VolumeVROXPH1XPEHU-DQXDU\ 29, Number 5 • January 2010T HYHW6KHYDW• Tevet/Shevat 5770 directory Temple Beth Abraham Services Schedule is proud to support the Conservative Movement by Services/ Time Location affiliating with The United Synagogue of Conservative Monday & Thursday Judaism. Morning Minyan Chapel 8:00 a.m. Friday Evening (Kabbalat Shabbat) Chapel 6:15 p.m. Advertising Policy: Anyone may sponsor an issue of The Omer and receive a dedication for their business or loved one. Contact us for details. We do Shabbat Morning Sanctuary 9:30 a.m. not accept outside or paid advertising. The Omer is published on paper that is 30% post-consumer fibers. Candle Lighting (Friday) The Omer (USPS 020299) is published monthly except July and August January 1 4:43 p.m. by Congregation Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. January 8 4:49 p.m. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA. January 15 4:56 p.m. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Omer, c/o Temple Beth January 22 5:03 p.m. Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610-3232. January 29 5:11 p.m. © 2010. Temple Beth Abraham. The Omer is published by Temple Beth Abraham, a non-profit, located at 336 Euclid Torah Portions (Saturday) Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610; telephone 510-832-0936. It is published monthly January 2 Vayechi except for the months of July and August for a total of ten issues per annum. It is sent as a requester publication and there is no paid distribution. Our press run for the January 9 Sh’mot preceding 12 months averaged 495 copies and the most current issue nearest the fil- January 16 Vaera ing date was 504 copies. Outside county requested copies were an average of 83 and January 23 Bo the current number was 86 while the in county numbers were 405 and 410 respec- January 30 B’Shalah tively, with a total requested circulation of 488 average and 496 currently. There were 7 copies on average not distributed and 8 on the most current issue.
General INFORMATION Committees & organizations All phone numbers use (510) prefix unless otherwise noted. If you would like to contact the committee chairs, please contact the synagogue office for phone numbers Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. and e-mail addresses. Oakland, CA 94610 Hours M-Th: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Adult Education Women of TBA Fr: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Bet Sefer Parents Miriam Green Office Phone 832-0936 Bet Sefer Subcommittee Barbara Gross Office Fax 832-4930 Centennial Fund Raising Paul & Flo Raskin and E-Mail [email protected] Alan & Cheryl Silver Gan Avraham 763-7528 Centennial Steering Committee Sandy Margolin Bet Sefer 663-1683 Chesed Warren Gould STAFF Development Laura Wildmann Dues Evaluation Marshall Langfeld Rabbi (ext. 213) Mark Bloom Endowment Fund Herman Pencovic Cantor (ext. 218) Richard Kaplan Finance Marshall Langfeld Gabai David Galant Gan Avraham Parents Jo Ilfeld and Mala Johnson Executive Director (ext. 214) Art Rosenberg Gan Avraham Jenny Michaelson Office Coordinator (ext. 210) Aliza Schechter Schools Committee Bet Sefer Director Susan Simon House Stephen Shub Gan Avraham Director Wendy Siver Israel Affairs David Marinoff Bookkeeper (ext. 215) Christine Tripod Membership Stacy Margolin and Custodians (ext. 211) Joe Lewis, Dennis Moore Jill Rosenthal Kindergym/Toddler Program Dawn Margolin 547-7726 Men’s Club Eric Friedman Volunteers (ext. 229) Herman & Agnes Pencovic Publicity & Promotion Sally Ann Berk OFFICERS Ritual Sally Ann Berk President Stephen Shub 339-3614 Schools Stacy Margolin Vice President Mark Fickes 652-8545 Social Action Bryan Schwartz Vice President Jerry Levine 336-0565 Torah Fund Anne Levine Vice President Stacy Margolin 482-3153 Tree of Life Open Vice President Bryan Schwartz 350-7681 Web Site Outi Gould Secretary Laura Wildmann 601-9571 Women of TBA Judith Klinger Treasurer Marshall Langfeld 769-6970 Youth Steve Fankuchen i what’s happening Night Out at a Cal Bears Game It’s time for family basketball! Come join TBA Celebrate Tu B’Shevat Men’s Club for a great time at Haas Pavilion watch- ing one of college basketball’s most promising with Save the Bay and TBA teams! Come with your family (children included) and hang out with your TBA friends. Cheer on the January 24 • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cal Bears as they battle USC. They’re starting the On Sunday, January 24, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., season with more promise than any season this decade and are favored to win the PAC-10! Temple Beth Abraham will continue our tradition of service for the Earth by joining Save the Bay in restoring Saturday January 9 wetlands at Arrowhead Marsh here in Oakland. Since 6:00 p.m. snacks, 7:30 p.m. game time. 2002, Temple Beth Abraham members have participated in annual workdays at this site. The Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline Park includes some of the last remain- Cost: $15 adults, $10 kids: We have 40 seats, first come-first served. ing wetland habitat in the East Bay, including 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh and a 72-acre wetland restoration proj- Meet at Manny’s Tap Room on Telegraph Avenue ect that provides a home for many species, including the for snacks and drinks beforehand (more details to endangered California clapper rail and burrowing owls. come). Save The Bay partners with the East Bay Regional Park District to offer community-based restoration projects For ticket information, contact Jeff Ilfeld: ilfeld@ email.com or Ben Persin: [email protected], in the wetlands and at an onsite native plant nursery. or call (510) 685-1349. In the many years we have been working here, TBA members have helped clear non-native plants (remember that giant shelf of ice plant?), collected seeds from native plants, helped grow those seeds in the nursery, and then planted seedlings in the wetlands area. Due to popular Feeling Hot? Think Ski! request, we have for the past two years made this activity part of our Tu B’Shevat observance. This event is appro- The NASoS (Next Annual Schlemiels on Skis) priate for everyone, and Save the Bay provides all the Outing will be Sunday, Jan. 31 - Monday Feb. 1, 2010. equipment and supplies. Join men of good cheer and all athletic abilities from Temple Beth Abraham and Netivot Shalom for two days Because the areas where the restoration work is occurring of skiing, schmoozing, and dining. are sensitive, we are asked to respect a 50-person limit on the number of participants. Please contact Jody London Sugarbowl is a delightful old-world resort in north Lake Tahoe, reached by gondola from the road. no later than Monday, January 17 to reserve your space at (510) 658-2100 or by email at [email protected]. We’ll carpool up early Sunday a.m., ski for most of a day, enjoy a fireside drink (with the option to watch the SuperBowl on Sunday), then have dinner in the lodge. Monday, Sugarbowl offers free lessons – and we’ll ski Save The Date most of the day, driving home in the late afternoon. So excuse yourself from a day of work, and come chill out! Sugarbowl is taking room reservations now – and there are quite a few rooms open at the incredible discount TBA Annual “midweek” rates of 50% off, or $74. Blood Drive Email [email protected] to let me know you’re thinking about coming, and make a reservation while there are still discount rooms! February 21 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1 from the rabbi Conservative Movement’s New Beginnings In November, Rabbi Steven Wernick, the new Executive Vice President of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), met with all the Conservative rabbis of the Bay Area. Rabbi Wernick is not only the new “head” of the main body of Conservative Judaism, he spent a good part of his childhood at Beth Abraham, when his father Gene Wernick served as rabbi here in the late seventies. Rabbi Wernick, the younger, has spent the last six months traveling the country learning about what congregations and members would like to see the United Synagogue doing. His goal is to make the USCJ more helpful to synagogues in a very direct way. He told our group that four main themes are emerging. 1. People want the USCJ to be an organization whose primary purpose is to help synagogues with the nuts and bolts. This includes everything from how to operate a building to how to fund- raise to how to create meaningful, inspiring service. 2. People want the USCJ to serve as a programming bank for best practices. 3. We need to do something for people between the ages of 18 and 35. We do well training our young people, even engaging them in teen activities, and we do well when people come back to synagogues when they have children. But what are we doing for this critical age population? Things are happening all over the Jewish community (J-Date, independent minyanim, and more), but little is happening inside Conservative synagogues. 4. People want to know what exactly Conservative Judaism is and how that matters. 5. I then shared these findings with our Saturday morning service crowd, who had many more questions and concerns. The sentiment expressed at services that morning was that the orga- nization should be changing more quickly and that these four things were not significant enough. People wanted to see the USCJ doing more in terms of Israel, anti-Semitism, GLBT rights, social action, and more. In short, they seemed to want the USCJ to think bigger. I don’t know where the Conservative movement will go over the next few years or even decades. But with a new head of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Arnold Eisen, a new head of the Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbi Julie Schoenfeld, and a new head of the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, Rabbi Steven Wernick, the Conservative movement has the opportunity for a new begin- ning. Only time will tell how significant that new beginning will be. Stay tuned. New beginnings are always interesting. L’shalom, Rabbi Mark Bloom Scholarships for Teen Travel to Israel Do you have a teenager who is planning on traveling to Israel this coming spring or summer? Students who are planning on visiting Israel this year may apply for a grant from the Hertz Fund. This is a fund that was established by the Hertz family in order to encourage our young people to travel to Israel and strengthen their intellectual and emotional connection to a place that is so important to the Jewish people. The monetary grant is made without consideration of financial need and the money can be used for anything connected with a trip to Israel by a young person who has graduated from our Bet Sefer Religious School after having attended at least four years here and/or has celebrated a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony here. The amount of each grant will depend upon how much interest the fund has generated in the past year and how many students apply for the grant. Students may apply now for any trip to be commenced any time in 2010. If your child is planning on going to Israel this year and would like to apply for a share of the Hertz Fund, please contact Susan Simon at [email protected] to get an application. Deadline for applying is mid- February and the Bet Sefer School Committee will be making awards shortly after that time. Please feel free to contact Susan with questions. Am Yisrael Chai!
2 president’s message We Are a Family, and We Can Help I consider us to be lucky. We get to be part of New Year celebrations several times each year – Rosh Hashanah, where we celebrate the sweetness of our ancestry; our traditional Gregorian calendar New Year, starting January 1; Chinese New Year, the first day on the lunar calendar, one of my favorites because I’m an animal lover (ox this year, tiger next), and others that you might observe based on your personal beliefs and traditions. So here we are, entering the next decade. The “holiday season” has ended, and the (relatively) cold winter is upon us. Many have come up with “New Year Resolutions” to help us until the flowers bloom again. Some of the traditional resolutions, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, have now been augmented by much more painful resolutions – getting (or keeping) a job, figuring out how to pay the bills, and how to afford health insurance. The first ones are much more in our con- trol. The latter ones are more difficult to deal with. Herein lies the beauty of a community such as Temple Beth Abraham. We are an extended family, and we are about helping each other whenever we can. As President of the Board, I am often asked about how we can provide some service or support to our members, and the good news is that we have a lot of things in the works. About this time last year, I sent a message to the congregation about a “Professional Jobseekers Networking and Support” group. The group meets on Tuesday, 10-11:30 a.m. on the Temple Sinai campus at Merritt College. (Many Temple Sinai activities are being held at Merritt College during renovation and expansion of the downtown Oakland synagogue.) For all of the right and wrong reasons, the group is thriving. TBA members and friends who are unemployed, underemployed, or trying to decide what to do next are invited to attend. Looking forward, in the coming months we will be launching our own set of support services, fea- turing classes such as “How to use LinkedIn,”, “Updating your Resume” and others. Speaking of LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), TBA has a LinkedIn group. We have volunteers who are putting together a plan using LinkedIn, our website, and other online resources as a conduit to help TBA members connect with each other. Many of our members are small business owners, and wouldn’t it be great if the next time you need an accountant, bookkeeper, dentist, or some other service, you could go right to one of TBA’s own resources to find it. Our LinkedIn group also has its own Jobs Board, so if you know of a company seeking new employees, that would be the place to post them. Step 1 in this process is for everyone in or seeking to get into the working world to join the TBA group of LinkedIn, so we can connect with each other. If you have any questions about LinkedIn, or about where to find support groups, or want to volunteer to help out, please contact me at presi- [email protected]. Back to the where I started this column – the New Year. Rabbi Bloom’s sermon on the first day of Rosh Hashanah was titled “Jewish Perspectives on Health Care and The Economy.” Eventually, access to affordable health care and the economy will improve, but for now, we want to help out in any way we can. Watch your e-mail and the Omer for more on our support services and groups. In closing, I wish everyone a happy, healthy new year! Or as we say in some circles, L’Shana Tova. See you in Shul, Steve
Please Join Us for Morning Minyan on Monday and Thursday I am a regular at our Minyan service, each Monday and Thursday starting at 8:00 a.m. The service lasts about an hour, and is really a great way to start the day. There’s an added bonus in that breakfast is served immediately afterwards. To use the old expression–try it, you’ll like it. If not as a regular, just stop in once or twice and see what it’s all about.
3 editor’s message New Beginnings for 2010 Raise Up Your Voice: A Sing-Along of By Lori Rosenthal Familiar Tunes: February 13 Looking for a good New Year’s Resolution to Whether you can carry a tune or not, this is add some spice to a brand new decade? How an event for you. From show tunes to Jewish about resolving to get more connected to the classics, there will be something for everyone. TBA community? There are so many ways to Third Annual East Bay Women’s Torah be part of our community and so many oppor- Study: March 4 tunities to dive in and help that I know there is This weekday evening event features study a place for your energy and interest. opportunities with over a dozen women educa- One of the primary places I am putting my tors including rabbis and cantors from around energy is with the Women of TBA (WTBA). the Bay Area. This year’s event will be in I am really enjoying the time I spend with Danville. Don’t let that stop you from attend- WTBA; both at Board meetings and at our ing. Put it on the calendar now – it is a fabu- (almost) monthly events. Our theme for this lous evening! year is Eat, Pray, Love, and we are focusing on Singing at the Seder: (Re) Learning Pesach all those areas plus more. At our events, the Songs: March 14 socializing is great and we laugh a lot when we are together. We also study, sing, and eat really Come raise your voice in song to practice and really well together. Our recent events have refresh you memory of Seder favorites. How drawn twenty five to fifty women and there is many verses of Chad Gadya can you sing? Come always room for more. to this event and make it at least one more. So all you women out there, please join us Women on the Move (Monthly Hikes) for an upcoming event. Here is a rundown of Join fellow TBA women on the second Sunday WTBA happenings for the next few months: of each month for a hike/walk for an hour and WTBA Shabbat: January 9 a half. Meet at 9:45 a.m., and depart promptly at 10. You’ll find great conversation, an easy This is TBA’s annual women-led service and way to get to know people, laughter, pretty we definitely showcase the fact that our women scenery and some very nice dogs. are competent on the bimah. Sign up to be part of the service or just lend your support by So all you women out there – if you want to being there! make 2010 your year of community building with WTBA, please join us at as many of these Joint Hadassah-Women of TBA Book Club activities as your calendar permits. You can Meeting: January 11 always reach us at (510) 832-0936 x151, and Come discuss the book City of Thieves by David find more information about upcoming events Benioff at 7:30 p.m. It is our once a year joint (as we get closer to the date) on the TBA web- book “club” event. Contact Karen Bloom at site. Click on Groups and Committees, then [email protected] for more information. Women of TBA. t h e Omer We cheerfully accept member submissions. Deadline for articles and letters is the first of the month preceding publication. Editor in Chief Lori Rosenthal Copy Editors Jessica Dell’Era, Charles Feltman, Lisa Fernandez, Nadine Managing Editor & Shira Weisbach Joseph, Richard Kauffman, Jan Silverman, Debbie Spangler, Traffic Coordinator James Wakeman Layout & Design Jessica Sterling Proofreaders June Brott, Jessica Dell’Era, Lisa Fernandez, Keith Hyman, Calendars Jon Golding Richard Kauffman, Outi Gould, Jeanne Korn, Stephen Shub, B’nai Mitzvah Editor Susan Simon Susan Simon, Debbie Spangler, Shira Weisbach Cover David Avidor Distribution Herman Pencovic, Pola Silver, Gertrude Veiss Help From People like you! Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 E-Mail [email protected]
4 wtba, our sisterhood siddur repair Every Month Women on the Move hikes: Second Sunday of Each Month Monthly Rosh Chodesh-Pirkei Imahot: Monday Morning Closest to Rosh Chodesh For the schedule of these two events, please see our website. Upcoming Monthly Events January 9 WTBA Shabbat February 13 Raise Up Your Voice: A Sing-a-long of Familiar Tunes March 4 Third Annual East Bay Women’s Torah Study New Beginnings for our Siddurim By Ulli Rotzscher March 14 When I sent out an SOS calling for volunteers to Singing at the Seder: Learning Pesach Songs help repair TBA’s siddurim I had no idea what kind of response to expect. It was overwhelming how many Adult Education members were eager to help. We worked in two hour shifts with not more than two volunteers at a time. The Wednesdays 9 a.m. alacrity of how the work on hand was approached was Tanach Study infectious. The nervousness at the beginning was fast At the Woodminster Cafe overcome. We proceeded at a fast pace, glueing, folding, Our weekly “Torah” study sessions at the Woodminster cutting, and pressing. Cafe continue. This year, however, we are continuing past I am happy to report that so far 44 volumes of our the Torah part of the Tanach or Hebrew Bible. We are now Sim Shalom Siddurim have been successfully repaired in the book of Judges. All levels of knowledge welcome. and returned to TBA. There are still some left to repair including some of the Weekday Prayer Book. Be patient Minyan goers. WTBA Hike for January A word to the volunteers who have not yet had a chance Sunday, January 10 • Brandon Trail in Chabot Regional Park to participate, you are not forgotten and your time will We’ll walk the Brandon Trail in Chabot Reg. Park. This has a long down- come to perform the mitzvah of repairing books. hill and uphill with a broad, flat trail in between. Meet at the Chabot Yasher koach to all!! Equestrian Center on Skyline 3 or so miles past Skyline High at 9:45; hikers depart promptly at 10:00 and will be back to the trailhead by 11:30. For questions, contact Judith Klinger at [email protected].
The Sh’ma (as interpreted by Marcia Falk in The Book of Blessings): Hear O Israel — The divine abounds everywhere and dwells in everything; The many are One.
5 ruach hadassah tba auction Oakland Ruach Hadassah the Match, The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh. Poet and diarist Hannah Senesh was only 22 when she parachuted January and February Events into Nazi-occupied Europe in an effort to save the Jews of Joint Ruach/Hadassah and Women of TBA Book Club Hungary. Through interviews, eyewitness accounts, rare Meeting family photos and Hannah’s and her mother’s writings, the On January 11 Ruach Hadassah and the Women of TBA film retraces Senesh’s life and mission. The luncheon will (WTBA) come together to discuss the best selling novel be at the TBA social hall and is open to all. Please RSVP to City of Thieves, by David Benioff. The discussion will Carmel at (510) 531-4994. There is a suggested donation take place at the home of Karen Bloom, 5030 Dublin in of $7.50. Oakland at 7:30 p.m. Just prior, at 6 p.m., there will be City of Oakland Auditor to Speak a pot-luck board meeting for Ruach Hadassah members. On February 8, Courtney A. Ruby, City Auditor of Please RSVP so we can organize our food for the dinner. Oakland, will speak to Oakland Ruach Hadassah about All are welcome, so feel free to invite your friends. Please the state of our city, taking questions from the crowd. The RSVP to Karen at (510) 482-4441 home, (510) 387-0596 event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Melanie Marcus, cell, or [email protected]. 843 Longridge Rd., Oakland. Winter Luncheon and Film Please RSVP to Melanie at 510-645-9880 or On February 2 at noon there will be a traditional Hadassah [email protected]. The event is open to all. luncheon and a showing of the documentary film Blessed is Ten Years Later, TBA Schools Auction Has Come A Long Way From Bean Bag Chairs By Anne Levine It all began with a Gan Avraham Parents meeting about finding a new and exciting fundraiser to be put on by the pre-school community. Abby Zangwill, then a Kitah Gimmel parent, suggested a silent auction. Abby and her crew of parent volunteers embarked on TBA’s first silent auc- tion hoping to raise enough money to allow the synagogue to replace the well-worn bean bag chairs in the pre-school. That year, 70 guests attended our first auction in the home of Deborah and Michael Sosebee and raised $4,000 – way beyond our expectations. Last year, more than 150 attend- ees filled our social hall and library and raised $38,000. This year, TBA’s French-themed auction, called Starry Night will be held on May 2, and the goal is $40,000. This year, I, along with Karen Bloom, am again chairing the Over the years, the money raised has allowed TBA to pro- auction. We’d like to thank a host of others helping us this vide pensions for teachers, cover a larger percentage of their year. A special thank you to Hillary Altman, Julie Kotovsky, health care, attend staff development seminars, help cover Jill Lindenbaum, Doug Moss, Jeanne Swartz, Jing Piser, the costs of Bet Sefer special needs classes as well as defray Alicia von Kugelgen, Andrea Futter and Lisa Fernandez for the costs of maintenance and upkeep and school supplies stepping up to take lead roles in volunteer coordination, not covered in the school operational budgets. solicitations, publicity, décor, food and data management. We thank you all for your willingness, along with the rest of Today, the annual auction draws together the larger TBA our volunteer members who are helping put on the affair. community as well: From the Men’s Club that generously underwrites the bar and pours drinks, to the Women of And finally, we’d like to use this space to thank our last TBA who manage check-in and check-out, to the BBYO year’s auction chairs Molli Rothman and Billy Gentry and kids who provide childcare while the adults enjoy music and their spouses, Jeff Rothman and Mark Fickes. Co-chairing food prepared by our chef extraordinaire, Jing Piser and her this event requires not only the time and energy of the vol- crew of parent volunteers. (Thank you to all!) unteers, but the patience, support and extra effort of the families as well. The auction continues to be a FUN raiser as well. From the beginning, auction organizers have kept the focus bal- If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help anced between community building and raising funds. It is with this year’s event, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, wonderful to look around the transformed social hall and Hillary Altman at [email protected]. And don’t forget see guests who have been TBA members for more than 50 to save the date: May 2! years enjoying the company of our newest members – all in support of our schools. 6 men’s club host eggs mit onion breakfast
Eggs Mit Onion A Great Success! Thanksgiving morning minyan was a well attended affair including TBA’s regular minyanaires joined by lots of other congregants. Pre-schoolers through college students were in attendance as well as visiting family members. The service was enhanced not only by Jon Golding’s beautiful davening but also by the wonderful smell of fried onions wafting up the kitchen stairs. Many thanks to David Lenik and Neil Weinstein who cooked a great feast. See you there next year!
7 january food drive
8 gan avraham Tu B’Shevat at the Gan By Wendy Siver At this time of year when I think of new begin- nings, the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, comes to mind. Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, falls this year on January 30. Although winter is still upon us here, spring has already begun in Israel. Children all over Israel will plant trees on Tu B’Shevat, but in California it is still a little cold for outdoor planting, so we will plant parsley seeds inside our classrooms. We hope that the seeds will grow and be ready to use at Pesach. Shabbat Mishpacha: A tradition on Tu B’Shevat is to taste new fruits, especially Services for Young Children and Their Families fruits native to Israel, such as almonds, figs, carob, and dates. The children in the Gan Kitah Gimmel class will Saturday, January 2 and participate in a Tu B’Shevat seder, The seder modeled after the Passover Seder, combines tasting fruits and drinking Saturday, January 16 at 10:15 a.m. wine (grape juice) in different shades from white to red to If you have kids aged 0-7 Shabbat Mishpacha is the represent each season. Included are blessings and stories of Shabbat service for your family. Our fun, fast, and trees and Israel. During the Seder the children will eat from friendly service lasts about 30 minutes, is parent led, three categories of fruits or nuts: 1) fruits with a hard outer and is held in the Gan classrooms. We sing songs, shell or peel that cannot be eaten, 2) fruits with an edible recite Hebrew prayers, participate in a “Torah Parade” and hear a Jewish story. After the short service we all outside, but an inedible pit or seed, and 3) fruits that are enjoy a tasty oneg together. Shabbat Mishpacha is a edible inside and out. terrific, age appropriate way to introduce your chil- Teachers in all Gan classrooms will use their conversations dren to attending services on Shabbat. It’s also a great about Tu B’Shevat as a reminder that it is our responsibil- opportunity to meet other families in the community in ity to care for the earth, and the mitzvot of Tikkun Olam a more intimate setting. – “repair of the world.” On Tu B’Shevat we redouble our We look forward to seeing you there! efforts to help take care of the earth. At home even the youngest child can begin to learn about recycling and ways For additional information please contact Jenny Abrami to save energy. at (510) 749-9838. Gan Avraham Nursery School An informational meeting for prospective families (sorry, no childcare available) Wednesday, January 13, 2010 • 7:30 p.m. Gan Avraham Nursery School, Room 10 Meet with the Gan director Wendy Siver to learn about the educational philosophy of Gan Avraham Nursery School. Our program for 2, 3, and 4-year olds as well as extended day-care options will be discussed. Observation appointments can be made at this time. Enrollment forms will be ready for pick-up. RSVP: (510) 763-7528 or e-mail [email protected] If you are unable to attend, please call to schedule a January visit.
9 bet sefer la’atid What Do We Need to Begin Anew? and behaviors about how they treat the people most impor- By Susan Simon tant in their lives, and expect to be treated in return. It gives them the chance to make a fresh start with these relation- This month’s Omer theme got me to thinking about what ships, to change some of those automatic responses and treat it means to have a new beginning. Is the creation of a plan their friends with more compassion, empathy and value. to do things differently simply one of those rituals we go through each year at this time, with the best of intentions, At this time of year, most of our adult new beginnings will only to “forget” about it shortly thereafter? And what is the be about how much weight we want to lose, money we meaning of a “new beginning” when you are a child and want to make, goals we want to achieve. Just as the stu- don’t quite need a fresh start? dents are examining their friendship relationships, we, too, would do well to try to make some new beginnings around Despite their tender years, the very process of growing up, more serious issues. learning, and making mistakes gives young people a very real need to wipe the slate clean and try a different approach. Do we follow the wisdom of the ancient rabbis on this We, as their mentors, need to be sure to give them the space, topic? Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz wrote “Every person you and occasionally the wisdom, to make a new path. meet deeply desires to be treated with respect. If you listen carefully, you will hear their cry: ‘Please consider me an In our 7th grade class, our students have just finished important person.’ ‘Don’t embarrass or insult me.’ ‘Please exploring the idea of friendship, both in the modern world listen to me when I speak.’” and in the world of the ancient rabbis. What does it mean to be a good friend in today’s society, what would you want Rabbi Yizhak Hunter reminds us that “A person who tries to from someone you called a friend, what kinds of things do keep everything personal hidden will not have close friends. you do to make you a good friend to others? Building relationships with others requires self-disclosure.” In other words, friendship requires a two way street. The students had very strong opinions and wrote their own mishnayot (teachings) on the subject. One student talked Finally, we find in Avot d’Rabbi Natan a very famous quote about acting as equals; another about how hard you have to about friendship that should shape our new beginnings as work to maintain a friendship; one talked about the value we start this secular New Year: of friends; another compared friendship to finding a lucky “A friend is someone you eat and drink with. penny. All students had to examine their own feelings about A friend is someone with whom you study Torah friendship and compare it with the teachings of the rabbis. (God’s word) and with whom you study Mishnah For instance, Ben Sira taught that some friends are loyal (ethics and laws). when it suits them, but desert you in times of trouble. Rav A friend is someone who sleeps over or at whose Naftali said to always be concerned for the welfare of your house you can spend the night. friend and forgive him/her promptly for any wrong s/he Friends teach each other secrets, the secrets may do to you. Martin Buber’s story teaches that to be a of the Torah and the secrets of the real world, too.” good friend is to feel his/her pain. From Proverbs we learn This idea is profound – friendships build learning, and that just as face answers face in a reflection in water, so learning builds friendships – serious wisdom both for our should one person’s heart answer another. (27:19) students and our larger community. Examining the subject of friendship in a class like this gives the students the opportunity to examine their own beliefs
A Youth GroupLa’atid For 4th-7th Graders! Roller Skating Sunday, January 26 We look forward to another great time out with TBA’s La’atid group!! To RSVP or if you have any questions contact your trusty advisors, Dina and Phil Hankin at [email protected].
10 bet sefer
Dreidels Spin at Bet Sefer Chanukah Party
Thanks to the following folks who either made latkes or helped with the Chanukah Party: Deborah Sosebee, Miriam Green and her mom, Jennifer Baum, Eve Grossman, Bella Gordon, Lisa Fernandez, Caroline Frierman, Beth Glick-Scroggins, Lori Morris, Kathy Saunders, Amy Kittiver-Kay, Oren Jacob, Doree Jurow, Billy Gentry, Jessica Sterling, Harlan Simon And a HUGE THANK YOU to Mary Odenheimer who organized, purchased for and made hundreds of latkes.
11 check out our local jewish day schools OHDS Update By Melanie Marcus The Oakland Hebrew Day School community wishes you good health and prosperity in this new year. We welcome you to join us for these upcoming events at OHDS: Want to know more about Oakland Hebrew Day School? TBA members Jo & Jeff Ilfeld are opening their home for a Parlor Meeting on January 5 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Join Jo & Jeff, and co-hosts Dusty & Amy Eber, for an informal and intimate gathering of current OHDS parents and pro- spective parents. RSVP to Amy Eber at amykeber@yahoo. com. Preschool parents are invited for a Kindergarten CCJDS Welcomes New Students Information Night on Thursday, January 7 from 7:00 - at All Grades 9:00 p.m. Faculty, administration and current parents will By Amy Wittenberg be on hand to answer your questions and tell you about the K-8 OHDS experience. Entering kindergarten, middle school or transferring into a new school at any grade is an exciting new beginning for We welcome you to join us for a Parenting Workshop on a student and their family. At CCJDS it is a joy to watch January 20 with children’s author, Diane Frankenstein. how quickly our students are absorbed into their new class- This two hour workshop titled Nurturing the Love of room community. Focusing on the whole child, not only Reading in Your Child will provide parents helpful tools do we emphasize strong academics but also a healthy social on how to make reading more engaging and pleasurable. and emotional development of each student. Welcoming Diane Frankenstein is the acclaimed author of Reading new students and integrating them into the classroom is an Together: Everything You Need To Know to Raise a Child Who important part of the school’s culture. Loves to Read - Winner of the Mom’s Choice Award 2009. Starting middle school can be especially challenging for For more information about these events, or to schedule students as they navigate a new larger school. At CCJDS, your personal tour of the OHDS campus, contact Melanie our small middle school gives students many opportuni- Marcus in the Admissions Office at [email protected] ties to get involved in school life. For example, in a small or (510) 531-8600, ext. 26. OHDS is located at 5500 school there is less competition to get a role in the school Redwood Road in the Oakland Hills. For more details, play, or become a valuable player on one of the schools visit www.ohds.org. We hope to see you soon! sports teams. All our middle school students know each other and enjoy regularly scheduled weekend events. In the classroom, students get a lot of individual attention and teachers individuate curriculum to meet a variety of learn- ing styles and abilities. “I came to CCJDS this past fall when I started 6th grade, it is so easy to make friends here. Everyone is really great and the teachers really care about me too, I can tell that they want me to succeed. I’m so glad I chose CCJDS!” (echoed by Addey Dominguez and Layne Novotny, both 6th graders). The CCJDS community each year welcomes children of TBA families – about 10% of our student body comes from TBA! Recently, Gan Avraham’s director Wendy Siver came for a visit and was greeted by Gan graduates and TBA members! CCJDS invites you to learn more about us! Middle School Open House Tuesday, January 26, 6-8 p.m. Mazel tov to TBA member Paul Leibovitch on his recent Chagigat Hasiddur celebration! Kindergarten - 8th Grade Open House Sunday, January 24, 3-5 p.m. 12 check out our local jewish day schools kindergym
School Tour As a parent of a kindergartner, Tehiyah alum Ronli Moses, Wednesday, February 3, 9:30-11 a.m. experienced all the emotions that any parent faces when Private School Tour available by appointment, call their children first attend school, but with a comfort level Amy Wittenberg, Admissions Director, (925) 284-8288 many parents don’t have. Ronli admits that it was hard to or email: [email protected]. let her baby leave the nest, but knew that choosing Tehiyah felt right. As a student at the school, she loves the seamless CCJDS is a community Jewish Day School located in way that Judaism and Jewish morals and values are integrat- Lafayette right off the freeway (Alcalanes exit), just ed throughout the curriculum. As a parent at the school, 15-17 minutes from TBA. Please visit our website at she knows that the school’s supportive community has made www.ccjds.org. the transition into school easier for both Aiden and herself. New Beginnings Ronli’s work prevents her from being involved in a major By Donna Sidel Straus, Tehiyah’s Director of way in the classroom, but she reports that Aiden feels so Communications much love and support and such a strong sense of com- Kindergarten opens a whole new world to a child. munity with his classmates, teachers and the parents around Kindergarten is a time to gain new friends and new social him that it makes up for her absences. Knowing how safe skills, to understand the rhythm of a school day and the the school environment is eases her worries. cycle of a school year, and to develop a love of educa- In less than 100 days of school, Aiden has made some very tion that will, hopefully, lead to a passion for learning. good friends, and is blossoming in the rich environment. Tehiyah’s kindergarten classrooms are vibrant, colorful and He and his classmates have begun to learn the English and exciting environments for Jewish children to enter this Hebrew alphabets, numbers, colors, Jewish and American next stage in life. holidays, Native American culture, and much more. In fact, For one kindergarten family at Tehiyah, this year’s start of Ronli reports that Aiden is picking up Hebrew so fast that school was more than just your typical new beginning – it she and her mother realized they could no longer speak was a sign of the cycle of life. When kindergartner Aiden Hebrew if they wanted to keep anything a secret! Moses, the child of a Tehiyah graduate, joined Tehiyah this If you would like to learn more about Tehiyah’s new year it was a new beginning for him and a new era for the Bridge-K program or its K-8 program, please contact our school as the second generation of Tehiyah students enters admissions director, Amy Utstein, at 510-233-3013, ext. our doors. 239 or at [email protected].
Wonderful Kindergym and Toddler Classes HERE at TBA for Under 3s Your toddlers and babies can slide, climb, slither in our ball pit, make music, jump on a trampoline, pop bubbles and all of you will make new friends! Sibling under 3 free!! All families welcome. Visit our website for details at: www.tbaoakland.org/kindergym. Winter/Spring 2010
Wednesday Thursday Friday 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28 1/8, 1/15, 1/22 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18 2/5, 2/12, 2/19 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 5/5, 5/12, 5/26 5/6, 5/13, 5/27 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 No Class:
2/24, 3/31, 4/7, 5/19 2/25, 4/1, 4/8, 5/20 1/29, 2/26, 4/2, 4/9
13 midrasha bbyo Midrasha in Berkeley Update Freedom Song, an original musical that juxtaposes personal By Diane Bernbaum stories of internal conflict with the story of Passover. The performance will be at 10:30 a.m. --I’ll provide more details Our first semester really flew by, especially because so many in next month’s column, but if you would like to learn of the holidays were on Sundays, and now it’s time to start more about the program go to http://www.beittshuvahla. fresh with a new semester. The highlights of the fall were: org/programs-freedom.php. our annual student/parent study brunch and silent auction, a special 8th grade program on disabilities awareness, and a The new classes for the semester sound fabulous: “Bio- special 9th grade family program presented by Shalom Bayit Medical Ethics,” “Diary of Anne Frank” (with newly-found on healthy relationships. There were three separate retreats film footage of Anne), “Meditation with Clay,” “Not for students in different grades, plus one day trip. There Just Bagel Eaters: Jews Around the World,” “Lenses into was a program for 11th and 12th graders and their parents the Holocaust.” “Talmud,” “Israeli Dance,” “Jews and on putting their Jewish values into the college process, and Muslims,” “Jews in the News,” “Food and Justice for All,” information sessions on two different Israel trips (Lets Go “Animating Jewish Folk Tales,” “Confirmation,” “Power, Israel in the summer for 10th graders and Shalhevet for Prejudice and Privilege,” and “Jews and the Civil Rights 11th and 12th graders in spring, which includes a large pre- Movement, Then and Now” are just some of the classes trip educational component and a week in Poland as well as being offered. Every time I type a list like this, I wish I one in Israel). Oh yes, and besides all that we had GREAT were 16 again! weekly classes! Oakland Midrasha Update So, what’s new on the horizon for second semester? First Oakland Midrasha Executive Director Kendra Lubalin is on thing to know is that a lot of students enter Midrasha in the maternity leave from January-March, 2010. Here is contact second semester, so just because you or your teen or your information during her absence: friend’s teen wasn’t here in the fall, it’s not too late to enroll now. Phone the Midrasha office at (510) 843-4667 or General questions, financial questions, or e-mail [email protected] with your questions. administrative questions, please contact Desmid Lyon at [email protected]. All grades have two (one for 8th graders) retreats yet to come. Eighth grade families can look forward to the Questions specifically related to a Tuesday night please January 31 workshop in parent / teen communication put contact Sacha Kopin at [email protected]. on by Jewish Family Service. The entire community (YOU Questions related to the retreat program or the Let’s Go INCLUDED) will be in for a treat on March 7 when Beit Israel trip, please contact Loal Isaacs at [email protected] or T’Shuvah from Los Angeles brings their production of Tomer Zur at [email protected] respectively.
BBYO News! Congratulations to the new Oakland/Piedmont BBYO Leaders. BBYO is open to all Jewish teens from 8th through 12th grade who live in Oakland/Piedmont, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond and Albany. The Girl’s Chapter is called BBG (B’nai Brith Girls) and the Guy’s Chapter is called Dreidel. Most meetings are held at Temple Beth Abraham and now is a great time to join in the fun! To find out more, contact any of the Board members listed below.
Oakland BBG #2 Board Dreidel #5369 Board N’siah - Erin Hodess (TBA member) Godol - Jason Finkelstein (TBA member) S’ganit - Victoria Miller S’gan - Alex Finkelstein (TBA member) Morah - Alana Levine-Gorelick Moreh - Josh Berl (TBA member) Mazkirah - Hannah Bloom Mazkir -Jacob Cohen Shlicha - Ariele Scharff (TBA member) Gizbor - Eli Bovarnick Gizborit - Rebecca Lazarus Shaliach - Greg Korn (TBA member) Recording Mazkirim - James Stoner & Jared Lamar (TBA member)
14 cooking corner Spanish Stuffed Peppers By Faith Kramer The Jews of both Eastern Europe and Sephardic lands have long traditions of stuffing vegetables. These Spanish Stuffed Peppers with Smoked Paprika owe their inspiration to a little bit of both cultures.
Spanish Stuffed Peppers with Smoked Paprika Tomato Sauce Serves Four to Six Peppers ½ cup pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped 6 small to medium red bell peppers, “lids” cut off 1 cup cooked grains such as rice or couscous and reserved, seeded and cleaned Salt and pepper to taste 2 Tbs. olive oil Sauce 1 small onion, chopped 8 ounce can of plain tomato sauce 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup diced tomatoes ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes, or to taste 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. Spanish smoked paprika 1 tsp. sweet (regular) paprika ½ tsp. sugar or to taste 2 carrots, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1 celery stalk, chopped To Serve 20 ounces of ground turkey Chopped parsley for garnish 1 cup diced tomatoes 2 cups of cooked grains such as rice or couscous ½ pound of fresh spinach, chopped (optional)
The ground turkey filling has a wonderful, red pepper scraps, carrots and celery. Sauté warm, full taste. The tomato sauce adds a nice for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to smoky note. If you don’t have the Spanish soften. Add the ground meat, breaking up any smoked paprika, it will still be delicious with large clumps, and brown well, stirring often. regular paprika. For a more filling main When the meat is almost cooked through, add course, plan on making two additional cups of tomatoes and spinach. Cook, stirring occasion- the cooked grain. ally until the spinach has wilted. Add chopped olives, stirring well to combine. Cook until meat For a vegetarian version, try using lentils, is cooked through. Add one cup of cooked grain white beans, veggie soy ground “meat” or and stir well to combine. Add salt and pepper to crumbled tofu instead of the ground turkey. taste. Stir well. Set aside. Prepare the shells: Stand the red bell peppers Make the sauce: In a small saucepan combine up on their bases in a microwave safe baking tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, olive oil and pan. Slice a bit off the bottom of any of the pep- smoked paprika. Stir well and cook until heated pers that wobble. (Save scraps with reserved through. Taste. Add sugar, salt and pepper to pepper tops). Put a half cup of water in the bot- taste. Stir well. (The sugar balances out the tom of the baking dish and microwave on high acid in the tomato sauce. Some brands need it, for about 5-8 minutes or until the pepper shells others don’t, so taste first.) are tender but not mushy. Drain water out of dish. Set peppers aside in baking dish. Assemble the peppers: Stand the peppers in a microwave safe baking dish and using a large Trim the leftover pepper “lids” and chop any spoon pack full of the ground meat mixture. usable red pepper. Chop any scraps cut from Spoon some of the tomato sauce on top of each the bottoms of the peppers. Reserve. pepper, reserving the rest. Microwave on high Prepare the filling: Heat oil in large skillet for 5-10 minutes or until the peppers are heat- over medium high heat. Sauté onions until ed through. Reheat sauce if necessary. Serve just golden, then add garlic and sauté until it the peppers with the remaining sauce spooned begins to color. Add red pepper flakes, cumin over them. Garnish with chopped parsley. and paprika. Sauté for a minute until they Serve atop the additional cooked grains if release their aromas. Add reserved chopped desired.
Faith Kramer blogs her food at www.clickblogappetit.blogspot.com. Her food columns appear twice a month in the j. weekly. 15 life cycles Matthew Gildea, Matityahu Eli, January 23, 2010 Hi! I’m Matthew Gildea. I’m in seventh grade at Bentley Middle School and I’m going to have my Bar Mitzvah on January 23, 2010. My family consists of me, my mom, Susan, my dad, Dennis, my brother Adam and our cat, Grey. I also have an older sister, Colleen, who lives in St. Louis with her husband, Matt and their son, Charlie and an older brother, James, who lives in Washington DC with his wife, Adrienne. My portion is Bo from Exodus. Bo covers the tenth plague (the death of the first
Bar Mitzvah born), the fleeing of Egypt and the tradition of observing Passover. I will talk about the death of the first born in my d’rash. My hobbies are sports – mostly baseball and football. I recently started playing basket- ball and am enjoying it. I have fun going to the movies or swimming with my friends after school. I would like to thank Rabbi Bloom, my tutor, Susan Simon, and my friends and family.
Calling TBA New Members! The Omer would love to print a small article about you (with a picture) to introduce you to our TBA community. It can be as simple as one or two paragraphs that you supply. Please send this to us at [email protected].
January Birthdays 1 Charlotte Ragones 17 Leora Ragones Caren Sencer Lisa Silberstein Tamara Benau Michael Wasserman Judith Wallcave Sandra Simon Bryna Ross 25 2 10 18 Daniel Wasserman Micah Bloom Daniel Silberstein Molly Werthan 26 Zoe Matsuzaki 11 Samuel Werthan Abraham Barnes 3 Jonah Moore 19 Elizabeth Brott Rob Kelly 12 Lilliana Kay Maxwell Goldstone Anja Lorenz Miriam Gould Yael Kelley Penny Harris Philip Mezey Jacob Zatkin Polly Stevens Van de Water Eric Leve Kelly O’Neal 13 20 27 Shai Osorio Brenda Gutstadt Ellie Gertler Eli Baum 5 Sophia Share Simon Gertler Camelia Schwartz Emma Kivel Floyd Sydney Shub Richard Kauffman 28 Simon Jacobs David Weintraub 21 Leorah Zangwill 6 14 Adam Klein 29 Avi Margolin Sonia Aronson Curtis Schacker Natalie Hagar James Rose Adiel Avidor 22 Dina Hankin 7 Janice Lasar Frankel Felix Baum Lula Rosenbach Adam Gildea Daniella Simon Goldfein Michael Burge Garrett Schwartz Sara Pollock Erin Hodess 23 30 8 15 Jon Nagel Jay Goldman Aden Goldberg Jana Good Dina Rose Zangwill Carol Kirsch Martin Stone Ruth Kleinman 24 Gabriel Louis-Kayen Sophia Posamentier 9 16 Jonah Abrami Avrille Birnbaum Maya Gottfried Robert DeBare 31 Kimberley Carter Samuel Jacob Toby Jacob Max Berk-Wakeman Melanie LaMar Bethany Kharrazi Daniel Leo Kreeger
16 life cycles January Yahrzeits Tevet 15 Joel Irving Stein William L. Stern Helen Hakim January 1 Esther Wallis Herman Samuel Handloff Greta Rauch Randy Diamont Edith Worgold Dorothy Lavin Celia Veiss Betty Holloman Isadore Lazar Rose Berg shevat 1-7 Irving Kingston Ida Fass Tevet 23-29 Louis Rosenberg January 16-22 Stanley Levin Anna D. Weinstein January 9-15 Juel Ephraim Fass Grace Blue Ross Eugene Weiss Jack Berger Benjamin Goor Malka Breslov Yetta Engleberg Harry Karsh Herbert Goldstein Tevet 16-22 Joe Gold Eliezer Nahary Joe Zatkin January 2-8 Marta Hankin Samuel Kay Sylvia Karsh Sam Barnett Frances King Maurice Kerns Betty Ray Esther Isaacson Leonard Quittman Morris Kessler Sarah Blumberg Becky Singer Arthur J. Levine William Mandler Rae Fine Ethel Cohen Sheldon Berrol Harry Morofosky Sarah Herskowitz Jay Michaelson Herman Erlen Helen Siegel Mollie Laub Sam Ravitch Ignatz Jacobs Morris Silberman Morris Rothman David Biatch Sarah Rosenthal Rose Cohen Aubrey Broudy Abraham Couzin Isadore Rubin Bertha Rabinowitz Dora Davis David Holeman Marion Stolusky Mani Saidan Jennie Dickson Edwin H. Leuin Maurice C. Stone Hyman Berg Joseph Jacobs Raphael Benisty Samuel Banc Alice Cunningham Moshe Naggar Sydney Goldstein Carl Hirsch Morris Nankin Shoshanah Shoshani Bessie Ranzer Betty Kaplan Betty Karp Fanny Gray-Klien David Bluer Ben Silver Etta Kushner Marion Newman-Wolf Fred Brasch Morris Silver Esther Schulack David Saidan Donald Brauer Bertha Frankel Leo Wasserman Mattie Wachsman Elias Herfield Debbie A. Nesbit Miriam Nathanson shevat 15-16 Bela J. Klarman Michael R. Nesbit Betsy Rosenberg Lew Menkes Adolph Rosenberg Howard Rosenberg January 30-31 Joe Singerman Anna Weintraub Matthew Seamans Mary Leon Ida Cowan Gertrude Zatkin Alexander Dubrow Harry H. Levine Albert Eis Frank Glasser George Elber Zelda Rosenfeld Minna Epstein Mae Golding Louis E Engleberg Abraham Bunin Edward Flick Louis Judson Maurice Kerns Pearl Coopersmith Rheta Goldberg Rose Kane Rebecca Parker Rabbi Ralph DeKoven Gussie Gross Caroline Kaufman Marcus Zaslov Lillie Mary Fogelson Evelyn Harris Ethel Louik Rose Jacobovich shevat 8-14 Louis Jacobs Leslie Turchin Max Levien Abraham Kreimerman Ethel Baum January 23-29 William Morofsky Dennis Polse Sofica Becker Herscu Mantel Margaret Ash Shirley Spillman Herbert Righthand Rose Frey Recent Deaths in Our Community Ann Pitkin, mother of Benjamin Teitelbaum Cyril Weiss, long-time member Joe Gans, a former member of May God comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem Temple Beth Abraham Roselyn Goldberg, mother of Carole MEMORIAL PLAQUE Kirsch Anyone wishing to purchase a memorial plaque, Sylvia Reback, mother of Larry please contact Pinky at the synagogue office at extension 229. Reback
17 donations Charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined. Centennial Project Gary & Faith Kramer Yom Ha Shoa Fund Fifi Goodfellow Mark Liss & Bonnie Burt Misia Nudler: in memory of George & Janet King Philip & Amy Mezey Miriam Nudler Shelby & Adrienne Miller Larry & Deborah Reback Playground Fund Betty Ann Polse Chester Regen & Miriam Soval Ruth Siver: in memory of Dave Siver Stephen & Susan Shub Alan & Cheryl Silver Wendy & Marvin Siver: in memory Elizabeth Simms Stephen & Amy Tessler of Dave Siver Sally & Victor Aelion: in honor of Robert Star & Rebecca Farmer Pinky’s birthday Stephen & Amy Tessler Rabbi Discretionary Fund William & Sharon Ellenburg: in memory High Holiday Appeal - Endowment Harvey & Donna Clar: in memory of June Fleck of Sam Clar Felix & Jennifer Baum Mark Fickes & William Gentry Lowell Davis: in memory of Sylvia Lowell Davis: in memory of Sylvia and Eric & Heike Friedman & Philip Davis Philip Davis Glenn & Amy Friedman: in memory Saul Gevertz Eric & Heike Friedman of Augusta Weinberger Fifi Goodfellow: in memory of Brett & Robyn Hodess Philip & Dina Hankin Esther Naggar Stephanie Leslie Kane Gerald & Ruby Hertz Martin & Evelyn Hertz: in memory of Alice Kessler Reba Schechtman: in memory Paul Hertz of Arthur Myers Stuart & Jeanne Korn Eugene & Marjorie Myers: in memory Reba Schechtman: in memory Gary & Faith Kramer of Arthur Myers of Stanley Schechtman Mark Liss & Bonnie Burt Joel Piser & Jing Weng Hsieh: in memory Elizabeth Simms Philip & Amy Mezey of Toni Berke Neil & Madeline Weinstein: in memory Barbara Oseroff Paul & Galen Rothman: in memory of of Herman Roth Larry & Deborah Reback Eva Rothman Howard Zangwill & Stacy Margolin Chester Regen & Miriam Soval Elizabeth Simms Gary Zimmerman & Kathy Saunders Alan & Cheryl Silver Ronald & Vicki Weller: in memory Stephen & Amy Tessler of Marion Weller J. Jeger Kitchen Fund Jack Jeger: in memory of Jeanette Jeger General Fund Cantor Discretionary Fund Peter & Helen Loewenstein: in memory Matthew & Julie Gochman: in memory Freya Turchen: in memory of of Jeanette Jeger of Melvin Gochman Geraldine Turchen Adele Mendelsohn: in memory of Allan & Gabriella Gordon Celia & Morris Davis Hunger Fund Al Mendelsohn Jessie & Susan Kasdan: in memory of Sidney & Ethel Shaffer: in memory of Richard & Edie Mills: in memory Bernard Kasdan and Sterna Kasdan Ethel Berg and Emma Shaffer of Jeanette Jeger Irwin Keinon & Adele Mendelsohn-Keinon: Elizabeth Simms Eugene & Marjorie Myers deepest sympathy for Edith Berk Misia Nudler: Condolence to Murray Berg Robert Klein & Doreen Alper Endowment Fund on loss of his wife Jerrold & Anne Levine: in memory Jon Golding & Carla Itzkowich: in Misia Nudler: Get well Pinky and of Charlene Eberhart memory of the parents of Henry Ramek Tobe Burnstein Andy & Marcia Wasserman: in memory Larry Miller & Mary Kelly: in honor Misia Nudler: in memory of Jeanette Jeger of George Wasserman of Allison Kent Weiss Misia Nudler: speedy recovery to Kiddush Fund Ilya & Regina Okh: in memory of Ben Monsher Joseph Okh Leopold & Ella Fixler: in memory Ilya & Regina Okh: in memory of Bet Sefer Discretionary Fund of Miriam Nudler Klara Okh-Tsemring Eugene & Marjorie Myers: in honor Dora Herszman Garret & Helen Romain: in memory of Susan Simon Adele Mendelsohn: in memory of Max and Dorothy Levien of Al Mendelsohn High Holiday Appeal - General Eugene & Marjorie Myers Wasserman Fund Felix & Jennifer Baum Paul & Galen Rothman: in memory Jack E. & Doreen A. Nankin: in memory David & Marcia Benjamin of Eva Rothman of Esther Nankin Eric & Heike Friedman H E Goldstein Fund Brett & Robyn Hodess Minyan Fund Alice Kessler Fifi Goodfellow: in memory of Eugene & Marjorie Myers Stuart & Jeanne Korn Isaac Marcus
For a complete list of funds and other ways to support our synagogue, visit www.tbaoakland.org and select “Fundraising” from the left column.
18 donations Please Contribute to TBA’s Coat/Blanket/Sweater Drive Before you come to TBA throughout this month, think about how fortu- nate you are. Remember the items you have in your closets and storage lockers which remain unused. Please donate at least one blanket, one jacket, one sweater, one hat, one pair of gloves, one raincoat, and/or one sleeping bag. Last year, we donated more than 200 coats/blankets/sweaters and other articles of warm gear to the Emeryville Community Action Program (ECAP) – after giving about 50 items the year before. Our flood of new support last year made a difference. ECAP is a small, local, indepen- dent community organization which helps hundreds of homeless and poor community members from Emeryville, Richmond, Oakland, and beyond on an ongoing basis - receiving 10 requests a day for warm blankets, etc. Sadly, approximately one in 10 East Bay residents lives below the federal poverty line – earning less than $22,025 for a family of four – including about one in eight Alameda County children. Let’s strive to give 430 items this winter – averag- ing one per TBA member or member family. Contact Bryan Schwartz, TBA VP and Social Action Chair, with any ques- tions ([email protected]).
volunteer bulletin board
We’re looking for a cover art designer for the TBA Omer Contact Lori Rosenthal at [email protected] or (510) 339-0133.
Give a New Mom or Dad Do you have time an Hour to Shower to help deliver TBA’s A perfect mitzvah for those with daytime flexibility. new members baskets? Volunteers needed to provide short daytime sits free If so, please contact of charge to our new moms and dads allowing them to Stacy Margolin shower, get a haircut or just take a walk. at [email protected] Interested sitters should contact us or by phone (510) 482-3153. at [email protected].
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OSH A L IR K AT Havdalah (42 min.) Havdalah (42 min.) Havdalah (42 min.) Havdalah (42 min.) R Havdalah (42 min.) 12p Shabbat Services HEVAT B G O M EN W B’ S 5:50 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service U 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service 6:04p 5:57p 5:43p 6:04p 9:30a- 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services Kitah Gimmel (Social Hall) 10:15a-11:30a T‘fillat Y’ladim T‘fillat 10:15a-11:30a T 1p Text Study w/Rabbi Bloom Text 1p 6-7:30p Can Share-a-Havdalah Bar Bar Mitzvah of Matthew Gildea 10:15a-11:30a Jr. Congregation 10:15a-11:30a Jr. 1 Shevat 15 Shevat 8 Shevat 16 Tevet 23 Tevet 2p-11p Teen Shul In (S.Hall & Lib.) Teen 2p-11p 10:15a-11:30a Shabbat Mishpacha
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4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer Club Poker Men’s 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 13 Shevat 6 Shevat 28 Tevet 21 Tevet 6:15p 6th Grade Dinner & Class 6 27 20 13 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym with Rabbi Bloom - (Library) 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 12 Shevat 5 Shevat 27 Tevet 20 Tevet are are produced 30-60 days in advance using the best data available TBAfrom Staff. the Administration 5 26 19 12
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31 24 10 17 Trope (Chapel) (Social Hall)
(Social (Social Hall) (Social Hall) Oakland Learns Morasha 2p-11p Teen Shul In Shul Teen 2p-11p 10a–11a Torah Trope Trope Torah 10a–11a Trope Torah 10a–11a 10a–11a Torah trope trope Torah 10a–11a 10a–11a Torah Trope Trope Torah 10a–11a 2p-11p Teen Shul In In Shul Teen 2p-11p 10a–11a Torah trope trope Torah 10a–11a 10a–11a Torah trope trope Torah 10a–11a (Social Hall & Library) Hall (Social 10a–11a Torah trope trope Torah 10a–11a (social hall & library) Together (Social Hall) Together with Outi Gould (chapel) with Outi Gould (Chapel) Gould with Outi with Outi Gould (Chapel) Gould with Outi with Outi Gould (Chapel) Gould with Outi Together Oakland Learns Morasha with Outi Gould (chapel) with Outi Gould (chapel) with Outi Gould (chapel) with Outi Gould (social hall) with Outi Gould (social hall) with Outi Gould (social hall) with Outi Gould (social hall) La’atid Goes Roller-skating La’atid with Outi Gould (Social Hall) (Social Gould with Outi with Outi Gould (Social Hall) (Social Gould with Outi with Outi Gould (Social Hall) (Social Gould with Outi 7-9p 7-9p Morasha: Oakland Learns 10:30a-12p Kindergym Play Day 9 Shevat 2 Shevat 24 Tevet 5 17 Tevet 11a–12p Erev Shabbat Home Rituals Rituals Home Shabbat Erev 11a–12p 11a–12p Erev Shabbat Home Rituals Home Shabbat 11a–12p Erev 11a–12p Erev Shabbat Home Rituals Home Shabbat 11a–12p Erev 7-9p 11a–12p Erev Shabbat Home Rituals Rituals Home Shabbat Erev 11a–12p 11a–12p Erev Shabbat Home Rituals Home Shabbat 11a–12p Erev 11a–12p Erev Shabbat Home Rituals Rituals Home Shabbat Erev 11a–12p 11a–12p Erev Shabbat Home Rituals Rituals Home Shabbat Erev 11a–12p 16 Shevat Same schedule as 3 Jan. 10a-1p Tu B’Shevat Wetlands Day Wetlands B’Shevat Tu 10a-1p Tevet / Shevat 5770 Tevet
20
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13 27 20 O R ODES H E A DING AKH H E K ELI M S R ACH Z
H Yitro Terumah Tetzaveh Mishpatim HABBAT EGILL AH HABBAT I RKAT Havdalah (42 min.) Havdalah (42 min.) Havdalah (42 min.) Havdalah (42 min.) S S B M Purim Megillah reading Purim 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services Bella Bella ScharffBat Mitzvah Jesse Shalev Jesse Bar Mitzvah 6:27 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service Marissa Marissa Glick Bat Mitzvah 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service 9:30a-12p 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service 6:35 p 6:20p 6:42p 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services 1-3p 10:15a-11:30a T‘fillat Y’ladim T‘fillat 10:15a-11:30a 6:15p Bat Bat Mitzvah of Michelle Cossette 10:15a-11:30a Jr. Congregation 10:15a-11:30a Jr. 6 Adar 13 Adar 22 Shevat 29 Shevat 5-6p Bet Sefer sponsored Dinner 10:15a-11:30a Shabbat Mishpacha 1-3pm Exploring the New Siddur
5 February 2010 26 19 12 pm pm pm pm
5:34 5:26 5:19 5:41 ' ' ' ' 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 12 Adar 5 Adar 28 Shevat 21 Shevat 4 11 25 18 S TH E R E
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Dalet Dalet Dinner Class A S T F 4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)
8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 6:15p 11 Adar 4 Adar 20 Shevat 27 Shevat 3 10 24 17
10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym 10a-12p Kindergym with Rabbi Bloom - (Library) with Rabbi Bloom - (Library) with Rabbi Bloom - (Library) with Rabbi Bloom - (Library) 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 8–10p Introduction to Judaism 10 Adar 3 Adar 19 Shevat 26 Shevat are are produced 30-60 days in advance using the best data available TBAfrom Staff. the Administration 2 9 16 23
4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer 4p-6p Bet Sefer
7:30p Board Meeeting
9 Adar 2 Adar 18 Shevat 25 Shevat Calendars Calendars The in Omer
Y A 1 8 D Y . A R 22 15
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J S ’ T ING K H ODES C LOSED
C Always Always check Shabbat Bulletin the for Congregational E-mail more up-to-date Weekly or information. the Please note any corrections care of Art Rosenberg at TBA the office. R ESIDEN Spiritual Joy and Spiritual Joy U TH E R OS H L OFFI C E
( R U . S P with Rabbi Art Gould 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) ART IN 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 7:30-9p the Siddur’s Built-in Story the Siddur’s M 8 Adar 1 Adar 17 Shevat 24 Shevat -
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D A 28 21 14
(Chapel) (Chapel) (Chapel) LL (Chapel) Trope Trope LOOD Chodesh groups - A B H ODES
U R I M A LL C P R OSS H OS H C R ED O C I A L 10a–11a Torah trope trope Torah 10a–11a 10a–11a Torah trope trope Torah 10a–11a S 10–11a Haftarah Trope Trope 10–11a Haftarah with Outi Gould (chapel) with Outi Gould (chapel) 10a–11a Haftarah Trope Trope 10a–11a Haftarah 10a–11a Haftarah Trope Trope 10a–11a Haftarah with Outi Gould (chapel) with Outi Gould (chapel) with Outi Gould (chapel) meet (Susan’s office and library) meet (Susan’s TBA R TBA 10:30a-12p Kindergym Play Day 3:30–6p Both Rosh Hodesh groups groups Hodesh Rosh Both 3:30–6p 14 Adar 7 Adar 30 Shevat 5 23 Shevat Shevat Adar / 5770 21 Temple Beth Abraham Periodicals 327 MacArthur Boulevard Postage P A I D Oakland, CA 94610 Oakland, CA Permit No. 020299
See You at TBA’s 2010 Gala: SAN FRANCISCO TREATS January 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Please RSVP by January 15 Contact Doree Jurow Klein ([email protected]) or Deborah Reback ([email protected]).
what’s inside TBA Directory...... i Men’s Club...... 7 Cooking Corner...... 15 What’s Happening...... 1 Food Drive...... 8 Life Cycles...... 16 Rabbi’s Message...... 2 Gan Avraham News...... 9 Donations...... 18 President’s Message...... 3 La’atid/Bet Sefer News...... 10 Volunteer Bulletin Board...... 19 Editor’s Message...... 4 Local Jewish Day Schools...... 12 Calendar...... 20 Siddur Repair/Women of TBA...... 5 Kindergym...... 13 February OMEr Theme: Ruach Hadassah/TBA Auction...... 6 Midrasha/BBYO...... 14 Green Issue