january 2006 ~ tivet - shevat 5766
-- From the Rebbe
-- Gifts of Light
-- News from Dor Hadash
-- eScrip and more...
-- Board News ~ President's Letter
-- Community Yom HashoaH Commemoration
-- Community Announcements
-- Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
-- Jewish Family and Children's Services
-- Donations Make a Difference!
-- Newsletter Guidelines
Chevre and Friends...
Announcements:
View photos taken by Joelle and Liz Hagen of the re-enactment of
the Second Temple held at Ner Shalom on December 11th
>
Kodak Gallery 1
>
Kodak Gallery 2
Safeway eScrip participants please renew your commitment by going
to www.eScrip.com to keep your contributions flowing.
From the Rebbe
Dear Hevre,
Although we are late this year, Tu Bishvat is really the first
celebration of spring. I write this as we begin our winter - the
frost collects on my windshield at night, my dogs want to come in
sooner than before, I have to think of polar fleece and easy to
remove layers for Amalya. But soon, though the rain will not have
gone, we will see the first signs of spring - the daffodils you
planted when you bought the house, the buds forming on the trees,
and by Tu Bishvat itself (February 3rd this year), the lengthening
of the days.
The book of Deuteronomy was probably the last book of the Torah
to be written. Text archaeologists think it was composed during
the reign of King Josaiah (ruled 640-609 bce). There is clearly
a more settled feeling to the book - it has no great stories of
wandering and trials, rather it is a recap of what happened in Exodus,
a bit of Leviticus, and Numbers. Lots of other things were included
(like the Shma!) that point to a people more scattered through the
land. One of the subjects that gets lots of mention is the issue
of land and trees and fruit - perfect for Tu Bishvat. Here is a
great example, from Chapter 8:7-10:
For the Lord your G!d brings you into a good land, a land of brooks
of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and
hills. A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and
pomegranates; a land of olive oil, and honey; a land where you shall
eat bread without scarceness, you shall not lack any thing in it;
a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig
bronze. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the
Lord your G!d for the good land which G!d has given you.
The last sentence of this paragraph is the foundation for the
birkat hamazon - the blessing that traditionally is said at the
end of a meal that has started with bread. I love the imagery -
you make a blessing from a place of satisfaction and ease (though,
judging by our Thanksgiving excesses, not necessarily comfort -
Oh, the creaking belt!). The Birkat itself is a remarkable (and
to some people very long) collection of prayers that we'll take
a look at more next month. I want to share a funny text from the
Talmud that relates to fruits, and specifically to verse 8 in the
above selection, the one that begins "A land of wheat, and
barley, and vines." It's from tractate BeraHot, page 41b:
Rabbi Hisda and Rabbi Hamnuna were seated at a meal, and dates
and pomegranates were set before them. Rabbi Hamnuna took some dates
and said a blessing over them. Said Rabbi Hisda to him: Does not
the Master agree with what Rabbi Joseph, or as some say Rabbi Isaac,
said: Whatever is mentioned earlier in this verse has precedence
in the matter of benediction?
Obviously, according to Rabbis Joseph or Isaac, we should make
our meal blessing first over things made of wheat, then barley,
then grapes, then figs, then pomegranates, then olives, then honey
- which was mostly date honey at the time.
Back to our text, Rabbi Hamnuna has a different reading of the
verse - he is more concerned with the location of the produce in
relationship to the word 'land': Rabbi Hamnuna replied: The date
comes second after the word 'land', and the pomegranate comes fifth.
He has a point, if what is important is the gift of land, as seems
to be emphasized in the rest of he Deuteronomy text. However, Rabbi
Hisda disagrees - he replies: Would that we had feet of iron so
that we could always run and listen to you! - which is as nice a
way of telling someone you think they are dead wrong as any! It's
nice that these small conversations are recorded in the Talmud.
They really give us a feel for the competition, camaraderie, and
respect that the rabbis of ancient times had for one another.
The rabbis in Talmudic times did not always have the last word
on how we do things. Many interpreters have come and gone since
then, as in good Reconstructionist tradition, the Law has changed
to reflect the world in which it flourished. For instance, you may
be already saying "Wait! - Don't we bless the wine (grape product
before the bread (wheat product) on Shabbat?" and of course
you would be right. On Shabbat though, the wine becomes a symbol
of both joy and holiness (kind of a stand-in for the blood that
purified the altar in the days that the Temple was standing), so
we bless and drink it first - but that is why we cover the bread,
so it doesn't feel bad and resentful that we are not blessing it
in it's rightful place. That's why we have beautiful Hallah covers
and special boards for the bread. I look forward to blessing the
Hallah with you at an upcoming Shabbat.
L'Shalom,
Elisheva
Gifts of Light
MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
WARREN LEVIN, a donation in memory of Walter Levin
OFFERINGS...
RUTH-JEAN & SANDERS SOLOT, a donation in appreciation of the
Rabbi & friends, for all they are doing to make Ellen Solot’s
Bat Mitzvah a marvelous event
DEBBIE FINDLING and YOEL KAHN, donations for the used machorim
LORRAINE & PAUL LICHTMAN, a donation and “get well wishes”
to Ariana Elster
ELIZABETH LANDERS, a donation for the Building Fund in honor of
the hard working Board of the synagogue
ARTHUR & AMY NEIBRIEF, a donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary
Fund
MESSING FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, a donation to the synagogue
THANK YOU TO...
MELISSA WILLABY and HELENE STEINLAUF- NORWITT, for sponsoring the
Dec. 2nd Oneg
ROBIN BIRDFEATHER and MARTY HEDLUND, for helping to repair the
#5 classroom
News from Dor Hadash
Dear Chevre,
I hope that you have had a Hanukah holiday filled with light, appreciation,
and the warmth of friends and family. The month of December at Dor
Hadash was a memorable time. The students at the school learned
about the Second Temple, first in classroom discussions, and on
December 11, we experienced its re-creation. Everyone was dressed
in muslin tunics, some w/prayer shawls, some with mourners arm bands,
some were poor with very few shekels, and some were wealthy with
more shekels than they could use. Everyone came through the marketplace
in search of sacrificial animals, and then on to the mikvah where
each person either washed their feet or their hands in preparation
for entering the sanctuary. We had the shofar blowing, wafting smoke
to walk through, the smell of incense, the angels, the high priests,
the sacrifices of the animals, and much more that brought the experience
of learning to all of our senses. We finished off the family day
of learning with the most delicious barbecued chicken, salads, and
hummus with pita bread. The entire program was covered by the San
Francisco based magazine, J (formerly the Jewish Bulletin). We had
help from so many people, without whom this day would not have been
such a success. Many thanks to all the teachers, madrihim, and parents,
who put in precious time. If you would like to view photos taken
by Joelle and Liz Hagen click here (then click on photo to view
all the photos):kodakgallery.com
and again here:kodakgallery.com
January looks exciting also. We will come back together on January
8, and we will welcome Gesher Calmenson as an Adult Education presenter.
Gesher will be teaching a one- session course in creating your own
personal Siddur. Reb Gesher is an inspiring and light-hearted teacher
who will lead you on an unforgettable journey of creation. Rebbe
Elisheva will also begin a course of Adult Education classes focusing
on Israel. Dates and times to be announced soon.
January 22 we will begin our luncheon fundraiser with a Russian
theme. Hot Borscht, potato knishes, drinks and dessert will be offered
right after Dor Hadash ends, so that you don't need to stop at Taco
Bell on the way home to feed your hungry children. Stay with us,
nosh, schmooz, get the kids fed, and support Dor Hadash! More information
will follow regarding cost and reserving lunches.
Be sure to tell your friends about our wonderful school, where
newcomers are always welcome.
B’shalom,
Leslie
"The most direct means for attaching ourselves to G-d from
this material world is through music and song. Even if you can't
sing well, sing. Sing to yourself. Sing in the privacy of your own
home. But sing."
Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav
eScrip and more...
Do you buy GROCERIES??
If you do, than you can participate in the mitzvah of no-cost tzedakkah,
because almost every Grocer other than G&G belongs to one of
the many no-cost tzedakkah programs. Most of these programs allow
you to split your tzedakkah between multiple organizations, so why
not spread a bissel to the Ner Shalom/Dor Hadash community?
Safeway shoppers must renew their commitment to the eScrip program.
You just go on-line to www.eScrip.com and hit the renew button.
While you are there please take a moment to check that your credit/debit
card numbers/expiration dates are up to date by going into "my
eScrip".
Oliver's and about 9 other markets belong to the Communitysmart
Card program. Oliver's shoppers please note this major change!!
To join this program you can: instantly join by asking for a card
at Oliver's checkout counter; call COMMUNITYsmart at 568-4995 or
go on-line to www.communitysmart.com. When you check out at one
of the participating merchants, you slide your Communitysmart card
just like a debit card to get credit for your transaction. This
program requires that a certain minimum be spent but then we receive
a greater rebate (for Oliver's you need to spend $25 for a rebate
of 5%).
Albertson's shoppers can participate by connecting your blue and
white Preferred Savers card to Ner Shalom by going to www.Albertsons.
com or using a tan and white Community Partners card Michelle can
provide you.
Raley's users just need to obtain a Raley's partner's card from
Michelle and activate it through their website (Raleys.com). Using
the card without activating it for Ner Shalom will leave those rebates
in suspense.
Not sure where you stand with all these programs? Give Michelle
Marks a call at 778-6346 or e-mail her at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net
and let her help you make a difference today.
Recycling.... Don't forget to continue to save all your spent laser
and inkjet cartridges!!
We can do tikkun olam (repairing the world) and give some tzedakkah
at the same time if we recycle. There is a collection box in the
hallway leading into the sanctuary. If you donate laser cartridges
please put the spent cartridge back into the box with the end pieces
so it can be sent back in the best condition possible.
Board News ~ President's Letter
Dear Members and Friends of Ner Shalom, ,
This month I want to use my space to offer the words of Aaron Schuman,
President of Palo Alto’s Reconstructionist Keddem Congregation.
Everything he says rings true for me. Substitute Ner Shalom for
each "Keddem" and Ariana for each "I". Enjoy.
When I joined Keddem, back in the 20th century, I joined because
of the people I had met. I didn’t have a clear idea about what
Reconstructionism was. I used to say, "I’m a member of
a Reconstructionist congregation, but I’m not a Reconstructionist,
I’m just a Jew.” As I learned more about Reconstructionism,
I came to understand that the reason I felt comfortable in this
environment had everything to do with my personal alignment with
Reconstructionism.
What is Reconstructionism? What does it have to do with me? There
is a book I would like to recommend titled Exploring Judaism; a
Reconstructionist Approach, by Rebecca T. Alpert and Jacob J. Staub.
(You can get a copy of this book at the Ner Shalom library, or online
at jrf.org.) Alpert and Staub offer no categorical answers, but
they do review what contemporary Reconstructionist thinkers have
said about the roots of Reconstructionism, about our evolving religious
civilization, about G-d, about the role of the past in our thinking,
about living in two civilizations, about Zion, about Jewish life,
about the life cycle, about inclusiveness, and about the Reconstructionist
movement.
In the middle decades of the 20th century, Judaism in America
suffered from decreasing relevance in a context of Jewish assimilation.
The preceding generation embodied the traditional values of the
ghetto, but the current generation studied science, espoused liberalism,
and embraced modernity. In this milieu, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, founder
of Reconstructionism, devoted himself to bringing contemporary insights
to an understanding of Judaism. He taught the value of living as
Americans and as Jews, celebrating both cultures, and allowing each
culture to enhance the other. In 1934, Rabbi Kaplan wrote his masterwork,
Judaism as a Civilization: Toward a Reconstruction of American Jewish
Life. Although Kaplan’s writing and thought were seminal in
the foundation of Reconstructionism, we at Keddem are not Kaplanists;
we are Reconstructionists. Reconstructionist thought evolves, moving
in directions that Kaplan could not have anticipated. Still, I think
Kaplan would approve of the Reconstructionist process of honest
intellectual inquiry and open discussion, informed by tradition
but responsive to contemporary circumstances.
In an era where Jews are free to define our identity, we no longer
define ourselves as an inescapable, all- embracing community. Jews
are not believers in a common creed, nor are we members of a nation,
nor are we a race, nor do we share a common culture or a language.
To the Reconstructionist, we Jews are defined by our belonging to
a civilization. At any moment in our history, our civilization is
adapted to its time and its circumstances. We did not invent change
in this generation; there has never been a time when Jewish custom,
law, or ritual has been static. It is for these reasons that Reconstructionists
favor the rather open-ended description of Judaism as the evolving
religious civilization of the Jewish people.
Among Reconstructionists, there is a great diversity of belief
about G-d. We do not, for the most part, believe in a supernatural,
anthropomorphic, divine person, who whispered the Torah into the
ear of Moses. For some, G-d is the way the whole of the universe
is greater than the sum of its parts. For some, our G-d acts through
us, rather than upon us. We perform mitzvot (the commandments) because
we value tradition and oneness with the Jewish people. We pray because
we find that prayer improves us. Reconstructionists require no dogma,
and there is room for many views of G-d.
Even though the G-d known to Reconstructionists does not intervene
supernaturally in our lives, the Reconstructionist lifestyle prominently
features prayer. We pray as a spiritual discipline, as a form of
meditation, as a group connection, as a celebration, as a rededication
to our principles, and as a way to focus on our deepest desires.
Jewish study is a form of prayer for us, as is musical and artistic
_expression.
Reconstructionists treasure our Jewish heritage. Our traditions
are part of us. But just as our ancestors adapted Judaism to the
needs of the times they lived in, so do we adopt new practices,
or seek new meaning in old practices. Keddem, as a Reconstructionist
community, does not coerce its members to follow religious law,
but does encourage its members to make ethical and ritual choices
based on knowledge of Jewish sources.
As Reconstructionists, we do not choose between our American and
Jewish identities. We choose both. We live willingly in two civilizations.
We blend the pluralism, tolerance, and democratic ideals of America
with the insights into divinity, spirituality, and the struggles
with complex ethical matters inherent in Judaism. We strive to improve
American society in ways shaped by the Jewish values of tzedakah
(justice) and tikkun olam (repair of the world). We blow party horns
on New Year’s Eve and we can blow the shofar on Rosh HaShanah.
Jewish life cycle rituals are filled with deep meaning for most
participants. We modernize and reconstruct those rituals in order
to extend their significance to a group that includes all of us.
The bar mitzvah ceremony is an ancient custom, but the first-ever
bat mitzvah ceremony was the 1922 Reconstructionist blessing of
Judith Kaplan, the daughter of Mordecai Kaplan. Like others of the
liberal segments of Judaism, Reconstructionists have modified other
life cycle ceremonies to include girls and women, and to make rituals—life-cycle
and communal—egalitarian. The Reconstructionist Movement paved
the way for same-sex commitment ceremonies in the context of Judaism,
and the full inclusion of gay and lesbian men and women in the clergy.
Making our community inclusive is a chief Reconstructionist goal,
and a chief goal of Keddem. This goes well beyond the life cycle
ceremonies.
Our liturgy is translated and transliterated, so that we can all
appreciate the worship service regardless of how much Hebrew we
have learned. The language of our liturgy promotes inclusion by
not associating G-d exclusively with male pronouns.
The Reconstructionist movement recognizes people who live a Jewish
life as Jews, even if they have one parent who is not Jewish. We
welcome interfaith couples and their children. We welcome members
who remain single and/or childless by choice or by circumstance,
and members who belong to other non- traditional families. We welcome
members whose ethnic heritage is not European. We strive to include
members with disabilities.
Although Kaplan instigated Reconstructionism as a school of thought,
he did not actively promote the creation of Reconstructionist institutions.
He remained affiliated with the Conservative movement. Kaplan’s
son-in-law, Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, became the leader of the Reconstructionist
Federation (of which Keddem and Ner Shalom are members), and the
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. The Federation maintains the
Reconstructionist Press and publishes the quarterly journal Reconstructinism
Today. There is a marvelous diversity among the 106 communities
that comprise the Federation, but all share an embrace of tradition
balanced with creativity in ritual, participatory decision making
and shared leadership, a commitment to gender equality, and a welcoming
atmosphere.
I am a Keddem member, and a Reconstructionist Jew, because they
fit. They feel right to me. This is a place where I can live and
love and thrive and grow, where I can contribute. This is a place
where I can challenge my intellect and grow spiritually.
May you have a good (secular) New Year.
Aaron Schuman, President Keddem Congregation
Ariana Elster, President NerShalom
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD
President - Ariana Elster 824-5609
e-mail: aelster@comcast.net
Vice President - Your name here
Secretary - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com
Treasurer - Michele St.Clair 433-8090
e-mail: msaintc@comcast.net
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Education - Liz Hagen 829-3031
e-mail: lizhagen@earthlink.net
Finance - Michele St. Clair 433-8090
e-mail: msaintc@comcast.net
Religious Practices - Ari Kimiti Wang'oo 239- 9615
e-mail: kimitiwangoo@yahoo.com
Building Maintenance - Mark Cohen 792- 4368
e-mail: mcsax420@netscape.net
No-Cost Fundraising - Michelle Marks 778- 6346
e-mail: steven.marks@prodigy.net
Personnel - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com
Membership - Sally Churgel 823-0541
e-mail: churgel@pacbell.net
Newsletter - Pam Pepper 588-8824
e-mail: twinsushilover27@yahoo.com
Publicity - your name here
Website - Anne Woods
e-mail: rainywoods@yahoo.com
Rabbi: Elisheva Sachs Salamo 664-8622
Dor Hadash Education Director: Leslie Gattmann
e-mail: lgatttmann@msn.com
Cantor: Bella Bogart
Office Manager: Carol Vanek 664-8622
e-mail: shalom@sonic.net
Office Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Community Yom HashoaH Commemoration
SAVE THE DATE
The legacy of the Nuremberg Trials will be the featured presentation
at the 2006 Community Yom Hashoah Commemoration on Sunday April
23rd, to be held at the Friedman Events Center in Santa Rosa.
In the year of the 60th Anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, presenter
Lawrence Raful, Dean and Professor of Law at Touro Law School, Huntington,
NY, will examine the effects of the trials on international law,
and especially why they have not stemmed the tide of genocides around
the world since then. Prof. Raful was the director of the 2005 Conference
on the Nuremberg War Trials in July this year in Nuremberg, Germany.
Please mark the change of venue this year from Sonoma State University
to the Friedman Events Center in Santa Rosa. However, the Commemoration
remains a community program and collaboration of the Jewish Community
Agency, the Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust at Sonoma State
University, and the Jewish congregations of Sonoma County.
Community Announcements
Come to the 3rd annual Northern California Jewish Summer Camps
and Israel Programs Fair and find out! Meet representatives from
over 50 overnight and day camps, including travel, sports, art,
leadership and academic programs! Programs take place across the
USA, Israel and around the world, for kids from kindergarten to
college...and families, too. Summer jobs, internships, year round
opportunities and scholarship info available. Free admission.
This year in two convenient locations in the Bay Area:
Sunday, January 29, 2006 11:00am - 4:00pm, ALSJCC Palo Alto
(behind Cubberley Community Center)
Monday, January 30, 2006 5:00pm – 9:00pm, San Francisco JCC
For more information call: 415-512-6267 or e- mail niliy@sfjcf.org
or visit www.israelcentersf.org/summer- fair/2006/
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation West Coast Region website:
www.jrf.org/westcoast
Ongoing Toy and Book Drive for Jewish Community Free Clinic
Donations of gently used toys and/or books can be brought to Free
Clinic on ongoing basis at 421 E. Cotati Avenue, Suite C, or call
792-1932.
Interested in an Interest-Free Loan?
The Hebrew Free Loan Association provides interest-free loans to
Jewish residents in Northern California needing assistance with
personal or financial matters. Types of loans include: Student,
Emergency, Adoption, Personal, Business, First-time Home Buyer,
Life Cycle, Debt Consolidation, Institutional (for Jewish communal
agencies and synagogues) and Special Needs (for emotionally and
physically challenged people).
Since 1897, the Hebrew Free Loan of San Francisco has provided
vital assistance to more than 50,000 families. Each year, we help
more than 350 people to reach their goals and pave their way towards
financial security and future success.
We offer a helping hand, rather than a handout. Whether we're providing
people a way out of their financial distress, or helping them to
realize a lifelong dream, our recipients maintain dignity and self-
sufficiency as they repay their interest-free loans.
If you, or someone you know, needs financial assistance and would
like to apply for an interest- free loan, please contact us by phone
(415-546- 9902) or e-mail info@hflasf.org.
Check out our website: www.hflasf.org.
ASK JCI & R
Jewish Community Information and Referral is a service of the Jewish
Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and
Sonoma counties. Visit our websites www.JewishNfo.org and www.jholidays.org
Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
Etz Chaim - Tree of Life
Our Tree of Life in the Oneg room began as a way to thank those
in our community who worked so hard to establish our permanent home
in Cotati.
It will now be used to help Ner Shalom continue to flourish through
the celebration of life events. A simcha leaf to honor a special
life event and a pomegranate to commemorate the seeds of our community's
hard work, our B'nai Mitzvahs, can be obtained through a donation
of 10 Chai or $180 To mark your special occasion with a simcha leaf
or pomegranate please contact the office.
Jewish Family and Children's Services
See our website www.nershalom.org/news/JFCS for programs and classes
listed for January at JFCS in Sonoma County.
All low-cost/ no-cost JFCS and Parents Place programs listed on
our website are non-sectarian and open to all members of the public.
Donations Make a Difference!
Donations to Ner Shalom Make A Difference!
*Building Repair Fund
*Dor Hadash School
*Etz Chaim (Tree of Life)
*General Fund
*Music Fund
*Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
*Teen Fund
*Tikkun Olam Fund
*Written Word/Torah Fund
*Waldman Challenge Fund
Honor some one; remember an event or a special person. Donations
(minimum of $6 {1/3 Chai} per listing) will be listed in the Gifts
of Light section of the next newsletter. Send the donation to the
office with the appropriate designation or call the office at 664-8622
for more information. Your generous support of Ner Shalom is greatly
appreciated.
Memorialize the memory of a loved one with a Yahrzeit Plaque on
our Wall of Remembrance. The cost of a plaque and inscription is
$200 Please contact the office at 664-8622 for more information.
Newsletter Guidelines
*1. Deadline will be at 2:00p.m. on the first Friday of every month
(unless arrangements have been made with the editor of the newsletter.)
*2. All submissions should be sent to the editor via e- mail with
the subject heading: NL submission.
*3. Editor will change, edit, or delete any or all portions of
submission(s) as deemed necessary without prior approval of the
author.
*4. Editor is not responsible for retrieving submissions from other
sources. It is the responsibility of the author to submit all necessary
components to the editor by the deadline.
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