Sound of the Shofarjune / July / August 2016
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
New Prayerbooks! 16 Our new Siddur Lev Shalem Prayerbooks were recently introduced at services in April. The response to June / July / August 20 them has been amazing and wee look forward to many more meaningful spiritual experiences with these beautiful prayerbooks in hand. The first printing was over 38,000 copies and Kol Shofar is fortunate to be amongst the first communities in the U.S. to integrate Siddur Lev Shalem into our prayer experience. Sound of the Shofar Laughter at the Board Level Please consider making a tribute donation to help defray the cost of these wonderful prayerbooks. You By Joan Levison, Incoming Board President 2016—2018 may purchase and personalize a beautifully designed book plate that will be placed in one of the new books for only $75. This gift is a meaningful way to honor or memorialize someone—for the memory of a Call me crazy but I’m really looking forward to being the Board president, come July 1. loved one on a yahrzeit; in honor of someone special; or on a birthday, wedding, or special celebration. I’ve served on my fair share of non-profit boards and committees—well run and otherwise—so I’m not saying this from Our goal is to raise $10,000 in order to help cover the cost of these beautiful new siddurim. naiveté. Rather, I say this from a true respect for what boards of directors strive for in their work. If just 1 out of every 5 families contributed, we’d meet our goal! My inspiration comes from my father. When I was looking for a job after graduate school, I attended several board meetings with my father, who served on many non-profit boards. I was struck by the deep enjoyment the people around the table derived You can complete the form, found at shul, or you can also donate online at www.kolshofar.org/give. from their board work. They believed in the organizations they were serving, they clearly respected their fellow board members, We are most grateful for your support of our wonderful Jewish community. and they were having a good time. I was surprised by the laughter in these meetings. But after several meetings of different non-profits, I realized that the laughter was an important indication that these people knew each other well enough to try new ideas that might or might not be feasible, to let down their guard to tease and be teased, and to really hear each other. These boards were communities in which the members found the work enjoyable and fulfilling. Successful boards are successful communities. They need to represent their larger community, but they also need to be cohesive communities in and of themselves. The members must enjoy and respect each other and have shared goals. And laughter is a good gauge of how comfortable this unique community is with itself. One of my goals as incoming president is to increase the involvement on the board of congregants 35- to 50-years of age and to create a strong community of future leaders. The practice of Judaism is evolving and those who will be driving this evolution must be leaders in Kol Shofar’s strategic planning and governance. For me, the Board’s success will be defined by creating a board community in which the next generation of leaders is excited to participate and to join those of us who have been around the block a few times. I’m looking forward to creating a board community that is filled with laughter and purpose, with a clear eye on making sure that Kol Shofar remains vibrant and relevant as Judaism evolves. Sacred Chant and Shavuot with Rabbi Shefa Gold Just as I saw the enjoyment and satisfaction my father got from his board service, I find that same sense for myself. And my children are now coming to the age where Congregation Kol Shofar they are showing signs of community involvement. I have no doubt that they are following the lead of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. I want to featuring Syliva Boorstein nurture this wonderful, fulfilling aspect of being Jewish for the generations that will follow us. And have the laughter continue. 215 Blackfield Drive Sat, June 11 Followed by Shavuot celebrations: Tiburon, CA 94920 Rabbi Shefa Gold develops and leads 9:00 p.m. A Farewell from Our Outgoing President Hebrew chants based on Jewish sacred Maariv Service texts for transformative spiritual growth. 9:30 p.m. by Steven Tulsky 10:00 a.m. to noon Cheesecake Break Rabbi Shefa Gold leads Kol Neshama Everything they told me was true. That a faith community is the sum of many more parts and individual efforts than I ever 10:00 p.m. appreciated. That the Presidency would be more work than I ever imagined. That I would learn fascinating, unexpected, and Minyan Study Sessions with Rabbis Leider. MAILING LABEL deeply inspiring things about people—and sometimes disappointing things as well. That rabbis have one of the toughest jobs in 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Levy, Friedman, and Lezak the world, few aspects of which are known to their congregants. That I would discover new leadership talents in myself, and also Rabbi Shefa Gold Study Session: The Magic of Hebrew Chant new areas where necessary skills elude me. That it would be far and away the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done. Shavuot Services: 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. From the beginning of her time with us, Rabbi Leider has made it a top priority to see us chart a path of lay leadership looking Rabbi Shefa Gold and Sylvia Boorstein Sun, June 12, 9:15 a.m. many years into the future. This emphasis allowed me plenty of time to prepare for my future responsibilities under the tutelage at Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Reimagining Mon June 13, 9:15 a.m. (Yizkor) of my masterful predecessor Scott Waxman. It also has made it much easier to draw my term to a close, having the comfort of Sinai: Opening to Revelation in Each knowing that my dear and exceedingly qualified colleague Joan Levison is ready to seamlessly take our gavel. L’Dor va Dor—from Moment generation to generation…. As I step down, I would like to share two things that I have learned with certainty. First, that Kol Shofar is truly a welcoming congregation—every strand of our Join us on Wednesday, June 1 for our Annual Meeting DNA desires to see new visitors find their own personal connections to the Judaism that we share as an institution. And second—that even for a person whose own and Community Gathering! 5:30 p.m. buffet dinner Rabbi Shefa Gold develops and leads Hebrew chants personal Judaism included an indifference to faith, serving a synagogue community edges one ineffably closer to the Devine. based on Jewish sacred texts for transformative spiritual and 6:15 p.m. meeting. growth. GO GREEN: In order to stay eco-friendly, we ask that you opt-into future newsletters For more information, contact Rabbi Chai at like this via email. To confirm your email and opt-in to email-only, please contact [email protected] or (415) 388-1818, ext. 119 Valerie Bishop at [email protected] or (415) 388-1818, ext. 130. Congregation Kol Shofar | 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920 | 415.388.1818 | www.kolshofar.org 8 1 Volunteer Spotlight: A Reflection on Teen Programming Our CKS Librarian, Ellen Barr By Jordan Hopstone, Teen Leadership Coordinator From an interview with Valerie Bishop, Marketing & Communications Manager As summer approaches and we head for the beach, it is important to take time to reflect on what has been a wonderful year. Here at Congregation Kol Shofar, I have had a very special year with our wonderful teens, and I think of it fondly as You’ve seen her around in the I look forward to making more memories. building for nearly 35 years, as she’s spent decades serving as our Kol A highlight of this year was my elective class at Tichon: Dr. Shofar Librarian. Ellen Barr is a vital Seuss and Jewish Values. The Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, and volunteer that dedicates her time to the Lorax have provided generations of children with colorful the management and organization stories and healthy ideas. In this class we explored their of our beloved library. likeness to the stories in the Torah, Mishnah, and Pirkei Avot! It was a fun class for the students because let’s be honest… Some of Ellen’s earliest memories Dr. Seuss is brilliant! But it was a truly special experience for hail from her days on the Upper me because of the insights of our teens. These young people West Side, New York, visiting her bring critical minds and unique perspectives to my class, and I local library, the St. Agnes Branch, leave each Wednesday feeling inspired. when she would visit weekly to procure entertainment through the magic of the written word. Before AUGUST 2016 the days of television, Ellen calls the Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday library her “saving grace.” She loved 1 2 3 4 5 6 books and reading while growing 7:15 a.m. Morning Minyan, 10:00 a.m. Chai Lights 7:00 a.m. Morning Minyan Rosh Hodesh Av 9:15 a.m. Shabbat Services, up, and her passion only grew. She followed by Talmud Study Weeky Walk followed by kiddush ABOUT US is extremely interested in Judaica. 1:30 p.m.