the Volume 31, Number 7 March 2012 TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM Adar / Nisan 5772

Volume 34, Number 9 • June/July/August 2015 Sivan/Tammuz/Av/Elul 5775

R R R R R R R R i i i i i i i i Pu M DIRECTORY

SERVICES SCHEDULE GENERAL INFORMATION: All phone numbers use (510) prefix unless otherwise noted. Services, Location, Time Monday & Thursday Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 Morning Minyan, Chapel, 8:00 a.m. Hours M-Th: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fr: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday Evening Office Phone 832-0936 (Kabbalat Shabbat), Chapel, 6:15 p.m. Office Fax 832-4930 Shabbat Morning, Sanctuary, 9:30 a.m. E-Mail [email protected] Candle Lighting (Friday) Gan Avraham 763-7528 May 1, 7:41 p.m. Bet Sefer 663-1683 May 8, 7:48 p.m. STAFF May 15, 7:54 p.m. May 22, 8:00 p.m. Rabbi (x 213) Mark Bloom Richard Kaplan, May 29, 8:05 p.m. Cantor [email protected] Torah Portions (Saturday) Gabbai Marshall Langfeld May 2, Acharei-Kedoshim Executive Director (x 214) Rayna Arnold May 9, Emor Office Manager (x 210) Virginia Tiger May 16, Behar-Bechukotai Bet Sefer Director Susan Simon 663-1683 May 23, Bamidbar Gan Avraham Director Barbara Kanter 763-7528 May 30, Naso Bookkeeper (x 215) Kevin Blattel Facilities Manager (x 211) Joe Lewis Kindergym/ Dawn Margolin 547-7726 Toddler Program TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM Volunteers (x 229) Herman & Agnes Pencovic OFFICERS OF THE BOARD is proud to support the Conservative Movement by affiliating with The United President Mark Fickes 652-8545 Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Vice President Eric Friedman 984-2575 Vice President Alice Hale 336-3044 Vice President Laura Wildmann 601-9571 Vice President Etta Heber 530-8320 Advertising Policy: Anyone may sponsor an issue Secretary JB Leibovitch 653-7133 of The Omer and receive a dedication for their Treasurer Susan Shub 852-2500 business or loved one. Contact us for details. We COMMITTEES & ORGANIZATIONS: If you would like to con- do not accept outside or paid advertising. tact the committee chairs, please contact the synagogue The Omer is published on paper that is 30% office for phone numbers and e-mail addresses. post-consumer fibers. Adult Education Aaron Paul The Omer (USPS 020299) is published monthly Chesed Warren Gould except July and August by Congregation Beth Development Leon Bloomfield & Flo Raskin Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. Dues Evaluation Susan Shub Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA. Endowment Fund Charles Bernstein Finance Susan Shub POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Gan Avraham Parents Toni Mason Omer, c/o Temple Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid Gan Avraham School Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610-3232. Gary Bernstein Committee © 2015. Temple Beth Abraham. House Stephen Shub The Omer is published by Temple Beth Abraham, Israel Affairs JB Leibovitch a non-profit, located at 336 Euclid Avenue, Membership Ulli Rotzscher Oakland, CA 94610; telephone (510) 832-0936. It Men’s Club Jeff Ilfeld is published monthly except for the months of July Omer Rachel Dornhelm and August for a total of ten issues per annum. It Personnel Laura Wildmann is sent as a requester publication and there is no Public Relations Lisa Fernandez paid distribution. Ritual Eric Friedman Schools Alice Hale Social Action Marc Bruner To view The Omer in color, Torah Fund Anne Levine visit www.tbaoakland.org. Women of TBA Molli Rothman & Jessica Sterling Youth Phil Hankin i WHAT’S HAPPENING

TBA is a co-sponsor of this event along with other congregations of the area

BOOK CLUB Ravenous by Dayna Macy THE TEEN SCENE The Friendship Circle Tuesday, June 08 @ 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Friendship Circle programs pres- All are welcome. ent families of individuals with spe- RSVP and more info: [email protected] cial needs and teen volunteers the opportunity to form real friendships within a non-judgmental and supportive community. Teen Scene: MAH JONGG Teen Scene is a semi-monthly, one and a half hour program on Sunday evenings for teens with special Join us on the second Shabbat needs to join with loving teen volunteers for a fun, of the month as we gather educational group experience. in the Chapel after Kiddush. The program begins with a light dinner and is followed by an hour of activities and Jewish discussion. Teens enjoy various activities, which include dancing, basket- June 13 ball, yoga, drum circle and more. For more information, including Teen Scene dates, Learn Torah with Rabbi Bloom please contact Devorah Romano, [email protected]. and other TBAers Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Woodminster Cafe. See additional Adult Education events No knowledge of Hebrew is required. and activities for women on page 6.

1 FROM THE RABBI In Praise of BBYO at TBA by Rabbi Mark Bloom As I have said on many occasions, I would not be a rabbi if not for my experience as a teen in BBYO. I was one of many students who swore they would never return to Jewish life after Bar Mitzvah, but this youth group, specifically Peninsula AZA #545 in the 80’s, awakened a love of Judaism that was inside me. I went on to be Chapter President, President of the Central Region (the Bay Area), and International Vice President. Understanding what an important and inspi- rational experience a strong youth group can provide, I was determined to start one when I arrived here in 2001. Being unaffiliated with the United Synagogue at the time, we started a BBYO chapter. Normally, chapters are From a convention at Camp Swig. separated by gender (AZA for boys, BBG for girls), but to make sure we had critical mass, they were combined. Thus, Dreidel BBYO was born, and its first co-Presidents were Jake Moore and Devi Margolin. David Levin, Howard Zangwill, and Jo Ilfeld served as the first advisors. Members They built the chapter up significantly, and they split into Dreidel AZA #2525 and Oakland BBG #2 a few short years later. It turns out BBYO has an illustrious history in Oakland in general and at Beth Abraham in particular. The reason Oakland BBG has the number 2 associated with it is that Oakland BBG, in its first incarnation, was the second girls chapter ever, following San Francisco BBG #1. At one time there were at least six chapters in the Oakland area, and many of them made donations in the late fifties/early sixties to the school building which now serves as the Gan building. You will find donation bricks on the building with the names of chapters such as Nathan Harry Miller AZA, Oakland AZA, Pacific AZA, Oakland BBG, Jewish Eden Teens BBG (JETS), Henry Monsky BBG and Berkeley BBG. In addition, the official pep song of AZA, called “Up You Men,” was written by Wes Bercovich a relative of founders Abraham and Bertha Bercovich. Five members of our congregation have been Presidents of the Region. Besides myself, there was Alan Silver in the sixties (he now dedicates his time to the chapter as Advisor), Bryan Schwartz (that Presidency thing was in his system from a very young age), and both Jason and Alex Finkelstein in recent days. Current member Danny DeBare is the Regional Vice President right now. Dreidel AZA and Oakland BBG #2 meet every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. in the Baum Youth Center and have fabulous programming just about every single weekend, ranging from socials at Fenton’s to community service projects. Their programming was so good that Dreidel AZA has won Chapter of the Year for the region two years running, and Oakland BBG #2 won a special award for their program called “Stand Up” in support of women who have been abused, raped, or mistreated. Most importantly, I am proud to say we have a place where Jewish teens can both do great things as well as just be themselves. As Wes Bercovich pep song says, “as the At my “installation” as years go by there will be happiest of memories, rah rah rah!” Central Region AZA President. 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Telling Our Children About the Holocaust by Mark Fickes As a parent of 10-year-old children, I spend a lot of time thinking about what it means to be young and Jewish. My family’s decision to join TBA nearly eight years ago along with the decision to send my children to Contra Costa Jewish Day School were primarily motivated by the desire to help my children form a strong Jewish identity while they are still young. A couple of years ago, I started wondering when the time would be right to start talking to my kids about the Holocaust. I have tried so hard to make sure they don’t grow up too fast and yet I knew the time would soon come when they would have to learn about the darkest chapter in our history. By the time I was their age, my grandparents had already told me about life in Austria under the Nazi regime, the deaths of their parents and some siblings and their voyage to America. This week, I am in Maryland visiting my in-laws. Whenever we travel to Baltimore, we plan at least one trip to Washington DC. So, we decided this was the year to go to the Holocaust museum in Washington. I am glad we did. While I think that the visit took away from their innocence, I see now that the time was right. For those who have not visited the Holocaust museum in Washington DC, it is located among America’s national monuments to freedom on the National Mall. From the layout of the museum itself to the permanent exhibitions and some temporary exhibitions, the museum provides a vivid lesson in the ephemeral nature of freedom, the limitations of progress, and the need for vigilance in preserving democratic values. This past year has been a stark reminder that the world is still a dangerous place for Jews. From the growth of the BDS movement to college campuses where Jews were asked to explain how to reconcile the desire to serve in student government with their Jewish identity, the Holocaust Museum reminds us of the dangers of unchecked hatred and the need to prevent genocide. This message is all the more important because we will soon see a time when Holocaust survivors and other eyewitnesses will no longer be alive. By exposing our youth to the choices made by individuals and institutions during the Holocaust, they gain a valuable insight into their own responsibilities today. So, my children may have lost a little of their innocence during our family vacation but they also learned one of the most important lessons of youth which is how to absorb the lessons of the past in order to become responsible young adults some day.

Please Join Us for Morning Minyan on Mondays & 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 VOLUNTEER BOARD NEW MEMBERS Volunteer Opportunities

GIVE A NEW PARENT AN HOUR TO SHOWER This is a perfect mitzvah for those with day- time flexibility. Volunteers are needed to FEED THE HUNGRY: TBA volunteers at provide short daytime sits free of charge to CityTeam to feed the hungry on the fourth our new moms and dads allowing them to Sunday of each month from 5-7 p.m. If you shower, get a haircut, or just take a walk. wish to volunteer contact Caren Shapiro to Interested sitters should contact us at sign up at [email protected] womenoftba@ tbaoakland.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: There is always WELCOME A NEW MEMBER: Do you have time an opportunity to volunteer at TBA. Please to help deliver TBA’s new member baskets? consider helping a cause or event you feel If so, please contact Virginia at virginia@ a connection to. tbaoakland.org

Welcome New Members E. Danielle Elkins. Children Hannah, Mya and Seth Marie Lorenz Alex Bayen & Zoe Abrams. Children Myriam, Aaron and Leah Maya Elkins

A NOTE TO NEW MEMBERS: We would like to introduce you to the TBA community in an upcoming newsletter. Please send a short intro- duction of you and your family, with a digital photo, to [email protected]. Thanks!

COVER ARTIST: Zoe Brinner is a self taught artist raised in Oakland, California. She currently attends Oakland School for the Arts majoring in the vocal music department, but also loves to dance and draw in her spare time. Zoe is an accom- plished portraitist and shares her art through her instagram account @zozo.draws. Art has always had a huge impact on her as she grew up surrounded by art, and even had her Bat Mitzvah held in an art gallery. For the last nine years she had attended Camp Kee Tov and enjoys being a part of BBYO which she joined in January.

THE OMER We cheerfully accept member submissions. Deadline for articles and letters is the seventh of the month preceding publication. Editor in Chief Rachel Dornhelm Jessica Dell’Era, Nadine Joseph, Richard Kauffman, Lori Copy Editors Managing Editor Lisa Fernandez Rosenthal, Jan Silverman, Debbie Spangler June Brott, Jessica Dell’Era, Charles Feltman, Jeanne Korn, Layout & Design Jessica Sterling Proofreaders Anne Levine, Stephen Shub, Susan Simon, Debbie Spangler Calendars Jon Golding Distribution Hennie Hecht B’nai Mitzvah Editor Susan Simon Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 Cover Zoe Brinner E-Mail [email protected] Help From People like you!

4 SIX WORD MEMOIRS 6 Word Memoirs: Being young & Jewish Making rugulah cookies with my mommy. (Joni Tanis, We’d like to put together a book of six word memoirs 54) from our community on topical Jewish themes. We’ll More holidays, more food, more gifts (Sharon Alva) print them, one month at a time, in the Omer until we Dad with smelling salts – Yom Kipper (Lori-Jill Seltzer, have enough to compile a book. 50’s) 16. Missing Grateful Dead. Rosh Hashana. (Debby Hebrew School Long, Services, Short Week (Noah Barach, 58) Stiegler, 13) Traded matzah for marshmallows - mom mad (Karen Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform - Your Choice Bloom, 45) (Charles Feltman - this was my Father’s offer when I was But wait, you converted for yourself? (Jessica Dell’Era, nine: He insisted that I have a Bar Mitzvah but gave me age 30) a choice where to study. The Conservative Rabbi was a Mah Jongg tiles clacking with Bubby (Karen Bloom, 45) scholar and that was the basis for my choice.) Jewish Dating Service? Old Aunt Gittle. (Svetlana Favorite Jewish food - kasha and bowties (Karen Bloom, Partsuf, 44) 45) Cossacks have Beards Kevinu, not you ! (Kevin Blattel, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur unexcused absences (Karen 61) Bloom, 45) Havdallah Bat Mitzvah - black tie affair (Karen Bloom, Only two boys at Bat Mitzvah (Karen Bloom, 45) 45) Family dinners with very large mishbucha (Karen Bloom, Summer camp Shabbats under the stars (Karen Bloom, 45) 45) Kitah Dalet’s six word stories: Chatty girls hanging in temple bathroom. (Joni Tanis, 54) Omer is so fun with counting. Little brother’s cracking Bar Mitzvah voice. (Joni Tanis, Forty nine days of the Omer. 54) The Omer is fun and long. Shabbat candles, chicken, noodles and challah. (Joni Be nice to everyone as possible. Tanis, 54) Be nice to everyone around you. We skip school on Yom Kippur. (Julia Johnson, 8) The 33rd day is very important. Learning is fun when you’re Jewish. (Rebecca Johnson, Count every day for 49 days. 10) Counting 49 nights to the harvest. Old men in black saying “No!” (Andy Wasserman, inspired by “The Jew in the Lotus” by Roger Kamenetz) Count Omer at night. Don’t forget. Friends envious-eight nights of Hanukkah (Lori-Jill Celebrate Shavuot when Omer is over. Seltzer, 50’s) Count up not down. That’s Omer. Passover on Easter – no chocolate eggs (Lori-Jill Seltzer, The Six-Word Memoirs on Jewish Life is a partnership 50’s) between Reboot (www.rebooters.net) and Larry Smith. Crawling though leg forest to Oneg! (Joel Biatch) In November 2006, writer and editor Larry Smith issued a challenge to fans of his online publication, SMITH Jerusalem summers, apartment on top floor (Jessica Magazine. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s legendary Teisch) shortest of short stories (“For sale: Baby shoes, never Jewish camp, first real kiss, scandalous! (Jessica Teisch) worn”), Smith asked readers to describe their lives in Walking to Temple, we had sidewalks (Lori-Jill Seltzer, six words. Since then, the Six-Word Memoir® made 50’s) its debut in 2006, nearly one million short life stories Fall chestnut collecting during long services. (Joni Tanis, have been shared on the storytelling community SMITH 54) Magazine website. Grandpa giving macaroon cookie to me. (Joni Tanis, 54) Getting Silver dollar for afekomin rewards. (Joni Tanis, 54)

5 WOMEN OF TBA, OUR SISTERHOOD LIVE STREAMING Remembering youth group days 1982: I am hired as by Jessica Sterling the advisor for Junior Kadima, the youth United Synagogue Youth was a big part of my high group for 4th and 5th school life. It formed life long bonds and a deep connec- graders at our syna- tion to my Judaism. gogue, B’nai Shalom. Looking back at the years I spent in youth group I Stephen Pollack is remember these key events. my assistant advi- 1979: The kids from my synagogue youth group, USY, sor. We are still in are “kidnapping” me and taking me to a New Member high school, but we breakfast at a local restaurant. I’m wary, but I go. want to be leaders. We plan events and 1980: I am at my first International Convention in prepare the kids for Washington DC. We feel like we have so much indepen- USY. dence. Staying in a hotel, running around on The Mall. So many Jewish kids in one place, it’s wonderful. I am given Whether it is USY, Jessica at a USY event. an honor of an aliyah at Shabbat services. It is the first BBYO, NCSY or for a girl in USY. Everyone throws candy when I’m done. NIFTY, Chavorot or Jewish Day School, the lifelong We celebrate together. bond kids acheive is priceless. 1981: I run for president of the Walnut Creek USY chap- Both of my daughters have enjoyed the variety of La’atid ter and win. I am loving my youth group and all of the events planned by our “trusty advisors,” Phil and Dina friends from across the region that I’ve made. and my older daughter, Zoe, has found a great group of friends in BBG which she will treasure for life.

From the Archives Live Streaming Try it, you’ll like it! by Naomi Applebaum What is live streaming? Through your computer, you can hear any event as it’s going on in our TBA Main Sanctuary. Events include: Shabbat Services, High Holiday Services, Weddings, B’nai Mitzvahs, etc. You, our members, your friends or relatives near or far who might not be able to attend a service or event can connect to the audio on the TBA website and listen to the entire event while it’s in progress. Just remember, at this time we have only listening capability. Visual is not yet available. To connect: online go to www.tbaoakland.org Once on the webpage, click “for live streaming” at the top of the page. To follow our Shabbat Service, you might want to order a Siddur from the TBA office. Happy to help anyone who needs assistance. I am Dance at Oakland Chapter of USY. available at 510-733-3339.

6 MEN’S CLUB AWARD-WINNING YOUTH

Men’s Club Members Act Like Youth by Rob DeBare What does the TBA Men’s Club have to do specifically with “youth”? Well, I thought about this for months before asking my son if he would write this column. I thought that since he was on the regional board of BBYO, he might do so for the free publicity, but alas he turned me down. The Men’s Club includes members of both genders and has even included men who have never been TBA members, but we do not have any youth. We do have programming for youth, and often act like youth. Game night last January was fun for youth of all ages, the semi-annual “Jews in Bad Shoes” takes adults back to their youth (bowling), and other programming such as the Oakland Athletics Jewish Heritage night (August 4th this year - contact Jeff Ilfeld for details or tickets) and the Erev X-mas singalong co-sponsored with WTBA are big hits with the youth of TBA. Your support of the Men’s Club pays dividends for our youth and is often on display in the form of our new Gaga pit. We hope to see you soon at one of our many Men’s Club events. Happy summer.

The Men’s Club goes to JEWISH HERITAGE NIGHT with the Oakland A’s, Tuesday August 4, 2015 7:05 p.m. game time.

We’ll be taking a group of 160 TBA-ers to be seated all together in the first level just past TBA youth on the move third base. We’ll have our traditional pre-game Louis Teitelbaum, a junior at Piedmont High School, parking lot tailgate; the parking is free that eve- has been accepted as a fellow with The Bronfman ning, and there will be an included giveaway Youth Fellowship in Israel. item and food in the stadium. Price TBD, but likely in the same range as previous years, or Only 26 students nationwide are selected for this fel- $28-30/ticket. lowship, for which high school students from around the country will be given the opportunity for an — New for 2015! — immersive summer study in Israel. Teitelbaum is the Pregame Event in the Eastside Club principal trumpet of the school symphonic band and Jewish Heritage Night Giveaway participates in both the school’s cross country team Special Jewish Heritage Food Item and the Piedmont FIRST Tech Challenge robotics — included for free! — team, Scotbotics. Outside of school, Teitelbaum par- ticipates actively in the NorCal NCSY chapter, attends FREE Parking for all fans Berkeley Midrasha, and has worked with Dr. Tamira RSVP to Jeff Ilfeld Elul at Touro University doing microscopic imaging at [email protected] or 510-685-1349. of neurons. Teitelbaum also enjoys visual art and pro- duces papercuts for each weekly Torah portion.

7 TBA TIDBITS For Cantillation Nerds, Part 2 straight horizontal line under a letter); the patach chataf by Susan Simon (that’s the horizontal line with the vowel shva to the right of it – the two vertical dots); but when we have a kamatz If you managed to work your way through my last with a shva to the right to the right of it, we vocalize it as article on Cantillation, you might remember that we use “oh.” Except that most of us don’t make that distinction. a system of dots and squiggles to know how to sing the words of the Torah, Haftarah, Megillot, etc. And if you Those little dots that we see in letters in our Chumshim attend services with any regularly you know that the have must more meaning that just telling us how to melody we use for the chanting of the Torah and melody pronounce a word. In Bet Sefer we teach that the letter that we use for the chanting of the Haftarah are different. Bet has a belly-button, that the letter Kaf has a cough- So if you want to be a versatile chanter, you would have drop, and the letter Pey has a pimple. What we are trying to learn the two different melodies associated with each to get across is that only those dots change how we type of reading. But it gets more complex. pronounce a letter. A Bet without a bellybutton becomes a Vet; a Kaf without a cough-drop becomes a Chaf; a Pey You would also want to know the melody associated with without a pimple becomes a Fey. But it is really much chanting Torah for the High Holy Days – specifically more complex than that. A dot in the middle of many Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. So if you were letters doesn’t change the pronunciation of the word, but impressed with our teens who do those readings before, it might change the meaning. As I mentioned last month, remember that they don’t learn the High Holy Day trope the word Haman spelled without a dot in the Mem refers in preparation for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony – they to the villain in our Purim story but if the dot does appear have to learn a whole new melody to chant for these in the Mem, the word means “the mannah.” special days. And if you want to make sure you are really accomplished, you should also learn the melodies Did you know that there are two kinds of the vowel Shva associated with the Megillot. (the two vertical dots that appear under letters)? Some of them are “silent” and others are pronounced with a short Two more layers to make your head spin. The symbols sound. The rules around this are pretty complicated. But for each of those melodies are the same. So the melody here is one rule that will help. If the letter that has a Shva that you use might depend upon whether that Torah under it has a dot in the letter, you can pretty well guess reading is for an ordinary Shabbat or for Yom Kippur, for that you will include the short sound. An example would example. We will read from the portion called Acharei be the word mip-pih-neh. It is spelled mem-pey (with a Mot on May 2 but we also read from that portion during dot in it)-nun-yud. Without the dot in the pey, the Shva the morning of Yom Kippur. The text looks exactly the wouldn’t be vocalized. same in the Torah, yet the melody we use is entirely different. The last layer is that the melodies we use There are sometimes that we don’t read exactly what is aren’t universal. There are melodies that originated in written in the Torah. We have words that are labeled Lithuania, from Yemen, from Morocco. The melodies as k’rey. That means that what is written in the Torah that we use here at TBA are mostly Eastern European is meant to be pronounced in a way other than what is in origin and while there are differences, they are all written there. Sometimes it is because what is written based upon the same cantillation system. But if you is too delicate to say aloud (check out Deut. 28:30), study the cantillation from the Sephardic or Yemini sometimes it is because an ancient spelling was used, communities, you find that not only are the melodies sometimes it might have something to do with a scribal themselves different, their meter is different and the error, and sometimes words are simply left out. When names of the te’amim are also different. For example, in we study these sections, our study materials provide us the Ashkenazi system, one of the most common te’amim with this information so that we can pronounce things is called a mercha, however the same symbol is called correctly. maarich in most of the Sephardic systems. Last one, and this one is really aggravating. In Hebrew, There is more to the cantillation system than just the the word hu means “he.” The word he means “she.” But te’amim and how to sing them and the accents. There are in the Torah, without vowels, without dots or dashes, also issues of pronunciation and mispronunciation that oftentimes both of those words are written exactly the we come across when prepping or listening to a reading. same way – hey-vav-alef. In Modern Hebrew, the word Here are some examples: for “she” is written hey-yud-alef which makes dis- tinguishing these two words easy. Not so in Biblical There are several vowels that we vocalize as “ah.” These Hebrew. The same problem appears with the words na’ar include the kamatz (that’s the little vowel under letters and na’a’rah which mean young man and young woman that looks like the letter “T”); the patach (that’s the continued on page 14 8 COURTYARD PROJECT Next Big Thing Update: Imagine the Opportunity of a Lifetime! Possibilities Double Your MoneyOpportunity – Help Fundof a Lifetime!the Courtyard/Kitchen by Leon Bloomfield Renovation Project - Keep the Congregation Debt Free! No, really. Imagine the possibilities. All you seeDouble right Your MoneyThanks to– Helpthe generosity Fund the of Courtyard/Kitchenthe Trustees in the form Renovation Project - now as you look south from the sanctuary is a big dirt lot of their recentKeep $400,000 the Congregation five-year pledge, Debt plus Free their! surrounded by a cyclone fence with wood posts sticking $250,000 matching grant, we are on the verge of being up randomly in various spots near what appearsThanks to be to anthe generosityable ofto thefully Trustees fund the in the anticipated form of their costs recent of the $400,000 Murray five -year pledge, plus their abandoned bulldozer. $250,000 matching grantDavis, we Courtyard/Kitchen are on the verge of Renovation being able to Project fully fund aka the “The anticipated costs of the But not for long… Murray Davis Courtyard/KitchenNext Big Thing”! Renovation Project aka “The Next Big Thing”! Over the course of the next several months you will witness the complete transformation of the TBA campus. Walls $388,990 and ramps and stairways will appear where literally nothing $167,369 exists today. The south wall of the social hall will disappear Raised to Date and in its place you will soon find a semi-circular, solarium- like social hall expansion with glass doors and windows to Remaining Trustee let in as much natural light as possible. Oh yes, and a deck Match on top as well. All of this will be created around a beautiful $2,977,731 Congregation new courtyard filling the space where our condemned Pledges Needed yellow house once stood. In addition, our cramped, somewhat oddly shaped kitchen that we have utilized for decades will be gutted and in its place we will create a new kitchen more fitting for our wonderful caterers and our This is your opportunity to participate in transforming the growing congregation. As a finishing touch, biblicalThis is gardens your opportunity TBA to campusparticipate and in double transforming your donationthe TBA campus with the and matching double you r donation with will be added for all to enjoy. the matching grant providedgrant provided by the Trustees by the ..Trustees....

But how we will use it? Our goal is not only toOur raise goal the is remaining not only moneyto raise but the to remaining get everyone money involved but – to 100% participation! This is where we invite everyone to use their get everyone involved – 100% participation! So if you haven’t had a chance to participate yet, or want to make an additional pledge, contact your imaginations. Shabbat services under the stars? Kiddush So if you haven’t had a chance to participate yet, or want luncheons flowing out to the courtyard? Combinedindividual Board/Committeeto make solicitor. an additional If you pledge, prefer, youcontact can alwaysyour individual contact Rayna Arnold indoor/outdoor events for weddings, b’nai mitzvot([email protected] and Board/Committee) or Leon Bloomfield solicitor. ([email protected] If you prefer,) directly. you can O nealways-time donations or multi- holidays? Counting three stars from the deckyear to begin pledges are bothcontact welcome. Rayna Arnold ([email protected]) or havdalah? Expanded outdoor programming for the Leon Bloomfield ([email protected]) directly. One-time We expect to complete the project by the end of this calendar year – help us make that a reality! children? We have not even begun to realize what we donations or multi-year pledges are both welcome. might be able to do with our new campus. We Allexpect donors to willcomplete be recognized the project as part by of the the end final of project. this What is left to do? calendar year – help us make that a reality! Special naming opportunities are also available. We have a lot of building to do but the architects and the All donors will be recognized as part of the final project. contractors are working hard to make this happen and we are doing everything we can do keep us on track. Our Special naming opportunities are also available. hope (and our goal) is to complete this project by*** theSpecial Opportunity: Engrave Your Family Name into the Courtyard*** end of this year if at all possible! That said, while our Special Opportunity: fundraising is impressive, there is still more toFor go. a pledgeSo, if of $1,800Engrave or more Your (which Family is just Nameless than into $1/day the Courtyard: spread out overFor a five-year pledge), you you still haven’t had a chance to support this canincredible have your family namea pledge engraved of $1,800 on a brickor more in one (which of the Courtyardis just less walls than so your family can become project, or if you have any questions about any part of $1/day spreada permanentout over a partfive-year of the pledge),Project! you can what we creating here, please contact me at lmb@wblaw. have your family name engraved on a brick in one net or Rayna at [email protected]. of the Courtyard walls so your family can become a In the meantime, enjoy your summers and begin to permanent part of the Project! imagine the possibilities.

9 YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART Bat Mitzvah Advice: Don’t Wear a Hot up with her own list, though I threw a few in there, too. Pink Suit She’s completed about half of them, and she’s already By Lisa Fernandez ridden an AC Transit bus through Oakland, volunteered to help some children with a sickness and started find- ing ways to earn her own money through babysitting and selling used clothes through Vinted. She still has to do laundry for the family, make food for the sick and cook her Shabbat meal. She told me that she liked the list. She said she thinks it’s a good transition from becoming a kid to an adult, “rather than just have a bar or bat mitzvah and suddenly being made to feel like a grownup.” That’s the point, I suppose. And I did learn one lesson. I’m going to let her pick out her own outfit so that she won’t be stuck with images of her forever in a hot pink suit. EDITOR’S NOTE: This piece was selected to run in the Reboot’s reBarproject.org. Lisa Fernandez at her Bat mitzvah Being Jewish keeps community front My bat mitzvah years were not the greatest. I was pain- fully shy. I felt chubby and awkward. I absolutely hated and center the hot pink suit my aunt and mother helped me pick out, by Kieran Kemp accented with a 1980s-style puffy white shirt. I was so nervous about chanting in front of an audience I thought I would have a heart attack. But those are superficial worries, and as for the bat mitz- vah itself, I felt, like with most things in Judaism, for better or worse, I don’t think too deeply about them: I do them because I’m Jewish. I went to an Orthodox Hebrew Day school where I studied Torah, G’marah, the Prophets and Hebrew every day. Thinking about whether I really wanted a bat mitzvah or what it meant to me would have been as ridiculous as pondering whether I had wanted to take the math test put before me. I’m happy I had one to tie me to the Jewish people, no questions asked. The reason it is important to stay involved in Judaism But there was one thing that my mother had me do that as a teen for me is purely because of community. My was beyond the traditional bat mitzvah preparation, a Jewish community is hands down the best part of my life. required mandate that has stuck with me to this day, and Between BBYO and temple, my community always has which I am now passing on to my children. She had me my back. BBYO has given me a home away from home do “13 adult” things to prepare for being a grownup. and the best group of guys I have ever had the pleasure Some were Jewish in theme. Some were simply being of meeting. In my two and half short years in BBYO I part of the world. I had to make a Shabbat dinner and have made life-long friends in and outside of the Bay invite guests. (I chose Chicken Kiev and twice-baked Area. Community is what holds Jews together worldwide. potatoes.) I had to shop for the meal. I had to take a bus Judaism is the thing I value most in life. myself. I had to call a company and complain about something. I wear a kippah everyday and love discussing what it means to be a Jew with anyone around me. With the lack I remember these activities and they are ingrained in of Jewish kids at El Cerrito High School Judaism is a bit me, much more so than my Torah portion or my drash, of a mystery to the student body and most people think which I cannot remember at all. My daughter is now 12 we celebrate “Jew Christmas” or “I don’t know Kwanza and having her bat mitzvah this summer. I had her come

10 YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART maybe?” so BBYO is a nice break to see people that have confidence, met Jewish guys and girls from around more in common with me. the region - and the world - at BBYO conventions and Growing up in a family without a dad, the BBYO has camps, and found some of my best friends. given me the male role models every guy needs grow- So, how does this this tie into Judaism and why it is so ing up. Having people like Alan Silver and Sam Alcabes important to stay connected with it? I owe most of my in my life has definitely made my life better as a whole. happiness and success over the past two and half years to BBYO is a place anyone can find family. I’m so lucky to BBYO, a Jewish youth organization. And in this time I have BBYO in my life and I don’t know what I would do have learned something incredibly special about the reli- without it. I love every member of Dreidel as if they were gion; it can be whatever you want it to be. Some people my own family. With community like that, why wouldn’t find connection with going to services, chanting prayers, you want to stay involved with Judaism? and studying the Talmud. Others find harmony with the traditional foods like matzah ball soup, kugel, and gefilte Keeping it Kosher: Staying Jewish fish. But, the one thing that Judaism gives everyone is a through BBYO community, a second home. That is why I love Judaism; by Cole Bloomfield through BBYO it has given me a place to go every For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Cole Wednesday and Saturday, taught me invaluable leadership Bloomfield. I am a sophomore at Piedmont High but skills, and has introduced me to a great group of guys more importantly I have been a member of TBA for who are more then my friends, they’re my brothers. So, 13 years and I am a member of Dreidel AZA, our local in whatever way you can, keep it kosher. Stay connected BBYO chapter. When posed with the question of why I with Judaism because it will always provide you with a believed it is important to stay connected to Judaism I loving, supporting community. And that is not something immediately knew my answer. To explain it, let me tell worth passing up. you all a story. Seeking out Jewish experiences as a When I was coming off my seventh grade, bar mitzvah teen year, I was feeling relatively fed up with going to by Shira Benau services, listening to prayers, and Judaism in general. I knew that my parents would still force me to go to High Holiday services and do Shabbat every Friday, but I thought I would grow away from Judaism. Then, in the second half of my eighth grade year it all changed. One evening in early January a man named Jordan Friedman called my house to invite me to a meeting for this Jewish youth group chapter. I was resistant to going at first but then some of my Hebrew School friends, Danny DeBare and Zach Hankin, told me that they were going to the meeting and I should come. So little, chubby, eighth-grade-me me entered into the Baum Center that Wednesday night at about 7 p.m. I was immediately overwhelmed by hordes of these gigantic guys, some of whom I recognized as being my past Hebrew School madrichot, and others I didn’t recognize at all. Some of the greatest Jewish experiences I have had, have Nevertheless, that night I felt like the coolest guy in the been during my past two years in high school. Before world. I was socializing, talking, exchanging stories, and I entered high school I went to a Jewish day school, becoming friends with guys who were 2 , 3, and 4 years Tehiyah Day School, for 9 years. At Tehiyah I was sur- older than me. That night I fell in love with Dreidel AZA rounded by an impeccable Jewish community while I and I joined almost immediately. learned the history and the customs of Judaism. However, I truly connected with my Judaism when I entered a secu- Ever since that night about two and a half years ago, lar high school and had to seek out Jewish experiences Dreidel has played a major part in my life. I have stayed for myself. Since I wasn’t going to school everyday with up until four in the morning playing weird games and Jewish teens and learning about Israel, I felt as if I need- talking with my fellow chapter members, taken up ed to find other ways to stay in touch with my Judaism. leadership positions, exponentially increased my self- continued on page 14 11 COOKING CORNER B’Tayavon: Jewish Salads 101 CALIFORNIA HAKOL SALAT by Faith Kramer Makes about 8 or more cups of salad To those of us raised in Ashkenazi households, Jewish All three dressing quantities given are salads might be defined as anything you might put on a enough to serve with about 8 or so cups of salad. Adjust accordingly if you use any bagel (whitefish salad, egg salad, or chicken salad) or eat of the add-in ingredients. along side one (health salad or perhaps herring salad), but there is a wide world of Jewish salads out there. BASE SALAD 1 large red pepper Probably one of the most famous is the Israeli chopped 1 large green pepper vegetable salad. 1 very large or 2 medium cucumbers, This month I give my variation of this classic, also known peeling optional salat yerakot (vegetable salad), salat katzutz (chopped 5 medium plum tomatoes salad), salat aravi (Arab salad) and salat turka (Turkish 1 small jicama 1/2 small red onion salad), with a choice of salad dressings based on some 1/8 tsp. salt traditional Sephardic and Mizrahi flavors. I’ve named it 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper California Hakol Salat, or everything salad. Choice of add ins from list below In addition to my riff on the Israeli salad, I’ve also (optional) taken two beloved Jewish sandwich combinations and 1/4 cup finely chopped mint “saladized” them. 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley Dressing of choice (see below) or fresh All three of the salads are perfect for warm weather lemon juice and olive oil to taste eating. Chop the red pepper, green pepper, and The Reuben sandwich has many variations but usually cucumber into 1/4” cubes. There should be about 1 cup each of the peppers and 3 incorporates Russian dressing, sauerkraut, onions, Swiss cups of the cucumber. Slice the tomatoes cheese and corned beef on rye bread. My adaptation, the in half from top to bottom and squeeze Reuven Chopped Salad, replaces the cheese and dairy out seeds. Chop into 1/4” pieces (about Russian dressing with a creamy, non-dairy dressing. I also 2 cups). Dice onion into 1/4” pieces (about 1 cup). Peel and chop jicama into add in pastrami and rye croutons. 1/4” cubes (about 2 cups.) Mix all the The Lox and Bagels Chopped Salad uses a whipped cream vegetables together in a large bowl with cheese based dressing. Do not substitute regular or soft salt and pepper and your choice of add ins. Just before serving toss with fresh cream cheese. I used “everything” seeded bagels for the herbs and either dress to taste with fresh croutons, but any savory, seeded or plain bagels will work. lemon juice and olive oil or one of the Both “sandwich” salads use the same chopped salad base. alternative dressings below. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed. Another popular type of salad in Jewish cuisine is the Suggested Add In Choices to Customize Base North African vegetable salad. They usually don’t Salad incorporate lettuce and are served room temperature. Chop vegetables and chicken into chopped Check out some examples of North African-inspired 1/4” pieces. A chopped avocado is a nice salads on my on my blog, Blog Appetit, at http://tinyurl. addition, but add just before serving to com/p4f5s9o. prevent from browning. 1-2 cups chopped zucchini In addition to writing for the Omer, Faith Kramer is a 1 cup chopped red radish cooking columnist for the j. weekly. She blogs her food at 2 cups chopped green beans www.clickblogappetit.com. Send questions, suggestions or 2 cups cooked, drained and cooled comments to [email protected] couscous, quinoa or bulgur 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce or argula 1 cup chopped, pitted kalmata olives 2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken 2 cups cooked, drained chickpeas 1-2 cups crumbled feta cheese

12 COOKING CORNER

THREE POTENTIAL SALAD DRESSINGS FOR CALIFORNIA HAKOL SALAT LEMON-ZATAR-GARLIC DRESSING Makes 1 and 1/4 cups 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup canola or other neutral oil 1/2 tsp. green zatar mix (see note below) 1/8 tsp. sugar 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper 1-2 Tbs. minced garlic Combine all ingredients and shake or mix well. Taste and correct seasoning as needed. Note: If green zatar mix is not available, use a combination of dried REUVEN CHOPPED SALAD ground thyme and oregano. Serves 4 NORTH AFRICAN DRESSING 1 clove garlic Makes 1 and 1/4 cups 1 recipe chopped salad base (see recipe below) 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 4 oz. deli style corned beef 1/4 cup water 4 oz. deli style pastrami 1/2 cup olive oil 4 slices of rye bread (with caraway 1/4 cup canola or other neutral oil seeds if possible) 1/4 tsp. ground cumin 1 recipe Revuen Salad Dressing (see below) 1/4 tsp. dried ground oregano 1 large dill pickle cut into 8 spears, 1/8 tsp. paprika optional 1/8 tsp. sugar Cut garlic in half and rub inside a large 1/8 tsp. salt salad bowl. Discard garlic. Add chopped 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper salad base. Separate meat slices and cut Combine all ingredients and shake or mix into 1/2” strips. Toss with salad base. well. Taste and correct seasoning as needed. Cut bread into 1/2” croutons (toasting in oven if desired). Just before serving toss TAHINI DRESSING salad with croutons and dressing. Serve Makes 1 and 1/4 cups with pickle spears. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice Reuven or Lox and Bagels Chopped Salad Base: 1/4 cup tahini (Middle Eastern sesame 1 large head of romaine lettuce paste) 2 medium tomatoes 1/2 cup olive oil 1 small, peeled cucumber 1/4 cup canola or other neutral oil 3 Tbs. finely chopped red onion 1/4 tsp. ground cumin 1/4 tsp. salt Rinse lettuce, drain and dry well. Chop into 1/2” pieces. Cut tomatoes in half 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper across the widest part and squeeze out 1/4 tsp. paprika liquid and seeds. Chop into 1/2” pieces. 1/4 tsp. salt Chop cucumber into 1/2” pieces. Combine 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper and toss. Combine all ingredients and shake or mix Reuven Salad Dressing: Mix together well. Taste and correct seasoning as needed. 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup chopped, drained sauerkraut, 2 tsp. sauerkraut, 2 tsp. prepared white horseradish, 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp. roughly chopped caraway seeds, and 1 tsp. or to taste sriracha or other hot sauce. Combine and taste. Adjust seasonings. If needed add 1/8 tsp. salt. Use at room temperature. continued on page 14 13 CONTINUED

Tidbits, continued from page 8 was technical and complicated. Next time you are sitting during services and thinking how accomplished the Torah respectively. They are written differently in Modern readers are you can have a greater appreciation for what Hebrew but exactly the same in the Torah. This makes goes into learning a Torah portion. We’d love to have the Torah reader’s job that much harder, trying to remem- you join our ranks – watch your emails for classes start- ber and pronounce the words correctly. ing up soon! If you stuck it out this long, Yasher Koach to you – this

Theme, continued from page 11 ued my Judaism. While discussing these questions with my friends I was able to understand what I appreciated When I first joined BBYO, in January of my 8th grade most about my Judaism as well as what I needed to do for year, I did it more for the social aspect since I was still at myself to continue on my beliefs and interests in Judaism. Tehiyah at that time. A moment that I always look back on when I think of a Once I left Tehiyah and continued through BBYO, I time that I felt most connected to my Judaism was when sought out the more religious aspect of the organiza- I went to Israel on my 8th grade class trip and we visited tion. Nothing was more powerful than being able to the kotel. The moment I had at the kotel was something surround myself with an amazing group of Jewish teens I had never experienced before. Ever since then I have each and every week who shared common hobbies and felt an even stronger connection with Israel and my own interests in their Judaism as I did. One of my greatest Judaism. Due to what I had experienced at the kotel I Jewish experiences in BBYO was when I attended a have found a passion to embrace and discover more about Jewish Enrichment program at our Fall 2014 conven- my Judaism and what it truly means to me. I am so thank- tion. During this program we were asked many questions ful for the experiences I have had so far being able to about how we felt about our Judaism, what it meant to embrace my Judaism. I cannot wait for the future where I us and how we wished to carry it on. Even though these can truly form my answers of what it means to me to be questions may seem simple they really got us all think- Jewish and how I am going to carry that on. ing. Although I wasn’t fully able to form answers to these questions it made me really understand how much I val-

Cooking Corner, continued from page 13 LOX AND BAGELS CHOPPED SALAD Serves 4 1 clove garlic 1 recipe chopped salad base (see recipe) 8 oz. lox or smoked salmon 1/4 cup drained capers, roughly chopped 2 “everything” bagels 1 recipe Cream Cheese Dressing (see below) 3 Tbs. sesame seeds Cut garlic in half and rub inside a large salad bowl. Discard garlic. Add chopped salad base. Separate lox slices and cut into 1/2” pieces. Toss lox and capers with salad mix. Cut bagels into 1/2” croutons (toasting in oven if desired). Just before serving toss salad with croutons, dressing and seeds. Cream Cheese Dressing: Using a fork blend until smooth 1 cup whipped cream cheese (at room temperature), with 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup canola or other neutral oil, and 1/4 cup water. Stir in 1/2 tsp. each salt and ground black pepper. Use at room temperature. 14 GAN AVRAHAM

Gan Avraham Are the First Steps in give tzedakah, sing songs, light candles and chant the Jewish Life blessing, say Kiddush and drink grape juice and say by Barbara Kanter hamotzi before sharing the challah that they made. This Shabbat observance is practiced every week by Gan Avraham is often the first step in a child’s the children as an integral part of their Gan experience. Jewish identity and sense of belonging to the Jewish It is one way we strive to introduce and expose the community. As an excellent Jewish early childhood children to the ritual and tradition of Jewish life. program, we are not just Jewish on Friday when we celebrate Shabbat, or on Monday when we observe At Gan Avraham our classroom environments look Havdallah or when we are preparing for a special Jewish. Our wall displays show Jewish life and rituals. holiday. We are Jewish every day. Jewish values, We have many Jewish materials available to the traditions and rituals are integral aspects of our program. children from books to CD’s to dramatic play props. Judaism informs every aspect of our curriculum. Jewish values, principles and mitzvot are constantly emphasized. We give tzedakah. Tikkun olam and Every Friday morning at the Gan, we begin practicing bal tashcheet are evident when we care for the for Shabbat. We make our challah dough together. environment and are not wasteful. We show respect, Then each class braids its loaves for sharing with kavod, to children and grown-ups. Our Gan integrates family and friends at their Shabbat circle after lunch. Judaism into the entire curriculum every day and paves We end every Friday morning (yes, a little early) the way for a positive Jewish identity and learning with a Shabbat circle in each class. The children throughout a lifetime.

Welcome Jill and Marta: familiar faces taking on new roles by Lisa Fernandez Jill Rosenthal and Marta Molina will soon be co-chairing the Gan preschool, where they have both been longtime teachers. Jill will no longer be a Kitah Bet teacher but will run the administrative duties in the Gan office, until Marta takes over at 3 p.m through the end of the day. Marta will still teach for several hours in the afternoon as the primary afternoon teacher and the Kitah Alef teacher on Fridays. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating as co-direc- tors,” Marta said, adding that she has been at the Gan ever since Jonah Bloom was a baby more than 12 years ago. Jill has been a TBA member twice. She first joined with her family in 1995, and then moved to Chicago. She rejoined with husband Steve Grossman in 2002, and both her boys, who are now 14 and 21, went through the Gan. Jill’s pre- vious career was as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She began teaching at Gan Avraham eight years ago. Jill Rosenthal and Marta Molina Jill and Marta stressed that this co-director model will allow for an on-site director to be present all day. Both Jill and Marta said they are extremely grateful to outgoing Gan director Barbara Kanter, who has “graciously agreed to help us with this transition and we are incredibly appreciative to her for her ongoing expertise and support.” Barbara will continue on in her role through the end of the school year.

15 BET SEFER

The Year in Review – Bet Sefer staff led by Joe Lewis, Rabbi Bloom, and Rayna Arnold Retrospective who does so many things behind the scenes it makes by Susan Simon my head spin. And, of course, thanks for our fabulous teaching and admin staff: Dawn Margolin, Alice Hale, Another school year has ended – hard to believe I have Aaron Kruglikov, Zephira Derblich-Milea, Michelle been directing the school for 10 ½ years, hard to believe Johnston, Stacy Margolin, Joan Korin, Debby Jacoby, that this is my 10th Kitah Zayin graduation, hard to Diana Zankowsky, Mor Perets, Jessica Dell’Era, Elaine believe that it is time to start planning for next year. Bachrach, Phil Hankin, Ariella Glodowsky, Adi Schacker, I was feeling like I had nothing more to say for this and Sandra Simon. Omer article other than expressing my undying gratitude But Lisa Fernandez suggested a photo retrospective and I to the many people who help make this school run so loved the idea, so here goes. well – the amazing volunteers, our tireless custodian

We started the year with our annual Back to School BBQ.

That was quickly followed up by our cupcake parties celebrating the students who did their summer homework.

16 BET SEFER

We had a fabulous time in the sukkah with our lulavim and etrogim.

We did wonderful mitzvot like raising money to buy food at Grocery Outlet for the Alameda County Foodbank.

And before we knew it, it was time for Hanukkah Our Kitah Hay students learned about Kashrut and made a and latkes and gelt! scrumptuous dinner for themselves and their families.

And then it was time for Purim and our Bet Sefer Carnival – so much fun!

Our last big school-wide celebration was for Israel’s birthday, Yom Ha’atzmaut. See how much fun we had, learning Israeli dances, learning modern Hebrew, making Israeli salad, going through basic training in the Tzahal, and showing off our trivia knowledge about Israel. We sang Yom Huledet Sameach, ate birthday cake and sang songs.

I hope you enjoyed our little photo retrospective. It sure is fun for me looking back on what we have accomplished this year, how much we learned, and how much support we receive from our TBA community. Thanks TBA!!! 17 LA’ATID swim days in East Oakland to sleepovers at the Baum Center, from ice skating to chocolate Passover seders, from planting trees in the rain to singing to Jewish seniors at holidays. “No one has done more for our youth programming than Phil and Dina,” TBA board president Mark Fickes said, who has two children who regularly enjoyed that programming. “They’ve created such a great social network.” Dina and Phil know all about the importance of social networking as youngsters. The two met at a NFTY youth group, and started dating in 1985, when Phil was 17 and a member of Temple Beth Torah in Fremont, and Dina was 16, and a member of Temple Sinai in Oakland. They decided to start La’atid, which means “to the future” when they noticed their oldest son, Zach’s, class was “really well connected,” Dina said, “and we wanted a venue to keep being connected.” As Zach, and their daughter, Sophie, got older, they found that it was a bit harder to get some of the younger kids at TBA on board. They are hoping the new leadership will bring some “new blood” into the fold, Dina said. Also, the two wish that the next evolution of La’atid engages in The Future of “La’aatid” as Hankins more social action projects, bringing some more Jewish Retire From Youth Leadership Post activism into the fun, weekend activities. By Lisa Fernandez Milah Gammon, 12, has joined plenty of La’atid After seven years of running Temple Beth Abraham’s activities – some of her favorites were going to youth group, La’atid, Phil and Dina Hankin are stepping Boomer’s, roller skating and sleeping over at TBA and down and passing the torch to BBYO advisor Jacqui watching “Fried Green Tomatoes.” McCabe. “You get connected to Judaism, which is fun and you While new and exciting adventures are sure to be had can be with your friends,” she said. A note from the new for our synagogue’s youth, the pair have singlehandedly La’atid leader... organized a whole lot of fun throughout the years, from

18 LA’ATID

19 BBYO: DREIDEL AND OAKLAND BBG #2 Introducing our new youth group leader Jaqui I’m Jaqui McCabe! I was born and raised in the East Bay, grew up as a camper at Camp Tawonga and was an active participant within my Temple Jewish Community of Temple Isaiah of Lafayette. The leadership roles I took on as a T.A. and youth group board member aided in my decision to attend the University of Arizona, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Judaic Studies. It was in Tucson during my undergraduate studies, I took on new and exciting roles with- in the Tucson Jewish Community. My work in Tucson as a youth group director, Cantorial Intern, Cantorial Soloist, Hillel member, and returning to work at Camp Tawonga, encouraged me to attend Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem Israel for a year. That one year turned into four! I spent four years living in Jerusalem, working, traveling, and embracing every aspect of Israeli life. After returning from Israel in September of 2014 I accepted the posi- tion of BBYO Central Region West Regional Director. Part of my role as Regional Director for BBYO is taking on La’atid here at Temple Beth Abraham. Working with temple youth groups is not new to me and I am very excited to expand La’atid in both content, activities, and numbers. I can be reached at: 510-251-1667 or at: jmccabe@bbyo.org. My office is in the Baum Center so please feel free to stop by and say hi!

Our Award Winning Youth Groups This year at BBYO Central Region West Spring Convention our youth groups, AZA and BBG, brought home the following awards: Dreidel AZA: Oakland #2 BBG: CRW Highest Honor: Chapter, Stand Up Award Event of the Year: Alephs in Training

CRW Highest Honor: Project of the Year: Zoe Sterling, Tikkun Olam Award Bay Area Band Bash For excellence in developing and executing a program CRW Highest Honor: Chapter of the Year for the chapter’s Stand Up Cause, Raising Awareness of Education Award Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. Fundraising Award

Temple Beth Abraham and Oakland BBG #2 member, Zoe Sterling, fifth from left. 20 LIFE CYCLES Ella Sadikman, Bat Mitzvah, June 6, 2015 Hello, my name is Ella Sadikman and I go to the Contra Costa Jewish Day School. I love to sing, hang out with my friends and play soccer with my team, The Flying Tigers. My favorite subjects in school are Science, because I get to do many exciting labs including dissections, and P.E. because I get to play more soccer! My Torah Portion is Ba’halotecha in Bamidbar. It’s about the formation in which the 12 tribes of Israel traveled in the desert, and how God guided them on their journey. My drash will focus on how God leads the Israelites through the desert on their way to the Holy Land. For example, when God, in cloud

B’nai Mitzvah form, would stop, so too would the Israelites. They would stay in one place for different periods of time varying from a few days to years, until God command- ed them to journey again. To hear the rest of the story, come celebrate my bat mitzvah with me and my family on June 6! Haley Baum, Bat Mitzvah, June 13, 2015 My name is Haley Baum, and I am a seventh grader at Bentley school. My favorite subjects is science. In my free time, I play volleyball and dance. My Bat Mitzvah is on June 13 and my torah portion, Maftir Sh’lach, is about twelve scouts going to the land of Canaan and deciding if they could win over the land or not. Some of the scouts felt that God will make them win, and some of the scouts don’t feel that way. At my bat mitzvah, I will be discussing having faith in God and how it relates to this story. I look forward to seeing you then. Milah Gammon, Bat Mitzvah, August 22, 2015 Hi, my name is Milah Gammon and I am currently a 7th grade at Claremont Middle School. I love learning science, mostly because of my teacher. Besides schoolwork, I’m on a swim team and cross country. I also enjoy dance, singing and playing the guitar, and spending time with my family and friends. Another thing that is important to me is my Jewish life. I have been going to Jewish camps, Camp Tawonga and Kee Tov, ever since I was little, where I experience Judaism all the time, whether I am making challah for Shabbat or backpacking in nature. I have been going to Bet Sefer and have made close friendships with my classmates that I hope to always have. Of course, I’m usually here on Saturdays and sometimes Friday nights. We joined Temple Beth Abraham when I was a baby. Perhaps you remember me dancing to L’cha Dodi in my diapers? Please join my family and me in my becoming a Bat Mitzvah on August 22. My Torah portion is Shoftim in the book of D’varim and I look forward to celebrat- ing with my family and friends.

21 LIFE CYCLES - BIRTHDAYS JUNE 1 13 24 8 Max Davis Jeannie Haydon Donald Jurow Matthew Disco Zachary Piser Laura Jones Josiah Larkin Leah Felice Wildmann Caren Sencer Amy Moscov Alan Silver Alon Wolf Samuel Zapruder Judith Quittman 25 Lorri Zimmer 2 14 Shira Benau 9 Leila Bernstein Rami Albert Herbert Bloom Alexis Morgan Melissa Diamant Alexander Kauffman Eric Eisenman Chris Morgan Avery Reischer-Craft Randall Kessler Alexandra Feinstein-Wike Kelsi Perttula Sarah Rothman 15 Lynn Gerber 10 Ellen Rubin Barry Barnes Jacob Hill Johnny Glick-Scroggins Jake Wike Robert Eisenman Sarah Liron Stacy Month 3 Karen Hertz 26 Meryl Segal Emily Miller Alison Heyman Sam Bookin Michael Stevens Daniel Gray Pascal Eddan Katz Talya Bornstein 11 Hannah Rubin Tammy Lee Richard Mills Jonathan Carey 4 16 Lindsay Spangler Yitzhack Heber Steven Aronson Katherine Maidenberg Linda Stevens Ruby Hertz Sarah Cohen Adi Schacker 28 Max Schleuning Emily Golub Alicia von Kugelgen David Birnbaum Michele Silver June Marinoff 17 Denise Davis 12 Loren Perelman Ernestina Carrillo Mona Goldfine Elinor DeKoven Milana Schwartz Sophie Govert Carol Robinson Booker Holton Louis Teitelbaum Sarah Liron Michael Zielenziger Elijah Miller 5 Larry Reback 29 Maya Schacker June Brott Jennifer Slavin Andrea Dreyfuss Benjamin Siegel 26 Helen von Kugelgen Li Fife 13 Michael Aronson 18 Ethan Grossman Brandon Bercovich Audrey Kauffman Zakai Avidor Zachary Hankin Jennifer Berke 7 Emma Stone Zepora Zangwill Asher Bernstein Bette Birnbaum 19 30 Jordan Bernstein Rabbi Chaya Gusfield Rowan Smith Daphne Albert Matan Bostick Emma Rosenthal 20 Larry Bercovich Tamar Breines Zachary Schwartz Rebecca Amy Darling Felix Broach Bonnie Burt 8 Rebecca Lesser Aaron Paul Adam Davis Emily Asher Randy Morris Richard Rubin Maya Joseph-Goteiner Cherryne Kravitz David Reback JULY 1 14 10 Talia Shalev Marc Barach Glenn Friedman Beatrice Aronson Daniel Weiner Fran Blatter Nicole Friedman Rabbi Arthur Gould Ronald Weller Barry Feiner Drew Kaplan Gerald Hertz 21 2 Jessica Liroff Joshua Kayman Susan E. Bloch Asher Sam Jaffe Shayna Silberzweig Ella Sadikman Lisa Fernandez 3 15 Susan Shub 22 Sam Simon Kenneth Benau 11 Sheldon Kahn 4 Elaine Gerstler Walter Chang Jane Kramer Maya Novak Howard Hertz Alice Hale Ella Pashman Hugo Wildmann Jacob Kaizer-Salk Rayna Levine 23 5 Rebecca Wasserman Cameron Smith Adhi Bornstein Ezra Chabon 16 12 Daniel Bornstein Eitan Goldfein Nathaniel Bernstein Matthew Gochman David Hoffman 7 Haydn Garfinkle Aliza Zangwill Toya Hertz Zachary Silver Samuel Berger David Salk David Stein Rae Marianne Bloch Jessica Siegel

22 LIFE CYCLES - BIRTHDAYS 17 S29 Adina Goldstein 22 Richard Heeger Eva Katz Aaron Stein Patricia Eliahu Michael Hyman Daniel Mc Lean 10 Sarah Greenberg Peter Mezey Lilah Yarden Sadikman Neal Bloch Linda Horodas Erica Reischer Alexander Schleuning Michelle Gould Daniel Jaffe Gary Sherne Lori Schnall Joshua Hill Darren Kottle Harper Paige Smith 30 11 Joel Piser 18 Lee Nathan Anika Bergman David Rapson Jessica Dell’Era Cassius Perelman Shawn Bloch Scott Tessler Raphael Novak Hartsock 31 James Johnson 23 Molli Rothman Tonda Case (Daffner) Evan Kharrazi Alice Dangler 19 Jill Lindenbaum Naomi Liron Joshua Hyman Levi Chabon Ari Perttula Jody London Sydney Hyman Reuven Glick AUGUST 1 12 Lori Jaffe Louis Goodman Zoe Cohen Myra Kaplan Jodi Lerner 20 Eliana Goldstein Jacob Young Willa Miller Rachel Goldstone Jonas Hagan Elliott Joseph Zatkin 24 Joseph Millman Brett Hodess 13 Judy Chun Jeffrey Quittman Robyn Hodess Asher Berlin Jason Edelstein 21 Eric Horodas Dean Goldfein William Gentry Eitan Schotland Lila Hudson 14 Sydney Palmer 22 2 Mae Goldman Daryl Ross Eric Friedman Philip Dangler Garrett Langfeld 25 23 3 Irene Shoikhet Jennifer Beck Samuel Bernstein Ronald Gerber Stacy Frauwirth 15 Doree Jurow Klein Lindsay Goldberg-Kunis Annaliese Kauffman Yael Berrol Harry O’Neill Gregory Korn Judy Langberg 26 24 5 Talia Young Jeremy Kharrazi Emma Sterling Aviva Ruth Davis Evelyn Glick-Scroggins 16 Joshua Feltman Dara Goldfein Omni Aflalo 27 Sarilee Janger Allan Green Barbara Berman Jennifer Baum Yael Sherne Jacqueline Shea Dinkin Andrew Bloch Elaine Teune 25 Sophie Souroujon Jon Feldhammer 28 Harriet Bloom 6 Danielle Rehr-Davis Melissa Bercovich Dan Finkelstein Miriam Benjamin 17 Blythe Hyman Mayer Goldberg Sophie Bricker Richard Charlesworth Roxanne Moss Asher Rose Ricardo Craft James Govert Bryan Schwartz 26 Barbara Gross Avi Paulson 29 Isaac Charlesworth Vivienne Perelman 18 Rose Hoffman Fiona James Florence Raskin Rebecca Farmer Ezra Maidenberg Ariel McLean Barry Rotman Noah Jacobs Douglas Moss Larry Wayne Shirley Silver Rachel Kuperman 30 27 7 Sarah Weintraub Marcia Benjamin Joseph Blumberg Brent Kauffman 19 Sabra Rachel Jaffe Julie Gochman Gabriel Levin Janet King Jan Leuin Alex Mezey 8 Daniel Levinsohn 31 Cindy Sloan Norman Frankel 20 Shara Coltoff Jacob White Alan Gellman Joel Biatch Federica Meklin Julia White Simone Weiss Anita Bloch David Rukin 28 9 Elan Halperin Rebecca Sparks Peter Rukin David Benjamin Benjamin Rego Micah Trilling Amanda Bloch Samuel Cohen Is your birthday information wrong or missing from this list? Please contact the TBA office to make corrections. 23 LIFE CYCLES - YARZEITS

May God comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem SIVAN 14-18 Sylvia Strub Goldman TAMMUZ 3-9 Victoria Naggar June 1-5 Rose Polse June 20-26 TAMMUZ 14-16 Minnie Goldstein Leon Siegel Charles Leve July 1-3 Lippi Streiffer Helen Singerman Frank Lowenthal Anna Berman Joseph White Harry Sussman Ida Carasick Barber Melba Dattner Klein Diana Bereskin Jack Wolfe Leah Fertel Clara Toba Klein Kathe Biglovsky Irving Reback Alan Goldberg Violet Burge Vivian Glick Renee Zuckerman Marie Marcus Shirley Wolf Harry Reingold Sidney Steckel SIVAN 26-TAMMUZ 2 Anna Riskin June 6-12 Laura White TAMMUZ 17-23 David Rosenzweig Leah Pactor Hershel July 4-10 Goldie Breslov Ray Baim Edward Markovits Rebecca Garfinkle Charles Horwitz Robert Davis Israel Rosenberg Rabbi Morris Goldberg Lizzie Gevertz Jack Gerber Mina Gutmann Isaac Gordon Aron Gordon Hyman Gurman Sam Ruvkun Essie Landy Abraham Lorenz Sy Harris Rebecca Braaf Michele Blau Lockey Steven Ross Sidney Shaffer Bert Simon Sadie Unterberger David Heskin Morris Unterberger Rose Ziegler Charles Slavsky Anna Mutnick David Yaron Belle Bercovich Samuel Applebaum Joseph Pencovic Nathan Brody Wilfred Carsel Mollie Goldstein David Ross Fanny Naggar Alvin Strom Clara Ottinger Judith Wallerstein Leo Selinger Allegra Saporta Hilda Braverman TAMMUZ 10-13 Coleman Bloomfield Alexander “Big Al” Bunin Kenneth Katz June 27-30 Haja Blymenkrantz Raymond Epstein Sam Nathan Harry Adams Albert Gould Joseph Rabinowitz Mae Peters Leo Adolph Hattie Wachsman SIVAN 19-25 Mark Siegel Hyman Davis Helen Dubner June 6-12 Howard Silberman Isaac Goldman Bernice Glueck Lee Aerenson Rose Tessler Ruth Korn Esther Millman Ida Nathan Barnett Ida Brasch Dorothy Runkun Steiner Abraham Kravetz Raymond Mogill Hilda Grutman Moritz Wolff Celia Reingold Jennie Epstein Lena Isaacson Yitzchak Gottlieb Rebecca Berrol Ann Frankel Thomas Scharff Helen Patricia See Jean Green Lena Bernstein Dodi Aron Annie Adams Anna Lea Greenstein Sidney Biglovsky Horst-Arnold Aron Joseph Berger Rose Jacobs Celia Slavsky Miriam Heirshsberg Zelick Levit Sam Moss Max Frey Ethel Liss John Noah Miller Louis Gottesman Milton Maidenberg Blanche Olden TAMMUZ 24-AV 1 Celia Bloch Alice Stockman Sara Wolff July 11-17 Florence Glick Nathan Turchin Oscar Birnbaum Joseph Kaplan Ariyeh Heber Sandy Aerenson Vera Jennings Irving Bromberg Maurice Aaron Ziegler Ethel Gold Heskin Sadie Klein David Tsifrin Elias Aelion Jacob Leon Ira Glasser

Recent Deaths in Our Community William Klinger, Father of Judith Klinger Gertrude Veiss Gloria Reid Jack Fass, Husband of Diane Fass

24 LIFE CYCLES - YARZEITS

Elmer Glick Jacob Schulman John B. Landowitz ELUL 7-13 Elaine Ruben Phillip Steiner Edith Polon August 15-21 Howard Ruben Roy Sutz Louis Vaughn Eduardo Celia Davis Israel Shepard Herman Bernstein Tate David Davis Samuel Gold Sam King Richard Felten Elizabeth Glasser Kenneth Tessler Sam Goodman Eileen Grossman Kenneth Goodwin Irene Feinberg Harry Douglas Arthur Roth Albert Jacobs Henry Alton Schmulowitz Alan J. Fixler Ruth Mintz Barry Stephen Kramer Lawrence W. Stone Amy Galas Donald Paulson Eileen Salk Flora Pencovic Freda Horwitz Soloman Rabinowitz Abraham Schaefer Morris Weiner Ina Nathan Arthur Michael Ross Philip L Davis Robert Wolk Esther Schecht Larry Frankel AV 2-8 Av 16-22 July 18-24 Tobe Burnstein Manfred Kahn August 1-7 Bessie Gerber Kenneth Brasch Louis Aldeff Sam Kasdan Jacqueline Helfend Arthur Casson Minnie Dane Askey Hilda Brauer Sylvia Heyman Tsilya Kobuzyatskaya Narvel Case, Jr. Robert Fierstein Max Kushman Girsha Uretski Morris Kantor Peter Finnegan Rubin Semendoff Etta Bacharach Lena Klor Leo Leyser Frances Hochman Rayanna Laytner AV 30-ELUL 6 Frieda Nemon Jerry Kopp Louis Rosenberg August 8-14 Larry Pencovic Joseph Laub Barnett Schwartz Sylvia C Davis Jerome Eisenman Helen Bachman John A. Berman Fannie Kessler Carl Freeman Carol Bonar Edith Moss Harry Levitch Lev Gelfond Joy Kauffman Anna Polse Matilda Kramer Lesley Langberg Kaye Erna Landsberger Morris Rothblatt Charles Levine Morris Polse Abraham Davis Thomas Saunders Jonathan Lisker Edward H. Stern Yehudit Eliahu Judy Lerner Louis M. Brodovsky Abe Bachman Rachel Gordon Sam J. Rouben Bill Hale David Coopersmith Gowher Saidian Aaron Arenbart Mollie Kessler Alex Galas Keva Atowich Phillip Kauffman Eva Klein David Lena Goldman Herman Budman Miriam Nash Bertha Sutz Johnnie Holton John Odenheimer Benjamin Rosenstein Lena Atowich Leah Levine Joel Oseroff Doreen Wolf Joseph Dienstag Gertrude Bleiberg Francis Turchin Shirley Horodas Michael Fass Samuel Langberg Clara Leon Katherine Sieff Fannie Schiffman ELUL 14-16 August 29-31 Shelley Rotman Irving Mayer Burt Robert Sr. Edesess Zelda Lutz Marshall Denenberg Rose Jaffe Harry Goldstein Peter Ottinger Dorothy Levien Edward Kushner Marcia Jacobs Gisela Spiegel Hannah Ethel Roth Jacob Miron George Kaplan Joseph F. Thierman Sol Quittman Rita Manson Francine Weil AV 23-29 Jacob Seltzer Samuel Leson David Berman August 8-14 Philip Bierman Mila Rokhlin Gurevitch Morrey Kenneth Grossman David Herman Klein Peter De Vorin Max Sherman Toibe Tania Lerman June Matthews Leah Friedman Louis Bernstein David Levy Harry Tuman Ernest Rosenthal Mary Chipkin Schussheim David Bercovich Sam Silver Abraham Shapiro AV 9-15 Daniel Goldfein July 25-31 Ann Brodke Lucy Volinsky Harry Rubin Samuel Kestenblatt Joseph Weiner Herman S. Engleberg Rose Lerch Haim Rom Lillain West Simon Jacobovich Ruben Lerch Irving Isaac Schoen Ida Jonas Minnie Leson Peter Lisker

25 DONATIONS

Charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined.

DAVIS COURTYARD FUND Misia Nudler, speedy recovery to Diana Rosenberg Brandon & Melissa Bercovich BET SEFER DISCRETIONARY FUND Larry & Ruth Bercovich David & Stephanie Mendelsohn, Thank you for the wonderful Renat Engel learning at Bet Sefer!! Saul and JoAnne Gevertz GAN DISCRETIONARY FUND Fifi Goodfellow Risa Galant, in memory of my mother, Jean Galant Justin Graham & Victoria Reichenberg Matthew & Lauren Smith, in memory of Jessica Manasse Hennie Hecht TU B’SHVAT - PERISHABLE FOOD DRIVE Ruth Kleinman Lori, Mark & Dianne Schack Judy Craddick Maccabee, in loving memory of Howard Subita Dudershana & Rajnish Kamat Macabee Richard & Naomi Applebaum David & Toni Mason Leon & Judy Bloomfield Larry Miller & Mary Kelly Andrew & Andrea Dreyfuss Sylvia Miller Jeff & Johanna Ilfeld Alan O’Neill & Joni Tanis Gregory & Ruth Morris Barbara Oseroff Lawrence Polon & Ernestina Carrillo Paul & Florence Raskin Curtis & Adi Schacker Larry & Deborah Reback Jonathan Shuster & Beth Sirull Jeri & Marvin Schechtman, in loving memory of Isadore and Josh Weiss & Janna Lipman Weiss Reba Shechtman Andy & Marcia Wasserman GENERAL FUND Andy Campbell & Rachel Dornhelm Frank & Patricia Harrell, in memory of Howard Maccabee Eric & Tina Eisenman Harvey & Fran Blatter, in memory of Max Blatter Eve Gordon-Ramek Stephen & Arlene Greenberg, in memory of Ben J. Weiss Susan Johnson, in loving memory of Murray Davis Steven Grossman & Jill Rosenthal, in memory of Abraham Grossman Robert Klein & Doreen Alper Richard & Audrey Kauffman, in memory of Marjorie Kauffman Gary & Faith Kramer David & Toni Mason Herman & Agnes Pencovic Steven Rosenthal & Ailsa Steckel, in memory of Maisie Steckel Sheldon & Barbara Rothblatt, in loving memory of Gitel Rothblatt Klaus Ullrich Rotzscher & Jessica Siegel, in honor of Second Generation’s organizing the “Celebration of Life” Ori & Susan Sasson Ethel Shaffer, in loving memory of Edith Kurtz PRAYERBOOK FUND Fifi Goodfellow, in memory of Charles Naggar Ethel Shaffer, in loving memory of Ira Kurtz Ethel Shaffer, in loving memory of Harry Simon KIDDUSH FUND Ethel Shaffer, in loving memory of Mary Simon Helen Fixler, in memory of Aron Nudler Stephen & Susan Shub Helen Fixler, In memory of Shlomo Fixler David & Judith Stein Fifi Goodfellow, in memory of Margaret Naggar David & Treya Weintraub, in memory of Marshall Langfeld’s Jeremy Katz & Sara Liss-Katz, in memory of Eva Liss father MINYAN FUND Joseph Young & Rachel Goldstone Allan Green, in memory of Walter Green JEANETTE JEGER KITCHEN FUND YOM HA SHOA FUND Rabbi Arthur Gould & Carol Robinson, in honor of Lynn & Paul Silberstein & Karen Glasser, in memory of Leonard Glasser Marshall Langfeld CAMPER/SCHOLARSHIP FUND Rabbi Arthur Gould & Carol Robinson , in memory of Marshall Joni & Josephine Knight Langfeld’s father Lori Schack & David Mermin Leonard E. Johnson & Karen L. Quittman, in memory of Nancy Quittman Alan Gellman & Arlene Zuckerberg Jeremy Katz & Sara Liss-Katz, in memory of Eva Liss Stuart & Jeanne Korn Misia Nudler, condolences to the family of Rabbi Schulweis Marta Molina Misia Nudler, in memory of Aron Nudler Marvin & Wendy Siver

26 DONATIONS

RABBI DISCRETIONARY FUND ENDOWMENT FUND Lainie Line, in honor of Adin Ilfeld’s Bar Mitzvah Larry Miller & Mary Kelly, in memory of Eunice Kelly Randall & Jan Kessler, in memory of my mother, Alice Kessler HERTZ INTERFAITH FUND Michael & Katherine Maidenberg, in memory of Gerald & Ruby Hertz, in memory of Jeannete Moroco Irma Maidenberg Jeffrey & Judith Quittman, in memory of Nancy Quittman David & Ann Rapson

A Legacy Gift Lasts Forever

Include TBA in your Estate Planning so that your message to your family is loud and clear: “The existence of Temple Beth Abraham is important to me and for the future of Jews in Oakland.” Contact TBA’s Executive Director Rayna Arnold for further details (510) 832-0936 or [email protected]. You are never too young to plan for the future!

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! Thank you for your generosity. Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Abraham and mail to: 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 or donate online at http://tbaoakland.org/giving/donate

List of funds: • General Fund • Prayerbook Fund • Leonard Quittman Endowment Fund • Campership/Scholarship Fund • Rabbi Bloom Discretionary Fund • Jack and Mary Berger Fund • Cantor’s Discretionary Music Fund • Herman Hertz Israel Scholarship Fund • Bet Sefer Discretionary Fund • Mollie Hertz Interfaith Outreach Fund • Gan Avraham Discretionary Fund • Danielle and Deren Rehr-Davis Teen Fund • Kiddush Fund • Harold Rubel Memorial Music Fund • Minyan Fund • Rosebud and Ben Silver Library Fund • Yom HaShoah Fund • Sam Silver Playground Fund • Jeanette Jeger Kitchen Fund • Leo and Helen Wasserman Educational/ • Building Fund-Next Big Thing-Davis Courtyard Cultural Fund

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Korach Chukkat Havdalah (42 min) Havdalah (42 min) Havdalah (42 min) Havdalah (42 min) Beha’alotcha Sh’lach L’kha

9:14p 9:16p 9:17p 9:10p 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service 10:15a Shabbat Mishpacha Bat Mitzvah of Haley Baum 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services Bat Mitzvah of Ella Sadikman Bat Mitzvah of Ella 1-2:30p Mah Jongg for Everyone June 2015 10 Tamuz 3 Tamuz 19 Sivan 26 Sivan 5 26 19 12 www.tbaoakland.org 8:35 p 8:31 p 8:28 p 8:34 p ' ' ' ' 12p Gan Graduation 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 9 Tamuz 2 Tamuz 25 Sivan 18 Sivan 4 11 25 18 ho D esh C osh r 7:30p Girls Night Out 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8 Tamuz 1 Tamuz 17 Sivan 24 Sivan 3 10 24 17 ho D esh C osh r 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7 Tamuz 30 Sivan 16 Sivan 23 Sivan 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly --> 2 9 16 30 egins 23 B

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hen C it TBA Book Club Meeting TBA Sisterhood Convention 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) K a 7p 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 Bar Mitzvah of Zakkai Avidor Bar Mitzvah of Zakkai B 12 Tamuz 5 Tamuz 28 Sivan 14 Sivan 21 Sivan t - 7 Calendars in The Omer 28 21 14 ay D s ’

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5p CityTeam-Feed the Hungry 5p CityTeam-Feed 3p WTBA 3p Retreat WTBA (Baum YC) 11 Tamuz 4 Tamuz 27 Sivan 20 Sivan Gan Avraham End of the Year Picnic Year End of the Avraham Gan 7p Bar/Bat Mitzvah class #2 for cur Mitzvah 7p Bar/Bat Sivan / Tamuz 5775 Tamuz Sivan / 28

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Pinchas Devarim Havdalah (42 min) Havdalah (42 min) Havdalah (42 min) Havdalah (42 min) Matot-Masei habbat r E v S nd E p n CE E i

8p Tisha Ba’Av Service Ba’Av Tisha 8p 9:14p 9:10p 9:05p 9:16p 9:30a-12p Shabbat Service 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services 9:30a-12p Shabbat Services July 2015 9 Av 2 Av 17 Tamuz 24 Tamuz 3 10 24 31 17 www.tbaoakland.org hod ES h 8:24 p 8:32 p C 8:34 p 8:29 p o S h ' ' ' r ' Independence Day Office and GASP closed for and GASP Office 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15p-7:15p Kabbalat Shabbat 15 Av 8 Av 1 Av 23 Tamuz 16 Tamuz 2 9 16 30 23 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 7p Men’s Club Poker Nigh 7p Men’s 14 Av 7 Av 29 Tamuz 15 Tamuz 22 Tamuz 1 8 29 22 15 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 7p BBYO-AZA and BBG 7p BBYO-AZA 13 Av 6 Av 28 Tamuz 14 Tamuz 21 Tamuz 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 9a Weekly Text Study (Woodminster) Text 9a Weekly 7 28 21 14

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6 27 20 13 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 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel) 8a-9a Minyan (Chapel)

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 11 Av 4 Av 26 Tamuz 19 Tamuz 5 Calendars in The Omer 26 19 12

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29 Temple Beth Abraham PERIODICALS 327 MacArthur Boulevard POSTAGE P A I D Oakland, CA 94610 Oakland, CA Permit No. 020299

Have a Great Summer!

WHAT’S INSIDE TBA Directory...... i Women of TBA...... 6 Cooking Corner...... 12 What’s Happening...... 1 Live Streaming...... 6 Gan Avraham News...... 15 From the Rabbi...... 2 Men’s Club...... 7 Bet Sefer News...... 16 President’s Message...... 3 Award-winning Youth...... 7 La’atid...... 18 Volunteer Bulletin Board...... 4 TBA Tidbits...... 8 BBYO...... 20 New Members...... 4 Courtyard Project Update.. 9 Life Cycles...... 21 Cover Artist...... 4 Young and Young at Donations...... 24 Six Word Memoirs...... 5 Heart...... 10 Calendar...... 26