Connections Temple Emanu-El Tishrei -Cheshvan 5778 • V. 82 No. 1 October 2017 Wednesday, October 4 4:30 PM Congregational Erev Sukkot Experience Thursday, October 5 Temple Preschool, Clergy, and Administrative Offices Closed Friday, October 6 6:00 PM Shabbatluck Dinner 7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Sukkot Service with MazelTones Saturday, October 7 10:30 AM Bat Mitzvah of Kira Kalbfeld Wednesday, October 11 5:00 PM Erev Simchat Torah Service and Consecration Thursday, October 12 Temple Preschool, Clergy, and Administrative Offices Closed 9:00 AM Simchat Torah/Yizkor Service Friday, October 13 7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Torah Service Saturday, October 14 10:00 AM Shabbat in Nature with Baby Shabbat at Ed Levin County Park Friday, October 20 6:00 PM Tot Shabbat with Catered Dinner 7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Service with Sermon from Rabbi Magat Saturday, October 21 10:30 AM Bat Mitzvah of Naomi Brown Friday, October 27 6:30 PM Legacy Kabbalat Shabbat Service with APJCC and JFSV Saturday, October 28 10:30 AM Bar Mitzvah of William Gabbert Meet Our Newly Elected 2017-2018 Board of Trustees. Front Row: Edgardo Laber, Stephanie Pollock, Robin Feinman-Marino, Shirley Lee, Fagie Rosen, Janet Phinick, Debbie Michels Middle Row: Alissa Meltzer, Barbara Smead, Sherri Wiesner, Phil Hankin, Mira Karp, Dana Brody-Brown, Eric Snider, Denise Moreno Back Row: Cantor Amanda Edmondson, David Heiman, Larry Fox, Matthew Dworkin, Rabbi Dana Magat, Zach Szereszewski, Jamie Gold, Andrew Weinberg, Greg Turetzky, Ilene Tucker Not Pictured: Bob Hansen, Annette Ladowitz October Service Schedule We Are the People of the Book Dropping off your kids for religious school Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoons? Looking for a place to relax in comfort? Come visit our new and improved library opposite the religious school office. We have a wonderful selection of books for all ages to check out….and we have a large bowl of candy! We are also looking for volunteers to be “Library Monitors” during those times—no experience required. Love to read and schmooze? Kim Jackman and Shirley Lee are organizing a Temple Book Club to be held Sunday mornings. The time and book selections will be determined by the group. For further information about the library, volunteering, and/or the Book Club, contact Shirley: [email protected]
Transcript
ConnectionsTemple Emanu-El
Tishrei -Cheshvan 5778 • V. 82 No. 1 October 2017
Wednesday, October 4
4:30 PM Congregational Erev Sukkot Experience
Thursday, October 5
Temple Preschool, Clergy, and Administrative Offices Closed
Friday, October 6
6:00 PM Shabbatluck Dinner
7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Sukkot Service with MazelTones
Saturday, October 7
10:30 AM Bat Mitzvah of Kira Kalbfeld
Wednesday, October 11
5:00 PM Erev Simchat Torah Service and Consecration
Thursday, October 12
Temple Preschool, Clergy, and Administrative Offices Closed
9:00 AM Simchat Torah/Yizkor Service
Friday, October 13
7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Torah Service
Saturday, October 14
10:00 AM Shabbat in Nature with Baby Shabbat at Ed Levin County Park
Friday, October 20
6:00 PM Tot Shabbat with Catered Dinner
7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Service with Sermon from Rabbi Magat
Saturday, October 21
10:30 AM Bat Mitzvah of Naomi Brown
Friday, October 27
6:30 PM Legacy Kabbalat Shabbat Service with APJCC and JFSV
Saturday, October 28
10:30 AM Bar Mitzvah of William Gabbert
Meet Our Newly Elected 2017-2018 Board of Trustees.
Front Row: Edgardo Laber, Stephanie Pollock, Robin Feinman-Marino, Shirley Lee, Fagie Rosen, Janet Phinick, Debbie Michels
Middle Row: Alissa Meltzer, Barbara Smead, Sherri Wiesner, Phil Hankin, Mira Karp, Dana Brody-Brown, Eric Snider, Denise Moreno
Back Row: Cantor Amanda Edmondson, David Heiman, Larry Fox, Matthew Dworkin, Rabbi Dana Magat, Zach Szereszewski, Jamie Gold, Andrew Weinberg, Greg Turetzky, Ilene Tucker
Not Pictured: Bob Hansen, Annette Ladowitz
October Service Schedule We Are the People of the BookDropping off your kids for religious school Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoons? Looking for a place to relax in comfort? Come visit our new and improved library opposite the religious school office. We have a wonderful selection of books for all ages to check out….and we have a large bowl of candy!
We are also looking for volunteers to be “Library Monitors” during those times—no experience required.
Love to read and schmooze? Kim Jackman and Shirley Lee are organizing a Temple Book Club to be held Sunday mornings. The time and book selections will be determined by the group.
For further information about the library, volunteering, and/or the Book Club, contact Shirley: [email protected]
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This is Temple President Andrew
Weinberg’s speech from Erev Rosh
Hashanah
Shana Tovah and welcome to Temple Emanu-El’s High Holy Days Services for 5778. I’m Andrew Weinberg and it has been an honor for me to serve as the President of the Temple Board of Trustees for the past 3 ½ years.
It’s that time of year again, a time for taking stock of the past 12 months, for each of us to assess if we’ve come to where we should be. For me in this role, that’s maybe not quite so hard. So what have I been up to? Well, over this last year, I wrote 9 articles of my random ravings for our Connections Newsletter, I’ve attended 87 different Temple-related meetings, answered 139 Emails, made or received 103 Temple related phone calls, and attended 29 different Temple events (17 of which included a meal of some sort). I met weekly with Rabbi Magat, (except for holidays and vacations) for a total of 37 different times to discuss everything from Temple policy to national politics, membership strategy to leadership development, Temple past history and ideas for the future, all the way to the subplots in obscure movie scripts. I’ve told him 52 funny stories or jokes, to which he has laughed a total of 47 ½ times. How can someone laugh only halfway? That particular time I was certain he laughed but he claims it was only a coincidental hiccup, so we agreed to call it half a laugh. And one Temple member read me the riot act on a particular subject, but then also insisted on taking me out to lunch afterwards. Now that’s a Jewish disagreement…..
Seriously, maybe that’s cute and all, but we’re not really here to talk about whether Rabbi Magat finds me funny or not. The taking stock aspect, I think, is a major part of why many of us might be here today. Personally, looking back almost a year, I can pinpoint when that started for me, but it might not be what you think. It wasn’t at 5:45pm on Yom Kippur day, looking longingly towards Break-The-Fast at 6pm (although, those last few minutes of waiting for a fresh egg bagel, kugel, and chopped liver may be as trying a period in a Jewish person’s life as any….). No, for me it was something that happened weeks later, almost a month after the High Holy Days. As many of you may remember, last year we began a new approach for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in that we invited our most recently joined members to participate in the services. The response back then was overwhelmingly positive and it seemed
like a great move. A month later, the father of one of those new families and I were talking and he thanked me for the opportunity to be part of one service – it had meant a lot to him. Me, wearing my Temple membership hat at the time, replied that this was one great way for our newest members to connect with and feel part of the Temple community. He agreed, but he explained it was also more than just that to him. In his eyes, that opportunity, to stand up and make a contribution in front of the congregation and his family (including his young sons), was a way to “set an example”. And he couldn’t have been more right, but he had no idea how much so. Those words were a foreshadowing of the theme of events yet to come for me in the months ahead.
Let me just add that, from my perspective, the year that passed after that conversation was anything but ordinary. This was the year that my daughter became a Bat Mitzvah, an event that is of course a major milestone in the life of any young Jewish person. My wife was consumed with the details of the planning (with of course my minimal contributions, as I suppose is typical – sorry), but we were happy to be included in several of the other Bnai Mitzvah events of my daughter’s class. Each young person, in their own way, on their own day, was taking that pivotal step toward Jewish adulthood. Although the students were of course the main focus of the day, I began to also pay attention to the parents, trying to grasp what they had brought to the table to make these special days possible. This class, and many of these students, had been together, for the most part since the preschool years. Their motivation to make this big effort, this big commitment, seems to have come from the support of their families, from the camaraderie of their classmates, but certainly also from being part of this Jewish community. But the family being part of a Jewish community is not necessarily a given – it’s a major decision to join and stay connected. Those Religious School carpools don’t happen on their own, there’s the financial aspect, and each year you have to struggle to stay awake during the President’s speech….….. But all of these families found it was the right thing to do and became part of a Jewish community. The common theme I found was the parents’ underlying message: Among all of the other opportunities/activities open to us as a family, being part of a Jewish community is important and we will do it together. And there it was, plain as day – the parents were “setting an example.”
continued on page 3
From the President
Dogs on leash permitted. Owners are responsible formaintaining their pets' good behavior during the service.
This event is sponsored by the Temple Emanu-El RitualCommittee and is free to members and non-members.
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I continued pondering this on and off over the next 5 or 6 Bnai Mitzvahs, and something else caught my attention.
Rabbi Magat always has a special speech for the Bnai Mitzvah person of the day, but one part is always common. That bit has to do with the student, after demonstrating this major commitment, being welcomed back into the religious school as a madrich or madricha, a teacher’s aide in a younger class. Our most recent Bnai Mitzvah graduates would help the younger students understand the importance of a Jewish community, and by doing so, set an example. And from here, these young people will go forward in life understanding that they have a community responsibility beyond themselves, just as their parents understood before them. The cycle continues.
So at what must have been my 4th House of Bagels Bnai Mitzvah lunch, I came to something of a conclusion. For all of us, as Jews, one of our most basic responsibilities is pretty simple: in our own way, each of us has to make a positive impact on the community. Doing something, anything, makes our community stronger, but also sets an example for others just finding their way. In a most basic sense, all of us, just by being here on this day as part of Temple Emanu-El, are setting an example for ourselves, our families, and our Temple friends that our community and heritage are important. How about that – all of this from a casual comment one morning in front of the Religious School…….
A New Year is upon us, and with it, new opportunities to make a difference for the Temple Emanu-El community, each in our own way. Volunteer your time, share your ideas, join a committee or work on a project, or even just make a habit of striking up a conversation with someone new at services or events. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Temple Emanu-El is here for each of us to set an example, and it’s only true limitations are financial. Our Annual Campaign, that begins tonight, goes a long way towards helping bring many of these new ideas, projects, and even dreams, large and small, to reality. It was my honor to make the first donation this year and I hope you’ll join me in a way that is significant to you. All support is appreciated and pledge cards are included with your service program.
On behalf the Temple Board and Staff, I wish for you and your families a New Year of health and happiness. Thank you for being part of the Temple Emanu-El community, and again, Shanah Tovah.
Andrew Weinberg
From the President… continued from page 2
Simchat Torah Wednesday, October 11
5:00 PM – Pizza Dinner
5:30 PM – Erev Simchat Torah Service,
Consecration of New Students, and Israeli Dancing
Have you ever seen a Torah completely unrolled?
Join us for our Erev Simchat Torah service and consecration of students who are new to the
Religious School.
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It’s difficult not to let the holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah get lost in the shuffle or become an afterthought after the big holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As a cantor, I can admit that I get pretty worn out by those two. Every year, just as I think I’m done, I realize it’s time to gear up
again for the next holiday—Sukkot. In comparison, it may not feel like it, but it really is a special, important festival.
If you were to ask a random Jew on the street what the holiday of Sukkot was about, they might tell you that we dwell in booths and we shake these tree branches with a lemon-looking-thing, and we eat. To any non-Jew, those activities might sound like those of a crazy person, right? How the heck do booths, tree branches, a lemon-looking-thing, and food combine to create a happy holiday? And what could those items possibly commemorate?
Our Reform Judaism website describes Sukkot in the following way:
Sukkot, a Hebrew word meaning “booths” or “huts,” refers to the Jewish festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest. It also commemorates the 40 years of Jewish wandering in the desert after the giving of the Torah atop Mt. Sinai. Sukkot is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur on the 15th of Tishrei, and is marked by several distinct traditions. One, which takes the commandment to dwell in booths literally, is to erect a sukkah, a small, temporary booth or hut. Sukkot (in this case, the plural of sukkah) are commonly used during the seven-day festival for eating, entertaining and even for sleeping. Sukkot, also called Z’man Simchateinu (Season of Our Rejoicing), is the only festival associated with an explicit commandment to rejoice. A final name for Sukkot is Chag HaAsif, (Festival of the Ingathering), representing a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth during the fall harvest.
Being the visual learner that I am, one of my favorite parts of Judaism is the fact that we use physical items to symbolize greater ideas in an effort to jog our memories or get us to think about certain things. The Lulav and Etrog not only symbolize the ancient harvest—our history, but they also symbolize parts of the human body (spine, eye, mouth, and heart) that when combined form a whole human ready to observe the commandments given by God. Yes, we wave those items together in a bit of an awkward circle, but if we didn’t, we’d set them on the table, and eventually they’d be forgotten.
The question remains for us: How do we make this holiday and its symbols meaningful for us? In our modern world, it’s
no longer enough to say, “My parents and grandparents did it, and I remember doing it as a kid, so that’s why I observe this holiday.” Today, what we do must have meaning and relevance in our lives.
Furthermore, our society encourages an individualistic outlook on life—not only are each of us unique, but we are taught to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be, playing to our strengths and accepting that we have some weaknesses. While these are important values, it tends to diminish the necessity of community. Hence, when we embrace this individualistic culture, we must be willing to go the extra mile to preserve faith and religion within our “individual” identities.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to make New Year’s Resolutions: to challenge ourselves to give religious practice a front seat instead of a back seat in our lives. But even more, to figure out how do we make it important in our lives. How can we show our kids that we go to Temple not just “because I said so,” but because “it’s how I live my life”? We can begin by finding new meaning in our holiday observances. Perhaps Sukkot can help us pave a path for connecting our unique selves with our common history.
Tuesday, October 10 at 6:00 PM Please RSVP by October 6
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Child: Why do I need to_______? (Insert whatever phrase you wish – go to bed, take out the garbage, do my homework, go to school, walk the dog, etc.)
Parent: BECAUSE I SAID SO!
Sound familiar? This was the stock answer to many questions during my youth. For those of us growing up in the pre-internet, hands-free, 1000+ tv channels world, adults ruled the day and their decisions were not to be questioned. We did not have a choice, it was set in stone – BECAUSE I SAID SO!
Why do I bring this up as it relates to the topic of the importance for children to attend High Holy Days Services (HHS)? Jewish guilt. Let me explain. I was the child who grew up in a household where the month of September meant being dragged to High Holiday services and sitting through long sermons. Boredom reigned and I wished that for a fleeting moment I was not Jewish so I did not have to suffer through the torture that was HHS. I often looked around the sanctuary to find my friends who were suffering with me, and we would immediately place ourselves in the back of the room so we could talk and not pay attention. We would try to sneak out as if we were going to the bathroom, and eventually land in the Youth Lounge to chat and play Air Hockey. But on the weekday morning service, I would not find all of my friends. Where were they I would ask myself?
Why are they not here? If I have to suffer, why are they not suffering alongside me? How do I get out of this? Wait—am I really asking to go to school instead of this? I would ask my parents, “Why do I have to be here and Steve is not? His parents allow him to go to school today. Why am I missing school for this?” The answer – WE DO NOT CONTROL WHAT OTHER PARENTS DO. WE CONTROL YOU AND YOU ARE HERE WITH US - BECAUSE WE SAY SO!
Much has been documented about how my generation – Gen X – (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-mid/generation-x-parenting-problem_b_7258314.html) has chosen to raise our children, some of the choices in stark contrast to how we were raised. We are the generation of helicopter parenting. Our children are our friends. We coddle our children. Everyone is a winner. We cater to our kids’ every need and desire. We use GPS and apps to monitor the whereabouts of our teens. We interview our potential babysitters as if we are screening them for a Federal security clearance. If our children are not entertained, or if they find no value in, a program that helps them prepare for college, we find something else. If we forced our children to do something using the phrase BECAUSE I SAID SO, we would be ignored and disregarded.
Back to Jewish guilt. I loved going to camp. I loved attending youth group. My teen trip to Israel when I was 16
was the most formative experience I had growing up. Religious school – hated it. Attending services on a regular basis – YUCK. So how did I end up becoming a Jewish professional? As soon as I went off to college and had to begin making decisions that were purely my own, the little voice in the back of my head (my mother’s voice, of course) told me that attending HHS was the right thing to do. Something about Jewish continuity, community, family – I was supposed to be in services and not in class. I soon realized that I was making a choice to do something that I hated as a kid because it was my choice – not my parents’. The ground work of forming my Jewish identity was laid by my parents, and cemented by me. I was choosing to be a committed Jew because of my family, my camp, my friends, my youth group, and yes, my synagogue.
So why is it important to take your kids to HHS instead of school? Your choices, your modeling, your Jewish connection, all of it influences your children. They are paying attention, even if they are giving you grief. And one other thing – one missed day of class is not going to keep them out of college. Missed days of Jewish experiences, though, could have a lasting impact on their Jewish identity. So when you get the HH tickets in the mail and see that Thursday morning, September 21, is Rosh Hashanah, go to shul – BECAUSE I SAID SO!
Phil Hankin
High Holy Days Importance
Join Rabbi Magat for his Death and Dying CourseThis course will investigate traditional and Reform Jewish practices, customs, and concepts surrounding death. We will also discuss some of the important issues that surround bereavement and the grieving process. Finally, we will investigate some modern theories concerning the stages of grief. We will also spend time discussing life after death and how death relates to our beliefs.
Sessions: 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 at 11:30 AM Free to members, small donation requested from non-members
Temple Emanu-El experienced another Brotherhood culinary extravaganza early last month. A wine paring and tapas experience created by master chef and sommelier, David Wiesner, thrilled enthusiastic connoisseurs and raised some serious cash for Temple programs.
The very next morning, Brotherhood provided a pancake breakfast for the kids and later on, a BBQ lunch for parents, students and prospective members. Brotherhood thanks Sisterhood for their support and enthusiasm during these events.
Talking about high energy, Brotherhood lead the High Holy Days Setup at the Campbell Heritage Theater and assembly of the Sukkah. These are unique events, not only as a service opportunity but also from membership enrichment and bonding. Brothers who are not frequent meeting attendees will turn out for High Holiday help. The men turn out because it feels important and worthwhile.
I have met more members at these events than at any other Brotherhood program. Don’t be mistaken! We could always use more help. Please join us for this significant activity.
Brotherhood president, Zach Szereszewski, promises more high-energy events to come and adds his personal greeting:
Shana Tovah from Temple Emanu-El’s Brotherhood !!!
To all of the members and friends of Temple Emanu-El – here’s to a new year if health and happiness.
We look forward to continuing to support the Temple youth and the congregation through our dedicated programs and events – we hope you’ll join us...
Zach S, President of Brotherhood
Steve Wernick
A Ritual Committee AA Ritual Thank You
A while back, I learned a trick to do if you are having trouble sleeping. Lie in bed and mentally thank all the people who have made your rest possible. For example, the carpenter who made your bed, the farmer who grew the cotton for your sheets, the weaver who turned it into fabric, etc. Continue thanking people in detail until you drift off to peaceful, grateful sleep.
I like to take a moment and do a similar exercise during services. Gazing around the sanctuary I mentally thank all the people who have helped to make my worship possible. The Rabbi, Cantor, professional staff and regular volunteers are obvious. I also consider our ritual items; the Sofer who wrote the Torah scrolls, the cabinet maker who made our beautiful ark, the glass blower who made the Ner Tamid… I think about all the people named on plaques on the back of our seats representing congregants who generously donated long ago so that I may sit in comfort. I wonder what is the story of each of their lives. I mentally thank all the Jews who came before me and studied Torah and kept the message alive so that I might continue to hear the same holy words chanted in my own Temple home. Doing this helps me feel connected to something bigger than myself, grounded and grateful.
As we begin a New Year, thank you to all those past, present and future who make Temple Emanu-El such an amazing place to worship. Your contributions have not gone unnoticed.
Julie Moore
Kugel Mavens!!The Temple Emanu-El Caring Committee is looking for volunteers to make “Noodle Kugels.”
We look forward to distributing them to Temple members who just came out of the hospital or rehab, to grieving families, for welcoming a new member, family or baby to the Temple, etc.
You can do this in your own home, or we can have a Kugel Bake in the Temple’s kitchen. Pans will be provided. Even if you have never made a kugel before, if you would like to participate, we look forward to having you join us!
Kugel Baking will take place on Sunday, October 15 at 12:30 PM.
R.S.V.P.: Fagie Rosen (408) 988-3270 or Harriet Saltzman (408) 268-4311.
Welcome to The Kugel Brigade!
Mazel Tov Long-time Temple members, Barry and Mary Cohen, welcomed their fifth grandchild, Rylie Jo Fuchs, on July 17. She is named after her maternal great grandmothers, Ruth
and Josephine, and her paternal great grandfather, Joseph. Rylie’s parents are Derek and Danielle Fuchs of Mesa, AZ.
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Connections
October is known for many things (beer drinking in Germany, dressing up in costumes at the end of the month, and the World Series to name a few). In my house it is also recognized especially for being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink
is the color of the month. The National Football League mandated many years ago for its players, coaches, and referees to wear pink as part of their uniforms as a show of support. As my wife is a breast cancer survivor (14 years and going strong), October is an important month. This past September, my wife, daughter and I helped out at a table selling gold shoelaces in support of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month at a soccer tournament. This was the third year we have done this, and my wife is now the lead of the local “Go 4 the Goal” (http://www.go4thegoal.org/) effort at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. While sitting there, I began to think about all the commemorative months we have on the calendar. Off the top of your head, what jumps out to you when you think about various monthly commemorations? Immediately, October is first on the list. Next, February is Black History Month. I draw a blank after that. So I looked up what other months have special attachments. Here is a complete list provided by Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commemorative_months
The list seems endless. I did not know that July was National Ice Cream month. Makes sense, though. Did you know that May is Jewish American Heritage month? It was enacted into law by President George Bush in 2006. It is meant to “enable the exploration of the meaning of religious pluralism, cultural diversity, and participation in American civic culture”. That description does not sound particularly specific to American Jews, but let’s go with it anyway.
Why do I bring up the subject of calendar commemorations? October is the month when Simchat Torah typically falls. This year it is October 11-12. On Simchat Torah we celebrate the ending of the Torah reading cycle: the reading of the last words of the Torah in Deuteronomy and beginning again with the opening words in Genesis. We commemorate that we have once again lived another year learning and engaging with Torah and our community. We enter another year studying the same material but with a different reading lens. I like to say that our reading glass prescription has changed. Our lives in the past year will shape how we glean insight from the ancient words of our tradition as we interact with them this year. For me, I have the great opportunity to take what I
have learned from my years served as a Jewish educator at multiple institutions, apply them to Temple Emanu-El’s ancient text, and create something magical and exciting for years to come. As we enter into the month of October, where we wear pink to commemorate those who have survived or lost their battle with breast cancer, as well as this year when we don white on Yom Kippur (September 29-30), we also enter into the new Torah cycle which allows us to see things we might have missed years earlier. On Wednesday evening, October 11, beginning at 5:00pm with a pizza dinner, we celebrate this renewal of Torah by also bringing into the fold the newest learners of our community, the students who have joined the TEE Religious School within the past year. We supply them with gifts, most precious of all being a mini Torah for each of them to have and hold and cherish for the rest of their lives. We want these new students to interact with the text and, as Rabbi Ben Bag Bag states in Pirkei Avot 5:22: “Turn it, and turn it, for everything is in it. Reflect on it and grow old and gray with it. Don’t turn from it, for nothing is better than it.”
Phil Hankin
Religious School
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PreschoolOur first month of school was filled with excitement, new friends and so much fun. We kicked off our Flutter
campaign to help raise money to battle pediatric cancer. We also held our annual back to school picnic which had one of the largest turn outs ever!!! September was also just a time to enjoy the new leaves of fall, picture days, music and Shabbat. There is a unique sort of crazy calm that comes in each September. Our new friends are excited and scared, our old friends are excited and happy and when it all meshes together amazing things are happening. Preschool is the best place to be.
Please be sure to follow us on Facebook facebook.com/templeemanuelpreschool for more great pictures and updates about the wonderful world of TEPS.
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Connections
September & Beyond
On October 28, Sisterhood is inviting you to join us in a Breast Cancer Walk. Lori Rush is leading our Team for the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” to support men and women who have experienced this disease directly or have been touched by it through a friend or family member. We will begin at the Guadalupe Park downtown from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and this event is open to the whole congregation, and their friends and families.
Having lost my mother-in-law to breast cancer in 2005, I was shocked at the speed in which it took her life. She was 81 and lived five short weeks after her diagnosis. The day we got the news of her passing, we were at the beach with our toddler. We stopped by the funeral home on the way home to make arrangements for her aftercare. The staff greeted us at the door and asked if we heard the news, but we had not. We thought we had a few more weeks. I was going to give her a pedicure that afternoon because her feet were dry. I thought I had time to spend with her. Her grandchild was just three years old and she was looking forward to seeing her smile a few more times. It was so fast.
Many people in our congregation share a cancer story. That is why it is so important that we support finding a
cure through fundraisers like the Making Strides Walk. Although my story is dark, so many others have stories that are full of light and life, giving hope to those that may be impacted by this disease in the future. Learning how to prevent cancer from becoming life threatening by early detection will be the theme of the day. I hope that all of our Sisterhood members can support the walk.
What’s Around the Corner?
October 8, 2017: Sandwich making for Homeless with Religious School students
October 20, 2017: Tot Shabbat 6:30 PM
October 22, 2017: Sisterhood Meeting, Youth Lounge 10:30 AM
October 28, 2017: Breast Cancer Walk, Downtown 8:30 AM
November 12, 2017: Holiday Boutique, Temple House 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
December 6, 2017: Opening Day for Village House Women’s Shelter (ends January 3, 2018)
Janet Phinick | Sisterhood President | (408) 615-1605
Sisterhood
Neighborhood Havdalah Reflection
Beautiful warm summer evening? Delicious food and drinks? People of all ages joined together in prayer? The annual Neighborhood Havdalah was once again a rousing success bringing together more than 100 people of all ages in five different neighborhoods throughout the Valley. This casual, potluck, backyard event is a favorite of Temple members, and non-Temple members are now joining in too! Guests at Shirley and Dan Lee’s in Almaden were honored to have the Rabbi share Havdalah with them while Cantor Amanda led the service at Kelly and Eric Snider’s. Each member of the A-Team participated at different venues. Couldn’t make it to the Neighborhood Havdalah this summer? Don’t worry! It’s such a popular event, we’re planning to do it again early next year. Stay tuned for more information! Thank you to all our hosts: Shirley and Dan Lee, Judy and Bob Levy, Fabio Marino and Robin Feinman-Moreno, David and Ilene Tucker, and Kelly and Eric Snider.
Alvin Ravel Garden FundRobert and Rhonda Hansen, in memory
of Sam Fishoff
Annual CampaignNeal Eisenberg
Betty Rinsler Religious SchoolEndowment FundBette and Mark Emanuel, in memory of
Eva Emanuel
Deborah and Howard Katzman, in memory of Mary Brenner
Campership FundFagie Rosen, in memory of Libby Kass
Cantor Discretionary FundJennie and Norman Dishotsky, in
appreciation of Cantor Edmondson
Donna Padnos, in honor of the 50th wedding anniversay of Ivan and Judie Aronson
Endowment FundMarvin and Joan Fox, in memory of
Evelyn Fox
Marvin and Joan Fox, in honor of the anniversary of Ruth and Robert Fox
Marvin and Joan Fox, in honor of Robert Fox’s birthday
Glenn Meloro, in honor of David Mimeles and Helen Dietz’s 30th Anniversary and renewal of vows
Facilities for the Aged FundWanda Pollack and Family, in memory of
Rose Steinberg
Wanda Pollack, in memory of Daniel Pollack
General FundSusan Amouroux, in memory of
Dorothy Golding
Allan and Judith Bernstein, in memory of Nathan Primack and Ruth Bernstein
Arlene and Steve Greenberg, in memory of Helen Greenberg
Bobi and Ray Levine, in memory of Sam Gellman
Bobi and Ray Levine, in memory of Ira Yaffee
Abe Livchitz, in memory of Mo Livchitz
Alan Miller, in memroy of Fred Paul Miller
Judith Sapper, in memory of Florence Marcus
Castillero Staff, in memory of Rhoda Korff
Henry and Debra Watkins
JoAnne Salman-TehraniHomeless FundMargaret Goodman, in memory of
Michael Goodman and Victor Donath
Judith Jurman Omens CemetaryBeautification FundRubin and Arlene Jurman, in memory of
Judith Lynn Jurman Omens
Rubin and Arlene Jurman, in memory of Daniel Heath Pollack
Rubin and Arlene Jurman, in memory of Ida Ofsaiof
Ethel Ress, in memory of Libby Kass
Milton Fox Campership FundDavid and Linda Mighdoll, in memory of
Evelyn Fox
Phyllis Omel Junior Choir FundChai Five Havurah, in honor of
Shannon Brown’s becoming a Jew By Choice
Rabbi’s Discretionary FundJudith and Allan Bernstein
Jeff and Pam Hoffman, in appreciation of Rabbi Magat on the occasion of Jack’s baby naming
Cindi, Gail, and Bobbie Kass, in memory of Libby Kass
Ann Lee, in memory of David Lee
Rita Loren, in memory of Libby Kass
Religious School FundGordon and Pearl Schneiderman, in
memory of Molly Schneiderman
Gordon and Pearl Schneiderman, in memory of Lily Shopkow
Gordon and Pearl Schneiderman, in memory of Israel Schneiderman
Suzanne C. Blickman Arts andCrafts FundMargie Blickman and David Reiser, in
honor of Iris and Gene Alberts’ 60th anniversary
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Thank You for Your Generous Contributions
This list includes contributions made on or between 8/11/2017–9/15/2017.
If you would like to make a contribution, visit www.templesanjose.org
Important account update! Please read!
Many changes have been made by eScrip this year. Most of our favorite merchants have left
eScrip. Lunardi’s is still with us. If accounts have not been active, they have been dropped off the membership list. We now have 55 active supporters who have earned $305 for Temple through July. Thank you! If you are not a supporter, go to www.eScrip.com and join us.
Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx have joined eScrip. If you wish to receive contributions for us, you must OPT IN to the new Shares program. Go to escrip.com/shares and follow the prompts. While at the eScrip website, please reregister and update all the charge/debit cards you use for shopping/dining. Also add any new cards. Check out the Online Mall and eScrip Dining so you can eat and earn.
We cannot change what eScrip has changed, but we surely can change our shopping habits so we can stay connected to Temple in a very special way. GO FORTH!
Lorie Kaplan, eScrip coordinator 408.267.4563
OPT FOR
IN OCTOBER
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Connections
B’nai Mitzvot New MembersNaomi Pearl Brown
Naomi Pearl Brown, daughter of Shannon Brown and Dana Brody-Brown, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 21, 2017. Naomi is a 7th grader at Old Orchard School. She loves basketball, singing, her friends, and dogs, especially her beloved Daisy and Poppy. Naomi is a graduate of Temple Emanu-El Preschool, and, along with her
brother Lucas and parents, has been a member of Temple Emanu-El for 10 years. Naomi is excited to celebrate this occasion with family and friends.
William Gabbert
William Gabbert, son of Lorraine and Matthew Gabbert, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017.
William is an eighth grade student at Herman Intermediate School. He enjoys science, drawing and playing percussion in the school band, as well as taking drum lessons. As a Boy Scout, William enjoys
camping and new adventures. In scouts, as in life, he is open to new friendships and challenges.
Through Synopsys, William has worked to beautify schools and participated in “Stuff the Bus,” which provides backpacks filled with school supplies for disadvantaged youth. Through Temple, he played board games with seniors at Chai House and through the Humane Society Silicon Valley, spent time with animals in need of a home. He loves his dog, Cooper, a terrier-maltese mix, adopted from Pound Puppy Rescue. For his mitzvah project, he will be collecting donations and new cat and dog toys and blankets for the Humane Society.
William is creative, imaginative, thoughtful and caring. We are proud of all he’s accomplished and excited to share his Bar Mitzvah with dear family and friends.
Kira Kalbfeld
Kira Kalbfeld, the daughter of Michelle Selber and Todd Kalbfeld, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 7 2017. Kira is an 8th grader at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula. She is an avid reader, she enjoys Latin ballroom dancing, and she excels in art/design. She will be bringing her Art skills to the Temple Emanu-El Religious School Art
Program as a Madricha this year. She also has supported the initial design phase of transforming the Temple Emanuel gift shop, which will eventually be an online resource for the Silicon Valley community. Last Spring, Kira was awarded Most Valuable Player on one of her girls middle school basketball teams. For her Mitzvah project, she is supporting HIAS and its refugee programs. Personal pictures and stories of refugees around the world will be hanging in the Sukkah.
Shoshana and Chris Roggenbuck
Children & Ages:
Not yet, but hopefully in a few years!
How many years have you been a member + brief bio?
We joined Temple Emanu-El in August.
We both moved to California a few years ago and work as program managers at Google. We love to hike, cook, and play with our dog, Ajax.
What book is on your nightstand?
The Brain That Changes Itself, by Norman Doidge
What is your hometown?
Shosh is from Queens, New York and Chris is from Darrington, Washington.
List any recent or upcoming family simchas:
• We were just married in May of this year!
• On September 28, Shoshana’s grandfather will celebrate his 90th birthday!
EESY Sleepover in the SukkahCalling all 8-12 graders!
Please join Temple Emanu-El’s senior youth group, EESY, for our annual Sukkah Sleepover! It will be on October 7-8, from about 6:00 PM-8:00 AM (times TBD). For more details, you can follow EESY’s instagram page (@eesysenioryouth) or feel free to contact an EESY board member!
Connections
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Those who have died recently
Rhoda Korff, mother of David Goldberg
Sara Gordon, grandmother of Brian Karp
Nathan Siegel, uncle of Belinda Suntop
Burton Alberts, brother of Gene Alberts
And those we have lost in years past
October 6 | Charlotte Axelrod, Rose Berg, Lee Chandler, Sharon Chastain, Paul Davis, Bernard Delman, Kenneth Douglas, Dee Erlichman, Henry Ferguson, Ellen Sue Freiberg, Isaac Goldstein, Louis Harkavy, Murray Hirsch, Rick Hoffman, David Jackel, Jason Jurman, Florence Kristal, Grace Hirsch Laevsky, Jacob Levin, Jonathan Lotman, Sol Manning, Jacob S. Mehlman, Ruth Mendel, Alfred Morris, Abe Ofsaiof, Adele Panikoff, Esther Reiser, Moritz Golden Roy, Harry Rubenstein, Charles Rubin, Edna Schaar, Lily Shulman, Loren Siegel, Jennie Solomon, Judy Wachs, Helen Wallach, Sheila Wills
October 13 | Abraham Abelson, Fanny Elka Abelson, Benjamin Aronowitz, Ben Avrech, Kate Baitchman, Jean Barsky, Bayla Bryman, Harold Chusid, Lena Fink, Henry Frank, Bertha Friedman, George Friedman, Katherine Gold, Jack Graff, Beverlee R. Holstein, Jerald W. Hunter, Irving Jacobs, Henny Just, Marian I Kaplan, Fanny Katz, Louis Landman, Lee Levine, Leon Livchitz, Joel Loren, Alfred Mayer, Monty Myers, Dr. John Reznikov, Gertrude Rott, Arthur Schimek, Lily Shopkow, Arthur Spector, Edna Taber, Bernice Testa, Cecil Weintraub, Florence Weiss, Gertrude Wolff, Marilyn Zelinsky, Ruth Zenver, Cathy Zimmer
October 20 | Hilda Altman, Sylvia Braude, Charles Broder, Carol Chusid, Celia Edelstein, David A. Feldman, Jim Fenner, Samuel Fishelberg, Milton Fox, Pearl Goldstein, Monroe J. Hartfield, Mollie Herman, Mollie Kadish, Max Kivetz, Leon Lagier, Bernice Lehman, Minnie Levine, Alan Loth, Joe Marchick, Paulette Michel, Ralph Muslin, Anna Myerfeld, Max Polsky, Dr. David G. Roy, Jack Rubenstein, David Silen, Sophie Silverstein, Besse Slonaker, Marc G. Terziev, Franciska Weinberg
October 27 | Shirley Boyers, Lena Erlichman Cannell, Nettie Chatoff, Aaron Dorfman, Abram P. Epstein, Geraldine Kahn Feldman, Grace Freiberg, Charles Gold, Sharon Gold, Frieda Gordon, Harry Hirsh, Stuart A. Holstein, Peter Hubert, Simon Indianer, Rabbi Arthur Jacobovitz, Joseph Jacobson, Lowell King, Myer Kramer, Minnie Lackner, Virginia Lee, Lionel Leiter, Sadye Lewis, Elizabeth Lieberman, Shulamith Lubin, Morton Marks, Sidney Marsh, Claudine Morris, Bernard Richman, Max Rosenthal, Molly Schneiderman, Anita Stransky Schwarz, Bessie Schwarz, Stanley Shine, Bernard Smulyan, Nancy Snyder, Rosalie Sogolow, Max Sokolov, Sam Spinner, Rita Stoner, Albert Tidwell, Gary Van Dyck, Clara Webb-Nord
We Remember
November 02, 1917. The Balfour Agreement
Helped Create the State of Israel. 100 Years Later. Discover What it Means.
Edwin Black, NYT bestselling author, IBM and the Holocaust, The Farhud & Financing the Flames. International Human Rights Award, Justice for All Award, Moral Courage Award, Drum Major for Justice Award, & the Moral Compass Award.
Israel, Balfour, and International Law The Historical Underpinnings
Panel of Expert Questioners: to be announced.
12:30 PM Nov5, 2017 • Temple Emanu-El San Jose CA
Temple Emanu-El, Israeli-American Council, ZOA, Club Z, StandWithUs, EMET American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
Auxiliaries________________________________________________________Zach Szereszewski | Brotherhood President – [email protected] Phinick | Sisterhood President – [email protected] Dworkin | EESY President – [email protected]
CONNECTIONS is published 10 times a year by Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose, CA 95126.
Award/Operating and Tribute FundsGeneral FundRabbi’s Discretionary FundCantor’s Discretionary FundAlvin Ravel Garden FundBeverly Jordan Temple Beautification FundJudith Jurman Omens Cemetery
Beautification FundLou and Clara Juren Library FundRalph Goldeen Library FundEndowment Fund
Religious FundsHarold Cahn Prayerbook FundKenneth Gordon Children’s Prayerbook FundSusanne & Maurice Tucker High Holy Days
Music FundIda F. Kragen Consecration and Caring Fund
Youth FundsReligious School FundReligious School Enrichment FundBetty Rinsler Religious SchoolEndowment FundWeintraub Religious School Scholarship FundCampership FundLeonard and Bernice Gaon Campership FundMichael Elman Campership FundMilton Fox Campership FundPhyllis Matzner Campership FundIsrael Scholarship FundSusanne C. Blickman Arts and Crafts Fund
Cultural FundsChoir FundPhyllis Omel Junior Choir FundBertram Berns Music FundShank-Rockman Family Sound System FundScholar in Residence Fund
Community FundsFacilities for the Aged Fund (Chai House)JoAnne Salman-Tehrani Homeless Fund
Other Tribute Opportunities$36 - Prayerbook Tribute$218/$500/$750 - Tree of LifeLeaf/small/large rock$500 - Sanctuary Chair Plaque$750 - Memorial Plaque
Contact the Admin team for additional opportunities.
Making a contribution to one of Temple Emanu-El’s many funds is a wonderful way to honor your friends and family. You may make contributions in honor of a birth, a birthday, brit milah, baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, graduation, engagement, wedding, anniversary, promotion, new home, special occasion or just because. You may also make contributions for get-well wishes, condolences, remembrances and yahrzeits.
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PAIDPermit No. 542San Jose, CA
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