An evening - Temple Sinai

12 Nissan to 11 Iyar APRIL 2015 ISSUE 99
INSIDE
Israel Shabbat . . . . . . . . . . 3
Passover at Temple Sinai . . 4
Answering Tough Questions
About Israel. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Tillie and Rene Molho Endowment for Holocaust Remembrance of the
Jewish Community Federation and Foundation of the Greater East Bay invites you to
An evening
Technology Update
by Mike Baker. . . . . . . . . . . 5
WTS and Brotherhood . . . . 6
Contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
and Resistance
Estate Planning. . . . . . . . . 8
EWJ and
Adult Education . . . . . . . . 8
Serving Students
with Special Needs . . . . . . 9
Preschool, Youth Programs
and Midrasha . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Lifecycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Tuesday, April 14, 7:45pm
Temple Sinai
28th and Webster Streets, Oakland
The 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Partisan Mira Shelub
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Guest Speaker:
Fred Rosenbaum
Author, Historian and the Director of Lehrhaus Judaica
People of the Book
Literacy Project. . . . . . . . . 11
6:00pm – 7:15pm Dinner for Holocaust Survivors and their Families
Social Action
Community Projects. . . . . 11
Sponsors
Bay Area Midrasha, Beth Jacob Congregation, B’nai B’rith Oakland, JCC of the East Bay, JFCS/East Bay,
JCRC/East Bay, Oakland Hebrew Day School, Tehiyah Day School, Temple Beth Abraham, Temple Israel,
Temple Sinai, and The Jewish Federation and The Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bay.
People of the Book. . . . . . 11
Special Shabbat
Service in May. . . . . . . . back
www.oaklandsinai.org
Prayers of Remembrance and Candlelighting
Admission is free and open to the public
For information: (510) 809-4953 or riva@jfed.org
FROM THE CANTOR’s
CANTOR’S DESK
I’ve never met an Israeli who
couldn’t sing! I know it sounds like a
stereotype, but I believe it to be true.
In all my interactions with Israelis,
and in all my years of visiting and
living in Israel, I have noticed that
most Israelis have an ear for music
and love to sing. Case in point,
Rabbi Regev! This must have something to do with music
being such a large part of Israeli life and culture.
Modern Israeli song goes back to the early years of settling the
land. The early settlers were called chalutzim or pioneers, and
they worked the land and developed it long before the state
was established in 1948. And like most workers, they sang
when they worked to help pass the time and lend rhythm
to the motions of their labor. Out of these pioneers came an
entire genre of Israeli song that is known today as songs of
the chalutzim, or working songs. These songs speak about the
land and the fruits of the pioneers’ labor.
It was from this genre of music that the Israeli folk dance
developed. The chalutzim would work the fields by day and
dance by night, and so these songs developed into the Israeli
folk dance songs that we know of today. The most popular
of these Israeli folk dances is the hora which Jews all over
the world use to celebrate at weddings and Bar/Bat
Mitzvah parties.
Of course, the pioneers did more than just work and dance.
They also fell in love, and so developed the Israeli love song.
However, Jews do not have to reinvent the wheel when it
comes to love songs. We have our very own book of Jewish
love songs already written from thousands of years ago! Many
of the Israeli composers have set texts from Song of Songs or
Shir HaShirim to their own Israeli style folk tunes or Middle
Eastern style melodies which they heard and adopted from
their Arab neighbors. As a result, the genre of the Israeli love
song developed, and can be heard today at Jewish weddings
all over the world.
One of the greatest love affairs for Jews and Israelis alike is
the love of Jerusalem. There is something about that magical
city on the hill that conjures up feelings of nostalgia and
spirituality that is inexplicable. Perhaps it is the way the
sun rises over the Judean hills to the east and reflects off the
ramparts of the ancient city walls to create a golden aura
of light. Whatever the reason, there have been hundreds of
Israeli songs written about that ancient city of Jerusalem, and
for Jews as a whole, it has become a focal point of our liturgy.
Israeli and Diaspora Jews alike finish every Passover seder with
the singing of L’shana Haba’ah b’Yerushalayim, Next Year in
Jerusalem. Our liturgy has multiple prayers for both the land
of Israel as well as the city of Jerusalem. We are a people who
are linked with the land, and this is reflected in our prayers.
Israelis have taken this part of our tradition and have created
a genre of Israeli art songs, folk songs, and pop songs that
speak about our connection to this holy ancient city.
The word Jerusalem literally means “abode of peace,” but
this city has seen everything but peace in its 3,000 plus years
of existence. Multiple religions and peoples have sought to
dominate this city, and have destroyed it over and over again
throughout the centuries. For a city named for peace, it has
seen too much war and strife.
In modern times, Israelis composers have been campaigning
for peace through their music. Israeli Jews and Arabs have
come together to use music as a way to build bridges between
their people and cultures. Thousands of songs have been
written calling for peace in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem.
Music is the great hope of the Jewish people, so it is no
wonder that Israelis are raised singing and making song.
If you want to hear Israel sing, join us on Friday, April
24, 2015 at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary for Israel Shabbat
featuring the Temple Sinai Adult Choir. Learn about the
origin of some of the most popular Israeli folk songs, and be
prepared to sing along to your favorite Israeli standards.
Cantor Ilene Keys
Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, Rabbi
Ilene Keys, Cantor
Yoni Regev, Rabbi
Samuel Broude, Rabbi Emeritus
Steven A. Chester, Rabbi Emeritus
t
Cantor Keys, Rabbi Mates-Muchin and Rabbi Regev
Mike Baker, President
Paul Geduldig, Executive Director
Sue Bojdak, Director of Education
Ellen Lefkowitz, Preschool Director
Lisa Hanauer, Director of Membership &
Communications
TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN (USPS 7053) is published monthly except June and July by the First Hebrew Congregation of Oakland,
2808 Summit Street, Oakland, CA 94609. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Temple Sinai Bulletin, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland CA 94609-3605.
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April 2015
T’filah /prayer
SHABBAT MINYAN
Second Shabbat morning of each month, at 10:30am in the Albers Chapel
The Shabbat Minyan is an exuberant and joyful lay-led service. This highly
participatory celebration combines traditional elements with professionally led
modern music. Our strong sense of community is enhanced by the potluck kiddush
that follows the service. Volunteers (for chanting, readings, etc.) can contact
Dan Fendel at dfendel@sfsu.edu.
Schedule
of Services
TUESDAY MORNING MINYAN
Every Tuesday morning from 7:30am – 8:00am
Join us in an intimate setting for prayer based on the tradition, and using the Reform
siddur, with time and space for individual prayer as well. We begin in the Chapel
at 7:30am with 10 minutes of learning (presented either by Rabbi Regev or a lay
participant), followed by the prayer service itself, ending at 8:00am. Newcomers,
including those not familiar with the prayers, are especially welcome to join us in times
of special need, to help perform the mitzvah of providing a minyan for those who are
saying kaddish, or if you would like to explore prayer and learning to see how it may
enhance your day. We welcome you to join us afterwards for coffee/tea/bagels at
Posh Bagel on Piedmont Avenue.
10:30am, Shabbat Morning and
First Day Passover Festival Service;
Albers Chapel
SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY
Every Shabbat Morning from 9:00am – 10:15am
We study Torah together. Become part of the group that joins Rabbi Mates-Muchin
or Rabbi Regev in a stimulating discussion as we work our way slowly, about a chapter
per week, through Torah. We are now in the book of Leviticus. The session closes
with a prepared drash by a volunteer congregant on the portion of the week. Bagels
and coffee are served and the discussions end in time for the 10:30am Shabbat
Morning Service.
Erev Shabbat – Mizmor Shir! Service
Friday, April 17, 7:30pm
A musical Shabbat service featuring Cantor Keys and the Mizmor Shir! musicians on
piano, guitar, mandolin, flute, saxophone, clarinet, violin, harmonica, drums and other
percussive instruments. This service features congregational melodies and eclectic,
contemporary music which complement the creative service booklet compiled by
Rabbi Mates-Muchin specifically for this service.
Israel Shabbat
Friday, April 24, 2015 at 7:30 pm
in our Sanctuary
featuring Cantor Ilene Keys
Temple Sinai Adult Choir
George Anton Emblom, Choir Director
Learn the origin of popular Israeli folk songs and sing-a-long
to your favorite Israeli standards.
Friday, April 3
5:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service;
Albers Chapel, Erev Pesach
Saturday, April 4
5:30pm, Congregational Passover
Seder; Stern Hall (RSVP required)
Friday, April 10
7:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service with
Yizkor; Albers Chapel
Saturday, April 11
10:30am, Shabbat Minyan Service;
Albers Chapel
Tuesday, April 14
7:45pm, Community Holocaust
Commemoration Ceremony;
Sanctuary
Friday, April 17
7:30pm, Mizmor Shir! Erev Shabbat
Service featuring the Mizmor Shir!
musicians and soulful music;
Sanctuary
Saturday, April 18
10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service
with the Bat Mitzvah of Julia Stewart;
Sanctuary
Friday, April 24
6:00pm, Sababa Shabbat Service
for Pre-K through 2nd grade children
with their families; Albers Chapel
7:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service
Celebrating Israel featuring the
Temple Sinai Adult Choir, sponsored
by the Israel Education Committee;
Sanctuary
Saturday, April 25
10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service
with the Bar Mitzvah of Finneas
Patterson; Sanctuary
Temple Sinai is committed to accessibility. All programs taking place at Temple Sinai
are wheelchair accessible. Accessibility of programs taking place offsite is noted by
the wheelchair accessibility symbol. If you have concerns about an offsite location,
please check with the contact person provided for that program.
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TO
PROGRAMS
FROM
COME
THE CANTOR’S
and EVENTS
DESK
Passover at Temple Sinai
The Next Chapter
Pesach, or Passover, is a celebration of liberation and birth
– our liberation from bondage in Egypt and the birth of the
nation of Israel. It’s a time for recounting the story of those
events and reaffirming our link with the Jewish people and
with all who struggle for human rights and liberty in our
own time. In the words of the haggadah (a book we read from,
meaning “telling”), “In every generation, each person should
feel as though he or she were redeemed from Egypt...”
Thursday, April 9, 6:30pm, Seysetha Thai Restaurant,
Oakland
Join The Next Chapter (60+) for an evening of musical
entertainment and a no-host dinner. We will enjoy The Bob
Schoen Trio, with vocals by Catherine DeCuir, performing
from 7:30pm-9:30pm. No cover, just good food at reasonable
prices. Please RSVP by April 6 to either Hannah Goody at
lghg1@aol.com or Trish Elliott at 842phd@gmail.com.
The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special
service called the seder (meaning “order”). We read from
the haggadah, which contains the order of prayers, rituals,
readings and songs for the Pesach seder. The Pesach seder is
the only ritual meal in the Jewish calendar year for which
such an order is prescribed.
Temple Sinai Trivia Team
Here is what is going on at Temple Sinai for Passover:
Thursday April 9, 7:00pm
Join us for food, fun and trivia at the New Parkway Theater,
474 24th St., Oakland
New! YADID
Friend or Companion
wednesday, april 1, 5:45pm
WTS Women’s Seder & Potluck
Join women of all ages as we honor the heroines of Jewish
history and rejoice in our personal liberation.
Sunday, April 19, 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Temple Sinai
Parents of 2016 Bar and Bat Mitzvah Students: Have
questions? Don’t know where to start? Join us to learn
about a special new parent-led program designed to give
you extra support during this exciting year.
Friday, APRIL 3, 12:30pm
Preschool Seders & Parent Nosh
RSVP to Aviva Black avivablack@gmail.com or Anne
Schmitz anneschmitz@sbcglobal.net.
saturday, APRIL 4, 5:30pm
Temple Sinai’s Annual Community Seder
Let all who are hungry – for a meal catered by Z Café and for
community – join us this night!
Wilderness Torah’s Passover in the Desert:
In the Wilderness, Come Close to the One
Thursday, April 9 to Monday, April 13
Pre-Festival Vision Quest Option:Tuesday April 7 – Thursday,
April 9. Panamint Valley, near Death Valley, SE California.
Each year, we Jews retell our core story — our Passover
journey from slavery to freedom. This spring, step into
your Exodus experience and discover transformation and
liberation with the expansive desert as your guide. Passover
in the Desert is a 5-day journey in multi-generational village
life, designed to help you connect more deeply with yourself,
community, nature, and Spirit. Register here for festival &
avodah (work exchange). wildernesstorah.org/programs/
festivals/passover/
Sunday Morning Mah Jongg
Sundays in April (except the 5th Sunday),
9:30am – 11:00am in Stern Hall
All levels welcome (instructors available each week). Learn
this Jewish classic while your children study the Jewish classics!
Co-sponsored by the Women of Temple Sinai
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Outdoor Shabbat
Saturday, May 2, 10:30am, Roberts Regional Park
Temple Sinai’s first outdoor Shabbat on May 2 promises
to be a delightful occasion for the whole community. We’ll
be in the Huckleberry picnic area (by the Park Entrance
on Skyline), where the sights, sounds, and smells of the
redwood forest will help us enjoy the Shabbat morning
service. If you’ve never heard the Torah chanted against the
background rustle of the woods, this event is for you! Bring a
picnic blanket, a picnic lunch, and the whole family. Kids of
all ages are welcome. This is a fully accessible location.
Carpooling is encouraged! We need to tell the park how many
cars to expect, so please rsvp at templesinaioutdoorshabbat.
eventbrite.com. Temple Sinai will cover the parking fees.
If you’ve got questions about the event, please contact
Richard Hart at richard.p.hart@gmail.com.
Save the Date
Grief and Growing Weekend:
Friday – Sunday, August 21 – 23
Save the date for Grief and Growing weekend at
Camp Newman. This weekend program is professionally
guided by grief care specialists providing a supportive
Jewish environment where people of all ages and
backgrounds can meet and work with those who have
experienced similar losses.
TO COME
Answering Tough Questions About Israel
A program with Jonathan Carey, BlueStar PR
Thursday April 30, 2015; 7:30pm in the Albers Chapel
How should we respond when criticisms
of Israel in the press or in everyday
conversations strike us as unfair or
distorted?
Even if we’re passionate about Israel,
have travelled there, and keep ourselves
well-informed, we may feel like a deer
caught in the headlights when confronted
with heated rhetoric. What are the most effective, least
inflammatory ways to respond during discussions? What are
the best approaches to take in writing letters to the editor?
Many in our community don’t speak up—not because we
don’t want to, but because we may lack concrete skills in
this area.
Jonathan Carey, a Temple Sinai congregant and a member
of the Board of Trustees, has developed a distinctive way to
impart these skills as President of the non-profit BlueStar
PR. He will explore how we can address such hot-button
issues as:
• Should settlements be frozen?
• Do Palestinian refugees and their descendants have a right
to return to Israel?
• Does Israel’s law of return, which entitles Jews and their
families to become Israeli citizens, make it a racist or
apartheid state?
• Was Israel’s response in the 2014 war with Hamas
“disproportionate”?
• Is Israel a colonialist state?
The program is being presented by the Temple Sinai
Israel Education Committee and co-sponsored by
The Brotherhood of Temple Sinai. For more information,
go to oaklandsinai.org/IEC_Events
For more information about Jonathan Carey and
BlueStar PR, please visit bluestarpr.com
The Shocking Truth About How
Volunteering Affects Your Health!
Join the New Member Welcome Committee and find
out how contacting new congregants to welcome them to
Temple Sinai will improve your memory, your sense of
well-being, and more!
PROGRAMS and Announcements
WORSHIP
Message from Mike Baker
You should all have received my letter last month describing
the launch of our technology upgrade. Once completed,
the project will improve our member experience in many
ways: registering for preschool and religious school, renewing
membership, ordering High Holiday tickets, making
donations, connecting with members, and much more.
We are fortunate to have a talented
You, our congregants,
Technology Task Force made
appreciate just how
up of tech-savvy members who
much technology can
have taken the lead to solve the
problems of our current computer
transform the way
systems. They recommended that
we conduct business
we migrate from outdated software
and enhance your
applications on antiquated servers
to a portfolio of cloud-based tools
member experience.
for data management, accounting
and administration. Our new state-of-the-art management
system will not only streamline office and accounting
functions, but also offer members a number of online
features through a secure member portal. (Nonetheless,
rest assured that those of you who prefer to conduct your
lives without computers will always be able to do so here at
Temple Sinai.)
The Board has made a commitment to raise $50,000 to
$70,000 for the upgrade. We are therefore asking everyone
in the congregation to consider a one-time voluntary
contribution of $100 or more per household. We chose
the approach of a broad appeal because we are confident
that you, our congregants, appreciate how technology can
transform the way we conduct our business and engage our
community.
We have already made excellent progress. Work started in
early February, and in March our office business systems
were moved off the servers and into the cloud. We expect the
synagogue management system and member portal to go live
by mid-summer. Of course change can sometimes be messy.
We appreciate everyone’s support and patience as we make
this transition.
Our congregation has a proud tradition of participation and
generosity. We hope you will join in our leap to the 21st
century with your contribution to the technology project.
Questions? want to donate?
Email tech@oaklandsinai.org
Please contact CeCe Langs, cecelangs@gmail.com,
for the details.
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WTS
FROMand
THEBROTHERHOOD
CANTOR’S DESK
Women of Temple Sinai
Membership in WTS helps support various programs of
interest to our members, and helps support wonderful
events for the entire Temple Sinai community. Through our
membership in the international organization, Women of
Reform Judaism, we support social and educational issues of
importance to the global community of Jewish women.
Inviting all WTS Women to YES Fund Tea
Sunday, April 26, 2:30pm – 4:30pm, Temple Isaiah,
Lafayette
Let’s get together with our “Sisters” for a cup of tea,
opportunity to share ideas, fun and learn more about YES
Fund which supports Reform Youth (camperships and
camps), Education (cantors and rabbis) and Service to
Sisterhoods (in the U.S., Israel and throughout the
Reform Judaism world). Questions? Email Ricki Oleon,
roleon@aol.com.
On-Going With WTS
WTS film series
Come to WTS’ last film showing of the year. Wednesday,
April 29th at 7:00pm. “Nicky’s Family”. Winner of
Montreal’s World Film Festival documentary.
Sunday Mah Jongg at the Temple
Co-sponsored by WTS. Most Sundays from 9:30am –
11:00am. All levels are welcome. Instructors will be there.
WTS Gift Shop
Tallitot for your B’nei Mitzvah. Contact Susan Levy at
skahnlevy@aol.com or Office Staff for help. 10% discount
to B’nei Mitzvah Families.
WTS Daytime Book Club
Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 1:00pm in the
TS Library.
April 15, 2015 – The Betrayers by David Bezmozgis
May 20, 2015 – All the Light We Can Not See by
Anthony Doerr
WTS evening Book Club
The WTS evening book club meets every 6 weeks on
Thursday evenings from 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the home
of Lynn Greenberg & Michael Rothschild in Oakland.
For further information please contact Zell Nathanson at
(925) 247-0132.
WTS Party Bridge
We play two Wednesday evenings each month from
7:00pm – 9:00pm-ish. To join (with or without a regular
partner) call Lynn Greenberg at (510) 250-9419.
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April 2014
WTS Lunch Connection
Meets the first Wednesday of every month to enable
members to strengthen bonds of friendship while enjoying
a no-host lunch at local restaurants. This year we will be
gathering from 11:30am to about 1:00pm to allow for a
more leisurely time to visit. Please contact Sabina Cohen at
sabinacohen@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
WTS Membership
Please join WTS and renew your WTS dues now! For
further membership information please contact Beth
Eiselman at: jusbeth@aol.com
WTS Board Meetings
Monthly Meetings: Second Wednesday of each month at
the Temple. 7:15pm for coffee and schmoozing; 7:30pm for
the meeting. Everybody is welcome.
Please join us and get involved. Please contact Sue Bachman
at memasue@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Brotherhood
past events
The Temple Brotherhood has been busy! Our educational
session on “Saving for College” was well attended and well
received. Revelers at the annual Purim Carnival and Spiel
were well fed by the Brotherhood and its volunteers, and the
Brotherhood softball team has begun its regular season of
spectacular fielding and hitting.
spring softball
It’s not too late to join the team. We play in a Jewish League
in Walnut Creek, and games are Sunday morning from
April through July. We have two teams and can always use
more players. Please contact Player-Coach Barry Dubin at
bdubin68@gmail.com or call him at (510) 593-9191.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Brotherhood meetings are usually (not always) held on the
second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm. Join us for our
informal monthly gathering and discussion of additional ways
Brotherhood can give Temple activities financial and volunteer
support. Meetings and membership are open to all. For more
information contact Dan Crouch at dlcrouch@comcast.net.
Community Photo
Members of
Temple Sinai’s
new ATID group
for adults in their
20s, 30s and
those “young
at heart,”
gathered at
Z Cafe last
month.
CONTRIBUTIONS
WORSHIP
Todah rabah! Thank you very much to the following who provided contributions to Temple Sinai. These donations were recorded between
February 1 & February 28, 2015. For corrections or additions to this list, please contact lisa@oaklandsinai.org (510) 451-3263 x302.
Annual Giving Campaign
Elaine Binger
In memory of Herman Binger
Michael and Aviva Black
Michael Jonath and Sylvie Mwila Jonath
Brett and Linsey Morrison
Cantor Keys Music Fund
Ron and Sue Bachman
In memory of Margie Siegan
Sherri Richards and Tom Flynn
In appreciation of Stan Klezmer
Andy Huntington and Melissa Schoen
In honor of Cantor Keys and all her support for
Ben Huntington becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Annette Lipkin
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Bob and Barbara Morrison
In honor of Cantor Ilene Keys, George Emblom
and the volunteer choir
Lisa Braver Moss and Mark Moss
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Marty and Stan Ross
In memory of Pearl Seifer Lewin
Ed and Fritzi Schoen
In honor of Ben Huntington becoming a Bar Mitzvah
In memory of Jamie Schoen
Pearl Wolffs
In appreciation of the beautiful music that raises the
prayers to a higher and more profound level
Fine Arts Fund
George Krevsky
In honor of Temple Sinai’s Tin Pan Alley Singers
George and Maggie Lazar
Gerry Nelson and Joanne Rocklin
Warner Oberndoerfer
Phillip Rubin and Laurie Leiber
Cathy Sillavo
Joe Remcho Fund for
Preschool Scholarships
Jeff Gutkin and Helene Blatter
Ben Galison and Sabrina Hollander
Lisa Hanauer
In honor of Gemma Baumer’s 20th birthday
Brett and Linsey Morrison
In appreciation of Barbara and Bob Morrison
Daniel Nieder and Diane Grauer
Subodh and Margot Nijsure
Robert Siegfried
In honor of Amanda, Allen, and Emmett Scott on
the occasion of Emmet’s preschool experience
Drew Sieminski and Brook Pessin-Whedbee
Lionel Benas Confirmation Fund
Evelyn Benas and Daniel Benas
In memory of Richard D. Benas and Herman Barber
Literacy Project –
People of the Book Fund
Jack and Lois Clauson
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
Sherri Richards and Tom Flynn
In memory of Dr. Stanley Schonberger
Stephen & Peter Goodman
In memory of Monroe Leon Goodman
Prayerbook Fund
Fred Isaac and Robin Reiner
In memory of Irving Isaac
Rabbi Chester Discretionary Fund
Sandy Cohn
In memory of Herbert Roth
Rabbis’ Giving Fund
Paul and Shirley Kadden
In memory of Dr. Stanley Schonberger
Rabbi Mates-Muchin
Discretionary Fund
Ron and Sue Bachman
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
Joel Berger and Linda Zwerdling
Michael and Aviva Black
In memory of Gertrude Skoller
Sherri Richards and Tom Flynn
In appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin
In honor of Teddy Mates-Muchin
Leonore Foorman
In memory of Wil Fountain
Andy Huntington and Melissa Schoen
In honor of Rabbi Mates-Muchin’s support for
Ben Huntington becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Roger and Joan Mann
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
Tom Mayhew and Matti Fromson
In honor of Teddy Mates-Muchin becoming
a Bar Mitzvah
Bob and Barbara Morrison
In honor of the election of Rabbi Jackie MatesMuchin as our Senior Rabbi
Ken and Carol Ogren
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
Ed and Fritzi Schoen
In honor of Ben Huntington becoming a Bar Mitzvah
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
In memory of Jamie Schoen
Steven and Carolyn Schwarz
In memory of Helga Tannenbaum
Pearl Wolffs
In memory of Bessie Sweet
Rabbi Regev Discretionary Fund
Bob and Barbara Morrison
In honor of Rabbi Yoni Regev becoming our
Assistant Rabbi
Ed and Fritzi Schoen
In honor of Ben Huntington becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Pearl Wolffs
In memory of Bessie Sweet
Special Education Fund
Herb and Marilyn Friedman
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
Rai Newman
In memory of Sara Golson
Temple Sinai Technology Upgrades
Ben Galison and Sabrina Hollander
Matti Fromson and Thomas Mayhew
URJ Camp Scholarships Fund
Andy Huntington and Melissa Schoen
In honor of Mir, Maureen, Ophira and all the
Temple Staff support for Ben Huntington
becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Mike and Susan Levy
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
Where The Need Is Greatest Fund
Robert and Doris Bachman
In memory of our great aunt,
Margie Bachman Siegan
Elaine Binger
In memory of Andre Welmond
Ann Brandt
In memory of Frank Brandt
Rabbi Samuel and Judith Broude
In appreciation of Temple Sinai
Maxine Brownstein
In memory of Margie Siegan
Dick and Jane Cohen
In memory of Herbert Roth, Charles Papae, and
Emily Levey
Jeanne Eber
In memory of Rose Scherman and Florence Bloom
Jerry and Myra Feiger
In memory of Margie B. Siegan
Douglas Fountain
In memory of Wilbert Bernard Fountain
Frances Greenberg
In memory of Dr. Stanley Schonberger
Glen and Janis Rotner
In memory of Sara Buchman
Bruce and Teddy Schwab
In memory of Sara Schwab
Nathan Stein
In loving memory of Henrietta Oberndoerfer
Jonathan and Marni Weinstock
In appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin on the
occasion of Meredith’s baby naming
Ann Winthrop
In memory of Marvin Winthrop
Harold and Mary Zlot
In memory of Margie Siegan
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ADULT
FROM THE
EDUCATION
CANTOR’S DESK
Hollywood Spies: Jewish Infiltration of Nazi Groups in LA in the ’30s and ’40s
with Dr. Laura Rosenzweig
Sunday, April 19, 2015, 9:30-11:00am, in the Albers Chapel
Sundays at
9:15am in the
Albers Chapel
From 1933-1945, the executives of the motion picture industry funded a covert fact-finding
operation to collect evidence of Nazi sedition in Los Angeles. Join Dr. Rosenzweig as she
reveals new research on Jewish Hollywood’s fight against Nazism in the United States in the
1930s. Learn the significance of the information they collected on Congressional and federal
actions against Nazi groups in the United States during this time, and how this relates to a new
perspective on Anti-Semitism in the United States in the 1930s.
Dr. Laura Rosenzweig works for the UC Office of the President and regularly teaches Jewish
This program is supported in
history at San Francisco State University. She holds a PhD in U.S. History from UC Santa Cruz.
part by the Newton & Rochelle
Becker Charitable Trust Economic Justice –the Jewish Angle: Addressing the Crisis of Inequality
in partnership with
with Susan Lubeck, Regional Director, Bend the Arc, Bay Area
Jewish Learning Works.
Sunday, April 26, 2015, 9:30-11:00am, in the Albers Chapel
Rising inequality has reached alarming proportions, and we can feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem and the
challenges of engaging effectively in our political system. What does our tradition have to teach about economic justice and
public engagement? Reflect on the meaning of economic justice as informed by Jewish thought, and learn about current efforts
to fight inequality, including the role of Jews in this work.
Susan has been fighting for economic justice for decades through law, advocacy and organizing and has been the regional
director of Bend the Arc Bay Area since 2010. She agrees with Adrienne Rich: “There’s something more than the food and the
humor” – though the food and the humor are not to be underestimated.
Estate Planning
Is Temple Sinai already in your will? Do you
want to include us in your estate plans?
Temple Sinai has been accepted into LIFE
& LEGACY, a program sponsored by The
Jewish Community Foundation. Through
training workshops, ongoing consultation and
a community-wide recognition program, LIFE
& LEGACY will help Temple Sinai obtain
commitments from congregants to designate
Temple Sinai in their will, trust or retirement
plan. These “legacy gifts” will go toward
increasing our endowment and play a significant
role in ensuing our congregation’s vibrant future.
In addition, Temple Sinai will be eligible for
incentive grants of $10,000 a year for two years
when we reach our goal of securing at least 36
commitments.
Special thanks for our congregant Joe Hurwich,
the chair of LIFE & LEGACY. Please contatct
Temple Sinai Planned Giving Chair, Geoff Piller
at gpiller@beesontayer.com or (510) 625-9700
to discuss how you can make a legacy gift to
Temple Sinai.
Sharing the Public Sphere:
New Foundations for a Jewish Democracy WITH
RABBI JACQUELINE MATES-MUCHIN & RABBI YONI REGEV
Part Seven of The Tribes of Israel: A Hartman Institute
Study Series
Sunday, April 12, 9:30 – 11:00am, in the Albers Chapel
This final installation in our monthly Israel study series looks at cases
taken from headlines to examine the way in which the challenge of
sharing the public sphere is being addressed in the current reality of
modern Israel.
Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica and the Israel Education Committees of
Temple Sinai & Congregation Beth-El
Introduction to the Jewish Experience
with Rabbi Ruth Adar
Wednesdays, April 8 thru May 27, 7:30 – 9:00pm at
Congregation Beth El in Berkeley
There have been multiple expressions of Judaism since the days of the
Second Temple. In this class, we will study the varieties of Judaism in the
late antique and early medieval period, Ashkenazi Judaism, Sephardic
Judaism, and the modern streams of Judaism. We will also look at some
of the elements that make Judaism in America, in California, and in
our local Jewish community so distinctive. The class will finish with a
look at food traditions in Judaism: kashrut (keeping kosher) and other
Jewish food traditions. This class is part of a three-unit series. Please visit
the class website at jewishexperienceonline.com. Tuition is $105 for the
public/$90 for members. Pre-registration is required at catalog.lehrhaus.
org/course/2015/winter/I100C-CBE/ or by calling (510) 845-6420.
Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica and Congregation Beth-El.
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PRESCHOOL, YOUTH PROGRAMS & MIDRASHA
WORSHIP
Youth Events
Religious School Prospective Family Day
Sunday, April 19 at 10:00am
Are you a Temple member whose children will be ready
to Religious School next year? Do you have friends with
children who are considering joining the Temple but are still
on the fence? Come join us, or invite your friends to join us,
for our Open House. You will be oriented to the Religious
School by Director of Education Sue Bojdak and members
of the Education Committee plus have an opportunity to
tour the Religious School site, visit classes, and attend tfillah,
(Religious School services). Children are welcome. For more
information, please contact Sue at (510) 451-3263 x342 or
sue@oaklandsinai.org.
Religious School End-of-Year
Celebration of Learning
Wednesday, April 29 & Sunday, May 3
Let’s celebrate a great year of Jewish learning! Parents please
join us for a fun and festive final day of Religious School this
year. We’ll be visiting core classes, participating in explore
activities, doing great art, and appreciating our teachers.
On Sunday we’ll hear
Shamati (featuring
Nathaniel Markman
& Isaac Zones) in
concert plus enjoy a
festive on-site picnic
with food, ga-ga,
jumpy house, art
and community. All
Shamati
Hebrew classes WILL
meet on our last days except the Sunday 11:45am class.
All Temple Sinai members in grades 4-6 should join us
on Sunday April 19 for our next adventure at Sky-Hi
trampoline park in Concord. We’ll meet at Temple at noon,
take BART to Concord, bounce and play before heading
back to meet at BART by 6:00pm. Need more information?
Contact Michele mquiat@Oaklandsinai.org
How Well Are We Serving Students with
Special Needs?
Understanding diagnoses, conducting teacher workshops,
providing student aides, orchestrating professional
consultations, facilitating parent-teacher dialogue; these are
just some of the elements involved in ensuring that Temple
Sinai meets the needs of all of our students and families.
But how well are we doing really and what are we missing?
What more could we be doing in order to ensure that our
educational programs, and really our whole community,
are not just inclusive enough but warm, welcoming and
supportive for all of our students and their families?
In order to answer those questions Temple Sinai has
engaged Dr. David Neufeld, Director of Special Needs
Programs and Services at Jewish LearningWorks’ Project
Include to conduct a Special Needs Assessment this spring.
Dr. Neufeld will be observing classes in the Preschool and
Religious School, interviewing teachers and parents, and
collaborating with a small team of clergy, staff and lay
leaders to understand past initiatives, current challenges, and
hopes and dreams for creating a more inclusive educational
program for Sinai students in preschool through b’nei
mitzvah. At the conclusion of the assessment, we’ll have a list
of recommendations and next steps toward building a more
inclusive educational program that we will begin working on
in the next school year.
Many thanks to the Jewish Federation & Jewish Community
Foundation of the East Bay for the Special Education
Grant which is making this assessment possible. Interested
in getting involved or learning more? Contact Director of
Education Sue Bojdak at sue@oaklandsinai.org.
Religious School Dates to Remember
Sunday, April 5 thru Thursday, April 9:
No Religious School – Passover/Spring Break
Sunday, April 19: Prospective Family Day
Wednesday, April 26 & Sunday, May 3: Religious School
End-of-Year Celebration of Learning & Teacher Appreciation!
Celebrating Shabbat with children in Pre-K – 2nd grade and their families.
Friday, April 24 – Evening Service
Pizza dinner from 5:30pm – 6:00pm. RSVP on website.
Service in the chapel 6:00pm – 6:30pm. Oneg 6:30pm – 7:00pm.
Next Month: Saturday, May 16 – Morning Service
Go to oaklandsinai.org for program descriptions and RSVP info.
Contact: rachel@oaklandsinai.org
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LIFECYCLES
BIRTHDAYS
wedding ANNIVERSARIES
4/1 Stanley Osher
4/2 Romy Falck
4/2 Stephen Zell
4/3 Elizabeth Weintraub
4/4 Steven A. Chester
4/4 Judy Grunwald
4/5 Renee Grimani-Kardener
4/6 Lorin Blum
4/6 Beth Eiselman
4/6 Denise Jacobson
4/8 Carol Cohen
4/8 Murray Gordon
4/9 Edie Kaplan
4/10 Christopher Coutu
4/10 Marilyn Haase
4/11 Julian Montgomery
4/11 Caryn Newbrun
4/12 Emily Mendel
4/12 Franklin Silver
4/13 Marsha Van Broek
4/14 Arlene Garfinkle
4/14 Ruth Hurvitz
4/16 Paul Dresnick
4/18 Matthew Fogelson
4/18 Joyce Smail
4/19 Harvey Freedman
4/20 Andy Wolpert
4/21 James Allison
4/21 Gerald Michaels
4/22 Steven Goldstein
4/22 David Thorne
4/23 Ronald Bachman
4/23 Cheryl Eccles
4/23 Peter Laub
4/24 Arlene Saidman
4/26 Betty Anne Lipow
4/26 Victor Sonenberg
4/27 Shaun Reid
4/27 Lawrence Saidman
4/28 Arthur Stanten
4/30 Hilda J. Hendel
4/30 Helene Schwartz
4/9 Neil & Andrea Muchin 20
4/10 Adam & Amanda Brill 5
4/12 Steven & Dale Block 45
4/21 James & Rebecca Eisen 30
4/22 Philip Witte & Rebecca Schnier 20
4/22 Barry & Kate Augus 20
4/29 Robert Boyle & Danielle Gilbert 15
Weekly eNews
REmemberances
Isadore Mendel, father of Elisa Mendel
Franz Treml, father of Linda Treml
Mildred ‘Mitzi’ McClosky, mother of
Dan McClosky
welcome new members!
Jordana and Bryan Hemberg, Noa (age 2),
Mayer (6 mos.)
Sheryl Fishman and Susannah Bell Fishman,
Georgia (age 9)
b’nEi Mitzvah
Julia Rose Stewart
Daughter of
Vincent & Karen Stewart
Saturday, 4/18/2015
Finneas Reed Patterson
Son of Frances
& Jen Rainin and
Chris Patterson
Saturday, 4/25/2015
Thank you to the following
march B’nei Mitzvah Families
for Oneg Sponsorship:
Are you receiving
the Weekly eNews
each Tuesday?
4/10 Patterson/Stevens/Rainin family
It’s a great way to
4/17 Stewart Family
keep track of up-
4/24 Patterson Family
coming events at
Temple Sinai. To
ensure that you
aren’t missing anything,
email Lisa@oaklandsinai.org
with Weekly eNews in the subject title.
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April 2015
Birthdays and Anniversaries are listed in
multiples of 5 as well as birthdays age 69 and
over. Mazel Tov!
The Amazing Purim Spiel
march, 2015
APRILWORSHIP
2015
Temple Sinai Calendar
sunday
monday
tuesday
wednesday
9:30am Sunday
Morning
Mah Jongg
10:00am Preschool Annual
Fundraising Event
11:00am Gift Shop Passover Sale
11:30am Jr. Choir
1:00pm Adult Hebrew Class
1:00pm Holocaust Memorial
Service at Home
of Eternity
3/29
3/30
No Midrasha
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
7:00pm Adult Choir
5
6
No Midrasha
No Adult Choir
7:30am Tuesday Morning
Minyan
6:00pm Ritual Committee
Meeting
No Junior Choir
9:30am Adult Education: Tribes
of Israel Hartman
Institute Series
9:30am Sunday Morning
Mah Jongg
12:00pm Adult B’nei Mitzvah
12
13
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
7:00pm Adult Choir
7:15pm Midrasha: Yom
HaShoah Memorial
7:45pm Yom HaShoah
Holocaust Community
Service
19
20
27
No Religious School/
Hebrew Classes
Midrasha Retreat
9:30am EWJ Speaker
Series: Dr. Laura
Rosenzweig on
Hollywood Spies
9:30am Sunday Morning
Mah Jongg
11:30am Jr. Choir
1:00pm Adult Hebrew Class
2:00pm B’nei Mitzvah
Mentor Meeting
26
9:30am EWJ Speaker
Series:
Susan Lubeck on
Economic Justice –
the Jewish Angle
9:30am Sunday Morning
Mah Jongg
10:00am New Member Brunch
11:30am Jr. Choir last Sunday
rehearsal
Parent/Teacher
Conferences –
No student day
3/31
1
friday
2
8
9
Preschool Spring Break
No Religious School/
Hebrew Classes
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
7:15pm WTS Board Meeting
14
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
1:00pm WTS Book Group
Meeting
6:00pm Cantor’s Intro Family
B’nei Mitzvah Meeting
7:00pm Temple Board Meeting
7:30pm Education Committee
Meeting
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
7:00pm Adult Choir
7:15pm Midrasha
7:30pm Green Committee
Meeting
21
Yom HaZikaron –
Israel Memorial Day
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
7:00pm Adult Education
Committee meeting
7:30pm Israel Education
Committee meeting
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
11:30am Seniors Lunch
7:00pm Adult Choir
7:15pm Midrasha
28
Religious School –
Last Wednesday
7:00pm WTS Film Series
7:15pm Adult Hebrew Class
People of the Book Literacy Project
People of The Book Literacy
Project hosted three events
in February: a schoolwide book giveaway at our
new partner school, Bella
Vista Elementary School;
another book giveaway at
International Community
School; and an author
presentation at Greenleaf
School, where N.H. Senzai
talked to 5th and 6th graders
about her book, “Shooting
Kabul.” Thank you to our
generous congregation for
the gifts that made these
events possible!
7
thursday
11:30am WTS Lunch
7:30pm Preschool Parent
Connection (offsite)
Committee Meeting
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
5:30pm Women of Temple Sinai
Seder
Preschool Spring Break
7:30pm Brotherhood Board
Meeting (Offsite)
15
Yom HaShoah –
Holocaust
Memorial Day
22
Yom HaAtzmaut –
Israeli Independence Day
29
7:30pm Israel Education
Committee Speaker
First Night Seder
saturday
3
Passover 1st Day
4
10
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Minyan
Service
11
17
Midrasha Retreat
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service with
Bat Mitzvah of
Julia Stewart
18
24
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat
Morning Service
with Bar Mitzvah of
Finneas Patterson
5/1
7th Grade Retreat
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service –
Green Committee
Sponsored
12:30pm Preschool Passover
Seders
5:30pm Erev Shabbat Service
Preschool Spring Break
Passover 7th Day
7:30pm Erev Shabbat
Service with Yizkor
9:00pm Holocaust Survivor
Photo Exhibit Opening
16
Midrasha Retreat
7:30pm Erev Shabbat –
Mizmor Shir!
Service
23
5:30pm Sababa Shabbat
Dinner
6:00pm Sababa Shabbat
Service
6:30pm Sababa Shabbat Oneg
7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service
Celebrating Israel
Shabbat with Adult
Choir
30
7th Grade Retreat
12:30pm Family Shabbat Dinner
5:30pm Erev Shabbat Family
Service with Junior
Choir & Family School
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat and
Festival Service
5:30pm Congregational Seder
at Temple Sinai
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5/2
Social Action Community Projects
The office of Councilmember Lynette McElhaney would welcome
support on these two community projects.
Neighborhood Cleanup – May 3, 9:30am –12:30pm. Projects will
include litter pick up, painting out graffiti, and other improvements.
Co-sponsored by Social Action and the Green Committee. For more
information and to sign up, contact Teri Bleckner at teri.bleckner@
gmail.com.
STEM Guest Speaker Opportunity The West Oakland STEM Corridor
is looking for guest speakers to teach K-12th grade students about your
career in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math. Any optometrists
want to teach elementary scholars about the science behind an eye exam?
Any horticulturists or gardeners want to show students how you grow
the bee population with pollinators? Any technologists or coders want to
Top: Judy Zollman with Bella Vista
3rd graders at our book giveaway; show high school students how to write in code? Contact Casey Farmer
Bottom: Author N.H. Senzai
at cfarmer@oaklandnet.com and copy Helen Smiler at hsmiler@aol.
signing autographs at Greenleaf
com. Casey is the aide to Councilmember McElhaney who can connect
School
you with one of the 10 West Oakland Schools seeking guest speakers,
field trips, or workshop leaders.
PERIODICAL
First Hebrew
Congregation
of Oakland
Temple Sinai
2808 Summit Street
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 451-3263
www.oaklandsinai.org
sa v e the date
Friday, May 8, 7:30pm
Special Shabbat Service and Reception
Join Temple Sinai in a special Shabbat Service and reception
in celebration of the installation of our new Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin
Temple Sinai has been certified as a Bay Area Green Business
Our Bulletin is printed on recycled paper at a printer registered as a Green Business and certified by the
Forest Stewardship Council. We print with earth-friendly soy-based ink.