VA QUARTERLYoices MAGAZINE from PENINSULA TEMPLE SHOLOM

Women & Judaism

PTS, ARE AT WOMEN ’ IT. ROCKIN

spring 2018 ]%&  Friday Study Group, Minneapolis Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women

spring 2018 ]%&  CONTENTS

3 FROM THE EDITOR Ayelet Shapiro 10 WE ASKED WHAT INSPIRES YOU? 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT Lauren Schlezinger 12 A WOMAN OF VALOR Jonathan Freedman 4 #METOO Rabbi Daniel J. Feder 15 AN INTERFAITH PERSPECTIVE by Ginger Roehrig 6 NOT YOUR GRANDPA'S KIPPAH Rabbi Molly Plotnik 16 VOICES Rabbi Lisa Delson 8 STRONGER TOGETHER Mary Ann Waterman

PENINSULA TEMPLE SHOLOM Staff 1655 Sebastian Drive | Burlingame, CA 94010 Karen Wisialowski sholom.org 650-697-2266 Chief Community Officer [email protected] Board of Trustees, 2017–18 Allison Steckley Director of Early Childhood Education Lauren Schlezinger [email protected] President Shari Carruthers [email protected] Controller [email protected] Heidi Schell Nathaniel Bergson-Michelson 1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President Kim Gotthardt Preschool Administrative Assistant Scott Haber Adam Steinberger [email protected] 3rd Vice-President Treasurer Christina Myhre Arlene Rosenberg April Glatt Education & Special Projects Assistant Secretary Immediate Past President [email protected] Cris Perry Executive Assistant Julie Feuchtwang Andy Oliff [email protected] Jenna Fisher Gene Podkaminer Beverly Rochelle Jon Herstein Betsy Rosen Membership Services [email protected] Marilyn Hollinger Sharon Silverman Ware Kuschner Yash Snider Jason Salisbury Administrative & Database Assistant Jeff Lerner Lois Fried [email protected] Matt Mandel Sholom Women President Mariano Sanchez Facilities Supervisor Clergy [email protected] Daniel Feder Lisa Delson Ayelet Shapiro Rabbi Rabbi Director of Community Engagement [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Molly Plotnik Barry Reich Liz Vaisben Voices Editor Rabbi / Director of Education Cantor [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Alan Zeichick Webmaster ז״ל Gerald Raiskin Founding Rabbi [email protected] LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Within the Jewish tradition, we are guide us as our world changes rarely alone performing mitzvot; our rapidly around us and our AYELET SHAPIRO sacred texts call for actions of unity, strong community bonds tie us is the new Director of participation, and companionship. together when we feel stranded Community Engagement at Even fulfilling our most personal or alone. Peninsula Temple Sholom. She comes by way of Ann Arbor, mitzvah of attending the mikveh, I have been fortunate enough Michigan as the former Outreach you are guided by an attendant or a and Program Coordinator of the to be part of so many wonderful companion. It’s no wonder that the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann communities throughout my life; term kehilah, or community, is used so Arbor. She received her Masters of learning from each one of them Social Work degree from University of often in our daily Jewish rituals. humility, inclusivity, acceptance, and Michigan and her Bachelors of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. Throughout the ages, we have built genuine kindness for others. These and rebuilt communities through are values I hold dear and they are Ayelet was raised in the Detroit Jewish community, Ramah Camping Movement hardships and triumph; growing and mirrored at PTS through our temple’s and B’nai Brith Youth Organization. She expanding as the generations continue. Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Values. and her partner, Johnny, recently moved Being a member of the next generation to the Bay Area and are very much I am so thankful to be able to call PTS of young Jewish professionals is looking forward to finding their new my new community. I very much look home in our sunny backyard. a lofty task, although we have the forward to worshiping, working, and stories and values of our patriarchs Please feel free to reach out and learning with all of you. " welcome our newcomers by emailing and matriarchs that we carry on our Ayelet at [email protected] or shoulders. We use their wisdom to coming into our PTS office to say hello!

THREE IN A ROW PTS’ value of inclusion. We are on LAUREN SCHLEZINGER rd the vanguard of a national trend is the 33 president of Peninsula Temple Sholom. On February of women taking on leadership 21, the PTS Board roles. In recent months, I’ve She coins herself ‘The of Trustees elected Heidi relished the inspiring stories of Accidental President’ having “ordinary” women exercising their joined PTS in 2006 as a Schell as its next President. This preschool mom with no ambition marks the first time in PTS history voices by entering local politics. There’s Anna Langthorn, a 25-year-old of synagogue leadership. Yet, as that three women — April Glatt, her twin daughters grew, so did her Heidi, and I — will serve in this role who became head of the Democratic connection to the PTS community and consecutively.1 Party in my husband’s home state of the role she wanted to play. Oklahoma last June. Ilhan Omar, a Lauren grew up in Sudbury, At first, this milestone didn’t seem Minnesotan, was the first Somali- Massachusetts in a lay-led Reform especially noteworthy because we are American Muslim woman elected to a congregation. She started her journey three strong leaders with qualities state legislature. But you don’t have to west to attend Northwestern that transcend gender. I am vision- travel far to see the strength of women University, where she graduated focused with a passion for facilitating in local politics. In fact, 41 city council with a BA with honors in economics. exceptional teamwork. Heidi is a members in San Mateo County are Lauren has worked as a consultant women — 43.5% of the 94 seats. all her professional life, guiding wise, thoughtful leader who models organizations of all shapes and sizes community building through personal in leadership, customer service, and connections, caring and kindness, Yes, three-in-a-row is a fantastic employee benefits. and empathy. April’s leadership talent milestone, but gender equality is just the beginning. It’s my fervent hope Lauren lives in Burlingame with her is captured by her motto, “Pick up charming husband Eric, angelic teen age the can,” a rallying call that inspires that PTS builds on this foundation daughters Kyra and Lainey, and Merlin action, follow-through, and tenacity. of inclusion, and that 20 years from the Bedlington Terrier. In addition to now, our president is writing about tickling the ivories, she enjoys working And then I changed my mind (a congregational leaders who represent out, yoga, and studying Spanish. common occurrence as a quintessential the emerging diversity of Reform Libra). Three female presidents in a row Judaism including Jews by choice, is a big deal because it’s an expression of LGBTQ people, and Jews of color. "

1Sandy Oberstein became the first female PTS President in 1988. Five more women have served: Diane Goldman, Marcia Barkoff, Karen Wisialowski, April Glatt, and Lauren Schlezinger. Heidi Schell will become President on July 1, 2018. spring 2018 ]%&  voices 3 Why the Campaign Against Sexual Harassment and Assault Matters to us as a Jewish Community

by Rabbi Daniel J. Feder

"In silence and movement,” according the Jewish community, just as it does to Marcel Marceau, “you can show the in other communities, has exacerbated reflection of people.” If both silence the problem. In 1992, when Naomi and movement reflect the people’s Tucker created Shalom Bayit, the Bay RABBI point of view, then we are seeing a Area’s center for domestic violence DANIEL FEDER joined particular moment in time in the way prevention and response within the Peninsula Temple Sholom in 2006 as the second senior rabbi in the that women’s voices, once silent, are now Jewish community, the response of synagogue’s history. being heard as they share their poignant the organized community was that and disturbing personal stories of there was no issue of domestic violence Before coming to PTS, sexual harassment and assault. in the Jewish community. At that Rabbi Feder served Congregation Keneseth Israel in Allentown, time, Tucker, now the organization’s Pennsylvania for seven years. The #MeToo movement may have executive director, tried unsuccessfully Prior, he was assistant and then started back in 2006, when Tarana to go into synagogues to conduct associate rabbi at Temple Oheb Burke began a grassroots campaign to panel presentations. Shalom in Baltimore. raise awareness of the pervasive nature Rabbi Feder was born and raised of sexual assault and abuse in society, Now, twenty-six years later, more in San Francisco, and grew up especially in the workplace. But it was than twenty local rabbis, including attending Congregation Emanu- not until October 2017 that it became all of Peninsula Temple Sholom’s El. He earned a BA from the an international movement as a rabbis, gathered in mid-February University of California, Berkeley, hashtag used on social media. When to discuss the depth of the problem and an MA from Hebrew actress Alyssa Milano encouraged in our community and how Shalom Union College – Jewish Institute women to tweet #MeToo to “give Bayit’s professional staff can partner of Religion. Rabbi Feder was ordained by HUC–JIR in 1994. people a sense of the magnitude of the with congregational rabbis to provide problem,” a culture of silence began to counseling and direct support to He and his wife, Sandra, have crack and the impact — the movement women and their children, as well three daughters. — was enormous. as deliver community education to teach Jewish youth to prevent dating The #MeToo movement is significant violence. This wonderful and important for our culture in general and for the organization promotes peaceful homes Jewish community specifically for and families, teaches skills for healthy many reasons. It should come as no relationships, and works to build a surprise that Jews can be perpetrators safe, vibrant Jewish community that as well as victims of abuse, and, is free from violence and abuse. I have historically, communal disbelief that had the good fortune to learn from these types of problems can exist in Tucker and the organization, because

4 voices spring 2018 ]%&  I serve as a co-chair of Shalom Bayit’s rabbinic advisory deserve and expect of boys. But it is also going to take men committee, a position that is very important to me. learning new and better ways of expressing their masculinity and their sexuality. Men are going to need to learn new skills While the #MeToo movement is relevant within our and habits. And the time to start is with our youth. Jewish community, its reverberations are clearly being felt throughout all of society. In so many different areas, we are To help meet both needs, PTS has brought the Moving seeing that the perpetrators are being held accountable and Traditions program, for both girls and boys, to our youth many have been told they cannot remain in their positions education program. The program seeks to embolden teens by because of their actions. fostering self-discovery, challenging sexism, and inspiring a commitment to Jewish life and Judaism. Four different And while it is vital that men see that there are consequences groups of eighth, ninth, and tenth-grade boys and girls are for such behavior, it is also vital that we take this matter to learning about themselves and their faith in this context. heart on a congregational level and on a family level. Every And for a number of years, we have brought the Love synagogue aims to be a beit k’nesset, a beit t’filah and a beit Shouldn’t Hurt program, run by Shalom Bayit, to our eighth- midrash — a house of meeting, a house of prayer and a house and ninth-graders, a workshop about healthy relationships. of study — and each one is important. But if a synagogue is not a k’hilah k’doshah – a holy community — it does not Rabbi Daniel Brenner, the chief of education and program merit God’s blessings. And a synagogue cannot be a holy for Moving Traditions encourages Jewish men to consider community if it is not a safe place for women and girls, and these questions, in order to work toward not only better if sexual harassment and abuse are tolerated, or if there is communication but a better sex ethic in general: silence where there should be conversation. Please let me or any of our clergy members, senior staff members, or any What are the cultural, religious and communal factors elected leader among our trustees know if you have stories, that influence how we as Jewish men think about sex concerns, or suggestions about how we can be the holiest and sexuality? community we can be. What messages do we as Jewish men give one another about what is “right” and “wrong” in terms of With every fiber I try to create holy communities — at PTS, sexual activity? in the community, and in my home. My wife and I have tried to raise our three daughters in a feminist environment, and What is our responsibility when we suspect that another we want them to be empowered by their Jewish tradition to man is behaving inappropriately or abusing his power? be strong and sensitive individuals who feel they have the What role do we play in helping those who have been voices and the resourcefulness to advocate for themselves. victims of abuse? These are the same messages I try to give not just my own children, but also to all the youth with whom I come into And, most important, what can we do to help create a contact. In both formal and informal discussions, your more equitable and safe environment for everyone? clergy consistently share a message of respect, inclusion, The Talmud teaches us that any house of prayer needs to and tolerance while also stressing the importance of feeling have windows so that we are connected to what is going on empowered to use our own voices. outside of our own walls. The #MeToo movement has shown It is going to take some time to make deep social changes. It us one more way in which society is not healthy, and we need is impressive and wonderful that women are speaking out to be self-aware enough as individuals and as a community and uusingsing their vvoices,oices, and it is a blessing to see girls to examine where we fall short and how we as a tthinkinghinking aaboutbout whatwhat kindkind of behaviorbehavior theythey JewiJewishs community can do better. We need to look out ouro windows and be part of creating change ooutsideuts as well as inside.

e BuButt I also want to share the teaching of Cantor BBarrya — that the windows are also to let our #MeToo llightig out into the world. There is so much about Archiving oour PTS community that reflects the holy. Let has grown into an international MeToo uus let that light shine brightly outside of the What started in 2006 as part# of a grassroots campaign to promot his walls of Peninsula Temple Sholom. empowerment through empathy among women of color who havebreadth experienced sexual abuse, stories to tell, and victims of sexual #MeToo movement to break the silence that shrouds survivors of abuse. May we respond to this moment with Jewish women have movement and may the #MeToo movement harassment and abuse are invited to share theirs. The goal of t move us toward being the most holy project is to create an archival collection to ensure that the s community we can be — a model of women's voices and experiences is captured and preserved . community in which to share our lives. " during this watershed moment. We are interested in documenting Jewish women's stories of harassment and assault both within metoo the Jewish community and outside of it. Taken together,https://jwa.org/ these stories illustrate the systems and structures that shape women' experiences, as wellstories as women's are being collective archived power at to make change spring 2018 ]%&  voices 5 MeToo Jewish # by Rabbi Molly Plotnik NOT YOUR GRANDPA'S KIPPAH

Several months into my first year kippah. I clipped one on top of my head, When I started rabbinical school, I here at Peninsula Temple Sholom, I grabbed my guitar, and headed to the began learning about rituals I had had settled into a steady rhythm with Klein Spiritual Center: Lent Chapel never heard of, let alone been given the Preschool. On Friday morning, for Preschool Shabbat. Rabbi Delson the option to consider. The next six we sing festive songs and get excited met me there…and she was wearing years became a sort of ritual lab for for Shabbat. On Monday morning, a kippah too! What are the odds?! We me and my classmates, trying out we join together for the beautiful had a laugh about it and then Rabbi different things with no pressure or melody of our Havdalah service. I Delson said, “I was thinking about it need to attach a grand statement of show up every week with my guitar in and I don’t want these kids, especially faith to our experimental behavior. hand, ready to lead with either Rabbi my own son, to think only men can I started my own collection of kippot Feder or Rabbi Delson, who alternate wear a kippah.” I agreed that I had and tallitot. I experimented with weeks. I started to notice a pattern started wearing mine for the same wearing t’fillin, different levels of with Rabbi Feder — whenever he reason, and that was that. kashrut, making my own Rosh leads Preschool Shabbat or Havdalah Hodesh rituals to celebrate the new he wears a bright yellow kippah with a It seems like a small gesture, but for month, adapting ancient biblical smiley face on it. It’s very cute. And it me it represents a bigger statement rituals and more. There’s nothing I really stands out! This is a departure about reclaiming rituals that I grew wouldn’t try. If the ritual enhanced my from his regular blue kippah he wears up thinking were only for men own connection with God or gave me for Shabbat. or orthodox women. No one ever a meaningful way of expressing my told me that I wasn’t allowed to faith, then it stuck. If not, I stopped I, on the other hand, hadn’t been wear a kippah because I’m a girl or doing it. It felt liberating to be able to wearing a kippah. Not for any good that only orthodox women go to experiment with my Judaism. As a reason, I just hadn’t considered it the mikveh, but it was an implicit teenager I frequently heard the ‘90s before. Coincidentally, Rabbi Delson message I internalized by the norms tagline of Reform Judaism being didn’t wear a kippah either. And then of my community. It seems silly, but cited, that Reform Judaism is all one day it occurred to me that our growing up with a male rabbi and a about “choice through knowledge.” I students would always see the male male cantor, it didn’t even occur to me embraced that idea of personal choice, rabbi wearing a kippah, but not the that women could become rabbis until but in rabbinical school I realized that female rabbis. Something about that I was a teenager and starting meeting in a way, my Jewish education had let didn’t sit right with me, so I decided for women rabbis through NFTY, EIE, me down. I had plenty of choice, but that reason alone to start wearing my and URJ Camp Newman.

6 voices spring 2018 ]%&  not enough knowledge. There were so and community through RABBI MOLLY many Jewish rituals that I didn’t know wellness education and Jewish PLOTNIK joined PTS in 2015 were mine to shape and make my own. spirituality…[in order to] create a as Director of Education. She brings her love of music and passion for Jewish worldwide network of safe spaces, education to our community. A few days before my ordination I resources, and products. At The went to the mikveh for the first time Well works to inspire women to Rabbi Plotnik received her MA in Jewish to mark the transition of becoming a education from the Hebrew Union empower themselves, live whole College – Jewish Institute of Religion’s rabbi. I didn’t know what to expect, lives, and lift each other up.” Rhea Hirsch School of Education and if anything at all. I had learned about Sarah’s creation of At The Well was ordained by HUC–JIR in Los the mikveh as a Jewish ritual mainly provided the first major overhaul Angeles in 2015. reserved for orthodox women and of Rosh Hodesh rituals in about While in rabbinical school, Rabbi conversions, but never experienced it twenty years. So far, she has Plotnik further pursued her interest first-hand. Rabbi Debra Reed Blank helped coach 80 well circles in in the intersection of Judaism and wrote in her article, Making Up For Lost four different countries. These the environment by spending several Time: Female Rabbis and Ritual Change: summers working for Adamah well circles empower women Adventures, a Jewish outdoor adventure to create their own safe spaces “Traditionally associated camp based out of Atlanta. that have allowed for women to with a wife’s return to sexual open up and seek support regarding intimacy with her husband deeply personal issues, such as losing after menstruation, mikveh was a parent, post-partum depression, either condemned or ignored domestic abuse, fertility issues, by early egalitarian feminists, and more. but subsequently redeemed as part of women’s culture… the Here at PTS, Rabbi Delson and I advantage of immersion is its full have been incorporating some of At involvement of the body, which The Well’s resources into our 9th & can then be presented as restored, 10th Grade Rosh Hodesh groups, cleansed, or transformed by and we are looking forward to doing 1 the ritual.” more. Our monthly Rosh Hodesh It’s hard to fully express how that meetings with our girls are sacred experience transformed me, but my and confidential spaces where we can spiritual antennae were activated, and giggle and have fun while also delving I will never forget that feeling. Since into deeply personal issues including then, I’ve encouraged women to visit body image, complicated friendships, the mikveh for all kinds of spiritual and romantic relationships. healing and personal transitions I continue to think about my including recovering from cancer, experiences growing up, and my suffering a miscarriage, and more. decision to wear a kippah at Preschool Reclaiming rituals has the potential Shabbat and Havdalah. Our students to go beyond personal practice and may or may not decide to wear ritual spiritual connection with God. The objects, go to the mikveh, participate formation of women’s Rosh Hodesh in Jewish rituals, or even creatively groups has had a tremendous impact reshape the old into new rituals. on the bonds and relationships we Whatever they decide is fine because develop through synagogue life. A few it’s their choice. I just want to make years ago, Sarah Waxman founded sure they know what choices they At The Well, a San Francisco-based have and feel empowered to reclaim " organization whose mission is to, Jewish rituals for themselves. “...[connect] women to body, soul,

1Reed-Blank, Debra. Making Up For Lost Time: Female Rabbis and Ritual Change. The Sacred Calling: Four Decades of Women in the Rabbinate. Eds. Rebecca Einstein Schorr and Alysa Mendelson Graf. New York: CCAR Press, 2016. 448.

spring 2018 ]%&  voices 7 STRONGER TOGETHER by Mary Ann Waterman 2018 has become the year of the woman’s voice. Women with other sisterhoods and individual members world- are protesting, marching, organizing, and building power. wide, showing that the power of women organizing to From the millions who joined the Women's March, to the make a difference is limitless, and proving that we are survivors who have bravely come forward with their stories truly “stronger together.” WRJ is our political connection of sexual harassment and assault, and the creation of the to Congress, most recently writing resolutions to advocate #MeToo movement, it's become clear that women are not for pay equality and to combat human trafficking. going to stay silent anymore. We are not only speaking out, Sholom Women believes in the benefits of belonging to but are being heard. At the same time, men are becoming this valuable organization. A portion of our membership more vocal and aware of gender issues and finding ways to dues allows the WRJ to further its causes. Here at PTS, be active allies. How appropriate that I have been asked to across the country, and around the world, this dynamic write for Voices about Sholom Women and its role at PTS. group of women has committed to work together for the betterment of women’s rights domestically and abroad. At Sholom Women, an affiliate of Women of Reform Judaism Sholom Women’s Sukkot “Under the Sukkah” event, we (WRJ), strives to provide all women within our Jewish joined forces with Shalom Bayit, an organization striving community opportunities that encourage friendship, to provide peace, safety, and sanctuary in one’s own home. education, and spirituality. We are women dedicated to It is Northern California’s first and only Jewish agency ensuring the future of Reform Judaism by enhancing dedicated solely to ending domestic violence within the the quality of temple life and creating a welcoming Jewish community. Our Sholom Women community raised congregation. We aspire to achieve these goals through a over $400 this past year and pledged to advocate, educate, variety of programs, social action endeavors, charitable and empower to make healthy relationship choices. contributions, service to our temple, and service to Jewish and humanitarian causes. Sholom Women’s members range Sholom Women seeks opportunities to reach out to the in age from women in their 20’s-80’s, working professionals, broader community by being an integral part of Home stay-at-home moms, and retirees. It is an outlet for temple & Hope as well as the Caring Community Network. We women to nurture their creative energy and leadership make our kids Rosh Hashanah experience a little sweeter potential in the temple and the community at large. The each year with bags filled with sweet treats for a sweet varied interests are reflected in the diversity of programs New Year and send College Purim Packs to our college- offered and in the scope of causes supported. aged community members. Rebecca Ezrin, a recent college graduate says, “Sholom Women’s care packages We are proud to help support community causes such as have continuously made me feel at home over my college the Sisterhood Scholarship Fund, which offers camperships years, always reminding me that I am part of a greater and scholarships for our PTS youth as well as maintaining community that hasn't forgotten about me while I'm away.” our commitment of annual contributions to the temple’s It warms all our hearts to hear from our college students! operational fund and bestowing gifts to our temple’s b'nai mitzvah and confirmation classes. One of our greatest challenges is to engage the next generation of young women. In response, two Sholom As an affiliated sisterhood of WRJ, we’ve become Women past presidents created Ladies Night Out (“LNO”) integral partners in WRJ’s efforts to ensure the future of to connect new members, PTS Youth Education moms, and Reform Judaism around the world. WRJ helps provide Preschool moms. Some of our most memorable “LNO’s” communities with a vast network of programming, were chocolate tasting, jewelry making, cooking classes, resources, and leadership support. Our voice joins together mindfulness therapy, book groups, and much more. The

8 voices spring 2018 ]%&  PTS Women’s Hiking Group was formed through conversations started at an LNO gathering!

We participate in temple life at all levels, creating a cross-generational meeting place for women of all ages with our biennial Chai Tea and annual Sholom Women’s Shabbat Service. Along with our rabbis and cantor we create a moving, inspiring service led by Sholom Women members. The much-anticipated Helen Raiskin’s Woman of Valor Award (chosen by a committee of past recipients) is presented at this Shabbat Service. Proverbs 31 teaches us the powers of a strong and valiant woman, one who brings unique gifts, insights, passions, and callings to her community while giving selflessly of her time and effort through her volunteerism over the years. The Woman of Valor award embodies the mission of our organization through strong leadership and dedication.

Our membership has many “voices” from the member of over 30 years MARY ANN WATERMAN who wouldn’t miss a meeting or event to the new Preschool mom who is a member of the Sholom is looking to make her connection to the temple a bit more meaningful Women Board. Her lively in her busy schedule. As Katie Christie says, “I joined because I was newsletters brighten everyone’s inbox. asked by women whom I admired. Being around women that were the She currently holds the Board position of Executive Vice President; transitioning age of my mother, who had been gone for 20 years, helped to fill a void. to President in July, 2018. Her kindness, wisdom, support, social justice, and generosity I so miss. I treasure Sholom Women dearly.” It is these women and more who Mary Ann was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She came to San Francisco encourage and energize us on a daily basis and allow us to shine. for a “visit” 38 years ago! She has two beautiful adult children and resides in This past year, the PTS Board of Trustees created the PTS Leadership Millbrae with her caring husband of Summit for past, present, and future leaders to engage in discussions 35 years. about strategic issues for an inclusive community at PTS. Sholom She is newly retired from the Women was honored to have been invited and included to contribute Burlingame School District where she meaningfully to this dialogue. From every member, young and old, we was a School Secretary for over twenty invite you to share in the vital role that Sholom Women plays at PTS in years. She enjoys spending time with her precious grandson, and is passionate assuring the strength and vibrancy of our Jewish community now and about baseball, traveling and her in the future. Those who came before us planned for a future which has connection to PTS. brought us here today. Let us commit to ensure that our next generation can continue this tradition of being an inspiration to our children and community. I am proud to be a Sholom Woman and hope to lead our sisterhood successfully toward the future!

We need you for the future. Together we can move mountains! #StrongerTogether "

spring 2018 ]%&  voices 9 We asked… What Jewish woman in history or the Bible inspires you? Why?

Rosalind Franklin was an exceptional When I converted, I scientist who made contributions to the chose the Hebrew name understanding of the molecular structure of of Ruth. I have always DNA. In a life tragically shortened by ovarian felt a deep connection cancer, she made many important scientific to Ruth's story because discoveries despite the obstacles she faced after her husband dies as a woman in academiamia she realizes that she Ruth in the mid-20th century.ury. has a deep connection WARE KUSCHNERER and love for not only Trustee her mother-in-law, Naomi, but for the entire Jewish people. When Ruth decides to leave her parents’ home and follow Naomi, she is taking a big leap of faith to start a new life. Her story also reminds me that our decisions in life will have an Rosalind impact for many generations to come. KATHLEEN SHUGAR Congregant

Early in my Religious School education, I read a story called “The Importance of Being Vashti,” about a young girl who was initially disappointed to have been cast as Vashti rather than Esther in her school’s Purim play, but later came to appreciate Vashti as a strong woman who stood up for herself and refused to be treated as an object or status symbol. Since that time, I have always loved Vashti. As my son said to me just the other day, “Vashti was a badass.” ARLENE ROSENBERG Trustee

Esther

Esther was a brave woman that risked Rebekah her life to save her own people. She was not afraid to defend what she believed. EILEEN MARCHASIN Congregant 1010 voicesvooiccess springsprring 2020180188 ]]%&  %%&   Deborah broke out of the gender mold to become a respected judge of Israel, and a forerunner to ourr modern breakout judge, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who uses her power to speak truth. KAREN WISIALOWSKI Chief Communit Officer

Deborah Naomi and Ruth suffered the loss of their family during a terrible famine. Even though they were far apart in age (mother-in-law and daughter-in- law), they were strong, fearless, and loyal to each other. "Stronger together." Ruth LOIS FRIED Sholom Women President

In 1883, a young Jewish poet and activist, Emma Lazarus, wrote a poem to raise funds to build a pedestal for a newly arrived statue in the New York Harbor. Although she came from a wealthy Jewish family whose ancestors arrived in America before the revolution, she was inspired by both her Jewish values and the thousands of destitute Jewish immigrants for whom she advocated. In just a few lines, her poem, The New Colossus, beautifully expresses the welcoming spirit upon which our nation was built. Naomi SCOTT HABER Second Vice President

During my unexpected Jewish journey, I discovered published memoirs written by my great-great-great aunt, Rebekah Bettelheim Kohut. Born in Hungary in 1864, she became an American educator, writer and active community leader. At the age of 22 she married Rabbi Alexander Kohut, who was a widower with eight children. Seven years later, Rabbi Emma Kohut died leaving Rebekah a widow. She continued to raise her eight step-children, founded a girls' school, carried on her late husband's writing, and became the first president of the World Congress of Jewish Women, among many other remarkable accomplishments. I stand in awe of her strength and resolve in the face of adversity, and am inspired by her unwavering commitment to family, community, and social justice. HEIDI SCHELL Rebekah First Vice President springsprir ngn 20182018 ]%&  ]%%&&  voicesvov ices 1111 “A Woman of Valor, Who Can Find?”

Betty & Marshall Freedman on their honeymoon, 1947 Jonathan & Betty Freedman

by Jonathan Freedman

henever I recite this blessing, survived. My mother, Betty was the of 1936, he died of a heart attack in I think of the women that youngest, twenty-one years younger thirteen-year-old Betty’s arms. This Whave surrounded me and than her eldest brother, David. Hattie loss overshadowed both women’s lives, have come before me. I think about my raised five children through the Turn bonding mother and daughter. In family’s matriarchs and their constant of the Century, The Great Depression, the depths of the Depression, Hattie struggles for financial and social and World War II. managed a triplex, ran the Hadassah independence and am beguiled by the Women’s Zionist group in Denver, victories and legacies they left for me. Hattie understood the value of a and organized anti-war events. She proper education and when to pick dreamed of a Jewish Homeland and My maternal grandmother, Hattie her battles. When David received his saved money to travel to Israel in the Borwick, was born in a Jewish pioneer acceptance to Stanford Law School, his early 1950s; she did it all. family in the Rocky Mountains. Her father refused to pay and David was in older step brothers, Solomon and Max distress. Hattie assured her son that My mother Betty dreamed of becoming Shuteran, were among twenty-six his tuition would be paid and marched a witty writer like Dorothy Parker colonists who fled a Czarist pogrom in her son onto a train to Palo Alto. She of The New Yorker. Benjamin had left 1882 and started a Hebrew Agricultural kited a check for tuition on Benjamin’s an insurance policy that paid for her Colony in Cotopaxi, Colorado. As bank account and sent her husband tuition to Goucher, a women’s liberal a young woman, Hattie sojourned a telegram: “DAVID IN STANFORD. arts college near Baltimore, Maryland. from the shtetl of Talne, Ukraine to STOP. FUND ACCOUNT OR PUT ME On the eve of her first day of college, Denver and at age 15 she wed Benjamin IN JAIL.” her older brother Chuck introduced Borwick, mustachioed emigrant from her to Marshall, a fraternity brother Odessa, a proprietor of the Colorado Hattie was an old-school cook, from the University of Pennsylvania. Electric Wiring Company. It snowed on generous with butter, cream, and Marshall poured out his life story of their wedding night, and she soiled her schmaltz. The fatty diet delighted growing up poor in New Jersey. Betty satin slippers running to the outhouse. Benjamin, who demanded dinner listened patiently. They began writing Hattie bore seven children over a at 6 pm sharp, but hardened his each other love letters every day. period of twenty-three years; five arteries and did him in. In February Letters that she later burned when

12 voices spring 2018 ]%&  he chose going to medical school over Desperate, my father remembered marrying her. Betty met Bob Shapiro, reading in a medical textbook a handsome “90-day wonder” Navy about a rare Jewish genetic JONATHAN FREEDMAN is a proud officer who was shipped out to the war disorder called “Tay-Sachs.” husband, father of four, and in the Pacific. They wed. She lived with The only diagnosis was a grandfather of three. He serves his parents in Los Angeles and wrote “cherry red spot” in the back of as a writing mentor at the City an original radio play. The show was the eye. Marshall shined a light College of San Francisco, Notre scheduled to be broadcast “live from into Dougie’s eye and saw the telltale Dame de Namur University, Hillcrest Juvenile Hall and a halfway house for Hollywood” on a national network, and red spot: a death sentence. Unable to women transitioning from prison. arrangements were made for Bob to fly metabolize food, Dougie slowly went In 1987, he was awarded a Pulitzer in from the Philippines to join her in deaf and blind, wasting away. He died Prize in Editorial Writing for editorials the studio for the performance. Instead, in February and his ashes were spread advocating historic immigration she received a telegram from the War over a frozen Minnesota lake. My reforms that enabled over two million undocumented immigrants to become Department. Captain Bob Shapiro died father, unable to save his own son, legal residents. He is co-editing a book of polio contracted in the officer’s club suffered an allergic reaction to rubber Solito, Solita: Young Refugees From Central pool in Manila. First her father, and surgical gloves. The skin on his hands America Bear Witness, to be published now her husband, died in the month fell off, and I remember visiting him in next year. “Each one of us, every human of February. Crushed, she grieved and the hospital with huge white bandages being, has a voice, a story. I believe in the power of writing to change lives, contemplated her future. like boxing gloves. Forced to give up beginning with your own.” He invites surgery, he retrained as an internist you to story-telling workshops in his Several weeks later, Captain Marshall but was not offered a permanent job at writing studio in Burlingame. Freedman, an Army doctor stationed in Mayo Clinic. February was the cruelest Alabama, heard that Betty had become month, and Betty fell into a deep author’s note: I want to thank the a war widow. He jumped on an Air Force PTS congregation for putting their arms depression. around my shoulders in a warm and transport and turned up at the door of consoling hug. I am grateful to Rabbi Betty’s parents-in-law. Betty saw her old In the spring thaw, they left Rochester Lisa Delson for leading a compassionate flame standing nervously, hat in hand, behind and set forth to Colorado. En support group for mourners, and shadowed by the screen door. Bluntly, route to the airport the car blew a rear recommend the workbook Mourning & she said, “Marshall, there’s nothing tire, flipped over the embankment, Mitzvah, by Anne Brener. more dead than an old love.” and hung by a cable above a swollen river. I remember sitting on the ceiling Marshall persevered and they were of the car, wondering why everything married on August 16, 1947, in Denver. was upside-down. Luckily, no one They honeymooned at the Broadmoor was seriously injured. Undeterred, and began life in military housing in they packed me and our dog Missy Montgomery, Alabama. A baby was into a 1949 Plymouth and drove to conceived in a flat above a muffler shop Denver. The wide-open spaces and in LA. When Betty was eight-months blue skies beckoned to a new life in the pregnant, they moved to Rochester, Rocky Mountains. Minnesota, where Marshall started a residency in surgery at the Mayo Clinic. After an anxious pregnancy, (there After a 24-hour labor, a red-faced, were no prenatal genetic tests for Tay- black-haired boy was born. I suffered Sachs in those days1), my sister Tracy, from colic and cried incessantly for the was born healthy. They nicknamed first six weeks. A year later, my brother her “Sparkle.” My father started a Dougie was born. The handsomer and private practice and we moved into a sunnier of the two sons, Dougie was new ranch-style house. I remember delayed in his development. He couldn’t my mother holding me on her warm sit up and had terrible stomach cramps. lap and reading Dr. Seuss books My mother took him to the chief of aloud, miming the voices of Horton pediatrics at Mayo’s, who examined the Elephant and the tiny Who’s Dougie. “Mrs. Freedman, don’t worry of Whoville. your pretty little head. Some babies are just slower.” By six months, Dougie Betty was supported financially by her was screaming and still couldn’t sit up. husband, but she was not  Hattie Borwick

1Ashkenazi Jews are a high-risk group. If you’re thinking of having children, get tested for Tay-Sachs. There is no cure, only prevention through screening. spring 2018 ]%&  voices 13 content to be a stay-at-home mom. My father She threw herself into volunteering for retired from community projects: Her team raised University more than a million dollars for the of Colorado Denver Art Museum, the University Medical School of Denver Library Association, and at age 94, the Denver Public Library. In the early cracking self- 1970’s the women’s movement was effacing jokes getting started. Betty joined a few to a standing dozen women (and a couple of men) ovation from who each plunked down $1,000 to colleagues and start a bank that would help women fellows. Prostate become financially independent. She cancer had was tasked with recruiting the bank metastasized leadership. On her stationery, “Mrs. to his spine. Marshall Freedman,” she wrote letters Enduring terrible pain, to Business Week’s 10 top women in he remained stoically upbeat. Betty finance. Mary Roebling, president of sat beside her beloved Marshall for refuse food and water.” “How the Trenton Trust of New Jersey, flew weeks, silently enduring his putdowns, long might this agony last?” “In your out to meet Betty in Denver and Mary steadfastly holding his hand. He mother’s case, three or four weeks.” became the president of the board died surrounded by family. The next “Unbearable!” I returned to Mom’s of trustees. The federally chartered morning, we found a note in his bedside and explained the rules. She Women’s Bank opened in the marble handwriting. It was a limerick. shook her head. Her gnarled knuckles floored lobby of a local Denver bank. and veined fingers twined around my Volunteers held seminars for women There was a young man named hand. She squeezed and I squeezed on how to borrow money, start a Marshall, back in silent acknowledgement. business, and open a checking account. To girls he was very partial, Betty served for twenty years as a He claimed I’m not ready, “Go home to your family,” she said. founding member of the board, and A day later, I reluctantly packed my Until he met Betty, Women’s Bank became a great success. bag and kissed her cheek, “I love you Who then made his life sparkle. forever. I’ll come back soon.” As I flew Betty battled bouts of depression, home to Burlingame, Tracy came from sitting on the couch, gazing out the After bearing up through Marshall’s San Francisco to be with Mom. Bravely, window at the gathering gloom, with a burial, Betty retreated. The long Betty refused to eat a spoonful or take Manhattan in her hand. She suffered February of the soul stretched for one, a sip of water. I got the long-distance from arthritis, breast cancer, and three… fourteen months. Then one day call three days later. “Mom died,” nerve damage to her eyes that made her dear friend and caregiver Charlene Tracy said. “She did it all by herself.” it painful to read. She medicated told me, “Your mom has come back herself with a toxic cocktail of alcohol to herself.” As I pen these lines, a portrait of my and painkillers. One day, she stopped mother in her prime watches over me. breathing and was rushed to the I flew out to Denver for Mom’s 95th She wears a crimson, Thai-silk dress hospital. I spent the night watching birthday. Jetlagged, I was summoned and sits regally under a Japanese her semi-conscious body tossing and to her bedside at 5 am. She lay on her screen with golden clouds. A woman of turning in hellish torment. Selfishly, I back, breathing faintly. Before I could valor… robed in strength and dignity… couldn’t bear for my mother to be put wish her Happy Birthday, she pulled her deeds speak her praise. " on a respirator and kept artificially my head down to her lips. “Jon, I’ve alive. When she momentarily regained had enough.” My voice cracked, “Mom, consciousness, I pleaded, “Mom, do are you saying that you’re ready to go?” you want to let go? I can call hospice.” She nodded firmly. I called her hospice “I’ll think about it,” she mumbled. nurse, who explained the rules: “In The next morning, she said, “I want Colorado, you can legally choose to to live.” “That’s great!” I exclaimed. end life, but you have to go through a Then I leaned closer and whispered, complicated process: meet with two “But if you ever change your mind, doctors, a month apart. Then it’s up you can always tell me.” She recovered to them whether or not to prescribe in a nursing home and never touched a lethal dose.” He paused, “There’s alcohol again. another, tougher way. The patient can

14 voices spring 2018 ]%&  An Interfaith Perspective by Ginger Roehrig

grew up in a small sugar plantation our family in the Jewish faith Icommunity on the Big Island of began to take shape. I was starting Hawaii and, after 17 years, my first from ground zero, knowing next GINGER ROEHRIG has been a member of PTS since exposure to Judaism was through a to nothing about Jewish history 2006 along with her husband college roommate at Brown University. and religion. Drew was a patient Drew Chavinson. Both of their She was incredibly inclusive and would partner, and used our educational children Malia and Keli’i attended PTS bring me along to High Holy Day journey as a means of honing his vision for their early childhood education and services, in addition to other Jewish and values of just how Judaism, with have remained with their classes for Youth education. Malia became a Bat occasions and celebrations. I found all of its wonderful layers, would be Mitzvah in October 2017 and Keli’i is on myself in an environment that was incorporated into our home. the calendar for March 2020! accepting and warm, and enjoyed my Ginger was born and raised in Hawaii, initial foray into her Jewish family. I One big debate we had to work through and after spending six years on the East didn’t have a religious upbringing at all, was “the tree.” I didn’t grow up with Coast (Brown in Rhode Island and then so this type of community was a very any particular religion, but my family Washington, D.C.), she settled in the traditions in Hawaii did include Bay Area for medical school, residency, new experience for me. and to practice internal medicine. The Christmas. Divorcing myself from this first 15 years of her practice focused on Fast forward to 1998 when I met my custom, filled with warmth and fond underserved populations as she worked future husband, Drew Chavinson. He memories, was the one ritual I had the as a clinician educator and health-plan came from Cleveland, attended a local hardest time compromising. I was quite administrator at Santa Clara Valley reform synagogue, and was raised in a attached to the custom of decorating a Medical Center in San Jose. It was an incredibly rewarding experience that secular, though culturally, Jewish family. tree, making cookies, and being with my really solidified her commitment to When we started exploring the idea of family over the holidays. I am sure that community outreach and social justice. spending the rest of our lives together, this topic is fertile ground for debate In 2016 Ginger moved her practice to we had long discussions about his strong among interfaith couples and, of course, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation site feelings of keeping a Jewish home. Was I each has to decide what arrangement in San Carlos so she could be closer to comfortable with that? Given the warm will be most comfortable for them. Is home and to take a mid-career “breath.” She stays engaged in outreach activities introduction I had through my college each parent’s religion celebrated and including volunteering as a physician in roommate and how welcoming Drew’s honored? And if so, what is included and free medical clinics and local school/ family was, I was open to exploring what is left out? How is this alchemy community events. what this meant for us. We joined an presented to children, and hopefully interfaith support group of six couples received, so they can feel comfortable at the PJCC in San Francisco and also with the unique blend chosen? took an Introduction to Judaism class continued on page 18  at Congregation Sherith Israel. The foundation of how we wanted to raise

spring 2018 ]%&  voices 15 VOICES: Pay Equity for Women in the Rabbinate by Rabbi Lisa Delson

or 2,000 years, men had been before them. It says that the role of women would be seen as equal to men the leaders, teachers, priests, women in Judaism is valued and can in the Jewish community. In reality, Frabbis, scribes, guardians, and be further valued by women having this has not been the case. Womens’ counsel for the Jewish people. the potential to lead congregations. experiences in the rabbinate mirrors Women certainly played important However, it was not until a full 50 years the experience of all female executives, roles throughout as mothers, wives, later that a woman stood in front of the physicians, lawyers, and judges. We story-tellers, healers, teachers, and ark at Wise Temple in Cincinnati, Ohio may have the title, but earning the guides. Biblically, we know that to received rabbinic ordination. respect and ultimate equality is still women were judges like a work in progress. I am writing this Deborah, they were queens from a place of luxury, the women like Esther, they were rabbis who came before me did the warriors like Yael and work and I am reaping the benefits, Judith. However, we know however not all of total equality. their names because they were the rare examples of According to the Pay Equity Resolution leadership in our sacred adopted by the Women of Reform texts. Despite having just Judaism, “In 2015, women in the United a few examples, there is States who work full-time, year-round scholarship to support that earn on average only 78 cents for every women then, as they do dollar their male counterparts earn. now, shaped how Judaism Women of color face an even greater was taught and learned. disparity, with African American and Latina women earning an average of In 1922, the same year that 64 and 54 cents on the white male Judith Kaplan became the dollar, respectively. These figures have first Bat Mitzvah, Reform improved slowly over the past 50 years rabbis gathered with their — in 1960, women on average earned wives to discuss the topic of women Shattering the stained-glass ceiling, just 60 cents on the male dollar — but becoming rabbis. After a lengthy Rabbi Sally Priesand was ordained the wage gap has remained stagnant discussion, Rabbi Jacob Lauterbach in 1972. After years of delay for full now for more than a decade.”2 concluded that, “In view of these acceptance into the rabbinic program Jewish teachings and in keeping with at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Unfortunately, Jewish communal the spirit of our age and the traditions Institute of Religion, she matriculated organizations find themselves in of our conference, we declare that and was conferred with the title of the same position as the previously women cannot justly be denied the Rabbi. Wishful thinking would lead stated statistics. The Jewish Forward privilege of ordination.”1 Reading this us to the conclusion that this was the highlighted this issue in an article can offer us a sense of pride because last pause for women in the organized it broke with the tradition that came Jewish world, that from here on out 1https://www.ccarnet.org/ccar-responsa/arr-24-43/ 2https://wrj.org/pay-equity-0

16 voices spring 2018 ]%&  Sally Priesand around the time of her ordination as the first woman rabbi in America, 1972.

from October 17, 2017 with the title, Rabbi Mary Zamore, Executive “Even Reform Synagogues Underpay Director of the Women’s Rabbinic Female Rabbis: Despite the Emphasis Network says, “The first step is RABBI LISA DELSON on Social Justice. This biting article saying yes, we have a problem, joined PTS in the summer of highlights the fact that according to a and we have to own it, we take 2014. She serves our community salary survey from 2016-2017, senior justice issues extremely seriously. through teaching all ages about the joy and relevancy of Jewish and solo female Reform rabbis are paid We take egalitarianism extremely life, providing pastoral care and 4 85% less than their male counterparts seriously.” Our Jewish tradition has spiritual guidance. at this level. It also says that, “And clear guidelines when it comes to paying Prior to coming to PTS, Rabbi Delson while men outnumber women 4-to-1 people what they are due. Leviticus served as Assistant Rabbi and Program among senior or solo Reform rabbis, 19:13 commands, “You shall not defraud Director at Temple Beth Emeth in more than half the rabbis in associate your neighbor, nor rob him; the wages Ann Arbor, Michigan. She received her roles are women.”3 The arguments for of he who is hired shall not remain Masters Degree in Hebrew Letters in why echo the same arguments that with you all night until the morning.” 2008 and rabbinic ordination by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute are made for income inequality in This means that it is against Torah law of Religion in Cincinnati in 2009. the general population; for example, to withhold deserved wages from an women start in lower earning positions, employee. The value of equality between While in rabbinical school, Rabbi Delson deepened her study and commitment women bear children during the years all people stems from the oft quoted to social action by serving as a member that they would likely climb to the top idea that we are all created in the image of the Commission on Social Action at tier of leadership, women are not seen of God, b’tzelem elohim, and therefore the RAC (Religious Action Center of as authoritative, women choose to be should be treated equally. Additionally, Reform Judaism) in Washington, D.C. educators and therefore earn less than our Rabbinic sages teach, “One who She also participated in the American Jewish World Service‘s Rabbinic Student pulpit rabbis. The list is predictable but withholds an employee's wages is as Delegation to Ghana in 2008. no less infuriating. And what’s more is though he has deprived him of his She and her husband, Brent Pliskow, that these statistics hurt to read. They life" [Baba Metzia 112a]  . Our tradition have two children, Micah and Asher. are highlighting a subject that we do not like to discuss. It hurts because it airs 3https://forward.com/news/386291/reform- our collective dirty laundry to the rest synagogues-underpay-female-rabbis-study-finds/ of the world. 4ibid

spring 2018 ]%&  voices 17 recognizes that this gender pay gap is and female rabbis. After the data take care of our own places of worship not merely statistics, it affects people’s collection stage, they will make for some and employment for others, lives in real ways. recommendations to the only then can we advocate for others. CCAR, the URJ, and to There is a teaching from the midrash While this pay gap is Equal JOB congregations. Thankfully, from Song of Songs that suggests that regrettable, the problem not every rabbi has these words of Torah are like droplets, the is not easily solved. The Equal PAY negative experiences. Rabbi more we learn, the more the droplets Central Conference Plotnik and I are grateful to can form mighty streams. The more for American Rabbis work on a staff that values we talk about issues of inequality the (CCAR) is working to our opinions and supports more likely the systems are to change. remediate this issue us in every way. For those through a new initiative who do not enjoy the same In the grand scheme of Jewish time, called the Taskforce circumstances this study is women in the rabbinate and positions on the Experience intended to improve their of leadership is just a tiny moment. of Women in the work-life experience. We have come a long way but are not Rabbinate. This task there just yet. Moving into the future, force has been collecting data from My rabbinic colleagues, men and we have the opportunity to make a female rabbis in light of the #MeToo women, see this as a positive step. It difference and create an environment Movement, of workplace inequality, acknowledges that there is a problem that is equitable for everyone. " and also the pay gap between male and also offers a solution. When we

 "An Interfaith Perspective" continued from page 15

Laying the groundwork for our interfaith home was an warm and accepting. For us, the preschool was a perfect enormous undertaking that lasted many months, and truly way to engage as an interfaith family, especially since a continues to this day. It is very much an individualized significant percentage of the preschool students aren’t decision for each interfaith couple – I would humbly Jewish and are learning about a new culture and religion submit that others following this path research what has as well. I jumped in headfirst, and soon the running joke worked and failed for friends and families alike. And that was that I was at PTS far more than my Jewish husband! is what makes an interfaith marriage both challenging and I always felt comfortable asking about what a particular rewarding. The chance to create your own vision, a special tradition, holiday, symbol, song, or custom meant. I also space that encompasses the traditions and values you wish found it amusing when another PTS family would take a to harness for your family’s journey. We ultimately chose few years to figure out that I was the “non-Jewish half.” to have a primarily Jewish household as it was important to Drew to have a unified “message” to our children. Our My initial motivations around raising our children in the compromises included celebrating Christmas with my Jewish faith were to honor Drew’s heritage and to form a family in Hawaii instead of in our Burlingame home, as this family unit around his religion and culture. Over time, my was my family tradition that we wished to honor. We also perspective has shifted, especially as our children moved chose to celebrate other child-centric holidays in our home, on to busy lives in the local public school and the greater such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day — decorating the Burlingame community. While the world around us is house, carving pumpkins, eating candy! forever changing, one nice constant has been celebrating Judaism and our Jewish community at PTS — whether Another crucial step for our family was taking advantage through lighting the Shabbat candles on a Friday night, of early childhood programs with a Jewish curriculum, seeing old friends at youth education pick up, or attending as well as finding a local synagogue that was receptive to High Holy Days and Bar/Bat Mitzvah services. There is a interfaith families. Peninsula Temple Sholom was the first comfort in this, a place where long-standing relationships place we visited, and we have not looked back. We started are created and nurtured, and a tent in which to find with Mommy and Me classes for both children, moved on support in both good times and bad. through the preschool, and finally the youth education. Our children (and their parents) have made great friends while For me, I hope I have brought to our Jewish family the absorbing both a Jewish and worldly perspective. ability to have an open mind and a sincere commitment to being part of a fulfilling community, rich with meaning. We While initially apprehensive during my initial foray into believe our children have connected to their Jewish faith the PTS community (given my background), the transition and have a strong sense of identity and belonging that will couldn’t have been easier. I found the community to be so last their entire lives. "

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