THE BETH AM IN THIS ISSUE: NYTimes Columnist Roger Cohen PAGE 3 Israel & the U.S.: The Progressive Agenda PAGE 6 Annual Thank You Event PAGE 7 CONTACT US AT (650) 493-4661 The Beth Am Israel Awareness Committee welcomes the Nava Tehila (Hebrew for “beautiful praise”) ensemble from Jerusalem for a special Oneg Israel. After participating in the Shabbat evening service, Nava Tehila will join us for dinner at the Oneg Shabbat. Members of the group will explain the Nava Tehila community, its role in the Jewish Renewal movement in Israel, and perform some of their special melodies. There will be an opportunity for Beth Am congregants to interact with members of the Nava Tehila group. Learn more about the Nava Tehila community at bitly.com/navatehila. RSVP online at www.betham.org/OnegIsraelJan2016 for this special Shabbat Oneg Israel dinner event or by phone to Judith at (650) 494-3081, no later than Tuesday January 12. Your contribution to the dinner is very much appreciated, and allows Beth Am to continue offering these Israeli cultural programs. Please send your donation to Congregation Beth Am with a note “for Oneg Israel.” FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, FOLLOWING THE SHABBAT SERVICE, SOCIAL HALL ONEG ISRAEL With Israeli Ensemble Nava Tehila DECEMBER 2015 JANUARY 2016 KISLEV/TEVET/SHVAT 5776 During the eight days of Chanukah, we celebrate the victory of the Maccabees, which enabled the ancient Jewish community to continue to practice Judaism. We also bring light to the darkest days of the year. Join the Beth Am community in celebrating Chanukah! Learn more at www.betham.org/Chanukah5776. Monday, December 7 - 2nd Night n 7:30 P.M. Beth Am Welcomes New York Times Columnist Roger Cohen - Lighting of 2nd Candle Tuesday, December 8 - 3rd Night n 6:15 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 3rd Candle n 7 P.M. Israeli Dancing for Chanukah Wednesday, December 9 - 4th Night n 5:55 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 4th Candle n 6:15 P.M. Beit R’fuah Chanukah Celebration, Potluck and Discussion Thursday, December 10 - 5th Night n 5:55 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 5th Candle n 7:30 P.M. Beth Am Women Rosh Chodesh Tevet Friday, December 11 - 6th Night n 5:30 P.M. Chanukah Shabbat ShaTot Sha-Boogie n 6:10 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 6th Candle n 6:15 P.M. Shabbat Service n 7 P.M. Congregational Chanukah Dinner Saturday, December 12 - 7th Night n 5 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 7th Candle (follows Hagigah show) n 6 P.M. BAJY’s Chanukah Party - Limos & Latkes (teen event; offsite) Sunday, December 13 - 8th Night n 3:30 P.M. Jewish Baby Network Family Chanukah Party (offsite) CELEBRATE CHANUKAH FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS BEGINS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6
Transcript
T H E B E T H A M
i n t h i s i s s u e :
NYT imes C o l u m n i s t
R o g e r C o h e n
p a g e 3
I s ra e l & t h e U. S . :
T h e P ro g re s s i v e A g e n d a
p a g e 6
A n n u a l T h a n k Yo u E v e n t
p a g e 7
contact us at (650) 493-4661
The Beth Am Israel Awareness Committee welcomes the Nava Tehila (Hebrew for “beautiful praise”) ensemble from Jerusalem for a special Oneg Israel. After participating in the Shabbat evening service, Nava Tehila will join us for dinner at the Oneg Shabbat. Members of the group will explain the Nava Tehila community, its role in the Jewish Renewal movement in Israel, and perform some of their special melodies. There will be an opportunity for Beth Am congregants to interact with members of the Nava Tehila group. Learn more about the Nava Tehila community at bitly.com/navatehila. RSVP online at www.betham.org/OnegIsraelJan2016 for this special Shabbat Oneg Israel dinner event or by phone to Judith at (650) 494-3081, no later than Tuesday January 12.
Your contribution to the dinner is very much appreciated, and allows Beth Am to continue offering these Israeli cultural programs. Please send your donation to Congregation Beth Am with a note “for Oneg Israel.”
F r i d A y, J A n u A r y 1 5 , F o l l o w i n g T H E
S H A B B A T S E r v i c E , S o c i A l H A l l
oneg israel With israeli ensemble nava Tehila
d E c E M B E r 2 0 1 5
J A n u A r y 2 0 1 6
KiSlEv/TEvET/SHvAT 5776
During the eight days of Chanukah, we celebrate the victory of the Maccabees, which enabled the ancient Jewish community to continue to practice Judaism. We also bring light to the darkest days of the year. Join the Beth Am community in celebrating Chanukah! Learn more at www.betham.org/Chanukah5776.
Monday, December 7 - 2nd nightn 7:30 P.M. Beth Am Welcomes New York Times Columnist Roger Cohen - Lighting of 2nd Candle
tuesday, December 8 - 3rd nightn 6:15 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 3rd Candlen 7 P.M. Israeli Dancing for Chanukah
Wednesday, December 9 - 4th nightn 5:55 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 4th Candlen 6:15 P.M. Beit R’fuah Chanukah Celebration, Potluck and Discussion
thursday, December 10 - 5th nightn 5:55 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 5th Candlen 7:30 P.M. Beth Am Women Rosh Chodesh Tevet
saturday, December 12 - 7th nightn 5 P.M. Congregational Chanukiyah Lighting - Lighting of the 7th Candle (follows Hagigah show)n 6 P.M. BAJY’s Chanukah Party - Limos & Latkes (teen event; offsite)
sunday, December 13 - 8th nightn 3:30 P.M. Jewish Baby Network Family Chanukah Party (offsite)
CelebraTe Chanukah F E S T i v A l o F l i g H T S B E g i n S S u n d A y, d E c E M B E r 6
From Cantor Jaime shpall
P a g e 2
I’ve often joked that Judaism, like a college fraternity, hazes its newest members. Why else would we take kids at their most awkward developmental stage, some with voices changing, some with pimples and braces, and require them to get up in front of their family and friends (including all of the cutest boys/girls in their 7th grade class) to sing in Hebrew from an ancient scroll? When put this way, it really does seem cruel. I have found, though, after helping to shepherd hundreds of B’nai Mitzvah and their families through this turbulent and beautiful passage that it becomes a highlight of their Jewish lives, a proud accomplishment and a spiritual memory that they will one day share with their own children and grandchildren. Working with kids and families during this process is truly a privilege for me as a cantor. In essence what Judaism says to our young people is, “We are here for you. We love you and accept you for who you are today. Even as you stand before us in this state of becoming, with one foot in childhood and one foot in adulthood, we recognize our past and see, in you, our bright future.” Recently, our congregation has been given a great opportunity. This past summer, we were accepted to participate in the B’nai Mitzvah Revolution (BMR), which is one of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Communities of Practice. As part of the B’nai Mitzvah Revolution, along with many other congregations, Beth Am is reimagining what Bar or Bat Mitzvah could be. We are taking a critical look at our current program and looking for ways to make the process more meaningful and engaging for everyone involved. At the URJ Biennial in Orlando, we met with our BMR cohort of congregations for the first time to
begin this process. I am fortunate to be working with Rachel Gibson, a wonderful member of Beth Am’s Board of Directors, on this initiative. She and I attended the Biennial together, and we came back charged and ready for change. I know that even the word “change” can make some of our blood pressures rise a bit. This might be especially true for those families with children in the 5th, 6th or 7th grade. Not to worry. The focus of our B’nai Mitzvah Revolution will be to bring a greater sense of belonging to our families, as well as a deeper understanding of what becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah means and how it fits into the fabric of our Jewish lives. First and foremost, we want our B’nai Mitzvah and their families to build stronger connections to one another and the greater Beth Am community. Our first project will be to institute a 6th grade B’nai Mitzvah Family Retreat for the entire family. All of our current 6th grade families, and those who are becoming B’nai Mitzvah in 2016/17, are invited to gather for a fun-filled weekend at URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa the weekend of April 30-May 1. If you have ever been to a Jewish summer camp, then you know what a special experience it is and what a close bond you share with the friends you make there. We want the families and children in our B’nai Mitzvah class to experience this too. This is just one of the exciting changes that the B’nai Mitzvah Revolution is bringing to our program. Stay tuned for more information about the family retreat! If you are interested in joining our B’nai Mitzvah Revolution conversation, please contact me at [email protected] or Rachel Gibson at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!
talking about a Revolution
Beth am is
re-imagining what
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
could be.
P a g e 3
As Jews, we are obligated to take to heart the lessons of our own history by treating strangers in our midst with justice and compassion. During our December Tzedek Shabbat service, we will hear from Beth Am members who are engaged in the work of pursuing justice. Featured will be Beth Am members who are working in the fields of asylum and refugee work, including:
n sandra Koppe: Office of Asylum, Refugee and International Operations, Citizenship and Immigration Services (ICE)
n Dorit perry: Faculty Trainer & Mediator, Culture and Conflict, Santa Clara County Dispute Resolution Program
Tzedek shabbaT
refugees and asylum
F R i D a y , D e c e M B e R 4 , 6 : 1 5 p . M . , s a n c t u a R y
Beth Am is pleased to welcome New York Times columnist Roger Cohen, who will speak about the Future of American Diplomatic Leadership in Israel and the Middle East. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear an insightful analysis of the ever-changing landscape of the Middle East, Israel’s role within it and what the United States can do to broker a lasting peace in the region. Chanukah candles will be lit as part of the program.
This program is made possible by J-Street Bay Area. For more information, please visit www.jstreet.org/rogercohensf.
b e T h a m W e l C o m e s n y T i m e s C o l u m n i s T
roger Cohen
M o n D a y , D e c e M B e R 7 , 7 : 3 0 p . M . , s a n c t u a R y
Come see this saucy and spirited documentary about this country’s greatest generation of comics — the generation that includes the likes of Jerry Lewis, Sid Caesar, Jackie Mason, Mort Sahl and Jerry Stiller, all of whom make appearances in the film, sharing hilarious and personal experiences. With charm and wit, When Comedy Went to School seeks to answer why there are so many Jewish comedians. The answer is found in upstate New York’s Catskill Mountains.
The documentary Portrait of Wally traces the history of Egon Schiele’s 1912 portrait of his mistress, Walburga (Wally) Neuzil — from the theft of the painting from Lea Bondi Jaray, a Jewish art dealer fleeing Vienna for her life, to its home at the Leopold Museum in Vienna, to the surprise resurfacing of “Wally” on loan to the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan in 1997.
When Comedy WenT To sChool
PorTraiT oF Wally
s a t u R D a y, D e c e M B e R 1 9 , 3 : 3 0 p. M . , B e i t K e h i l l a h
s a t u R D a y, J a n u a R y 9 , 3 : 3 0 p. M . , B e i t K e h i l l a h
Presented by Beth Am’s Jewish Film Series. Screenings Are Free; Refreshments Will Be Served
S u n d A y M o n d A y T u E S d A y w E d n E S d A y T H u r S d A y F r i d A y S A T u r d A y
December Calendar
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
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3rd nigHT oF cHAnuKAH
11:00 adult hebrew level F
4:00 hagigah5:30 Tuesday night Program6:00 Teen gPs Class6:15 Chanukiyah lighting6:15 adult hebrew level b7:00 israeli dancing for Chanukah7:30 adult hebrew level a7:30 Project micah
8TH nigHT oF cHAnuKAHHoME & HoPE9:00 7th grade hebrew9:00 sunday Program9:15 a season of mussar10:00 hagigah Performance11:30 Teen seminar with rabbi marder11:30 Jr. Choir11:30 Teen Torah study with rabbi Weissman12:00 avodah!3:30 Jewish baby network Chanukah Party (offsite)4:00 adult hebrew Chanukah Party
5:00 lay-led gates of Prayer5:30 shabbat sha-boogie6:15 shabbat service
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8:30 bagels and Coffee 9:00 Torah study 10:15 Torah minyan
7:00 Poltava Trivia night
24 25 26 27 28 29 309:00 sunday Program11:30 Teen seminar with rabbi marder11:30 Jr. Choir11:30 Teen Torah study with rabbi Weissman12:00 avodah!12:00 hebrew Tutoring3:00 beth am Women Tu bishvat seder3:30 Jewish baby network Tu bishvat Party (offsite)
9:00 sunday Program9:00 3rd grade Family day9:00 Jewish literature Class11:30 Jr. Choir11:30 madrichim Training11:45 Tikvah Training
12:00 hebrew Tutoring7:00 annual Campaign Thank you event
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oFFicE cloSEd —
nEw yEAr’S dAy
6:15 shabbat service: College shabbat
6:15 adult hebrew level a2
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9:00 Jewish literature Class9:00 sunday Program10:00 Jewish baby network mommy and me Play Time (offsite)11:30 Jr. Choir11:45 Camp beth am
12:00 hebrew Tutoring
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MArTin luTHEr King Jr. dAy — oFFicE cloSEd
Community-Wide mitzvah day
building bridgesA Dialogue - Fostering Understanding
Between Jews and Christians
F i v e s e s s i o n s : J a n u a R y 1 2 & 2 6 ,
F e B R u a R y 9 & 2 3 , M a R c h 8 ; 6 - 9 p . M .
Judaism and Christianity – two faiths which developed from a common source and yet have experienced so much misunderstanding over the years! This program brings together congregants from Congregation Beth Am and two local churches. Each session will begin with a shared dinner followed by a video and facilitator-led discussion on the topic for the evening. The Building Bridges program is limited to a maximum of 24 participants (eight from Beth Am), divided equally between each faith community. If you are interested in registering, have questions or need further information, please contact Bob at [email protected].
P a g e 6
A N o t e f r o m t h e P r e s i d e N t
Making people Matter
F R i D a y , J a n u a R y 8 , 6 : 1 5 p . M .
s a n c t u a R y
s a t u R D a y, J a n u a R y 2 3 , 3 : 3 0 p. M . , B e i t K e h i l l a h
s u n D a y, J a n u a R y 2 4
3 p. M . , B e i t K e h i l l a h
At a recent meeting of congregational presidents, I was struck by a story from a colleague. She told of an older congregant, a regular, who fell ill and missed a couple of Shabbats. When she returned, she was hurt
and angry: “I come every week, but when I didn’t, no one called. No one checked. It’s as though I don’t even matter!” I’m quite sure that if you asked around at that congregation, they would have said that their elderly member mattered to them. But how do we make that obvious? How do we show someone that he/she makes a difference? The lay and professional leaders of Beth Am want Beth Am to matter to all our members. But it is even more important that you know that you matter to Beth Am. “We strive to be a holy community...” A community is nothing if not its members. So yes, each and every member matters. But mattering is not just about “you matter.” It’s about “you matter to ME.” Someone saying, “I missed you — are you OK?” It’s about mattering to people, not just to institutions. More than anything else, making people matter at Beth Am is something that we do for each other. Who are some of the people who matter to me? How can we strengthen the web of mattering within Beth Am? Read my article online at www.betham.org/WeAllMatter to find out.
The ProgressiVe agenda beth am Welcomes shabbat service guest speaker Carmiel arbit of aiPaC
C e l e b r a T e T h e n e W y e a r o F T h e T r e e s
a Tu bishVaT sederWith beth am Women
s h a b b a T s a l o n W i T h l a i l a C r a V e i r o
reCiFe, brazilThe First openly Jewish Community of the americas
From the time of Israel’s founding, progressive values have been a core component of Israeli society. From the rights of women and minorities, to the pursuit of peace with its neighbors, Israel has a rich history of upholding progressive ideals. Israel’s strides in the progressive direction have not been without their challenges. Carmiel Arbit will discuss the current state of affairs in Israel, the status of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the relevance of each to progressives in both countries.
Carmiel Arbit is the Director of Strategic Engagement in AIPAC’s office of Policy and Government Affairs. In this capacity she works directly with many progressive organizations. In 2004, Carmiel worked on the international desk at the Geneva Initiative (an NGO dedicated to promoting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians following the signing of the Oslo Accords) in Tel Aviv, specializing in international outreach. In 2013, she was listed as a top Washington influencer in Diplomatic Courier’s Top 99 Under 33 Foreign Policy Leaders.
You’re invited to a fascinating presentation by Beth Am member Laila Craveiro. Laila earned an M.A. in Liberal Arts at Stanford; her thesis tells the story of the Jews of Recife, a Sephardic community that flourished during the quarter century of Dutch colonial rule in Northeast Brazil. This program is free of charge and open to the community; refreshments will be served.
Laila Craveiro is an oncology nurse who manages the Clinical and Translational Research Unit at Stanford’s School of Medicine.
The month of Shvat, though deep in winter, is also the month of Tu Bishvat (15th of Shvat), the New Year of the Trees. The kabbalists modeled a Tu Bishvat seder on the Passover seder with four cups of wine and four categories of fruit symbolizing the four “worlds” through which the life-giving force of the Divine, the four elements, the four seasons and the different aspects of the trees and our relationships to them are channeled. We will enjoy and experience 15 different fruits and nuts (and chocolate) with all of our senses. All women are welcome. Come celebrate the new moon and the fruits of Shvat! No charge, but donations welcome. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Lisa Rauchwerger at [email protected] or call (408) 448-4972.
w The Yiddish Theater of the 30’s in Recife, Brazil.
P a g e 7
Join your community for a Beth Am favorite – the Saint Michael Trio, featuring Beth Am member Daniel Cher on violin, Michael Flexer on cello and Russell Hancock on piano. The Saint Michael Trio is Silicon Valley’s update to the classical music scene. Established in 2007, the group has staked out a place as California’s premiere piano trio — except these guys are not your ordinary chamber artists. They’re stunning virtuosi, to be sure, but they can’t be neatly categorized, since their repertoire spans the classics to contemporary, including the jazz greats and their own arrangements of popular and even rock tunes. Their hallmark is mixing all of it into a single concert. This event celebrates you and our generous community, to say thank you for your support. Electronic invitations coming in January. No charge; dessert reception to follow.
a n n u a l C a m P a i g n T h a n k y o u e V e n T :
saint michael Trios u n D a y, J a n u a R y 3 1 , 7 p. M . , s a n c t u a R y
There are many ways to make end-of-year gifts to Beth Am that can offer tax advantages for this year’s filing. Gifts to the Annual Campaign and dues payments can be made by cash, credit card or stock (a great way to avoid capital
gains taxes on highly appreciated securities!) And take advantage of our end-of-year Annual Campaign matching offer — watch your mailbox for details on how to participate. The matching offer helps you increase your impact and is a great reason to put Beth Am on the top of your giving list at this busy time of year. Help us reach the top of our thermometer! Thanks to your generosity, Beth Am never turns away people who want to join or give their child a Jewish education for lack of financial resources. Thank you! Visit www.betham.org/give for more information, or contact Mandy Eisner at [email protected], (650) 493-4661, ext. 504.
end-of-year givingdon’t Forget to get your Contributions in before Thursday, december 31
Back by popular demand! If you like “Jeopardy,” now’s your chance to participate. Come join Howard Rachelson, host of the popular Trivia Café website, for an evening of wine, appetizers, homemade desserts, music, laughs and Trivia. This is a team contest — no one is
put on the spot — questions are played in rounds and written down by teams with no time pressure. Prizes for every person on the winning team. It’s fun! Cost is $20 per person. Please make checks payable to “Congregation Beth Am” with ”Poltava Trivia Event” in the memo line, and mail to: Beth Am Trivia Event, 410 Pine Wood Lane, Los Gatos, CA 94032. Reserve a table for you and your friends!
Poltava events benefit our siser congregation, Congregation Beth Am of Poltava, Ukraine.
$ 260,000
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Beth AmReach Our
Goal
This five-session seminar explores fascinating works by American, European and Israeli Jewish writers that illuminate the human condition. Come prepared for a lively discussion! For book details and/or to register for this course, download and complete the online signup form at www.betham.org/modernlit2016 and return with your check. Suggested donation: $36 per person (includes bagels, cream cheese, juice and coffee).
modern Jewish literature ClassTaught by rabbi marder and dr. Joyce Penn moser
s u n D a y s : J a n u a R y 1 0 , J a n u a R y 3 1 , F e B R u a R y 2 8 ,
M a R c h 1 3 & a p R i l 1 7 , 9 - 1 1 a . M .
s a t u R D a y, J a n u a R y 3 0 ; D o o R s o p e n a t 7 p. M .
g a M e s B e g i n a t 7 : 3 0 p M , s o c i a l h a l l
4th annual Trivia nighta Poltava event hosted by howard rachelson, bay area Trivia maven
c o n g R e g a t i o n B e t h a M
2 6 7 9 0 a r a s t r a d e r o R o a d
l o s a l t o s h i l l s , c a 9 4 0 2 2
• 50% Recycle
d • C
hlorine Free Prin
ting
For more inFo visit www.betham.org • Please “like us” on Facebook and “Follow us” on twitter!
NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPERMIT #121
CONGREGATIONBETH AM
LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA
Once again, Beth Am welcomes our friends from Home & Hope. As in the past, Beth Am will partner with this local non-profit organization in hosting homeless families on the road to long-term self-sufficiency. Our Social Hall becomes a safe place to host our guests. During the week, Beth Am members cook hot meals, visit with guests, and play with children as well as help them with their homework. The families rotate through various churches and synagogues throughout the area as they work toward finding stable, permanent housing. Volunteering is easy, meaningful and fun. It is a great project for individuals, families and kids of all ages. To sign up to volunteer, please visit www.betham.org/HomeHope2015. For more information, please contact Sandee at [email protected].
s u n D a y , D e c e M B e R 1 3 t o s u n D a y , D e c e M B e R 2 0
s o c i a l h a l l
Beth Am has a long and beautiful tradition of bringing warmth and loving concern to the people in our community and beyond through our annual fundraising drive to sustain the hungry and homeless. Through this program, Beth Am supports numerous organizations that are committed to fighting hunger and homelessness. Groups we have supported include Ecumenical Hunger Program, Home & Hope, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Jewish Family and Children’s Services. In November, you received a letter in the mail about the Hunger & Homelessness Drive. We ask that you be as generous as possible and that you dig deep to help the most vulnerable. Additionally, you can donate online to our Hunger and Homelessness Fund at www.betham.org/give (select “Hunger and Homelessness Fund” from the listing). Gifts of any size are welcome and appreciated.
home & hopeVolunteer to help beth am host homeless Families
hunger & homelessness drivePlease give generously This holiday season
