesty is only possible in
the unexpected meeting; if we know what is going to transpire in
the conversation already, how can we be truly listening? In this
sense, Rabbi Lew is correct: if we are to take the experience of the
Holy Days seriously, we should arrive with a stance of complete
openness, and therefore since we cannot know what will emerge
from our prayerful encounter, by definition, we are “completely
unprepared.”
(continued on page 2)
L’shanah tovah!
From everyone at Congregation Beth El
2
from the president
making memories & building community
The High Holiday season always teases
out wonderful memories of our rituals and
celebrations with our own families and in our
hometown communities. Last year I asked
congregants to share with me their stories of
community moments at Beth El that evoked a
sense of awe and inspiration, of sheer joy in
experiencing that moment. I received many
wonderful vignettes and shared a number of them from the bimah.
I heard from parents who, while wearing Camp Kee Tov gear while
shopping, were approached and greeted by strangers who were
camp alums, whose lives were indelibly inscribed with ruach and
who are part of our community forever. I heard from a past president
who experienced an awe-inspiring moment when he realized a
teenager had been listening to his High Holy Day drash four years
earlier, had taken the entire lesson to heart, had remembered
the most important point, and had understood the humor in it!
I heard from moms who found Beth El community through their
kids by baking preschool challah on Fridays. Some members
found community through just one person who served as their
entry to the tent, as their best friend or mentor, who introduced
them to Torah Study, or Social Action programs, or family events.
Others told me they became believers and “got hooked” when
the community provided support at a time of need for healing
from a life-threatening illness.
Beth El is making memories and building community on a daily
basis. For example, many members of our community are
participating in groundbreaking programs in youth and family
education that bring the joy of Jewish learning home, that
encourage positive Jewish identity, and that shape the values
that form the foundation of Jewish community life. Bands of
volunteers work tirelessly to enrich our congregation by baking
together for celebrations and onegs, by gardening together to
beautify our building and grounds, by singing together to lead the
congregation and to “make a joyful noise” in services. Volunteers
in leadership share their talents, their expertise, and their time to
shape the wonderful array of programs and services we provide
and to insure the future of our synagogue.
You are making memories for our community on a daily basis too,
as a member and participant in life at Beth El. In the past year, we
added to the warmth of our sanctuary by installing comfortable
seating and making acoustic changes. But these additions cannot
be called “improvements” without the people to experience them,
without you to help create the memories for future generations.
Beth El encourages your involvement in building and shaping
our community. Multiple volunteer opportunities exist, from
social action projects like the homeless meal, through committee
participation and leadership positions, to office help, and singing
in the choir. Share with us your skills and passions and together
we will continue to build Beth El as our spiritual home. For
more information about existing volunteer opportunities, or to
suggest new possibilities please contact our volunteer coordinator
Debbie Leon at ruach@bethelberkeley.org.
Joanne Backman
President
From the Rabbi (continued from front page)
This is not to say that we cannot prepare – our tradition teaches
we most certainly should prepare for the intense spiritual work of
the Holy Days season. Living in California, we know a lot about
preparedness for the unexpected; except that spiritual readiness
involves not seeking ever sturdier containers and filling them
with essential supplies, but just the opposite: practicing openness
of spirit, softening of the heart, and the letting go of pride and
ego and other barriers to honesty, intimacy and connection.
When we start from such a place, we can prepare for and
welcome the unexpected encounters with authentic connection
and deep truth which will indeed fill our Days with Awe.
Rabbi Yoel Kahn
Rabbi Reuben Zellman and Rabbi Yoel Kahn at Ordination
at Willshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, May 16, 2010.
youth & family education
Kadima! We are
moving forward!
The new year is upon us, and with that, many
new programs and activities for the youth of
Beth El. We hope that you have noticed the
school’s new name: Beth El Youth and Family
Education. By involving learners of all ages
in our programming, we hope to go beyond
the traditional walls of a ‘religious school.’ This movement is
also reflected in the name for our Tuesday/Thursday midweek
program called “Kadima”. Kadima means ‘moving forward,’
reflecting our school’s desire to keep the Jewish learning active,
fun and meaningful. In Hebrew when one is ready to get going,
one says, “Kadima!”-so let’s get going and begin the new year
with all of its new opportunities!
To begin with, our education programs will launch with an
all-school Open House on Tuesday, September 28th from
6:00 - 7:30 pm. We will celebrate Sukkot by having a picnic dinner
together, and then offer all students and parents an opportunity
to meet the teachers. If your family is enrolled in one of our
educational programs, we urge you to save the date and join us!
Many of our families filled out a survey at the end of last school
year. We have been listening to your feedback carefully and are
hard at work to implement many of your suggestions. Some of
the new programs for this year include:
• Tot Shabbat Services, the first Shabbat of each month
• Introduction of a new student chorus and band
• More ‘out of the box’ lessons, including field trips
and outdoor programs
• Mentoring program for our b’nei mitzvah students
• Family holiday programming throughout the year
• Opening of our new youth group lounge...and more!
The fall calendar is listed to the right, but with so many upcoming
events and programs, I urge you to check your e-updates for
reminders and details about our educational activities. All of
the teachers, madrichim and staff are excited to see you back
on campus for the High Holy Days and the opening of our
educational programs.
L’shanah Tovah,
Debra Massey
Director of Education
Youth & Family Education
Calendar
september 2010
Tuesday, September 14
Education Committee Meeting (open to all) 8:00 pm
Sunday, September 19
Chug Mishpacha Sukkah Building
Sunday, September 26
1st Day of B’nei Mitzvah Program, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Open House in the Sukkah, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 30
Consecration Ceremony for all new students, 6:15 pm
october 2010
Friday, October 1
Tot Shabbat, 5:30 Service, 6:00 Potluck
Saturday, October 2
1st day of Chug Mishpacha, 9:30-11:45 am
Tuesday, October 5
1st Day of Kadima for 3rd-7th grades, 4:00-6:00 pm
Wednesday, October 6
1st Day of Parent/Child Hebrew, 5:00-6:00 pm
Thursday, October 7
1st Day of Kadima for K-2, 4:00-6:00
Friday, October 8
Shabbat Unplugged! 6:15 dinner, 7:00 Service
Saturday, October 9
B’nei Mitzvah Family Program, 10:15 am
Friday, October15 - Sunday, October 17
Beth El Shabbaton and B’nei Mitzvah Retreat
Tuesday, October 19
Education Committee Meeting (open to all) 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 24
B’nei Mitzvah Service Learning Project #1
Tuesday, October 26
B’nei Mitzvah Parent Meeting, 6:00-7:00 pm
Friday, October 29
Zipcode Shabbat Dinners, staggered times
3
4
youth groups
youth group news!
Our youth approach 5771 with
new opportunities awaiting them.
From being active participants
in tikkun olam (“repairing the
world,”) to creating and hanging
out in their new youth lounge,
and enjoying fun weekend
retreats, our youth group
leadership is very excited to offer
many new programs this year.
The teen leadership at NFTY the North American Federation
of Temple Youth create and select a social action theme and
study theme each year. This year the social action theme is
Anavah: Humility: What do we really need? This theme invokes
environmental, socioeconomic, and personal consciousness to
the choices we make and ways we can change our lives. We look
forward to considering what necessities are and how we can help
provide them for people around us. The study theme is HaShevet:
The Tribe: What makes a Jew Jewish? This question gives our
teens the opportunity to look at the Jewish spectrum of people
and of practices, explore what they choose to practice, and the
community they choose to be a part of.
BEY – Beth El Youth –our 9th-12th grade youth group is peer-led,
and completely driven by the teens who create fantastic events
throughout the year. They are able to go to regional, national and
international events peer-led events throughout the year as well.
The first local event of the year is the Youth Lounge Work Day and
Dedication on September 12th and the first regional event of the
year is NFTY-CWR’s Leadership Training Institute October 1st – 3rd.
Sababa –our 6th-8th grade youth group is peer-led, with a thirteen
member board this year. This year’s first Sababa only event is a
Retro Roller Skating Comedy Party, October 10th at Golden Skate
in San Ramon to skate and celebrate Jewish humor.
Ruach–our 4th-5th grade youth group is designed to spark young
leadership and give our younger participants the opportunity to
create community. Their first event is Lech L’cha: Go Forth with
Ruach at the Beth El Shabbaton.
For more information about Congregation Beth El youth groups
or to sign-up for any of the above events please contact me at
rebecca@bethelberkeley.org.
Rebecca DePalma
Youth Group Advisor
Youth Group
Calendar
All of Beth El’s youth are encouraged to
join us for the following events:
september 2010
Wednesday, September 8 & Thursday, September 9
Friday, September 17 & Saturday, September 18
High Holy Days Food Drive
Teens help hand out bags after Rosh Hashana Services
and collect food before our Yom Kippur services for our
Annual High Holy Days Food drive.
Sunday, September 12th at 12:30 pm
Youth Group Lounge Work Day & Dedication
Be there to arrange the furniture, decorate the walls
and put up the Mezuzah to dedicate our youth lounge!
october 2010
Friday, October15 - Sunday, October 17
Beth El Shabbaton at Walker Creek Ranch
• There will be bike riding, gaga, arts and crafts, campfires with s’mores, song sessions, hiking,
and lots of Kee Tov style fun.
• Our 8th-12th graders have the opportunity to be counselors at this fantastic event, as well as to participate. It should be a great, relaxing weekend.
• Our B’nai Mitzvah class will be enjoying their retreat this weekend (and are automatically signed up!)
• Our 4th – 6th graders are invited to Walker Creek unaccompanied as participants for a fun-filled weekend called Lech L’cha: Go Forth with Ruach! Cabins & groups will be determined by registration.
BEY – 9th-12th grade teens are invited to attend:
Friday, October 1 - Sunday, October 3
NFTY-CWR Leadership Training Institute
Our teen leaders meet with the North American
Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) Central West Region
leadership to learn how to be successful local leaders
at a fun retreat.
Sababa – 6th-8th grade teens are invited to attend:
Thursday, October 10
Roller Skating Comedy Challenge
Teens celebrate Jewish humor by dressing up as their
favorite character from Jewish film or TV, cracking jokes
and skating with friends from Kee Tov & Beth El. Parent
drivers/chaperones are needed.
nursery school/gift shop
New Beginnings
We warmly welcome our new and returning
families and faculty to the Beth El Nursery School
2010-11 school year. We are looking forward
to a wonderful new year. It is so appropriate
to begin our school year during this high holy
days time of renewal and reflection. This year
our new school year begins as we also prepare
for the birthday of the world, Rosh Hashanah.
This is an especially exciting time for young children and their
families who are exposed to new beginnings, friends, activities
and environments at Beth El Nursery School. It is a very rewarding
experience to be a part of young children’s introduction to Jewish
observance, tradition, and culture. All of us at Beth El Nursery
School are looking forward to a wonderful new year.
After a busy summer of Club BENS fun, all of the teachers returned
at the end of August for a week of preparation for our new school
year. We welcome two new teachers, Erik Hale and Liz Kaufman,
to our faculty this fall. Lily MacIver returns to Nursery School
after a year away. Elaine, Hannah and Nicole return as our Gan
Katan teaching team. Erik joins Dana and Jodi in the Alef Class.
Liz joins Lily and Nurit for our Bet teaching team. We were busy
cleaning, organizing, setting up the classrooms and planning for
a great year. School begins for the children the day after Labor
Day on September 5.
Please join me and all of our teachers at our Parent Orientation
Meeting on Wednesday, September 15 at 7:00pm. We will
have refreshments and schmoozing first, and then continue with
our meeting to familiarize you with nursery school routines and
policies. This is an adult only evening. Hope to see you there.
We also invite you to a Parent Workshop with Iris Greenbaum on
Wednesday morning, September 15 at 9:30 am. The topic for
discussion will be New Beginnings.
On behalf of our Beth El Nursery School faculty, I wish everyone a
healthy, happy and sweet New Year.
L’Shana Tova,
Barbara Kanter
Director
5
From the Gift Shop
It may seem premature to
write about Sukkot, but as
all the holidays this year,
it falls particularly early:
Wednesday, September
22nd. As in previous years,
we order fresh lulav and
etrog sets based upon preorder sales. To prevent any
disappointment, we suggest
you order yours right away!
The price will remain the
same as last year: $50 which
includes the sales tax. The refrigerated air shipment is
usually delivered the day before Sukkot. If you would like
more information, please call Robinn 524-2297 or Odette
526-4917.
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we invite you to look at our
beautiful greeting cards. We also have a number of shofars
(shofarot) of different sizes so you can participate loudly in
the Shofar Service too!
Need a small hostess gift? We can cover that too!:
• Our popular candles from Safed are always welcome at $6 to $11.
• New this year are quality kitchen towels and aprons with beautiful designs $9 to $16.
• A group of bright anodized aluminum trivets, napkin holders and netilat yadayim (wash cups) all made in
Israel and designed by Yair Emmanuel. $18 to $36.
While mentioning this last group, we fell in love with an
unusual, very modern menorah by the same designer. Yes,
Chanukah too is early this year and we have scheduled the
Bazaar for Sunday, Nov. 28, only 3 days after Thanksgiving.
Sunday, September 12 • 12:30 pm
Everyone will be welcome to come and help create the youth
lounge! We will provide free lunch for this event!
Beth El Youth Groups are looking for donations for our new Youth
Lounge! If you have a couch, comfortable chairs, end tables
or other items to donate, please send specs & photographs
to our youth group advisor Rebecca DePalma at rebecca@
bethelberkeley.org. Please do not bring anything to Beth El
before speaking with Rebecca. Thank you!
We encourage volunteers to call us if you can help
Saturday, November 27th or Sunday the 28th for our
spectacular Bazaar.
Wishing everyone a Happy and Fulfilling New Year!
Odette and Robinn
oblachman@sbcglobal.net
6
camp kee tov
You Don’t Have to be
Blood to be Family
A person passes by and sees a group of first
and second graders playing an awesome game
of dodgeball in Tilden. A park ranger oversees
the third and fourth graders having a raucous
song session with Eric Schoen. Another camp
gets envious when they witness the 5th and 6th
graders having a Messy Day for the ages.
To an outsider, Camp Kee Tov looks like one of the most fun things
in the world -- and is it ever! Yet, to understand what Camp Kee Tov
is really about, you have to be here. The community, family and
bond that is created for two months in the summer is unparalleled;
years of tradition, creativity and ruach that is brought together in
July and August makes for one of the most unique and amazing
experiences campers, parents and staff can ask for!
The Camp Kee Tov community was put on display at the First
Session Family Night on July 23. Aside from an amazing staff,
hundreds of campers and all the Camp Kee Tov families packed
together on the lawn at Roberts Park singing Jewish songs loud
and proud, we were graced with the presence of many former
CKT families, staff and Directors.
Once you come to Camp Kee Tov, you are part of the family.
People from year’s past still feel the ruach; Kee Tov songs are still
being sung during the school year; and Kee Tov friendships last
forever.
Many Camp Kee Tov families -- new and old -- felt the same
sense of belonging. Here are a few letters and emails I received:
-”Thanks for all your staff’s hard work and enthusiasm in creating
another great year at Kee Tov! My daughter told me she is ready
to give up the rest of our summer plans to do Session 2!”
-”I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts with you (and
your staff) about how incredibly positive our daughter’s experience
(and by extension our own) has been of these last four weeks.
Our daughter is a very social, confident child in general, but her
spirit and joyful countenance seem to have soared to new heights
over this last month.
I believe that the sense of place and belonging and community
that she has enjoyed at Camp KeeTov is a unique and special gift
that these children receive every day. And kids are so hungry for
that kind of belonging...we wanted just to take a moment out to
thank you all so much for providing such a safe, nurturing and fun
place for our daughter to spend a large part of her summer.”
Welcome to the amazingness of Camp Kee Tov, where you don’t
have to be blood to be family.
Zach Landres-Schnur
Director
Beth El’s Musical
Community Wants You!
Do you play an instrument (any instrument: band, orchestra or
other)? Love to sing? Are you interested in learning about our
Jewish musical heritage? Got talent to share?
Adults, Teens and Kids: Become part of the music at Beth El!
Musicians are needed for many different opportunities:
Shabbat Services: join our group of ba’alei tefilah (prayerleaders) to learn and lead Shabbat prayers and music,
from traditional chants to new Jewish folk and rock music.
Instrumentalists and singers are all wanted--bring more music
to our services.
Torah and haftarah chanting: All members are encouraged to
do the mitzvah of chanting a section of Torah or haftarah (the
prophets) at services. There are opportunities for chanting at
about 50 services in the coming year, ranging from small and
intimate services to large, boisterous celebrations. Choose
a date that works for you! Rabbi Reuben will provide any
materials that you need.
Chorus: Join Beth El’s Chorus and represent our community
with beautiful and rockin’ Jewish choral music in a large-group
setting. Our music spans ancient to modern, from Yemen to
Poland to India to Berkeley, and we sing at interfaith and other
community events, other local venues, and selected Beth El
services. Singing experience or music-reading ability is not
needed— rehearsals are warm and fun, and all voices are
welcome!
Youth and Family Education: Look out for Jewish music
electives in 5th-7th grade, starting this fall. Band, chorus,
advanced Torah chanting and service-leading for young
people, all designed for students to have a blast, learn about
our Jewish musical heritage, and share their talents with the
community.
Adult Education: Adult classes in Jewish music are being
planned now for the upcoming year. What would you like to
learn? Let us know!
For more information,
please contact:
Rabbi Reuben Zellman
Assistant Rabbi and Music Director
rabbirz@bethelberkeley.org
music@bethelberkeley.org
510-848-3988 ext. 228
member corner
7
B’NAI MITZVAH
The congregation congratulates
The congregation is cordially invited to
Janice Chapler & Richard Sugerman
attend as our daughter, Julia Bloom is
on the recent Bar Mitzvah of their
called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah
son, Zeke Chapler on Saturday,
on Saturday, October 16, 2010,
August 28, 2010. Mavel Tov!
at 10:15am. Kiddush will follow.
Richard Bloom & Isabel Alegria
The congregation is cordially invited to
The congregation is cordially invited
attend as our daughter, Elinor Lewis is
to attend as my son, Ethan Zeitman is
called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah
called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah
on Saturday, September 4, 2010,
on Saturday, October 30, 2010,
at 10:15am. Kiddush will follow.
at 10:15am. Kiddush will follow.
David Lewis & Julia Levin
Beth Zeitman
The congregation is cordially invited to
attend as our daughter, Nora Stanley is
called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah
on Saturday, September 25, 2010,
at 10:15am. Kiddush will follow.
Clif Stanley & Elizabeth Carpenter
WELCOME TO OUR
NEW MEMBERS:
Brian & Gaelle Gordon
Jonathan Chait & Kevin Huntting
Andy Kivel & Susan Goldstein
The congregation is cordially invited to
attend as our daughter, Emma Gobler
is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah
on Saturday, October 2, 2010,
at 10:15am. Kiddush will follow.
Aaron Gobler & Lisa Cain
Tony Hecht & Michelle Wolfson
Heather Knutson & Paul Nerenberg
Tanir & Josh Konecky
8
library
NEW
BOOKS IN
THE LIBRARY
Your donations to the Plishner and Vida funds are the only source
for books in the library. Here are some new books:
The renowned Arthur Green gave the Rosenzweig Lectures in
Jewish Theology and History at Yale, and they are published as
Radical Judaism: Rethinking God and Tradition. Not surprisingly,
Professor (and Rabbi) Green draws upon Hasidic and Kabbalist
streams in Judaism in rethinking what we mean by “God,” origins
and meanings of existence, human nature and revelation, but in
an attempt to find new Jewish bearings for the 21st century.
The Shtetl: New Evaluations, edited by Steven Katz, Professor and
Director of the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies at Brown
University, is a collection of essays by major Jewish scholars about
all the historical aspects of the shtetl. One such scholar here is
Naomi Seidman, well-known to many at Beth El. Others are, e.g.
Elie Wiesel, Gershon Hundert and Israel Bartal; the latter two are
well-known as historians of Eastern European Jewry. This book is
the first volume in a new series sponsored by the Wiesel Center.
Obliged by Memory, also edited by Steven Katz, is a collection
of essays celebrating Elie Wiesel’s 70th birthday. All the essays
treat the theme of memory, in literature, religion, and ethics, from
multiple vantage points. The contributors include psychologists,
Bible scholars, literature professors, novelists, historians, et al.
In Orthodox by Design: Judaism, Print Politics, and the ArtScroll
Revolution, Jeremy Stolow shows, through an in-depth study of
the ArtScroll publishing phenomenon, the impact of digital media
upon Jewish publishing, focusing on Jewish markets in Toronto,
London, and New York, along with close readings of key ArtScroll
Texts and promotional materials. This is a singular contribution
to the comparatively new field of study of the materiality of
literature.
In The Jews of Eastern Europe, 1772 - 1881, Israel Bartal relates
the history of Eastern European history from the Polish partition
to the Russian pogroms. The partition is what led to there being
Polish Jews, Russian Jews, Hungarian Jews, Austrian Jews, and
so on. It is also what transformed a traditional society with an
autonomous way of life into one much more open to surrounding
cultures but also much more confident of its own identity. The
book tells how this happened.
The Angel of History: Rosenzweig, Benjamin, Scholem, by Stephane
Moses, is the author’s study of three Jewish philosophers who
moved away from a vision of history as inevitable progress to one
imagining history as discontinuous, made of moments rupturing
totality. In this, it was not only their experience of the great
upheavals of the 20th century but their cultural and religious turn
to the Jewish experience of history which allowed them to discover
a radically different dimension of historical consciousness.
Material Culture and Jewish Thought in America, by Ken
Koltun-Fromm, explores how Jews think about and work with
objects. The author looks at material practice and images in
analysis of modern American Jewish philosophers, novelists,
journals and films, drawing upon many disciplines. Braiterman
calls this “the most profound and uniquely conceived study
of modern Jewish thought to appear in a long, long time.”
Scott Spear
Library Chair
Congregation Beth El Adult Education presents...
“Chai”...in pursuit of Life Long Learning
Second Thursday of each month - 12:00 to 1:30 pm*
Check out our exciting fall line up!
October 14, 2010 •11:45 am* - Fifty Years of Saving the Bay
led by David Lewis, Executive Director of Save the Bay
*A brief meeting will begin at 11:45 am, followed by a light lunch sponsored by Stan & Miriam Schiffman. Program begins at 12:15 pm)
November 11, 2010 • 12:00 pm - Emma Goldman Lives - Reflections on a Life of Social Justice
led by Candace Falk, Editor and Director of the Emma Goldman Papers
December 19, 2010 • 12:00 pm - Memory Through the Life-course
with Vivian Clayton, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, specializing in geriatric neuropsychology
For more information, please contact Miriam Schiffman at chai@bethelberkeley.org or call 510-749-9687
Lunch & Learn events are open to the public. Donations can be made to Beth El Adult Education.
sukkot
9
Celebrating Sukkot
and Simchat Torah!
September 22 - 30
Sukkot, the fall harvest festival and celebration of the natural world, always
follows directly after Yom Kippur. After the asceticism of Yom Kippur, Sukkot
celebrates the sensual and the earthy. Sukkot begins on Wednesday
evening, September 22. We encourage you to build your own Sukkah
(see below), and to attend the Secret Sukkah tour on Sunday, September 26.
Details on the annual Secret Sukkah tour and all of our Sukkot events will be
available at the High Holy Days.
• Festival evening service and potluck dinner in Beth El’s sukkah: Wednesday, September 22 - 6:15 pm
• Festival morning services (with special Torah reading, lulav and celebration): Thursday, September 23 -10:15 am
• Yizkor (memorial) services: Wednesday, September 29 - Yizkor Circle - 6:15 pm, Service - 7:00 pm
The week of Sukkot ends with the celebration of Sh’mini Atzeret, the gathering on the eighth day.
• Festival morning services (with special Torah reading, music and celebration) - Thursday, September 30 - 10:15 am
Simchat Torah!
The High Holy Day season concludes with Simchat Torah on Thursday evening, September 30. We joyously conclude the reading of
the Torah and begin it again in a celebratory evening of dancing, featuring a live Klezmer band! At Simchat Torah, we also honor
our newest students by inviting them to the bimah for a special blessing and giving them their own miniature Torah scroll. Potluck
dinner at 6:00 pm, followed by services and dancing beginning at 6:45 pm.
Shake The Lulav & Eat in the Sukkah at Beth El
All Week Long
Stop in and eat a lunch or dinner in the Beth El Sukkah anytime during the week. During Sukkot, we also wave the lulav, composed
of branches from three different trees and the etrog, the citron fruit. A lulav and etrog (and instructions for how to use them) will
await you in the Sukkah. You may also purchase a lulav and etrog set at the Beth El Gift Shop.
Are you Building a Sukkah This Year? Join Secret Sukkah
Sunday, September 26 • 1:00 - 4:00 pm
At Beth El’s annual Secret Sukkah tour, congregants open their sukkot to neighbors and fellow Beth El members for an afternoon. If
you would like your sukkah to be a “stop on the tour,” please contact Mandy Katz in the Beth El office: mandy@bethelberkeley.org.
At the conclusion of Beth El’s Secret Sukkah tours, Beth El’s Rabbis invite you to...
The Rabbis’ Sukkah
Sunday, September 26 • 4:00 - 7:00 pm (1855 Capistrano Avenue, Berkeley)
Rabbi Yoel Kahn and Rabbi Reuben Zellman invite you and your family to a Sukkot Open House at the home of Sydell Lemerman,
grandmother of Rabbi Zellman. Come by for food, music and fun in the sukkah!
Build Your Own Sukkah: A Do-it-Yourself Mitzvah!
The Torah teaches us that every year we celebrate in sukkot: temporary, decorated outdoor shelters with a roof made of branches
and leaves with spaces to see the stars. It is a mitzvah to dwell in a sukkah, and it is a mitzvah to build one of your own! Creating
your own sukkah is a fun and beautiful outdoor mitzvah for kids and adults together. Check out www.myjewishlearning.com (go
to “Holidays” and then “Sukkot”) for information about Sukkot and how to build a sukkah from scratch. Not the handy type? There
are easy-to-use sukkah-building kits, and even pop-up sukkot, easily available at reasonable cost. Visit your nearby Judaica store, or
check out sites such as www.sukkot.com.
And of course, join Beth El for our community Sukkot celebrations!
See the full schedule of Sukkot events above. Chag sameach!
10
tzedakah
Tzedakah
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN - STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY
Kathie Weinstein
Vadjiheh Yadegar
B’NAI MITZVAH FUND
Bruce Saldinger & Lynne Royer in honor of Haley & Noah
Richards being called to the Torah as B’nai Mitzvah
CAMP KEE TOV SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Sondra & Herb Napell in memory of Barbara Gorin
DAVID SOL COTTON MEMORIAL SWIG FUND
Alfred & Anita Cotton in memory of David Sol Cotton
GENERAL FUND
Monty Garretson
Edward Holly
Iren Suhami
Juliette Hassid in memory of Victor Mizrahi
Jean Henderson in memory of Sarah Blacker
Allen & Hannah King in memory of Myron King
Lori & Doug Perlstadt in memory of Harry Neimark
Thomas Schatzki in memory of Lillian Schatzki
Aleksandr Shirman in memory of Bella Shirman
The Warner & McGarry Families in honor of Dan & Lynne
Fingerman becoming grandparents
The Warner & McGarry Families in honor of Paul & Susan
Sugarman becoming grandparents
HOMELESS MEAL PROGRAM
Clarke & Maria Daniels
Neil & Jane Levy
Bryn Lewin-Offel
Nancy Turak & Marc Davis
Merle & Michael Fajans in memory of Jacqueline Rose Brown
Alan & Heidi Shonkoff in memory of Myron King
Vadjiheh Yadegar in memory of Yadegar Yadegar
MUSIC FUND
Bruce Saldinger & Lynne Royer
RABBI YOEL KAHN’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Judy Chess
Bruce Saldinger & Lynne Royer
The Steckel/Morris Family in honor of Julian Goldberg being
called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah
The Steckel/Morris Family in honor of Zeke Chapler being called
to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah
SOCIAL ACTION FUND
Ann Manheimer & Arthur Swislocki in memory of Marie Swislocki
Death and Mourning:
Jewish Traditions,
Jewish Decisions
Thursdays: October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
7:00 - 8:30 pm at Congregation Beth El
Join Rabbi Reuben Zellman for a four-session class on
Jewish traditions, rituals and beliefs surrounding death
and mourning. This class will address questions such as:
• What Jewish decisions might I face
when someone I love dies?
• What are my responsibilities?
• What actually happens at a
Jewish funeral, and why?
• How long is Kaddish said,
and for whom is it OK to say it?
• How do Jewish death and mourning traditions
incorporate loved ones who are not Jewish?
• What should I be doing to prepare for
my own end-of-life needs?
• What do Jews think about burial and cremation?
• Organ donation?
• As a member of a Jewish community,
what can I do to be supportive when
someone else experiences a loss?
The class will highlight the kinds of decisions we all
face, and how Judaism guides us in making them.
No previous Jewish background is needed.
All are welcome. You are encouraged to attend all
four sessions, but welcome to join us on whatever
dates you are able.
Following the class sessions, two additional ‘hands-on’
sessions will be held. One will focus on those interested
in leading shiva minyanim. The other will focus on
performing the rituals of taharah and shmirah, the
preparation and accompaniment of the body.
For questions or more information,
please contact:
Vivian Clayton
vivianclaytonphd@ix.netcom.com
510-540-7877
Rabbi Reuben Zellman
rabbirz@bethelberkeley.org
510-848-3988 ext. 228
11
Membership Renewal
Memorial Plaques
The following are the names of our members who have
pledged above and beyond our requested standard
dues commitment, since our last Builder. Your generosity
enables us to fulfill our commitments to our Jewish
community and to make membership at Congregation
Beth El possible for all regardless of financial
circumstances. Thank you.
Loved ones may be remembered by inscribing their
Richard & Christine Aptaker
names in a cast bronze Memorial Plaque mounted in
the sanctuary. This is a permanent way to remember
those who have been taken from us by death. The
memorial light is lit annually during the week of the
Yahrzeit of your loved one and at Yizkor services
throughout the year. The names of every one
Stuart & Judy Berman
remembered through a Memorial Plaque are also
Richard & Liz Bordow
included perpetually in the Congregation’s Book of
Jesse & Laren Brill
Remembrance. The cost of a Memorial Plaque is $500.
Barbara Cohn
Helise Cohn & Neil Gray
Andy & Lauren Ganes
John Gordon & Janis Mitchell
Diane Halberg & Joshua Langenthal
Donald & Ronna Honigman
Marv Pearlstein
If you would like to learn more about or to purchase a
Memorial Plaque, please send the following information
to Norm Frankel at norm@bethelberkeley.org
English Name: _______________________________
Hebrew Name: ______________________________
Steven & Barbara Segal
Alan Siegel & Tracy Green
Steven Shatz & Nina Rivkind
Alan & Heidi Shonkoff
Date of Birth: ________________________________
Date of Death: ______________________________
Please Join Us in the Sukkah for a
NEW MEMBER BRUNCH
Sunday, September 26th • 10:00 am
• Wave the lulag and etrog with Rabbi Kahn
• Sing along with Rabbi Reuben
• Children’s activities and Childcare
• Delicious food prepared for you by your fellow congregants
And much more!
RSVPs welcomed but not required.
Please contact Mandy Katz at 510-848-3988 x235 or mandy@bethelberkeley.org
12
Wanted:
B’nei Mitzvah
Mentors
(Morei Derech)
Challenge yourself.
Discover your values.
Imagine your future.
Becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is so much more
than practicing Hebrew and learning about
a Torah portion. It is a rite of passage, one in
which the student should feel embraced and
supported by the community. This year, we are
Jewish Community High School
implementing a new mentoring program for our
OPEN HOUSE
b’nei mitzvah students. We will be matching
October 17 & December 5 Ř 2-4 p.m.
RSVP at 415.345.9777 x124
JCHS |
1835 Ellis Street | San Francisco | www.jchsofthebay.org
each student with a Beth El congregant willing to
spend three Shabbat mornings with the student.
As a moreh derech (‘one who shows the way’,
or a ‘guide’), the adult will discuss the student’s
Torah portion, share their own Jewish background
and experiences, and talk about the student’s
journey towards adulthood. Each of the morei
derech will meet with their student at 10:30 on
Saturday morning. Together they will study for
45 minutes, and then attend the Torah Service
together in the main sanctuary.
We are looking for morei derech who are
interested in becoming involved in the life of a
Beth El teen. You do not need to know Hebrew
or how to chant Torah to participate as a mentor;
rather, the important part is that you are open to
sharing who you are and your journey as a Jew,
and talking with one of our youth about theirs.
To sign up, please contact Debra Massey:
debra@bethelberkeley.org.
13
BE involved at Beth El
social action
let Justice roll down like waters, and righteousness
like an ever-flowing stream
Have you heard of the Jewish Community Relations Council
(JCRC)? The JCRC is the public affairs arm of the organized
Jewish community. The mission of the JCRC is to identify key
issues of importance to the Jewish community and provide
educational programs and advocate for those issues. The Bay
Area JCRC represents upwards of 70 synagogues and Jewish
organizations. The East Bay Council includes representatives from
most of the synagogues in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
as well as members of the East Bay Jewish community at-large.
The JCRC seeks to provide service to the Jewish community, build
Jewish communal identity and engage the Jewish community in
activism.
Muslim community. Here at Beth El, the Social Action Committee
continues to support the Homeless Meal Program, tutoring at the
Rosa Parks School and other Berkeley Public Schools, support for
YEAH ( a shelter for former foster kids now ages 18-24), and
working for social justice with other Jewish congregations and with
the Berkeley interfaith community organizing coalition (BOCA).
The East Bay JCRC has just begun a new term for fiscal year
2010-11. Our new chair, Lenny Kristal, has been an Israel activist
for many years and will bring renewed energy and ideas to the
Council. We are expecting to put more time into Israel advocacy
this year in light of growing anti-Israel activity that has been
impacting our community.
If you have concerns regarding anti-Semitism or anti-Israel activity
in your schools or neighborhood, feel free to contact East Bay
JCRC Regional Director, Myrna David at (510) 318-6417 or by
email at myrna@jfed.org. The East Bay JCRC is here to serve and
be a resource for you. Let us know your thoughts. Shanah tovah
from the JCRC!
You may have heard of the “BDS” Movement, which stands for
boycott, divestment and sanctions of Israel. It is a concerted effort
to de-legitimize the Jewish state, hurt Israel economically and
undermine U.S. support for Israel. Northern California has been
a focal point for BDS during most of 2010, which indicates that
the organized anti-Israel community has galvanized around this
particular tactic and will be using it as the focal point of their
expanding campaign.
Wilma Rader
Social Action Chair
There was a divestment resolution taken up at UC Berkeley which
was tabled and two others taken off the agenda in Berkeley (Peace
and Justice Commission) and in Richmond respectively. Your
JCRC played a key role in helping to keep those resolutions from
moving forward by mobilizing the community to defend Israel.
Many steps will need to be taken to counteract the BDS movement.
We have already formed sub-committees to look at improving proIsrael communications, forming strong relations with churches,
labor and government and trying to promote Israel in the arts. If
you have contacts and/or knowledge in any of these areas, we
could use your assistance.
While the JCRC is ramping up Israel advocacy, we will continue
some of the social action projects from the past. Last year JCRC
volunteers served four dinners at the Greater Richmond Interfaith
Project (GRIP) family shelter in coalition with members of the
If you want to learn more about the JCRC or Beth El’s own Social
Action Committee, feel free to contact me at socialaction@
bethelberkeley.org. I am currently serving on the East Bay JCRC
as your representative from Congregation Beth El. You can also
check out the JCRC on the web at www.jcrc.org.
The East Bay JCRC is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation and
Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bay.
New Israel Fund’s 16th Annual
Guardian of
Democracy Dinner
Wednesday, October 13
San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel
Featuring:
Avraham Burg
Veteran Israeli social activist and the youngest Speaker
in the history of the Israeli Knesset. Burg has been called
one of the best speechmakers in politics.
Honoring:
Diane Jordan Wexler – Guardian of Democracy Award
Jeremy Lizt – New Generations Leadership Award
Please join us to help honor our friends and support NIF.
Visit www.nif.org/guardian for more information.
14
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Selective, rolling admissions process closes on Oct. 15, 2010.
Apply early to increase your chance of being admitted.
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for more infomation.
realtyadvocates.com • 510 428-0757
“To Many a Cemetery is a Business. . .
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Tel Shalom Burial Association, Inc.
Honoring and Respecting the Deceased
Since 1967
“Kevod Ha-Meit” - Honoring the Deceased
Sharon Mittleman • 510-245-7401
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Fran Welstand • 510-758-2873
midrasha
I love this time of the year when I’m always
filled with anticipation for the start of the
school year. I know I’ve hired great staff. I
know they’re teaching creative and innovative
classes. I know that we have eager, exuberant
students enrolled. Now all that remains is to
see the chemistry created between them all.
Which students will get turned on by which
classes? Which teachers will come into the
office, stunned by the wisdom of their students
in class that morning? It’s all a story waiting to be written.
TORAH STUDY
Meets Shabbat Morning (Saturday)
in the Beit Midrash at 9:15am
September 4, 2010
Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech
Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30
Led by Marc Davis
There is so much to look forward to this year. We will be holding
our retreats at Walker Creek Ranch, a site we have used in the
past and one with ample space to accommodate our second big
change – all grades will be on the retreats together and everyone
will feel like a member of a large Midrasha community. We’ll have
the opportunity to group students in different ways, sometimes just
with students from their own grade and sometimes with another
grade or two and sometimes with the entire community. And
since all students will be together on retreats and there will be
no Midrasha classes those weekends, I get to go along on the
retreats, something I haven’t done for years.
September 11, 2010
Parashat Ha’Azinu
Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52
Led by Nancy Turak
Our faculty remains the heart of what makes Midrasha so great.
This year we have three new teachers. Aaron Levi recently moved
to the Bay Area. He’s been director of a Habonim camp, a guide
in Israel and a journalist. He’ll be teaching classes on Israel and
Advanced Hebrew. Both of our other new teachers are Midrasha
grads. Josh Weisman, Midrasha Class of 1997, has worked as an
organizer for nine years, training youth, parents, congregational
leaders, rabbis and pastors to create social change. He’ll be
teaching classes in Jewish spirituality and thought and in ecology
and the Bible. (How’s this for a title: Singing Trees, Melting
Mountains, Whirling Oaks) Beth Midanik-Blum, Midrasha Class
of 2005, just graduated from the University of Washington.
She will be teaching a class on Anita Diamont’s The Red Tent
and classes in relationships and sexuality and on being Jewish
in a multicultural world. Of course, most of our old faculty are
returning, and they will teaching classes with titles like “Hunting
Eichmann,” “Art meditation: Shiviti Mandalas,” Experiment 2010
: Live the Life You’ve Imagined,” “Pop-Jewy: Music to the Jewish
Ear,” “Yoga: Shmirat Ha-Guf – Protecting the Body”, and an art
class called “Jewish Genes/ Jewish Jeans among others.” And of
course we have classes in Talmud, Hebrew and Tanach text study
and Abraham’s Vision, our inter-group Muslim and Jewish conflict
transformation program will be continuing, now in its third year.
October 2, 2010
Parashat Bereshit
Genesis 1:1-6:8
Led by Dan Magid
New students and parents come on Thursday, September 2 at
7:30 pm. Students will have a chance to meet each other, see
old friends, and get a taste of what the year will be like. Parents
will get to meet with me and get all their questions answered.
Midrasha’s Sunday classes begin on September 12 at 9:30 a.m.
and our Monday afternoon Tanach Study Group with David
Henkin, Midrasha’s gem for students who love to delve into the
Bible, will begin on Monday, September 13 at 4:15 pm at Beth
Israel. Everything else will take place at Beth El.
15
September 18, 2010
Yom Kippur
September 25, 2010
Ecclesiastes
Led by Thom Seaton
October 9, 2010
Parashat Noach
Genesis 6:9-11:32
Led by Rabbi Yoel Kahn
October 16, 2010
Parashat Lech-Lecha
Genesis 12:1-17:27
Led by Nancy Wallach
October 23, 2010
Parashat Vayera
Genesis 18:1-22:24
Led by Moshe Maler
October 30, 2010
Parashat Chayei Sara
Genesis 23:1-25:18
Led by Laurie Swiadon
I wish all of you a Shana Tova U’Metukah, a year that is sweet and
good, filled with everything you wish for.
Diane Bernbaum
Director
16
contributions
I
t is a Jewish tradition to give Tzedakah to commemorate life cycle events and other occasions. Are you celebrating
a birthday, engagement, anniversary, baby naming, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or a recovery from illness? These are just a
few ideas of appropriate times to commemorate with a donation to Beth El. 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 at Congregation Beth El. Thank you for your support.
CONGREGATION BETH EL Fund Contributions
This contribution of $_________ is □ in Memory of* □ in Honor of*
*
Please credit the fund checked below:
Contribution
Acknowledge
From:
To:
Address Address
□
General Fund - Use Where Most Needed
□
Marian Magid Memorial Fund
□
Aaron Plishner Children Library
□
Men’s Club
□ Arjmand Adult Education Fund
□
Mitzvah Committee
□
Blachman Emergency Fund
□
Music Fund
□
Building Fund
□
Nursery School Fund
□
Camp Kee Tov Scholarship Fund
□
Oneg/Kiddush Fund
□
Chevra Kadisha Fund
□
Prayerbook Fund
□
David Cotton Memorial Swig Fund
□
Rabbi’s Kahn’s Discretionary Fund
□
Ellen Meyer Childcare Fund
□
Rabbi Emeritus’ Raj’s Discretionary Fund
□
Endowment Fund
□
Rabbi Vida Library Fund
□
Freed Flower Fund
□
Religious School Fund
□
Homeless Meal Program
□
Social Action Fund
□
Israel Scholarship Fund
□
Youth Groups Fund
□
Bar Lev Landscape Fund
□ _________________________________________
Thank you for your generosity. Please make checks payable to Congregation Beth El
and mail to 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA 94709
17
September 2010/ Elul 5770 - Tishri 5771
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
NS Nursery School
Friday
3
6:15p Shabbat
Evening Service
Saturday
4
8:30a Early Minyan
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
YAFE Youth and Family Education
Bat Mitzvah Elinor Lewis
9:00p Selichot
Service
5
6
LABOR DAY
Offices & Schools
Closed
7
1st Day of
Nursery School
8
9
6:00p Early Service
Offices & Schools
Closed
EREV ROSH
HASHANAH
8:45p Late Service
12
12:30p Youth Group
Lounge Opening &
Dedication
19
Chug Mishpacha
Sukkah Building
13
9:30a Baby
Playgroup
20
9:30a Baby
Playgroup
14
7:00p Board Meeting
8:00p YAFE
Committee Meeting
21
7:15p Program
Council
2:00p Homeless
Meal - Medical
Clinic
15
7:00p HHD Chorus
Rehearsals
10:00a New Member
Brunch
11:30p Strategic
Planning Meeting
For complete
Rosh Hashanah
schedule,
please visit www.
bethelberkeley.org
16
7:00 NS Parent
Orientation
22
23
6:15p Potluck Dinner
& Service in Sukkah
Offices & Schools
Closed
EREV SUKKOT
SUKKOT
10:15a Sukkot
Festival Morning
Services
5:00p Homeless
Meal
26
ROSH HASHANAH
27
9:30a Baby
Playgroup
28
4:00p 7th Grade
Opening Program
6:00p YAFE Open
House
7:00p Youth
Committee Meeting
29
30
6:15p Yizkor Circle
Offices & Schools
Closed
SHEMINI ATZERET
7:00p Yizkor Service
SIMCHAT TORAH
For complete
Shemini Atzeret/
Simchat Torah
schedule,
please visit www.
bethelberkeley.org
10
2nd DAY
ROSH HASHANAH
Offices & Schools
Closed
10:15a Community
Service
11
8:30a Early Minyan
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
6:15p Shabbat
Evening Service
17
18
6:00p Early Service
Offices & Schools
Closed
EREV YOM KIPPUR
(KOL NIDRE)
YOM KIPPUR DAY
8:45p Late Service
For complete
Yom Kippur
schedule,
please visit www.
bethelberkeley.org
24
25
6:15p Shabbat
Evening Service
8:30a Early Minyan
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
Bat Mitzvah Nora Stanley
18
directory
Congregation Beth El
1301 Oxford Street • Berkeley, CA 94709-1424
Main Phone Number (510) 848-3988 *** Fax (510) 848-2707
Religious School Office Direct Line (510) 848-2122
Nursery School Office Direct Line (510) 848-9428
Camp Kee Tov Office Direct Line (510) 848-2372
Midrasha Direct Line (510) 843-4667
Clergy & Staff
Ext. Direct Line Rabbi Yoel H. Kahn 215 Email Address
rabbikahn@bethelberkeley.org
Rabbi Reuben Zellman, Asst. Rabbi & Music Director 228
reuben@bethelberkeley.org
Norm Frankel, Executive Director
212
norm@bethelberkeley.org
Debra Sagan Massey, Director of Education
213
848-2122
debra@bethelberkeley.org
Barbara Kanter, Nursery School Director 219 848-9428 barbara@bethelberkeley.org
Zach Landres-Schnur, Camp Kee Tov Director
217
848-2372
zach@bethelberkeley.org
Laura Adams, Accounting 210 laura@bethelberkeley.org
Diane Bernbaum, Midrasha Director 843-4667 diane@midrasha.org
Odette Blachman, Gift Shop 240 oblachman@sbcglobal.net
Rebecca DePalma, RS Admin. Coordinator 214 rebecca@bethelberkeley.org
Mandy Katz, Admin. Coordinator
235
mandy@bethelberkeley.org
Lenora O’Keith, Main Office
211 lenora@bethelberkeley.org
Stephanie Pollick, Kee Tov Admin. Coordinator
223
stephanie@bethelberkeley.org
848-2122 848-2372
Rabbi Ferenc Raj, Rabbi Emeritus ferenc@bethelberkeley.org
The Builder
Issue No. 123
Congregation Beth El is a member of
The Union for Reform Judaism
1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley CA 94709-1424
510-848-3988
www.bethelberkeley.org
calendar
19
October 2010/ Tishri - Cheshvan 5771
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
2
8:00p Shabbat
Evening Service
8:30a Early Minyan
5:30p Tot Shabbat
NS Nursery School
Saturday
YAFE Youth and Family Education
1st Day of Chug
Mishpacha
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
Bat Mitzvah Emma Gobler
3
4
9:30a Baby
Playgroup
5
1st Day of YAFE
7:00p Board Meeting
6
7:30p Lehrhaus/
Interfaith Couples
7
7:00p Adult Ed/
Death & Mourning
8
6:15p Shabbat
Evening Service
6:15p Shabbat
Unplugged Dinner
7:00p Shabbat
Unplugged Service
10
7:00p Yaakov Katz
Event
11
9:30a Baby
Playgroup
12
13
7:15p Adult Ed/
Prophets &
Haphtorah
7:30p Lehrhaus/
Interfaith Couples
9
8:30a Early Minyan
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
10:15a B’nai Mitzvah
Family Program
14
15
16
7:00p Adult Ed/
Death & Mourning
6:15p Shabbat
Evening Service
8:30a Early Minyan
11:45a Chai Lunch
Forum
SHABBATON AT
WALKER CREEK
7:30p Lehrhaus/
Midrash w/ R. Caine
SHABBATON AT
WALKER CREEK
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
Bat Mitzvah Julia Bloom
17
18
SHABBATON AT
WALKER CREEK
9:30a Baby
Playgroup
2:00p Homeless
Meal - Medical
Clinic
19
7:15p Program
Council
8:00p YAFE
Committee Meeting
20
21
7:30p Lehrhaus/
Midrash w/ R. Caine
7:00p Lehrhaus/
Spirit of the Vine
27
28
7:30p Lehrhaus/
Interfaith Couples
7:00p Adult Ed/
Death & Mourning
22
6:15p Shabbat
Evening Service
23
8:30a Early Minyan
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
5:00p Homeless
Meal
24
25
9:30a Baby
Playgroup
26
6:00p B’nai Mitzvah
Parent Meeting
7:00p Lehrhaus/Beg.
Modern Hebrew
7:15p Adult Ed/
People of the Book
31
7:30p Lehrhaus/
Interfaith Couples
7:30p Lehrhaus/
Midrash w/ R. Caine
8:25p Lehrhaus/Int.
Modern Hebrew
7:00p Adult Ed/
Death & Mourning
7:00p Lehrhaus/
Spirit of the Vine
7:00p Lehrhaus/Adv.
Modern Hebrew
29
6:15p Shabbat
Evening Service
30
8:30a Early Minyan
9:15a Torah Study
10:15a Shabbat
Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah Ethan Zeitman
congregation beth el
1301 Oxford Street
Berkeley, CA 94709-1424
October 15 - 17, 2010
at Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma
As a result of the overwhelming enthusiasm at our past gatherings at Walker
Creek Ranch, there has been a strong demand for a fall weekend away as a
community. This will “launch” our community into a year of learning together,
making new friends, rejuvenating ourselves, and building a stronger Beth El.
Activities will include options for learning with scholars, biking, hiking, nature
walks, arts and crafts, campfires, singing, solitude and much, much more.
There will be time slots for families to spend quality time together, as well as
time for fun-filled children’s activities led by our experienced Camp Kee Tov
staff, allowing parents some well-deserved time off.
New lower prices for all thanks to generous subsidies.
$100 adult/$50 child for economy cabins; camping and private
accommodations available as well. (Additional Scholarships available)
To register, please visit www.bethelberkeley.org. For more information, or to
get involved in the planning of the retreat, please contact Debra Massey
at 510-848-2122, x213 or debra@bethelberkeley.org