SHERITH ISRAEL NEWSSEPTEMBER–DECEMBER, 2017 New approaches enrich timeless traditions HIGH HOLIDAYS OFFER EXPANDED SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES Building on last year, Sherith Israel’s High Holiday services will offer an even greater breadth and depth of meaning. According to Rabbi Jessica Graf, “Congregants told us how much their High Holiday experience meant to them last year. As much as we appreciate that, Cantor Frommer and I have been working hard to raise the experiential level of the upcom- ing High Holidays to an even higher plane.” While Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur constitute the centerpieces of High Holidays 5778, Rabbi Graf points out that the holiday season includes more than a month of preparation and celebration. The season begins in the month of Elul (starting August 23). It continues through Sukkot, five days after Yom Kippur, celebrating the autumn harvest, and on to Simchat Torah (October 13), marking completion and renewal of the annual Torah- reading cycle. Cantor David Frommer notes that CSI’s High Holiday activities offer a full month of celebration and contemplation. We begin on Wednesday, September 6, two weeks before Rosh Hashanah, with a study session on Mishkan HaNefesh, the new Reform machzor (prayerbook) led by Rabbi Graf and Cantor Frommer. Congregants will gain familiarity High Holidays continues, page 4 SHANAH TOVAH: Best wishes for a healthy, happy new year. See page 5 for your complete guide to High Holiday services and events. Under $1 million to go INSIDE: A Moment with Rabbi Jessica Graf 2 SEISMIC RETROFIT CAMPAIGN 4 Questions for Cantor David Frommer 3 HITS NEW MILESTONE High Holidays 5778 5 Energized by the successful completion of May. Our two latest major gifts put us Religious School 6 of our seismic retrofit construction, the halfway to completing the first stage of Behind the Scenes with Craig Etlin 7 campaign to fund the $16 million proj- this strategy. ect hit a new milestone this summer. What’s Happening 8–9 “We have reached a point that many Thanks to two major commitments and Profile: Michael Miller 10 thought was impossible,” notes David. a number of smaller gifts and pledges, News Nosh 11 “But Lynn and I have always been con- the campaign now stands at less than fident that we would finish this cam- Technology Upgrades 12 one million dollars to go. Tikkun Olam 13 paign. To see the light at the end of the Passages 14 The two major gifts—one for $220,000, tunnel validates our vision.” the other for $100,000—came in re- Donations 14 Lynn attributes the campaign’s success sponse to the campaign committee’s to good fortune along with the generos- strategy to duplicate the success of last ity of Sherith Israel congregants and the December’s matching gift campaign. At larger Jewish community. “For those of MARK YOUR CALENDAR! last May’s annual meeting, campaign us who belong to Sherith Israel, complet- co-chairs Lynn Sedway and David New- First day of Religious School ing the retrofit is about preserving our SUNDAY, SEPT. 10, 9:15 am man announced a plan to put together building and our community for future a pool of major gifts totaling $650,000, Simchat Torah Shabbat generations,” she notes. “For founda- then reach out to the congregation to FRIDAY, OCT. 13, 6 pm tions and philanthropists in the larger match those gifts. That $1.3 million total Jewish community who have supported The Day the Holocaust Began represents the amount we had to raise as with Fred Rosenbaum Seismic Retrofit Campaign continues, page 12 FRIDAY, NOV. 10, 6 pm A MOMENT WITH RABBI JESSICA ZIMMERMAN GRAF 2266 California Street San Francisco, CA 94115 REFLECTIONS AS WE APPROACH AN T: 415.346.1720 EXCITING NEW YEAR F: 415.673.9439 www.sherithisrael.org They say, “Time flies when you’re hav- the wilderness. There is no way to get Member of the Union for ing fun.” I can hardly believe a year has from here to there except by joining Reform Judaism since 1903 gone by since last High Holidays. We’ve hands, marching together.” accomplished a lot—some big things and Judaism requires joining hands and CLERGY some small. In 5777, we completed the Jessica Zimmerman Graf helping one another. I am proud of two work of the seismic retrofit—a huge ac- Senior Rabbi newly (re)organized committees en- complishment for our community. This David Frommer gaged in this sacred task: social action Cantor year we’ve added new Shabbat music, and chesed. In thinking globally and making our services more joyful. Mem- EMERITUS CLERGY acting locally, these committees have bers have stepped up this summer to Lawrence Raphael Rabbi Emeritus taken community-building to heart. Martin Weiner Rabbi Emeritus lead a Shabbat morning minyan, Sh’ma Martin Feldman Cantor Emeritus Koleynu, and chant Torah. We’ve served Our social action committee displays re- BOARD OF TRUSTEES thousands of meals through Chicken newed energy. Guided by our dedicated Soupers and HaMotzi. And we comfort- co-chairs, Stacy Passman and Karen OFFICERS Craig Etlin, President ed mourners, welcomed babies, studied Alschuler, the committee is leading us Lindsay Braunig, Vice President texts and asked thoughtful questions. No to the forefront of justice work and help- Katie Zier, Treasurer wonder time has been flying by! ing us think about our relationship to Karen Zelmar, Assistant Treasurer the world. This fall, we’ll focus on the is- Erik Migdail, Secretary Our committees and lay leaders have sue of immigration with a series of con- Evan Kletter, Immediate Past President been very busy. Our newly reorganized versations about immigration and Jew- TRUSTEES membership committee is helping Sher- Claire Davis ish values. Our social action projects are ith Israel members feel more connected Dan Dohan open to all. Please join us! Michael Gaines through a wonderful series of Havdalah Gale Gottlieb gatherings. An avodah (worship) advi- Our chesed committee is helping make Jerry Hurwitz sory meeting enabled people to share lives better every day. Based on the Jew- Joan Libman Amy Mains ideas about the High Holidays. Our de- ish value of acts of lovingkindness, con- Alan Mirviss velopment committee is planning stra- gregants provide food, rides and com- Stacy Passman tegically for the congregation’s financial pany to people recovering from illness, Liat Sadler health. And the seismic retrofit cam- Lynn Sedway going through medical treatment or who paign committee is looking to complete just need a helping hand. Chesed com- STAFF funding for the work that has enhanced mittee members weave the fabric of our Nancy Sheftel-Gomes the seismic safety of our magnificent Interim Executive Director & Education Director community more tightly. To become a sanctuary. member, or if you are in need of acts of Jonathan Dimmock lovingkindness, please let us know. Music Director As we engage one another more deeply Nia Taylor and explore our complex world togeth- Soon, we’ll gather together to welcome a Development Manager er, we realize the power of community. new year. I can’t wait to see what we will Natalie Weizman Our siddur reminds us, “There is a bet- Assistant Principal accomplish in 5778 and look forward to ter place, a promised land … the wind- Allison Green sharing it all with you. Shanah tovah! n Clergy & Program Assistant ing way to that promise passes through May Oskan Office Manager SHERITH ISRAEL NEWS David Newman, Ellen Newman, PEOPLE OF THE BOOK David Perlstein Editors “You are not required to complete the work, but you are not free to Susan Weeks Graphic Design abandon it.” — Pirkei Avot 2:16 Rebecca Goodman, Allison Green, Richard Mayer, Ellen Newman The Mishnah informs us that we may it. Deuteronomy 16:20 commands, Photographers not learn all of Torah, but we must “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” study daily. So, too, we cannot ignore We must work in the cause of social injustice even if we cannot eradicate justice to accomplish what we can. n 2 Questions for CANTOR DAVID FROMMER Just as we finish up the High Holidays, our calendar fills up with observances for Sukkot and Simchat Torah. We asked Cantor David Frommer to tell us more about these festivals. Q: What do we celebrate on the festival of derful fun for children and adults alike. Jews who convert Sukkot? from Christianity often honor their childhood traditions by adorning their sukkah with family ornaments. A: From an American perspective, Sukkot combines the bounty and gratitude of Thanksgiving, the festive decora- Lastly, the most important mitzvah on Sukkot is caring for tions of the Christmas season and the national indepen- others. Sukkot is an ideal time to practice ushpizin, wel- dence story of July Fourth. It’s got the best of everything, coming of guests, and to get involved with CSI’s social ac- tion program like volunteering with HaMotzi and Chicken Historically, the word Sukkot has been translated as “tab- Soupers to prepare and deliver meals for people who are ernacles” or “booths,” but the easiest translation for mod- homeless or homebound. ern readers would be something like “huts.” The holiday’s name reflects both its agricultural and historical elements. Q. How will we celebrate Sukkot at Sherith Israel? Sukkot, which is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur, co- A: Sukkot, like Passover and Chanukah, is traditionally incides with harvests in Israel as well as, conveniently, in observed for eight days. This year we offer a full range of America. Sukkot reminds us of the temporary dwellings Sukkot programs. I’ll host two congregational events at the that sheltered our Israelite ancestors as they harvested sukkah in my backyard—a weekday evening get-together their crops in the fields and as they journeyed to offer their for adults and a Saturday afternoon Havdalah for Shabbat first fruits as sacrifices at the Temple.