the Volume 32, 31, Number Number 7 7
March 2013 2012
TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM AdarAdar/Nisan / Nisan 5773 5772
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Sale of Chametz Form on page 17 Pu M directory Temple Beth Abraham Services Schedule is proud to support the Conservative Movement by Services/ Time Location affiliating with The United Synagogue of Conservative Monday & Thursday Judaism. Morning Minyan Chapel 8:00 a.m. Friday Evening (Kabbalat Shabbat) Chapel 6:15 p.m. Advertising Policy: Anyone may sponsor an issue of The Omer and receive a dedication for their business or loved one. Contact us for details. We do Shabbat Morning Sanctuary 9:30 a.m. not accept outside or paid advertising. The Omer is published on paper that is 30% post-consumer fibers. Candle Lighting (Friday) The Omer (USPS 020299) is published monthly except July and August March 1 5:45 p.m. by Congregation Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. March 8 5:52 p.m. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA. March 15 6:59 p.m. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Omer, c/o Temple Beth March 22 7:05 p.m. Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610-3232. © 2013. Temple Beth Abraham. The Omer is published by Temple Beth Abraham, a non-profit, located at Torah Portions (Saturday) 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610; telephone 510-832-0936. It is March 2 Ki Tisa published monthly except for the months of July and August for a total of March 9 Vayakhel-Pekudei ten issues per annum. It is sent as a requester publication and there is no March 16 Vayikrah paid distribution. March 23 Tzav To view The Omer in color, visit www.tbaoakland.org. March 30 Passover
General INFORMATION Committees & organizations All phone numbers use (510) prefix unless otherwise noted. If you would like to contact the committee chairs, please contact the synagogue office for phone numbers Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. and e-mail addresses. Oakland, CA 94610 Hours M-Th: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Adult Education Steve Glaser & Aaron Paul Fr: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Chesed Warren Gould Office Phone 832-0936 Development Steve Grossman & Flo Raskin Office Fax 832-4930 E-Mail [email protected] Dues Evaluation Susan Shub Gan Avraham 763-7528 Endowment Fund Herman Pencovic Bet Sefer 663-1683 Finance Susan Shub STAFF Gan Avraham Parents Laura Kaplan & Rachel Teichman Rabbi (x 213) Mark Bloom Gan Avraham School Committee Rebecca Posamentier Cantor (x 218) Richard Kaplan House Stephen Shub Gabai David Galant & Jay Goldman Executive Director (x 214) Rayna Arnold Israel Affairs J.B. Leibovitch Office Coordinator (x 210) Virginia Tiger Membership Mark Fickes Bet Sefer Director (x 217) Susan Simon Men’s Club Jeff Ilfeld Gan Avraham Director (x 219) Barbara Kanter Omer Lori Rosenthal Bookkeeper (x 215) Kevin Blattel Personnel Laura Wildmann Custodian (x 211) Joe Lewis Public Relations Lisa Fernandez Kindergym/Toddler Program Dawn Margolin 547-7726 Volunteers (x 229) Herman & Agnes Pencovic Ritual Eric Friedman Schools Rachel Teichman OFFICERS Social Action Marc Bruner President Bryan Schwartz 814-1936 Torah Fund Anne Levine Vice President Mark Fickes 652-8545 Web Site Liz Willner Vice President Rachel Teichman 858-922-0145 Vice President Steve Grossman 834-3937 Women of TBA Jeanne Korn Vice President Laura Wildmann 601-9571 Youth Phil Hankin Secretary Flo Raskin 653-7947 Treasurer Susan Shub 852-2500
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TBA Presents Movie Night Come See The Award Winning Film: Sha’a b’Matana (An Hour’s Gift) A Race to Nowhere Thursday, March 7, from 7-9 p.m. in the Chapel March 2 at 7 p.m. Sha’a b’Matana (An Hour’s Gift) is a new series For more information contact Susan Shub of monthly speakers, members of our TBA community, ([email protected]) or visit the film’s who have volunteered to share their professional website: www.racetonowhere.com. expertise with you in an intimate, informal setting. We hope you’ll come out, get some expert advice, and enjoy a relaxed evening with other TBA members. For this month and future events please see page 7.
Kindergym Women on the Move Sunday PlayDays: 3/3 and 4/7 10:30 a.m.- noon Sunday, March 10 KINDERGYM SUNDAY PLAYDAYS WTBA hikes happen the second Sunday of every with Dawn for UNDER 3s month. We meet at 9:45 and depart promptly at (per family: $9 members; $10 other); 10:00. Hikes end by 11:30. Come join us with your baby and toddler as we climb, slide, We will meet at the Skyline jump on our trampoline, rock on old fashioned horses, enjoy Gate on Skyline just south music, singing, play dough, water and rice play, painting, of Snake and hike in parachute, bubbles and so much more! Redwood Regional Park. Weekday classes too! For details, contact I look forward to playing with your family!! Deena Aerenson at Contact Dawn at: www.tbaoakland.org/kindergym (510) 225-5107 or or by phone at (510) 547-7726. [email protected].
TBA Book Group Monday, March 11 TBA Goes to Camp Disobedience Machaneh Avraham Shabbat By Naomi Alderman A Congregational Retreat •April 12-14 A weekend for all ages as we celebrate Shabbat together. Contact Deena Aerenson for more info Call the TBA Office to Sign Up Now! at [email protected] For details contact Phil & Dina Hankin, Angela Engel, Stacy Margolin, Rabbi Bloom, or Rayna Arnold. It will be a weekend with singing, dancing, arts, education, childcare, youth programing, adult interactions with Sixth Annual East Bay Women’s libations (we are in the wine country after all), and an Torah Study – Kolot Nashim opportunity to meet other TBA members. Monday, March 11, 2013 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. SAVE THE DATE: April 28 @ 3pm PJ Library Event at TBA with Octopretzel Kehilla Community Synagogue More info on page 17. 1300 Grand Avenue, Piedmont Contact Lori Rosenthal with questions ([email protected]). See additional WTBA and other Adult Education activities on page 5.
1 from the rabbi Thoughts on the Child Who Does Not Know How To Ask First, I want to express my deepest thanks to the entire congregation for all the love, support, and joy you brought to our lives in helping us celebrate the day our son Micah became Bar Mitzvah. It is a day we will cherish forever. Life moves on to other celebrations, and right now, we are thinking about Passover. I have always been fascinated by the passage in the Haggadah about the Four Sons, especially the fourth son, the “one who does not know how to ask.” I suppose I am so fascinated by this because this son seems so against type for most of the Jewish people I actually know. Very few Jews I know are hesitant about asking any kind of question or expressing their opinion, yet here is one who does not know how to ask. Different Haggadot have interesting interpretations of this passage, which I think are worth sharing. One of the most famous is a quotation from the Chasidic Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev, which appears in several different Haggadot. Lord of the world, I, Levi Yitzhak, am the one who does not know how to ask. In such a case, does not the Haggadah say that with the child who does not know how to ask, “You must start with him.” The father must take the initiative. Lord of the world, are You not my Father? Am I not Your son? I do not even know what questions to ask. You take the initiative and disclose the answers to me. Show me, in connection with whatever happens to me, what is required of me! What are You asking of me? God, I do not ask You why I suffer. I wish to know only that I suffer for Your sake. What an incredible statement of both pain and humility. Elie Wiesel, paraphrasing Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, has an interesting take on the fourth son, comparing it to the fourth generation of the Jewish people. The four sons symbolize four generations. The first follows the precepts of the father, the second rebels against them, the third submits without understanding them. As for the last, he doesn’t even know that he doesn’t know. The more removed each generation is from Sinai, the less it knows, the more complacent it becomes. Interestingly, it is thanks to the fourth child that we are reading the most important verse of the Seder: “And you shall tell your son on that day…” This is the essence of our tradition. The Hebrew masorah comes from the word limsor, to communicate. A Jew must communicate a tradition. Not to do so is to mutilate it. As a Jew it is my duty to tell my child not only my story, but also the story of my story, which is also my child’s story…. So, even though we may know not know how to ask or understand the deeper meaning, our sacred task is to keep telling the story.
Temple Beth Abraham Hertz Israel learned what life would have been like for us, had we have Scholarship Thank You grown up in Israel. By Evan Kharrazi Overall, I had the pleasure to develop incredible friendships, strengthen my knowledge about the history of our people, I was motivated to travel to Israel on Taglit-Birthright with better understand the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian my fellow peers at Cornell through my involvement with conflict, and celebrate 2 amazing Shabbats in Israel. I hope Hillel, the Beketsev Israeli Dance Troupe on campus, and to return to Israel in the near future, as I know it stands as Maccabi Games Arts Fest. a safe haven for me, my In the 10 days we were in Israel we traveled from North to family, and the Jewish South, spending time in the Zippori National Park, Golan people all around the Heights, Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Safed, Masada, Dead Sea, world. Kibbutz Sde Boker, Jerusalem (the Wall), National Military I would like to thank Cemetery on Mt. Herzl, Yad Vashem, and Tel Aviv. I even TBA for this scholarship. had the chance to ride a camel after spending a night in a I was able to make a Bedouin tent! As I witnessed the variety in culture and felt donation to the soldiers the incomparable spirit all across Israel, I have an increased who were very generous sense of pride to be a Jew. My bus was very lucky because with their time. we had 5 soldiers, our age, spend all 10 days with us. We Evan dancing on the beach in Tel Aviv 2 president’s message The Passover Challenge: Welcoming By Bryan Schwartz A dozen years ago on Passover, I went to the last Jewish village in the former Soviet Union. Krasnaya Sloboda - which means, “Red Village,” used to be called “Yevreskaya Sloboda” - Jewish Village - before Communism. Before the Stalinist oppression, there were 11 synagogues in this home of the Mountain Jews, in the Caucuses region of Azerbaijan - a Jewish community with its own language and customs, descended from ancient Persian Jewry. Even after Communism, though most of the residents were stripped of their Jewish learning, the town retained its unique Jewish character, and has undergone a rebirth of Jewish practice, especially among the youth. By the time of my visit, chil- dren greeted me on the streets during Pesach saying, “Shalom! Ma nishmah?” and “Chag sameach!” Though not a soul in town knew me, and not one resident even spoke English, I was welcomed at more than a dozen Seders in Krasnaya Sloboda. In fact, I could not walk a block during Pesach with- out being corralled into another home to have a feast, with such local favorites as ashkana beef stew, khoyagusht spinach and egg casserole, fried beef cutlets, nuts, blood-red pomegranates, and copious sweet mint tea. The date-and-walnut hasorut was a special twist on haroset. We begin the telling of the Exodus story on Passover - the Maggid - by referencing the matzah, say- ing, “This is the bread of poverty/oppression that our ancestors ate in Egypt. Anyone who is hun- gry, let him/her come and eat!” The message is not limited to uplifting the poor. Passover is a time for “anyone” to be welcomed into our homes. I have been welcomed not just in Azerbaijan, but in countless Jewish homes for Passover around the world, from Mexico, Costa Rica, and Spain, to Morocco and the Dominican Republic. In this vein, TBA’ers, Rabbi Art and Carol Gould, welcomed my family to their Seder when we first moved to Alameda four Passovers ago. Passover at TBA, then, should be a time to rededicate ourselves to what should be a year-round focus of our community: welcoming. In the membership survey we took during my first year as President, the Board heard many congre- gants who praised the congregation for welcoming every new guest and member. Others, however, felt that TBA could do even better in this area - that we, like members of other congregations, become comfortable in our own sub-groups within the TBA community and forget sometimes, for example, to approach the new face at synagogue on Shabbat. We have tried to address this through- out the year with several efforts: more signage around the synagogue, so newcomers never feel lost; new protocols for greeters on Shabbat and holidays; additional treats at ordinary Kabbalat Shabbats, to encourage folks to stay and meet someone new after Friday night services; an effort to begin orga- nized Friday night dinner hosts for each week, so that any new visitor to our synagogue, or anyone without a place to go, can have a hamishe Friday night dinner at the home of TBA hosts; and a monthly lecture series called Sha’a b’Matana, An Hour’s Gift, in which TBA’ers with valuable skills can share their talents with other members in the TBA community, in ways that form new relation- ships across TBA generations, geography, and other ordinary social circles. I hope you are already feeling TBA grow to become an even more welcoming place as a result of these efforts. Now, we can take it to the next level: Passover welcoming. My challenge to you: that every TBA member hosting a Seder this Passover invite at least one new person or family you never host- ed before - a TBA member, or someone else in the community, who might become a TBA member. Like my hosts in Krasnaya Sloboda, we know that we are the fortunate ones when we can host a visi- tor, performing this most basic Passover mitzvah. Let all who are hungry come and eat!
Please Join Us for Morning Minyan on Mondays and Thursdays Join the regulars at our Minyan service, each Monday and Thursday usually starting at 8:00 a.m. The service lasts about an hour, and is really a great way to start the day. As an added bonus, breakfast is served immediately afterwards. To use the old expression – try it, you’ll like it. If not as a regular, just stop in once or twice and see what it’s all about.
3 editor’s message My Lastest TBA Trifecta By Lori Rosenthal I call it a TBA Trifecta when I find myself on the TBA campus in at least three different contexts within a short time frame. This past fortnight, it was four events: Shabbat services, the Men’s Club Superbowl party, February’s Sha’a b’Matana gathering, and the TBA Blood Drive. Four completely different events, attended by four significantly different audiences. When a tri- fecta strikes, I am reminded of how diverse and interesting our TBA community is, and how many opportunities there are to gather together and enjoy each other. It’s a good thing. Shabbat services are always soulful and regenerative to me. Praying, even in a large group, is a very personal experience and I do love to sing along with the melodies we use. Kiddush lunch is a love- ly time to chat with people I haven’t seen in a while and invariably meet new folks. Conversations are always pleasant, sometimes insightful, and every now and then gleefully funny. But for the most part, Shabbat services are my sedate and thoughtful time at TBA. The Superbowl party was anything but sedate. The Men’s Club knows how to put on a good party and when there’s beer and a bowl of M&Ms around, I know how to keep myself amused. In that four-hour period of watching the 49ers lose to the Baltimore Ravens, I jumped out of my seat and screamed at the top of my lungs together with people who I have never before exchanged more than a few polite phrases. It was loud and adrenaline pumping fun! In that short afternoon, I bonded with fellow TV watchers in a way that years of seeing each other at Shabbat or Holiday services could never make happen. The fact that I won a few bucks in a Superbowl pool didn’t hurt either. Sha’a b’Matana was another type of gathering entirely. In that small group of adults (this one mostly women), for a short two-hour stretch, we engaged in the personal chit-chat and openness that seems to happen whenever women gather in the kitchen. I talked to a few attendees about how their jobs are going and a few others about what’s new with them or with their families. The presentation Jing Piser did was wonderful, the food yummy, and I came home feeling the strength of the fabric of my TBA community. Sha’a b’Matana fed both my body and spirit that night. Finally, I gave blood as part of TBA’s annual blood drive. I am as squeamish as they come where blood is concerned and do not take lightly to lying down on a table and letting someone stick a needle in my arm. But in the supportive environment of our Social Hall, under the guise of help- ing out our larger Oakland community (and with a little help from Mary Odenheimer who stood there and distracted me), I filled up my pint quickly. I am thrilled that TBA plans this annual event and makes it so easy for me, so blood-phobic by nature, to do such a good deed. TBA trifectas don’t occur frequently on my calendar these days. Yet when they do, I emerge feel- ing warmly connected to our community and especially blessed to have so many interesting and diverse people in my life. From religious ritual to secular fun to kitchen confidential to community service giving, our TBA community cultivates, feeds, engages and connects us on many levels. I hope you’ll join us for at least one upcoming event at TBA soon…or come try your own trifecta!
April Omer theme: Telling Our Stories the Omer Cover artist is Lauren Manasse Smith (see bio on page 18). We cheerfully accept member submissions. Deadline for articles and letters is the seventh of the month preceding publication. Editor in Chief Lori Rosenthal Copy Editors Jessica Dell’Era, Nadine Joseph, Richard Kauffman, Jan Silverman, Debbie Managing Editor Lisa Fernandez Spangler Layout & Design Jessica Sterling Proofreaders June Brott, Jessica Dell’Era, Charles Feltman, Jeanne Korn, Anne Levine, Calendars Jon Golding Stephen Shub, Susan Simon, Debbie Spangler B’nai Mitzvah Editor Susan Simon Distribution Fifi Goodfellow, Hennie Hecht, Herman and Agnes Pencovic, Gertrude Veiss Cover Lauren Manasse Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 Smith E-Mail [email protected] Help From People like you! 4 wtba, our sisterhood Let’s Shake it up!
Uniting TBA Women of All Ages for Pottery
Painting, Laughter, Drinks and Snacks WTBA invites you to relax, rejuvenate and refresh at our annual WTBA Girlsʼ Night Out Thursday, March 7th, 7-9 pm VASHTI’S BANQUET Sensual Treats for Your Body Make your own Miriamʼs Cup and Spirit in our “Harem Room” for your Passover Table
Color Me Mine Pottery Studio 2205 South Shore Center, Alameda 510-521-8893
Free to WTBA members $15 for non-members
RSVP to Julie Katz: [email protected] by Fri, March 1st Sunday, March 3 Girls Night Out: March 7 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the TBA Social Hall For Girls’ Night Out in March, we are organizing an outing to a local pottery painting studio so that every- • Middle Eastern buffet with one can paint their own Miriam’s Cup for upcom- pomegranate martinis ing seders. Not only am I really excited to be co- organizing my first WTBA event with Julie Katz but • Lounge in our pillowy “harem room!” I’m excited about why. As a parent leaving the Gan • Relax with a chair massage. this year (after 9 years!!) I am finding that I will need Adorn yourself with a henna tattoo new ways to stay connected to the awesome women I have met during my (long) GAN tenure. I’ve had the • Have your tarot read misperception, and I know some who share this view, that the WTBA group is primarily aimed at women • Celebrate Vashti, a feminist heroine with kids in high school or even beyond. In no way who just said “No!” to the King! is this true and Julie and I are on a mission to change this viewpoint and make sure that all TBA women, • Comfortable “harem-inspired” whether single, married, with young or old kids feel attire encouraged that WTBA is a gathering place for them. So even if Ladies…close your eyes and picture yourself you’ve never been to a WTBA event before, consider enjoying the mysteries of the Middle East. joining us March 7 as we mix it up bring in many new faces to the WTBA scene. An exotic trip and you don’t even have to get on a plane. - Jo Ilfeld $18 for WTBA members, $30 for non-members RSVPs appreciated but not required. RSVP to Lori Rosenthal at [email protected].
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Join THE MEN’S CLUB AND WTBA for a Special Parent Education Event
Stealing Knowledge: How Jewish Values Can Guide 21st Century Parenting
presented by Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann Senior Associate Dean for Religious Life, Stanford University
Sunday, March 17, 2013 7:00 pm light refreshments Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann came to Stanford University in 7:30 pm event 1996. She is the first University Chaplain from a tradition other than Christianity in Stanford’s history. In 2001, she was appointed Temple Beth Abraham Chapel Senior Associate Dean for Religious Life. She co-chaired the 327 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland Campus Climate Study Group of Stanford’s Task Force on Student Mental Health and Well Being. Rabbi Karlin-Neumann is an advisor to Challenge Success, an organization founded at Stanford ‘s Graduate School of Education that believes our society has become too focused on grades, test scores and performance. She teaches and lectures widely on rabbinical ethics, the relationship between religion and education, and Adults at all stages of parenting social justice. will enjoy this event.
Rabbi Karlin-Neumann was ordained at the Hebrew Union RSVP requested, but not required: College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1982. She has been a Hillel Director and Jewish Chaplain at UCLA and at the Samantha Spielman Claremont Colleges and a congregational rabbi in Alameda. [email protected]
Rosh Chodesh Group This month’s meeting is on March 11 where we will discuss Chapter 7: Coming Out and Chapter 8: On behalf of The Women of TBA (WTBA) and Marriage. Join us for a lively discussion as we focus Oakland Ruach Hadassah, we would like to invite on what ritual and community can do to welcome all East Bay Women to join our Rosh Chodesh our LGBT members and our expanding understand- group. The group meets monthly on the Monday ing of marriage. closest to Rosh Chodesh, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at rotating members’ homes. The meeting will opens with a short discussion about the significance of the month of Nissan. The meetings are facilitated by members of the group. As a community of women, we explore the The schedule for the remainder of the year: emotional and intellectual themes that live in Torah April 8, Iyar and connect to our lives. There is no cost to May 6, Sivan participate and it’s fine to come intermittently. June 10, Tammuz We are studying the book, Lifecycles: Jewish Questions? Contact Debbie Spangler at Women on Life Passages and Personal Milestones (510) 531-1105 or [email protected] to get (Volume 1) edited by Rabbi Debra Orenstein. In on the distribution list for the upcoming meeting her book, Rabbi Orenstein poses the question “How locations. the Jewish community might be enhanced if it fully incorporated women’s experiences and talents?”
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How to HowQuick to Start Quick a Small Start Business with Rachel Teichman,a Small TBA Businessboard member & Gan parent with Rachel Teichman,Monday, TBA March board 4, 7:30 member p.m. & Gan parent Monday,in March the Chapel 4, 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel Child Care Provided* Do you have a great product or service idea ready to go? Come find out how to officially turn it into a business, create your website and begin promoting it! In just one hour, you can learn how to start a business in just one day! From logos and web design to an online store and press releases, this is the place to be! With a great entrepreneurial checklist you will be well on your way after this workshop. Bring your ideas, and laptops too, for a good head start! It’s all in a day’s work. This workshop will be run by Rachel Teichman, a marketing professional and entrepreneur, with expertise in developing press releases, web content, social media, public relations and product management. The rest of the lineup include: April 8: Time Management and Productivity (Jo Ilfeld) May 6: Understanding Employment Law for Employers and Workers (Bryan Schwartz) June 3: Helping Children Play Well Together (Tosha Schore) *Contact Tosha Schore directly with any questions at [email protected]. Sha’a b’Matana (An Hour’s Gift) is a new series of monthly speakers, members of our TBA community, who have volunteered to share their professional expertise with you in an intimate, informal setting.
Cooking Night with Jing Piser By Lisa Fernandez About 30 people came out to hang out in TBA’s kitchen on Feb. 7 to see Jing Piser create her edible specialties, and of course, eat them afterwards. The event was co-sponsored by WTBA as part of the group’s monthly Girl’s Night Out (though there were one or two men there) and the Sha’ah B’Matana team, which is hosting evenings to feature the professional skills of our congregants. From the smells in the room and the yummy sounds coming from everyone, the evening was a success. Jing handed out recipes and gave hands-on demonstrations on how to make ahi tuna/ mango crisps, quinoa latkes and cornbread croutons. I happened to bring my 10-year-old daughter, Milah, to the out- ing because she had a rough day. She was the only kid there. But she was warmly welcomed and ended up serving folks their hors d’oeuvres. At the end of the night, my daughter was beaming. “I had such a good time talking to all the moms,” she said. “That really cheered me up.”
7 community service Rebuilding Together in Oakland (RTO) time by making a food pickup/ Sukkot in April 2013: April 21 and 28 drop-off. We really appreciate your help to do work by repair- Rachel Goldstone and Gabriella Gordon ing Oakland and repairing the 2013 Volunteer Coordinators world, one home at a time. Temple Beth Abraham has been a long time supporter of We want to thank all our past RTO and we are so grateful to once again participate in volunteers and donors. Last this wonderful project. TBA will again join together with year we were well nourished by Kehilla and Temple Sinai, on a house project in Oakland. a wonderful lunch prepared by Treya Weintraub who donat- We will be working on April 21 and April 28. ed her time to make it. Snacks from Cliff bars donated by The selected home needs a lot of painting (both interior Steve Grossman and wonderful pastries from Semifreddis and exterior), a total bathroom remodel, a new kitchen donated by Mike Rose. TBA’s sponsorship was generously floor, new furnace, and extensive removal of blackberry provided by the Celia and Morris Davis Hunger Fund vines in the back yard. We will need your help!! Please con- which made a $1,250 grant to RTO to support TBA’s par- sider volunteering to work on one or both days. We need ticipation in Sukkot In April for 2012. skilled workers as well as happy unskilled workers. If you Please join us this year! can’t come and work, you might consider donating your
8 community service TBA Wetlands Restoration By Jody London I checked my records. The first Temple Beth Abraham Wetlands Restoration Day was April 7, 2002. The idea of bringing a group from Temple Beth Abraham out to Save the Bay’s restoration site at Arrowhead Marsh was launched at the synagogue retreat, which had been held at Camp Swig in October 2001 (before it closed!). For me, with a two-year old in the Kitah Alef class at Gan Avraham and serving on the Board of Save the Bay, it was an ideal way to bring together the organizations to which I was dedicating most of my spare time. Over the years Temple Beth Abraham has worked at Arrowhead Marsh in many different locations, at different times of the year, doing different activities. The past few years, due to popular demand, we have settled in to using our workday to observe Tu B’Shevat. On Sunday, January 24, we brought a group of 40 adults and kids to a location in Arrowhead Marsh we had not worked previously (and I thought we had worked every acre of the park!). About half the group was new to this activity. And many were coming for the second, third, or in the case of my family, twelfth time. It was great to have Gan teacher Ruth Morris there with her husband Gregg, and so many of Ruth’s past and current Gan students! We planted vari- ous native grasses, the seeds of which had been harvested at Arrowhead Marsh and grown in the native plant nursery Save the Bay operates in conjunction with the East Bay Regional Park District. The work was hard at times, as the soil was full of concrete from the days when the Marsh was slated to become more industrial park. And the work was fulfilling: we calculate we planted over 200 seedlings, which as they grow will provide habitat for all sorts of critters, fil- ter out impurities in the water that flows into the Bay, and help control flooding that will come with rising sea levels. We were especially honored that Save the Bay had us help them plant an oak seedling at the restoration site! In our dozen years of work with Save the Bay, we have never plant- ed trees, only seedlings that help restore native habitat. The Save the Bay staff recognized the significance of Tu B’Shevat, and the ongoing commitment from Temple Beth Abraham, and decided to allow us to plant a tree, in addition to grasses and lower lying plants. It is our hope that the oak tree will grow strong, and other may join it, reminding us of the native oak forest – the largest on the Pacific Coast – that once stood where we now live.
9 community service tba chavurah
The TBA Group at New Highland Academy cleaned up a teaching and learning garden. We were moving a lot of mulch, weeding, and pruning. The day was very successful, students and teachers were thankful.
JOIN A NEW TBA to meet. It is important for all members to be committed to working together toward building the CHAVURAH! community. Do you want to be a part of a smaller, more intimate How large is a chavurah? group within Temple Beth Abraham? Forming or A chavurah is generally made up of between 5 and joining a chavurah could be what you’re looking for! 10 families or individuals. It could include members What is a chavurah? who already know each other, or a mix of some old From the Hebrew word for friend, a chavurah is a and new friends or acquaintances. group of people (singles, couples, families, or a mix How do I join a chavurah? of these) who meet regularly (usually monthly in The process of joining a chavurah is very simple. Just each others homes) to experience Jewish life together. fill out the questionnaire. Sometimes it takes awhile Joining a Chavurah is one way to meet other TBA to put together the right group, but it’s worth while members in a smaller, more personal setting. to wait for a group that’s a good fit. What does a chavurah do? How do I find out more? Each chavurah is created to reflect the interests of its If you are interested, email Amy Wittenberg, our members. There could be groups with any of the chavurah coordinator, at: [email protected] and following interests: socializing, Jewish study, Shabbat she’ll send you a chavurah questionnaire which you gatherings, social action, holiday celebrations, can fill out online. Hard copies are also available in camping, hiking, music, sports, etc. The group could the office at TBA. meet with or without children. You can also fill out the form online at: https://ccjds. Each chavurah is completely autonomous and can wufoo.com/forms/temple-beth-abraham-chavurah- decide as a group when, where, and how often questionnaire/.
10 a night in the tropics
11 cooking corner Matzo Ball 101 room the matzo balls will have to expand. For truly ethe- By Faith Kramer real matzo balls, don’t handle the batter at all, just drop by soup spoons into the simmering water. While I love these Matzo balls. Do you like yours as floaters or sinkers? Do free-form, cloud-like dumplings, my family prefers the more you make yours from scratch or a mix? Or do you buy traditional floaters, so now I lightly pat or roll into rough them freshly made from a store or restaurant or even just balls in my hands before cooking. purchase them premade in a jar? In terms of taste, most matzo ball recipes contain pretty Whatever your knaidlach’s backstory is, these dumplings are much the same ingredients – matzo meal, eggs, oil or an important part of many of our Pesach menus and seem melted, rendered chicken fat (schmaltz), salt and a little to create anxiety for many cooks. liquid. Regional variations here and in Europe include These chametz-free treats evolved from bread dumplings adding a dash of black or white pepper, cayenne pepper, beloved of Ashkenazi Jews throughout central and Eastern ginger or nutmeg. Some knaidels have finely minced pars- Europe. They really became an iconic Jewish food in ley, dill or even chopped green onions added. (Use about America after the introduction of packaged matzo meal in two tablespoons of minced herbs for every cup of matzo the early 20th Century. meal.) Other recipes replace some of the matzo meal with The ingredients for a basic matzo ball are simple, but varia- finely ground almonds. Using the chicken fat and or chick- tions and matzo ball making techniques can make the en stock will also make the flavor less neutral. Aunt Betty difference. Every year I hear of really good home cooks used melted vegetable shortening in her famed matzo balls. who pay extra money for mixes or store-bought dumpling There are even stuffed knaidlach recipes out there. because of their fear of matzo ball failure. This Matzo Ball One thing to watch for is salt. I find it very easy to over 101 is designed to help even the neophyte dumpling maker salt the matzo ball mixture. It’s a fairly bland canvas and achieve their perfect knaidel. a little salt goes a long way. While the recipe on the back (FYI – Knaidel is Yiddish for a dumpling. Knaidelach is an of the matzo meal can is a reliable one, I always use half affectionate diminutive. They are also known as kloese or the salt it calls for. If you decide to use chicken stock as knepfle.) an ingredient, be sure to adjust how much salt you add in terms of how salty your broth is. To test for salt and other The first step is to decide what style of matzo ball you seasoning, the best technique is to slightly under season. want to serve. Do you want a light, airy dumpling or a Refrigerate your batter for an hour and drop a small ball of firm, substantial one, or perhaps something in between? the batter into lightly salted, boiling water. Simmer until Do you want the traditional taste or do you want to spice it cooked through and taste. If you need to adjust the sea- up with additions? How will you be cooking, reheating and soning, mix in the additional salt or other ingredients and serving the matzo balls? Let’s take these decisions one at a return to the fridge for another hour before cooking the rest time. of the batch. Traditionally, matzo balls can be divided into two catego- Since most likely you’ll be serving these dumplings as part ries – floaters and sinkers. The floaters are lighter and rise of a chicken, beef or vegetable soup, stew, or tzimmes (all toward the top of the soup. Sinkers are denser and have traditional venues for a matzo ball), keep in mind the over- more chew. In general, the more you handle your dump- all flavor profile of your dish as you season the knaidel. lings as you make them, the firmer they will be. Separating the eggs and beating the whites and using less fat will I like to simmer the matzo balls in plenty of lightly salted make for lighter matzo balls. Adding more fat will help water instead of chicken or vegetable stock, which I feel you achieve denser ones. My family likes floaters, so I stir over seasons the matzo balls and then dominates the taste. the batter to loosen it slightly before shaping the balls and Drain the dumplings well before using in soup. Since I handle the batter as minimally as possible. I also use seltzer always make my matzo balls at least a few hours in advance, instead of water or stock in my recipe, a trick I picked up I usually gently reheat the dumplings in the stock or soup, from my husband’s Aunt Betty. however. Floaters will have a rougher shape since you are basically To make the matzo balls ahead of time, drain the cooked just lightly patting them together before placing them in dumplings on cookie racks placed on top of rimmed bak- the simmering liquid to cook. Sinkers can be rolled in your ing trays to catch any drips. Line the bottom of an air-tight hands until perfectly spherical since it’s that extra compres- container with waxed paper or parchment, spray with oil sion that helps them achieve their denseness and chewiness. spray and place a single layer of matzo balls on top. Cover with additional layers of greased paper and matzo balls as For floaters, don’t crowd the matzo balls in the pot; cook needed. Cover and refrigerate for a day or two or freeze. them in batches or have two large, deep pots going. The (Once frozen solid, the dumplings can be transferred to a more dumplings cooking at the same time in a pot the less 12 cooking corner freezer bag and taken out as needed.) Let matzo balls come remove a dumpling from the pot and cut in half. It should to room temperature before reheating. Making the matzo be cooked all the way through with no raw, dark or damp balls in advance saves time and really doesn’t affect the fla- spots in the center. Remember, the more room your dump- vor, although I am suspicious that freezing does make them lings have to expand they will, become lighter and larger a little bit less fluffy when reheating, so you may want to than those crowded in a pot. adjust your technique a bit to accommodate that. Here is the basic recipe I’ve been using for years. You A word about the size of your matzo balls. I generally roll can adjust the recipe to make everything from minis to them about 1” in diameter and find that they take about monsters, just adjust your timing. I’ve doubled the recipe 40-60 minutes to cook through, however timing will vary successfully. If you need to make more than that, I recom- depending on how crowded your pot is and how dense your mend you work in batches. dumplings are. Mine seem to double or triple in size while If you have a matzo ball story, recipe or tip to share, I’d love cooking. Every recipe tells us not to peek at the dumplings, to hear it. Please email me at [email protected] and I’ll so resist the urge to take the lid off and see how they are compile them into an update. doing for at least the first 20-30 minutes. To test if done,
My Matzo Balls Makes About 16 4 eggs, separated 1 cup matzo meal 3-4 Tbs. oil 1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste 1/8 tsp. ground black or white pepper, or to taste, optional 1/4 to 1/2 cup plain seltzer, water or stock (see note below)
Beat egg yolks. Mix in matzo meal, oil (use less for floaters, more for sinkers), salt and pepper. Using a fork or whisk beat egg whites until very frothy. Gently fold in three batches into the matzo mixture. Add seltzer (use lesser amount for sinkers and larger amount for floaters) and gently mix. Cover and place in refrigerator for one hour up to overnight. Remove batter from refrigerator. Stir batter to loosen slightly. Moisten hands with cold water or grease with oil. Shape batter into 1” balls by patting and rolling with hands. The more the batter is handled, the denser the matzo ball. Bring one or more large pots of lightly salted water to a boil. Add matzo balls (being careful not to crowd if you want floaters), cover and reduce heat to simmer. Do not remove cover. After about 30 minutes check to check to see if matzo balls are tender and cooked through. Usually they will take 40-60 minutes or so. Timing will vary greatly depending on matzo ball size, density and number in pot. Drain and serve immediately in soup or other dish, or gently reheat in simmering stock, soup or water before serving. Note: Be sure to use plain, unflavored seltzer, not club soda or sparkling mineral water. The club soda and mineral water have salt and other ingredients that will affect the taste of your matzo balls.
Faith Kramer blogs her food at www.clickblogappetit.com. Her cooking column appears twice a month in the j. weekly. You can contact her directly at [email protected].
volunteer bulletin board Give a new parent an hour to shower A perfect mitzvah for those with daytime Welcome a New Member flexibility. Volunteers needed to provide short Do you have time to help deliver TBA’s daytime sits free of charge to our new moms new members baskets? and dads allowing them to shower, get a If so, please contact Rebecca Skiles haircut or just take a walk. at [email protected] Interested sitters should contact us at or (510) 836-7407. [email protected].
13 gan avraham bet sefer Pesach at the Gan home, remember that even the youngest children love to By Barbara Kanter wash and scrub. Let them help clean their toys, their room or a corner of the kitchen. It will give them great satisfac- At the Gan, each year we build on what children know, tion to help prepare their house for the holiday. Could they remember and retain from their previous experiences at help make matzah balls or charoset? You may even be sur- home and school. Soon our children will be busy preparing prised by their knowledge and participation at the Seder. for Pesach. By actively exploring and discovering through all five senses, we help children gain and retain knowledge. Each class at the Gan will have their own model Seder They will hear the story of the Exodus, recite blessings and as the culmination of our school preparations. We invite sing songs. They will participate in art and cooking projects. parents to join us as we sit together and tell the story that They will see, touch, smell, taste and create many of the rit- once we were slaves but now we are free. We will read from ual objects and foods for Pesach. Every child will go home the Haggadah, sing songs, chant blessings and eat matzah, with something to add to their own family’s Seder table and charoset, parsley, and eggs. Teachers, parents and children Pesach observance. look forward to coming together to celebrate Pesach here at school. Our spring break will begin the day of the (real) first When you include your children in Pesach preparations at Seder on March 25. We will return to school after Pesach home, you also help them incorporate school activities into on Wednesday, April 3. their memories of the holiday at home. As you clean your
Kitah Hay Kosher Cooking
14 bet sefer How Important are the Social Relationships? spiritual ones. We try through group activities, music and By Susan Simon t’fillah with Rabbi Bloom, small group projects, classroom games, and the like. But is it enough? I’ve been thinking quite a bit about how our relationships with our peers influence what we learn. I suppose it is The history of Jewish education shows how highly these not dissimilar from how our attitudes impact our learning. relationships have always been valued. We find multiple When we approach a subject with excitement and a sense references in Pirkei Avot and other texts on the impor- that we are capable, we most certainly are able to process tance of friendships. One of my favorite comes from Avot the material more completely. If, on the other hand, we d’Rabbi Natan: approach a subject with trepidation or reluctance, it would A friend is someone you eat and drink with. make sense to believe that the learning isn’t as effective. A friend is someone with whom you study Torah and with One of the major reasons that parents send their children whom you study Mishnah. to religious school or Jewish day schools is so that they will A friend is someone who sleeps over or at whose house you interact with other Jewish children. No longer do we live in can spend the night. neighborhoods where every child is of the same culture, reli- gion or ethnicity. The synagogue and the religious schools Friends teach each other secrets, the secrets of the Torah and provide the opportunity for making Jewish friends and nur- secrets of the real world, too. turing those relationships. However, when it comes to the And particularly apropos to this topic, consult the Wisdom supplemental religious school, the very limited hours that of Mishle which says: the children spend together make forging these relationships Nothing helps you work as hard as having a friend who is more challenging. trying to succeed at the same goal. When we work alone We don’t need a large study to conclude that students who we can make mistakes and fool ourselves. When we talk have friends in a school setting are happier and it is pretty things over with a friend we can correct each other’s think- easy to conclude from there that those who are happier will ing, and we can help each other find new ideas, too. most often learn more, learn better, and be more engaged. So it is incumbent upon us as educators to make nurtur- Just by examining our own student population we can ing these relationships an important part of our mission. see that many times, students who have good connections The challenge of having to do this with such limited time with the other students are often doing very well with the can feel overwhelming. Thank God for our youth group material. While it isn’t a foregone conclusion, it does make advisors, our Midrashot teachers, our social action leaders for interesting speculation on how we can promote these and others in our community who put in the hard work to friendships and perhaps positively impact the learning that nurture these relationships. It cannot all be done alone here takes place at Bet Sefer. at TBA. We certainly don’t succeed with every child at Bet When students spend 6 hours every week day with others Sefer, but it is delightful to watch children playing happily in their class and their grade there is a great deal of time together, wonderful to watch them working on a project for teachers to promote friendships. When students spend together, and heart-warming to see one student helping 2-4 hours per week in religious school, there is hardly time another to learn. to try to meet the academic goals let alone the social and
Keflanu: Shabbat Fun & Games for 3rd-6th Graders We would like to invite 3rd – 6th graders to join their friends in the Baum Youth Center following Shabbat services on the 1st & 3rd Shabbat of the month. Upcoming dates: March 2 & 16 After the service join together for lunch in the social hall. About 20 minutes after motzi, the Rabbi will announce the chaperone is ready for check-in at the Baum Youth Center! Have fun with Shabbat appropriate games and activities…• basketball • board games • jump rope • foosball • ping pong • or even just shmooze Parents: We ask that an adult accompany the child/children to the Baum Youth Center – the chaperone will sign your child in and an adult pick-up at the Baum Youth Center – For the safety of the youth, we ask that they not leave the site on their own.
15 shabbat mishpachah youth programs
— Shabbat Mishpachah — La’atid: a Youth Group Musical Guest: for 4th-7th Graders! Cantor Richard Kaplan Save these dates! Get on the mailing list for Saturday March 2 • 10:15 a.m. up to date program information today! in the Gan Kitah Gimmel classroom March 24-Chocolate Seder (across from the chapel) April 21 • May 19 To RSVP or if you have questions, contact your trusty advisors, Dina & Phil Hankin at [email protected].
The Teen Scene Spring Session We have a light Kiddush following the service. begins April 7 After the Kiddush families play in the yard or 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. children join childcare while parents attend Baum Center the main service. The Teen Scene program, a place for teens Many of our TOTS join the Jr. Congregation with special needs to come and hang out with typical teens and do fun activities together. in Ein Keloheinu, which is a lot of fun to see! Events begin with a light supper from Oakland We need parent and grandparent participation! Kosher. Interested in leading the service? Playing music? Spring Session dates are April 7, April 21, Sharing a story? Or Providing Kiddush? May 12 and June 2. Please contact Devorah Contact Angela Engel at [email protected] Romano with any questions or to sign up: or Lisa Tabak [email protected] [email protected] or (510) 396-4285.
Please Join Us for TBA’s Youth Services Shabbat Mishpacha is for T’fillat Y’ladim is designed for Junior Congregation is preschool-aged children children in Kindergarten, designed for children in and their families. 1st & 2nd grade 3rd through 6th grade. This service is held on the and their families. This service is held on the first Shabbat morning of each This service is held on the first Shabbat morning of each month (except February this third Shabbat morning of each month. Build your child’s year). It is parent-led and there month and will bridge the gap sense of community, reinforce are snacks following the age- for those students who are too what they learn in religious or appropriate service. old for Shabbat Mishpacha day school, and foster their In Kitah Gimmel classroom. and too young for interest in Jewish practice Junior Congregation. by making youth services March 2, 10:15 a.m. In the Chapel. a regular part of your Upcoming dates are: Shabbat schedule. March 16, 10:15 a.m. April 6, May 4, June 1 In the Chapel. March 2, 10:15 a.m.
16 family events sale of chametz
SAVE THE DATE: April 28, 3 p.m. PJ Library Event at TBA with Octopretzel We are five Bay Area musicians who all have extensive experience working with children. Four of us have kids of our own, and all of us are educators in an array of environments including schools, afterschool programs, private lessons, and group music classes. What we teach ranges from instrument instruction to childrens' theater, from puppet making to pre-natal bel- lydance, from drum classes to Jewish education, and more! We have been together since 2007, and have played extensively around the Bay Area. Our intention with Octopretzel is to create music that is truly enjoyable for families...not just kids. Our music, comprised of original songs as well as tried and true traditional favorites, is whimsical and fun, and has an underlying sensitivity for nature, feelings and story. Best described as folk music, it crosses generations and genres, weaving together styles such as bluegrass, rock and roll, lullabies and even nursery rhymes. Our shows integrate elements of many cultures such as African drumming, klezmer fiddling, middle-eastern percussion and singing styles, and songs with words in Spanish, Hebrew and even Quechua. We perform regularly for Jewish organizations, events, and holidays, and have also done shows comprised entirely of Christmas carols. Our priority is to make our music accessible to all of our listeners. http://www.octopretzel.com/home.cfm Co-sponsered by PJ Library and the Jewish Federation.
SALE OF CHAMETZ: As you prepare to clean your homes of chametz (leavened products) please con- sider “selling” the remainder of your chametz, as is traditional at this time of year. Rabbi Bloom will act as your agent and “sell” the chametz to a non-Jew, who will “own” it throughout the holiday. To do so, please fill out the attached form and write a check to Temple Beth Abraham with “Chametz Sale” in the memo. All the donations will go to Scattered Among the Nations, who will be helping the Jewish community of Peru purchase Matzoh and other Passover supplies. Please allow one hour after dark on Tuesday, April 2, to allow the Rabbi to buy back the Chametz. SALE OF CHAMETZ Deadline: March 25, 2013 I hereby authorize Rabbi Mark Bloom to act as my agent to sell any chametz that may be in my possession wherever it may be—at home, place of business, car or elsewhere, in accordance with Jewish law:
Name ______Address ______
Signature ______
I enclose $______for the Ma’ot Hittim fund.
17 midrasha Celebrate With Midrasha in Berkeley on March 10! By Diane Bernbaum We want YOU at the Midra-Shabang. Join Midrasha in Berkeley as we launch our Hineni Campaign with a Shabang on Sunday, March 10, 2013 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street in Berkeley. We are shooting for the stars with a $100,000 fundraising campaign to preserve Midrasha in Berkeley as we build an innovative retreat and expe- riential education program for all East Bay Jewish teens. We hope you will come and join us as we celebrate at THE party of the year! We have all kinds of fun things planned and there will be something for everybody. You won’t want to miss the premiere of a short video by Oakland Midrasha teacher Marshall Sachs. It wonderfully captures what makes Midrasha such a special and magical place! You will also enjoy a delicious dinner catered by Janice MacMillan, owner of Kosher Craft. There will be live music, fun affordable games where you can win great items, a silent and a live auction and of course, the raffle drawing. So be sure to buy your party and raffle tickets! We can’t wait to see you there! This year really is different from all other years! Tickets are $72 but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. We want you to celebrate with us. To buy your party and raffle tickets send in the rsvp card and raffle tickets you received in the mail or email: [email protected] or phone the Midrasha office at (510) 843-4667. An invitation and RSVP form are on the Midrasha website: www.Midrasha.org. Raffle tickets are $10 each and prizes are an iPad mini, a $100 gift card to Comal Restaurant in Berkeley and a bottle of Robert Mondavi 1997 Napa Cabernet. You can send in your check and Midrasha will fill out the tickets for you.
Midrasha in Berkeley’s Annual Fundraiser Midra-Shabang Sunday, March 10 5-8 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, Berkeley Drinks, dinner, music, and bidding.
Join us to launch our Hineni Campaign. We’re shooting for the stars with a $100,000 fundraising campaign as we build an innovative retreat and experiential education program for all East Bay Jewish teens. This year really IS different from all other years. Information is on the Midrasha website, www.midrasha.org, or call the Midrasha office, (510) 843-4667 or e-mail [email protected].
This Month’s Cover Artist Lauren Manasse Smith is the artist for the cover of this month’s Omer. Lauren’s excitement in art and design lead her to pursue an Associate’s degree in Communications and Media Arts, and a BFA in Interior Design from FIT in New York City. She has a strong background in graphic design, and has worked for a variety of architectural firms including both residential and corporate projects. Three years ago after a trip to Israel, Lauren and her husband, Matt Smith, moved to Oakland together. They became members at Temple Beth Abraham upon finding Rabbi Bloom to lead their wedding ceremony last October. They are expecting their first baby this summer, in July!
18 life cycles Elliot Lenik, February 18 I am in 7th grade at Raskob Day School in Oakland, California. I am very happy there. There are some rough times, but I always manage to pull through it. I absolutely love to play computer games and watch YouTube videos on the computer. My favorite place to be is at Feather River family camp with my friend Oliver. One of my favorite artists is Skrillex. I like him because I like his music. My Torah portion is Tetzevah in the book of Exodus. I am going to be reading numbers 10, 11, and 12. I am okay with being Jewish. Really the only thing I don’t like about B’nai Mitzvah B’nai being Jewish is that I had to study and write all of this stuff for my Bar Mitzvah. Bayla Jaffe, March 16 I’m in 7th grade at Oakland Hebrew Day School. At my school, we learn all of the tradi- tional subjects like math, English, science, and history, as well as Judaic classes including: Chumash, Hebrew, Navi, Jewish history and Toshba. Every morning we do Tefillah from 8:15-9:00 and on Mondays and Thursdays we do Torah reading. I love doing Tefillah. It makes it easier to start my day in a great way, while being connected to Hashem. Although I love going to school, I have many other interests too; acting, singing, dancing, sports, reading and writing. I closely follow Major League baseball, especially the Oakland A’s! I played Little League for many years, however my main hobby now is theater. I have been in many professional productions as well as conservatory shows. I hope to continue this passion of mine throughout my life! My Bat Mitzvah parasha is Vayikra. It explains all the different types of animal sacrifices and who gives each of the sacrifices. In my drash, I will be talking about how this applies to modern day life. I hope you can all join me on March 16 to hear more about it. Maya Marcus, March 23 I am a 7th grader at Piedmont Middle School. I moved from Maryland this year and love my life in California. I play soccer on a Highlander team and have been playing soccer all my life. This past summer I went to the University of Maryland and played soccer for four days and got to meet the women players for the University. I love school and my favorite classes are math and reading. I love all of my friends that I go to school with. The parshat for my Bat Mitzvah is Tzav. It talks about leadership and what it means to be a good and bad leader. I will talk about people who have influence my life and have been leaders through my lifetime. Also, what I think an ideal leader should have as charac- teristics. I have only been going to TBA since I moved but I instantly was welcomed and have so many friends. I have been lucky enough to have Susan Simon to help me through this special day. I am looking forward to celebrating this once in a lifetime experience. I hope you can join me.
Welcome New Members Alison Heyman Maureen & Derek Krantz. Their children Shai, A note to new members: Aya & Benny Krantz We would like to introduce you to the TBA Gabriel & Angela Levy. Their daughter Naomi community in an upcoming newsletter. Please send Moira Belikoff. Her son Aaron a short introduction of you and your family, with a digital photo, to [email protected]. Thanks! Noah & Carrie Garber. Their daughter Madeline
19 life cycles March Birthdays 1 Adam Miller 10 24 Benjamin Mirkin Paz Avidor Katie Anna Kaizer-Salk Rebecca Glick Janice Reisman Prystowsky Elya Prystowsky Chris Wike 2 Aaron Sunshine 25 Hilary Altman Victoria Zatkin Rayna Arnold Mark Beilock 9 17 Henry Gerber Isaiah Goldstein Jonah Kunis Hannah Govert Joanna Berg Jeffrey Rothman Sage Wagner Sara Govert Jeremy Bruner Lisa Sadikman Aya Krantz Ori Sasson 10 18 Stephanie Mendelsohn David Galant Karen Glasser 3 Elliot Gordon 26 Keren Nathan Ilan Breines Esther Pinkhasov Kathryn Burge Anya Wayne Oona Grace Swartz Rebecca Posamentier Ellen Collaco Sarah Ur 11 Joan Rubin Susan Cossette Daniel DeBare 4 Madeline Garber 19 Jon Golding Leah Kaizer Nina Teichman 27 David Mendelsohn Endre Balint 5 Noah Stiegler 20 Debra Barach 12 Jennifer Kopp 28 Amanda Brown-Stevens Paul Leonard Constance Clare-Newman Brooks Hagey Lowell Davis Felice Newman Brian Lerner Michelle Schubnel Rachel Lorber Hana Rotman Svetlana Partsuf Hannah Sosebee Scarlett Wagner Jill Rosenthal 13 22 Barbara Rothblatt 6 Penelope Hagan Noa Sara Bernstein Howard Maccabee Talia Hagan 29 Marjorie Myers Daniel Klein Jennifer Goodman Abrami Katara Shea Dinkin 7 Sophie Levin Barak Albert Rickie Shea Dinkin Nancy Berger David Paulson Deborah Kahane Rego Benjamin Bernstein 14 Kirk McLean Ward Hagar 23 Naomi Bernstein Yuval Wolf Anthony Kay Kenneth Cohen Isadora Blachman-Biatch Mark Langberg Aaron Feldhammer 30 Sarah Broach Sarah Eve Mirkin Oliver Goldman Tosha Schore Ayla Ruth Rosenblum Julian Ring Mala Johnson Ilana Share Naomi Rosenblum David Lindenbaum 8 15 Betty Ann Polse 31 Linda Arons Adin Ilfeld Samuel Bowers Sanjiv Sanghvi Denise Bostrom Madeleine Leibovitch Lloyd Silberzweig Ariela Simon Mark Fickes Susan Truss Vicki Weller Elon Simon Amy Maidenberg Daniel Sosebee Julia Mendelsohn Jessica Teisch Is your birthday information wrong or missing from this list? Please contact the TBA office to make corrections.
Hannah, daughter of Daniel and Jessica Klein Ariella Sharone, daughter of Lisa and Michael Falco Mazel Tov Ezra Tobias Schwartz, son of Caren Sencer and Garrett Schwartz Dahlia Jude, daughter of Ben and Carolyn Bernstein
20 life cycles March Yahrzeits
May God comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem Adar 19 Adar 27-Nisan 4 Nisan 5-11 Nisan 12-18 March 1 March 9-15 March 16-22 March 23-29 Florence Brettler Mabel Stevens Edythe Schultz Lonnie Balint Blutstein Harvey Casson Marjorie Kauffman Herman Hertz Joseph Epstein Audrey Cohen Melvin Klein Vernon Alpert Bonar Fritz Gottschalk Sidney Liroff Sam Frankel Richard Fickes Philip Oseroff Benjamin Sutz Jack Helfend Allen Lee Lipsett Stanley Behr Syd Ross Barbara May Benjamin Pola Silver Donald Bleiberg Boris Carasick Gertrude S. White Beatrice Simon Adar 20-26 William Goldfine Jennie Bercovich Joseph M. Kramer March 2-8 Eileen Kessler Anna Hoffman Henrik Balint Abraham Silverman Michael Lasar Irving Barach Herbert L. Groginsky Abraham Silverman Tom Miller Lily Benisty-Kent Elsa Maho Sylvia Turkenitz Arleen Shub Robinowitz Viet Pham Avrim A. Raskin Irma Eisenbud Maurice Veiss Solomon White Solomon Saidan Carol Kirsch Jack Kubalik Grace Gill Michael Nicolas Miller Pauline Belzer Gayle Raskin Jocelyn Bolton Murray Goldstein Ethel Rose Kapler Anne Goor Eleanor Heyman Olga Banks Maria Belin Werner Gross Alice Kessler Charles Marcus Harry Bercovich Raymond Litman Leo Lorber Carol Kirsch Freda Katz Adolph Moore Ann Krause Florence Brettler Sima Kobuzyatskaya Sara Goldberg Daniel King Bernice Ring Bernice Ring Milton Weintraub Rachel Levy Esther Morofsky David Rosenfeld Phyllis Zangwill Benjamin Shut Don Creighton Nisan 19-20 William Miller Edith Gruber Miriam Goldberg March 30-31 David Roach Ida B. Edelson Riskind Joseph Horace Marx Abraham Hoffman David Saadia Peter Hecht Esther Morofsky Sidney Szepsel Kahane Harvey Casson David Weinstein Albert Levine Goldie Alper Sam Frankel Cora Coulter
Recent Deaths in Our Community Beth Belzer, mother of Steven Pascal (Danna Tom Turchin, brother of Jerry (Beverly) Turchin Gillette-Pascal) Alvin Shain, husband of Mildred
MEMORIAL PLAQUE Anyone wishing to purchase a memorial plaque, please contact Pinky at the synagogue office at extension 229.
21 donations
Charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined.
Centennial Match Fund Alice & Leslie & Jan & Randy Kessler Mark Fickes & William Gentry Wendy & Marvin Siver, in memory of Murray R Davis Philip & Dina Hankin HH Day Appeal - General Fund Davis Courtyard Match Fund Herbert & Harriet Bloom Alexandra Manolis, in memory of Murray R Davis Andy Campbell & Rachel Dornhelm Candy & Leo Wacks, in memory of Murray R Davis Melissa Diamant Elizabeth Worthing, in memory of Murray R Davis Allan & Gabriella Gordon James & Deborah Black, in memory of Murray R Davis Michael & Renee Marx Kathleen Kelleher, in memory of Murray R Davis David Scharff & Gizelle Barany Kleneyer family, in memory of Murray R Davis HH Days Appeal - Endowment Fund Linda Pomerantz, in memory of Murray R Davis Arthur & Rosalie Beren, in honor of Vera Zatkin’s birthday Marleen and Mark Brodsky, in honor of Misha Nudler’s book Herbert & Harriet Bloom Wendie & Stephen Ryter, in memory of Murray R Davis Andy Campbell & Rachel Dornhelm Joanna L. Berg, in memory of Murray R Davis Melissa Diamant Steven Berl & Anita Bloch Michael & Renee Marx Charles Bernstein & Joanne Goldstein, in memory of Murray R Susan Simon Davis Michael & Kathryn Burge, in honor of Micah Bloom’s Bar General Fund Mitzvah Glenn Pomerantz, in memory of Murray R Davis Robert DeBare & Esther Rogers Debbie Jara, in memory of Murray R Davis Jay Goldman & Mona Goldfine, in memory of Murray R Davis Judy Gerber, in loving memory of Murray R Davis Richard Heeger & Alice Hale, in honor of Avshi Berrol’s Bar Shelley Finci, in memory of Murray R Davis Mitzvah Tasia Melvin, in honor of Treya Weintraub’s Torah reading Richard Heeger & Alice Hale, in honor of Micah Bloom’s Bar Tasia Melvin, in memory of Previn Weintraub Yahrzeit Mitzvah David Avidor & Tosha Schore, for family shabbat from Leora Richard Heeger & Alice Hale, in memory of Murray R Davis Hahn Susan Johnson, in memory of Murray R Davis Barry Barnes & Samantha Spielman Fred & Beth Karren, in memory of Mildred Karren Herbert & Harriet Bloom Fred & Beth Karren, in memory of Murray R Davis Steve & Jennie Chabon Randall & Jan Kessler, in memory of Murray R Davis Kenneth & Ann Cohn, in honor of Micah’s Bar Mitzvah Robert Kruger & Amy Kaminer Richard Feldman Paul Leonard & Amanda Feinstein Ruth Feldman, yahrzheit for Louis Feldman Robert Marshak & Judy Kelly, in memory of our dear friend Allan & Gabriella Gordon Murray R Davis Rabbi Arthur Gould & Carol Robinson Barbara Oseroff Alice & Leslie & Jan & Randy Kessler Herman & Agnes Pencovic, in honor of Micah’s Bar Mitzvah and Eugene & Marjorie Myers in memory of Murray R Davis Ilya & Regina Okh, in honor of his Brother David Okh’s Jonathan Ring & Maya Rath, in memory of Murray R Davis Engagement Stephen & Susan Shub, in memory of Murray R Davis Svetlana & Mikhail Partsuf Mark & Lori Spiegel, in honor of Micah Bloom’s Bar Mitzvah Susan Simon Greg & Jessica Sterling, in honor of Zoe Sterling’s Bat Mitzvah Marc & Janet Wasserman, in memory of Leo Wasserman David & Treya Weintraub, in honor of Avshalom Berrol’s Bar Otto & Idell Weiss Mitzvah Steven & Victoria Zatkin, Joe Zatkin Yahrzeit George & Lorri Zimmer Kiddush Fund Jeanette Jeger Kitchen Fund Jereme & Summer Albin Richard & Naomi Applebaum, in honor of Misha Nudler, a TBA Leonard & Helen Fixler, in memory of Murray R Davis treasure Irwin Keinon & Adele Mendelsohn-Keinon, in honor of David Bob & Lori Jaffe, in memory of Bernard Pollack Galant, sympathy on Alvin Shain’s passing Misia Nudler, in memory of Alvin Shain Sheldon & Barbara Rothblatt, in memory of Benjamin Goor Misia Nudler, in memory of Murray R Davis Fifi Goodfellow, in memory of Mashe Naggar 333/Courtyard Project Fund Minyan Fund Lynn Arkin, in memory of Murray R Davis Sheldon & Barbara Rothblatt, in memory of Phil Rothblatt Ellen Beilock Marc & Eden Bruner
22 donations Camper/scholarship Fund Rosebud Silver Fund Rey Steinberg, in honor of Micah Bloom’s Bar Mitzvah Harold & Mimi Jaffe Rabbi Discretionary Fund Celia & Morris Davis Hunger Fund Camille Lefkowitz, in memory of Murray R Davis Sharon E. Fogelson, in memory of Lily Fogelson Marla Broude & Bernard Stein, in memory of Murray R Davis Randall & Jan Kessler, in honor of Micah Bloom Joanna L. Berg, in memory of Murray R Davis Hertz Fund Rita Frankel, in honor of Micah Bloom Gerald & Ruby Hertz, in memory of William & Harry Morotsky Richard & Janice Freeman, in memory of Deline Freeman Gerald & Ruby Hertz, in honor of Micah Bloom’s Bar Mitzvah Hertz Interfaith Fund Jessie & Susan Kasdan, in memory of Louis Kasdan Gerald & Ruby Hertz, in memory of William & Harry Morotsky Jeffrey & Judith Quittman, in memory of Leonard Quittman Wasserman Fund Stuart & Abby Zangwill, Ethan Dugary’s Brit Milah Maurice & Barbara Weill, in memory of Joseph Singerman Stuart & Abby Zangwill, Ezra Turetsky’s Brit Milah Stuart & Abby Zangwill, Henry Ruberts Brit Milah Education Fund Stuart & Abby Zangwill, Phineas Nixon’s Brit Milah Lori Good, thank you Susan Simon for helping Jenna Stuart & Abby Zangwill, Theo Lerner’s Brit Milah Jon Levinson, in memory of Murray R Davis Stuart & Abby Zangwill, Xavier Meisner’s Brit Milah Jesse & Rachel Teichman, in memory of Murray R Davis
It is a Jewish tradition to give contributions to commemorate life cycle events and other occasions. Are you celebrating a birthday, engagement, anniversary, baby naming, Bat/Bar Mitzvah or recovery from illness? Or perhaps remembering a yahrzeit? These are just a few ideas of appropriate times to commemorate with a donation to Temple Beth Abraham. These tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated and are a vital financial supplement to support the wonderful variety of programs and activities that we offer. Thanks again for your support! We could not do it without you! TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM FUND CONTRIBUTION FORM This contribution of $ ______is (check one) ___in Memory of ___ in Honor of: (name) ______Contribution ______Acknowledge______From: ______To: ______Address: ______Address: ______Please credit the fund checked below:
m General Fund–Use where most needed m Celia and Morris Davis Hunger Fund m Centennial Building Fund m Danielle and Deren Rehr-Davis Teen Fund m Leonard Quittman Endowment Fund m Harold Rubel Memorial Music Fund m Rabbi Mark S. Bloom Discretionary Fund m Herb and Ellen Goldstein Memorial Jewish Education Fund m Leo and Helen Wasserman Fund–Funds guest speakers at TBA m Herman Hertz Israel Scholarship Fund m Kiddush Fund m Jack and Mary Berger Fund m Minyan Fund m Jeanette Jeger Kitchen Fund m Prayer Book Fund m Mollie Hertz Interfaith and Outreach Fund m Women of TBA (WTBA) m Rose Bud Silver Library Fund m TBA Men’s Club m Sam Silver Playground Fund m Cantor Kaplan’s Discretionary Fund m Yom Hashoah Fund m Campership/Scholarship Fund m Other: ______Thank you for your generosity. Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Abraham and mail to: 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
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1 8 29 22 15 are produced 30-60 days in advance using the best data available from the TBA Administration Staff. This calendar is also available at our website the TBA 30-60 days in advance using the best data available from produced are 7 ika R on Z 7:07 p a esach h
(Chapel) P ' om Y 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) ntact Amy Tessler for location) Tessler Amy ntact Always check the Congregational E-mail or the Weekly Shabbat Bulletin for more up-to-date information. Please note any corrections care of Rayna Arnold at the TBA office. Arnold at the TBA of Rayna care up-to-date information. Please note any corrections Shabbat Bulletin for more E-mail or the Weekly Always check the Congregational 9a-12p 7th Day Pesach Service 9:30a Rosh Chodesh Celebration 9:30a Rosh Chodesh Celebration Executive Coaching with Jo Ilfeld (c o 13 Iyyar 6 Iyyar 21 Nisan 28 Nisan 7:30-8:30p Professional Presentaiton-
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a G om l Y et R eat feeding the hungry 6-7:30p Teen Scene 6-7:30p Teen Class by Susan Simon Class by Susan Simon R 5p CityTeam in Oakland— 5p CityTeam 10a-12:00p Adult Education 10a-12:00p Adult Education 3p-dark Lag B’omer Program 10:30a-12p Sunday Kindergym 6p Friendship Circle-Teen Scene 6p Friendship Circle-Teen 9:45-11:30a Women on the Move Women 9:45-11:30a tba 19 Iyyar 12 Iyyar 5 Iyyar 27 Nisan Nisan 5773 / Iyyar 5773 Nisan 5773 / 25 Temple Beth Abraham Periodicals 327 MacArthur Boulevard Postage P A I D Oakland, CA 94610 Oakland, CA Permit No. 020299
TBA SCHOOLS AUCTION Save the Date May Hola TBA! Por favor, save the date for our next Schools Auction, to be held on May 5. Our theme, what else? Cinco de Mayo! If you're wondering how to get involved or how to help be part of a 5 fantastic community event that raises money for the Gan and Bet Sefer, please contact auction chairs, Lauren Kaplan at [email protected] or Jenny Michaelson at [email protected]. what’s inside TBA Directory...... i Community Service...... 8 Family Events...... 17 What’s Happening...... 1 Cooking Corner...... 12 SALE OF CHAMETZ...... 17 From the Rabbi...... 2 Volunteer Bulletin Board...... 13 Midrasha...... 18 President’s Message...... 3 Gan Avraham News...... 14 Life Cycles...... 19 Editor’s Message...... 4 Bet Sefer News...... 14 Donations...... 22 Women of TBA...... 5 Youth Programs...... 16 Calendar...... 24 Sha’a b’Matana...... 7 La’atid...... 16