The TEVET-SHEVAt 5770 / JANUARY -FEBRUARY 2010 Builder CONGREGA T ION BE T H EL from the rabbi EXTENDED COMMUNITY At Beth El, we strive to create and be a have been involved with BOCA projects, I hope that, over time, community for one another. Through our we will become more involved as a congregation in BOCA’s work; membership in the Beth El congregational if you would like to learn more, please contact Social Action chair community, we also are connected to ever Wilma Rader. Our congregational engagement in and contribution widening communities of shared interest towards tikkun olam, the core Jewish task of working to “heal and commitment, local, national and international. As a Reform the world,” is largely realized in partnership with our extended Jewish synagogue in Berkeley, Beth El’s connection to and community. engagement in issues of national concern to us, as citizens and as a Jewish community, is through our membership in the Union The Jewish Community Federation of the East Bay is the central for Reform Judaism, the North American association of Reform address for the organized Jewish community. The Federation synagogues. The Union provides resources and consultation; is is dedicated to building a vibrant and inclusive local Jewish the patron of our seminary the Hebrew Union College-Jewish community, and to enhancing the well being of Jews in the Institute of Religion; and is the sponsor of the Religious Action East Bay, Israel and throughout the world. Our Federation is Center in Washington, DC, our national policy and advocacy both a philanthropy, raising and distributing funds on behalf office. In Berkeley, Beth El is a member of an interfaith social of the needs of the community at home and abroad, and a justice and community organizing coalition, BOCA (Berkeley sponsor of education and community programs through its Organizing Congregations for Action). BOCA is a network of Center for Jewish Life and Learning. Beth El works closely with eighteen congregations, representing some 10,000 families, the Federation and its agencies whose staff includes Beth El working together for community needs. While many individuals (continued on page 3) Congregational Forums on Musical Leadership President Joanne Backman has appointed a Taskforce on Clergy and Musical Needs to make a recommendation to the Board about our clergy and musical leadership in the years ahead. We have been fortunate to have Reuben Zellman as our Rabbinic Intern this year and have been inspired and moved by his music and teaching; Reuben will be ordained as a Rabbi in May. We are now discussing what the Congregation’s needs are and how best to fill a permanent position. Under the leadership of Board Secretary Marv Pearlstein, the Taskforce invites all Beth El members to offer their ideas, reflections and goals for musical leadership and rabbinical support at Beth El at one of two upcoming Community Meetings. The goal of these gatherings is for the Taskforce members to listen and learn about the needs and wishes of our membership so that its recommendations to the Board represent as broad a consensus as possible. The Taskforce is charged with making a report to the Board at its February meeting. Please join us on one of two Sunday mornings, January 10 or January 24, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm or, if you would like to send the Taskforce an e-mail, contact the Taskforce at [email protected]. Taskforce on Clergy and Musical Needs Marv Pearlstein, Chair Sara Sarasohn, Robinn Magid, Lisa Friedman, Paul Steckel, Martin Dodd, Rabbi Yoel Kahn 2 from the president If you’ve spent some time hanging around Beth El lately, you have surely noticed a Congregation Beth El, Reverend Dr. Marvis renewed creative spirit, and an energy that Peoples & Liberty Hill Baptist Church almost seems… I dare say… like Kee Tov warmly invite you to attend a service energy! Can it be? Did we all just catch celebrating the life and work of the that ruach in the dead of winter? I felt that ruach at the December Board Reverend Dr. Martin meeting when our Kee Tov Committee Chair Paula Price and Camp Director Zach Luther King Jr. Schnur came to speak about some amazing new initiatives and changes for the upcoming camp season. I tasted that ruach at the Chanukah Bazaar this year with my first bite of a delicious Sunday, crispy latke with apple sauce and sour cream, made lovingly by dedicated volunteers. Latke ruach continued at the annual January 17, 2010 Latke Fest later in December, where the famous Men’s Club latke 11:00 am extravaganza enriched the Chanukah celebrations at Shabbat Unplugged. I saw that ruach on landscape clean-up day, as Liberty Hill many energetic volunteers snipped, pruned, swept and planted Baptist Church so we can enjoy the beautiful grounds of our synagogue. I heard that ruach at the Multi-Faith Thanksgiving event, when people 997 University from across our East Bay community packed our sanctuary to the rafters, and our newly formed Adult Choir, directed by Reuben Avenue • Berkeley Zelman, belted out some pretty jazzy tunes to make us all proud. I got that ruach at Movie Night in December, when members of the group from the 2009 Beth El Israel trip came together to watch two fabulous Israeli films, share pizza, re-unite with the group, and strengthen community. Come enjoy a sermon by Rabbi Yoel Kahn. But the ruach comes from other changes too; they may not be obvious at first but you notice them eventually. For example, the acoustical tiles on the sanctuary ceiling are one of those “behind the scenes” changes. The sound quality improved dramatically After the service, we will break once they were installed, and many people commented they could bread together as we enjoy a hear much more clearly. Other changes have been and continue to be made throughout all of our programs. New staff leadership potluck lunch. has brought innovation and creative energy to our classrooms, to the b’nai mitzvah experience, to adult learning opportunities, to music programs, to camp and youth programming, and to the Please bring food to share along entire spiritual and community experience of Beth El. with a list of ingredients and card Oh, and our mortgage debt has been restructured. With this change, as long as we raise enough money each year from explaining what your dish is, where contributions*, the reduced monthly loan payments will allow it is from and its cultural or historical us to run our full range of innovative services and programs and keep the synagogue in full operation. *(You still have significance. Everyone is invited. the opportunity to contribute to the annual campaign, and all donations are gratefully accepted.) Bring your friends and family! What have you noticed around the synagogue that reflects a renewed spirit or innovation? Have you noticed a ruach moment that I neglected to mention here? Do you have ideas for For more information innovations we can implement at Beth El? I would be pleased to hear from you at [email protected]. Thank you. please contact: Joanne Backman [email protected] President 3 Our Thanks to AsChuck you know, weHansen just concluded anda twelve monthTracy negotiation Green! to restructure our mortgage debt. The successful resolution of that negotiation gives the congregation much-needed breathing room and an opportunity to rebuild financial strength. We are tremendously grateful to our pro bono legal counsel, Chuck Hansen and Tracy Green of Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean, for the guidance they gave us throughout the entire process. Chuck is a prominent real estate and lending litigator and he teaches at Boalt Hall. Tracy is well known for her expertise in reorganizations and workouts, and she is a long-time member of the congregation. Together they were truly a dynamic duo, providing strategic guidance and insight regularly over the past year. And they were generous beyond all measure...they gave us literally hundreds of hours of expert legal advice on an entirely pro bono basis. We cannot thank them enough! From the Rabbi (continuted from page 1) members Federation CEO Rabbi Jim Brandt, Center for Jewish Life and Learning Director Oren Massey (husband of our Director CHAI lunch of Educatoin Debra Sagan Massey), while Beth El member Adam Mizock serves on the Federation board. (Beth El member Jennifer forums Gorovitz is the Acting CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma and the Peninsula.) Second Thursday of each month In response to our challenging economic climate, the Jewish • 12:00 to 1:30 pm • Community Federation of the Greater East Bay and The Jewish Check out our exciting spring line up: Community Foundation have distributed $60,000 to East January 14: Capital Punishment, Bay congregational rabbis to provide economic assistance to a discussion led by Stephen Shatz, individuals and families in need. This urgent funding initiative supports the Federation’s mission to help those in need locally Professor of Law, University of San Francisco and around the world. Beth El has received a portion of this allocation. If you are in need of urgent financial assistance, small February 11: Genealogy-An Introduction to tracing grants are now available. These confidential grants have already your family origins, led by Robinn Magid, Ritual made a difference for members of our community and they are Committee Chair, Congregation Beth El available to help those who are struggling in these difficult times. Please contact me directly if you could use assistance from this March 11: The Rebirth of Judaism in Hungary-an program; in accordance with the highest values of our tradition, Interim Report, a discussion led by Rabbi Ferenc Raj, both giver and receiver remain anonymous to each other.