the February 2016 – Sh’vat/Adar I 5776, Volume XXIX Number 10 Special Torah Study, Shabbat BEATLES PURIM IS COMING! Service and Luncheon Calling all ACTORS, SINGERS and MUSICIANS! Led By Rabbi Stephanie and Cantor David Shomrei Torah is looking for excited members to be featured in this year’s BEATLES PURIM SCHPEIL on March 23. Everyone is welcome Saturday, February 6, 8:45 AM to participate! For many years, up to two dozen congregants have met every Saturday morning in the Kolbo room to read from the weekly We need people who can make Torah section and discuss its meaning and relevance for us in the following rehearsals: today’s world. The session goes from 8:45 to 10:15 AM, and all March 8, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST community members are welcome to attend, weekly or just March 15, 6:00 – 7:30 PM once in a while, actively participating or just listening. March 23, 4:00 PM, final On February 6, 2016, the Torah Study will take place in the dress rehearsal followed Sanctuary, to accommodate both the regular attendees and by Schpeil at 6:15 PM those of us who will be attending for the first time in a while or If interested, contact [email protected] perhaps for the first time ever. We encourage you to come and explore the world of the Jewish Torah with us at that time! At 10:30 AM, all Torah Study attendees are invited to remain and join us in the beautiful Shabbat morning service, along with Rabbi’s Tisch with Ruben Arquilevich others who may not have been able to attend Torah Study. Friday, February 12, 6:15 PM Immediately after services and kiddush (around 12:00 PM), we Come to the Tisch wearing evolved since then and the critical will share a FREE luncheon. your camp t-shirt or hat if you role it plays in securing Jewish attended a Jewish camp. Listen identity today. Congregation to Ruben Arquilevich as he Shomrei Torah is a wonderful discusses “Jewish Peoplehood: partner to URJ Camp Newman The Role of Camp in Jewish – he will highlight this special Life”. He will share the history relationship. of Jewish camp, going back over 100 years, discuss how it has He will share the history of Jewish camp, going back The Social Action Committee over 100 years... 2016 Film Series “A Reason to Live” Cost for catered dinner is $18. The Social Action Committee launches its 2016 film series RSVP to CST Office. with the movie, “A Reason to Live” and a forum that focuses on mental health. The films and forum are open to the public free of charge but donations are welcome. HIGHLIGHTS “A Reason to Live” - This powerful documentary about teen Social Action Goes and young adult depression and suicide captures 12 personal to the Movies page 3 stories of despair and hope. Rabbi Message page 4 Saturday, Febrary 20, 7:30PM. A panel discussion to follow. Cantor’s Message page 4 Serving Sonoma County’s Progressive Reform Jewish Community HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY AT CST Rosh Chodesh Lifelong Learning Saturday, February 6, 7 PM What’s in a Name? Choosing a Hebrew Name Kolbo Room 1 session: February 17, 2016, 7:00-8:30 PM, Kolbo Room The next Rosh Chodesh women’s group will be February 6 at 7:00 PM. All Rabbi Kramer will lead an interactive workshop on the importance of Hebrew names interested women are invited to this and help guide everyone to choose their own Hebrew name. This workshop is open to free evening to celebrate the upcoming people of ALL ages! Free, email [email protected]. new moon. The new moon of the Hebrew month of Adar I is an introduction to the energy A Taste of Mussar: An introduction to the study and of spring. Purim comes next month, Adar II, and we’ve just had Tu b’Shvat, practice of Jewish spiritual ethics. the re-awakening of the trees. Come 5 sessions: February 14, 21, 28; March 6, 20; 3:00-5:00 PM and celebrate your own re-awakening , $36 Materials Fee rededicating yourself to what gives your life meaning and joy. We might also get This course, taught by Sharon Schwartz, provides a solid introduction to what the a bit silly as Purim is approaching: bring study of Mussar is all about and what it offers. You will experience for yourself a good joke to share or wear a silly hat. how transformational Mussar can be, and you will see how Mussar can bring you a deeper understanding of yourself and give you valuable tools to live a better, more Please RSVP to the CST office, or just fulfilling life. show up. Please call 707.578.5519 or email [email protected] to register for classes. Family Shabbat Services Bagel Club Hears from 4th and 5th Grade Family Shabbat: High Tech Speaker Friday, February 5, 6:15 PM Sunday, February 7, 9:00-11:00 AM 2nd & 3rd Grade Family Shabbat: We are trying Friday, February 26, 6:15 PM something different! Please join our community in prayer for Family Shabbat. Our STaRS students will Jay Peretz, CST have a special part in the service. The service will be followed by a special Shabbat member, former and Dinner for the families to delight in Shabbat as a community. Please RSVP to ra@cstsr. retired VP of Oracle, org so we know how much food to provide. We ask for a $10 per family donation to is teaching computer programming help defray the cost of food. at SRJC. He will share with us some insights into the high tech world, including science and tech aspects, and additionally the culture and impact Tot Shabbat of technology on our lives and the Friday, February 26, 5:00 PM economy. Tot Shabbat is an informal, child-centered Shabbat Service Contact [email protected] to designed especially for children newborn to elementary school reserve your seat, or call the CST office age. The theme will be “Shabbat” and there will be a potluck. at 528-5519. Gourmet breakfast will be Please bring a vegetarian dish to share! Save the dates for the served. Ladies are also welcome. following months: March 26 at 9:00 AM; April 15 at 5:00 PM. SHOMREI TORAH VOICE PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 2016 SAVE THE DATE Lifelong Learning Rabbi Tisch with Cantor David Frommer Classes and film series are free but registration is appreciated. “The David and Goliath Story of Yale A Cappella” Please call 707-578-5519 or email [email protected]. Friday, March 11, 6:15 PM David and His Women Much like the Jewish people, Yale’s Jewish A Cappella Group, Magevet, 3 sessions: has endured against all odds. Despite the overwhelming resources of March 2, 9, 16 high-profile, secular competitors and a niche appeal that attracts more 7:00-8:30 PM Jewish parents than students, Magevet continues to thrive each year. Rabbi Kramer will discuss Join Cantor David for a story of improbable survival, lasting friendship, why David is the most and a musical mission that influences his cantorate today. Cost for fully developed character catered dinner is $18. RSVP to CST office. in the bible. Through stories, we get to see David from his youth all the way until he is on his death bed. David is warrior, lover, politician, Beatles Purim Schpiel betrayer and leader. Come learn what makes David a Wednesday, March 23, 6:15 PM fascinating man. Join us for a revolutionary visit into the 60’s as the Beatles meet Esther, Mordecai and Haman. Grab your costumes and groggers and join the fun as Film: American Jerusalem: we read from the Book of Esther. Our Purim Schpielers will not disappoint! Don’t miss an evening of entertainment and yummy hamantashen. Jews and the Making of San Francisco 1 session: Sunday, March 13, 3:00-5:00 PM Dr. Marc Dollinger will discuss the history of Jews Social Action Goes to the Movies in the Bay Area. Dr. Dollinger is the Richard and Mental Health - It Takes A Community! Rhoda Goldman Chair in Jewish Studies and Social The Social Action Committee is hosting Responsibility at San Francisco State University. His films and a forum that focus on mental research interests include American Jewish history, health through April. The films and forum Jewish social responsibility, California Jewish history are open to the public, free of charge but and modern Jewish identity. donations are welcome. “The Mask You Live In” - Addresses Film: A Home on the Range: the issues boys and young men have in The Jewish Chicken Ranchers of Petaluma dealing with society’s narrow definition of masculinity. This film directed by Jennifer History of Jews in Sonoma County Seibel Newsom, is an official selection of the 2015 Sundance Film 1 session: Festival. March 19, 7:30 PM. Sunday, March 27, 3:00-5:00 PM “Poster Girl” - Traces a high school Henry Shreibman, Ph.D., Rabbi, DD, has taught over the cheerleader, turned machine gunner last nine years at Dominican University, Sonoma State, in the Iraq War, as she returns home and UC Davis in comparative religion, history, ethics to deal with Post Traumatic Stress and philosophy. His area of interest and specialty is Disorder (PTSD). April 16, 7:30 PM comparative religion of the ancient world. All films will be on Saturday nights at Bonnie Burt has been documenting Jewish life for 20 7:30 PM at the CST sanctuary. A panel years. In her film, Jack London, California vigilantes, discussion featuring local and regional McCarthyism, the Cold War and agribusiness all come to experts and people affected by mental life in a quintessential American story of how a group of illness will follow each of the films.