august 2006 ~ av - elul 5766
in this issue
-- Gifts of Light
-- News from Dor Hadash
-- eScrip and more...
-- Board News
-- Community Announcements
-- Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
-- Jewish Family and Children's Services
-- Donations Make a Difference!
-- Newsletter Guidelines
Chevre and Friends...
Announcements:
Please see High Holiday Information under "Board News".
FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES – August 4th
7 p.m. Lay-led Meditation
7:30 p.m. Services
This month, we are honored to have as our guest leader, Daniel Harris, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Center in Sonoma County.
Daniel has taught Jewish philosophy and literature, having most recently been a faculty member at Lehrhaus Judaica in Berkeley, and an instructor at UC Berkeley. He is a graduate of the Divinity School at the University of Chicago where he received his Master of Arts in Divinity.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Daniel’s diverse background includes being a poetry editor and gallery- exhibiting artist. He has a book of poetry that will be published this year. Daniel also has served as Director of Communications for the art hosting website MesArt.com, and was Assistant Artistic Director of the Artship Foundation in Oakland. Daniel lives in Sonoma County with his wife Tracy and baby son Marc.
Please join us in welcoming Daniel Harris. Following services there will be an Oneg, sponsored by Barbara Tomin and Karen Mitchell.
CALLING ALL TEENS: Registration is now open for Tzaddikim, Sonoma County's Jewish Teen Leadership Program (teens 8th through 12th grade) for the 2006-2007 year. Along with monthly peer dinner discussions and social action projects, there's loads of great activities and trips scheduled. Siblings get a 20% discount, and this year includes a new program just for 12th graders focusing on what happens AFTER high school.
Tzaddikim's first kick-off event will be Sunday, September 10th. Teens do NOT need to be affiliated with a synagogue to join the program.
Information and registration forms are available by calling Sara Pflantzer, program director at or e-mail tzaddikim @shomreitorah.org
Administrator's Wish List
Someone to polish the candlestick holders
RABBI ELISHEVA SALAMO is on sabbatical until September 1st. If you need to speak to a Rabbi with an urgent matter, you may phone Rabbi George Gittleman at Shomrei Torah at 578-5519.
Gifts of Light
MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
ALAN ZIFF, a donation in memory of Joseph Nadler
LIZA RAVITZ, a donation in memory of Norman Ravitz
OFFERINGS...
MARGO MILLER & GERALD ELIASER, a donation in honor of Karen Mitchell
THANK YOU TO...
ARIANA ELSTER, for sponsoring the July 7th Oneg
RHONDA FINDLING & HEIDI DOUGHTY and BETH & ANDY FIELD, for sponsoring the July 21st Oneg
News from Dor Hadash
Dear Chevre,
I hope you are enjoying the summer and looking forward to the exciting year we are planning for Dor Hadash. Liz Hagen and I have started meeting to plan some new programming for the students and madrichim. I just heard today that we received a grant from the Bureau of Jewish Education to help us train our madrichim to be compassionate, creative, and competent aids in the classroom.
The new school year will begin on September 17, a week before Rosh Hashana. The tuition will remain the same as the previous year, and we will have 27 Sunday meetings and 3 Friday evening/Shabbat meetings throughout the year. The evening Shabbats that we will share will include welcoming the Shabbat, blessings, dinner, a short service led creatively by the students, and an oneg shabbat and dancing.
We are in serious need of kindergarten, first, second and third graders to fill out our school. Please let any of your friends know about our creative school curriculum and lovely musical t'fillah services led by Karen Mitchell. Remember that if you bring in a new student to the school, your child will receive a significant discount in tuition!!
I have spent the last month working with high school students in a special Judaic arts program at Camp Newman. I hope to bring one of the incredible silk painting artists that I have been working with to Dor Hadash this year. Gail Pro is an extraordinary artist with unusually patient teaching abilities, who will inspire us to create beautiful pieces of Judaic art for our homes and synagogue.
Keep an eye out for registration forms that will come in the mail in early August. I will look forward to seeing you at Dor Hadash on September 17.
Write to me at lgattmann@msn.com if you have any questions.
Kol tuv, be well,
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 need new tires or more for your vehicle? If you do, than check out the participating merchants in the eScrip (two are Big O Tires and Pep Boys) www.eScrip.com and Communitysmart (such as McLea's Tire) www.communitysmart.com programs. All it takes is having work done at one of these merchants and then when you go to pay for it present your Communitysmart card or use your credit/debit card linked with eScrip. Its so easy to make your vehicle safe and provide a donation to your community.
eScrip shoppers please make sure you keep your credit/debit cards up to date. Just go on-line to www.eScrip.com and check out "my escrip" to see what your expiration dates and card numbers are on their records.
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.
Board News
It's almost time for the High Holy Days and we're making plans for this special and joyous time. Rabbi Elisheva will be back from sabbatical, so the holidays will be a time of reconnecting to our rabbi, to our congregation and to ourselves. This is also an important time for the health of our congregation. Information about services will be in your mailbox by mid-August. Please be prompt about returning your reservation and your check. Reservations are required and must be received by Friday, Sept. 15.
The High Holy Days is the one time when we really bring non-members into the congregation, and some of those guests will become members themselves. So, this year, we're asking all members to reach out to friends and neighbors and encourage them to join us for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the other observances. Just visit nershalom.org to download the mailer and reservation form. Print out as many as you need and distribute freely.
As always, many volunteers are needed to bring off the Days of Awe, so if you can help, please contact Barbara Tobin at (707) 829-2119.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Ariana Elster 824-5609
e-mail: aelster@comcast.net
Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com
Ari Kimiti Wang'oo 239-9615
e-mail: kimitiwangoo@yahoo.com
Richard Koman 887-0278
e-mail: rkoman@gmail.com
William Rogers 762-8645
e-mail: willrogers13@gmail.com
Dan Williamson 480-2235
e-mail: danrw@sonic.net
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Education - Liz Hagen 829-3031
e-mail: lizhagen@earthlink.net
Religious Practices - Ari Kimiti Wang'oo 239- 9615
e-mail: kimitiwangoo@yahoo.com
Building Maintenance - Dan Williamson 480- 2235
e-mail: danrw@sonic.net
No-Cost Fundraising - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com
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 - Richard Koman 887-0278
e-mail: rkoman@gmail.com
Website - Anne Woods
e-mail: rainywoods@yahoo.com
Rabbi: Elisheva Sachs Salamo 664-8603
Dor Hadash Education Director: Leslie Gattmann
e-mail: lgatttmann@msn.com
Office Manager: Carol Vanek 664-8622
e-mail: shalom@sonic.net
Office Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Community Announcements
The Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust (ASH) & the SSU Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide are pleased to present
An Event Honoring Holocaust Survivors & Supporters of Holocaust Education
Sunday, Sept 17, 2006
3 to 5 p.m. - Congregation Ner Shalom
85 La Plaza in Cotati Please check out this website for more information:www.sonoma.edu/holocaust/ash/events
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
Q: I’m kvelling. My child will start college in the fall. Can you tell me if there is a Jewish presence on campus?
A: Mazel Tov. For all you kvellers out there, we can share campus highlights including Jewish student organizations, Jewish classes, study in Israel and kosher food. We can provide information on Jewish demographics and nearby synagogues. We can also tell you about websites for student loans, grants and scholarships.
For more information about connecting to Jewish life, call JCI & R at 415/777-4545 or local toll-free 877- 777-JCIR (5247)
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 at: www.JewishNfo.org or bayarea.planitjewish.com
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 August 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
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 2:00 p.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. |
