m is “Honoring Tradition, Celebrating Diversity, and Building a Jewish Future” da u form J Re on for i Un e h T

r of Highlights be m e Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 pm—Perspectives on Israel. First of a series on Israel and its challenges from viewpoints across the political spectrum. a m This presentation is by Matthew Gabe, AIPAC East Bay Director. See Page 8. is

Sunday, May 6 at 10:00 am—Annual Meeting of the Congregation. th El e This event will include election of new officers for the Beth El Board B and a review of the synagogue’s finances. See Page 6 for more details. on i

gat Friday, May 11 at 6:15 pm (for appetizers)—Celebration of Education honoring Beth El’s e B’nei Mitzvah class, Confirmation class and high school (Midrasha) graduates. Dinner at 6:30 pm with the Shabbat service at 7:30 pm. Join us in celebrating May our students as they lead us in prayer and share with us their insights and reflections. Congr Please sign up for dinner at: https://bethelyouthed.wufoo.com/forms/z7x2s9/

Sunday, May 20 at 10:15 am—Midrasha Graduation. Celebrate with the 15 high school students from eight different synagogues who will be graduating this year. For more details, see Page 17.

Friday, June 1 at 8:00 pm--Commemoration of the 100th birthday of Raoul Wallenberg, as one of the Righteous Gentiles who saved a large number of Hungarian Jewish children, including our Emeritus Rabbi Raj, during the Holocaust. For background information, refer to Page 12. We will also be honoring Board members and all of our volunteers at this Shabbat Service.

Sunday, June 3 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm—A first gathering of the women of Beth El to eat, drink and schmooze and get to know one another. Join us to discuss starting a new organization within the synagogue just for women. Come to the Beit Midrash for wine, cheese and chocolate and help decide the future direction for the new group. For information, email Nancy Turak at [email protected] Hope to see you there!

Sunday, July 22 at 1:05 pm—Men’s Club Day at the ballpark. Come see the Oakland A’s vs. New York Yankees.

June/July Tickets are available now and may sell out quickly. For more information, see Page 14.

r 2012 In this issue e From the Rabbi p.2 News p.8 Purim p.16 mm Member Spotlight p.3 New Members p.10-11 Midrasha & Pantry Chug p.17 u S President’s Message p.4 Opinion p.12 Tzedakah p.18-19 Youth & Family Education p.5 B’nei Mitzvah & New Books p.13 Torah Study Schedule p.20 Annual Meeting p.6 Upcoming Events p.14 Calendars p.21-23 Staff Profile - Zach Landres-Schnur p.7 Youth Groups p.15 Gift Shop 24 ISSUE 131 • CONGREGATION BETH EL 1301 Oxford Street FROM THE rabbi Berkeley, CA 94709-1424

Phone: 510-848-3988 Join me in Israel Fax: 510-848-2707

At Passover we declared as Jews have for over two thousand Youth and Family Education Office Direct Line: 510-848-2122 years, “Next year in Jerusalem!” While Jews have made their way to Jerusalem at every period in our history, for most of the last two Nursery School Office millennia, “Jerusalem” was primarily an idealized place, symbolizing Direct Line: 510-848-9428

our people’s hope for a better future. Today, our prayers for Camp Kee Tov Office Jerusalem continue but we also have the opportunity to encounter the contemporary city of Direct Line: 510-848-2372

Jerusalem—and modern Israel—as “real” places, locations with deeply nuanced and rich Midrasha Office history, a vibrant and complicated present and future promises yet to be realized. Direct Line 510-843-4667 Last year, a representative group of Beth El members met to learn about and practice how to have difficult conversations around Israel–-and how to learn to respectfully listen and CLERGY & STAFF take in perspectives and points of view that were radically different from their own. Their hard work has had an impact on the participants and also on our wider Beth El community; Rabbi Yoel H. Kahn I have experienced a renewed connection to Israel through the work of our group on Senior Rabbi “civil discourse” and, this year, through the hard work of our Israel Committee. In May, ext. 215 - [email protected] the Israel Committee is presenting a series of speakers, representing a range of ideas Rabbi Reuben Zellman and relationships to Israel that reflect the diverse commitments within our congregational Assistant Rabbi & Music Director community. [Please see page 8 for more details.] ext. 228 - [email protected]

Norm Frankel I am also delighted that so many of you have or are considering visiting Israel, whether as Executive Director an individual or as a family, with an organized tour, or on Birthright or on one of our high ext. 212 - [email protected] school programs. If you have never been to Israel before or if you haven’t been yet this Debra Sagan Massey calendar year, I especially want to invite you to join me and the East Bay Jewish community Director of Education on our community-wide trip in April 2013. Sponsored by Beth El in cooperation with other ext. 213 - [email protected] synagogues and the East Bay Jewish Community Federation, this will be an exceptional trip, departing Wednesday, April 10, 2013 and returning Friday, April 19. While you are, of Barbara Kanter Nursery School Director course, welcome to extend your trip, the itinerary is set so as to minimize the days you may ext. 219 - [email protected] need to take off work while packing in the fullest possible experience. Zach Landres-Schnur There are three special features of this trip which set it apart from others: 1) Each day of the Camp Kee Tov Director ext. 217 - [email protected] trip will include at least three distinct itineraries, including social justice, politics and society; culture and art; high tech and ecology; and a “classic” track for newcomers who don’t want Tameka Young-Diaby to miss out on all the famous sites that they have heard about. The best part of this itinerary Bookkeeper is that you need not commit to any particular track; every day, you can see what is being ext. 210 - [email protected] offered and choose where you want to go for the day; 2) We will be part of a larger group Rebecca DePalma of East Bay Jews and their families. Not only will we encounter and explore how Israelis YAFE Administrative Coordinator are like and unlike us, so too will we have the opportunity to spend time with and get to & Youth Group Advisor know others from our own community whom we might otherwise never have met; 3) In the ext. 214 - [email protected] context of the wider trip, we will also have our own “Beth El” experience. There will be some Juliet Gardner special briefings and activities designed exclusively for our Beth El travelers and we will be Clergy Assistant enhancing the itinerary as we seek out the members of our extended Beth El family—from ext. 235 - [email protected]

Palestinian-Israeli Christians in Nazareth to Orthodox yeshiva teachers in the Old City to the Ashley Warner adult children of Beth El members who are still living on the kibbutz where their Berkeley Administrative Coordinator, Main Office parents grew up. I can assure you that the range of places, peoples and ideas you will ext. 211 - [email protected] encounter on this trip will be diverse and exciting, and open you to perspectives you had not EMILY SCHNITZER previously considered. Camp Kee Tov Admin. Coordinator ext. 223 - [email protected] I will be hosting an informational gathering about the Beth El/East Bay Jewish Community trip on Tuesday evening, June 5, 7:30–8:30 pm. If you are wondering whether this is the Diane Bernbaum Midrasha Director trip for you, please join me. If you are interested in learning more about this trip but cannot 510-843-4667 - [email protected] attend this meeting, please contact Juliet Gardner at the Beth El office to receive future updates. Odette Blachman Gift Shop ext. 240 - [email protected]

Rabbi Ferenc Raj Rabbi Yoel Kahn Rabbi Emeritus [email protected]

2 the builder: summer 2012 Member Spotlight

Stan & Miriam Schiffman Are in The Fast Lane on Aging and Healthcare By Elisabeth Wechsler

For a couple who have based their careers on aging and healthcare, Stan and Miriam have had plenty of time to plan their post-retirement lives. And guess what? They’re as active as teenagers and yet have made peace with this chapter of their lives. “You can’t stop the aging at the Arch/Vine sanctuary in 1961. They are both UC Berkeley process, so you might as well keep busy and make sure you’ve graduates and maintain high enthusiasm for Cal’s men’s and resolved the big issues in your life,” Stan said. women’s basketball teams. Three times a week Stan runs, swims and sculls on San Leandro Stan’s career took him to New York for graduate school (Columbia) Bay offshore of where they live in Alameda—weather permitting— and work for 10 years, Baltimore for four years, and Pittsburgh for with Miriam joining him for sculling. Only on Shabbat are their 26 years. In Pittsburgh, Stan managed a large Orthodox home physical activities voluntarily set aside. It helps that they live at for the aged. water’s edge with a dock in their backyard. Meanwhile, Miriam did her master’s degree in social work at Stan and Miriam have enjoyed an amazing array of sports, while Columbia and a master’s of public management at Carnegie sustaining serious volunteer commitments. Stan is stepping down Mellon in Pittsburgh. She has spent most of her career in the field in June after three years as Congregation Beth El’s treasurer. In of aging. (“I’m not good with teens,” she admitted.) Asked what that role, he is on the Beth El Board of Directors as well as the she has personally learned from her work, she said, “Every day I chair of the Finance Committee. He also coordinates with the review my life and make sure things are in place so I’m prepared Personnel Committee “when there are financial implications in for what’s to come. Then I just ‘go with it’ and keep busy.” hiring or renegotiating contracts.” Finally, the pull of Berkeley brought the Schiffmans home. “We “I enjoy helping straighten out organizations,” Stan said, adding spent 40 years wandering in the desert,” Stan says. that he likes “the challenge of developing a manageable and Stan has been a trustee of Highland Hospital and its six related balanced budget, especially in an economic environment that’s healthcare facilities for the past eight and one-half years. Recently, very bad and which affects everyone.” he has begun serving on the board of Self-Help for the Elderly, Miriam serves on the Alameda County Commission on Aging, an organization with outreach to the Chinese community in San where she is chair of the legislative advocacy committee. She is Francisco. He also chaired the Task Force for Climate Protection also a board member of the John Mastick Senior Center, where in Alameda in which over one year he developed a set of priorities she is chair of the by-laws committee. This center provides activities and standards to reduce carbon emissions; the city accepted the and meals for seniors at its location in Alameda. Miriam is also recommendations in their entirety and the results of his work are active with the Alameda League of Women Voters. now city policy. Miriam has had many volunteer posts at Beth El over the years: After moving back to the Bay Area, Stan spent a few years coordinator of the “Lunch and Learn” series, where she enjoyed preparing other people’s taxes after he retired for good in 1995. creating programs; helping with the monthly Homeless Meal; a “I stopped doing the New York Times crossword puzzle while substitute moderator at Torah Study; a volunteer for the Gift Shop; I was preparing tax returns because each one was a puzzle in and still an active member of the Pantry Chug, when she and Stan itself,” he said. are not traveling. Miriam also helped initiate the mental health In retirement, Miriam and Stan have traveled far and wide. They project that Rabbi Yoel Kahn is launching at the synagogue by love to tackle new areas of the U.S., but also visited Turkey and meeting with other congregations and giving her input to the rabbi. Georgia last summer. Miriam enjoys bridge, gardening, t’ai chi and Stan is the grandson of Beth El founders Nahum and Sarah sculling on the Bay with Stan. Mind you, they each have their own Seitzick, so his early religious school training and Bar Mitzvah scull, reflecting a lifetime of stylistic differences carefully negotiated. (1953) were at the synagogue. He and Miriam were even married The Schiffmans met in 9th and 10th grade, respectively, even though Miriam grew up in Oakland (but was born in Boston) and In each issue, we will profile a Beth El Stan was raised in El Cerrito. Because there were very few Jews in their schools, they were introduced by mutual friends and have member or family to get to know them been together ever since: The Schiffmans will celebrate their 51st better and learn about their experiences wedding anniversary in June. They have two children, a son living at Congregation Beth El. in Colorado and a daughter living in North Carolina. They were attracted again to Beth El after their long sojourn in This issue, we’ll get to know the East by the Early Morning Minyan and Torah Study and are Stan & Miriam Schiffman. regulars at both. www.bethelberkeley.org 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT A Vision for Beth El

The Passover story is so powerful and Derech program in which long-time members tutor our Bar the tradition so meaningful that we continue and Bat Mitzvah students. We have our Kee Tov Shabbats in to gather together for the telling more than which the staff of Camp Kee Tov runs our Shabbat service 3,000 years later. This story is the foundation and brings their particular brand of ruach to the rest of the that ties us together; it is what makes us one Congregation. We have our teenage Madrichim who assist people. Of course, it is not just the telling of the story that makes in our youth education programs. And we have now begun the Passover Seder such a compelling event—it is the getting our pre-nursery school play group to provide a place for our together. The seder gives us a reason to interrupt our busy lives youngest members to become part of Beth El. I am hoping and spend an evening with family and friends—eating, singing, we can also revive our Mishloach Manot program in which discussing, praying and just being with each other. The story of the nursery school families engaged in the Jewish tradition of the four children teaches us that everyone comes to the Seder delivering gifts to the entire community. I’ll never forget how from different perspectives and experiences, yet everyone is people lit up when the nursery school kids brought the Beth El welcomed and included. The HaLachma Anya (in which we package to their door. invite all who are hungry to come in and eat) reminds us that And our vision calls for so much more. I have heard from we are responsible to care for the hungry and lonely and invite young families who wish that we could provide for those them to share in what we have. And the seder is a purposefully times when they need emergency childcare or when they just multigenerational event. The children bring their joy, wonder need a break. I have heard from our singles that they wish and questions, the young adults begin to step into leadership Beth El could be a place to meet other singles. When new roles and the elders share their wisdom and experience—and people arrive in town, they often are looking for a way to build everyone takes part in the discussions, rituals and the food. connections and start friendships. We need to be there for them. Members who lost jobs during the recession often turned But a wonderful seder does not come together by accident—it to the congregation as a potential place to start networking to requires planning and hard work to create such an amazing find new opportunities. When a young person becomes a Bar evening. Similarly, extending that Jewish communal experience or Bat Mitzvah and takes his or her place as a Jewish adult, we to the rest of our lives also requires planning and hard work— need to be there to welcome them. And we need to ensure that and that is the mission of Beth El. The vision for Beth El is to be when our congregants grow old that they are always taken care the place that organizes and helps implement this tradition of of and never neglected. There were times in our history and building a multigenerational, caring community that supports there are places today where this is how a Jewish community our community throughout our members’ lives. Like a seder, functions. No one is expected to go it alone. we want Beth El to be a place you can come to in order to celebrate, learn, pray, mourn, repair the world, to get help when Just like in the desert 3,000 years ago, pursuing our collective you are in need and to connect with others of all ages. In our Beth El vision will require changes—and there will undoubtedly congregational survey and our current listening campaign we be ups and downs. Yet, with everyone’s participation we will have heard from our members that they want more than just continue to move forward. Together, we can deliver on the vision great programs. They want programs that connect together. It of being a caring community that brings that feeling of the seder was not enough to have a great religious school in which to the rest of our lives. parents dropped their children off and left. Instead we started our highly successful Chug Mishpacha program which has Dan Magid parents and children learning together. We have the Moreh President, Board of Directors

Announcing Beth El’s Song Leader--Isaac Zones!

We are thrilled to announce that Isaac Zones, the song leader who has been at the past two Shabbatons will be part of the Beth El team. Working in conjunction with Rabbi Reuben and Debra Massey, Isaac will be coordinating the music that is taught throughout our youth and family education programs. Isaac will be teaching in Kadima, leading Tot Shabbat services, leading Shabbat Unplugged services, starting teen and adult bands, and more.

We are so excited to have Isaac as a part of the Beth El family and encourage you to welcome him on board!

4 the builder: summer 2012 YOUTH & FAMILY EDUCATION What’s Growing? CALENDAR by Debra Sagan Massey, RJE, Director of Education

It’s spring, the weather is getting warmer and the days are Kadima End of Year Celebration longer! Everyone wants to be outside and enjoy the beautiful days. Thursday, May 10 at 5:30pm, And here at Congregation Beth El we are working to create new followed by a picnic dinner ways to enjoy the outdoors and connect to nature. We are currently in the process of building a fruit and vegetable garden on the Beth El site near Spruce Join us as we honor our teachers and Street. This space has been beautifully designed by our member Alex Bergtraun, to Madrichim, and celebrate the end of our weave together Jewish tradition, permaculture and gardening. The center of the space year at Kadima. Bring a picnic dinner will be an outdoor classroom, enabling our children to engage in hands-on learning and enjoy a fun evening together. in the outdoors.

Jewish tradition is based on agriculture and the cycle of the seasons; thus, we will be engaging our youth in multi-sensory learning through the initiation of this new garden space. Celebration of Education Construction of the garden is underway. We will begin this spring with building the Friday, May 11 fence—a project that is being led by Eagle Scout, Michael Long. Once the fence is up, we can construct and place the raised beds, plant the trees and begin the planting. We Honoring our b’nei mitzvah class, hope that by the time Kee Tov starts its summer, we will have a workable garden for confirmation class and high school our campers to actually plant and harvest. The values of peah and leket, leaving food graduates. in the corners to share with others, will be taught and practiced. And, as we move 6:15 Appetizers towards Sukkot in the fall, we will have the opportunity to celebrate the holiday of the 6:30 Dinner harvest in real time. 7:30 Service and Celebration Please join us as we celebrate our We are grateful to so many people and organizations who have made the garden students as they lead us in prayer possible—to an anonymous donor who offered the funds for the fence, to Hazon and share with us their insights and who has given us a grant to start building the raised beds, to Alex Bergtraun for his reflections. sketches, and to everyone else who has supported, and continues to support, the Please sign up for dinner at: https:// creation of a garden here at Beth El. bethelyouthed.wufoo.com/forms/z7x2s9/

The connection to the land does not end with our garden, but is now extending to our relationship with Full Belly Farms, as we start a new CSA (community supported agriculture). Beth El members are encouraged to sign up to receive a weekly box of delicious fruits and vegetables delivered to Beth El. What a great way to support local Congregation Beth El Shabbaton agriculture, eat organically, save money and be healthy! To sign up for the CSA, you September 7-9 can find the application on the Beth El website. We hope you will join! URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa

As the school year winds down, we hope that your summer is filled with growth and Join us for a weekend of relaxation, learning. May you keep connected to your friends at Beth El, whether that be through rejuvenation, and celebration! Camp Kee Tov, coming to services or helping out in our new garden. All ages welcome! Something for everyone with activities including: We look forward to seeing you all at the Shabbaton in the fall as we launch the new · Hiking, nature walks, yoga, solitude year at Camp Newman on September 7-9! and relaxation · Shabbat celebration, Torah study and L’shalom. workshops with our rabbis · Classes on a variety of topics for adults. · Swimming, ropes course, sports and Beth El Shabbaton 5772 field games September 7-9, 2012 · Music, art, trivia, wine tasting, and at Camp Newman talent show Questions? Please contact Debra at: 510-848-2122, ext 213

Register now at: www.bethelberkeley.org/shabbaton FROM THE Executive Director Annual Meeting

Come to the Congregation’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 6 at 10:00 am

The Annual Meeting is open to of our current year’s finances, and the operating budget for the all members, and is an opportunity to conduct important coming fiscal year. There will also be an update on the status congregational business and communicate information on the of our financial obligations to our bank and others, and an financial state of the congregation. opportunity to answer your questions on the fiscal state of the synagogue. We will begin the meeting with a brunch reception and presentation of the Marion Magid Award for Excellence in There are two items on the agenda that require a vote Leadership. At this year’s Annual Meeting we will be honoring of our members: one of our members whose efforts and leadership epitomize the vital importance of volunteer participation at all levels, in 1. The first item is a recommendation by our Board of building and sustaining our community. Directors to increase standard membership dues from $2,750 to $2,800. With the improving economic We will also be hearing from Rabbi Jim Brandt, CEO of the East climate and the need to meet rising costs, the Board has Bay Jewish Federation. Rabbi Brandt will talk about the mission recommended a modest increase this year of $50 in our and programs of our local Jewish Federation, including the standard membership dues request. upcoming East Bay Jewish community trip to Israel in April 2013. 2. The second item requiring a vote by our membership is the slate of candidates for the Board of Directors. You have The business portion of the meeting will begin at 11:00 am, already received notification of that slate. We are very and will include reports on the state of the synagogue, a review excited to present a slate that includes a new Treasurer, Thomas Lurquin, and a new Director at Large, Jeffrey Seideman. Announcing Beth El Nursery School Director, Maguy Weizmann McGuire I want to extend my personal acknowledgment to our outgoing board members, Alison Fisher, Director at Large, and Stan We are excited to announce that Maguy Weizmann Schiffman, Treasurer. It has been an honor and a privilege to McGuire (pronounced Maggie) will be joining us as our work with both of you. Early Childhood Education Director beginning July 1, 2012. Maguy brings to Beth El a wealth of experience You will be receiving in the mail this month your annual and creativity. She is currently the preschool director at membership renewal forms. We ask that you return these Temple Akiba in Culver City, a Reform synagogue in forms promptly. Erev Rosh Hashana is only a few months away the Los Angeles area. She has a bachelor’s degree in (September 16) and we plan to mail High Holy Day tickets by social welfare, a master’s degree in Child Development, late August. That means we need the prompt return of your and has been working in the field of early childhood renewal form and dues pledge for the new fiscal year, beginning education since 1975. Maguy’s educational philosophies July 1. Tickets will only be mailed to members who have match with those of Beth El’s play-based preschool, and returned their forms and made their dues pledge. she has a wonderful way of connecting with the children. We do ask you to seriously consider increasing your personal We want to thank the members of our search committee commitment this year even beyond the recommended $50 who volunteered to assist us to define our goals, review increase in standard dues. Your financial generosity to applications, and interview the candidates. The members Congregation Beth El is essential to ensuring that we fulfill one of our search committee included current and incoming of our core values as a Jewish community: guaranteeing that BENS parents and teachers: Josh Konecky, Michelle our door is always open to all members of our community, no Wolfson, Abby Pletcher, Dan Gottheiner, Jane Sperling matter their financial circumstances. Your on-going support is Wise, Jennifer Baumer, Mollie Mindel, Nurit Garner and vital to our ability to realize that commitment to an open and Jodi Gladstone. diverse community.

We are looking forward to welcoming Maguy to Beth El in I look forward to seeing many of you on May 6 at our Annual July! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not Meeting. hesitate to contact Norm Frankel: norm@bethelberkeley. org or call 510-848-3988. Norm Frankel Executive Director

6 the builder: summer 2012 Staff Profile Who’s Really On Call 24/7 at Beth El? by Elisabeth Wechsler

Zach Landres-Schnur lives and breathes Camp Kee where he served as a religious school teacher, part-time. Then, Tov year-round. His other main interest is spectator sports— on Craigslist, he found an opening with Sports4Kids, a nonprofit all the majors—but Camp Kee Tov is what he talks about with that worked with inner city schools to offer “healthy play” at friends on Saturday night. He keeps in touch with campers and recess and lunchtime. At the end of that school year (2009), counselors and even shares a house with two former Kee Tovers. Zach was laid off.

Not only that, he’s been literally raised at Congregation Beth El. Zach kept working each summer at Camp Kee Tov and a special Zach started Beth El in kindergarten and Camp Kee Tov when he position was finally created for him, “Assistant Director.” At the was five years old, became a Bar Mitzvah under now Emeritus end of that summer (2009), the previous director, Adam Ganes, Rabbi Raj, and, upon entering knew he would be leaving and 10th grade, became a Kee Tov Zach had worked very closely counselor. Except for one year, with him. Although a wide he has been nurtured by and search for a new director was has contributed to Beth El and conducted at Beth El, it seems the camp for 23 summers. almost bashert (that is, meant to be) that Zach was named to Zach majored in journalism the post. He has now served and, given his love of three years as Director of Camp baseball, football and Kee Tov and works closely with basketball, had internships as all the Beth El staff and the a sports writer while attending Camp Kee Tov Administrative the University of Washington Coordinator, Emily Schnitzer. in Seattle. He was on the school newspaper and worked He describes his job as “a for Sports Illustrated during dream,” even with meetings the school year as a marketing and other less interesting parts intern. He worked at the of his responsibilities. One Seattle Times for four years of the difficult challenges is (counting two undergraduate deciding which of the 150 years). applicants are to be hired as counselors when only 90 to So it was natural (or was 100 are needed. “Turning it?) that he would continue on a sports writer track when away applicants is really hard,” Zach said, adding that “it’s he graduated. All around him, however, there was talk of the worst thing about my job.” newspapers dying. In addition, the long hours (weekends and evenings) seemed like an eventual burnout formula. Zach The camp never turns away someone who can’t afford the full loved the Bay Area and wanted to be back with his family and rates, which start at $675 for a kindergartner (member family) friends, so without a plan he moved back, which he said was up to $1,500 for a non-member 9th grader. This year the camp very unusual. “I’m an organized person and a planner, but I just offers about $85,000 in scholarships (including $25,000 from decided the move was the right thing to do.” the Jewish Community Federation of the East Bay).

Zach networked and applied to all of the Bay Area newspapers, “Kee Tov is stronger and tighter than even the Beth El but his first non-journalism job was at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette community,” Zach said. “It’s like a second family.” Camp Kee Tov Summer 2012 Session 1: June 25 - July 20, 2012 Session 2: July 30 - August 24, 2012

www.bethelberkeley.org 7 News Listening Campaign Results by Maxim Schrogin The Listening Campaign Committee presented its current successfully engaging members findings to the Congregation at the Kabbalat Shabbat on March of our community, which itself can 16. Eighty people gathered to hear the results to date of the become a part of our synagogue’s campaign and to participate in the meeting. permanent culture. The Listening Campaign will continue to bring In summary, the Committee has met with at least 150 Beth El people together by holding more Congregants. About 20 themes were identified as of interest to House Parties and engaging in participants. Of the 20, we selected six for small round-table one-to-one meetings discussions that night: with, hopefully, each adult • Aging Beth El member. • Nature, Art, and Music • Economy Great thanks must go out to • Strengthening Beth El the Presentation Meeting facilitators Cathy Stevens and • Parenting Marty Rosenthal; to the other House Party facilitators, • Judaism Adele Amodeo and Maggie Dunlap; to our one-to-one Out of the discussions came many proposals, such as: a BethElders specialists Phyllis Zisman and Laurie Swiadon, to our Data group, an Oral History project, financial advising/lending, ideas for Collection Subcommittee Moshe Maler, Harry Margulius and enhancing the Sanctuary and an arts/social room. Bill Marthinsen; to our other committee members, Miriam Rabinowitz, Mady Stone, Emily Marthinsen and our hosts In the process of undertaking this project in community Anne Gonsky, Debbie Leon, Judith and David Tabb and organizing, the committee has created a template for Elizabeth Branoff.

Congregation Beth El Israel Committee Presents Perspectives on Israel Four Evenings in May at 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 3 Wednesday, May 23 Matthew Gabe, AIPAC East Bay Director Molly Freeman, J Street SF Bay Area Local Chair, National Board Member Thursday, May 10 Mike Harris, Co-founder, San Francisco Voice Thursday, May 31 for Israel (StandWithUs Bay Area Chapter) Orli Bein, New Israel Fund Co-Director, San Francisco Region

Join us for this series on Israel and its challenges from viewpoints across the political spectrum, offered in the spirit of civil discourse. A question-and-answer session will follow each talk.

All are welcome; no admission charge. Contact: [email protected]

8 the builder: summer 2012 News 2012 Gala: Mad Success by Elisabeth Wechsler

Dana Zell, Juliette Fershtman and their committee achieved a huge success at this year’s Gala, ringing up over $42,000 in revenue for the Youth and Family Education (YAFE) programs. The theme, Mad Mensch, made for a spectacular array of 60’s style cocktail dresses, hair styles and other formal attire. It was one of Congregation Beth El’s best events. You had to be there! Everyone had a good time schmoozing and trying out 50-year-old cocktail recipes.

The best part is that Dana is open to heading the Gala committee again next year.

Before helping to organize the Gala, Dana was co-Chair of the Beth El Nursery School Committee, a forum for parents and the Nursery School director to discuss issues within the school and support its many programs. At the time she had two children enrolled in the Nursery School. Now, Jonah (6) attends kindergarten at Rosa Parks School Thank You and Naomi (4) is currently in the Alef class. to Barbara Kanter

Dana’s “day job” is marketing for the Broadway production, “Wicked,” as Congregation Beth El would it makes its way around the country like to thank Barbara Kanter on tour. “It’s the untold stories of for the years of service she the witches of Oz,” she explained, has dedicated to the Beth El admitting that although it’s a Nursery School. wonderful job she wishes she had more time to play with her children We are grateful for the love without her cell phone in hand. she has given our children, the support and wisdom she Coincidentally, Dana had met Debra has offered to parents, for the Sagan Massey on a trip to Israel when untold hours of hard work she they were 16 and finds it an amazing put into her job, and for her that Debra now works as Director of valuable expertise in the field of YAFE programs at Beth El. Although early childhood education. Dana lived in New York for 10 years, Photo by Jonathan Miller she is originally from the Bay Area. Under Barbara’s guidance, BENS has continued to be one of the most well-respected Meanwhile, her husband, Lee Horowitz is a real-life advertising executive for the and sought-after preschools in Website, Instructables.com, a do-it-yourself project-sharing network with people Berkeley. from all over the world posting news and results of their projects, from cooking to electronics. (Lee even posted photos of himself and Jonah making a crocodile In gratitude for her dedication costume for Halloween.) Lee is VP of advertising, responsible for the site earning to Beth El, Barbara will be revenue, and is “originally and completely a New Yorker although he has found his honored with a lifetime true home in Berkeley,” Dana said. congregational membership. Dana and Lee moved from San Francisco about four years ago and they were looking for a Jewish preschool when Dana happened to take a walk past Codornices Park in Berkeley where a bunch of children in Camp Kee Tov shirts were playing happily and noisily. She asked one of the counselors about the camp and was told that it was sponsored by a Reform Jewish synagogue, Congregation Beth El, still in the midst of constructing its new building. Dana just knew that eventually it would be the right environment for her children, and the right synagogue to join.

www.bethelberkeley.org 9 Compiled by Builder editor, Elisabeth Wechsler

Member Corner WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

Micah (Mickey) Estes & Orawan Techachoocherd Facilitation Officer out of the Office of the Ombuds. Jack is a committed YMCA professional and teaches Boot Camp and Mickey Estes has lived in the Bay high-low aerobics classes at both the Downtown Oakland YMCA Area since 1979 when his family and Hilltop YMCA. “We’re both looking forward to our nephew, moved from Israel. He grew up Daniel Kivel-Goldstein’s Bar Mitzvah at Beth El in October,” she and became a Bar Mitzvah at said. Hobbies for both include dancing, travel, kayaking and, of Temple Beth Hillel in Richmond. course, fitness. Mickey is a middle school history teacher and his interests include cooking, baking, karaoke, Alison Greene & Don Moats and backgammon. Orawan Techachoocherd is from Thailand; Alison Greene and Don Moats have lived in Berkeley for 18 she followed her two older sisters years. Alison grew up in Marin County and Don grew up in to the U.S. in 2002 and currently Redding, CA. She is an insurance coverage attorney in Oakland, works as a special education and he is a carpenter and has his own business, DD’s Decks classroom aide at Hercules Middle/ & Fences. They have a 10-year-old daughter, Sarah, who has High School. Her hobbies include attended Camp Kee Tov for several years and will be there again crocheting, knitting and cooking this summer. “We have not been affiliated with a synagogue, but Thai cuisine. Mickey and Orawan have been involved in the Tehiyah community where Sarah has live in Hercules and have no attended school since kindergarten,” Alison said, adding that children as yet, but they enjoy their two miniature dachshunds. “Sarah will be entering 6th grade at King Middle School next Mickey is a regular at Beth El's Shabbat early morning Minyan. year so we were particularly interested in joining Congregtion He'd like to become more involved with the choir, Pantry Chug, Beth El in order for her to continue with Hebrew and Jewish and interfaith outreach with the Membership Committee. “We Studies, and get prepared for her Bat Mitzvah in 2014.” are both excited about the congregation’s trip to Israel next They look forward to getting more involved with the Beth El year and hope to be part of it,” he said. “Other than that we community and expanding their Jewish connections. look forward to getting to know many other members of the congregation.” Laurie Isenberg & Martin LaPlaca Daniella & Al Forney Laurie Isenberg has lived in the Bay Area since 1995 and is Director of Online, Community, and Continuing Education Daniella has lived in the Bay Area her entire life and was a at Pacific School of Religion (PSR). PSR (http://www.psr.edu) member of Beth El as a child. Her grandparents were very is part of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley. active in the synagogue (Edith and Fred Reimann). “We are very It is a progressive Christian graduate school and seminary, excited to be members once again,” she said. Daniella and Al home of the Center for Gay and Lesbian Studies in Religion have three children— and Ministry, sponsors of a robust spiritual/theological summer Olivia (2nd grade), session open to all faiths. “Really a wonderful place, even for a Elijah (1st grade) Jew!” said Laurie. Martin is an avid bridge player and a licensed and Noa (who will clinical social worker (LCSW) who does counseling with families be attending Beth El and children. Laurie's main focus these days is spending time Nursery School in the outdoors with friends and their son Reuben, who is six years Fall). The older two old and in kindergarten at Kensington Hilltop Elementary are at Thousand Oaks School. “We're happy to join the Beth El community and hope to Elementary. Daniella gradually increase our involvement as time goes on,” she said. is a professional organizer by trade but Camille Landau & Bruce Stoffmacher spends a majority of time at home with her Camille and Bruce moved to Oakland from Los Angeles a year children and Al. Al and a half ago, fulfilling the promise Camille made to Bruce is a Senior Database before they were even engaged that "if we had kids, we would Developer. Family move to the Bay Area." They have two boys -- Benjamin (5) and activities include travel: “we camp, love road trips and exploring Joshua (3) Stoffmacher, and it was the children's growing curiosity new parks on the weekends. We spend a lot of time with our about everything that drew the family to Beth El. "I knew Benjamin extended family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, who are was going to start asking us 'what Jewish means' and I wanted all luckily in the Bay Area,” said Daniella. him to have a positive, strong and multi-faceted answer as he

Ellen Goldstein & Jack Holleman Ellen Goldstein and Jack Holleman live in Oakland and are glad to become members of Congregation Beth El. Ellen previously was a member of Congregation Sha’ar Zahav and followed Rabbi Yoel Kahn to Beth El for services and High Holy Days. She has been attending Saturday Torah study off and on for a few years, and felt like it was time to commit to becoming a more permanent part of the community. Ellen works at UCSF (where she used to work with Katherine Haynes Sanstad, former Beth El president) and is now the Associate Mediation and

10 the builder: summer 2012 Compiled by Builder editor, Elisabeth Wechsler Member Corner

grows up," Camille said. Bruce is a policy analyst and community Lorianna and Nick are mostly interested in activities for children liaison for Oakland Councilmember Libby Schaaf, and Camille “really any way that we can get to know other Jewish families in is an entrepreneur with a start-up (Choozy.me) that connects the Bay Area.” Lorianna is a stay-at-home mom and Nick has consumers to local vendors when they are planning life events worked as a long-time employee for Costco Wholesaler. When (weddings, baby, home...). The Landau-Stoffmacher family loves Lorianna worked outside the home she was in Customer Service/ finding kid-friendly things to do around the Bay Area, and hopes Adminstration/Accounts Receivable. Nick is a big music fan and to meet other families with whom to enjoy these activities. loves to play golf. Lorianna loves to read and be outdoors. Eli loves trains and books, and as a family together the Smiths visit Bea Lieberman animals at the Little Farm and go to the park. Bea was raised in San Francisco during the "hippie heydays" Beth & Zachary Sherry and studied English, creative writing and history at UC Davis. She lived in Israel in 1974 and from 1977 until 1986, when Zach and Beth Sherry moved to the East Bay from Albany, NY she returned to the Bay Area. She has a grown daughter who 13 years ago. They currently live in El Cerrito with a four and is studying medicine. Bea is a proud public school teacher one-half year-old son, Benjamin, and a two-year-old son, of music and early elementary, and for the past six years has Nathan. Beth works as a labor and delivery nurse at Alta Bates taught first grade and kindergarten at Kensington Hilltop School. Hospital and Zach is a technical project manager. “We like to “I'm very concerned about the future of public education and am spend time as a family when our schedule permits and like to go active in my union,” she said. “Folk music has been my greatest camping in our Eurovan,” Beth says. “My boys are very busy and passion and I enjoy playing music with friends. I'm very attached active so we spend a lot of time outdoors. If I ever get time to to the Sierras and love being in nature. I'm extremely concerned myself I like to spend it exercising.” Zach likes to sail and brews about the Middle East, Israel, and the rise of anti-Semitism his own beer. The Sherrys had been unaffiliated since coming worldwide.” Bea has been a very active member of SF Voice for to the Bay Area but as Beth started to look into summer camps Israel and Stand With Us for the past few years. She would like and Hebrew schools for next year, she found Congregation Beth to be involved with the Israel Committee and help out at Beth El to be “a good fit...I also received a lot of recommendations El's monthly Homeless Meal. from the staff at Alta Bates to look at Beth El. Benjamin will be attending Camp Kee Tov for the second summer session. Fred & Anne Rosenthal Rabbi Rebekah Stern & Sean Holcombe Fred and Anne Rosenthal have been married 35 years and are former members of Beth El; they are now returning as empty Rabbi Rebekah Stern and Sean Holcombe are back in the Bay nesters. Both have lived in Berkeley since the early 1970's. Fred Area after five years away, first for a year living in Jerusalem, works as a forensic psychiatrist and enjoys playing tennis, the and then four years in Los Angeles as Rebekah finished violin, chess and painting. He grew up in San Francisco and is rabbinical school. (She was ordained the year after Rabbi a graduate of UC Berkeley and Stanford Medical School. Anne Zellman.) Rebekah is a Bay Area native. Sean grew up in worked at Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living for 30 years Phoenix, but moved to the Bay Area in 2001. They've lived in and since 2009 has been with Eldercare Services in Walnut Albany since August 2010 with their daughter Leora (almost Creek. She attended UC Berkeley and is active on the boards two) and dog Judah. Rebekah is the Assistant Rabbi at Peninsula of her professional association and is a frequent public speaker Temple Sholom in Burlingame, and Sean is a therapist in a on aging issues. She enjoys quilting, cooking, opera and classroom-based program of Seneca Center, working with gardening. They both enjoy spending time with their children at-risk middle schoolers in Bay Point. Neither has a lot of free and grandchild. Anne and Fred look forward to participating in time, but when they do, they like to be outside with Leora and the Social Action committee. dog Judah and to cook, eat, and play with friends old and new. They are enthusiastic about health and fitness and also enjoy Burt & Judith Rudman unwinding in front of a movie or good TV show at the end of a long day. Rebekah grew up at Beth El and is an alumna of the Burt Rudman grew up in St. Louis and received degrees from Nursery School, Religious School, and Camp Kee Tov. “We are Northwestern University (1960) and the University of East Africa excited that Leora will be starting Gan Katan in the fall, and look (1962), returning in 1963 to Northwestern to work on a Ph.D. forward to (re)connecting with this warm community.” in Communication Studies. In 1966, Burt left academia to work as a freelance photographer/writer and has worked in Chicago, Israel, Iran and Japan. In 1975 he founded a gallery in Cedar Frank & Michal Zimring Rapids, Iowa, which used frames from animated films (Disney, Warner Bros., etc.) until 1990, when the gallery was sold. Burt The spur for joining Congregation Beth El was Frank and Michal retired to Sarasota, Florida in 1991 and married Judy Joshel Zimring's return to the Bay Area after a year in New York while Rudman in 2009. Judy was a practicing lawyer, specializing in Frank was finishing a book. They came to Beth El for High Holy family law and divorce mediation. She is now a certified life Day services and “fell in love with Rabbi Zellman's sermon.” coach with a specialty helping women rebuild their lives after Frank and Michal have lived in the Bay Area for the past 28 divorce. The Rudmans moved to Albany in January and joined years. Frank is on the UC Berkeley law faculty, while Michal is a Congregation Beth El. Judy had been a long-time member. They former teacher who is also a photographer and very interested are raising Burt's 15-year-old grandson, Noah. in green design issues and wetlands preservation. Frank says he's “a Berkeley talking head on crime and criminal justice.” He Lorianna Seidlitz-Smith & Nick Smith adds that their children have “just crossed 40 but we will deny that under oath.” Lorianna and Nick both grew up in Berkeley and have lived most of their lives in the Bay Area. Lorianna joined Beth El for several reasons: “My family were members when I was growing Also joining Congregation Beth El recently are: David and up and I enjoyed coming to events and wanted to share that Leeat Louvton, who live in Berkeley with their son Liam (18 with my son, Elijah (15 months). I also take my son to playgroup months); Ronnie and Stuart Cohen, also Berkeley residents, and would like him to go to the preschool next year so I thought and their children, Amara (12) and Shira (10); and Tali and I would get to know everyone now. Since my son doesn't go to Kyle Reicher, Berkeley residents, with children Nico (9), Desi daycare, I wanted to find other ways for him to interact with (6) and Luca (4). The Reichers were Congregation Beth El other children. I also want him to know his Jewish background.” members from 2006 to 2008. Welcome to you all!! www.bethelberkeley.org 11 OPINION

One of God’s Angels by Rabbi Ferenc Raj, Emeritus

Since my youth I have been struggling with the unexpressed As the family story question that was most recently put into words by Kati Marton, goes, though I a Hungarian-American author and journalist: “Why are mass do not remember murderers more determined than rescuers?” Unfortunately, in since I was just her essay, she did not provide us with an acceptable answer. a two-year-old toddler, I met Jewish tradition relates that God would have long ago destroyed Raoul Wallenberg the earth because of human cruelty and callousness were it not several times. for the good deeds of the lamed-vav tzadikim, the 36 righteous One day, quite people, who by their martyrdom and self-sacrifice save the unexpectedly, a world from utter chaos and destruction. band of young Hungarian Nazi hoodlums entered I believe that Raoul Wallenberg, who during the Holocaust saved our “Swedish” me, my family, and tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from building. certain death, was surely one of the 36 lamed-vav tzadikim.” Hundreds of us Wallenberg’s family belonged to the Swedish elite: a family lived there— of bankers, politicians and diplomats. Because his father had elderly people, died before he was born, his grandfather, a loving and sensible young mothers “In Wallenberg’s Shadow” man, raised him. Raoul, who was not forced to follow family and children Rabbi Ferenc Raj in Budapest in February 2012 traditions, was allowed to study architecture in the United States. crowded together with two US Congressmen Rep. Dan Burton (R- He later traveled to South Africa and to Haifa, then British in a small area. IN) (left) and Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) (right). Palestine, in order to learn about trade and banking. In Haifa, Randomly, the intruders took my mother and three other younger Wallenberg became acquainted with German refugees and women as hostages. Wallenberg was immediately notified and acquired firsthand knowledge of Nazi persecution. It was years he himself drove and rescued them from their Nazi captors. How later, in July 1944, that the American War Refugee Board, with true are the words of the poet who praised this Swedish hero and the knowledge and cooperation of the Swedish government, called him God’s Angel: sent Wallenberg to Budapest to start a rescue operation for the Jews. Like Switzerland, Sweden also issued protective papers or “Brightly shines temporary passports to Hungarian Jews. While they were not Over shrines, always respected by Hungarian authorities, at least they saved Giving signs the lives of many. Of relief and liberation.” After Hungary’s liberation, allegedly because of his American The historian David Cesarani reports: “… more people were connections, Wallenberg was trapped by the Soviets and apparently saved by Swiss papers than by Swedish papers produced at the perished in Siberia. He was indeed one of the holy 36. behest of Raoul Wallenberg. But it was Wallenberg, the dashing and courageous Swede, who captured people’s imagination As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth, let us and rightly so, because he went out himself and intervened remember him, and all the chassidei umot ha-olam, the righteous personally on many occasions to save Jews.” of all the nations for a blessing.

Letters to the Editor Editorial Staff of The Builder

Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. If you have a Elisabeth Wechsler, Editor subject of interest to the Congregation, write a letter or essay Jenny Robinson, Layout Design and Production of a maximum of 400 words and submit it to: Editor, The Builder, [email protected] by July 1, 2012 Ashley Warner, Coordinator Letters and essays may be edited for length and at the discretion of the Editorial Advisory Board. Editorial Advisory Board: Sue Austin, Norm Frankel, Katherine Haynes Sansted, Zach Landres-Schnur, Harry No anonymous submissions will be accepted. Pollack (Chair), Ashley Warner, Elisabeth Wechsler

12 the builder: summer 2012 B’NEI The congregation is cordially invited to attend as our son, David Barer is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 10:15 am. MITZVAH Kiddush will follow. Igor & Olga Barer The congregation is cordially invited to attend as our son, Miles King is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, The congregation is cordially invited May 5, 2012 at 10:15 am. to attend as our son, Adam Stein is Kiddush will follow. called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 10:15 am. Sharon & Michael King Kiddush will follow.

Dan & Toni Stein The congregation is cordially invited to attend as our son, Simon Zeiger is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on The congregation is cordially invited to Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 10:15 am. attend as our son, Herschel Portnoy is Kiddush will follow. called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 10:15 am. Dan Zeiger & Josefina Coloma Kiddush will follow.

Daniel & Suzanne Portnoy The congregation is cordially invited to attend as our daughter, Zoe Davidman is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on The congregation is cordially invited to Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10:15 am. attend as our daughter, Eliza Murley is Kiddush will follow. called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 10:15 am. Dena Martinez & Aaron Davidman Kiddush will follow.

Jill Cooper & Clyde Murley

New Books in the Library by Scott Spear, Library Chair

Ordinary Jews is a novel, translated from the story of how and why the idea that Judaism is a religion was Yiddish, by Yehoshue Perle, who died at Auschwitz invented in the modern period, and the many conceptual tensions in 1943. The novel, published in Warsaw in 1935, that followed from it” in the thought of Moses Mendelssohn, is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Yiddish Abraham Geigel, Hermann Cohen, Franz Rosenzweig, Martin literature, portraying life in a small provincial city Buber, Abraham Kook and his son, Theodor Herzl, Ahad Ha’am, in Poland in the late 19th century. Kalman Weiser Emil Fackenheim, Mordecai Kaplan and many others. calls the book “a truly great portrait of humanity.” The Jewish Enlightenment, by Shmuel Feiner, Judaism in Practice: From the Middle Ages to the Early whose new biography of Moses Mendelssohn is Modern Period, ed. by Lawrence Fine, is a collection of 39 also in the library, won the Koret Prize for Jewish articles telling what life styles have been for Jews throughout the History. The book gives a full history of the great world in the period covered. Among the authors: Paula Hyman, modernization of Jewish thought and life beginning Judith Baskin, Joel Kraemer, Marc Saperstein, Arthur Green, in the 18th century, when European Jews began Raymond Scheindlin, S.D. Goitein. to participate in secular culture. The Haskalah initiated Jewish liberalism and led, among other A River flows from Eden: the Language of Mystical things, to Reform Judaism as well as to Orthodox Judaism, Experience in the Zohar, by Melila Hellner- bringing about a clash of cultures within the Jewish community. Eshed, who teaches at Hebrew University and the Hartman Institute, is a must-read for anyone Jerusalem: A Biography, by Simon Montefiore, is a interested in Kabbalah or mystical experience. sweeping history of the city’s 3,000 years and Danny Matt, a one-time Beth El member, calls it of all that has been thought and imagined of “truly groundbreaking,” its scholarship “superb.” the city, the only city that exists in both heaven The book, simply written and easy to read, could and earth, touching upon many personalities serve as an introduction to the Zohar as well. involved, from Cleopatra to Mark Twain, from Solomon to Moshe Dayan, from Caligula to How Judaism became a Religion: an Introduction to Lincoln, and a multitude of others. The author Modern Jewish Thought is by Leora Batnitzky, Chair of the uses new archives, vast scholarship and his Department of Religion at Princeton. She says, “This book tells own family papers. www.bethelberkeley.org 13 UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY JUNE

Thursday, May 17 at 7:00 pm Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 pm People of the Book People of the Book The People of the Book are meeting at Congregation Beth El The People of the Book are meeting at Congregation Beth El to to discuss Son of a Small Hero by Mordechai Richler. The discuss Collector’s Cookbook by Allegra Goodman. The discussion will be led by Barry Silverblatt. discussion will be led by Beverly Eigner. For more information, contact Beverly Eigner at For more information, contact her at [email protected]. [email protected]. Wednesday, June 27 at 7:30 pm Thursday May 24 at 7:00 pm Wine & Cheese Tasting Political and Economic Perspectives on the Wine and cheese tasting and lecture on wine by Mark Hudes at Presidential Election Bob Goldstein’s, sponsored by the Men’s Club. Come to a debate on whether the Occupy Movement will make Learn all about Châteauneuf-du-Pape and taste some of the best. a difference in the upcoming Presidential election. What are the Limited to 25 persons, $25 per person. All proceeds go to the real issues that influence the American political economy? Hear Beth El Building Fund. Send a check payable to “Congregation two friends who have been arguing about American politics for Beth El” for the number of persons to Robert Goldstein, 2921 the last 30 years—Congregation Beth El members David Tabb, Forest Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705. emeritus professor of political science, and Norman Schneider, The first 25 paid up can attend. emeritus professor of urban studies and economics at San Francisco State University. The event will be held at Beth El. Questions? Contact Beverly Eigner at [email protected]. YAFE Registration

vs.

Sunday, July 22 at 1:05 pm Men’s Club Day at the A’s It’s that time of year! A’s vs. Yankees Registration for 5773 (2012-2013) Tickets: $20 for adults $15 for kids is now open! (third level seats behind home plate) • Receive our EARLY BIRD discounted Each ticket includes a $6 coupon for refreshments. price by signing up by July 1st!

Deadline to order is July 3, but tickets may sell out well • Our $75 late fee kicks in on August before then. 27th, so don’t delay! Send your check made out to Beth El Men’s Club for the number of adult and kid tickets you want to Bob Goldstein, 2921 Forest Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705. Looking forward to a great year Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. of learning together!

For more information, email Bob at http://www.bethelberkeley.org/learning/ [email protected] or call 510-548-0720. k-7-education/register-now

14 the builder: summer 2012 Youth Groups

Gratitude By Rebecca DePalma - Youth Group Advisor Youth Group Calendar I want to take this opportunity to thank our teens for making this year so much fun. May 9 Our madrichim have done an amazing job Scribes of Beth El - 4:30-5:30 pm this year working in our Kadima and Chug This group meets every other Mishpacha programs. They are incredible Wednesday, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. teens whose assistance makes it possible for our programs to run smoothly. We will be honoring their May 11 hard work at our end-of-year Shabbat Service on May 11. Sababa Elections - 5:00-9:00 pm Also, I want to thank our extraordinary Sababa Board who have made this year an awesome one for our 6th-8th graders. May 17 They developed and ran their own programs, and it was an Ruach End of Year Party - 4:00-6:00 pm incredible group to get to work with. Elections are May 11 for next year’s board. Thank you so much to all of you for your time, effort and amazing energy that you put into to providing May 23 fun, Jewish experiences for your congregation. Scribes of Beth El - 4:30-5:30 pm This group meets every other We would love for our madrichim to return and work again Wednesday, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. next year. If you are interested in continuing to work as a madrich/a or to become one this year, then please go to www. Ruach is for 4th-5th Graders bethelberkeley.org/learning/teens/madrichim to learn more. and Sababa is for 6th-8th graders.

Applications will be accepted until July 1st.

Scribes of Beth El

Our 9th-12th grade writer’s group has a literary magazine premiering May 11. Please keep an eye out for it. Also, we’ve started posting stories on our web page. Here is the beginning of a short story called “Are You Hebrew? Do You Speak Jewish?” by Esther Simon. You can follow the link for the rest of this incredible story:

“The best part of starting a new school is that couple of seconds when you stand there in front of the class a complete mystery. You could introduce yourself a million different ways, become a million people. For the first time in your life, you could be popular. You think that maybe, moving could be the best thing that ever happened to you. But then, when has fate ever been so kind to you? Every year you somehow manage to screw things up for yourself, why should this time be any different?

“It’s time now to introduce yourself. You close your eyes and try to breathe deeply. For that moment you are like Schrodinger’s cat, either alive or dead. If things go wrong you are so dead. “Please, please, please!” you whisper.

“H-hi, I’m Abby Evans, I like....” What do people like? You rack your brains for something, anything. No, honesty is the best policy. Definitely. “I like reading; I’m in the chess club and uh….” You blew it. From the moment that first awkward syllable stumbled from your mouth the box had been opened and Schrodinger’s cat was found dead. You stand there frozen, wishing you could just be swallowed up by the earth. Instead you just scamper back to a free seat and wish that people would stop staring at you.”

Visit www.bethelberkeley.org/learning/teens/scribes for more information.

www.bethelberkeley.org 15 INEN THEWS NEWS Multilingual Megillah Reading a Huge Success

By Elisabeth Wechsler More than 200 Beth El members and children came to the two readings of the Megillah on Wednesday, March 7 (Erev Purim). The evening began with the complete Megillah (the Book of Esther) in Hebrew, read by Beth El members. This was followed by Beth El’s first multilingual Megillah reading.

About two-thirds of the Megillah was divided into 24 languages and each one was read by a native speaker or someone who had studied the language seriously. Modern English was not represented. The entire story was covered; just some repetition was omitted, explained Rabbi Reuben Zellman, assistant rabbi of Congregation Beth El.

“It was fabulous, and so much fun,” said Rabbi Zellman, adding that “it was very important to showcase the diversity of our community. Beth El members come from dozens of countries; we, our parents and our grandparents speak many native languages. Others have studied a language seriously for years,” he said.

Two high school students from Beth El families, Eugene Heimann and Eli Sharf, read their sections in Mandarin and Latin, respectively. Some of the less often heard languages included Farsi, Biblical Greek, Middle English, Welsh, Zulu and Ladino.

Horns and squawkers drowned out the name of Haman (the evil Persian courtier who tried to persuade the king to kill all the Jews) and the crowd cheered for Queen Esther (the heroine) and Mordechai (her uncle), a long-standing Purim tradition.

“We resoundingly agree that we’ll do it next year,” said Rabbi Zellman. It has been suggested that Beth El publicize the event widely beforehand so that more members of the public can come and enjoy this new Purim tradition.

16 the builder: summer 2012 MIDRASHA Midrasha Graduation by Diane Bernbaum, Director Mazal tov to the following students and their families: It’s coming. My favorite day of the Midrasha year….graduation. No, it’s not my favorite day because it marks the end of the school Masha Aleskovski year and I can finally sleep a little later or go Elisheva Anisman to a ball game or have guests for brunch on Dina Blanter Sundays. It’s my favorite because when I hear each graduate Benjamin Dandridge-Lemco speak about what Midrasha and their 18 years of Jewish Rebecca Herman education have meant to them, I am overwhelmed with pride Sara Korn and have absolutely not a worry in the world about “Jewish Alexander Lang continuity.” All the early mornings, late nights, long work days, Victoria Miller and worry about program details all go out the window and I Ariella Neckritz realize that I have chosen the right profession and the right job. Michella Ore If you’d like to be similarly filled with nachas. You don’t have Hannah Pines-Schwartz to be the school director or be related to Midrasha in any way Shayna Prochovnick to take pride in the teens. Just living in our community will do! Jake Schnur Please join us for graduation on Sunday, May 20 at 10:15 am in the Congregation Beth El sanctuary. The graduation epitomizes Sophia Siegel the pluralistic nature of our Midrasha community. We have 15 Sam Stone graduates who come from eight different synagogues. We are truly a community school. See you on May 20 at 10:15 am at graduation.

FROM THE PANTRY CHUG

Cheese Blintz Casserole

It is traditional to eat milk and vegetarian dishes for Shavuot. Cheese blintzes are a favorite meal for Shavuot but they require a lot of time to prepare. Here is a cheese blintz casserole that has the same flavors but is much less work to prepare. It makes a great brunch dish or a vegetarian main course. This recipe was published in Gourmet Magazine about 20 years ago.

For cheese filling beat together: 1-1/2 lbs. ricotta cheese 1 lb. cream cheese 2 eggs 1/4 c. sugar 3-1/2 T. fresh lemon juice 1 t. each grated lemon and orange peel 1/8 t. salt

For the batter mix together in a blender or food processor: 1 c. flour 1 T. baking powder 1 c. melted butter 1/2 c. sugar 3 eggs Cheese Blintz 1/4 c. milk 1 t. vanilla or 1/2 t. almond extract Casserole

Butter 9x13 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Pour half of the batter into pan. Spoon filling over, gently spreading without mixing into batter. Pour remaining batter over. Bake until set, about 1-1/2 hours. Sprinkle with 1/3 c. toasted, slivered almonds. Cut into squares. Serve warm, passing sour cream and strawberry jam.

www.bethelberkeley.org 17 TZEDAKAH

Katherine Haynes Sanstad and Alan Sanstad in memory of Jean Rayburn Gleason Mark & Roberta Gross in memory of Henry Gross Barbara Gordon & Peter Kane ARJMAND ADULT EDUCATION FUND Edward Holly Bruce & Susan Carter in honor of Beverly Eigner Mel Lemberger Miriam & Stanley Schiffman in honor of the 2012 adult B’nai Lapidus Family Mitzvah class Robinn & Dan Magid Miriam & Stanley Schiffman in honor of Lloyd Morgan’s Marilyn & Harry Margulius special birthday Mark & Maribel Mogil Phyllis Zisman in honor of the 2012 adult B’nai Mitzvah class Steve & Wilma Rader Phyllis Zisman in memory of Dorothy Scherr Wollins Joanne Backman & Harry Pollack in honor of the birth of Jack Eli Frankel ANNUAL APPEAL 5772 Stuart & Judy Berman in memory of Mabel Berman Thomas & Amy Lurquin Florence Borkon in memory of George Rosenberg Lloyd Morgan Max, Bonnie, Robert and Alan Cooperstein in memory of Albert Baldocchi in honor of Alan Buder Martin Kahane Angela Botelho & Barry Silverblatt James & Marcia Emery in memory of Louis Gelfand Katherine Haynes Sanstad & Alan Sanstad Barbara Fierer & Bob Brandfon in honor of the birth of Hannah Bruce Linton & Caroline Sweeney Nitika Eigner, granddaughter of Beverly & Richard Eigner J A Sarason in memory of Alan Buder Jean & Morton Goldstein in memory of Alan Buder Nancy Turak & Marc Davis in honor of the birth of Norm & Marsha & Ralph Guggenheim in memory of Alan Buder Jan Frankel’s grandson, Jack Juliette Hassid in memory of Sol Calef & Marguerite Mizrahi Katherine Haynes Sanstad & Alan Sanstad in honor of John B’nei Mitzvah Fund Lombardi becoming a Bar Mitzvah Judith Fendell & Debra Hummel in honor of Dylan Kurzer-Ogul Rabbi Stuart & Victoria Kelman in honor of Rabbi Kahn’s book becoming a Bat Mitzvah Kenneth & Michelle Koreyva in memory of Alan Buder Phyllis Steiber & Jim Ferlin Louis & Sylvia Lurie in honor of John Lombardi becoming a Dante & Jennifer Lombardi Bar Mitzvah Clyde Murley & Jill Cooper Richard Levitt in honor of Lisa Feldman upon being called to Michael S. Ogul the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Sharon & Michael King in honor of the 2012 B’nei Mitzvah class William Mako & Eunok Lee in memory of Alan Buder Sara Sarasohn in honor of B’nei Mitzvah class students Julie Matlof Kennedy & Patrick Kennedy in memory of Alan Buder, Evelyn Postone, and Richard Cherin BRICK FUND Julie Matlof Kennedy & Patrick Kennedy in honor of Jim & Karen & Stuart Gansky in honor of Max Cooperstein being Marcia Emery and Paul Sugarman called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah Sondra & Herbert Napell in memory of Otto Napell Steven & Joan Ominsky in honor of Marcia and James BUILDING FUND Emery’s 75th birthdays Anonymous Roberta Shafter in memory of Alan Buder Jeff Schnur Annette Tenbaum Goldberg in honor of Ron Blachman’s Max & Bonnie Cooperstein in honor of Dan Bellm recovery from surgery Max & Bonnie Cooperstein in memory of Ben Cooperstein Debra Underwood in honor of Lisa Feldman being called to Steven & Joan Ominsky in honor of Paul & Susan Sugarman the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Marty & PJ Rosenthal in memory of Arnold J. Rosenthal Rhonda H Sarnoff in memory of Muriel Sarnoff Stanley & Miriam Schiffman in honor of the birth of Jeff Seideman & Elisabeth Wechsler for the Pesach Seder Jack Eli Frankel Barry Silverblatt & Angela Botelho in memory of Jacqueline Silver Nancy Turak & Marc Davis in honor of Paul Sugarman Paul & Susan Sugarman in appreciation of the honor bestowed to Paul by the Men’s Club CAMP KEE TOV SCHOLARSHIP FUND Paul & Susan Sugarman in honor of the naming of Lilah Jean Henderson in memory of Sylvia Gross and Robert & Jacqueline A.G. Shapiro, granddaughter of Margie Gelb Marilyn Hemmings and Mark Aaronson Sara Kupor in honor of Raina’s 7th birthday Saul & Jacqueline Wachs in memory of Alan Buder Gerald Weintraub in honor of Max Cooperstein, Lisa Feldman, CONGREGATION BETH EL GARDEN FUND Julie Pleedger, and Beth Zeitman Robbin & Dan Magid in honor of Debra Massey Scott & Hillary Zarrow in memory of Alan Buder Vadjiheh Yadegar in memory of Jahangir Yadegar DAVID SOL COTTON MEMORIAL SWIG FUND Vadjiheh Yadegar for the wonderful hamentaschen Alfred & Anita Cotton in memory of David Sol Cotton Vadjiheh Yadegar in memory of Nosrat Yadegar James Zimmerman in honor of Max Cooperstein becoming a GENERAL FUND Bar Mitzvah Susan Amdur in memory of Hilda Amdur Adele Amodeo in memory of Aron Rosenzweig ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Mike & Susan Austin Rebecca Abravanel & Kimberly Beeson in memory of Philip Gradolph

18 the builder: summer 2012 Steven & Joan Ominsky in honor of Fran Alexander’s birthday Amy Oppenheimer & Jennifer Krebs in honor of the 2011 B’nei Mitzvah class HOMELESS MEAL PROGRAM Amy Resner & William Lee in honor of the 2011 B’nei Gozan-Antokal Family in memory of Phoebe Gozan Mitzvah class Allen King Aaron Richardson & Debra Kaufman in honor of the 2011 S. Robert & Sara Kupor B’nei Mitzvah class Steve Kurzman & Kim Nies Gerald Weintraub Peggy & Michael Lipson Ruth Ehrenkrantz & Spencer Klein in honor of the Adult B’nai Robert Brandfon & Barbara Fierer in meomory of Jacob Elkin Mitzvah class of 2012 Brandfon Ruth Ehrenkrantz & Spencer Klein in memory of Eleanor Klein Bruce & Susan Carter in honor of Robert Brandfon & Barbara Fierer Matthew & Lisa Friedman in memory of Sheila Rose Matthew & Lisa Friedman in memory of Norman Friedman Amsterdam Mark & Roberta Gross in memory of Bill Kantz Brian Parker & Leyna Bernstein in honor of Eli Barnes’ B’nei Esther & Mark Hudes in memory of Tauba Hudes & Malka Glueck Mitzvah Class of 2011-2012 Anna Mantell & Bob Goldstein in honor of the birth of Kelly Meade & Harry Clewans in honor of Sam Clewans B’nei Hannah Eigner Mitzvah Class Miriam Rabinovitz in memory of Nancy Feiner Andrew Pollack & Deborah Jordan in honor of the B’nei Stephen & Wilma Rader in honor of Aaron Sanstad Mitzvah Class 5771-5772 Vadjiheh Yadegar in memory of Aziz Olah Benlevi David Rothenberg & Lorraine Sandoval in honor of Isabella Vadjiheh Yadegar in memory of Simon Yadegar Rothenberg Vadjiheh Yadegar in memory of Benjamin Benlevi Jed Waldman in memory of the grandparents of Emma Waldman Vadjiheh Yadegar in memory of Ashraf Benlevi Kashvi RABBI YOEL KAHN’S DISCRETIONARY FUND MARIAN MAGID FUND Mark Aaronson & Margie Gelb in honor of the naming of their Judith Bendor in memory Marian Magid granddaughter, Lilah Jacqueline A.G. Shapiro Cynthia W. Hecker MITZVAH FUND Edythe Heda Barbara Fierer & Bob Brandfon in memory of Leon Fierer Thomas & Amy Lurquin Nancy Turak & Marc Davis in honor of Elisabeth Wechsler and Julie & Eddie Pledger her excellent work on the Builder Martin Rosenthal & Patricia James Gabor & Judith Somorjai MUSIC FUND Mike & Susan Austin in memory of Kurt Austin Mark Aaronson & Margie Gelb in honor of the naming of their Mike & Susan Austin in honor of Lisa Feldman being called to granddaughter, Lilah Jacqueline A.G. Shapiro the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Julie & Eddie Pledger Janet Byron in memory of Jules Byron Thomas & Amy Lurquin Max & Bonnie Cooperstein in honor of Rabbi Kahn Eugene & Robin Millstein Nancy Turak & Marc Davis in honor of Thomas, Oliver, and Marc & Barbara Birenbaum in honor of Rabbi Zellman Elliot’s conversions Bruce & Susan Carter in honor of Paul Sugarman and Ruth Jean Henderson in memory of Marilyn Hecht and Robert & Ehrenkrantz Marilyn Hemmings Max & Bonnie Cooperstein in honor of Rabbi Zellman Gary & Lois Marcus in memory of Sally White Nancy Gordon in memory of Doris Gordon Lloyd Morgan in memory of Alice Morgan Sydell Lemerman in honor of Rabbi Zellman Amy Resner in memory of Elizabeth Resner & Gertrude Levine Paul & Susan Sugarman in honor of the beautiful music at the Marty & PJ Rosenthal in memory of Arnold J. Rosenthal Men’s Club Shabbat Service Doreen & Stephen Rothman in memory of Irving Zinn Louis Weil in memory of LaRue Kemp Weil & Ralph Weil NURSERY SCHOOL FUND Leor & Shoshana Beary RABBI VIDA LIBRARY FUND Ruth & Scott Spear in honor of Aaron Sanstad becoming a ONEG/KIDDISH FUND Bar Mitzvah Maxim Schrogin Nate & Laurie Carpenter in honor of Max Cooperstein SOCIAL ACTION FUND becoming a Bar Mitzvah Anonymous in honor of Ellen Singer-Vine Steven Joseph & Corey Hansen-Joseph in memory of Belle Rosenstein Joseph YOUTH & FAMILY EDUCATION FUND Allan & Elaine Sobel in memory of Benjamin Sobel Jeffrey & Susan Brand Nancy Turak & Marc Davis in memory of Henry Weil Rabbi Yoel Kahn & Dan Bellm Rose & Jack Gansky in honor of Max Cooperstein becoming a PLAQUE FUND Bar Mitzvah Anna Fogelman in memory of Sybil Applebaum Dinaburg Belinda Lesser in honor of Shoey Sindel Norman Postone in honor of Evelyn Postone Barbra & Steve Segal in memory of Majorie Lees Alexander & Izabella Zheleznyak PRAYERBOOK FUND Max & Bonnie Cooperstein YOUTH GROUPS Lawrence Friedman Alexander Bergtraun & Michelle Segre-Bergtraun

www.bethelberkeley.org 19 TORAH STUDY

May June July May 5, 2012 June 2, 2012 July 7, 2012 Parshat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim Parashat Nasso Parashat Balak Leviticus 16:1 – 20:27 Numbers 4:21 – 7:89 Numbers 22:2 – 25:9 Led by Ellen Goldstein Led by Sara Kupor Led by Dan Magid June 9, 2012 May 12, 2012 July 14, 2012 Parashat Beha’alotcha Parashat Emor Numbers 8:1 – 12:16 Parashat Pinchas Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 Led by Alison Bernstein Numbers 25:10 – 30:1 Led by Robert Goldstein Led by Harry Margulius June 16, 2012 May 19, 2012 Parashat Sh’lach July 21, 2012 Parashat Behar-Bechukotai Numbers 13:1 – 15:41 Parashat Matat - Masei Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34 Led by Rabbi Kahn Numbers 30:2 – 36:13 Led by Jeffrey Seideman Led by Max Cooperstein June 23, 2012 May 26, 2012 Parashat Korach July 28, 2012 Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 Ruth Lamentations Led by Jenn Rador Led by Cathy Stevens Led by Laurie Swiadon June 30, 2012 Parashat Chukat Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 Led by Steve Joseph

Please make checks payable to Congregation Beth El and DONATE TO BETH EL! mail to 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA 94709

* General Fund - Use Where Most Needed CONGREGATION BETH EL Fund Contributions * Aaron Plishner Children’s Library * Arjmand Adult Education Fund This contribution of $______is * in Memory of* * in Honor of* * Blachman Emergency Fund * * Building Fund * Camp Kee Tov Scholarship Fund Chevra Kadisha Fund Please credit the fund checked at the right: * * David Cotton Memorial Swig Fund Contribution______* Ellen Meyer Childcare Fund * Endowment Fund Acknowledge______* Freed Flower Fund * Homeless Meal Program From______* Israel Scholarship Fund To______* Bar Lev Landscape Fund * Marian Magid Memorial Fund Address 1______* Men’s Club * Mitzvah Committee Address 2______* Music Fund * Nursery School Fund * Oneg/Kiddush Fund t is a Jewish tradition to give Tzedakah to commemorate life cycle events * Prayerbook Fund and other occasions. Are you celebrating a birthday, engagement, * Rabbis Kahn’s Discretionary Fund Ianniversary, baby naming, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or recovery from an * Rabbi Emeritus Raj’s Discretionary Fund illness? These are just a few ideas of appropriate times to commemorate Rabbi Vida Library Fund with a donation to Beth El. These tax-deductible donations are greatly * appreciated and are a vital financial supplement to support the wonderful * Social Action Fund variety of programs and activities that we offer at Congregation Beth El. * Youth and Family Education Fund * Youth Groups Fund 20 the builder: summerThank you 2012 for your support. calendar

July May 2012 / Iyar - Sivan 5772 July 7, 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Parashat Balak 1 2 3 4 5 Numbers 22:2 – 25:9 7:30 Senior Concerns 6:00 pm Finance 4:00 pm YAFE Open 8:00 pm Shabbat 8:30 am Early Morning Led by Dan Magid Group: Listening Committee Meeting House Evening Service Minyan Campaign 6:30 pm Lehrhaus/ 6:00 pm Sababa 9:15 am Torah Study July 14, 2012 7:30 Shabbat Beginning Modern Meeting Parashat Pinchas Committee Meeting Hebrew III 10:15 am Shabbat 7:30 pm Perspectives Morning Service Numbers 25:10 – 30:1 7:30 pm Midrasha on Israel Led by Harry Margulius Board Meeting 10:15 am Bar Mitzvah 7:30 pm Sharing, – Miles King 7:45 pm Lehrhaus/ Caring, and Healing July 21, 2012 Intermediate Modern Parashat Matat - Masei Hebrew III Numbers 30:2 – 36:13 Led by Max Cooperstein 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 10:00 am Annual 7:00 pm Adult EREV LAG B’OMER LAG B’OMER 5:00 pm Sababa LAST DAY CHUG Meeting Education Committee Elections MISHPACHAH July 28, 2012 4:30 pm Scribes of LAST DAY OF KADIMA 4:30 pm Lehrhaus/ 7:00 pm Nursery Beth El 6:15 pm Confirmation 8:30 am Early Morning Lamentations Intermediate School Committee 12:00 pm Lunch & and 7th/12th Grade Minyan Led by Laurie Swiadon Prayerbook Hebrew Learn Series Graduation Dinner 7:30 pm Executive 9:15 am Torah Study 6:00 pm Lehrhaus/ Committee 7:30 pm Israel 7:30 pm Shabbat 10:15 am Shabbat Advanced Biblical Perspectives Service Morning Service Hebrew 7:30 pm Ritual 10:15 am Bar Mitzvah Committee – Simon Zeiger

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7:00 pm Keva 7:30 pm Ma Tovu 4:00 Ruach End of the 10:30 am BENS - Yom 8:30 am Early Mothers’ Study Group Capital Campaign Year Party Mishpacha Morning Minyan Committee 7:00 pm Jewish Book 12:30 pm BENS - All 9:15 am Torah Study Group School Shabbat 10:15 am Shabbat 7:30 Membership 6:15 pm Yismechu Morning Service Committee Meeting Shabbat Evening Service 10:15 am Bat Mitzvah 8:00 pm YAFE – Zoe Davidman Education Committee Meeting - open to all

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 YOM YERUSHALAYIM 7:00 pm Board 4:30 pm Scribes of 7:00 pm Political 6:15 pm Shabbat EREV SHAVUOT of Directors Beth El and Economic Evening Service Mitzvah Corps Perspectives on the 8:30 am Early Morning Midrasha Graduation 7:00 pm Perspectives Presidential Election Minyan 11:00 am BENS Family on Israel Picnic 9:15 am Torah Study

4:30 pm Lehrhaus/ 10:15 am Shabbat Intermediate Prayerbook Hebrew Morning Service 5:00 pm Homeless Meal 6:00 pm Lehrhaus/ Advanced Biblical Hebrew 27 28 29 30 31 SHAVUOT MEMORIAL DAY- 7:30 pm Perspectives OFFICE CLOSED on Israel NS - Nursery School 7:00 pm Yizkor Service & Havdallah YAFE - Youth and Family Education

www.bethelberkeley.org 21 calendar

June 2012 / Sivan - Tammuz 5772 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7:30 am Hazon WFA 8:30 am Early Morning Class Minyan 5:00 pm Tot Shabbat Service 9:15 am Torah Study 6:00 pm Tot Shabbat Dinner (Potluck) 10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service 6:30 pm Board Installation & Volunteer Recognition 10:15 am Bar Mitzvah– Dinner David Barer 8:00 pm Raoul Wallenberg Shabbat Service with Consul General & Board Installation 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2:00 pm Women’s 7:30 Info Session 4:30 pm Scribes of 7:30 pm Ritual 6:15 pm Shabbat 8:30 am Early Morning Summit about the Beth El/ Beth El Committee Evening Service Minyan East Bay Jewish 4:30 pm Lehrhaus/ Community Trip to 7:30 pm Sharing, 9:15 am Torah Study Intermediate Israel in April 2013 Caring and Healing Prayerbook Hebrew 10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service 6:00 pm Lehrhaus/ Advanced Biblical 10:15 am Bar Mitzvah– Hebrew Adam Stein

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 4:30 pm Lehrhaus/ 7:00 pm Adult 6:15 pm Yismechu 8:30 am Early Morning Intermediate Education Committee Shabbat Evening Minyan Prayerbook Hebrew Service 7:00 pm Nursery 9:15 am Torah Study 6:00 pm Lehrhaus/ School Committee Advanced Biblical 10:15 am Shabbat Hebrew 7:30 pm Executive Morning Service Committee 7:00 pm Keva 10:15 am Bar Mitzvah– Mothers’ Study Group Herschel Portnoy

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 5:00 pm Homeless 7:00 pm Program LAST DAY OF BENS 7:00 pm Jewish Book 12:00 pm BENS - Gan 8:30 am Early Meal Council Group Katan Class Teacher Morning Minyan 4:30 PM Scribes of Appreciation Lunch Beth El 9:15 am Torah Study 6:15 pm Shabbat 7:30 pm Ma Tovu Evening Service 10:15 am Shabbat Capital Campaign Morning Service

24 25 26 27 28 2729 2830 3:00 pm Camp Kee FIRST DAY OF CAMP 7:00 pm Board of 6:15 pm Shabbat 7:008:30 pmam PerspectivesEarly Tov Orientation KEE TOV Directors Evening Service onMorning Israel Minyan (First Session) 9:15 am Torah Study

10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service

10:15 am Bat Mitzvah- Eliza Murley

22 the builder: summer 2012 calendar July 2012 / Tammuz - Az 5772 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4th of July-CLOSED 7:30 pm Sharing, 6:15 pm Shabbat 8:30 am Early NO CAMP KEE TOV Caring, Healing Evening Service Morning Minyan

9:15 am Torah Study

10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6:15 pm Shabbat 8:30 am Early Evening Service Morning Minyan

9:15 am Torah Study

10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 5:00 pm Homeless 7:30 pm Ma Tovu 7:00 pm Jewish 5:00 pm Camp Kee 8:30 am Early Meal Capital Campaign Book Group Tov Family Night Morning Minyan

6:15 pm Yismechu 9:15 am Torah Study Shabbat Evening Service 10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 6:15 pm Shabbat 8:30 am Early Evening Service Morning Minyan

9:15 am Torah Study

10:15 am Shabbat Morning Service

29 30 31 TISHA B’AV FIRST DAY OF CAMP KEE TOV 3:00 pm Camp Kee (Second Session) NS - Nursery School Tov Orientation YAFE - Youth and Family Education

www.bethelberkeley.org 23 congregation beth el 1301 Oxford Street Berkeley, CA 94709-1424

by Odette Blachman and Robinn Magid FROM THE GIFT SHOP

Between graduations, weddings/showers, • Famous Israeli designer jewelry: We feature Ayala teacher appreciation, and Mother’s/Father’s Bar, Adaya, Seeka, Neta, Kibbutz Beit Nir and Israeli Day, this is another “Season of Giving” Roman glass jewelry in a variety of materials and and the Beth El Gift Shop is here to make price ranges. shopping while doing a mitzvah very easy for • Baby clothing and hats: Adorable “onesie’s” and you! pajamas in 100% cotton for new babies and infants, Our new arrivals and classic gifts include: hats with interchangeable flowers and bows, and • Perfect teacher, hostess or Mother’s new Big Brother/Big Sister tee-shirts. Day gifts: Vazu magic folding flower vases, decorative kitchen towels, trivets, Most of our items are suitable decorated key chains and pill boxes, for Jewish or non-Jewish friends travel-size Ahava hand lotion and and occasions. Shopping at colorful Israeli candles. Beth El is easy and convenient. • Graduation or wedding gifts: No parking hassles. Checks and cookbooks, gourmet household items like serving credit cards are accepted. We’re ware and silk table runners by leading Israeli open during business hours designers. Ritual objects including mezzuzot, challah or call for an appointment trays, chanukiot (menorahs) and more! that suits your schedule. The • Colorful “Woman of Valor” motif pieces: ceramic tray, best part? All sales benefit tid-bit dishes or tzedakah boxes. Congregation Beth El.

24 the builder: summer 2012