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Main Office NEW FROM THE UNITED OF CONSERSVATIVE JUDIASM 408-257-3333 [email protected] Encounters: Genesis Volume 1 By Daniel Pressman

Rabbis The first in the five-volume Torah Encounters series, Philip R. Ohriner this book makes the weekly torah portion approachable Senior Rabbi and applicable. 408-366-9104 [email protected] “His wisdom, humor, warmth and skill all come together in Torah Encounters, offering a path to the Daniel J. Pressman very heart of wisdom and compassion that is the Rabbi Emeritus Torah’s legacy.” —Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean [email protected] of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, vice president of American Jewish University

Staff To order, call 1-800-462-6420 or email [email protected]. Sarah Hanuka Save 30% with the promo code 4F17USCJ offer expires 12/31/17 Director of Lifelong Learning 408-366-9116 [email protected]

Tanya Lorien Director of Operations 408-366-9107 [email protected]

Barbara Biran Director of Lifecycle Events and Synagogue Ritual 408-366-9106 [email protected]

Monica Hernandez Member Account Associate 408-366-9108 [email protected]

Jillian Cosgrave Front Office Associate 408-366-9110 [email protected]

Lynn Crocker Mkt & Comm Associate 408-366-9102 [email protected]

Jamie Lynn Valdez Admin. Sarah Hanuka

408-366-9101 [email protected] Welcome New Members

Jewish Experience for Teens (JET) Kristin Gustavson and Robert Miller [email protected] Kristin is a cantorial student and a Hebrew school teacher at Shir Hadash.

Sherri and Jan Stein

2 From the RAbbi By Rabbi Philip Ohriner

The True Fire of Hanukkah

Dear friends,

Fire is an alluring natural phenomenon when it is not manifesting in destructive ways. In a controlled environment, fire is one of ’s main metaphors for God’s Presence, particularly when it comes to holy vessels.

In Jewish tradition, human beings are considered holy vessels, much like the Tabernacle and Temples that once stood. Exodus 25:8 reads, “make me a sanctuary and I will dwell within you.” Rashi notes that the verse says God will dwell within human beings, not within the constructed elements of the Tabernacle or Temple. According to our tradition, human beings are the ultimate vehicles of holiness. In essence, God’s presence is found in each and every one of us in the form of a soul, as the book of Proverbs states, “a fire (lamp) of the Lord in the soul of man…”

Frequently, we find this verse written on yartzheit candles. As we remember our loved ones, the flame of the candle reminds us of the existence of the soul and its immutable, holy nature. In fact, every Jewish ritual involving fire is meant to draw attention to our souls, the holy spark of light within each of us. The flame of the Shabbat candles draws our attention to the neshamah yeteirah, the additional soul that visits us each Shabbat, increasing our spiritual potential. The havdalah candle reminds us that our enlarged spiritual potential is fleeting but will return again next week.

So what is the psycho-spiritual purpose of the Hanukkah candles?

According to Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger, a 19th Century Hasidic master known as the Sefas Emes, the flames of the Hanukkah candles are meant to assist us in tapping into the hidden light within ourselves. Their purpose is to draw our attention inward as we contemplate the essential theme of the holiday—rededication.

Under the yoke of Hellenistic decrees, the Jewish soul was dampened until only a tiny flicker of fire remained. After the struggles and battles against the Assyrians, our people had almost no strength left to attain wholeness. As the story goes, they found a cruse of oil enough for one day that lasted for eight. However, the miracle of the burning oil is only a symbol. The true miracle of Hanukkah is that God helped our people transform the muted, dampened, flickering fire burning within their souls into a renewed, rededicated Jewish existence. The lesson we learn from Hanukkah is that every , no matter how far removed from a life imbued with Judaism, has a flicker of fire burning within them. Just as the Temple was cleaned up to serve as a rededicated dwelling place for God’s Presence, so too must our souls be re-ignited as dwelling places for God. Like our Maccabean ancestors, we are all capable of finding the internal point of light making each of us a vessel of holy fire. The Hanukkiyot in our windowsills, fueled by oil, help remind us that we can brighten our lives by nourishing our souls through the fulfillment of mitzvot. The psycho-spiritual purpose of the Hanukkiyah is merely to help draw us inward so that we might find the internal, true fire of Hanukkah.

Hag Urim Sameach,

Rabbi Philip Ohriner

On a personal note: By now, many are aware that the fire burning in my soul has drawn me to a different path for a rededicated rabbinate. This summer, Shoshana, the boys and I will begin developing a self-sustaining ecosystem in Los Gatos. At Ma’alot Farms (the name we have chosen for the farm) we will be living our Jewish values more fully in concert with the land, sustaining ourselves through what we cultivate, and sharing our bounty, experiences, and acquired wisdom and knowledge with others in a variety of different contexts including environmental/agricultural education, conservancy, food justice advocacy, and community organizing. I am deeply energized and truly “aflame” for this new calling that I share with my family. Already, we have been overwhelmed by the shared excitement so many in the CBD community and beyond have shared with us as we begin on this new journey. Many have proactively reached out but I wanted to publicly offer that if you are curious to learn more about our motivation, plans, and dreams, I would be more than happy to have a cup of coffee or sit together to discuss them. Please email Barbara ([email protected]) and she can find a time for us to meet that is convenient for you. 3

Please share our joy as our daughter, Maya, is called to the Torah as a Bat .

Saturday, December 9, 2017

We invite you to join us for Kiddush lunch following the service.

Marjorie Alpert & Jeff Warwick

Please share our joy as our daughter, Michaly, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

We invite you to join us for Kiddush lunch following the service.

Miri & Alex Volinsky

Congregation Beth David Annual Meeting Sunday, December 10th 10:00am to 12:00pm

Come hear about the state of YOUR synagogue and elect new officers and directors. We need a quorum of 75 members.

We mailed you a letter in the middle of November. It contains meeting information and your BALLOT VOUCHER.

Please remember to bring your ballot voucher with you to the meeting.

4 President’s perspective By Bill Beyda

It’s been a busy few months at Beth David. Within a few weeks of the high holidays, we learned of Rabbi Ohriner’s intent to depart this summer. While finding a new rabbi is challenging, it is a great opportunity to design our future. Our physical space now allows many options, and we have already experimented with numerous alternative programming and service choices. We now have an opportunity to learn from these experiences and bring in a rabbi who can lead us to our future together. But to get there, we will have to come together as a community and make the selection. That’s where all of you come in.

First, we met as a congregation to discuss the search process, held focus group meetings, solicited your thoughts in discussions and by email, and are conducting a congregation-wide survey. By the time you read this, we will be collecting your inputs into a coherent package for submission to the Rabbinical Assembly’s search process, and our job opening will soon be in the hands of talented across America.

I know many of you are tired of change, and we have had a lot of change lately. Some of it is good change, like a new building. Some of it is bad change, like our contractor problems, and two rabbis leaving. With every challenge, this congregation rises to the occasion. Contractor bankruptcy was followed by congregant loans, and we opened our building in time for the high holidays last year, against all odds. Faced with a debt we couldn’t easily manage, congregants supporting Option 3 came to the rescue, halved our debt, and reset our interest rates to manageable levels. Without Rabbi Alexander, we restructured programming staffing to keep the programs running. When Rabbi Ohriner announced his decision to change careers, we launched a search process and got to work on it. It’s what we do. I, and the Board, were just as surprised as you were that we face the departure of two rabbis within a year. These were deeply personal decisions each rabbi made about their life directions and I ask that you respect their choices. Beth David as an institution is something all of us believe in and love, and no matter what change comes our way, we as a community will find a way to move forward.

We will bring in the finalists this spring and all of you will have an opportunity to see them in action and meet them. There will then be a CBD Congregational meeting where we synthesize all of your feedback and discuss our future together. There are dozens of characteristics to consider in a rabbi, and no two congregants will prioritize these items in the same way. The point is we need to come together and not simply advocate for the rabbi that is perfect for us personally, but to find the rabbi that is right for the community as a whole. In discussing our different opinions, I ask that you treat each other with the respect and concern that such a holy task deserves. Please keep your mind open to those whose views differ from your own. We need to come together and sort things out, just as Beth David has done for over 50 years. I will do my best to lead us there, but I will need the help of each and every one of you to set our course together. Onward!

Bill Beyda President, Congregation Beth David

5 [email protected]

6 Auditions: Sunday, 12/10 1:00 - 4:00pm Email: [email protected]

7 8 Balk Family Memorial Camp Scholarship

Jewish men of all ages are encouraged to join us. We are now accepting nominations for summer

Join our mailing list: 2018 resident camp scholarships funded by the Balk Family Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund. [email protected] This fund perpetuates the memory and ideals of Beth David members Sheldon and Melvina Balk and their sons, Richard and David Balk. We seek to capture and light the spirit of Judaism in our youth, especially those who may seem apathetic about Jewish activities. Monthly Meeting Sunday, 12/3, 9:30 - 10:30am We offer substantial aid, not based on academic Join us for our monthly meeting in the CBD results or activities, but, rather, to awaken a Mercaz. Enjoy bagels w/schmear and schmooze, student’s Jewish identity. We give preference to first plan events and share ideas as part of our CBD time campers. The amount we are able to disburse community. depends upon donations to the Fund and current interest, but this past summer five Beth David Beer with the Boys congregants, assisted by our scholarships, attended Thursday, 12/14 7:30 - 9:30pm Camp Ramah of Northern California. Join us for dinner and a Beer w/the Boys and Please email Chuck Taubman at casual socializing. This month at The Garret [email protected] to learn how to Station, 14101 Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos. submit a nomination (the due date is 1/19/18).

Tot Shabbat Conversation Group

2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month December 9 & 23 3:00 - 4:30pm December 5 & 19 11:15am – 12:00pm Do you know Yiddish? For ages 5 and Would you like to chat with under. Relaxing, others in Yiddish?

lighthearted, This group is for people to interactive, Shabbat re-activate prior Yiddish program for tots. knowledge, to learn Includes songs, Yiddish for the first time, and to have conversations. For more information, stories, puppets and email [email protected] more.

9 December Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

3 15 4 16 Kislev 5 17 Kislev 6 18 Kislev 9:00am Torah Trope 10:00am Intermediate 11:00am Basic Convo 4:00pm JEWEL 9:30am JET Hebrew Hebrew 7:00pm Minyan 9:30am JCore 11:45am Beginning Hebrew 3:00pm Yiddish Convo Grp 7:30pm E-Board Meeting 9:30am Men’s Club Mtg. 2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for 7:00pm Introduction to 9:30am Minyan FSU Émigrés (offsite) Judaism (offsite) 9:45am Adult Academy 7:00pm Minyan 7:00pm Minyan 1:30pm Cub Scouts Mtg. 7:30pm Finance Cmte. Mtg. 7:30pm Program Cmte. Mtg.

10 22 Kislev 11 23 Kislev 12 24 Kislev 13 25 Kislev 9:00am Torah Trope 10:00am Intermediate Hanukkah: 1 Candle Hanukkah: 2 Candles 9:30am JET Hebrew 11:00am Basic 9:30am JCore 11:45am Beginning Hebrew Convo Hebrew 9:30am Minyan 2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for 10:00am Annual Meeting FSU Émigrés (offsite) 7:00pm Introduction to 4:00pm JEWEL 12:00pm Board Meeting Judaism (offsite) 7:00pm Minyan 1:00pm Purim Shpiel 7:00pm Minyan Auditions 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Facilities Cmte. Mtg. 5:00pm Hazak Hanukkah: Extravaganza 17 29 Kislev 18 30 Kislev 19 1 Tevet 20 2 Tevet Hanukkah: 6 Candles Hanukkah: 7 Candles Hanukkah: 8 Candles Hanukkah: 8th Day 9:30am Minyan Rosh Chodesh Tevet Rosh Chodesh Tevet 10:00am Intermediate Hebrew 3:00pm Yiddish Convo Grp. 7:00pm Minyan 11:45am Beginning Hebrew 7:00pm Introduction to 2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for Judaism (offsite) FSU Émigrés 7:00pm Minyan 7:00pm Minyan

24 6 Tevet 25 7 Tevet 26 8 Tevet 27 9 Tevet 9:30am Minyan OFFICE CLOSED OFFICE CLOSED

7:00pm Minyan 7:00pm Minyan 7:00pm Minyan

31 13 Tevet 9:30am Minyan

10 Thursday Friday Saturday Upcoming 1 13 Kislev 2 14 Kislev SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE

10:00am Study 9:30am Services/SIR/Carol 11:15am Cassell Birthday Purim Shpiel 4:33pm Candle lighting 12:30pm Kiddush Auditions 12/10 6:00pm Services 1:15pm SIR: Is Jewish Unity an @ 1:00pm 6:45pm SIR: Dinner Israeli Security Issue? 8:00pm SIR: Israeli 7:00pm SIR: Six-Day War: Relations with Egypt, Consequences 50 Years Jordan, & Turkey Later 7 19 Kislev 8 20 Kislev 9 21 Kislev 7:00pm Minyan 10:00am Talmud Study 9:30am Services/Maya 7:30pm The History of 11:15am Jewish Ethics Warwick Bat Mitzvah Modern Israel 10:30am An Exploration of Annual Meeting Shabbat Prayer & Study for 12/10 @ 10:00am Russian Speakers 4:32pm Candle lighting 10:30am Stretching into 6:30pm Services Shabbat 10:30am Youth Congregation 11:15am Tot Shabbat 12:30pm Kiddush 1:30pm Jewish Book Group Hazak Hanukkah: 14 26 Kislev 15 27 Kislev 16 28 Kislev Extravaganza Hanukkah: 3 Candles Hanukkah: 4 Candles Hanukkah: 5 Candles 11:00am Ladies Who Lunch 10:00am Talmud Study 9:30am Services/Michaly 12/10 @ 5:00pm 11:15am Jewish Ethics Volinsky Bar Mitzvah 12:30pm Kiddush 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Men’s Club – Beer 4:34pm Candle lighting w/the Boys 6:30pm Services 5:30pm Saratoga Celebration 7:30pm The History of of Light Saratoga Modern Israel Celebration of Light 21 3 Tevet 22 4 Tevet 23 5 Tevet 12/16 @ 5:30pm 10:00am Talmud Study 9:30am Services 2:30pm Blood Drive 11:15am Jewish Ethics 11:15am Tot Shabbat 12:30pm Kiddush 7:00pm Dames who Dine 7:00pm Minyan 4:36pm Candle lighting 6:30pm Services Blood Drive 12/21 @ 2:30pm

28 10 Tevet 29 11 Tevet 30 12 Tevet Asara B'Tevet 10:00am Talmud Study 9:30am Services 11:15am Jewish Ethics 12:30pm Kiddush 7:00pm Minyan 4:41pm Candle lighting 6:30pm Services

11 Threads of Tradition Blood Drive Sunday, January 14th Thursday, December 21 9:00am - 12:30pm 2:30 - 6:30pm

Threads of Tradition is a group of Jewish women who sew tachrichim – Jewish burial garments – Every 3 seconds someone needs blood, but less for members of the Beth David community. We than 3% of the population in the Bay Area take on this work to provide dignity to the donates blood. deceased and comfort for those who mourn. YOU can save a life! Give Taking on this work ourselves instead of purchasing these garments The Gift of Life! demonstrates that members of our congregation play a Schedule an critical role in maintaining appointment online at Jewish traditions and it helps www.sbcdonor.org or call us fulfill the mitzvah of chesed 650-723-7831. Use sponsor shel emet—the greatest code 0722. kindness, the type that cannot be repaid.

We welcome new members at any time. Sewing Drop ins welcome, too. skill is appreciated, but not required. For more information contact Beverly Jacobson at The World Health Organization says: “Blood is [email protected]. the most precious gift that anyone can give to

If you are not able to participate in the sewing another person – the gift of life. groups, but wish to support this effort, donations to Threads of Tradition can be made to Rabbi Email [email protected] for more Ohriner’s Discretionary Fund. information.

Jewish Book Discussion Group Pack 504 Jewish Cub Scouts Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes Calling all Boys in 1st By Tamin Ansary, led by Steve Levin through 5th Grade to join Beth David's own Saturday, December 9th after lunch, about 1:15pm Cub Scout Pack.

We are actively Tamim Ansary tells the rich searching for boys and story of world history as the adult volunteers and Islamic world saw it, from the leaders from across time of Mohammed to the fall the Jewish of the Ottoman Empire and beyond. Community. He explains why European December Pack Meeting is: and Islamic civilizations grew Sunday, December 3 at 1:30pm up oblivious to each other, at CBD in the Studio and what happened when

Email [email protected] for more they intersected. information and to join our mailing list.

12 Saratoga Celebration of Light Saturday, December 16th 5:30 - 7:00pm

Saratoga Village Big Basin Way and Highway 9

Join with neighbors in a celebration of light to bring all segments of the Saratoga faith community together.

This multi-faith event recognizes the role of light in our fall/winter holidays traditions and provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the holiday season together.

Ladies Who Lunch Dames Who Dine Thursday, December 14th Thursday, December 21st 11:00am – 1:00pm 7:00 – 9:00pm

Ladies Who Lunch meets each month at the Once a month Dames Who Dine gets together home of a different participant. Generally, for dinner, to relax and enjoy each other’s there is a theme and attendees bring lunch company. dishes to match, and share stories, recipes and memorabilia. These are casual, fun opportunities to socialize with women of all ages. Email Cathy Beyda at [email protected] for December’s locations.

CBD Women Cards for a Cause Sunday, February 4th 1:30 - 3:30pm

CBD Women Debby Hoffman and Miriam Permut will lead us in making greeting cards for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House and ourselves. Cookies and tea will be served. $10.00 per person. RSVP by January 26th online at www.beth-david.org/rsvp or call the office 408-257-3333.

13 14 December Birthdays

1st 7th 12th 18th 25th Micah Ammerman Elizabeth Park Emma Vainish Levi Lewis Gregory Prokter Samuel Ammerman Karel Gless Jonathan Katz Haya Shottan, Eitan Mutchnik Michael Bierman Morayah Horovitz Joe Lichy Maximillian Schaffer Jacob Ben-David Samuel Shultz Danielle Horovitz Anna Bauman Aaron Skilken Carol Cassell Mark Grodzinsky David Mayer 19th Abraham Bromberg Julian Lewis Ruth Bareket Laura Schaevitz Harriet Fernandez Alexandria Grodzinsky

Solomon Emma Schneider 26th 2nd 8th Moshkevich Elana Shen Ruth Schwartz Peter Holan Ilan Province Jared Weinstock Jessica Bricker Michal Strutin 13th Leah Permut Scott Knaster

Karen Fihn Rochelle Taboh 27th 3rd Peter Spielvogel 20th Karl Pfalzer Lee Gavens Daniel Sharvit David Hoffman Arielle Cole Ethan Rauchwerk 9th Maya Belogolovsky Amy Lanctot 28th Lena Rajna Elias Isaac Shoshana Wolf Alexia Hughes 14th Scott Guggenheim Nathan Handelsman Dan Maydan Devora Fine Samantha Michele Balaban Stacey Scherbakovsky Ari Lichy 4th Himelstein Liora Rabin Nyssa Spector 10th Rachel Abramovitz 21st Cookie Addison Mayer Warwick Maya Lewis Marlene Kass Samson Sharvit Andrew Shvarts Rachel Beyda Ima Eshaghoff Ronit Weinstock Sharon Horovitz Amit Ben-David Ilana Nankin Herman Burdman Faina Eichis 15th 22nd 29th Robin Ferris Benjamin Sloutsky David Fishman Daniel Rosenberg 5th Lisa Stein Martin Sherman Dennis Wolf Grace Woolfson

Shir Shelef Rachel Taylor Jim Miller Holly Mendel 16th 30th Joe Weiss 23rd Paula Levitt Diane Rock Scott Klein 11th Bob Baird Michelle Nathanson Oscar Preil 6th Rafael Bendahan Ron Maltiel Rhoda Yelowitz Lorraine Abramson Irina Tenberg Hayley Krum Anat Baird 31st Robert Miller Daniella Baird 17th Lily Cinnamon Yael Alcheck Mark Davis Gloria Levy Michaly Volinsky Roberta Schwartz Shannon Wells Shelley Timmins Galina Drabkin Daniel Appleman Lawrence Cohn Roberta Bloom Georgette Tanenbaum Natalie Mauskopf Ruth Brill Lilian Halem Herzel Ashkenazi Howard Pomerantz

Drop off hats, gloves, and child & adult-sized coats in the bin located inside the front doors of the synagogue before December 7th. Items can also be dropped off at the Levy Family Campus.

Your donations will be given to local low-income families.

15 December Anniversaries

1st 22nd 27th Louis & Janet Witkin Phillip & Marlene Lewis & Carol Osofsky

Bernstein Lee & Susan Gavens 9th Jeff & Kate Fox Barry & Marilyn Siegel, 28th

23rd David & Ilana Baird 11th Michael & Felicia Schaffer Eric & Ilene Janofsky 29th

25th Phil & Monique Alexander 15th Adam & Aurianne Dorsay Maxie & Helen Baer 30th

Norman & Sarah Rosenberg 17th 26th Abe & Bayla Bromberg Franklin & Esther Woolfson Stephen & Helaine Green

Jeffrey Englander & 31st 18th Susan Greenberg- Allan & Mindy Berkowitz Howard & Emily Gannes Englander

21st Elie & Yael Alcheck

Embrace-A-Family with Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley November 15-December 19

Once again, we are partnering with Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley to fulfill the Hanukkah holiday wishes of families and seniors who would otherwise go without gifts.

Look for the dreidel board full of wish cards that you can choose from.

For more information, check the Jewish Family Services Embrace -A-Family webpage at http://www.jfssv.org/embrace-a-family-2017.html.

In addition you can make purchases from Target via JFS’ gift registry: https://tinyurl.com/ycd9grn3. Any questions?

Contact Lori Cinnamon at 408-357-7467 or [email protected].

In addition to specific gifts, JFS is also asking for: * Large new/unused gift bags * Gas cards * Gift cards to Target, Walmart, Trader Joes and Safeway to serve our clients throughout the year.

16 Contributions Contributions are vital to the life of our community. We acknowledge the gifts received between October 1 – October 31 from the following individuals and families.

Adult Education Programs Congregation Beth David, thank you for the extra tickets Congregation Beth David, from Maya Chernis and such warm welcome for our guests at High Holy Congregation Beth David, from Zina German Days, from Bryan & Jan Ferguson In memory of Harry Berger, from Carol Cassell Congregation Beth David, from Avi & Hanna Bleiweiss Congregation Beth David, from Neil & Diana Gelblum Balk Family Camp Scholarship Fund Congregation Beth David, from Benjamin Leznik Edward & Eleanor Kiss, mazal tov to my dear friends on In memory of my mother, Anne Goldberg, from Enid the birth of your great granddaughter, Isabelle Rose & Malkin the marriage of your granddaughter Julie to Jonathan, In memory of my brother, Erich Pfalzer, from Karl from Natalie Schriger Pfalzer In memory of my sister, Renette Shafiq-Berger, from In memory of my dear parents, Sarah & Isaac Benardo, Aurianne Dorsay from Susan Wesson Congregation Beth David Capital Campaign In memory of my mother & father, Anne & Bert Rob Block, in honor of your birthday, from Frank & Goldberg, mother-in-law, Ethel Malkin, and my Harriet Weiss grandmother, from Enid Malkin Deborah Hoffman, in honor of your special birthday, from In memory of my father-in-law, Mark William Postman, Daniel & Bettina Rosenberg from Frederica Postman In memory of my mother, Rachel Zacher, from Sarah In memory of my father, Moussa Moghtader, from Rosenberg Farideh Feizzadeh In memory of my father, David Zacher, from Sarah In memory of Ruth's mother, Mary Goldberg, and brother, Rosenberg Gerald Goldberg and Ed's mother, Bessie Gipstein and In memory of my beloved grandfather, Joseph Carr, from sister, Yetta Friedlander, from Edward & Ruth Sheryl Rattner Gipstein In memory of my father, Louis Rosenzweig, from Allen In memory of Esther Penzak, from Cookie Addison Rosenzweig In memory of my mother, Estelle Klein, from Charles In memory of Sylvia's father, Dave Leo Krieger, from Klein Leonard & Sylvia Metz In memory of my friend, Harry Gelfman, from Charles Klein Congregation Beth David Endowment Fund Deborah Hoffman, in honor of your special birthday, from Director of Lifelong Learning Discretionary Fund Yvonne Hoffman Sarah Hanuka, in appreciation of the Religious School, from Frank & Lourdes Yashar Congregation Beth David Fund Frank & Lourdes Yashar, in honor of Will Yashar's Bar Program/JET Scholarship Mitzvah and in gratitude for the aliyah that I was Fund honored with on his special day, from Denise Phillips Congregation Beth David, thank you for High Holy Day Stanley & Hillary Farkas, in honor of your 50th services, from Anita Kanel anniversary, from Marcia Kaplan Madelyn Isaacs, in honor of Kallat Bereisheet for Simchat Kiddush Lunch Fund Torah, from Harry & Joanne Cornbleet Sponsor Kiddush lunch, November 11, 2017 in honor of Susan Gavens, thank you for being who you are, from Linda’s birthday, from Joe & Linda Weiss Leonard & Sylvia Metz Sponsor Kiddush lunch, December 9, 2017 in honor of In honor of Dr. Jason Balaban, from Eric Stone Maya’s Bat Mitzvah, from Jeff Warwick & Marjorie Joanne Cornbleet, thank you, from Seema Cicerone Alpert Martin Newman, in memory of your father, Marshall Sponsor Kiddush lunch, December 16, 2017 in honor of Newman, from Alan & Mary Jo Bernard Michaly’s Bat Mitzvah, from Alex & Miri Volinsky In honor of Madelyn Isaacs, from Alan & Mary Jo Bernard Shirley Ginzburg, in celebration of your birthday, from In honor of Stephen Goldstein, from Alan & Mary Jo Arye & Barbara Green Bernard Nestor Cabrales, in appreciation for all the work you did Congregation Beth David, from Genya Gribanovskaya for the High Holy Days and the Break-the-Fast Dinner, Congregation Beth David, from Alexandra Kreimer from Sylvia Metz & Helaine Green

17 Contributions (Continued)

Martin Newman, in memory of your father, Marshall In memory of my grandmother, Bessie Resnick, from Newman, from Steven & Jacqueline Dines Harvey Checkman Martin Newman, in memory of your father, Marshall In memory of my mother-in-law, Minnie Sher, from Jerry Newman, from Seema Cicerone Daniel Barbara Biran, thank you for making my 4x Chai so In memory of my brother, Michael Daniel, from Jerry meaningful, from Seema Cicerone Daniel Rabbi Philip Ohriner, thank you for making my 4x Chai so In memory of my mother, Anne Kline, from Rhoda Bress meaningful, from Seema Cicerone In memory of my wife, Joan Stone, from Henry Stone Madelyn Isaacs, in honor of Kallat Bereisheet for Simchat Sponsor Kiddush lunch, October 14, 2017, in honor of my Torah, from Arye & Barbara Green son Michael’s Aufruf, from Robin Sabes. Stephen Goldstein, in honor of Hatan Torah for Simchat Sponsor kiddush lunch on October 14, 2017 in honor of Torah, from Arye & Barbara Green the Aufruf of my son, Michael Sabes and Madeleine Madelyn Isaacs, in honor of Kallat Bereisheet for Simchat Katz, from Robin Sabes. Torah, from Roland & Carol King Co-sponsor kiddush lunch on November 11, 2017 in honor th In honor of Stephen Goldstein, from Ike & Ronee Nassi of Linda’s 65 birthday, from Joe & Linda Weiss

In honor of Madelyn Isaacs, from Ike & Ronee Nassi March of the Living Fund Debby Hoffman, in celebration of your 60th Birthday, from In memory of my grandfather, Sigmund Fisch, from Alice Deborah Gonzalez Wald In honor of Robin D. Penn, from April Fenton In memory of my uncle, Adolf Fisch, from Alice Wald Marty & Nancy Newman, in loving memory of Marshall In memory of my grandmother, Armalia Schneider Fisch, Newman, from Donna Young from Alice Wald Debby Hoffman, in honor of your 60th birthday, from Dan In memory of my sister-in-law, Rose Zymmer, from Hoffman Miriam Engel Deborah Hoffman, in honor of your special birthday, from Manny & Bee Cherkas Rabbi Ohriner Discretionary Fund Stephen Goldstein, in honor of Hatan Torah for Simchat David Fishman, my sincere appreciation of your service to Torah, from Roland & Carol King Congregation Beth David, from Andrew Passett Martin & Nancy Newman & Family, in memory of your Rabbi Philip Ohriner, from Brent & Susan Hailpern father, Marshall Newman, from Martin & Rhoda Bress Rabbi Philip Ohriner, from Harriet Weiss Herman Stern, for refuah sheleimah, from Minda Schwartz In memory of my mother, Genia Harari, from Eli Harari Howard Gannes, in honor of your birthday, from Vivian In memory of my cousin, Marshall Berger, from Maxie Herman Baer Stephen Goldstein, in honor of being Hatan Torah, from In memory of my father, Samuel Metz, from Leonard Lee & Susan Gavens Metz Madelyn Isaacs, in honor of being Kallat Bereisheet, from In memory of my father, Marshall Klaus, from David & Lee & Susan Gavens Laura Abada Congregation Beth David, from Chris & Carol Cassell In memory of our parents, Shirley & Marvin Sosnick and Congregation Beth David, from Boris & Lyudmila Irene & Irving Sabes, from Albert & Sue Sabes Vladimirsky In memory of my wife, Ruth Dreifuss, from Herbert Congregation Beth David, from William & Elizabeth Dreifuss Menkin MD In memory of my father, Morris Roman, from Susan Religious School Myuchad Fund Ehrlich In memory of my father, Julius Schweitzer, from Eleanor In memory of my father, Theodore (Ted) Alexander, from Kiss

Rabbi Leslie Alexander Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library Fund In memory of my father, Harry Aitchison, from Kenneth In memory of my sister, Miriam Gutterman, from Clifford Aitchison Gutterman In memory of my grandmother, Sofie Langer, from Rabbi Leslie Alexander Stone Scholarship Fund In memory of my grandfather, Hugo Alexander, from In memory of my grandfather, Heinrich Rosenfelder, from Rabbi Leslie Alexander Henry Stone In memory of my aunt, Sally Simms, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my father, Leonard Greenberg, from Laurie In memory of my aunt, Hilda Isaac, from Joel & Myrtle Himelstein Schwartz In memory of my mother, Arlene Greenberg, from Laurie Himelstein 18

Donor(s): (If donor is a Beth David member, you may leave address blank) Name______Address______Street City State Zip In honor/memory of______

Acknowledge this donation to: (If acknowledgement goes to Beth David members, you may leave address blank) Name______Address______Street City State Zip Donation Amount $______or check one of the following:______$18 ______$36 ______$72 ______$108

_____ The Next 50 _____ Annual _____ Area of Capital Campaign Campaign Greatest Need

Billing: (Choose One) ______Check/Payment attached, please process directly ______Bill my account for the above amount and process immediately. Account # ______Note: For a complete list of designated funds, please call the office at 408-257-3333

Officers President Bill Beyda [email protected] Executive VP Betty Menkin [email protected] Administration VP Ron Ruebusch [email protected] Education VP Lori Kahn [email protected] Finance VP Andrew Passett [email protected] Membership VP Jill Rosenberg [email protected] Ritual VP David Fishman [email protected] Recording Secretary Madelyn Isaacs [email protected] Treasurer Michael Schaffer [email protected] Financial Secretary Michael Leitner [email protected]

General Board Immed. Dir. at Large Social Action Chair Carol Cassell Past President Dan Skilken Dir. at Large Youth Chair Sharon Horovitz Director at Large Elizabeth Batson Dir. at Large Facilities Chair Lee Hirsch Director at Large Opher Harel Dir. at Large Finance Rep Bill Halper Director at Large Bonnie Slavitt Dir. at Large Adult Education Rep Susan Rojo Director at Large Alison Ruebusch Dir. at Large Program Chair Barbara Green Director at Large Thelma Ramm Dir. at Large Sisterhood Rep Cathy Beyda Director at Large Alex Drukarev Dir. at Large Men’s Club Rep Art Singer

19 Congregation Beth David Nonprofit Org 19700 Prospect Road U.S. Postage Saratoga, CA 95070-3352 PAID Permit No. 94 Change service requested Cupertino, CA

Did you know the D’var is available online? Help us save resources and money. Stop receiving a hard copy of D’var. Email [email protected].

Congregation Beth David Annual Meeting Sunday, December 10th 10:00am - 12:00pm

Come hear about the state of your synagogue and elect new officers and directors. We need a quorum to do business. Please make every effort to attend.

We mailed you a letter in the middle of November. It contains meeting information and your BALLOT VOUCHER.

Please remember to bring your ballot voucher with you to the meeting.

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