MISHLOACH MANOT a Community Builder, a Holiday Mitzvah, and a Fun Way to Support CBJ

the VOL.33, NO.7VOICE | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 | TEVET-SHEVAT-ADAR 5778

MISHLOACH MANOT A community builder, a holiday mitzvah, and a fun way to support CBJ

Purim falls on March 1 this year, and we will again be partnering with our friends at HappyPurim.com on Mishloach Manot, the giving of Purim goodie baskets to one another in the congregation and to friends and family around the country. It is a religious custom of very long standing in connection with this most joyous of holidays.

Net proceeds from Mishloach Manot benefit our programming budget, but of equal benefit is the warm feeling of kindness and connection generated by the giving and receiving of the Purim baskets. Volunteers making deliveries have seen tears of joy from recipients when they read the list of friends old and new who are thinking of them on Purim.

Mishloach Manot has been a positive spiritual experience and an effective fundraiser for our synagogue. If you have participated in the past, thank you very much for your support, if not, we urge you to try it this year. Religious school or preschool family? Give to everyone in your child’s class. Minyan or adult class attendee? Give to the people with whom you pray and learn every week. Or, just give to your friends and family.

Watch for an e-mail soon explaining the program and the simple steps it takes to participate. We will also be looking for volunteers to help assemble and deliver the baskets.

Thank you!

Gary Geller, Executive Director

MESSAGE FROM RABBI ILANA GOLDHABER-GORDON, Religious School Director

CBJ’s partnership with IsraAID

The girl, just two years old, was shivering when Yotam Kalobeyei, where children can play, learn, and receive pulled her out of the water and wrapped her in a therapy to begin an emotional recovery. survival blanket. She, and everyone, in the flimsy, overcrowded raft had travelled all the way from Syria. The child-safe space is at capacity, and new refugee She was too young to recognize the Israeli flag on her children arrive every day. So IsraAID has plans to open rescuer’s shirt, but her father recognized it. “My worst a second child-safe space in another neighborhood of enemy became my biggest supporter,” he said when the camp. That’s where we come in. CBJ has he saw it. committed to raise $15,000 to pay for water and soap stations in the new child-safe space. Yotam Polizer is the Co-CEO of IsraAID, a nonprofit, Israeli-based NGO that brings humanitarian aid to We hope you will help us. Donations can be made online, at places in crisis. As he explains, Israelis have had far https://www.classy.org/campaign/congregation-beth- too much experience with trauma, but they can jacob/c145449. We are planning several small parlor share what they’ve learned from that experience. meetings in private homes, at which an IsraAID IsraAID’s work with Syrian refugees is especially representative will speak and guests will be asked to sensational. But their work in Japan, Kenya, Haiti, contribute. If you would like to host or attend a parlor Iraq, Sierra Leone, Nepal, and thirty other countries meeting, please email me ([email protected]) is equally important. or Amy Keer ([email protected]). Several CBJ members who are physicians are planning to visit Violence in South Sudan has created 20 million Kalobeyei and volunteer in the camp for a few weeks refugees, many of them children with no adults to in 2018. If you are a physician or dentist and would like protect them. The Kalobeyei refugee camp in Kenya to volunteer in Kenya, email me or Sarith Honigstein houses over 180,000, in a space designed for 70,000. It ([email protected]). Finally, if you have other is a miserable place for anyone and for children, it is a ideas for how you’d like to be involved in supporting nightmare. IsraAID has built a child-safe space in IsraAID’s work, Amy or I would love to hear from you.

2 MESSAGE FROM BILL FUTORNICK, Ritual Director

At the Arava Institute, Aleh Negev, AICAT, and so many other grass-roots organizations, Jews and Arabs are creating trust between and among each other.

Chanukah 2008. A group of fifty CBJers ascends on Israel for was a kid, as so many others, the seemingly ubiquitous blue a two-week tour. With palpable anticipation, we gather for boxes of JNF dotted our religious school classrooms. “Plant wine and cheese in an apartment not far from the center of trees in Israel!” they screamed to us. But JNF does so much Jerusalem. After walking all over Jerusalem, feeling the more, as I’ve come to realize over the last ten years stones of the city through our shoes, we alight for bustling especially. Yes, the forests of trees that we all planted are and hectic Tel Aviv. A winter storm arises and winds at 30+ there. But so are the reservoirs, playgrounds, monuments, mph buffer the group. We take shelter in Independence schools and research institutions that JNF has made Hall, experiencing the story of how Israel was born. We possible. We have partnered with JNF over the last few board back on the bus and are in Tzfat for Shabbat. The years to build a Medical Center in the Central Arava; support North is beautiful, lush and green in the rain, and we see and visit Aleh Negev; and raise funds and visit AICAT. thousands of birds as they migrate through the Hula Valley. We sing Carlebach tunes and trudge the cold, wet, uneven On our trip in 2008, as war broke out in Gaza, we visited the alleys, before celebrating Sarina’s Bat Mitzvah with the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (a JNF supported Chaikens. A long bus ride finds us on the edge of the project), a place where Israeli Jews, Palestinian Arabs, Makhtesh Ramon, a crater that is not a crater (look it up!), Jordanians, and international students come together to try and the most delicious homemade eggplant jelly at our and solve the most pressing environmental challenges. hotel’s buffet. They study cutting-edge renewable energy, water resource management, and sustainable agriculture. And they do it December 27, 2008. Sonic booms announce themselves as together. The day that we were at the Arava Institute was a we eat dinner in a Bedouin tent. Not too far from us, Israeli tense one. But the students were able to process together tanks roll into Gaza, marking the beginning of Operation the conflict that was actively at hand. Cast Lead, a three-week operation intended to stop the incessant rocket fire emanating from Hamas. All of our I recently attended a talk by David Lehrer, the Executive nerves are on edge as our itinerary is modified to avoid Director of the Arava Institute. David described the exciting potentially dangerous areas. We return to Jerusalem to work happening there right now, and all of the high-level finish our tour in a few days, exhilarated, but not the least initiatives taking place. As David talked about the programs bit exhausted, physically and mentally. at the Arava Institute, one statement that he made stood out to me above all of the others: Our trip was a full one, covering the entire country, but seeing only a hint of all that Israel has to offer. We are The scarcest resource in the Middle East is not water. It’s hoping that you will join us to create your own trust. At the Arava Institute, Aleh Negev, AICAT, and so experience in Israel on one of the two 2018 many other grass-roots organizations, Jews and Arabs are opportunities, in April and December, about which you creating trust between and among each other. Let’s already will have received information. continue to support those efforts.

I want to highlight one particular aspect of our trips, namely the connection that we have to JNF, the Jewish National Fund. On our 2008 trip, about which I was reminiscing above, we saw many examples of the projects that JNF funds to improve the lives of people living in Israel. When I

3 2018 CBJ GALA

Congregation Beth Jacob’s Biennial Gala is coming up 0n Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 5-9 pm!

Join the celebration as we honor CBJ’s beloved DAN LEEMON at our largest fundraiser and community event.

Dan has been an integral part of the Congregation Beth Jacob community for over 32 years. He has volunteered hundreds of hours in many ways including leading the search committee that hired Rabbi Ezray. With patience, warmth and humor Dan has led our Junior Congregation for over 20 years. He creates a welcoming environment for our kids to foster their confidence and Jewish voice.

The “Different Service,” which he established in 2009 and has been leading ever since, has been “standing room only” during the High Holy Days and has been woven into the fabric of the diverse service options CBJ offers on the holidays. His knowledge of the Torah, and his entertaining reflections, creates a special and meaningful service, cherished by our community, young and old. DAN LEEMON, 2018 Gala Honoree Dan is a pillar of Congregation Beth Jacob. He is a prime example of how one person can have such a huge impact on so many. We are fortunate to be able to honor Dan and thank him for all he has done for our community.

Our evening Gala is an opportunity to celebrate as a community, connecting with familiar faces and making new friends. Have fun bidding on silent auction items over cocktails followed by a seated dinner with hilarious Heads-or-Tails and crucial Fund-A-Need. Please note that this year, we will be strictly adhering to a maximum of 300 ticket sold, which will be allocated on a first-come basis. As alcohol will be served at the Gala, this is a 21-and-over event.

Early bird tickets will be $150 per person. After January 7, the ticket price will be $175.

Visit www.bethjacobrwc.org/gala2018 for more information or contact the office with any questions.

Sponsor Level • Table $ 15,000 10 event tickets ($14,250 tax deductible) • Diamond $ 3,600 2 event tickets ($3,450 tax-deductible) • Gold $ 2,400 2 event tickets ($2,250 tax-deductible) • Silver $ 1,200 2 event tickets ($1,050 tax-deductible) • Bronze $ 600 2 event tickets ($450 tax-deductible) • Elijah $_____ (minimum $600) no event tickets (entire amount is tax-deductible)

Sponsors at all levels will be acknowledged on the electronic media board in the CBJ lobby, in the CBJ bi- monthly newsletter, and at the Gala dinner. Table, Diamond, Gold, and Silver donors will be invited to attend an Appreciation Brunch. 4 GALA OFFERINGS

Come celebrate as a community, connecting with each other, and strengthening our personal bonds by seeing old friends and making new ones. Here is a sneak peek at some of the exciting silent auction items and fun pay-to-play items available at the Gala:

SILENT AUCTION

"I'VE GOT A GOLDEN TICKET…" - donated by CBJ Remember how excited Charlie was in the favored story Charlie & the Chocolate Factory when he found his golden ticket? Enjoy that same level of excitement & joy with a CBJ High Holy Day Parking Pass. Your feet will thank you!

PRIVATE PLANE EXPERIENCE AROUND THE BAY—donated by Paul Melmon An individualized trip for 3 to fly around the beautiful Bay Area skies piloted by CBJ’s own Paul Melmon in his private plane. Breakfast or lunch taken care of by Paul.

PAY-TO-PLAY

OUR CHAVURAH—DINNER & TEACHING WITH MIMI & RABBI donated by Mimi & Nat Ezray Join Rabbi & Mimi in their home for a lovely evening of dinner and teaching. The evening will begin with Havdalah, then the sharing and enjoyment of a delicious dinner lovingly prepared by Mimi, followed by teaching with Rabbi Ezray. A definite night to remember and treasure!

CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA donated by Andrea Goldsmith & Arturo Salz Join Arturo & Andrea in celebrating Cinco de Mayo! This festive event will feature premium tequilas, flavored margaritas, and authentic and gourmet Mexican food shared from Arturo's family recipes. This is sure to be an event full of good friends, fun, and food.

HIGH WEST WHISKY TASTING PARTY donated by Caroline & Gary Geller; Susan Field & Stuart Soffer High West Distillery (www.highwest.com) crafts exceptional spirits for those who enjoy great taste, appreciate quality ingredients, and value a personal touch. Join Gary, Susan, Stuart, and Caroline for a Sunday afternoon whiskey tasting. Susan will provide delicious hors d’oeuvres to savor while sipping from an array of High West whiskeys (Double Rye, Rendezvous Rye, A Midwinter’s Night Dram, Bottle Select (Limited Release) American Prairie Bourbon (102.4 Proof) and if the star’s align Yi-Pe-Kay- Ye and Bourye). Finish the sweet afternoon with some of Caroline Geller's phenomenal desserts.

IT'S THE NEWLYWED GAME FOR THE OLDLYWEDS… donated by Carmen DiCinque & Stuart Schonberger; David & Tara Saul A new take on an old classic — join hosts Carmen, Stuart, David, and Tara for a fun-filled game to test how well you and your spouse REALLY know one another. The twist — this event features seasoned couples and is sure to be filled with pure joy & laughter as they test their knowledge about their loved one. David Saul will MC the evening's festivities which will also include delicious cocktails & tasty appetizers. 5 GALA SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR GALA SPONSORS (list as of 12/21/2017)

DIAMOND Gilah & Mark Abelson • Susan Borg & Jeff Sultan • Carmen DiCinque & Stuart Schonberger Julie Dorsey & Dan Leemon • Sue & Steve Heller • Tara & David Saul Emily & Jim Scheinman • Josie & Stuart Shiff • Barbara Sommer & Alan Fisher Susan Stayn & Mark Selwyn • Nancy & Greg Sterling • Charlotte & Alan Waxman Alisa Yaffa & Ken McElvain and Family • Anonymous

GOLD Maddy Chaleff & David Arfin • Ellen & Ira Ehrenpreis • Jocelyn Goldfein & Bryan Johnson Susan & Jon Golovin • Gayle & Allen Notowitz • Amy & Eric Sahn

SILVER Lisa & Barry Cheskin • Judy & Sloane Citron • Marsha Lee & Norman Berkman Sallie DeGolia & Martin Bronk • Jacqueline & Steven Dines • Drucker Family Mimi & Nat Ezray • Lainee & Len Engel • David Fischer • Michelle & Bill Futornick Emilie & Lonnie Goldman • Andrea Goldsmith & Arturo Salz Sunny Kaplan • Amy & Harold Keer • Sally & Nelson Koen Casey Inman & Matt Kowitt • Sara & Josh Leslie • Sharon & Seth Leslie Melissa & Curtis Leviant • Cheryl & Howard Neckowitz Linda & Edward Rosen • Ivana & Barry Schnur • Esther & Barry Sherman Apryl & Raymond Stern • Emily & Greg Waldorf • Jane Weston & Jan Horn

BRONZE Joanne & Bernie Arfin • Sereen & Herbert Barasch Dori Ben-David & Andy Johnston • Jill Blair & Fay Twersky • Susan & Elliott Bloom Sabrina & Laurence Braham • Ora & David Chaiken • Lena & Peter Chane Anne Cohen-Millet & Mark Millet • Robyn & Chris Cornyn Michelle & Brian de Haaff • Masako & David Elisofon Sandra & Ed Epstein • Anessa & George Farber • Marjorie & David Futornick Michelle & David Gee • Caroline & Gary Geller • Sheila & Ray Girouard Jeanette & Ike Goodman • Lea Goldstein & Brian Greenberg • Suzanne & Joe Gruber Val Herman & Family • Sarah Jacobson & Barry Wolf • Anne Marie Jasse & Bruce Fram Josie & Bill Kamin • Linda & Michael Klein • Laura & Gary Lauder Linda & David Leeb • Debra & Mark Leslie • Sharon Lichtenfeld & Ed Hurwitz Nadine & Aaron Matityahu • Kathy Reich & Ken Meyer • Jean & Bryan Myers Tami & Amir Raubvogel • Astrid & David Rieber • Susan & David Ron • Susan & Jon Rose Grace Rosenberg • Beth & Rob Saltzman • Reva & John Segall • Cheryl & Jeff Selman Patti & David Smilovitz • Sara & Greg Smirin • Esther Selk & Andy Conroy Gwen & Edward Solomon • Noreen Sommer • Karen & Elliot Stein Robin & Rabbi H. David Teitelbaum • Barbara & Ken Weber Ivy & Jeff Weiner • Anonymous (2)

6 FIRST FRIDAY ROCKIN’ SHABBAT

Please join us on February 2 (RSVP by 1/31)

Musical service at 6:15 pm Dinner, by reservation only, immediately following.

This service, led by the Team Rockin’ Musicians, under the direction of Cantor Barbara Powell, is full of Ruach (spirit!) Congregants are encouraged to join in leading prayers or play instruments with the band. This is an evening for people of all ages. A catered Shabbat meal is served following the service. Make your reservations on our website by the Wednesday before the dinner. Cost for dinner: $18 Adults, $9 Children (ages 3-12), 2 & under no charge

SHABBAT KIDDUSH HONORING WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRANTS January 20 and February 17 at 10:00 am

The Shabbat Kiddush Committee has organized micro-sponsorships for Shabbat lunch, to honor all those celebrating January & February wedding anniversaries.

We will have a group aliyah, a blessing from the Rabbi, and then break bread together at lunch. The suggested levels of micro sponsorship are at $36, $72 or $180. To sponsor a Kiddush, go to www.bethjacobrwc.org/donate/anniversary-kiddush-sponsorship/

These are joyous occasions and we welcome the opportunity to celebrate with our CBJ community. Mazel tov on your upcoming anniversary!

7 MESSAGE FROM ANN CAUTERUCCI, Preschool Director

With Much Gratitude

As I write, we are basking in the afterglow of the Chanukah Festival. It was a wonderful day, filled with smiling faces, old UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS and new friends, children’s voices, and latkes! The Chanukah Festival is a six month production and it takes a village to FOR YOUNG FAMILIES make it a success. I would like to thank everyone who came to the festival, bought raffle tickets and merchandise, and TOT SHABBAT made the day so much fun. Saturdays | 9:00 am-end of services Every week we offer a drop-off Shabbat morning program There were latkes to cook and food to sell, as well as tickets where children ages 2-6 will have a chance to celebrate and Chanukah goodies to sell. Big Thank-Yous go to Rachel Shabbat, and discover traditions and customs of Shabbat Breed Janssen, Libby Chaudhuri, Jessica Chame, Anya Farber through singing, stories, dance, and arts and crafts. It is a Drabkin, Julie Epley, Ashley Flomenberg, Margo Guerrero- great opportunity for children to develop their social skills Gomez, Elissa Hirschmann, Linda Leeb, Jennifer Malnick, through play. Rachelle Munaretto, Morta Puertas, Sara Raubvogel, Tami Raubvogel, Sofia Sasson, Casey Soares, Miriam Stern, Mimi YOUNG CHILDREN’S SERVICE Turner, Joel White, Rosa Whitten, and Jennifer Zimring. Most Saturdays | 10:20-11:10 am Join us for this joyous Shabbat service for children ages pre- We were so lucky to have generous sponsors for the K through 2nd grade. Expect "brachah balls" to be flying, festival and would like to thank the Ezray Family, the scarves whirling, and all of us out of our seats and dancing. Futornick family, the Goldstein Family, and the Lipp family Children ages 5 -7 are welcome to be dropped-off. Ages 4 for their contributions! and under will enjoy attending with a parent or caregiver. Check calendar for exact schedule. Our Preschool Teachers were here all day, painting fingernails, monitoring the Jumpy House, painting faces, BABIES & BLESSINGS passing out prizes at the ring toss and beanbag toss, and Fridays, January 19 and February 16 | 5:00 pm making edible dreidels. They are the best staff the Preschool A baby friendly Kabbalat Shabbat gathering with Cantor Barbara. has ever had, and I would like to thank Lauri Flaxman, Julie • Songs and Prayers • Story and Chanukah activity Kantor, Julia Massa, Natalya Martyushova, Dave Mueller, and • Time to Schmooze Julia Samachisa for all they did on Sunday and all they do Older siblings welcome, too, along with parents and loved ones. every day in their classrooms. Family Shabbat Dinner and Services Another part of our Preschool team is Kristin Blake Sanon, Friday, January 19 | 5:30 pm Dinner | 6:15 pm Services our Administrative Assistant. Kristin finds and procures all of This program is a wonderful opportunity for families with those raffle gifts, and all of our vendors. Our festival children from infants to 2nd Grade to share the tradition of wouldn’t be as successful without all of her hard work before welcoming and sharing the joy of Shabbat with the and during the festival, and thank-you doesn’t seem enough. community. Dinner starts at 5:30pm, followed by a family service at 6:15pm led by Bill and Barbara, and concludes The help didn’t stop there; Cantor Barbara, Esti Ben David, with an art project to take home. RSVP for dinner on our and Casey Inman were on board helping with the Concert, website by Wednesday, January 17: $16 Adults, $9 children and making chanukkiot with children, while Gary schlepped 3-12, no charge for 2 and under. Krispy Kreme doughnuts and made coffee all morning! For more information, please contact Natalya The Chanukah Festival is always a day full of merriment and I Martyushova [email protected] or Rebecca consider myself truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful Schwartz [email protected]. place. I hope your Chanukah was filled with light and that 2018 brings you love, happiness, and peace. 8 MESSAGE FROM DARBY AUERBACH MORRIS, Inclusion Specialist

… kindness to one another is possible, starting with the children in our world.

I had the opportunity to view the film, “Wonder,” with inside. The external part of our body is what carries us my grown son a few weeks ago. In the film, a 10 year around to all the goodness we want to bring to the old boy, named Auggie Pullman, begins going to school world. The message is kindness to one another. And as a 5th grader. Auggie was born with Treacher Collins the children in the film learned how to be kinder, due to Syndrome, a facial malformation. It was meaningful to their interactions with Auggie. view this film with my son, as in his youth he experienced much bullying due to his physical size. He I wonder what our world would be like if we took this had stopped growing for a few years, which placed him premise of really seeing a person from the inside out, in a very small body compared to his peers. He would and treating each other with more kindness. What if come home crying, and not wanting to go to school. bullying did not exist in our schools, in our places of My son and I readied ourselves for a journey into the life work and in the world itself? I wonder if we treated of this little boy for a few hours. each other with mutual respect as humans, and let people be who they are without any judgment if the I viewed the film from both a mother’s and special world would be a more peaceful place. educator’s perspective. I had empathy for the mother in the film, played by Julia Roberts. She did a superb job as This film was a reminder that kindness to one another is a mom, loving her son (Auggie) for who he was, and possible, starting with the children in our world. knowing that she had to let him out into the world. She Perhaps they can be our teachers. I learn from my was scared yet knew it was the right thing to do. She students each time I am with them. Each child as an had support from her husband, who had a sense of image from God, a true miracle. And I wonder if we humor, which lightened the gravity of the story. The lived with kindness and respect for the individual if there sister adored her brother, and was very supportive. She could be ultimate peace among humankind. Ten-year- took a back seat to all the attention that her brother old Auggie is one of our teachers who promoted received. It’s important to see a family coming together understanding of how best to treat others. in a difficult situation.

As an educator, I was studying how the teacher and head master handled the bullying of Auggie. They tried to understand behavior, and have the children learn from their actions, keeping all children safe while doing this. These actions resonated with me, as I strive to understand why children behave the way they do, especially children with special needs. I try to educate children about other children with special needs, and how we all need to be patient with one another and try to understand and love one another for who the person is, not what he or she looks like.

The important message from the film was to pause and really “see” a person for who he or she is from the

9 ADULT EDUCATION ~ MERCAZ LIMMUD

NESHAMA: FEEDING YOUR SOUL ON SHABBAT MUSSAR for Parents Every Shabbat | 10:30 am Saturdays, January 13 & 27, February 10 & 24 | 11:30 am A rotation of alternatives to our worship services Mussar is a Jewish spiritual practice, based on the idea that with small steps and mindful living, we can bring balance • MUSSAR on the 1st Shabbat of every month and healing to start living a better life today. Pre- January 6 & February 3—Facilitated by Greg Marcus registration required for this class: www.bethjacobrwc.org/ • YOGA on the 2nd Shabbat of every month mussar-2. Recommended monthly contribution for the January 13 & February 10—Facilitated by Emily Lakritz Parenting Mussar is $60 for non-member, $40 for members, • CHANTING & MEDITATION on the 3rd Shabbat of every month or whatever you can afford. January 20 & February 17—Facilitated by Rabbi Jen Clayman • MEDITATION & TEXT on the 4th Shabbat of every month Greg Marcus, Ph.D. is an American Mussar Practitioner, January 27 & February 24—Facilitated by Yochanan Poole, PhD Facilitator & Innovator. His latest book is The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions: Finding Balance Through the Soul MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERIES Traits of Mussar. S undays | 3:30-5:00 pm CBJ seeks to provide spiritual and practical support for people SECOND FRIDAY SPEAKER SERIES and families dealing with challenges connected to mental Fridays | 7:30 pm health. Each educational session in this new series will meet on • January 12 – Reverend Kristi Denham, Penny Nixon, the first Sunday of the month and will be taught by a Melanie Donahue and Karen Stiller from the interfaith congregant who has expertise or a local professional. trip to Israel with Rabbi Ezray • January 7 - Stamping out Stigma, presented by Marilyn • February 9 – Rabbi Marv Goodman will speak about his David-Krasner, LCSW visit to Greece with IsraAID to assist with refugees. • February 11 - Mental Health & You: When should I • March 9 – Fattin Wekselman, Coordinator of the worry? What should I do?, presented by Barbara Keller, Muslim-Jewish Partnership will discuss this new LCSW initiative and her passion for this work. • March 4 - The Six Facets of a Balanced Life, presented • April 13 – Our members Mark Abelson, Jim Scheinman, by Karen Gould, MFT Sara Leslie and Norman Berkman will speak about • April 8 - The Journey of Healing, presented by John current Israel programs happening at the Federation. Poole, PhD and Laurie Ackerman, LCSW • May 11 – Karen Stiller from the JCRC will talk about their • May 6 - Developing Resilience and Finding Compassion, Israel advocacy and educational programs. presented by Dr. Jane Weston • June 3 - Compassionate Communication, presented by FEAST OF JEWISH LEARNING Dr. Val Herman Saturday, January 20 | 7:00 pm at Beth Am For additional information, please contact Rebecca True Grit: Jewish Resilience in Times of Adversity & Change Schwartz at 366-8481 or [email protected] A FREE Evening of Learning, Community and Connection. Havdalah followed by learning essions; 10:00 pm After RABBI DARREN KLEINBERG Party. Register at jewishlearningworks.org/events/2018feast Tuesday, January 9 | 7:00 pm Rabbi Kleinberg offers a class on our modern prophets, SHULMANSHIP: including the teachings of Abraham Joshua Heschel. In LEARN THE SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE this session, we will reflect on the teachings of Jewish Mondays, January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19, prophets from biblical times to the present. At a 26, April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14 | 6:30-7:30 pm moment when the prophetic voice is being drowned A new synagogue navigation class for Shabbat mornings out, we will attempt to awaken the prophet within each taught by Cantor Barbara Powell. We'll begin with of us. Darren Kleinberg is Head of School at Kehillah Musaf, and work our way back to the start of things at Jewish High School in Palo Alto, CA. He received his Shacharit, unlocking the structure of the prayer service doctorate in 2014 and was ordained in 2005. The title of to find personal meaning in the flow of the prayers. This his recently published book is Hybrid Judaism: Irving is a great next step for Adult B'nai Mitzvah alumni and Greenberg, Encounter, and the Changing Nature of adult students of Hebrew. Topics include prayers, music, American Jewish Identity (Academic Studies Press, 2016). Torah and Haftarah.

10 ADULT EDUCATION ~ MERCAZ LIMMUD

PEOPLEHOOD IN CRISIS: WHAT DO AMERICAN AND UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: MEETING ABRAHAM ISRAELI JEWS ‘OWE’ ONE ANOTHER? JOSHUA HESCHEL AS ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE featuring Scholar in Residence YEHUDA KUTRZER Tuesdays, February 6 and 13 | 7:00 pm Tuesday, January 23 | 7:00pm Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer is the President of the Shalom Rabbi Sheldon Lewis was privileged to be a student of Hartman Institute of North America and a leading Heschel's during the turbulent 60's. In this two part series, thinker and author on the meaning of Israel to American he will share his memories of being an eye witness to his Jews, the value of the Jewish past to the Jewish revered teacher. The class will also look closely at texts present, and questions of leadership and change in from which Heschel drew his inspiration to be the primary American Jewish life. He is the author of Shuva: The Jewish religious guide during the civil rights struggle and Future of the Jewish Past (Brandeis, 2012). Presented by the protest against the war in Vietnam. the North Peninsula Jewish Community. Sheldon Lewis is Rabbi Emeritus at Congregation Kol Emeth in TWO AGAINST ALL ODDS Palo Alto which he served for 33 years. Beforehand he served as a chaplain in the army in Vietnam. He is the author of Torah of Friday, January 26 | 7:30pm Reconciliation and a children's book Mini Adventures in Fourth Friday Speaker Gary Lefkowitz will talk about his parents’ epic and highly improbable tale of survival- from Jerusalem with a sequel expected shortly. the Lodz Ghetto in Poland during the Holocaust - to their journey to America and the life that they built together AGING & DEMENTIA: RESOURCES AND SUPPORT afterwards. Abraham and Fannie formed a strong bond Sunday, February 25 | 2:30-5:00 pm early on that enabled them to endure and adapt against all Our panel presentation will feature local experts and providers odds. They remained devoted to each other and their family covering a variety of issues related to aging. Dr. Barbara for nearly 70 years. Sommer will talk about dementia, and understanding the difference between normal forgetfulness and when it's time to Israeli Consul General SHLOMI KOFMAN be concerned. Sandra Epstein will share information about Saturday, February 3 | 10:00 am senior housing, assisted living and other residential options in Speaker at Shabbat morning services. Shlomi Kofman began the Bay Area. Attorney Liza Hanks will provide an overview of his appointment as Israel’s Consul General to the Pacific estate planning and trust law, and Joan Goldner from JFCS will Northwest in August 2017. He most recently served as a offer resources and support that are available in the Policy Advisor to the Deputy Foreign Ministers based in community. Jerusalem, Israel. SHABBAT TORAH STUDY MONDAYS WITH MEANING Weekly on Saturday mornings | 9:00 am Weekly on Mondays | 10:30 am Torah study with prior to Shabbat services. This is a close Led by Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon, these classes focus reading in English, sequentially. The class started with on discussions of seasonal holiday themes, texts, traditions, Genesis in 2005 and are currently studying Deuteronomy. literature and philosophy.

11 January 2018

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Classes and services held every week 10:30 am 7:00 am 9:00 am Mondays with Minyan - Torah Study Meaning - Tot Shabbat 11:30 am 3:30/4:30 pm 10:00 am Mah Jongg Religious School - Traditional Service 3:30/4:30 pm 7:00 pm Religious School - Junior Mah Jongg Congregation 5:30 pm Adult B’nai Mitzvah 10:20 am Young Children’s 6:30 pm Service 8th Gr. Class w/Bill 10:30 am Neshama 11:30 am - Power Hour - Cold Cooking

1 New Year’s Day 2 3 4 5 6 Office closed Preschool No JC or childrens’ No School or resumes No Religious 6:15 pm services/activities classes School Shabbat Service 4:30 pm Sarah Stern Bat Mitzvah

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 No Religious Religious School 3:30 pm School 7:00 pm resumes 7:30 pm 10:00 am Mental Health - Rabbi Darren Shabbat Service Maya Johnson Support Series 4:00 pm Kleinberg class with speakers Bat Mitzvah Religious School - Sisterhood from Faculty Meeting Meeting Interfaith Trip to 11:30 am 7:30 pm Israel Mussar for Parents Women’s Book Group

14 15 MLK Jr. Day 16 17 18 19 20

MLK Jr. Day 7:30 pm RSVP due for 5:00 pm 7:00 pm Multifaith Day of Executive Family Shabbat Babies & Blessings Feast of Jewish Service offsite Committee Dinner 5:30 pm Learning at Meeting Family Shabbat Beth Am Office closed 6:00 pm Dinner No school or Sisterhood at 6:15 pm classes Second Harvest Family Shabbat Service

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

6:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 11:30 am Shulmanship Class Scholar-in- Shabbat Services Mussar for Parents Residence With speaker 7:30 pm Yehuda Kurtzer Gary Lefkowitz Board Meeting

28 29 30 31

5:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm Tu B’Shevat Check our website for 2018 CBJ Gala Shulmanship Class Men’s Club Honoring Poker Night RSVP due for the latest event updates: Dan Leemon Rockin’ Shabbat Dinner www.bethjacobrwc.org/calendar

12 February 2018

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Classes and services held every week 10:30 am 7:00 am 9:00 am Mondays with Minyan - Torah Study Meaning - Tot Shabbat 11:30 am 3:30/4:30 pm 10:00 am Mah Jongg Religious School - Traditional Service 3:30/4:30 pm 7:00 pm Religious School - Junior - Mah Jongg Congregation 5:30 pm -Adult Hebrew Adult B’nai Mitzvah 10:20 am Young Children’s 6:30 pm Service 8th Gr. Class w/Bill 10:30 am Neshama 11:30 am - Power Hour - Cold Cooking

1 2 3 6:15 pm Rockin’ Shabbat 11:30 am Service Speaker Shlomi 7:30 pm Kofman, Israel Rockin’ Shabbat Consul General Dinner

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Bring CBJ Home Bring CBJ Home 6:30 pm 7:00 pm Shulmanship Class Rabbi Shelley 7:30 pm 10:00 am Lewis class Shabbat Service Kate Cornyn with speaker Bat Mitzvah Rabbi Marv Goodman 11:30 am Mussar for Parents

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Home & Hope Home & Hope Home & Hope Home & Hope Home & Hope Home & Hope Home & Hope Bring CBJ Home 11:30 am 6:30 pm 7:00 pm No Preschool No JC or childrens’ Sisterhood event Shulmanship Class - Rabbi Shelley services/activities in private home Lewis class 5:00 pm 3:30 pm 7:30 pm - Sisterhood Babies & Blessings Mental Health Women’s Book Meeting 6:15 pm Support Series Group Shabbat Services

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Home & Hope President’s Day 7:30 pm 10:00 am Office closed Shabbat Services Sasha Blum No school or Bat Mitzvah classes 11:30 am Mussar for Parents 25 26 27 28 Erev Purim 2:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm Aging & - Shulmanship Class Poker Night RSVP due for Dementia: - Executive Rockin’ Shabbat Resources and Committee Dinner Support Meeting 4:30 pm Purim Carnival 7:30 pm 6:30 pm Board Meetingg Megillah Reading & Children’s Concert

13 MINYANIM IN THE PENINSULA

SUNDAYS MONDAYS TUESDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS 8:00 am & 8:05 pm 6:45 am Chabad 6:30 am & 8:05 pm 6:30 am & 8:05 pm 6:30 am & 8:05 pm 6:30 am Congregation Emek Palo Alto Congregation Emek Congregation Emek Congregation Emek Congregation Emek Beracha Beracha Beracha Beracha Beracha 8:00 am & 8:05 pm 8:30 am Chabad Congregation Emek 6:45 am Chabad 6:45 am Chabad 6:45 am Chabad 6:45 am Chabad North Peninsula Beracha Palo Alto Palo Alto Palo Alto Palo Alto 8:30 am Chabad 7:45 pm 8:00 am Peninsula 7:00 am 6:45 am & 7:45 pm Palo Alto Congregation Kol Temple Beth El Congregation Beth Congregation Kol Emeth Jacob Emeth 9:15 am & 7:45 pm 7:15 pm Peninsula Congregation Kol Sinai Congregation 7:45 pm 7:00 am Peninsula Emeth Congregation Kol Sinai Congregation 7:45 pm Emeth Congregation Kol Emeth

(We recommend contacting the synagogues to confirm schedules)

HOME AND HOPE Sunday, February 11 thru Sunday, February 18 CBJ welcomes Home and Hope, a roaming shelter and support community for homeless families, for a week twice a year. There’s much to do when our Home and Hope visitors are here, such as assemble and disassemble tents, prepare meals, offer childcare. Look for a link to signup via email.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE (OFFSITE) Monday, January 15 beginning at 9:00 am All are welcome to join in community service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We partner with the Peninsula Multifaith Coalition. We are not hosting a project on site this year, but are supporting all the efforts of the multifaith coalition. Go to peninsulamultifaith.org to register for a project.

SISTERHOOD HELPS AT SECOND HARVEST Wednesday, January 17 | at 6:00 pm CBJ Sisterhood will be assisting at Second Harvest with sorting food donations and other tasks. There is a limit of 20 people per shift. Contact [email protected] to see if there is space remaining.

14 SISTERHOOD MEN’S CLUB

CBJ’s active Sisterhood gathers women of all ages for Our Men’s Club brings together men of all ages for social social activities, support, wisdom, learning, recreation, activities and networking. spiritual endeavors and service to our synagogue and the greater community. We meet monthly to celebrate the MONTHLY POKER NIGHT new moon (Rosh Chodesh), and to explore life together. Tuesdays, January 23 and February 27 | 7:00 pm We have engaged in guided meditation, learned to bake We hold monthly poker nights on the fourth Tuesday of each Jewish foods, planned and created rituals, studied with month. Men and women invited to play. We provide cards inspiring teachers, listened to each other’s stories, and whiskey; bring a nosh or dessert to share. $25 to buy-in/ created art, enjoyed music, gone on field trips, and have $5 to hang out. eaten a lot of food. We are intergenerational and our goal is to foster community. Dues are $36/year — join Want to see more Men's Club activities? Please contact Rick Sisterhood and make it yours. Kirske at [email protected] or Rebecca at

[email protected] to find out more about Men's SISTERHOOD HELP AT SECOND HARVEST Club and get involved. Wednesday January 17 at 6:00 pm

CBJ Sisterhood will be assisting at Second Harvest with sorting food donations and other tasks. There is a limit of 20 people per shift. Contact [email protected] to see ANNOUNCEMENTS if there is space remaining.

WE WARMLY WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS SKINCARE PRESENTATION Rebecca Grace & John Gray and daughter Aerolyn Sunday, February 11 from 11:30-1:30 pm Lisa & Neil Rothstein and their daughters Sophie and Please join us for a schmooze, brunch and a presentation by Gabrielle our own Dr. Jane Weston, a plastic surgeon, at a private home. Dr. Weston will speak about how we can restore, MAZAL TOV TO: rejuvenate and refresh our look without surgery and Grandparents Linda & Michael Klein and without looking “done” Come hear about ways to look our great-grandmother Tina Cominsky on the birth of their best and embrace aging gracefully without a tired or grandson Jax Arthur on November 4, 2017 to parents haggard appearance, There will be a chance to ask questions Kailey & David Klein after her thirty minute presentation. We look forward th seeing you then. Look for the Evite with further details. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO MAH JONGG Sue Borg (Jeff Sultan) on the passing of her beloved father Mondays at 11:30 am and Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Leo Borg, grandfather of Samantha and Caitlin Crack! Bam! Mahj! Join your fellow CBJ members for fun Steven Chalmer (Ann) on the passing of his beloved mother afternoons or evenings of racking tiles and socializing. Clare Chalmer, grandmother of Emily and Andrew Beginner and refresher lessons for anyone who wants them. Maria Karsner (Andy) on the passing of her beloved mother For information and to RSVP contact Gudrun Lindqvist, grandmother of Caroline, Jenny, Julia [email protected]. Please let us know you’re and Hannah coming so we’ll know how many tables to set up. Norman Licht (Carolynn) on the passing of his beloved sister Carolyn Wiener WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP Neil Rothstein (Lisa) on the passing of his beloved mother Second Monday of every month | 7:30 pm Barbara Rothstein, grandmother of Sophie and Gabrielle Please join us on November 13 and December 11. Watch for Jeff Selman (Cheryl) on the passing of his beloved emails with the book selections. For more information grandmother Rose Selman, great-grandmother of Elana, contact Ann Chalmer [email protected] or Jackie Dines Sarah and Benjamin [email protected]. Stuart Shiff (Josie) on the passing of his beloved father Theodore Shiff, grandfather of Devon, Haley and Jake Watch your inbox for the evite and more details on these Adena, Shepherd and Gretta Siegel on the passing of their upcoming events. beloved mother Syvia Siegel, longtime member of CBJ (55 years) May their memory be a blessing If you are not getting Evites to Sisterhood events and would like to receive them Please don’t hesitate to contact the office and please contact Rebecca to be added to the list. let us know of your lifecycle events: [email protected] • 650-366-8481 15 B’NOT MITZVAH

MAYA JOHNSON KATE CORNYN SASHA BLUM

January 13, 2018 February 10, 2018 February 24, 2018

Hi, I’m Maya My name is Kate My name is Sasha Johnson, and I Cornyn. I am Blum. I live in go to school at twelve years old Menlo Park with Egan Junior High and live in my parents, Diana School in Los Woodside, CA and Scott, my Altos. I have a with my mom younger sister younger sister Robyn, dad Chris, Riley, and my dog Madelyn who brother Shay, and Piper. I love art, just turned 10 in dog Bruno. I sports, animals October. I love currently attend and my friends at reading, and hanging out with my Woodside Elementary where I am in the Hillview Middle School and CBJ. Some of my friends 7th grade. In my spare time, I love acting, closest friends are at both places! I am also singing, and hanging out with my friends. lucky to have all of my grandparents still My torah portion is Vaera and it's alive, and even my great-grandfather still about the ten plagues and Moses For my Bat Mitzvah, I will be reading lives not too far away, in San Francisco. freeing the Jews from Egypt. An Parshat Mishpatim. Mishpatim is important Jewish value that is evident centered around the laws that follow Even though today most girls celebrate bat- in my parsha is giving second chances. the ten commandments. Although mitzvah at 13, the same age as boys, did you This is very important to me because there is no story to this parshat, know that the traditional age for bat- sometimes, you don’t get things right Mishpatim is filled with many different mitzvah is 12? I am celebrating my bat- on the first try. After all, we are only lessons about what happens when you mitzvah at the more traditional age 12. This human, and we can’t always get do something wrong and the is because my great-grandfather is already everything right. People should always consequences you will face. For my 96 years old, and I want to make sure he has have another chance. That is why I’ve mitzvah project, I will be donating 10% the opportunity to celebrate with me. Also, chosen HIAS as my chesed project. of my Bat Mitzvah money to KIND my mom’s family immigrated from Ukraine HIAS helps provide second chances to (Kids in Need of Defense). KIND is when she was only 3 years old. Because her refugees from war torn countries, focused on helping children who have family was not allowed to practice Judaism assisting them to resettle, develop self- immigrated into the United States and in the former USSR, I am the first one from sufficiency, and overcome trauma. matches them with lawyers to assist my mom’s side of the family (at least from them when they have to go to court. recent generations) to have a bat-mitvah. Finally, what I am looking forward to Imagine being seven years old and So this day will be extra special for all of us. about my Bat Mitzvah is finally putting having to face a bunch of adults alone. My parshah is Tetsaveh. The name comes to use everything I have learned over KIND makes sure kids are well from the same word as mitzvah, and it the years at CBJ, and fully joining the represented during the immigration means "you will command." It describes Jewish community. Lastly, I would like process. all the fancy clothing of the ancient to thank my parents, Rabbi Ezray, priests. One thing the High Priest wore Cantor Barbara, Rabbi Ilana, Bill I am most excited about spending time was a breastplate with 12 precious Futornick, and everyone else who with my family and getting to share stones, and one of the stones was Lapis helped me along the way. this important day with them. I know Lazuli. I think it is really cool that in school that the preparation is hard, but I’m right now we are studying ancient Middle looking forward to it as well as the Eastern cultures, including the Israelites, relief afterwards. I’d like to thank all and one of things we learned about was my CBJ teachers. I’d specifically also lazuli. It is a beautiful blue stone. like to thank Bill, Rabbi Ezray, Cantor Barbara, and Rabbi Ilana for helping My bat-mitzvah is the Shabbat before me through the Bat Mitzvah process. Purim, when we read a second, short parshah, Zachor. We are commanded to remember what the evil people Amelek did to the Israelites. We are told to destroy evil in our world.

16 FRUSY TEEN EVENTS FOR GRADES 6-12

JANUARY 6 FRUSY/Kadima Bagels and Shmooze @ PSC (6-12 Grade) 14 Regional SATO Day (9-12 Grade) 27 Breakfast for Dinner - Lounge Night (8-12 Grade) 28 Kadima Bowling (6-7 Grade)

FEBRUARY 2-4 Regional Winter Shabbaton (8-12 Grade) 16 FRUSY/Kadima Bagels and Shmooze @ CBJ (6-12 Grade) 25 USY Sato Event (8-12 Grade)

FUTURE EVENTS March 3-5 | FRUSY Marin Overnight (8-12 Graders) March 9-11 | Regional Kadima Konvention (6-7 Graders) May 25-27 | Regional May Convention (8-12 Graders)

FRUSY at Fall Kinnus

Terrah Yevilov, USY & Kadima Advisor If you have any questions ,please feel free to reach out: [email protected]

17 RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS

Todah rabah to all those who have made contributions to the following CBJ funds.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS FUND Malka Kochavi by Edi Kochavi Marilyn Levin by H. Ann Liroff Alice Fischgrund by Ellen & Frank Kushin; Marcus Greifinger by Ruth Rothman IN HONOR OF Margot Lobree Frieda Epstein by Sandra & Ed Epstein Mimi Ezray's Bat Mitzvah Daniel Levine by Rosalind & Sol Kutner by Mindy & Philip Rosenberg Max Bittker and Harry Leviant RABBI ILANA'S DISCRETIONARY FUND by Martha Leviant IN MEMORY OF Norman Schoenbrun by Aileen Mitchner IN HONOR OF Syvia Siegel by Margot Lobree Dr. Sam Rabinovitch Max & Jessica's Wedding by Marlene Rabinovitch by Dr. Bob Goldberg, Max & Jessica COHN MUSIC FUND Fradel Zoldan by Jennie & Milton Reynard Goldberg Leo Borg by Mindy & Philip Rosenberg; IN MEMORY OF Eric Stone IN MEMORY OF Moses Lisbonne by Lorna Gladstone Bernie Scheier by Charlotte Scheier Moses Lisbonne by Lorna Gladstone Alice Fischgrund by Carolynn & Norm Licht Edith Jevotovsky by Cheryl & Jeffrey Selman RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND GENERAL FUND Manny and Judy Diamant by Adrienne & Diane Goldstein Dave Weil IN MEMORY OF Deborah Nicolas Clare Chalmer by Susie & Michael Sterling KORENGOLD CAMPERSHIP FUND IN APPRECIATION OF RITUAL DIRECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND Debbie Leslie for her friendship IN MEMORY OF by Gayle Notowitz Morton Korengold and Syvia Siegel IN MEMORY OF by Etty Korengold Moses Lisbonne by Lorna Gladstone IN HONOR OF Martha Leviant's 90th Birthday LINDAUER ACCESSIBILITY FUND RUTH SHAPIRO KIDDUSH FUND by Joanne & Bernie Arfin; Louis Dombro; Ann Gershanov; her Stoneridge IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF Creek friends by Anna & Walter Gewing; Diane's beloved brother, Larry Lindauer, Leo Borg by Jackie & Steve Dines Ann and Roy Goldberg; Rita & Paul and Diane's beloved Aunt Irma and My family by Carmen Saint Kaplan; Sylvia & Manny Wildmann; Uncle Lloyd by Diane & Jon Levinson Marilyn Wolper Marcia Reisman by Elizabeth Enthoven PRAYER BOOK FUND Asher Winikoff's Bar Mitzvah by Robyn & Eric Stone IN MEMORY OF Carolyn Weiner by Charlotte Scheier IN MEMORY OF Beatrice Friedman, Paula Sussman Rose RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND and Joseph Sussman by Joanne & Arne Benowitz Bernie Arfin Carolyn Weiner, sister of Norman Licht IN HONOR OF by Joanne & Bernie Arfin; Ellen & Frank Keira's Bat Mitzvah by Bette Cooper Kushin Henry Slager, Julian Caplan and IN MEMORY OF Sara Berloe by Helen Caplan Clare Chalmer by Julie & Richard Bizewski; Hal & Lu Fliegler by Helen Danczak Sharon & Peter Breger; Noreen Sommer Sybil Devore by Sheila Devore My father Moses Lisbonne and with Reuben Katz by Susan & Jon Golovin appreciation for the clergy's support after Rosie Volf by Edi Kochavi his passing by Lorna Gladstone

18 YAHRZEITS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

The following yahrzeits are remembered during the services listed below:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5 Isaak Farber Joseph Judah Cary Moss Molly Lazarus SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 Bella Feintuch Mitchell Karsner Miriam Peckler Dorothy Leven Herman Berns Theodore Fisher Theresa Levine Edward Pollack Nathan Mann Ille Dayan Elaine Gessow Fred Melmon Samuel Pollack Mary Nakata Randi J. Diamant Fred Goren Adeline Pollack Herbert Rosenbaum Boris Rubinstein Bonnie Dobbs Norman Leviant Julius Robbins Ora Saldinger William Sher Mollie Gutterman Olga Maltzer Sol Rosenbaum Alexander Scharf Arnold Silberstein David Hedvat Celia Midman Lydia Rosenbaum- Aaron Spielman Zina Sturm Blanche Karsner Miriam Pasqualitti Goldman Eleanor Tobias Hattie Volpe Abraham Katz Lilly Radcliffe Sally Ruben William Volpe Shaya Yurfest Anna Kraus Gussie Rubenstein Ruth Shapiro Pauline Weinstein Tefaha Matityahu Hilde Schwarz Carl Smilovitz Robert Williams Mordecai Popik Harlene Stein Arthur Wolpe Shabbat Evening Evalyn Reif Phillip Stern FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Sadie Zemel Services Esther Richards Eugene Topperman SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10 1st & 3rd Fridays 6:15 pm Arthur Rosen Sam Weisman Estera Buchin Blumstein FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 All other Fridays 7:30 pm Blanche Setzen Fenet Winikoff Herbert Cantor SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Tillie Wagenfeld Lucille Zelinsky Leonard Daily George Berns Shabbat Morning Bert Wiener Sylvia Goldstein Dorothy Bomberg Services FRIDAY, JANUARY 26 Phillip Greenberg Gertrude Browdy Traditional Saturday FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 Sylvia Greifinger Gitel Cohen 10:00 am SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 Rabbi Jeffrey Ballon James Gruber Charles Epstein Power Hour Saturday Henry Abecassis Grace Belsky Selig Gruber Louis Fasman 11:30 am Yulrik Brand Alice Dennis Caryl Lois Holiber Bertha Feiler Mimi Egnal Syrile Yetta Ellison Hope Howard Ray Garfinkle Judah Folkman Nathan Fisher David Korengold Yetta Gershman Sarah Gluck Martha Goodman Norma Kushin Barbara Goldsmith Joel Goldberg Bess Goodstein Hazel Loewenstein Julius Goldsmith Alice Goldschmidt Samuel Gutterman Dina Matlin June Heiser Ida Goldstein Eugenie Jouanneau Edward Stein Freda Hirsch Eric Kermit Morris Gomberg Lewis Weil Elizabeth Hornstein Abraham Gruber Werner Loewenstein Samuel Yaffa Barbara Horowitz Sharon Hirschel Estelle Miller Lynda Kaplan Arthur Joseph Ditta Newman FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Nathan Lachtman Ruth Kroopnick Hersh Levi Nirenberg SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Selma Lachtman Henry Lee Serena Pinsler Barnet Adelman Vivian Miller Edna Prince Emilie Aknin Miriam Reboh Lillian (Libby) Rudolph Goldie Birnbaum Ronald Rosenberg Frieda Steiner Craig Bowers Pearl Saslaw Norman Brodkey Bessie Storey Friday, February 2 Jonah Brown Jacob Teitelbaum Saturday, February 3 Sarah de Haaff Bernard Vallerga Linda Aknin-Eldefonso Florence Fasman Paulene Wofchuck Toni Benowitz Dorothy B. Franklin Arnold Chaleff Neima Gabbai FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 Don Dorsey Minnie Geller SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 Robert Dudnick Adrienne Goldsmith Alex Ackerman Lois Epstein Jim Kestenbaum Frieda Altman William Foerder Bluma Logasa Florence Bernstein Betsy Frank Sylvia Mervis Ethel Bittker Dorothy Gerson Art Meyer Sally Bloom Morris Gold Max Miller Abraham Brown Israel Goodstein Annette Moss Bernard Cahan Ruth Jones Bertha Moss

If you would like to add loved ones to the yahrzeit list or have a correction, please send an email to [email protected]. 19 MESSAGE FROM DIANE HOWARD

“… Change is a challenge and an opportunity, not a threat.”

Dear Friends,

Prince Phillip once said that “Change does not change “We can disagree and not be disagreeable.” We will be the tradition. It strengthens it. Change is a challenge and an community that others aspire to be. opportunity, not a threat.” In that spirit, there has been a change in the leadership on the Redwood City Council. Walt Disney said, “Our heritage and ideals, our codes and Our new Mayor is Ian Bain and I have been elected as standards – the things we live by and teach our children – are your Vice Mayor. preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas.”

Our Council elects its leaders a little differently than other I realize that for some change stirs some foreboding. It can cities. The Mayor and Vice Mayor are not elected by the bring on a sense of loss. It is never made without some public nor is there an automatic rotation. They are elected by drawbacks and inconveniences. However, change is their peers based on their leadership skills and their inevitable in a progressive society. We need to anticipate it commitment to serving the community. and plan for it. We have the ability to set our community on a course that will make it the benchmark for innovation and The past two decades have seen significant changes in our excellence. community, much of it driven by the growth of the dot com community. It is likely that change will continue. Mayor Bain, I am excited and honored to work with this Council and with in his remarks, stressed the importance of listening to the all of you in our community as we exchange ideas and ideas of all members of the community as we move forward. continue down the road of making Redwood City the most exciting community on the Peninsula. These changes are not without their challenges, which include increased traffic, building affordable housing, and Sincerely, maintaining our infrastructure in the face of increased use. The Mayor spoke of creating an Innovation Task Force to Diane Howard, Vice Mayor research “out of the box” ways to approach challenges. He City of Redwood City, CA pointed to projects like new affordable housing units for seniors in Downtown, and the upcoming Magical Bridge playground, as examples.

I want to thank all of you for your support in placing me on the Council. I take my responsibility to you very seriously, and look forward to exchanging ideas with you over a cup of coffee. This past year has been a tumultuous one for politics in our country and many of our leaders have lost their way. We have seen honest debate and civility being trampled by boisterous grandstanding, and intolerance of opposing opinions. Redwood City will not be drawn down that rabbit hole. We expect and welcome spirited debate, but will demand civility at all times. As Former Mayor Seybert said,

20 HENRY WASHAUER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP for CBJ High School Seniors

The family of our beloved member, Hank Washauer z”l, has established a scholarship in his memory. Please read the following criteria and consider applying:

• Eligibility: High School Senior enrolling full time at four year accredited college or university. This is a one-time award. • Qualifications: Demonstrated leadership in the Jewish community, involvement in Congregation Beth Jacob. Family belongs to Congregation Beth Jacob. • Annual grant: One scholarship of $2,500, or Two scholarships of $1,250 each. The scholarships can be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for course load. The committee may choose to divide amount in other ways to include more recipients.

Please submit a 500-600 word essay describing your involvement in Jewish community and its impact on your life. Essays must be submitted to Bill Futornick by March 15, 2018. Bill and a committee devoted to this project will review the applications.

DOING CHESED / VOLUNTEERING by Rachel Fingerman, 8th grader

I worked with The Pajama Program, which provides books and pajamas to kids in the foster care system. This was important to me because my passion is reading and I wanted to work with an organization that supported childhood literacy and provided books to kids who otherwise might not have any. I volunteered to help pick up pajamas from certain stores (like Carter's) that offered to organize a pajama drive. I also gathered books from friends and family and held a (very successful) book drive at CBJ last fall. Then I went to "Pajama Program Sorting Parties" about once every two months and sorted the books and pajamas to send to the kids that needed them. I donated over 1,000 books and picked up over 300 pairs of pajamas.

At first, it was hard for me to choose an organization that would accept me as a volunteer because there were age requirements. I also reached out to organizations that never called me back. I feel that I lucked out to find the Pajama Program which is a great cause and a national organizational that I can continue to work with and contribute to even after my Bat Mitzvah. My advice to kids interested in doing Chesed is: Even if you might not get the organization that you want, don't give up. There are plenty of organizations that will want your help and that you will find rewarding. Sometimes it just takes a little more effort. 21 SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPEL CHEVRA KADISHA (FD262)

SERVING THE PENINSULA & SOUTH BAY Earnings Devoted to Philanthropy

777 Woodside Road, Suite C Redwood City, CA (FD 1830)

(650) 369-3636 | (408) 297-3636

Jim Esenwein, Managing Funeral Director (1499) Pre-need Arrangements Available

DONATE YOUR USED VEHICLE It’s a WIN/WIN for YOU and CBJ

CAR DONATIONS ARE AN EASY WAY TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF CBJ.

WHY DONATE? • Recycling your car saves energy and natural resources • Proceeds from the sale of your car help CBJ. • You may receive a tax donation if you itemize

WHAT CAN YOU DONATE? Cars · Trucks · Boats · Motorcycles · RVs ANY OTHER VEHICLE—running or not! Jewelry and real estate too!

FREE PICKUP & DMV PROCESSING

Contact Jerry Robbins at 650-572-0989 (H) or 650-766-7233 (C), or email at [email protected]

LILLIAN NOLAN FUND FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS

The Lillian Nolan Fund for Low-Income Seniors was established through a bequest to Congregation Beth Jacob from long-time Beth Jacob member Lillian Nolan z”l.

• The Fund awards grants to assist low-income seniors with ongoing expenses associated with living in Retirement Facilities that offer kosher food.

• Only Beth Jacob members are eligible to receive grants from the Fund. Grants are paid directly to the Retirement Facility on behalf of the grantee.

• The Fund is managed by a Board composed of several Beth Jacob members named in Ms. Nolan’s will, along with Rabbi Ezray and, in an ex officio role, and Executive Director Gary Geller. All business of the Fund is kept confidential within this group.

• Criteria for grant decisions include: - Documented need - Eligibility of the Retirement Facility under the stipulations of the bequest - Availability of funds

• Grants are made on an annual basis, to be applied toward monthly living expenses such as a monthly service fee charged by

TOUCHING BASE AT CBJ

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Please recycle this newsletter.

- THE VOICE DEADLINE | The deadline to submit content for the March/April 2018 issue is Thursday, February 1, 2018. Please email your articles and photos to Operations Manager,,Rosa Whitten.