ConnectionsTemple Emanu-El Shevat - Adar 5781 • V. 85 No. 5 February 2021 Service Schedule February Surprise! Friday, February 5 -in-a-Box 7:00 PM Zoom Family Erev Shabbat Service coming your way Friday, February 12 Instead of our traditional drive, our Confirmation class will be boxing 7:00 PM Streaming Erev Shabbat Service up Purim for you, complete with grogger, mask, hamantaschen and more!! Friday, February 19 Stay tuned for delivery details soon! 6:00 PM Streaming Tot Shabbat If you want to join our delivery team, let us know at [email protected]. 7:00 PM Erev Streaming Shabbat

Thursday, February 25 6:00 PM Zoom Erev Purim Trivia Night Experience

Friday, February 26 JOIN US ON ZOOM 6:30 PM Zoom Live Kabbalat Shabbat Service Purim Shpiel We invite you to join us for our traditional Purim Shpiel on Sunday, February 28 at 10:00 AM We’ve got a lot planned and can’t wait to share it with you. More information to come soon!.

If any Temple member would like a physical copy of the membership directory, please contact us at JOIN [email protected] or 408-292-0939, US ON and we will be happy ZOOM to mail one to you. Erev Purim Trivia Night Experience Think you know EVERYTHING about Purim? 1010 University Ave., San Jose, CA 95126 We bet you don’t. come test your trivia skills against your fellow 408-292-0939 congregants for trivia night! Hope to see you on www.templesanjose.org February 25 at 6:00 PM facebook.com/templesanjose for this great event! twitter.com/templesanjose [email protected] This experience is for adults. More information to come soon!. Connections From the President Temple Emanu-El is more that I didn’t want the temple to fail on my watch. Well, we’re than the building still up to our necks in this pandemic; what if people just lose interest in the temple and stop supporting it financially and I’m sitting here at home watching otherwise? So, I’m not always the most optimistic person in football, reflecting on the disturbing the room. past week. I’ve become adept at dealing with a kindergartner and a Before I went back to bed and pulled the covers over my 3rd grader doing distance learning head, I thought to myself……”That’s just not going to happen.” from my home office. I ran an Look at what we’ve accomplished in the last few years as a unusually spirited Temple Board congregation. We raised almost $2.6 million to do the 2020 meeting on Tuesday night, January renovations. Almost no one thought we could do this. We 5th. However, all normalcy left on had a few critics who felt that doing a capital project was Wednesday morning as a group of angry and misguided going to fail. But Andrew Weinberg and Larry Fox forged people overtook the Capitol building in Washington D.C. The ahead and we raised the money. Our plans have been next few days were spent cycling through news channels submitted to the City of San Jose and we hope to break and social media anger. As an American, I was appalled. ground before summer. As a Jew, I was sickened to see so many of the “patriots” The response to High Holy Days was amazing. Our Clergy wearing anti-Semitic symbols. It left me deflated team and staff put on a spectacular set of services Our So, why am I telling you this? I’m just the Temple President. production value was high and the music and content was My political leanings are completely irrelevant and have no second to none. We had a huge audience of members and bearing on my role at Temple Emanu-El. However, I ask you non-members from around the country. It was inspiring. Let’s to indulge me for just a moment. not forget how much we all loved the gift bags. This morning, I had the privilege of participating in the Bat Even during a pandemic/shutdown, our congregation Mitzvah of our own Sarah Applebaum. It gave me the chance stepped up and participated in our Annual Campaign like to fully escape the week and think about something else. never before. Right before High Holy Days, I told the board I really needed a break from the real world. It made me that we were going to set a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious realize how Temple Emanu-El is always there when I need it. Goal) for the Annual Campaign. In my pre-Rosh Hashana video I announced we were trying to raise $100,000. That’s Not being one who can simply enjoy the moment…… I started $25,000 more than we have ever tried to raise during the reflecting on how important the temple community has been campaign. Did, I think we would make it? Remember, I’m not for me during last 10 months. Being involved with the board an optimist. I figured, we’d shoot for $100K and be happy if and then becoming President certainly helps keep my time we got to $75K. Once again, our community stepped up and occupied during what seems to be an interminable “shelter we raised just under $110,000. This isn’t just mad money. We in place”. It’s nice to have something to fill up a few hours. operate the synagogue with this money. We may even be Temple business is a bit like work; I do it because it needs able to reinstate pay raises that were suspended this year. to be done. Tuesday’s Chat with the Rabbi has become something I try to attend as often as possible. It’s a small My natural pessimism has waned. We have so much to group, but we have some lively discussions and laugh a lot. look forward to in 2021. We have a beautiful new Sanctuary Live Onegs and live Zoom services have a great energy. waiting for us, hope to have a completely remodeled I understand that some of our services will be recordings exterior. We’ll even have a new Cantor. available on YouTube, but I look forward to the day when we A synagogue is a building. A congregation is a group of will all be able to share in services together Any event that is people getting together for worship. Temple Emanu-El is a little bit social always leaves me feeling better than when I both of those things. We are also a community of people started. It’s good therapy. who care about the institution and each other. It sounds a Of course, I couldn’t leave well enough alone and feel good whole lot like a family. Even in the strangest of times, we about what’s going on at the Temple with ZIGZAG events cling to our family for support and love. It makes me feel and social groups. I shifted into a slightly darker place. good to be part of the Temple Emanu-El family. How much longer can we go without actually being open? Let’s have a happy and healthy 2021. Let’s connect How much longer can we go without being able to shake whenever possible. That’s what families do. hands or hug a friend? When can we actually spend time in our beautiful sanctuary? I could feel the spiral of despair Steve Krandel, President beginning. One of my fears of being Temple President was

2 Connections Cantor Notes Happy Purim, everyone! Enjoy one of my favorite bored, non-screen time things: KILLER SUDOKU! In case you don’t know, here are the rules: 1. As with Sudoku, the objective of Killer Sudoku is to fill the grid with the numbers 1 to 9, such that each row, column and nonet (3x3 group of cells) contains each number only once. 2. In addition to this, a Killer Sudoku grid is divided into cages, shown with dashed lines. The sum of the numbers in a cage must equal the small number in its top-left corner. 3. The same number cannot appear in a cage more than once. GOOD LUCK and have a HAPPY PURIM! Cantor Amanda Edmondson

Parents Circle - Families Forum program coming to Temple Emanu-El

You may know that the COVID relief bill the President which will hopefully be funded by this Partnership signed in December was a “package” deal, with a load for Peace Act is the Parents Circle - Families of other items included in it. One of those items was the Forum (PCFF). Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act. The Parents Circle is a joint Israeli-Palestinian This new law represents a huge investment in Israeli- organization made up of more than 600 bereaved Palestinian peacebuilding. It provides $250 million over families. Their common bond is that they have lost five years to expand peace and reconciliation programs between Israelis and Palestinians and will help lay a continued on page 7 foundation for a genuine peace. One of the programs

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Religious School Sisterhood Here are clues to the following riddle: Sisterhood continues to engage our Significance: Remembers the defeat members and of a plot to exterminate the Jews Temple congregants Observances: Public reading of by planning virtual a book of while “blotting out” the events. We were so villain’s name happy to celebrate Hanukkah together Length: 1 day with a virtual White Customs: Costume parties; drinking; Elephant gift card party. We had some long-term eating fruit-filled triangular cookies members (Doris Davis, Bobi Levine, Harriet Reisner, Sybil Sommers and Lois Zell) and new members (Ellen Rudy What am I? Hopefully you answered the Jewish holiday of & Anna Guiltieri) join us. Thank you to Judy for using her Purim. If so, you won a lifetime supply of Hamentaschen classroom pocket chart to organize our event. It helped from Costco. What significance does this holiday hold with the stealing!! Yes, even friends steal during a White on the Jewish calendar? Purim is one of the most joyous Elephant gift exchange! and fun holidays as it commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from Thank you to our amazing Membership V.P., Joy Powell, extermination. But why all the revelry and hoopla? Because who has helped Sisterhood gain 13 new members. We we are commanded to “eat, drink, and be merry”. We appreciate the support of all our renewal memberships. are commanded to boo and hiss and attempt to blot out Thank to our Life Members too! Sisterhood has 105 the name of at his very mention during the public members to date. reading of the Scroll of Esther. And according to the Talmud, If you would like to donate $36 to help us continue our we are required to drink until we cannot tell the difference financial support for Religious School programs and between “cursed be Haman” and “blessed be Mordecai” Temple programs, please send in your renewal of $36 (though opinions differ as to exactly how drunk that is). with your check made payable to Temple Emanu-El When else can you come to Temple drunk and be loud Sisterhood and mail to Joy Powell. and obnoxious and dress up in costume? I love this holiday because of its irreverent nature. The High Holidays are solemn and reflective, Passover has its dietary restrictions, Cut or Tear, Complete Donation Amount and Sukkot makes us eat and sleep outside for a week. But and Send with Payment on Adar 14 we party in the streets like its Mardi Gras. Make checks payable to: For all the joy on this holiday, Jewish custom tells us that we Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood cannot fully enjoy the day without remembering those less fortunate that ourselves. Therefore, we are commanded to Mail to: Joy Powell send out gifts of food or drink, and to make gifts to charity. 3704 Meadowlands Lane The sending of gifts of food and drink is referred to as San Jose CA 95135 Mishloach Manot (lit. sending out portions). It is always the Name:______balance that we Jews keep in order to make the world a better place. Address:______Finally, it is also customary to hold carnival-like celebrations City/Zip Code:______on Purim, to perform plays and parodies, and to hold beauty contests. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we will not be Home Phone:______holding our annual Purim festivities (Carnival and Adult Purim celebrations). We will make the time as festive as possible Cell Phone:______and pray that Purim 2022 will be in person and “Party like It’s 1999”!! Email:______Bottom line is Purim is coming at the end of this month and you should be ready to “eat, drink, and be merry”, dress up as Please contact Joy Powell at 408-274-2364 your favorite Purim character, and be grateful for your health. and learn more about TEE Sisterhood and/or email Joy at [email protected] Chag Purim Samech!! Phil Hankin, MAJE, Director of Education

4 Connections D’var Torah - The Reluctant Leader

This week’s Parashat is Sh’mot. It begins by noting that for the Israelites. Moses goes back to God wondering why Joseph and all his generation had died, and a new king he was sent when his efforts only made life harder for the of Egypt was crowned, one who knew not of Joseph and Israelites. The passage ends as God tells Moses that he how Joseph was instrumental to the old Pharaoh. The will make life even harder for Pharaoh. new king was growing very wary of the Israelites since they were fruitful and multiplied. He There are many themes in this passage, but I think the was afraid their increasing numbers most fundamental theme is Moses as could rise up against him. He countered a reluctant leader. Leaders are most that perceived threat by making their Leaders are most effective effective when they are called to lead labors even harder than normal. He when they are called to rather than when they aspire to lead. also instructed the midwives to kill male lead rather than when God called to Moses from the burning Israelite babies. When the midwives they aspire to lead. God bush and Moses pleaded with him to send someone else. Even though he refused, the king told them to throw called to Moses from the was raised in the royal household, he the boys into the Nile. There was a Levi burning bush and Moses woman who bore a son and hid from was humble and felt most comfortable pleaded with him to the Egyptians. When the boy was three amongst his people, but he had no months the Levi woman put her son in send someone else. aspirations be a leader of those people. a basket in the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter We also want our leaders to have discovered the infant, whom she named conviction. Moses kills an Egyptian Moses, and raised him as her own. overseer when he witnesses the Moses grew up witnessing the labors of his own people. overseer brutally beating one of Moses kinfolk. Moses When he was grown, he witnessed an Egyptian overseer risked death to save one of his own people. Leaders need beat an Israelite laborer and killed the overseer. Fearing to have courage and it takes a lot of courage to stand up getting discovered, he fled to Midian. There he defended to God saying that God choose the wrong person for the a priest’s daughters from a group of shepherds as the job. Good leaders also know their weaknesses and are daughters were trying to water their flock. The priest not afraid to admit those weaknesses. Moses told God invited Moses to dinner and Moses eventually marries the that he was slow of speech and tongue and then was not priest’s daughter, Zipporah. put off when God told Moses to have his brother make up for Moses’ deficiencies. Leaders can also face opposition Meanwhile, the Israelites continued to strain under the but still move forward. Moses was not only rebuked yoke of the Egyptians and cried out from their bondage. by Pharaoh, but also by his own people on numerous God took notice and looked down upon them. Back in occasions and kept to his objective and eventually Midian, as Moses was tending to his flock, he noticed a succeeded. bush that burned but was not consumed. God called to Moses from the bush and introduced himself. He instructs As unlikely a leader as Moses seems, his conviction, Moses to free the Israelites and Moses immediately asks courage, self-awareness and perseverance make him a what happens if the Israelites think he is a little crazy and very relatable character and able to lead in the face of will not listen to him. God teaches Moses several neat numerous obsatcles. parlor tricks so the Israelites will think he is the real deal. David Heiman Moses pleads further to choose someone else since he is slow of speech and slow of tongue. God tells Moses to take his brother, Aaron, as a spokesperson. David has been Board of Trustees for 7 years and is currently the Treasurer.

Moses and his entire family head to Egypt. Zipporah performs the first circumcision along the way. Once in Egypt, Moses and Aaron plead with Pharaoh to free the . Israelites. Pharaoh declines and makes life even harder

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A Ritual Committee A The season of the hamentaschen is nigh! But what delicious filling should we find inside Of course, what is a modern Purim celebration our cookie’s trifolded dough? without the carnival? A highlight of any Jewish school year are the crazy games, Purim is the Festival of Lots, a costumes, crafts, snacks, and activities celebration of the events recounted of the Purim party. This tradition in the Scroll of Esther. Through the probably stems from medieval Italian many colorful interpretations of the Jews borrowing aspects of that other tale, we are all familiar with beautiful famous carnival that happens around Queen Esther, her cousin the noble the same time of year (Mardi Gras), Mordechai, and villainous Haman, but over time we have now made this the king’s vizier. Their story unfolds something wholly our own. There’s in ancient Persia, and tells how our even a biblical precedent for the heroes outwitted Haman and foiled his masquerade, sort of, if you count Esther’s plans to kill all the Jews. In honor of this hiding from the King that she was Jewish. history, we fill our iconic cookies with the In any case, this carnival makes Purim many traditional paste, the original variety. children’s favorite Jewish holiday, and for them, One year ago, our Purim spiel was canceled due growing we have a chocolate-filled hamentaschen, the variety that concern about the spread of a mysterious new disease. classrooms always seem to run out of first. Monday, March 9, 2020 we were supposed to gather And as for Purim in the time of Coronavirus? As of this together in costumes, drink our wine, and recite the writing, the details have not yet been announced. But Megillah. But instead we dressed in our sweats, had pizza plans undoubtedly will involve sitting in front of our laptop delivered, and counted our rolls of toilet paper. Purim screens, each of us at our individual homes. Last year, was the first of our festivals interrupted as Purim was disrupted so early in the by the Coronavirus, back before we pandemic, there was no time to plan even knew what was happening. For worship from home. And so Purim this this, we create tomato hamentaschen, year now becomes the last festival of something disturbing, unwanted, barely These ritual activities our cycle to be modified for Zoom. We edible, hopefully never to be repeated. ground and guide us may sometimes complain about the In addition to reciting the Megillah, the providing a framework for Zoom, but our kvetching is outweighed mitzvot of Purim include exchanging how we should participate by our gratefulness that we are able to gifts of food and drink -- mishloach in our community. connect to our community at all. This last manot, donating to charity (above and year has forced us to reconsider aspects beyond traditional tzedakah), and eating of all of our Jewish holidays, and some the celebratory meal. Some may also of the changes have proved surprising, observe the Fast of Esther the day improving, expanding, and evolving our prior, personalizing Esther’s efforts to bond to the festivals. For this, we make build her resolve before approaching new traditions, filling our hamentaschen the king. These ritual activities ground and guide us, with mango, persimmon, or pumpkin, experimenting, providing a framework for how we should participate in exploring the possibilities. our community. The traditions each focus on an expanding So as Purim marks the passing of one year with the awareness, from the personal fast, to the family meal, to pandemic, we now want to believe that the vaccines and the gifts for friends, to the charity for the stranger. This other efforts presage the end of the quarantine. Hopefully is the real spiritual heart of Purim, and for this, we fill our among the bad we have found some good, and can bring hamentaschen with apricot jam, making for the ultimate in it with us when we emerge from our homes. But in the delicious, sweet treats. meantime, Chag Purim Sameach! Branden Frederick, writing for the Ritual Committee

6 Connections Preschool It is hard to believe that we are past the halfway mark of the school year already! As we look back over the last 6 months of this unique school year I am constantly reminded of how much has changed and yet how very much has stayed the same. Our kids are thriving and the joy they have each day at just being together brings all of us such happiness. I made the decision in December to allow our school aged children to remain with us through June and we are just loving having them at school each day. These kids normally would age out at 5 or 6 and head off to elementary school so it has been a real treat to have some of our former little friends (who now are definitely not so little) rejoin us for this special year. This year it is not possible for us to hold our annual Open House in February. Instead I invite you to please contact me if you are interested in having your child join us for the Summer or Fall of 2021. Enjoy some pictures of our wonderful kids! Barbara Smead, MA.Ed Director of Early Childhood Education [email protected]

Parents Circle - Families Forum program continued from page 3

a close family member to the conflict. But instead engage in dialogue instead of revenge. of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of The Tikkun Olam Committee is delighted to virtually reconciliation. host two of these courageous PCFF members, an These bereaved members, armed with the credibility of Israeli and a Palestinian, for a Dialogue Meeting over their loss and the uncommon path they have chosen, Zoom in late January or early February. have opened a crack in the psyche of a hardened Please join bereaved Israeli and Palestinian mothers, populace. They have begun to stir an awareness about Robi Damelin and Layla al-Shaikh, who each lost their the conflict that transcends history and politics. For son to the conflict. Despite having paid the highest price many, it is the first time they have seen “the other side” to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Robi and Layla have as human. chosen a unique path of reconciliation. The PCFF hopes for the day that political leaders reach The exact date hasn’t been set yet, but because of an agreement for peace. But they strongly believe that the time difference between Israel and California, reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian people the meeting will be in the morning, probably at 9:00 is essential to ensuring that peace is sustainable. or 10:00 AM. If you are interested in hearing their PCFF consists of several programs, including Dialogue stories and joining the conversation, please contact Meetings, which are led by two PCFF members, one Marci Gerston at [email protected] or admin@ Israeli and one Palestinian, who tell their personal templesanjose.org. We will provide you with the details stories of bereavement and explain their choice to once determined.

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We Remember

Those who have died recently Diamondstone, Claire Duke, Helen Theodore Lavin, Herbert Lee, Shirley Lois Rosett, grandmother of Faverman, Berti Feder, Marvin Fox, Levine, Sylvia Lurie, Joseph Lutvak, Ilene Tucker Louis Friedman, Sarah Friedman, Anna Macdonald, Benjamin Marcus, Jon Gassman, Irving Gendzel, Frances Etta Meyerson, Harry Miller, Ralph Gibson, David Gilner, Sadye David Mintz, Sam Mintzer, Joseph And those we have lost in years Gizang, Sylvia Goldberg, Melvin Newman, Isaac Oppenheimer, Fe past Grais, Henry Guen, Mark Hammer, Pangilinan, Sandra Plavin, Mildred February 5 | Belle Aronowitz, Hi-Chan Katzman, Sophie Koppel, Portner, Mella S. Rauer, Howard Charles Atlas, Leonard Baker, Sylvia Lane, Sadie Lavin, Marsha Recht, George Rittenberg, Isadore George H. Barnett, Harry Berman, Lax, Jerrold Levitt, Jeanette Lewon, Rosenthal, Helene Rutansky, Beverly Bobb, Ellen Bonnema, Michael David Lotman, Julia Lukes, Manon S. Shields, Noah Shipman, Abraham Boxer, Mildred Borts Thomas Mahoney, Maurice A. Martin, Daviene Shklar, Sid Silverman, Lee Brisken, Ruth Charlesworth, Bill Hugo Matzner, Adolf Meyerson, Robert Silverman, Ann Sogolow, Chastain, Hyman Cohen, Ida Albert Miller, Henrietta Mintzer, Max Bernie Stern, Leonard Taylor, Mollie Dishotsky, Alice Emrich, Alexander Morris, Roslyn Stein Novak, Louis Thailer, Phil Toren, Tillie Unger, Faverman, Rose Genkin, Marcia Osiel, Dr. Sanford Pelz, Millicent Allan Weinstein, Rhea Wolff, Sofia Goldfarb, Stanley Goldman, Morey Potter, Herman Rodoff, Alba Rosario, Yampolsky Bernie Rosenberg, Eve Rosenthal, Gross, David Herlich, Moses February 27 | Rudnicki Barbara, Sarah Golden Roy, Irvin Rubenstein, Katz, Pauline Kessler, Chris Koga, Joseph Berg, Gail Cahn, Maida Ed Rubin, Elsie Saul, Pearl Margarette Apt Korant, Lawrence Cosman, Arlene Barbara Cristal, Schneiderman, Ilse Schwalbe, Frank Lieberman, David Lipton, Dr. Benno Maurice Engleman, Glenn Farber, Schwartz, Belle Segal-Katz, Rebecca Lowy, Sarah Marchick, Beatrice Ben Finkel, Florence Carol Shulman, Gladys Shulman, Marilyn May, Lucille Medeiros, James Mehr, Gambord-Avrech, Bertha Geeser, Silver, Evelyn Singer, Charlotte Claire Messinger, Jacob Myers, Ida Leo Gordon, Juliet Hyde, Lucas Stein, Gloria Wall, Rochelle Weiman, Nathan, Burgos Pangilinan, Morris Izquierdo, Irving Kotlier, Flossie Nanette Osiel Weintraub, Aida Peckman, Sarah Probst, Florence Krandel, Mike Krown, Harold Weissberger, Jacob Zarchin, Mayer Rapport, Cora Ravizza, Leonard Levine, Martin Levitt, Gayle Lutvak, Zeidenweber, Cameron Zwern Roellig, Dr. Alexander Rogozen, Jeanette Lutvak, Rose Mayerson, Maryon Rosen, Dr. Joseph Rosen, February 19 | Lillian R. Ackerman, Alfred Michaelis, Sarah Herd Miller, Elaine Rubenstein, Lorraine Samuel, Anne Altman, Bessie Ball, Bernice Marcia Morris, Berna Nanneman, David Saxon, Sonny Schwab, Blaustein, Samuel Blaustein, Mollye Irene Neal, Charles Polansky, Sarah Pauline Katz Senders, Harold Siegel, Blumstein, Mae Brash, Mae Brash, Prymak, Nathaniel Ratner, Betty Beatrice Stein, Julius Stein, Arthur Robert Brody, Betty Burton, Cissi Rinsler, Hilda Rosenberg, Martin Stein, Beverly Strong, Roslyn Suntop, Carl, Clara Cohen, Joshua Cohen, Rudy, Morris Saslaw, Norman Stanley Turnbull, Ann Wiener, Sydney B. Davis, Sandy Davis, Saul, Stanley Schneider, Samuel Frances Wolfson, Betty Yules Joseph Garshon, Maurice Baruch Rubin Schorr, Meyer Schwab, February 12 | Larry Barko, Lee Gluckman, Joseph Gordon, Helene Arnold Shulman, Ann Sibby, Mae Bell, Herman Berns, William Graff, Rose Greenberg, Shirley Siegel, Sidney Silverman, Edward Bloomfield, Yetta Broder, Bob Asch Handloff, Irma Hartfield, Lena Sommer, Esther Steinberg, Lois Kahn Burdman, Steven Busch, Phineas Jaffee, Abraham Katz, Yetta Konits, Svigals, Grigorie Tenenbaum, David Clayton, Phoebe Cohen, Cynthia George Koster, Robert Krandel, Unterman, Henry I. Weinstein, Minnie Coit, Daniel Cunningham, Judith Rueben Kulakofsky, Violet Landers, Woldenberg, Rose Zacker

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This list includes contributions made on or between 11/17/2020-12/21/2020. Thank You for Your Generous Contributions Jeffrey & Ellen Rudy Joan Fox, in memory of Dr. Robert Deborah Katzman, in memory of Helen 20/20 Project Derek Rushin Hersch C Levy Dr. Donald & Nancy Lesser, in memory Eleanor & Richard Rusnak of Marvin Fox Ruth & Robert Fox, in memory of Dr. Deborah Katzman, in memory of Tiffany Schneider Raff Robert Hersch Rebecca Zaslow Eric & Laura Tannenwald, in memory of Rabbi Marvin & Janet Schwab Marvin Fox Joseph & Michelle Gabriel, in memory Philip Schwarz of Sadie Gabrilowitz JoAnne Salman-Tehrani Sally Siegel Joseph & Michelle Gabriel, in memory Homeless Fund Alvin Ravel Garden Fund Manfred & Virginia Siegler of Dorothy Halprin Sally Ravel, in memory of Steven Keller & Michelle Tidwell, Hugh Silin Dr. Bobbye Gorenberg Dr. Robert Hersch Dawn Smilek in memory of Albert Tidwell Dr. Richard Sogg Stephen & Arlene Greenberg Steven Keller & Michelle Tidwell, Annual Campaign Sybil Sommer Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, in memory of Melitta Tidwell 17 Anonymous Donors Mark & Lynette Tannen in memory of Edis Robinson Sharon Barowsky Carol Thailer Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, Judith Jurman Omens Virginia Beck Susan Timpson in memory of Eugene Weiss Dr. Allan & Judith Bernstein Loui Tucker & Sabine Zappe Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, Cemetery Beautification Margie Blickman Loui Tucker & Sabine Zappe in memory of Zelda Heitner Fund Ken & Ellyn Bloomfield Dan & Julie Turchin Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, Charlotte & Richard Burriesci, Ken & Ellyn Bloomfield Rachelle & Roy Vogler in memory of Mark Leon in memory of Simon Slater Shannon Brown & Dana Brody-Brown David & Jenny Wagner Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, Frederick & Sherry Graff, in memory of Charlotte & Richard Burriesci Brad Wall & Ginny Hoffman in memory of Mary Leon Sylvia Saslow Dr. David & Susana Cahn Judee Weinstein Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, Carol Laughlin, in memory of Dr. Edward & Marjorie Cahn Professor Alan Weissberger in memory of Cyril Weiss Esther Miller Daniel & Connie Carr David & Sherri Wiesner Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, Mitzi Sapper, in memory of Josephine Carr Janet Wood in memory of Helen Greenberg Ernest Marcus Nathaniel & Sherry Cohen Helen Ibsen, in memory of Mitzi Sapper, in memory of Chris & Michele Healey Eaton Campership Fund Dr. Maxwell Ibsen Ernest Marcus Bette Emanuel Jason & Michele Balaban, in memory of Kirk Everett & Rebecca Dishotsky Deborah Katzman, in appreciation of the Albert and Ida Kragen Caring Committee for all of their help Kenneth Gordon Robin Feinman-Marino Jacob & Pauline Braunstein, in memory Tom & Kama Fletcher and thoughtfulness Children’s Prayerbook of Samuel Rubin Nancy Kazdan Dale Foster & Aileen Teren-Foster Manfred & Virginia Siegler, in memory Eric & Polly Fox Brian Korek Fund of Cammy Resnick, granddaughter of Daniel & Shirley Lee, in memory of Chris & Michele Healey Eaton, in Joan Fox Margie Blickman Ruth & Robert Fox Leo A Lee memory of Kenneth Gordon Brian & Michelle Frank Bobi Levine, in memory of Ruth Yaffee Joseph & Marcia Riggio, in memory of Ronda Fraser Cantor’s Discretionary Bobi Levine, in memory of Kenneth Gordon Branden & Rebecca Frederick Fund Janice Perlitch Nancy Gerston Kenneth & Carol Hoffman, in memory of Bobi Levine, in memory of Phyllis Omel Junior Lori Ghan Nella & Eric Hoffman Judge Martin Rothenberg Choir Fund Diane Gilden Judith Romm, in appreciation of an Joyce Mendel, in memory of Eugene & Marilyn Handloff, in memory Dr. Gary Gold incredible High Holiday experience Terry Freeling of Herman Sam Handloff Jamie & Ken Gold Judith Romm, in appreciation of the Margaret & Robert Newman, in memory Uri & Judith Gottfeld most memorable High Holiday yet! of Charlotte Newman Joan Green Rabbi’s Discretionary Suellen Haggerty Douglas & Willma Polgar Fund Robert & Rhonda Hansen Choir Fund Tiffany & Aviv Raff Dr. Allan & Judith Bernstein, in memory Leah & Robert Heinrich Naomi S. Cahn, with get well wishes Anthony Saenz of Cammy Resnick, granddaughter of Steve & Kim Jackman to my beloved aunt Nancy Malen Anthony Saenz Margie Blickman Weisenfeld E. Gerald & Gail Jacobs Mitzi Sapper, in memory of Dr. Allan & Judith Bernstein, in memory Laura Jacobson Gerald Sapper of Jean Bernstein Mark Jacobson Endowment Fund Jonathan Straus, in memory of Dr. Allan & Judith Bernstein, in memory Berry & Teri Kane Jacob & Pauline Braunstein, in memory Joel Straus of Murray Bernstein of Sidney Braunstein Selma Karchem Bernice & Ben Vitcov, in memory of Braude Foundation, in memory of Steven Krandel & Allyson Landers Jacob & Pauline Braunstein, in memory Morris Nissman Jack Braude of Rose Braunstein Steve & Annette Ladowitz Harold Woron, in memory of Ruth Woron Braude Foundation, in memory of Dr. Ilene & Jerry Levine JoAnn Shank, in memory of Harold Woron, in memory of Janet Berg Sylvia Braude Abe Livchitz Dr. Robert Hersch Rita Loren Braude Foundation, in memory of David Marcus General Fund Harold Cahn Laurence Braude Meg McRoberts Prayerbook Fund Marilyn Feldman, in memory of Mildred Cecily Burke Peckman, beloved mom and grandma Jonathan & Alissa Meltzer Robert & Ester Burton Naomi S. Cahn, with get well wishes to Beverly & Neil Mendel my beloved grandfather Dr. Ed Cahn Mr. Lorin Fink, in memory of Joseph & David and Susana Cahn, in honor of Selma Fink David & Linda Mighdoll Dr. Edward and Marjorie Cahn, M.D for Ms. Kathryn Runcie, in memory of Yvonne Nemec Sarah & Lewis Berman Joan Fox, in appreciation of and thank their selflessness and for their eternal you to Rabbi Dana Magat Andrew & Stacey Nussbaum light of love Marc Pawliger & Helen Cha Israel Scholarship Fund Frederick & Sherry Graff, in memory of The Perez Family Dick and Sue Casey, in memory of Helene Graff Dr. Robert Hersch Deborah Katzman, in memory of Gabriela Pinelo Lawrence Brenner Lisa Green, in honor of Sara Green Judy Pollock & Sherry Mates Eldon & Nancy Cherniss Deborah Katzman, in memory of Schmitt for Chanukah, celebrating our Sheri Prizant Eldon & Nancy Cherniss blessings Fagie Rosen Vivian Cohen, in memory of Bertha Strauss Deborah Katzman, in memory of Hali Hammer & Margy Hutchison Alfred & Bunny Roth Philip Cohen continued on page 10 Benjamin Rubin Doris Davis Henry Strauss 9 Connections

Thank You for Your Generous Contributions continued from page 9 Matt Hammer, in memory of Howard & Dana Stiskin Scholar in Residence Susanne and Maurice Susan Hammer Thomas Szepesi & Eva Baumgartn Marilyn & Mort Leiter, in memory of Bernice & Ben Vitcov Fund Tucker High Holy Day Robert Hersch Debra & Donald Wanamaker, in memory Robert and Maggie Cant, in memory of Music Fund Abe Livchitz, in memory of Oda Livchitz of Al Wanamaker Mary Ann Kaisel Jill Carroll, in honor of Doris Davis Claire and Jim McGuire Robert and Maggie Cant, in memory of Carol Tucker Martin & Family, in Bettey Naymark, in memory of Religious School Fund Charles W. Lewis memory of Maurice Tucker Sherman Naymark Naomi S. Cahn, in memory of my Robert and Maggie Cant, in memory of Paul & Janis Roth-Soto, in memory of beloved aunt Gail Actor Cahn, Bernard Becker Catherine Soto, our beloved mother on her birthday Dr. Richard Sogg, in memory of Sally Sogg If you would like to make a contribution, visit www.templesanjose.org

If you would like to advertise in Temple Emanu-El’s Connections contact Oliver Housman at [email protected].

10 Connections Streaming Erev Shabbat Streaming Service – 7:00 PM Zoom Family Erev Shabbat Service – 7:00 PM Zoom Live Kabbalat Zoom Live Kabbalat Shabbat Service – 6:30 PM Streaming Tot Shabbat – Tot Streaming 6:00 PM Shabbat – Erev Streaming 7:00 PM

Meeting – 6:00 PM Ritual Committee Zoom TV/Film Discussion – 12:00 PM Zoom Erev Purim Trivia Night Experience – 6:00 PM Zoom: 5781 B’Nai Mitzvah Zoom: 5781 B’Nai Class – 5:00 PM are Wednesdays Beit No’ar – 6:30 PM EESY Zoom Lunch & Learn – & Learn Zoom Lunch 12:00 PM Mitzvah – Zoom 5781 B’Nai 5:00 PM Zoom Lunch & Learn – & Learn Zoom Lunch 12:00 PM Mitzvah – Zoom 5781 B’Nai 5:00 PM are Wednesdays Beit No’Ar – 6:30 PM EESY Zoom 5781 B’Nai Mitzvah – Zoom 5781 B’Nai 5:00 PM

FEBRUARY 2021

Chat with the Rabbi – Chat with the Rabbi 12:00 PM Board Meeting – 7:00 PM Zoom Intro to Judaism – 7:00 PM Rabbi – 12:00 PM Rabbi Zoom Intro to Judaism – 7:00 PM Zoom Chat with the Zoom Chat with the Rabbi – 12:00 PM Rabbi Zoom Intro to Judaism – 7:00 PM Zoom Chat with the Rabbi – 12:00 PM Rabbi Zoom Intro to Judaism – 7:00 PM

To celebrate Washington’s birthday, this ZIGZAG happy hour will this ZIGZAG birthday, celebrate Washington’s To to funny misdeeds they did as encourage others to “confess” play hooky from school or forge a parent’s kids or adults (like we could just schmooze. signature on a report card)...or Beginning Adult Hebrew – 7:00 PM Beginning Adult Hebrew – 7:00 PM 7:00-8:00 PM “I Cannot Tell a Lie” “I Cannot Tell Happy Hour ZIGZAG Beginning Adult Hebrew – 7:00 PM

Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Brotherhood Meeting – 9:00 AM School – 9:45a Religious Sisterhood Meeting – 10:30 AM Zoom Confirmation Class 5781 – 11:30 AM Great Questions Discussion Group – 12:30 PM 10:00 AM Zoom Confirmation Class 5781 – 11:30 AM Religious School – 9:45 AM Religious – Virtual Israel Tour 10:00 AM Virtual Israel Tour – Virtual Israel Tour Religious School – 9:45 AM Religious Purim Shpiel – 10:00 AM Jews of Lithuania with – 12:00 PM Shirley Lee

11 Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 542 San Jose, CA

1010 University Ave. San Jose, CA 95126

Clergy______Award/Operating and Tribute Funds Dana Magat | Senior Rabbi – [email protected] General Fund Amanda Edmondson | Cantor – [email protected] Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Joseph Gitin, D.D. (z”l) | Rabbi Emeritus Cantor’s Discretionary Fund Alvin Ravel Garden Fund Committee Chairs______Beverly Jordan Temple Beautification Fund Bobi Levine/Rebecca Frederick | Havurot Coordinatorsr – [email protected] Judith Jurman Omens Cemetery Beautification Fund Dan Lee | Membership Commitment – [email protected] Lou and Clara Juren Library Fund Uri Gottfeld | Facilities – [email protected] Ralph Goldeen Library Fund TBD | Marketing – [email protected] Endowment Fund Branden Frederick | Ritual – [email protected] Religious Funds Sharon Genkin | Tikkun Olam – [email protected] Harold Cahn Prayerbook Fund Kim Jackman | Membership – [email protected] Kenneth Gordon Children’s Prayerbook Fund Richard Rusnak | Security Committee – [email protected] Susanne & Maurice Tucker High Holy Days Music Fund Mira Karp | Religious School – [email protected] Fagie Rosen and Harriet Saltzman | Caring Committee – [email protected] Youth Funds Jessica Blitchok | Endowment Committee – [email protected] Religious School Fund Religious School Enrichment Fund Rebecca Frederick | Preschool Committee – [email protected] Betty Rinsler Religious School Staff______Endowment Fund Weintraub Religious School Scholarship Fund Stephanie Pollock | Executive Director – [email protected] | 408-292-0939 ext. 233 Youth Enrichment Fund Barbara Smead | Director, Early Childhood Education – [email protected] | 408-293-8660 | #434404443 Leonard and Bernice Gaon Campership Fund Phil Hankin | Director of Education – [email protected] | 408-292-3223 Michael Elman Campership Fund Shantha Smith | Bookkeeper – [email protected] | 408-292-0939 x235 Milton Fox Campership Fund Iris Bendahan | Administrative Assistant & Clergy Support – [email protected] | 408-292-0939 x 231 Phyllis Matzner Campership Fund Oliver Housman | Marketing & Communications Coordinator – [email protected] | 408-292-0939 x234 Israel Scholarship Fund Susanne C. Blickman Arts and Crafts Fund Cherie Ravel | Cemetery Administrator – [email protected] | 408-674-5867 Sid Rosenberg Religious School Senior Trip Board of Trustees______Fund Steve Krandel | President – [email protected] Cultural Funds Eric Snider | Secretary – [email protected] Choir Fund Phyllis Omel Junior Choir Fund Kim Jackman | VP Membership – [email protected] Bertram Berns Music Fund Larry Fox | VP Development – [email protected] Shank-Rockman Family Sound System Fund David Heiman | Treasurer – [email protected] Scholar in Residence Fund Ilene Tucker | VP Administration – [email protected] Community Funds Sherri Wiesner | VP Education and Youth – [email protected] Accompaniment Fund Deborah Zimmer | Immediate Past President Facilities for the Aged Fund (Chai House) Jessica Blitchok Branden Frederick Byron Lilly Lonna Smith JoAnne Salman-Tehrani Homeless Fund Christina Blue Ginny Hoffman Denise Moreno Rachelle Vogler Other Tribute Opportunities Dr. Nathaniel Cohen Mira Karp Richard Rusnak Kevin Zwick $36 - Prayerbook Tribute $218/$500/$750 - Tree of Life Auxiliaries______Leaf/small/large rock Shannon Brown | Brotherhood President – [email protected] $500 - Sanctuary Chair Plaque $750 - Memorial Plaque (in sanctuary foyer) Beverly Mendel/Judy Levy | Sisterhood Co-Presidents – [email protected] Samantha Weisner/Jared Nussbuam | EESY Co-Presidents – [email protected] Opportunities in Levin Learning Center CONNECTIONS is published 10 times a year by Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose, CA 95126. $5,000 - Stair Plaque $10,000 - Library Column Dedication Making a contribution to one of Temple Emanu-El’s many funds is a wonderful way to $25,000 - Room Dedication honor your friends and family. You may make contributions in honor of a birth, a birthday, brit milah, baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, graduation, engagement, Contact the Admin team for wedding, anniversary, promotion, new home, special occasion or just because. You may additional opportunities. also make contributions for get-well wishes, condolences, remembrances and yahrzeits.