Jewish Learning

Transcription

Jewish Learning

CONGREGATION KOL SHOFAR
Sound of the Shofar
WINTER/SPRING, 2015
SEPTEMBER, 2014
Post Denominalism at Kol Shofar
Jewish Learning
By Steven Tulsky, Kol Shofar President
Experience of a Lifetime
W
By Jonathan Emanuel, Dir. of Youth
Education and Family Engagement
hen I was earning my Jewish bona fides at Congregation Rodfei Zedek in Chicago,
perhaps the most important thing we knew about our synagogue was its denomination. In our case, we were Conservative, and that was important. We knew what movement
the other local congregations were as well, and that too was important, because we wouldn’t
want to be like them at all!
To us, the Conservative movement was the Baby
I’m so excited about Bear porridge of Judaism—not too traditional (we
the explorations couldn’t imagine being shomer or wearing tsitsis),
not too liberal (we thought of the large Reform
occurring within congregation across town as “Our Lady of North
the framework of Shore”), but rather, just right! Consulting our crystal
we were certain that trends would be towards
our new Center for balls,
more liberalism, with the Orthodox movement the
Jewish Spirituality. inevitable loser.
But now, fifty years later, it turns out that perhaps people’s taste buds prefer too hot or too
cold to just right. Some say that Orthodoxy (through the Chabad and Modern Orthodox
movements) is on the ascent, and the Reform movement continues to thrive, while the
Conservative movement resides in a less dominant middle.
More striking to me is that the whole concept of denominationalism seems to have become
much less important to Jews today. When people now talk about their shuls, denomination
is one of the last things that comes up. And when it does, more and more there is no simple
answer. The congregation’s rabbi might have been trained in the Reconstructionist seminary, but the services are more in the style of Renewal, except that there is a community
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
challenge to observe a digital-free Shabbat. Or whatever.
J
ewish learning is really about “learning Jewish.” Let me explain. Learning
Jewish is about working with families and
children, and having conversations and
relationships that open the door to new
experiences and engagement.
On a regular basis, I have conversations
with both member and prospective
parents who have a sense of unease or
concern about sending the children to
religious school. They are nervous about
making their children go to “Hebrew
School” where they will be forced to
memorize a bunch of facts, details and
prayers, learn a language they will never
use and be expected to believe in concepts
without questioning them. Many are
concepts that most adults have a hard time
explaining themselves such as God, ethics,
spirituality, good, evil, and……Hebrew. It
is no surprise that they are uneasy about
this prospect. I call this condition PTHSD
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
IN THIS ISSUE:
1
2
3
5
From our
President
From our
Shabbat &
Holidays
Jewish
Spirituality
Senior Rabbi
6
News Nosh
B’nei Mitvah
7
8
10
14
17
22
From our
Exec Dir
Adult
Learning
Tikkun
Olam
Children
+ Youth
Bridges to
Israel
Donations
CONGREGATION KOL SHOFAR | 215 Blackfield Drive | Tiburon CA | 415.388.1818 | www.kolshofar.org
CONGREGATION
KOL SHOFAR
215 Blackfield Drive
Tiburon, CA 94920
Kol Ha Rav
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Steven Tulsky, President
Joan Levison, V.P. Operations
Alyson Geller, V.P. Membership
Edye Corren, V.P. Education
Cynthia Ulman, V.P. Strategic Planning
Steve Grossman, Treasurer
Ruth Chavez, Secretary
Scott Waxman, Immed. Past President
At Large
Keith Chertok, Gina DeAngelis,
Rachel Fierberg, Vanessa Friedman,
Laura Giacomini, Pamela Morton,
Michael Perman, Josette Schwartz,
Greg Sigel, Craig Slayen
CLERGY
Rabbi Susan Leider
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 110
Rabbi Chai Levy
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 119
ADMINISTRATION
Nancy Drapin, Executive Director
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 103
Jenni Sutton, Director of Finance
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 130
Jason Herzl
Membership and
Operations Concierge
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 106
Ricki Singer
Executive Assistant to Clergy
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 100
Kirk Kim, Facilities Manager
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 107
Valerie Poettgen
Marketing & Communications Manager
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 130
EDUCATION
Jonathan Emanuel, Director of Youth
Education and Family Engagement
[email protected],
415.388.1818 Ext 105
Jordan Hopstone
Teen Leadership Coordinator
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 101
Rachel Denrich
Education Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
415.388.1818 Ext 109
MAINTENANCE
415.388.1818 Ext 107
Anthony Ketchum
Jack Klassen
John Mason
What We Eat, What We Think
By Rabbi Susan Leider
J
udaism constantly seeks ways for us to pay attention, to notice the common moments, to
give thanks.
Judaism also looks to elevate the human acts of eating and taking care of our bodies. Blessings
provide a framework for us to express our gratitude. The structure we put around what we eat
and when we eat it remind us of our values. And in Judaism, kedushah, or holiness is at the top
of the list.
The problem with the word, holy, is that we almost need to translate it into a different English
word to grasp what it can mean for us. The Hebrew word
—kodesh, is perhaps better
translated as “set apart.” Indeed the Hebrew word for a wedding is
—kiddushin. This
is the act of a couple “setting each other apart,” declaring exclusivity and devotion to each
other. When we make something holy, we set it apart, we dedicate it for something special and
unique. This is what we do when we focus on what we eat.
This is not a cerebral exercise in Judaism. Rather making something holy is expressed in
action through the mitzvot. And these actions extend to, yes, even our kitchens. In the words
of Rabbi Jacob Neusner, “We are a religion of pots and pans.” Our values are made concrete
in what we cook, how we cook it, what we eat and how we eat it. What does this look like at
Kol Shofar?
Here communal meals unify us. While each community member has a different relationship
to food outside of our synagogue, we come together inside the synagogue to partake of meals
representing Jewish values that have sustained communities for millennia. Concern and welfare for animals means that we eat meat with intent. Jewish ritual slaughter is grounded in the
value of tza’ar ba’alei hayim—minimizing pain to animals. By eating meat from specific kinds
of animals as outlined in the Torah, we link ourselves to our tradition. Meals shared in our
community include everyone regardless of where they are on the Jewish spectrum.
The next time you eat a meal at Kol Shofar, whether it is a Shabbat Kiddush lunch or a Friday
night Shabbat dinner, know that you are joining Jews across the generations in observing
a millennia-old mitzvah of enjoying a meal elevated to holiness with the companionship of
others in this incredible synagogue we call home. This is our spiritual lab, the place where we
are exposed to mitzvot and learning about them. And our kosher kitchen is an important part
of that spiritual lab. B’te’avon—bon appetite! Enjoy! u
SHABBAT
FRIDAY
KOL SHOFAR OFFERS A
SERVICE EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT
Learners’ Minyan
FEB. 6, MAR.6, MAY 1, JUNE 5 6:00–7:00 PM
Learn the Friday night service with one of our
rabbis. Discover the joy of Shabbat. No Hebrew
required.
Shabbat at Drake Terrace
FEB. 6, MAR.6, MAY 1, JUNE 5 6:15 PM
Worship with residents and other seniors who
can’t get to shul. Service is held at 275 Rancheritos
Road, San Rafael. Families are welcome.
Family Shabbat Service and Dinner
FEB. 20, MAR. 20, MAY 15
5:30–6:15 PM SERVICE
6:15–7:00 PM DINNER
Bring in Shabbat with joyous singing and dinner.
Dinner reservations required by the Tuesday
before Shabbat on our website or contact
Ricki Singer: 415.388.1818 Ext 100 or rsinger@
kolshofar.org.
Musical Meditation
Friday Night Service
MAR. 27, APR. 24, MAY 29 7:30 PM
A program of the Center for Jewish Spirituality
You asked for it, you got it! In response to the
popularity of the Musical Meditation High Holy
Day services, we are launching a monthly Friday
night Musical Meditation Service with the
Kol Shofar rabbis and special guest musicians.
This service is both accessible and deep, using
chant, meditation, teachings, and silence.
Weekly Shabbat Service
followed by Kiddush
S’more Shabbat Service and Dinner
FEB.
5:30
6:00
6:45
27, MAY 8
PM SHMOOZE
PM SERVICE
PM DINNER
Yom Kehillah Shabbat
9:15 AM
FEB. 7, MAR. 14 9:30 AM–NOON
Our rabbis welcome you for all or any part of
the morning to enjoy the feeling of community.
Transliterated prayer books make the experience
accessible to all.
Kol Neshama Minyan
A family-friendly learning and worship
experience open to all adults and children. If
your child is enrolled in Beit Binah, this Shabbat
experience is in lieu of Sunday classes that
weekend.
Sababa Shabbat for Teens
FEB.14, MAR.14, APR.11, MAY 9, JUNE 13
10:00 AM–NOON
MAR. 13
This musical, meditative, and participatory prayer
experience allows you to open your heart and sink
into the peace and joy of Shabbat. “Kol Neshama”
means “voice of the soul/breath.” No Hebrew
knowledge required, just a willingness to embark
on a spiritual journey with a community of fellow
travelers.
Shabbat Sit Meditation Group
11:30 AM WEEKLY
(EXCEPT ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF THE
MONTH WHEN HELD AT 9:15 AM)
Led by congregants Larry and Diane Yermack,
this experience explores silence and connection
in spirituality through the technique of Mindful
Meditation.
MORNING MINYAN
TUESDAYS 7:15 AM AND THURSDAYS 7:00 AM
Our weekly minyan and active volunteer led study
group is open to all.
SPECIAL TEEN LED SHABBAT SERVICE WITH
MARIN SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE NOAM ZION
5:30 PM SCHMOOZE AND SNACKS
6:00 PM SERVICE
7:00 PM DINNER AND SPEAKER NOAM ZION
Ruach Competition—winning team gets an
awesome prize. Oneg Shabbat for parents.
For more information contact Jordan Hopstone,
Teen Leadership Coordinator at jhopstone@
kolshofar.org
Kol Shabbat
Youth and Family Shabbat Service
Unique services for families
and children together
MAR. 7, MAY 2, JUNE 6 10:00 AM–NOON
Junior Congregation for grades 1–7
Participate in a student led service with Joanathan
Emanuel. Celebrate Shabbat, play gaga with
friends and enjoy a community kiddush lunch.
FEB. 7, MAR. 7, APR. 4, MAY 2, JUNE 6
11:00 AM–NOON
Family Shabbat Experience for families
with children 0–5 yrs
A musical family friendly service led by a rabbi.
Come cuddle our soft Torot, sing Shabbat songs
and join the larger community for a kiddush
lunch.
A M O S T LY
FEB.13, APR. 10, 17, MAY 22, JUNE 12, 26
6:00 PM
Say farewell to the work week and embrace
Shabbat.
SPECIAL FAMILY SATURDAY
SHABBAT EXPERIENCES
SATURDAY
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
P U R I M PA R T Y
MEGILLAH &
,
WEAR A WACKY WIG
COME IN COSTUME AND
ATE!
PREPARED TO CELEBR
MARCH 4
A musical, youth-led service followed by a familyfriendly Shabbat dinner. Dinner reservations
required by the Tuesday before Shabbat on our
website or contact Ricki Singer: 415.388.1818 Ext
100 or [email protected].
KOL SHOFAR’S
WILD &
WONDERFUL
PURIM
CELEBRATION
EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILIES (5:30 PM)
Join Rabbis Leider and Levy for a frolicking
and fun-filled telling of the Purim story.
Shabbat Across Marin
EVERYONE IS INVITED (6:15 PM)
For a community dinner
MAY 29 6:00 PM
Meet other members of our community at home
hosted services and dinners. Please contact Ricki
Singer for location and food details: 415.388.1818
Ext 100 or [email protected].
3
EVERYONE COMES TOGETHER (7:30 PM)
For the evening S ervice and Megillah reading
MOGILLAH–A MOSTLY MOTOWN MEGILLAH AND PURIM PARTY (8:30 PM)
Our Purim speil with songs based on Motown Music featuring
R I ME
our own stars! Full traditional reading of the Megillah.
M
R PU
E
STU
T O VIG, COME IN ECLOEBRATE!
U
O
C
W
D
TO
CKY
I G G E WEAR A WAAND PREPARED
W
L
AL
4
HOLIDAY SERVICES & CELEBRATIONS
PURIM
PASSOVER
SHAVUOT CELEBRATION
Purim Palooza at the Osher Marin JCC
Zman Kef Annual Chocolate Seder
MAY 23
MAR. 1 11:30 AM
MAR. 29 NOON–2:00 PM
FOR YOUTH GRADES 3–6
Shavuot commemorates the day God gave the
Torah as we assembled at Mount Sinai. Join us for
a joyful evening.
You are invited to the JCC for a carnival, Family
Connections program for infants-3 years
and siblings, arts and crafts, costume party
and delicious food for purchase. For more
information see MarinJCC.org
A MOS TLY
MO TO W N
MEGILLAH &
PURIM PA R TY
Erev Purim Kol Shofar
Community Celebration
What could be more fun than learning about
Passover fueled by the energy of great chocolate.
Contact Rachel Denrich for details: rdenrich@
kolshofar.org or 415.388.1818 Ext 109.
Apr. 3 First Seder
Apr. 49:15 AM Shabbat and 1st Day
Passover Services
Apr. 5 9:15 AM 2nd Day Passover Service
Apr. 10 8:15 AM 7th Day Passover Service
6:00 PM Shabbat Passover Service
Apr. 119:15 AM 8th Day Passover Service
and Yiskor
MAR. 4 SEE PAGE 3 FOR DETAILS
Purim Service and Megillah Reading
MAR. 5 6:45 AM
YOM HASHOAH
APR. 19 4:00–5:30 PM
Held at Congregation Rodef Sholom, San Rafael
“Courage, Strength and Community”
Holocaust survivors will tell their stories of
courageous people that risked their lives to help
them. Join the survivors and their families as we
commemorate bravery and history.
7:30 PM Weekday Minha Service
8:00 PMDinner: RSVP and pay in advance by 5/20
on our website: Adults $20/Child $9
9:00 PM Festival Ma’ariv Evening Service
9:15 PMWhat Really Happened at Sinai:
Who’s In and Who’s Out
Rabbi Emeritus Stephen Pearce,
Congregation EmanuEl. SF and visiting
Professor of Jewish Pastoral Care and the
Graduate Theological Union’s Center for
Jewish Studies, Berkeley
10:00 PMDessert Extravaganza followed by
learning with Rabbi Leider and Rabbi
Cheryl Peretz, Assoc. Dean of the
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
MAY 24 9:15 AM
1st Day Shavuot Service followed by Kiddush
MAY 25 9:15 AM
2nd Day Shavuot and Yizkor Services followed
by Kiddush
Shabbat Special Events and Speakers
Shmitta Series: Interactive Learning
about the Sabbatical Year
FEB. 14 11:00 AM, 1st OF 3 SESSIONS
Shmitta means “release” in Hebrew and refers
to the Biblical commandment that requires
croplands in Israel to lie fallow every seventh
year. According to the Jewish calendar, we are
in a shmitta year. As part of our weekly Torah
reading cycle, we learn about one of the most
economically, environmentally and socially
radical idea in the Torah. Subsequent sessions:
May 16, Aug. 15.
Deepening Holiness
With Rabbi Jonathan Slater
FEB. 21 DRASH 11:00 AM, STUDY AT 1:00 PM
SEE PAGE 5 FOR DETAILS
Community Wide Book Discussion
Wise Aging
The New Jim Crow in the Age of Colorblindness
By Michelle Alexander
With Rabbi Rachel Cowan
FEB. 28 1:00 PM
Rabbi Rachel Cowan, Co-founder of The Institute
for Jeiwsh Spirituality, an organization that works
to deepen the spiritual dimension of Judaism. She
created Wise Aging, a way to access Jewish wisdom
as we write out last chapter.
As we grapple with long-standing racial
discrimination in the U.S, we cannot remain
indifferent. As a minority, we are vulnerable
to religious bigotry and hate crimes, especially
now as there is a worldwide resurgence of antiSemitism. We also belong to the majority in a
society where race plays a disproportionate role in
economic and educational opportunity. How do
we meet the challenges of encouraging behaviors
and developing communities that treat all of
God’s children with dignity and compassion?
Please purchase and read the book on your own
and join us for discussion.
The Abrahamic Faith Traditions:
An Interfaith Sermon Series
Tanakh and Enlightenment:
Bringing Truth in the Hills
Down into Town
Imam Ali Siddiqui, formerly of the Islamic
Center of North Marin. With Rabbi Leider
With Kol Shofar congregant Dennis Klein
FEB. 28 11:00 AM
An Imam and a Rabbi Reflect on Moses.
MAR. 7 1:00 PM
Tanakh and Scottish Enlightenment cannon balls
are lobbed at the Marin Headlands—the glare of
the explosions casts light on faith. With eyes wide
open, engaging nature, we become like Abraham,
combining critical thinking with experiential
revelation. Outing to the Marin Headlands to
follow, weekday date and time TBD.
Marin Scholar in Residence:
Noam Zion at Kol Shofar
MAR. 14–15 SEE PAGE 20 FOR DETAILS
MAR. 21 DRASH 11:00 AM, STUDY 1:00 PM
Ethics of Our Ancestors:
Learn Together between Passover and
the Festival of Shavuot
APR. 18, 25, MAY 2, 9, 16, 23 1:00–2:00 PM
Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Ancestors) contains
six chapters we study, one chapter per week, on
the Shabbat afternooons between Passover and
Shavuot, the festival celebrating the giving of the
Torah. During this period, we are on a spiritual
journey of earning freedom by focusing on
humility and kindness. Studying Pirkei Avot keeps
us spiritually strong and prepares us to receive
Torah at Sinai on Shavuot. Teachers include:
Apr. 18 Rabbi Leider
Apr. 25 Norman Fisher, Jewish Zen Buddhist
roshi poet, teacher and author
May 2 Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan, teacher and
senior educator of Lehrhaus-Judaica
May 9 Rabbi Levy
May 16 Rabbi Natan Fenner, Bay Area Jewish
Healing Center
May 23We culminate our study by completing
the 6th chapter on Erev Shavuot in the
evening.
5
CENTER FOR
JEWISH SPIRITUALITY
at Congregation Kol Shofar
By Rabbi Chai Levy
At Congregation Kol Shofar, we recognize that there are many approaches to spiritual growth and that many are
seeking alternative doors to Jewish life. This past fall, we launched our new Center for Jewish Spirituality at Congregation Kol Shofar to offer opportunities for spiritual learning and practice such as meditation, music, and practices that
connect mind, body, and spirit. Our new programs were met with much enthusiasm and positive feedback. We also
heard clearly that there is a great desire for more experiences like the High Holyday Musical Meditation Service, and I
am pleased to announce that we will be adding a Musical Meditation Friday night service once a month beginning in
March that will bring back our wonderful musicians from the High Holy Days.
This spring, the Center for Jewish Spirituality will continue to offer our ongoing events like our monthly Kol Neshama Minyan and weekly
Shabbat Sit; in addition, check out our new Friday night service, classes, guest speakers, and a meditation retreat. Judaism offers us a beautiful path for spiritual growth and connection, and I hope that the Center for Jewish Spirituality will be a place of creativity, experimentation,
and deepening our exploration of that path. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 415.388.1818 Ext 119.
LEARNING
Jewish Ethics for Our Lives:
The Art of Mussar
LUNCH AND LEARN WITH RABBI LEIDER
FEB. 3 AND 10 12:15–1:15 PM
Join a community of learners dedicated to
transforming ourselves and our relationships.
By exploring Mussar (Jewish ethics), deepen the
practice of honing our character traits. Please
bring a dairy lunch.
Shekhina Circle
WITH MIKI RAVER
MAY 7, 14, 21, 28 1:30–3:30 PM
Grant yourself the nurturing gift of a Shekhina
Circle, a women’s circle that invokes the healing
presence of the sacred. Integrating movement,
ritual, guided imagery and writing, Miki Raver
will take you on a journey of connection with
Shekhina, the Divine Feminine, She-WhoDwells-Within. Miki Raver has been leading
Shekhina Circles since 2002 and is author of
Listen to Her Voice: Women of the Hebrew Bible, a
Jewish bestseller. Her book She is Wisdom will be
published in 2015.
Shabbat Guest Speaker
Spirituality Series:
Unique guest teachers will deliver a drash
during Shabbat services at 11:00 AM and
offer a study session after Kiddush lunch
at 1:00 PM
FEB. 21
Rabbi Jonathan Slater, Co-director of Programs,
Institute for Jewish Spirituality and author of
A Partner in Holiness: Deepening Mindfulness,
Practicing Compassion and Enriching Our
Lives through the Wisdom of R. Levi Yitzhak of
Berdichev’s Kedushat Levi.
MAR. 21
Rabbi Rachel Cowan, Co-founder of The
Institute for Jeiwsh Spirituality, an organization
that works to deepen the spiritual dimension of
Judaism. She created Wise Aging, a way to access
Jewish wisdom as we write out last chapter.
APR. 25
Norman Fisher, Jewish Zen Buddhist roshi,
poet, and author of Zen inspired translations of
the Psalms. He teaches at Makor Or, the Jewish
Meditation Center of San Francisco.
Kol HaOr—Sound Healing Circle
A small group of singers meet regularly to explore
the sensitive use of rhythm, harmony, and musical
improvisation to offer healing to congregants
in need. Using the Jewish liturgical scale and
niggunim (wordless melodies) as a foundation
for creating soothing and comforting music, they
are available to assist the rabbis with pastoral
care when appropriate. Contact Judy Berger
[email protected] or Diane Yermack dyermack@
cpsych.com for more information.
PRAYER
Musical Meditation
Friday Night Service
MAR. 27, APR. 24, MAY 29 7:30 PM
You asked for it, you got it! In response to the
popularity of the Musical Meditation High
Holyday services, we are launching a monthly
Friday night Musical Meditation Service with the
Kol Shofar rabbis and special guest musicians.
This service will be both accessible and deep,
using chant, meditation, teachings, and silence.
SPECIAL EVENT
JEWISH MINDFULNESS
MEDITATION RETREAT
APR. 12 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
$36 per person
Mark Levine, an accomplished
mindfulness teacher will lead a day of
Mindfulness accompanied by Larry and
Diane Yermack.
Mindfulness training is not about any
special relaxed or enlightened state.
Mindfulness is a subtle reorganization
of our relationship to experience. We are
able to gradually and intentionally shift
our attitude about our own thoughts,
emotions and sensations. Over the course
of the day, we will focus on various
ways of paying attention so that we can
both better understand and deepen our
practice. This retreat is a great opportunity
for those new to meditation as well as
those who regularly sit on Shabbat.
For more information, contact
Ricki Singer at [email protected] or
414.388.1818 Ext 100.
Shabbat Sit
WITH LARRY AND DIANE YERMACK
Kol Neshama Minyan
EVERY SAT, 11:30 AM EXCEPT 2ND SAT, 9:15AM
WITH RABBI CHAI LEVY
Led by experienced meditation teachers Larry and
Diane Yermack, this Saturday morning experience
explores silence and connection to spirituality
through simply being present. Using a technique
called mindfulness meditation, you will find
yourself slowing down, calming your mind and
cultivating awareness, compassion and Jewish
wisdom. Whether you are new to meditation or
have many years of experience, you are warmly
welcome.
2ND SAT OF THE MONTH 10:00 AM–NOON
This musical, meditative, and participatory prayer
experience allows you to open your heart and sink
into the peace and joy of Shabbat. “Kol Neshama”
means “voice of the soul/breath.” No Hebrew
knowledge required, just a willingness to embark
on a spiritual journey with a community of fellow
travelers.
6
Mike Saperstein (son of Jeff and
Chantal Saperstein) and Allie Fisher
(daughter of Caroline and Martin
Fisher) were married at Sherith
Israel on October 26. Mike grew up
in the Kol Shofar community and
met Allie as babies at the Marin JCC
swimming pool. They met again on
the synagogue high school confirmation class trip to Israel (he from Kol
Shofar and she from Rodef Sholom)
when they were 15 years old and
then reconnected on Facebook 16
years later. The happy couple reside
in San Francisco.
Diane Zack is now serving on the
Board of Lehrhaus Judaica.
Nikki Carlone, daughter of Pat and
Lois Carlone, and Stanley Sheff were
married on January 17th in Los Angeles. Nikki and Stanley have been
together for 6 years and felt it was
time to take the next step.
Arthur Berger spent four weeks
lecturing at Belarus State University in
Minsk in November and December.
His book Ads, Fads and Consumer
Culture 5th Edition was published by
Rowman & Littlefield in January, 2015.
Joan Levison is the new Executive
Director of Menorah Park senior
housing in San Francisco.
Risa Dickson, daughter of Jon and
Madeline Florence was recently
named V.P of Academic Affairs at the
University of Hawaii.
NEWS
NOSH
On December 16th, The Marin
County Board of Supervisors
posthumously honored Rico
Hurvich (of blessed memory)
as a notable member of our
community who efforts in the
community have had a lasting impact.
Michael and Susan Dab attended
Alpha Omega Jewish Dental Fraternity 2014 Annual International
Conference, held in Tel Aviv in
December. Alpha Omega Foundation founded and continues to
support the dental schools in Israel.
They were amazed by the amount
of housing construction occurring
throughout Israel; some of the impetus is to provide each unit with a safe
room. One of the highlights of a trip
chocked full of activities was a Memorial service in Hadassah Hospital’s
chapel beneath the Chagall windows.
In 2009 Leah Hatchuel Tabernik
went to Sakaide, Japan as a student
delegate with the Sausalito-Sakaide
Sister City Program. She stayed with
Minoru and Kimiko Nakanishi and
their children, and participated in
a rich full immersion Japanese experience. Leah stayed in touch with
this family and in December 2014,
Minoru and Kimiko came to the Bay
Area to stay with and visit her and
her parents Dina Hatchuel and Tim
Tabernik. Dina remains involved in
the Sausalito Sakaide Sister City Program which is recruiting high school
students from Marin to go to Sakaide
for 10 days in July–August this year.
B ’nei Mitzvah (From January–August 2015)
A hearty Mazel Tov to each of our students and their
families in celebrating their bar or bat mitzvah.
1/17 Caroline Shinner daughter of Jill Portman & Gary Shinner
3/7 Charlotte Jio daughter of Marilyn & Craig Jio
3/14Emerson Dickstein daughter of Barclay &
Jonathan Dickstein
3/28 Avery Schoen daughter of Susan & Michael Schoen
5/2
5/9
5/16
5/23
5/30
6/6
6/20
8/8
8/15
Congregants Susie Coliver and
Robert Herman, the creative
architects behind the amazing
renovation of our Kol Shofar facility,
received Faith & Form magazine’s
2014 Religious Art & Architecture
Award, for their design of Temple
Judea in Tarzana, CA.
Our congregation loved the energetic
singing of NYU’s Jewish a capella
group Ani V’ata including the
spirited voice of Jenna Zimmerman,
daughter of Alan and Betsy
Zimmerman. Jenna is also in charge
of marketing for the group and her
talents in that capacity helped to
bring in a big crowd for the midweek performance.
Kol Truah, an amazing East Bay Jewish
choral group performed a special song
to the Hamsa poem composed by
Patricia King, mother of Julie King.
The performance on January 25th, a
program of the new Kol Shofar Arts
Salon, included our talented member
and singer Gary Appel.
Aaron Raful, a Tichon grad who
became Bar Mitvah at Kol Shofar,
son of Bruce and Harriet Raful,
celebrated the birth of his first child
on January 26, 2015, born to he and
his wife Rachel in Baltimore, MD.
Yael & Joshua Homa daughter/son of Jennifer & Eitan Homa
Hannah Kahn daughter of Sheri Lempert & Daniel Kahn
Emma Northcutt daughter of Marla & Todd Northcutt
Sarah Friedman daughter of Vanessa & Marty Friedman
Leah Cohen daughter of Ellie Cohen & Miki Goralsky
Ilana Scheer daughter of Michal & Adam Scheer
Noe Corren daughter of Edye & Blaine Corren
Julian Reiss son of Cheryl & Craig Reiss
Myla Dalia daughter of Wendy & Richard Dalia
7
Behind the Scenes with Your Executive Director
By Nancy Drapin
T
he Disney film “Frozen” is one of the most popular films
of the last few years. The story is about a young witch
princess, Elsa, who is told to lock herself away and control
her powers so that she does no harm and that no one knows
who she is. Locked away from the world, her powers, which
are tied to her emotions, grow stronger and deeper because
she has to deny her true self. She finally snaps and has to let it
out, to let it go, no matter what others think.
The centerpiece of the movie is the song “Let It Go” which
reflects the movie’s central theme resonating with adults and
children alike. On New Year’s Eve, Idina Menzel, who sings
the song in the movie, sang to millions as they watched the
ball go down in Times Square. As the camera panned the
area, everyone was singing along—everyone knew the words.
Millions were emotionally involved in “letting it go”.
So many of us keep parts of ourselves locked away and wish
that we could just “let it go”. We lock away fears, desires and
memories. What we often find is that much of this unfinished
business comes back to haunt us. That is why beginning a
spiritual journey is often so difficult for a lot of people. From
the start, the journey asks us to open this box of fear and
work through all the layers of conditioning that we have
accumulated over the years.
For many Jewish people, the box of memories may include
struggles with learning Hebrew, insufferable Sundays in religious school, fear of a rabbi or a teacher, guilt about having
a Christmas tree in the house, disagreement about the role
of God in their life or frustration about halachic issues. For
young parents, the dilemma of how to teach their children to
be free of these boundaries and to learn about and enjoy their
Judaism is often colored by the frantic pace of present-day
life. For older individuals there is often the realization that
they have rarely done any of the things they truly wanted to
do while they were busy pleasing others, and that they may
have ignored the values and teaching of their Jewish core.
I’ve had the privilege of listening to the stories of people
who bravely walk through our doors and want to find a way
to explore their Jewish self. Some struggle with making a
commitment to be a part of a formal community, some are
desperate to introduce their children to some sort of contemporary Jewish experience, some are simply hoping for deeper
knowledge. Like Elsa, many are overcome with shame and
insecurity about how to reverse the damage of not knowing
their own comfort level with being Jewish. All are looking for
the power to open the lock on their spiritual emotions.
At Kol Shofar, we believe that if you want to begin or continue your journey to Jewish enlightenment, our synagogue is a
pretty darn good place to start “letting it go”. From midrash
to meditation, holiday celebration to holy words, commentary to community, we offer innovative opportunities for
learning, building friendships and connections, giving back
to the world and wrestling with ideas.
At Kol Shofar, we believe that being Jewish is a gift. At the
end of the story, when Elsa finally learns how to control her
gifts, she is able to not only enjoy them for herself but spread
joy to her townspeople. Our staff and incredibly energetic
volunteers have created the programs and experiences that
fill the pages of our newsletter. During the past year, we have
filled the halls, seats and atmosphere of our synagogue with
people who are seeking others of like minds, stomachs and
dreams. We hope that you will find a way to to peel off your
gloves, like Elsa, and dare to be your fabulous “Jewishness”. u
Celebrate Your Special Event at Kol Shofar
Flexible spaces for intimate and grand events
• Kosher catering
• Modern, light filled atmosphere
• Family dinners
• Business meetings
• B’nai Mitzvah
• Wedding events
• Birthday and anniversary parties for all ages
• Conference and classroom space
Contact Jason Herzl 415.388.1818 Ext 106 or [email protected]
8
ADULT LEARNING
TUESDAY
Dixie Voices: The World of the
Antebellum South
WITH MICK CHANTLER, MA
STARTED JAN. 13–MARCH 3 10:00 AM
A program of Dominican College Olli (Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute)
Why were Southerners willing to break up the
national contrat and risk lives and fortunes in
defense of their traditional way of life? The class
explores the career and philosophical outreach
of key Southern thinkers to investigate the
significance of racial consciousness in shaping
the world view of “Dixieland”. To register, call
415.482.2406
Lunch and Learn—Jewish Ethics for Our
Lives: The Art of Mussar
WITH RABBI LEIDER
FEB. 3 AND 10 12:15 PM
A program of the Kol Shofar Center for Jewish
Spirituality
Join a community of learners dedicated to
transforming ourselves and our relationships.
By exploring Mussar (Jewish Ethics), deepen the
practice of honing our character traits. Please
bring your own dairy, vegetarian lunch.
THURSDAY
Midrash Class
WITH RABBI LEIDER
9:30 AM
The Torah is illuminated and deepened when
studies through the lens of midrash. Texts are
provided in Hebrew and English for this lively and
informal drop-in group held in the Rabbi’s office.
Historical Roots of American Power
WITH HANK FEARNLEY, PHD
STARTED JAN. 15–MARCH 5 10:45 AM
A program of Dominican College Olli
(Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)
The key to understanding America’s current
superpower status is to be found in our
country’s experiences in the second half or the
19th Century and in the first half of the 20th.
This course explores the historical settings and
activities that allowed the U.S. to take a leading
role in world affairs. To register, call 415.482.2406.
Courtroom Drama in the Movies and
Theater, Part V
WITH OAK DOWLING, JD
MAR. 26–MAY 28 10:15 AM (EIGHT CLASSES)
Our investigation continues with Discrimination
on Trial including the Alfred Dreyfus Affair and
French anti-Semitism, Sacco and Vanzetti and
the American Japanese incarceration in WWII.
Women on Trial includes the Patty Hearst case
and US Italian exchange student Amanda Knox.
Britannia on Trial concerns the Australian trial
of Lindy Chamberlain, the British Court Martial
of “Breaker Morant” and “Witness for the
Prosecution”, with actors portraying scenes from
the play. To register, call 415.482.2406.
Lunch and Learn
WITH RABBI LEVY
12:15 PM
Mystics, rationalists, comedians and philosphers
of all ages are invited to join this stimulating text
study group. Work your way through the Tanakh
with this energetic group. Please bring your own
dairy, vegetarian lunch.
Philosophies of Judaism
1ST AND 3RD THURSDAYS OF EACH MONTH
1:30 PM
This thoughtful group of like-minded individuals
loves to read and discuss books on Jewish
philosophical thought. Everyone is welcome to
drop in for a lively discussion.
FRIDAY
Breakfast with Attitude:
Nosh and Conversation
WITH RABBI EMERITUS DAVID WHITE
FEB. 13 AND 27; MAR. 13 AND 27; APRIL 15
AND 24; MAY 8 AND MAY 22; JUNE 5 AND 19
8:30–9:45 AM
Translate Judaic values into daily relevancy
grounded in the 5 trails or paths for journeying
through life. Nosh on bagels, cream cheese, lox,
whitefish salad, coffee, tea and other treats. The
program allows for people to attend regularly or
occasionally with summaries of each meeting
sent by email (usually the Monday before the
upcoming Friday) to enable participants to hold
onto nuggets shared around the table as well as
allowing those unable to attend a session to keep
up with the flow of conversation. People of all
backgrounds, faiths and traditions are welcome.
$100 per quarter or $20 per session (sliding scale
available), which includes breakfast. To register
call 707-592.4711.
The Roots of Social Justice:
The Prophets Come Alive
WITH HENRY SHREIBMAN, PHD, RABBI, DD
JAN.30, FEB. 6, 13, 20 10:15 AM
Cross culturally and across religious perspectives
a common set of ethical images and motifs
express a longing for order and justice in daily
life, a human urge to improve the lot of “the
other.” Classical texts in the Hebrew Bible call
for social justice, and Biblical prophets had a
dynamic impact on Jesus, Paul and Mohammed,
as well as Martin Luther King and contemporary
leaders. What is the value of these texts to us and
our leaders? To register, call 415.482.2406.
The Life and Times of Richard Nixon
WITH JOHN ROTHMANN, MA
MAR. 23–MAY 29 10:15 AM NO CLASS APR. 3 & 10
Nixon’s political life is an epic story of triumph
and tragedy. How does an individual rise from
the ashes to achieve the Presidency of the U.S.,
become the only president to resign from office
then rise again? To register call 415.482.2406.
SATURDAY
SHABBAT STUDY OPTIONS
PLEASE SEE DETAILS ON PAGE 4
Kol Shofar offers a large number of Shabbat Study
sessions with outstanding speakers.
SUNDAY
Judaism 101
WITH RABBI SUSAN LEIDER
FEB. 8, MAR. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 9:00 AM
We warmly welcome all who desire a deeper
connection to Judaism, those who are considering
conversion, and those seeking their Jewish
voice and identity. Our course incorporates
an introduction to basic Hebrew, biblical and
rabbinic writings, the history and culture, holy
days, festivals, the Sabbath, Jewish concepts of God
and ethics, life cycle, kashrut: the Jewish dietary
laws, our connection to the land of Israel and
contemporary Jewish life. For more information
contact Ricki Singer at [email protected]
Exploring
the World
of Judaism
Our Innovative Series
of Sunday Morning
Talks 9:30AM–11:40AM
FEB. 1 WHERE DID JUDAISM COME FROM?
Why Do We Ask That Question? Thoughts
about relating Jewish civilization to its
historical content.
Deena Aranoff, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medieval
Jewish Studies, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.
MAR. 8 CAN YOUR VALUES LIVE ON?
How to impart ethics to your children.
Rabbi Mimi Weisel, Educator and Spiritual Care Counselor.
MAY 3
ANTI-SEMITISM: Myths, questions and
insights on the world’s oldest hatred.
Vlad Khaykin, Associate Director, Central Pacific Region,
Anti-Defamation League.
Reservations not taken | Free to Kol Shofar congregants
Small donation suggested for non-congregants
Refreshments will be served
Exploring the World of Judaism is a program of Congregation
Kol Shofar and Jewish LearningWorks and is supported in part
by the Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust and by
Diane and Howard Zack.
ADULT FUN, FRIENDSHIP & SUPPORT
CHAI LIGHTS
Chai Lights is Kol Shofar’s group for the 50+
crowd. Interesting and lively social, cultural
and recreational activities are planned by
like-minded individuals. Museum tours,
hikes, special workshops and theatre and
performance outings keep the annual calendar
filled with events for the fun-loving. Your
ideas for events are always welcome. Contact
Frances Wisch at [email protected] or
Elaine Levy at [email protected] to
learn more and get your name on the list. Here
are the some of the planned events:
Rosie the Riveter
Visitor Education Center
FEB. 13 10:15 AM
(Carpools leave Bon Air Park & Ride at 9:30 AM)
An unusual urban national park, the Rosie the
Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical
Park is located on the Richmond waterfront. At
the Education Center (no charge), visitors enjoy
the tours, galleries, permanent and rotating
exhibits, a theatre, films and a gift shop in the
Oil House Visitor Center. Guest passes will be
available to the Mountain Hard Wear Outlet
is located next door. Lunch at the Assemble
restaurant will be available for about $22
including gratuity; menu choices will be provided
when you RSVP. Lunch must be preselected.
Cash is required. Please RSVP by Feb. 5 to Joan
Fierberg 415.461.7008 or [email protected]
or text 415.272.3499.
Tour the Buck Institute for
Research on Aging in Novato
MARCH 19 10:30 AM
A free docent led tour will allow you to explore
the biological mysteries of aging, experience
the architecture of I.M. Pei, and discover what
scientists are learning about Alzheimer’s, cancer,
stroke and other age-related diseases. Reservations
are required as we have a limited number of
spaces. Contact Anne Zishka at Ziskha@
comcast.net or 415.472.2811.
Bridges to Israel and Chai Lights
present Body and Soul:
The State of the Jewish Nation
SPORTS
Co Ed Softball Team
16th Annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
SUNDAYS
MAY 6 8:00 AM–10:00 AM
Kol Shofar is part of the BATS League (Bay Area
Temple Softball). Wildly fun and nail-biting
games are on Sunday afternoons. Team members
(18 and older) pay a fee for the season and get
a jersey. All levels of players are welcome and
needed. Friends and family are invited to be a part
of the fun by cheering us on from the stands. For
information call Steve Sockolov at 415.388.8399.
Kol Shofar is proud to host the annual prayer
breakfast which supports the Marin Interfaith
Council. This unique morning includes speakers
and learning from three different religious traditions and is an inspirational way to break bread
together. For more information and to reserve
your seat www.marinifc.org/content/mic-events.
Break That Cycle
SUNDAYS
Beit benah parents and anyone who wants
some Sunday morning exercise, join your fellow
kolshofarnicks (when your kids are at Beit Binah)
on Sundays to hike one of the many excellent
trails or bring your bike and meet at the blacktop
after Tefillah for an invigorating ride or hike with
fellow parents. For more information contact Josh
Paul, [email protected].
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
SCHMOOZE
Wednesday Wine and Shoot the Breeze
FEB. 25, MAR. 18. APR. 22, MAY 13
8:00–8:45 PM
Picking up your child from Beit Binah/Tichon?
Don’t just drive around in circles in the parking
lot; come on in and enjoy a glass of wine with
other parents. Check out the exhibits in the
Kol Shofar gallery, schmooze, and relax with
friends. Everyone is welcome.
UPCOMING SUMMER
OLLI CLASS
Musicals and Comedies During
Hollywood’s Heydays
WITH JAN WAHL, KCBS ENTERTAINMENT
EDITOR, FILM CRITIC, TEACHER AND EMMY
AWARD WINNER
FEB. 22 10:00 AM SEE PAGE 17 FOR DETAILS
JULY 10–31 10:45 AM
This film examines the deep connections
between the Jewish People and the Land of Israel.
Discussion to follow.
Weekly Chai Lights Walk
WEDNESDAYS 10:00 AM
Meet our group at Blackie’s Pasture for a
stimulating weekly walk and conversation.
Contact Elaine Levy for info: Elaine.Levy301@
gmail.com.
SUPPORT
AA Group
EVERY WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM
For information on the group that meets at
Kol Shofar, please contact Bob at
415.310.3654 or [email protected].
COMMUNITY
From the eccentric family in My Man Godfrey
to the romantic beauty of Brigadoon, from the
shenanigans of two scared musicians in Some Like
it Hot to the impeccable blending of Fred and
Ginger, the class explores these two movie genres
with stories, film clips and a celebration of oncamera and behind the scene’s personalities. As
Gershwin would say: who could ask for anything
more? To register, call 415.482.2406.
ARTS
KOL SHOFAR ARTS SALON
The Kol Shofar arts salon is a new and unique
task group that serves as an umbrella for bringing
Jewish-based arts, well known artists, and artists
from within the Kol Shofar community whose
talents are in various media, to Kol Shofar. Events
and programs will stimulate learning, discussion
and community building. If you have an interest
in joining this group or a suggestion for an artist
facilitator, performer, or subject, please contact
Ileen Serlin [email protected] or Diane
Yermack at [email protected].
Love and Treasure: A Discussion of Her
Latest Novel with New York Times Best
Selling Author Ayelet Waldman
Presented in partnership with the Osher Marin JCC
and Congregation Rodef Sholom
APR. 8 7:00 PM AT THE MARIN JCC
New York Times best-selling author Ayelet Waldman joins Joanne Greene in conversation about
her new novel Love and Treasure. Waldman’s most
recent work weaves a tale around the fascinating true history of the Hungarian Gold Train in
World War II. Audience Q&A, book sales and
author signing following the program. For tickets
and information www.marinjcc.org/events.
Joshua Nelson and the
Kosher Gospel Choir
In celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut,
commemorating the Israeli Declaration of
Independence in 1948
Presented in association with Brandeis Hillel Day
school, Congregation Rodef Sholom, the Osher
Marin JCC and the Consul General of Israel
APR. 23 7:30 PM AT THE MARIN JCC
The Prince of Kosher Gospel brings a highenergy captivating performance and a message
of hope, unity and spirituality in celebration of
Yom Ha’atzmaut. Kosher gospel in the marriage
of Jewish religious lyrics and meaning with the
soulful sounds of American gospel music. These
same sounds have been retained in the musical
culture of Black African Muslims and Jews, and
such soul-inflected vocalizations filled the black
Hebrew synagogue Joshua Nelson attended as a
child. VIP and reserve seating available:
www. marinjcc.org/events.
9
10
TIKKUN
OLAM
REPAIRING THE WORLD
Hot Meals:
Warming Body and Soul
By Mark Kaplan
O
n December 25, the Kol Shofar community served a
Christmas dinner in the Beit Am to over 25 men and
women in need of a hot meal. This is not only an act of Tikkun Olam, but it is a chance to know a different part of our
Marin community.
A dedicated group of volunteers shopped, prepared and
served a wonderful holiday meal including roasted turkey
with gravy, stuffing, roasted vegetables and freshly baked
pumpkin pie. The volunteers prepared the meal in our kosher
kitchen and sat down to share the meal with our guests. With
musical accompaniment by Swing 60, a local duo, and a
group of Kol Shofarniks on piano, flute, and vocals, the spirited event was not only enjoyed by our guests, but also by each
volunteer who made it happen.
Some of the men and women at the Christmas dinner were
familiar faces from the past years when Kol Shofar hosted a
weekly lunch called the Coalition Lunch program. Over the
ten years that I have been involved with this program, I have
seen changes in our guests, sometimes for the better and
unfortunately, sometimes for the worse.
TIKKUN OLAM PROGRAMS
Southern Marin Hot Meal Program
NEW OPPORTUNITY
RIGHT HERE AT KOL SHOFAR
10:30 AM PREPARE LUNCH
Over the ten years that I
have been involved with this
program, I have seen changes
in our guests, sometimes for
the better and unfortunately,
sometimes for the worse.
Once, during a previous Kol Shofar-hosted Christmas lunch,
I was approached by a gentleman who had been a regular
patron of our meals for many years, but whose face I had
recently stopped seeing. He handed me an envelope and
thanked me for the support that we had provided, sharing
that he was doing better. Later when I opened the envelope, I
found a twenty-dollar bill folded inside a Christmas card. In
the card, he told me that his situation had slightly improved
and he wanted to help the others who were not doing as
well. It was the most moving experience in my many years
working with the program because this man’s actions showed
me how much he appreciated what we were doing for him. I
knew he couldn’t really afford giving us those 20 dollars, but
he did so because, in his life and in the lives of those around
him, the difference we were making really mattered.
Rotating Emergency Shelter Team
(REST)
Food Pick-Up and Delivery for
Extrafood.org
FEB. 22, MAR. 22, APR. 12
Help end hunger and reduce food waste in
Marin. Pick up excess fresh food and deliver it
to programs serving Marin’s most vulnerable
populations. You can do pickups/deliveries when
and where it’s convenient for you, or help build
and join a once a month Kol Shofar pick up from
Sunday’s Civic Center Farmer’s Market. Contact
Lynne Simon at [email protected].
Prepare or serve Sunday dinners to men in need
as part of our interfaith partnership to provide
shelter for the homeless in our community.
Contact Shana Margolis Goldberg at
[email protected] or 415.254.7196.
1:00 PM LUNCH SERVED
One Sunday a month, Kol Shofar will host a
hot lunch for people in need in Marin County.
Volunteers of all ages are needed to purchase
ingredients, prepare, and serve food to the
hungry in our community. This is a revival of the
program formerly known as the Coalition for the
Homeless Lunch, which Kol Shofar hosted for
many years. To volunteer, contact Mark Kaplan at
[email protected] or at 415.717.9538.
Mill Street Shelter
Volunteers are needed to provide food for dinner
on the 4th Wednesday of each month to the Mill
Street Homeless Shelter in San Rafael. Volunteers
alternate months and can drop food any time
before 5 PM. Please contact Esther Rosha-Stadtler,
415.460.5464 or [email protected].
Marin Organizing Committee (MOC)
Join fellow Marin community members to
advocate for a permanent year-round emergency
homeless shelter in Marin (this new shelter would
replace the REST program). MOC members also
work together to address such issues as healthcare,
immigration reform, and human trafficking in
our Marin community. Contact Gail Dorph at
[email protected].
11
The Christmas dinner this year was prepared by members
of our community in the Kol Shofar kitchen during several
days leading up to the meal. Individuals and families helped
cook, decorate the Beit Am, serve the meal, and clean up.
Our guests’ plates were filled by the children in our community, who served the entire meal. I have found it to be very
important to let the children serve the meals so that they can
get a firsthand understanding that there are people in need
in our own Marin community. All of our guests left the event
with a gift bag of homemade cookies made with love and
wrapped by our volunteer crew.
month as part of a group of congregations that include Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mt. Carmel Catholic Church,
Mt. Tamalpias United Methodist Church, and the Sausalito
Presbyterian Church. These lunches are a continuation of the
program in which we were involved before the remodel of
our building.
The Christmas meal was the first of many that will be served
to those in need by the Kol Shofar community as part of our
commitment to Tikkun Olam. We will be serving the Marin
Hot Meals program lunch on the second Sunday of each
Mark Kaplan, originally from Los Angeles, is a former
restaurateur now working in the coffee industry. He has been
involved in Tikkun Olam since his teenage years. He is the
father of two social justice minded millennial daughters,
Rachel and Leila.
A Special Todah Rabbah to
our Shabbat Welcomers
making Kol Shofar inviting and accessible to those who walk
through our doors. Some guests have never been in a synagogue before. For others, it is the first time at Kol Shofar and
for some, this may be the first time going to any synagogue in
a very long time. It means a lot to be greeted and guided by a
friendly congregant—even for our members!
July 2014–December 2014
We would like to acknowledge the following congregants
who signed up to welcome congregants and guests at shabbat
services during July through December 2014. Many other
congregants have welcomed on shabbat in the past year and
in prior years. A couple of hours spent greeting in the lobby
or as an inside-the-sanctuary usher goes a long way towards
Don Abramson
Ron Berman
Bailey Chavez
Ruth Chavez
Fred Cherniss
Tessa Cherniss
Robin Covello
Gina DeAngelis
Vanessa Friedman
Aly Geller
Laura Giacomini
Helene Holley Gibbs
Steve Grossman
Karen Hirsch
Rita Klein
Joan Levison
If you would like to participate in this wonderful mitzvah
by cooking, supplying food, serving, or cleaning up, please
contact me, Mark Kaplan at [email protected]. We
would love to have you! u
Everyone is encouraged to find two hours on a shabbat to
welcome our congregants and guests. You may get a list of
dates by contacting Barbara Reiner McEntyre, coordinator at
[email protected] or 415.927.7531.
Elaine Levy
Barbara McEntyre
Pamela Morton
Lynn Noyce
Beverly Pinto
Bruce Raful
Jeff Saperstein
Dovey Schneider
Josette Schwartz
Ilene Serlin
Greg Sigel
Carol Tabb
David Torgersen
Naomi Torgersen
Steve Tulsky
Cynthia Ulman
Scott Waxman
Kol Shofar Garden
Bring Shabbat Joy to Seniors
Hevra Kaddisha
Join kids and adults of all ages to plant, water,
and harvest as we grow healthy food to feed the
hungry in our community. Contact volunteer
coordinator Tikva Farber at hebrewwithtikva@
comcast.net.
(1ST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH)
Bring comfort or food to those in mourning and
help out when there is a death in our community.
Contact Rabbi Chai Levy at [email protected]
or Brenda Gates-Monasch at 415.892.4130.
CSA (Community Supported
Agriculture) with First Light Farm
Support a local farmer! Know where your food
comes from! Celebrate the biblical Shmita year
by making the connection between food, health,
the land, our community and social justice by
purchasing a share in First Light Farm and getting
a box of fresh, organic veggies each week.
Contact Jonathan Emanuel at jemanuel@
kolshofar.org.
Bring joy and companionship to our elders by
joining our monthly Friday night service at
Drake Terrace, a community for senior citizens
in San Rafael. Please RSVP to Bonni Schiff at
[email protected] so that you can help
with the service.
Gemilut Chesed Committee
Help us to be a caring community by giving a
ride to a doctor appointment, providing a meal
for after surgery or a new baby, or visiting an
isolated senior at home. Contact Rabbi Chai
Levy at [email protected] or Rhea Brown at
[email protected].
12
Drake Terrace—a Mitzvah
of Great Magnitude
By Bonni Schiff
A
t some point in 2006, Harry and Ruth Yaffe (z’l),
two of Kol Shofar’s founding members, realized they
needed to make some changes in their life to accommodate
their aging. One adjustment was to move from their home to
an assisted living facility. They chose Drake Terrace located
in San Rafael. The other was accepting that they could no
longer come to shul regularly. At first they got rides from
friends. But after a while, even that was difficult. It was sad
for them, as well as for the Shabbat morning regulars, when
they stopped coming to shul every week. Then someone had
the idea: let’s bring a service to them.
In August 2007, we had our first Friday night service at
Drake Terrace. It was led by Rabbi Lavey Derby and was
attended by a good-sized group of both Kol Shofar members
and Drake Terrace residents. Everyone enjoyed it, and we
also saw that it provided an easy way for northern Marin
Kol Shofar members to attend a Friday evening service. “We
should do this every month,” we all said. And with the exception of a few Friday nights that have fallen on Yom Kippur
or first Seder night, we haven’t missed a month since!
Throughout the years, there have been other Drake Terrace
residents who were Kol Shofar members, or parents of Kol
Shofar members, including Violet Ladin (z’l) (Beth Stern’s
mom), Hannah Willhem (z’l) (Ruthie Rosenthal’s mom),
Francis Cushman (z’l) (Ed Cushman’s mom), Helen Felix
(z’l) (Marsha Goldman’s mom), Ozzie Stadtler (z’l) (Sandy
Stadtler’s dad), Milt and June Torn, Sally Love Lee, and more.
They, along with other Jewish residents, became regulars at
the service each month.
Contact Steve Sockolov
415.215.4429 [email protected]
There is never a month when
people don’t say to us,
“Thank you for coming.”
“I love this service.”
A few Kol Shofar members have become regulars at the
Drake Terrace service discovering that bringing some yiddishkeit, a little Torah, singing, and challah and wine to this
community each month is also a huge gift to each of us..
Some Drake Terrace residents only need a bit of assistance;
others are more physically impaired and need help with daily
tasks and personal care; some have dementia. The musical
Kabbalat Shabbat service speaks to all of them. Some of
them follow the service carefully in the siddur. Some don’t
open the siddur, but simply hum along or enjoy the melodies
and, sometimes, the memories they elicit.
There is never a month when people don’t say to us, “Thank
you for coming.” “I love this service.” “The service means so
much to me, thank you for doing it.” What could be better
than that?
Individuals and families are invited to join the group on the
first Friday of the month, at 6:15 pm, at Drake Terrace, 275
Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael. The hour-long service is
short, sweet, and very accessible. u
Bonni Schiff lives in San Rafael with her husband Steve, and
they are both actively engaged in learning to live the good
retired life. She’s been a member of Kol Shofar since 2002.
Bonnie and Steve, along with Sandy and Esther Stadtler, have
been making the service at Drake Terrace happen for the past
7 years.
Give Your Family
Peace of Mind
Plan Ahead for
Your Final Resting Place
Special discounted promotion available
through March 30, 2015.
13
“Pawsing” to
Repair the World
By Rebecca Preis
I
am a 7th grader at Mill Valley Middle
School. As a toddler, I was terribly afraid
of dogs, but my fears soon dissolved into a
passion, especially for rescues.
In truth, there is no “they,” only “us,” our community. New to Kol Shofar? Perhaps feeling a
bit disconnected? Plug in to something that
resonates with you and you cannot help but
meet people and perhaps do a mitzvah.
Plug in to something
that resonates with
you and you cannot
help but meet
people and perhaps
do a mitzvah.
For my Bat Mitzvah, I chose to support the Marin Humane
Society because they are so perseverant about saving animals
that would otherwise be euthanized. They save many lives,
which, after all, is the highest form of Tikkun Olam.
Rescue organizations understand that the pets that come in
to the shelter often didn’t do anything wrong. They come
in for reasons beyond their control. Sometimes there was a
divorce in the family, and they couldn’t keep their pet. Other
times, the owner had to move to a place that doesn’t allow
pets. Some were displaced by a new baby. There is a common
stereotype that shelter animals are in the shelter because they
misbehaved, but that is rarely the case.
The Marin Humane Society and other rescue organizations
also break the cycle of pet overpopulation. There are not
enough homes for all the animals that are born every year.
Therefore, 8–12 million dogs, cats, puppies and kittens
are put down just because there aren’t enough homes. By
adopting an animal, you save three lives—the pet you adopt,
the pet that takes the place of the one you adopt, and the one
that gets its vaccinations (and possibly life-saving surgery)
thanks to your adoption fee.
Also, by supporting no-kill shelters and rescue groups, you
are one step closer to stopping puppy and kitten mills. These
places repeatedly breed female dogs
that spend their entire lives in cages
without human companionship.
These animals are often in intolerable environments, forced
to produce litter upon litter, and are killed after money is no
longer made off of them. Many puppies and kittens in pet
stores or newspaper ads come from these places without you
knowing it. Also, puppies or kittens that aren’t perfect, such
as having a “half tail” or different color eyes, are killed or
released on to the streets.
Another reason why rescue organizations are important is
because they treat animals that come in well and they restore
the health of animals when needed. The staff gives the pets
shots, vaccinations, and surgeries. Volunteers come in and
walk dogs to make sure they are happy, well-exercised, and
socialized.
I hope that you will support the work of the Marin Humane
Society as I do. Please bring donations of toys, leashes, litter,
dry food and toys to the Kol Shofar lobby where there is a
collection barrel called “For the Animals.” u
Rebecca Preis is the daughter of Joe and Carolyn Preis.
Rebecca’s other interests include reading, drumming (African
Djembe), sewing, and all arts and crafts. Her experiences at
Kol Shofar have enriched her Jewish education and provided
meaningful friendships.
Volunteering at Kol Shofar has amazing benefits
• Connects you with others
• Increases your skills
• Good for your mind and body
• Helps you stay healthy
Contact our Volunteer Concierges
to get connected:
• Kindles happiness
• Gives you career experience
•B
rings fun and fulfillment to your life
Laura Giacomini
415.328.3712
[email protected]
Vanessa Friedman
415.461.1451
[email protected]
14
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Education
K
ol Shofar provides an experiential program of learning with an emphasis on core Jewish values, Hebrew,
spiritual depth and making the world a better place. Parents
are encouraged to take an active role in enriching their child’s
and the whole family’s Jewish learning experience throughout the year.
BEIT BINAH Grades PreK–6
Beit Binah means “House of Understanding”. Our program
is a carefully orchestrated experiential environment with
opportunities for our children to learn from our rabbis,
professional teachers, each other and the community.
Students learn and lead each other in prayer, Torah, social
action, storytelling and Jewish arts, pushing one another to
delve into the true meanings of Jewish life. We encourage
discussion and project based learning.
TICHON Grades 7–12
The focus of this program is on leadership, fixing the world,
life and friends. Learning from text and learning by doing
is completed through a core program organized by grade
followed by electives. Through the year are opportunities to
meet other teens, learn about Israel and do social action.
You do not have to be a member of Kol Shofar to participate
in Tichon.
A M O S T LY
P U R I M PA R T Y
MEGILLAH &
,
WEAR A WACKY WIG
COME IN COSTUME AND
ATE!
PREPARED TO CELEBR
MARCH 4
YAMEI KEHILAH—Community Holiday Celebrations
Jewish holidays are central to the formation of a strong
Jewish identity. We provide multiple access points for
families to connect to each other. Shabbat experiences are
open to all families in our community whether or not the
child is enrolled in Beit Binah and are offered throughout
the school year. When a Yom Kehilah program is scheduled
on Shabbat, children in our Beit Binah program attend on
Saturday rather than on Sunday.
YOUTH GROUPS
We offer three different youth group experiences open to all teens.
Zman Kef Grades 3–6
Monthly programs from September to May. For information
about specific events contact Rachel Denrich, rdenrich@
kolshofar.org or 415.388.1818 Ext 109.
Tikkun Olam Grade 7
Monthly exciting and engaging service learning program. For
information about specific events contact, Jordan Hopstone,
[email protected] or 415.388.1818 Ext 101.
Teen Events Grades 8–12
Monthly events planned by teen leadership groups. From a
night out in the city to a progressive dinner around Marin,
our leadership groups will be planning it all! For information
about specific events, please contact Jordan Hopstone,
YOUTH GROUP EVENTS
Keep an eye on your email for event flyers
with more detailed information closer to event
dates! Event dates and times could change
depending on attendance and/or availability.
Zman Kef Youth Group for Grades 3–6
SUNDAYS
MAR. 8 PAJAMA PARTY/MOVIE DAY!
MAR. 29 CHOCOLATE SEDER
MAY 10 END OF THE YEAR PARTY
Tikkun Olam Projects for Grade 7
MAR. 22 FOOD BANK IN NOVATO
APR. 26 MARIN CITY COMMUNITY GARDEN
MAY 17 BINGO AND GAMES AT THE CEDARS
Community Purim Celebration:
All Wigged Out Over Purim
Erev Purim Kol Shofar Community Celebration
WED. MAR. 4, 4:00–8:00 PM
Put on your best costume and bring your family
and friends to our community-wide Purim
celebration. Listen to the megillah, enjoy our
Purim “shtick” performed by students, and watch
our community’s musical Purim shpiel while
noshing on hamantaschen! Fun for all ages! Come
celebrate with us!
Ruach Day!!!
SUN. MAY 17, 9:00 AM–NOON
Join us as our year of learning at Beit Binah comes
to an end! Our community comes together to
celebrate our learners and teachers. Join us for
bagel nosh, community t’filah, learning, special
activities and a picnic with with music. This event
is open to everyone in our community so invite
friends and family to our end of year simcha!
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
SEE PAGE 8
FOR DETAILS
SHABBAT
S’more Shabbat
FEB. 27, MAY 8
5:30 PM SHMOOZE
6:00 PM SERVICE
6:45 PM DINNER
A youth led Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by
dinner and dessert. For more information, keep
an eye on your inbox or contact Rachel Denrich at
Community Shabbat Experience
(Yom Kehilah Shabbat)
FEB. 7, MAR. 14 9:00 AM–NOON
This special Shabbat program is open to all adults
and children. Join us as we experience Shabbat
as a community and participate in activities
and learning focused around Parshat Yitro. If
your child is enrolled in Beit Binah, this Shabbat
experience is in lieu of class on Sunday, Feb. 8 and
Mar. 15.
Sababa Shabbat for Teens
MAR. 13
Special teen led Shabbat service with Marin
Scholar-in-Residence Noam Zion
An Innovative Series of
Sunday Morning Talks
9:30–11:40 AM
The series is open to everyone.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
PreK-K Religious School
FOR AGES 4–5 YEARS
Kol Shofar offers age appropriate learning
experiences to make Jewish education fun. Music,
art, singing and prayer are woven together to
build Jewish knowledge and friendships for a
lifetime. For more information contact: Jonathan
Emanuel, [email protected], 415.388.1818
Ext 105.
5:30 PM SCHMOOZE AND SNACKS
6:00 PM SERVICE
7:00 PM D INNER /RSVP PAY IN ADVANCE ON
OUR WEBSITE
Kol Shofar is home to the
JCC Preschool, Tiburon
Ruach Competition—winning team gets an
awesome prize. Oneg Shabbat for parents. For
more information contact Jordan Hopstone, Teen
Leadership Coordinator at [email protected].
A vibrant preschool program with a tradition
of excellence in early childhood education and
enriched by the spiritual environment of Kol
Shofar. Children experience learning through
curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emila
educational practice. Music, art, cooking, dance
and play connects your child with other children
and with learning. There are social opportunities
for adults too. To learn more contact Hadassah
Goldstein at 415.388.1409 or visit
www.marinJCC.org/earlychildhood.
Kol Shabbat
Youth and Family Shabbat Service
Unique services for families and
children together
MAR. 7, MAY 2, JUNE 6
10:00 AM–NOON
Junior Congregation for Grades 1–7
Participate in a student led service with
Joanathan Emanuel. Celebrate Shabbat, play gaga
with friends and enjoy a community kiddush
lunch.
FEB. 7, MAR. 7, APR. 4, MAY 2
11:00 AM–NOON
Family Shabbat Experience for families
with children 0–5 yrs
A musical family friendly service led by a rabbi.
Come cuddle our soft Torot, sing Shabbat songs and
join the larger community for a kiddush lunch.
FOR AGES 2–5 YEARS
Side By Side
18 MONTHS–3 YEARS
Children can attend this program provided by the
Marin JCC with their parent or caregiver by their
side. Music, movement, language, dramatic play
and other Jewish holiday celebrations provide a
stimulating environment. Kol Shofar rabbis and
educators join you for Shabbat. Please see the
schedule of activities and registration information
at www.marinjcc.org/sbs.
Family Connections
SUNDAY LEARNING
EXPERIENCES FOR PARENTS
Judaism 101
WITH RABBI SUSAN LEIDER
FEB. 8, MAR. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 9:00 AM
Join us for this opportunity to learn while your
child is in Beit Binah.
FREE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
INFANTS–3 YEARS AND THEIR SIBLINGS
Meet other families and learn about Jewish
holidays and special celebrations. Please see the
schedule of activities and registration information
at www.marinjcc.org/familyconnections.
Sing Dance Play Together
FOR INFANTS–5 YEARS
Nurture the musical growth of your child
regardless of your own musical ability. Songs,
chants, movement and instruments make this
award-winning class fun for kids and their
parents. Held at Kol Shofar and other locations. To
register visit www.sing-dance-play.com.
Kesher
Kesher is a community concierge service designed
to help families with young children explore
Jewish life and community. The aim is to assist
you in adding Jewishness to your lives in ways that
work for you. The service is free and open to all
families in Marin. To learn more about Kesher or
to sign up for monthly events update, please email
community concierge, Deborah at keshermarin@
jewishlearningworks.org.
Shalom Explorers
Shalom Explorers is another way for children to
engage in Jewish education outside of the walls
of an institution. Indoor and outdoor activities
facilitate the exploration of Jewish values. This
innovative program is for families who want
to raise their children with Jewish values and
traditions who may or may not be affiliated with a
synagogue. Shalom Explorers welcomes all Jewish
and interfaith families. For more information,
contact [email protected].
15
16
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Jewish Learning, from page 1
(Post Traumatic Hebrew School Disorder). That is why we do
not run a “Hebrew School” at Kol Shofar, or at least not the
Hebrew school most of our parents attended.
The name of our Jewish education program for Pre-K
through 6th grade is Beit Binah, literally meaning house
of understanding. In Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah), understanding, or Binah, is the essence of life, a combination of
knowledge and wisdom. These two concepts define
the “crown” of the Kabbalistic tree, and bring us as
close to the divine presence as we can get. Facilitating
understanding allows us to be close to our spiritual
selves while keeping our feet firmly rooted on the
ground, in real life. This is the essence of Judaism, and
according to educational scholars and theorists, the
key to learning and education.
What good is all this
learning and struggling
if we can’t apply it? Our
teaching team works to
inspire students to uncover their Jewish identities
and values in their own
lives. Along with ques-
We want our students to ask
good questions, struggle
and wrestle with answers,
transfer ideas and apply these
ideas to their lives.
Beginning this year, I have been fortunate to start a
Masters in Jewish Education program through Gratz College, due to generous funding from Kol Shofar along with a
fellowship grant from the Legacy Heritage Foundation. The
most important aspect of what I have learned so far allows
me to view Jewish education through the lens of how we
process and experience information, known, in the language of education, as “understanding by design”. We build
educational opportunities based on how students experience
the world: how they ask questions, how they interact with
big ideas and like Jacob in the Torah, “wrestling” with the big
issues in life.
The understanding by design approach includes the idea that
there is absolutely no way to cover everything that we want
young people (or anyone) to know about Judaism in 7 years,
or 12 years, or even 40 years! The thing is, we don’t want
to just cover things. We don’t want students to memorize
prayers or Hebrew terms, to just explain Torah stories or list
off the Ten Commandments. There is no way to hold on to
this sort of knowledge if it is just covered by rote memorization. We want to uncover these things. We want to get at the
essence of the big questions in Jewish life or life in general.
We want our students to ask good questions, struggle and
wrestle with answers, transfer ideas and apply these ideas to
their lives.
The only way to truly uncover and understand Judaism is to
build a relationship with it. Judaism, and learning in general,
must be experienced and that is the basis of our education
program at Kol Shofar. Our programs build Jewish experiences to uncover the meaning and core ideas of Jewish life in
order to truly understand what it is to be a Jew in the world
today.
tioning
and having
positive
experiences,
community is a big
and essential part of our teaching strategy. We need each
other to uncover and make connections and relationships
between ideas. Our staff mantra is build relationships with
each other, with Kol Shofar and with Judaism. For example,
our students are responsible for leading prayers and Torah
learning at Shabbat and holiday “Yom Kehilah” (Community
Day) programs. They work with teen mentors (madrichim)
and teachers to develop a personal connection to what they
are learning so they can confidently share it with others.
Another example is that our Tichon students have a central
role in guiding the learning by helping to develop topics and
goals for the classrooms. This coming term some of our students are actually creating their own classes and curriculum
along with the staff. All of this work is done in a communal
setting where students work together to build consensus and
projects.
This approach to Jewish learning, building relationships
and a community of learning, has led to a growth in our
program, especially with younger grades and families. In
the 2011–12 school year we had 144 children in Beit Binah/
Tichon and this school year, 2014–15, we have 170. Our 1st
grade class has grown from 8 in 2011–13 to 22 in 2014–15.
We have rich community of Jewish youth experiencing Jewish life together. They are building a Jewish community that
they will be connected to far beyond their childhood. They
will have a relationship with Jews and Judaism that will take
them through life, and help them connect and uncover the
deep questions in life.
At Kol Shofar, we create a space where we take the knowledge we learn and the wisdom of our people, and build a
solid future. We never stop learning. Now that, is a holy
community. u
BRIDGES TO ISRAEL
Bridges to Israel
At Kol Shofar we engage in conversation and invite
you to bring your own perspective, respect for all
opinions. Desire to learn and speak about Israel in a
safe environment.
Bridges to Israel and Chai Lights present:
Body and Soul: The State of the Jewish Nation
FEB. 22 10:00 AM
This film examines the deep connections between the Jewish People and
the Land of Israel. World-renowned historians, archaeologists, political
scientists, religious leaders, and international law and media experts trace
the evocative evolution of the relationship between the Jewish People and
their homeland that is over 3,000 years old. Produced and directed by
award-winning Gloria Z. Greenfield. Discussion to follow.
Israel’s Future: An Analysis of the Israeli Election Results
MAR 22 9:45 AM
WITH DR. ERAN KAPLAN, THE RHODA AND RICHARD GOLDMAN CHAIR,
SF STATE JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM
We welcome Dr. Kaplan back to Kol Shofar as he provides insight into the
meaning, ramifications, and significance of the recent Israeli election results.
My Experience in the
IDF and Gaza
Notes on a speech by Lone Soldier Caleb Jackman
On September 27, Caleb Jackman, a Lone Soldier raised
at Congregation Kol Shofar, Tiburon, spoke as part of the
synagogue’s Bridges to Israel program. Here’s a summary of
what we heard from Caleb.
C
aleb is a light machine gunner in the Golani Brigade,
Battalion 13. He made Aliyah at 18, choosing to join the
IDF. “I knew if I wanted to be an Israeli citizen and part of
Israel, I needed to serve in the IDF. Otherwise, I would never
really be accepted.”
His family traveled to Israel twice when he was young, then
he spent a semester during high school studying outside
of Jerusalem. During his stay he knew he wanted to make
Aliyah. “I was sitting on the balcony at the kibbutz one night,
looking up at the stars and realized that my people had been
on this land, looking at the stars from this place for generations. It was where I belonged.”
He spent five months in an ulpan, then moved to Kibbutz
Nir Oz on the Gaza border. As a lone soldier, he was matched
with a family on the kibbutz. “My Israeli family is great. They
treat me like one of their own kids. I always feel welcome and
comfortable with them.”
Caleb chose the Golani Brigade during basic training stating
that he tried not to let his mom know that Golani is one of the
first brigades into battle. After basic training, he was a sharp
shooter, guarding on the Gaza Strip. Then his machlacha
(group of 30 soldiers) was deployed to Mount Hermon. From
there they were deployed to Gaza in preparation for the land
MEET UP IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL
With Bridges to Israel
MAY 12–20
Buy your own airfare and meet us
there! Take advantage of our
block of rooms in downtown
Jerusalem or book your own.
Sign up for daily activities
including: hiking, archeology
outings, and day trips. Learn
about trauma and medical services, NGOs, Selah
and Natal, and the IDF Casualty Division. Open
to Kol Shofar members and their invited guests.
Go to our website for more information
www.kolshofar.org.
“It was inspiring
to see how the
country supports
its soldiers.”
invasion. They waited on the border for
about nine days.
“When we went into Gaza, my group
traveled in armored personnel carriers,
or APCs. Even though we traveled less
than 10 miles, it took more than 12 hours because there was
so much equipment and personnel being moved in. Sometimes we were traveling on roads, sometimes the APCs went
overland. The APCs are designed for 11 soldiers but we had 14
in them. Our mission was to find the entrances to tunnels. We
were given the location of a building and sent to secure it.”
The majority of the fighting was outside of Gaza City because
that was where the professional Hamas soldiers were fighting.
In the rest of Gaza, the soldiers were volunteers. The fighting
was the most intense the first day. “We were only about 2 kilometers inside the border because most of the tunnels were
there. We’d be in battle for 72 hours, fall back into Israel for
about two hours to refuel, then go back in. On the borders,
Israeli civilians were waiting for us with food, clothes, and
phones—anything we needed. It was inspiring to see how the
country supports its soldiers.”
There was relief when they were ordered to withdraw. Golani
13 lost many exceptional young men, several who were
friends of Caleb. “This is what I had been trained for. But it is
still hard.” u
17
18
Story of a Jewish Alcoholic
By Jerry Bayer
M
y name is Jerry Bayer and I am a recovering alcoholic
and active member of Alcoholics’ Anonymous. My
sobriety date is May 1, 1990, so I’ve been sober a few months
shy of 25 years.
My family (my wife Liz and my 3 year old son Max) arrived
in Marin County in the spring of 2000. Liz had been recruited to work for a major retail company in San Francisco, and
we settled into a town home rental in Tiburon to start our
life in the Bay Area. Immediately upon arrival I began to
look for a conservative synagogue where I could feel comfortable. But I’ve kind of gotten ahead of myself, so let me go
back 60+ years.
I grew up in New York City on the Lower East Side of
Manhattan, in a warm and supportive Jewish family. My
grandfather, an orthodox observant man lived with us and
insisted that my brother and I attend an orthodox yeshiva,
even though my mom and dad were not observant. I really
disliked yeshiva—too much structure, work, and long hours.
The teaching style was rote memorization, and questioning
the teachers and rabbis was frowned upon. I was definitely
a questioner. I was expelled by 7th grade and enrolled in a
public school where I felt a lot more comfortable. As I grew
and entered college, the 60’s and all that it stood for including the Vietnam war, the civil rights movement, and the
peace movement, deeply affected me and most of my Jewish
friends. Most of us became serious drug and alcohol users.
Years later, some of our crowd settled down, some didn’t.
Some died of overdoses and some never grew up or amounted to much. Even though I had finished college and graduate
school in Political Science, I found myself unemployed and
unemployable, living in a welfare hotel on public assistance.
It was 1988, and I was 44 years old. I was never married, no
kids, no future, no life. My older brother, a professor at Columbia University, arranged for me to be admitted to a drug
and alcohol rehab in Minneapolis where I began my journey
in recovery.
Now comes the great part. In AA meetings in Minneapolis
I met the man who became my AA “sponsor” (It’s like a
mentor). His name was Ed Morris (he’s passed away so I can
use his whole name). He was a big strapping Irish guy from
the Bronx who had spent his education in catholic schools
and catholic college. He received a Master’s degree in applied
physics from Harvard (on a shotput fellowship), became sober in Los Angeles and went to Minneapolis to take a big job
in the computer business. At some point, when I was about
2 years sober, Ed and I returned to NYC for his daughter’s
wedding. At that time, I had a chance to see my mom during
a dinner party for our family and friends. I wanted to show
her how well I was doing and about the positive effect of the
AA steps in my life. When I got back to Minneapolis I was
very upset that she hadn’t taken a deeper interest in my AA
life and what it had done for me. When I explained this to
Kol Shofar’s
Alcoholics Anonymous
group meets every
Wednesday at 7:00 pm
Ed, he replied “your
mother doesn’t want
to know anything
about AA, nor should
she. She’s already an
old woman and has worried about you for so long; all she
wants to know is that you’re going to be OK. What you need
to do is begin going to synagogue every week. When you tell
her this, she will know you’re getting belter, and she will stop
worrying about you.”
Ed’s advice was right. I joined Temple of Aaron in St. Paul,
and began teaching in the Hebrew school. It was there that
I met Liz, who converted at Temple of Aaron, and we were
married. Shul became a regular part of my spiritual life, very
much in conjunction with the spiritual commitment to a
higher power I had made in Alcoholics Anonymous.
Years later when we arrived in Tiburon, I did what I always
did in my sobriety; I looked to be a part of a shul. I found
a spiritual home at Kol Shofar, a place which valued inclusion and Tikkun Olam. I started an AA meeting in our
living room and our group was dedicated to reading the AA
Big Book (a combination of sobriety primer, textbook and
compendium of widely varied stories of folks who had gotten
sober in AA).
When the meeting got too big for our home, I approached the
executive leadership at Kol Shofar and although no one had
ever asked before, nor had there ever been an AA meeting
there, I was offered a place to meet and a warm and supportive environment in which recovering alcoholics and addicts
could begin their recovery and quest for a spiritual connection of their own understanding. That was 15 years ago.
Over the years hundreds of men and woman have come to
our meeting and felt the safety and acceptance of knowing
that there are others who understand what they are going though, and who can offer concrete solutions to their
problems. Our AA meeting attracts a lot of younger men
and woman, many in their early 20’s. Many young people are
getting sober these days, saving themselves and their family
years of heartache and despair.
Liz and I will moving to Tennessee where Liz’s dad lives,
and where we’ll be able to offer more support to him as he
gets older. Two things are certain; I’ll be looking for new AA
meetings to attend and I’ll be looking for a new shul—the
lynchpins in my recovery and my spiritual life.
As Jews, it’s our obligation to always be there for those struggling to find their way in a difficult world. I’ve always found
it strange that there aren’t more AA meetings in synagogues
and temples throughout the United States. There is certainly
no shortage of Jews with this illness. Maybe they’re ashamed
to ask. Maybe they don’t know how that accepting Judaism
is not only important to each of us but to those whose hands
reach out for help. I will miss Kol Shofar and will cherish
the support I found for myself and many other recovering
alcoholics that have walked through our doors. u
19
Nosh with Josh
“The most remarkable
thing about my mother
is that for thirty years
she served the family
nothing but leftovers.
The original meal has
never been found.”
—Calvin Trillin
By Josh Paul
I
t’s Sunday morning. My kids are jumping on me. Beit
Binah is starting in one hour. And I know what I’m really
thinking: if I don’t get there soon there will be no lox. And
that would be a shame—because I love God and I love Jewish
food. I can’t have one without the other. I hope they’ll put out
capers.
It’s no secret that Jewish people love Jewish food. It’s a way
of connecting with our ancestors both spiritually (the laws of
kashrut). Historically (the parsley at Passover was an ancient
middle-eastern appetizer) and physically (my great grandfather was also lactose intolerant). Without food, we are a lost
people. Oh, and it tastes good too.
My love of food really coincides with my love of Passover,
which I’ve always considered a Jewish thanksgiving. Delicious and hearty food such as brisket and matzah ball soup
are featured while we retell and reinterpret our creation story
among those we love. That we are commanded to drink four
cups of wine isn’t such a bad thing either.
send us your
RECIPE
So if you’re cuckoo for kugel, meshugah for matzo balls, or
want to waltz with schmaltz, I invite you to be part of a new
Kol Shofar recipe sharing project. We are looking for fresh
ideas, wholesome meals, and great family Jewish recipes from
our congregation for the everyday or holidays. u
Josh Paul is a happy husband (wife Leilah), father of two (Max
and Charlotte), bass player for the Purim Shpiel, Oakland A’s
fan, and regular nosher. The family joined Kol Shofar in 2013.
His mom still influences the way he cooks—throw out the
measuring cups, open the fridge, and see what you can create.
Send your recipes to [email protected] or just bring
in a printed version of your recipe and post it on the recipe
whiteboard located in the Kol Shofar lobby.
Questions: Contact Josh at [email protected].
We’ve come up with these monthly themes but you
are welcome to send in any recipes that you love to
make at any time:
FEBRUARY:Going vegetarian for TuBishvat
(vegetarian recipes)
MARCH: Purim plating (Purim recipes)
APRIL: Flourless chocolate cake and other good-
ies not to pass over (Passover recipes)
MAY: Gaga for Israeli food on Yom Ha’atzmaut
(Israeli delicacies)
JUNE: 40 years of wandering in the desert
(dessert recipes)
MARCH 13–15
20
Marin Community Scholar-In-Residence Weekend
With Rabbi Noam Zion and Rabbi Mishael Zion
RABBI NOAM ZION
RABBI MISHAEL ZION
Join us for a unique weekend of immersive, thought-provoking study
with father and son Rabbi’s and scholars, and co-authors of the
celebrated A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary
Voices. Both believe in revitalizing home holidays—Pesah, Chanukkah
and Shabbat—to make Judaism inspiring, participatory and fun for all
members of the family. All events are open to the community.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13—EVENING
SATURDAY, MARCH 14—continued
Noam Zion at Congregation Kol Shofar
6:00 PM Teen-led Service with D’var Torah by Noam Zion
6:45 PMCommunity Shabbat Dinner;
RSVP pay in advance at www.kolshofar.org
7:30 PM Talk: The Art, Philosophy & Politics of the 4 Children
Mishael Zion at Congregation Rodef Sholom
5:45 PM Pre-oneg Reception
6:15 PMService and Drash: The Art, Philosophy & Politics of the 4
Children
SATURDAY, MARCH 14—MORNING & AFTERNOON
Mishael Zion at Congregation Rodef Sholom
10:30 AMService and Drash: Power of Sisterhood: The Women Who
Saved Baby Moses. Followed by Kiddush lunch
1:00 PM Afternoon Study Session (Lefferts Jewish Community
Library, Osher Marin JCC) The Art, Philosophy & Politics
of the 4 Children
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
Noam and Mishael Zion at Osher Marin JCC
9:30 AMLecture, coffee & bagels: 101 Ideas for a
Participatory Seder
Noam Zion at Congregation Kol Shofar
9:30 AM For K–2nd grade parents and students
10:00 AMParent learning: Storytelling and Passover: The Art of
Happy Families
11:00 AMDrash in sanctuary: 5 Misconceptions of the Passover
Seder. Kiddush lunch follows service
1:00 PM Shabbat Study Session: Guide for the Perplexed
Seder Leader
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP BY:
Congregation Kol Shofar 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon
Congregation Rodef Shalom 170 N San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Osher Marin JCC 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Post Denominalism at Kol Shofar, continued from page 1
What does this trend mean to us at Kol Shofar? My sense is
both nothing and everything. I believe that more and more,
people are comfortable in our community not because of
which rules we follow, but rather for the meaning that we
are able to bring to their lives. Many members tell me about
their Reform roots, perhaps sharing their challenges in
following our less familiar services, but they nonetheless feel
that we are a community that they relate to. I also marvel
at seeing many people I know to be traditionally observant
nonetheless choosing to engage in Shabbat Sit meditation.
That is why I’m so excited about the explorations occurring
within the framework of our new Center for Jewish Spirituality. What we learned from your responses to our High
Holy Day survey was that many of our congregants, both
new and pre-existing, were deeply touched by our Musical Meditation services. For these people, that experience
provided a Judaism that was as or more meaningful than our
more time-tested Traditional offering. It was elucidating to
note that substantial numbers of our longstanding members,
now having a choice, elected to daven in that service. And
even many members whose comfort zone is firmly grounded in our Traditional service nonetheless enjoyed walking
across our lobby to sample a different taste of Judaism.
I believe that we are learning that what we are is not who
we are. While it used to be easy to differentiate ourselves as
Conservative, what is now more important is that we are
“where I feel very welcome” and “how I connect with my
Judaism.” People value the authenticity of the Jewish experience that Kol Shofar offers—but the meaning of “authentic” is broadening as the contemporary Jewish experience
evolves. Yet through all the evolution, our children will
continue to receive the thorough grounding in traditional
Judaism and Hebrew that our Beit Binah curriculum provides, which will give them many more options for engaging
their Judaism as they grow into adults. u
21
Why we ask (and ask again) for your contributions—
and where they go
By Joan Levison, V.P. Fundraising and Operations
D
oes it feel like Kol Shofar is always asking for money—
Membership, Annual Campaign, the Gala, the Capital
Campaign…will it ever stop, you ask. In a word “no.” We
hope the following overview will shed some light on our
fundraising process so that it feels less relentless and arbitrary.
Q: Why are we all called upon to fundraise?
A: In the Jewish community, synagogues are self-sustaining,
meaning that there aren’t foundations or other organizations with deep pockets to whom we can turn for operating
or capital funds. It’s our synagogue and we are financially
responsible for it. This means that you, me, the staff, and our
rabbis—all of us are responsible for supporting everything
from our rabbis’ salaries to programming to the plumbing
and electricity. We need to raise $3,200 per membership unit
to run the synagogue.
Q: Why so many asks?
A: There are a few key times during the year when there are
official fundraising ‘asks,’ including the membership drive
in the late summer and fall, the Annual Campaign around
the High Holy Days and the Gala in the spring. Spreading
these efforts throughout the year offers an opportunity
for congregants to support the synagogue where it is most
meaningful for them, and when it is most workable. Some
may prefer to give to one campaign all at once, others to all
in measured doses. The goal is to provide our community
with much-needed flexibility and choice as we pursue full
funding, for all of our benefit.
Q: What is the Membership process at Kol Shofar?
A: Kol Shofar’s annual membership process begins in May.
The funds committed and collected during this effort enable
us to plan our budget for the coming year. The goal is to
complete this component of our revenue generation by the
High Holy Days. Our annual membership commitments
comprise 48% of our annual budget.
Q: What is The Annual Campaign?
A: Our Annual Campaign, aka High Holy Days Campaign,
generates 8% of our budget and is conducted immediately
following the High Holy Days through the end of the calendar year. Many people choose to make charitable contributions at the end of the year for tax and planning purposes.
Q: What is the Annual Gala?
A: The Annual Gala provides a fun way to come together as
a community, celebrate and schmooze, and party it up. We
raise 8% of our budget through this event.
Q: What are Mitzvah Gifts?
A: Throughout the year, individuals within and beyond our
community make contributions to Kol Shofar, typically to
honor or remember loved ones. This brings in about 2% of
our budget.
Q: How are remainder costs covered?
A: The sources described above cover about two thirds of our
total operating costs. The remainder comes from Beit Binah
and Tichon tuitions, space rentals (including the JCC preschool), cemetery plot sales, grants, and miscellaneous fees.
Q: What is the Capital Campaign?
A: Our building provides a place for us to worship, celebrate, learn, and grow together. Kol Shofar redesigned and
rebuilt the building four years ago, and we all benefit from
the beauty and serenity of our physical space. Our soon-tolaunch capital campaign will help pay down our $7 million
mortgage, with the ultimate goal of being able to pass Kol
Shofar along to our children and grandchildren in a financially responsible way.
Q: Why is fundraising ongoing?
A: Fundraising is ongoing because as a community we’ve
decided to keep membership participation as manageable as
possible for as many people as possible. That means we must
use other campaigns to raise the dollars to keep the doors
open at this wonderful congregation we call our Jewish home
—Congregation Kol Shofar. u
Questions? Please contact Nancy Drapin, Executive Director at
415.288.1818 Ext 103 or [email protected].
“Deeds of giving
are the very
foundations
of the world.”
— Derived from the
Mishna, Perkei Avot 1:2
22
DONATIONS
Congregation Kol Shofar Gratefully Acknowledges Donations from August 16 – December 31, 2014.
This listing does not include 2014 Annual Fund Campaign (listed separately) or donations to the capital campaign (to be listed in forthcoming publications).
Atzum Fund
Ellen Tobe, in memory of Sylvia Dvorson
Beit Binah Fund
Jeffrey Halbrecht
Sophie & Milton Meyer
Cynthia Ulman & Bob Daniel, in honor of
Ethan Daniel’s 18th birthday; in memory of
Brenda Gates-Monasch’ mother; in memory
of Marcia Goldman’s mother
Book of Life
Rose Barlow
Teveia Barnes Sankin & Alan Sankin
Judy Berger
Phyllis & Arthur Berger
Jeannine & Ian Berman
Brenda Biren
Aviva & Karl Boedecker
Karen & Martin Bogetz
Richard Brandis
Marcelle Cedars & Anton Traub
Josette Charbit-Schwartz
Ellie Cohen & Miki Goralsky
Judy & Jim Cohen
Sharon & Edward Cushman
Ellen Demel Deck
Sue & Glenn Dizon
Jeanne Eber
Shirley & Julian Ehrlich
Barbara & Jeffrey Farber
Kim Feigon & Steven Arenson
Natan Fenner
Joan & Stephen Fierberg
Ellen & Barry Finestone
Sheldon Freisinger
Betty Freudman
Carole & Bernard Fried
Joanne & Bruce Friedman
Vanessa & Marty Friedman
Brenda Gates-Monasch
Susan Gertman & Daniel Altman
Helene Holley Gibbs
Roumi & Eric Gold
Shana & Andrew Goldberg
Steve Goldberg
Diane & Steven Goldman
Cathy & Philip Goldstein
Jack Goralsky
Jacqueline & Steven Grossman
Vida & Jeffrey Harband
Lorraine & Steven Harris
Daniel Hegwer
Arthur Hindman
Karen Hirsch & Jim Condit
Susan & Russ Holdstein
Jennifer & Eitan Homa
Rico Hurvich Z”L
Ruth Jaeger & Steven Wolf
Barbara Kaufman
Cary & Manny Kopstein
Fay Landau & Frank Lurz
Lois Lane & Pat Carlone
Naomi Lauter
Iris & Michael Lax
Wendy & Ivan Levison
Julie Lipkin
Cheryl & David Lipsky
Mark Lutz
Nana Meyer
Carole & Merle Meyers
Daliah Neuberger
Marla & Todd Northcutt
Lynn & Stewart Noyce
Roselyn & Alan Posin
Tyrone Powell
Carolyn & Joseph Preis
Janet & Brian Quint
Ruthanne Ranz-Appell & Gary Appell
Harriet & Bruce Raful
Barbara & Joel Renbaum
Ruth Rosenthal
Esther Rosha-Stadtler & Sandy Stadtler
Marcia & Michael Rubenstein
Tobi & Mark Rubin
Moe & Eddy Rubinstein
Sophia & Frank Sabella
Elizabeth & Mark Sander
Teveia & Alan Sankin
Ginni Saunders
Dovey Schneider
Carolyn Schorr
Barbara & Howard Schwartz
Helen & Fred Schwartz
Ellen Seh
Ilene Serlin & Jeff Saperstein
Orah & Larry Sholin
Marcia Smolens
Esther & Walter Stone
Rachel Stone & Alan Hakimi
Sandy Strauss Stern & Jon Stern
Carol Tabb
Thelma & Lewis Taich
Iris & Paul Tandler
Naomi & David Torgensen
Jacqueline & Steven Tulsky
Cynthia Ulman & Robert Daniel
Barbara & Scott Waxman
Joan Weinberg
Elsie & Barron Weinstein
Judy & Steve Zimmerman
Center for Jewish Spirituality
Alix & Sam Salkin
Derech Fund
Alan Pick, in memory of Ludwig Pick
General Fund
Maurna & Norman Abrams
Jane Bell, in honor of Sandy Stadtler
Irina & Ronald Bragin, in memory of
Jack Abrams
Ellen Brosbe, in honor of Sam Pinto’s
Bar Mitzvah
Vivian & Richard Chapnik, in memory of
Emanuel & Perla Chapnik
Helen & Robert David (Scholar in Residence
Program), in memory of Maurice Davis
Jeanne Eber, in memory of Howard Bloom
Madeline & John Florence, in memory of
Annette Albert & Andrew Chayim Dickson
Claudia & Bruce Frankel, in memory of Eileen
Frankel & Luiz Antonio Dias
Elaine & David Freed, in honor of Sarah
Goldman’s Bat Mitzvah
Mark Friedman, in honor of Rebecca Preis’
Bat Mitzvah
Esme & Roy Gordon, in honor of Sam Pinto’s
Bar Mitzvah
Claudia Greif, in memory of Jack Abrams
Jonathan Gustin
Naomi & Allan Hanson
Carol & Martin Harband, in memory of
Jonathan Lorber
Lori & Mark Horne, in honor of Michael
Rubenstein’s 70th birthday
Rosalind Franklin Jekowsky & Barry Jekowsky,
in honor of Jonathan Ross Levitan
Doreen & Richard Kanter, in memory of Jean
Kanter; in memory of Walter Kanter
Doreen & Richard Kanter, in memory of
beloved mother Martha Gluckin
Yvonne & Dan Klitsner, in memory of
Rhoda Klitsner
Judy & Bruce Morse, in memory of Ceil &
Irving Shapiro
Judy & Bruce Morse, in honor of Jay D. Shaffer
& R. Leah Rothman
Barbara & Joel Renbaum, in memory of
Louis Posner
Dolores & Fred Rudow, in memory of
Milly Rudow
Karen & Steven Sager
Sarah Snow, in memory of Wayne Snow
Susan Snyder & Steven Sockolov, in memory
of Jennie Sockolov
Susan Snyder & Steven Sockolov, in memory
of Shirley Moskovitz
Iris & Paul Tandler, in memory of
Jennie Tandler
Ellen Tobe, in memory of Sarah Fenner
Esther Rosha-Stadtler & Sandy Stadtler, in
memory of Regina Lenczner; in honor of
Shelly and Gail Dorph; in memory of
Rico Hurvich
Barbara & Matthew Weinberg, in honor
of Michael & Marcia Rubenstein’s Special
Birthdays
Bonnie Weiss
Frances & Charles Wisch, in memory of
Ethel & Milton Krebs; in memory of
Geraldine Rubenstein Wacholder
Linda Wolfe, in memory of Raymond Finkle
Gift of Israel Fund
Sheira Kahn, in memory of Avram Arthur Kahn
Ida Gelbart Fund
Barbara Garfien, in memory of Reva Garfien
Sonia Orbuch
Joanna’s Corner Fund
Tobi & Mark Rubin, in memory of
William Glazer & Steven Glazer
H. Marcia Smolens, in memory of
Violet Smolens
Kaiser Library Fund
Joan & Stephen Fierberg
Madeline & John Florence, in memory of
Annette Albert & Andrew Chayim Dickson
Lynne & Alan Furman, in memory of
Klara Furman
Helene Holley Gibbs
Roselyn & Alan Posin, in memory of
David Posin
Kiddush
Gail & Shelly Dorph
Joan & Steven Fierberg, in honor of Barbara &
Scott Waxman
Karen Hirsch & Jim Condit, in honor of
Barbara & Scott Waxman
Marilyn & Craig Jio, in memory of
Brenda Gates-Monasch’ mother
Joan Levison
Jill Portman & Gary Shinner
Harriet & Jay Schnitzer
Steven Tulsky
Lynne & Thomas Young
Philips Fund
Rachel Fierberg & Marc Schwartz, in honor of
Joan Fierberg’s birthday
Rita & Lou Klein, in memory of William Klein
Rabbi Leider’s Discretionary Fund
Ruthanne Ranz-Appell & Gary Appell, in
memory of Janet Appell
Ellen Brosbe, in memory of Shimon Mousoud
Helen Cohen, in honor of Rabbi Leider
Helen & Robert David, In memory of
Maurice Davis
Betty Freudman, in memory of Joseph Siegel
Carole & Bernard Fried
Lynne & Alan Furman, in memory of Alan’s
father, John Furman
Alyson Geller & Steven Lee, in memory of
Sarah Fenner
Jamie & Jordan Gersch
Susan Gertman & Daniel Altman, in memory
of Brenda Gates-Monasch’ mother
Susan Gertman & Daniel Altman, in
appreciation of Rabbi Leider
Esme & Roy Gordon, in memory of
Lucille Levin
Ruth Jaeger & Steven Wolf, in memory of
Harold & Inge Wolf
Victoria & Stuart Kelman, in memory of
Sarah Fenner
Lois Lane & Pat Carlone, in memory of
Gretel Gates & Helen Felix
Barbara & Jon McEntyre, in memory of
Gretel Gates
Daphne & Samuel Noily
Susy & Bob Raful
Nathan Rudow
Carolyn Schorr, in memory of Rose Schorr
Hope Selinger, in honor of Nana Meyer; in
memory of Allen Selinger
Lynne Simon, in memory of Harold Simon
Carol Tabb, in memory of Ann, Emanuel &
William Tabb
Lynne & Thomas Young
Rabbi Levy’s Discretionary Fund
memory of Sidney Ranz
Betty Freudman, in memory of
Herbert V. Freudman, beloved husband
Brenda Gates-Monasch, with deep
appreciation for her wisdom and support
Esme & Roy Gordon, in appreciation of
Susan Schneider for helping with davening
Thursday morning Minyan
Elizheva Hurvich & Bob Fink, in honor of
Rabbi Levy and Rabbi Leider
Ruth Jaeger & Steven Wolf, in memory of
Harold & Inge Wolf
Daphne & Samuel Noily
Susy & Bob Raful
Moe & Eddy Rubinstein, in memory of
Sanford Axelrod
Minnie Kruman
Nathan Rudow
memory of Mania Klein
Carol Tabb, in memory of Ann, Emanuel &
William Tabb
Diane & Larry Yermack, in memory of
Jason Levine
Ronit’s Room Fund
Ellen Brosbe, in memory of Sarah Fenner
Siddur Fund
memory of Evelyn Ranz
Sharon & Edward Cushman, in memory of
Frances Cushman
Alvin Cushman
Leon Bloomberg
Ellen & Bob Goldman, in memory of
Lillian K. Goldman
Sheira Kahn
Fay Landau & Frank Lurz, in memory of
Joseph Landau
William Landau
Bonnie & Robert Riopelle, in memory of
Jack Abrams
memory of Lina Stadtler; in memory of
Sarah Fenner; in honor of Sam Pinto’s Bar
Mitzvah; in memory of of Helen Felix; in
memory of Brenda Gates-Monash’ Mother
Simon Berguig Fund
Betty Freudman, in memory of
Max Freudman, father in law
Fran Rapoport, in memory of Ethel Coll
Ilene Serlin & Jeff Saperstein, in memory of
Ruth Saperstein
Staff Support Fund
Sharon Brusman, in memory of Jerry Leipzig
Carolyn & Joseph Preis, in honor of Judi
Finkelstein, on the occasion of her new role
as president of Hadassah’s Central Pacific
Coast Region, 1/1/2015
Tikkun Olam Garden Program
Charlotte Jio, for people without food
2013 New Torah Fund/ Annual Campaign
Brenda Biren
Helen & Alan Bonapart
Martha Levison, in honor of Joan Levison
Fay Landau & Frank Lurz
Michelle & Jeffrey Lerman
Melissa & Craig Slayen
Special Grants
We are most appreciative of the work of the
following organizations and funds and for the
support of our programs by:
The Jewish Community Federation of SF, the
Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties
The Koret Foundation
The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund
The Non-Profit Security Grant Program
DONATIONS
23
Thanks to You We Met and Exceeded our 2015 Annual Campaign Goal!
A special Todah Rabah to our 2014 Annual Campaign Chairs, Mark Friedman and Sandy Stadtler!
Rebecca & Peter Abel
Maurna & Norman Abrams
Julie & Don Abramson
Beni Agoustari
Niran & Daniel Amir
Anonymous
Rebecca & Scott Arwin
Rose Barlow, in memory of Sarah Fenner Z”L
Roma Barnes
Ellen & Al Barr
Liz & Jerry Bayer
Jack Beckerman
Leslie & Carol Benet
Judy Berger
Phyllis & Arthur Berger, in memory of
Bertha Karin & Morris Wolfson
Maud & Serge Berguig
Ellie & Ron Berman
Jeannine & Ian Berman
Shirley & Steven Berman
Anonymous
Brenda Biren
Nancy & Joseph Blum
Robert Blumenfeld
Aviva & Karl Boedecker
Helen & Alan Bonapart
Anonymous
Richard Brandis
Muriel Cohen
Lynn Brinton & Dan Cohn
Gabi Brown
Rhea & Ron Brown
Anonymous
Deborah Burg-Schnirmann & Rick Burg
Keren & Benjamin Cahn
Anonymous
Josette Charbit-Schwartz, in memory of
Albert Charbit & Stella Ninio
Ruth & Michael Chavez
Tessa & Fred Cherniss
Maria Ramos-Chertok & Keith Chertok
Anonymous
Alison & Eli Cohen
Ellie Cohen & Miki Goralsky, in honor of
Rabbi Levy
Judy & Jim Cohen, in memory of
William Berliner, Anabell Berliner,
Sam Cohen & Evelyn Cohen
Muriel Cohen
Sharon Cohn & David White
Susie Coliver & Bob Herman
Nora Contini & John Franklin
June Cooperman & Lawrence Litvak
Edye & Blaine Corren
Binay & Jon Curtis
Sharon & Edward Cushman
Susan & Michael Dab
Barbara Deitch
Molly & Brett Dick, in honor of Scott Waxman
Sue & Glenn Dizon, in honor of
Rabbi Chai Levy for HHD services
Gail & Sheldon Dorph
Nancy Drapin & Stewart Reichlyn
Barbara Eason & Harris Rubenstein
Jeanne Eber
Manuelita Echeverria, in memory of
Yosef Naftali Mendez
Shirley & Julian Ehrlich
Anonymous
Maxine Epstein & Geraldine Barr, in memory
of Sarah Fenner
Lois Epstein, in memory of Charles J. Epstein, M.D.
Wendy & Michael Erickson
David Fankushen
Stella Farael
Kim Feigon & Steven Arenson
Lori Feldman & Gary Caine
Natan Fenner
Lorie & Jason Fiber, in honor of Charlie Fiber
Joan & Stephen Fierberg, in honor of
Rabbi Leider
Rachel Fierberg & Marc Schwartz
Ellen & Barry Finestone
Judi & Fred Finkelstein
Barbara & Stewart Foreman
Cheri Forrester
Hillary Fox & Robert Ginis
Claudia & Bruce Frankel
Betty Freudman, in honor of the staff of Kol
Shofar, in appreciation of the members of
Kol Shofar who welcome Shabbat at Drake
Terrace, Sandy Stadtler, Bonnie & Steve Schiff
Carole & Bernard Fried, in memory of
Herman Fried
Sharon & Thomas Fried, in memory of
Dr. Vojtech Fried
Deborah & Arthur Friedman
Lyssa Friedman & Daphne Stuart
Mark Friedman
Vanessa & Marty Friedman
Marnie & Bruce Ganong
Brooke & Scott Ganz
Anonymous
Anonymous
Samuel Gelbart, in honor of Sander Stadtler
Alyson Geller & Steven Lee
Amy & Richard Gerstein
Susan Gertman & Daniel Altman, in memory
of Meyer & Beverly Gertman
Laura Giacomini, in honor of Gail Giacomini’s
75th birthday
Maria Gilbert
Helene Holley Gibbs, in honor of
Rabbi Levy & Rabbi Leider
Leilah Gilligan & Josh Paul
Patty Glatt & Joshua Steinhauer
Adrea & Danny Goldberg
Elyse & Bruce Goldberg, in honor of
Theodore Ditchek & Morttmer Goldberg
Joy & Bruce Goldberg
Shana & Andrew Goldberg
Steve Goldberg, in memory of Edith & Jacob
Goldberg and Enisam Erstvin
Miriam & Robert Goldfien
Deborah & Jonathan Goldman
Diane & Steven Goldman
Marcia & Mark Goldman
Cathy & Philip Goldstein, in memory of
Sarah Bendiner Fenner
Hadassah Goldstein, in memory of
Alan Goldstein
Jack Goralsky, in honor of Jack Joralsky’s parents
Yudel Chaim & Elka Goralsky; in memory
of Jack Goralsky’s late wife Helen Cohen
Ann Gordon & Alan Lefkof
Chandra & Leonard Gordon
Esme & Roy Gordon
Arlene & Roland Greenberg
Jayne & Mitchell Greenberg
Jacqueline & Steven Grossman
Lisa Gurwitch
Jeffrey Halbrecht
Katherine & Newton Harband
Stefany & David Harband
Vida & Jeffrey Harband
Lorraine & Steve Harris
Dina Hatchuel & Tim Tabernik
Daniel Hegwer
Anonymous
Gloria & Donald Herzog
Nadine & Gerald Hill
Arthur Hindman
Eve Hinman & Norm Meislich
Bob Hirsch, in memory of Dori Hirsch
Karen Hirsch & Jim Condit
Jennifer & Russ Holder
Susan & Russ Holdstein
Jennifer & Eitan Homa
Wendy Homer
Chris & Kenneth Hurwitz
Dana & Jeffrey Hyman
Barbara Inwald & Michael Harris
Deborah & Thomas Jacobsen, in memory of
Marvin Weinreb, Deborah’s father
Julie & Seth Jacobs, in honor or Nell Stern
and their devotion to Judaism and family;
in memory of Aaron Stern
Nancy & Mark Jacobs
Ruth Jaeger & Steven Wolf
Paula Jaffe
Rosalind Franklin Jekowsky & Barry Jekowsky
Marilyn & Craig Jio
Daniel Kahn
Anonymous
Jessica Kaplan & David Seidel
Mark Kaplan
Nancy Kaplan & Steven Biegel, in memory of
Lea Agress
Susan & Gene Kaufman
Lisa King & Paul Orbuch
Josh Kline
Yvonne & Dan Klitsner
Susan Kolb
Cary & Manny Kopstein
Midge Kretchmer
Neil Kugelmas
Joseph & Shirley Landau
Lois Lane & Pat Carlone, in memory of
Mia Morel
Madeleine & Craig Laviano
Iris & Michael Lax
Mandy Leigh & Jay Jambeck
Michelle & Jeffrey Lerman
Sheri Lempert
Anonymous
Ellen & Victor Levin
Lorraine & Robert Levin
Debbie & Gerald Levine
Ina Rae & Bob Levine
Joan Levison
Wendy & Ivan Levison, in memory of Lily &
Harvey Katz
Lauren Cooks Levitan & Paul Levitan
Anonymous
Debbie Levy & Jared Polsky
Deborah Levy, in memory of Sarah Levy
Laura & Alan Lewis
Anne Libbin, in memory of Marianne &
Edwin Libbin
Louise & Mike Lipsey
Victor Madrigal, in memory of
Victor M. Madrigal Jr.
Robert Margoliash, in memory of Jacob &
Alberte Margoliash
Robin & Bob Mayer, in memory of
David K. Mayer
Barbara & Jon McEntyre, in memory of
Al & Dorothy Reiner
Mara Menachem & Lee Karlinsky
Matthew Mercurio
Nana Meyer, in memory of Pearl & Ira Meyer
& Rabbi Samuel & Fay Meyer
Barbara & Bernard Meyers
Carole & Merle Meyers, in memory of Jack &
Barbara Rubin and Albert & Lila Meyers
John Miller
Judy & Bruce Morse, in memory of
Ceil Irving Shapiro
Pamela Morton
Sofia & Bob Nadjibi
Marla & Todd Northcutt
Lynn & Stewart Noyce
Sonia Orbuch
Fern Orenstein & David Donenfeld
Maury Ostroff
Melanie Wice Perkoff & Max Perkoff, in
memory of Sara Goren
Jordana & Michael Perman, in memory of
Sarah B. Fenner
Beverly Pinto & Elliot Levin
Abby & Brian Platter
Jill Portman & Gary Shinner
Roselyn & Alan Posin
Abby & Brian Platter
Bethan Powell & Abner Korn
Carolyn & Joseph Preis
Janet & Brian Quint
Cheryl & Dean Radetsky
Harriet & Bruce Raful
Fran Rapoport
Karen & Ami Raz
Cheryl & Craig Reiss
Barbara & Joel Renbaum
Rohana & Jay Rice, in memory of Charles Rice
Bonnie & Robert Riopelle, in memory of
Philip & Leah Moses, Bonnie’s parents
Arlene Roberton
Yetta & Bernie Robinson
Meg Rose
Rita Rosenbaum & Ivan Silverberg
Ruth Rosenthal
Esther Rosha-Stadtler & Sandy Stadtler
Judith & David Rosner
Bonnie Ross & Jordan Eth
Marcia & Michael Rubenstein, in memory of
Geraldine Rubenstein Wacholder
Tobi & Mark Rubin
Pamela & Ronald Rubin
Moe & Eddy Rubinstein
Sylvia & Rupert Russell
Alix & Sam Salkin
Linda & Jeffrey Samuels, in memory of
Gladys Samuels
Teveia Barnes Sankin & Alan Sankin
Bonni & Steve Schiff
Eric Schmier
Lisa & Ken Schmier
Dovey Schneider, in honor of Susan Schneider
Susan Schneider
Harriet & Jay Schnitzer
Annette & Harry Schriebman
Barbara & Howard Schwartz, in honor of
Fred & Tessa Cherniss, Steve & Bonni Schiff,
Ron & Rhea Brown
Helen & Fred Schwartz
Ilene Serlin & Jeff Saperstein, in honor of
Ron & Ellie Berman
Wendy Shearn & Patrick Nance
Daniel Shepatin
Vivian Sherman
Henry Shreibman, in memory of June &
Oscar Shreibman
Lynne Simon
Diane Sklar & Wayne Gilbert
Madeleine & Scott Sklar
Paula & Alan Smith
H. Marcia Smolens
Susan Snyder & Steven Sockolov
Shoshana Sofer, in memory of Simcha Alfie
Joann Stacy, in memory of Sam Stacy
Devorah & Larry Stadtner
Judith Staples & Grant Morris
Sandy Strauss Stern & Jon Stern
Esther & Walter Stone
Anne Strauss, in memory of Sherman H. Strauss
Jacqueline & Lowell Strauss
Jenni Sutton
Jackie & Mark Swoiskin, in honor of
Rabbi Chai Levy
Carol Tabb
Naomi Tamerin, in honor of Joshua &
Frederick Goldstein & Daniel Seidel
Iris & Paul Tandler
Noellete Tangtrongsakdi, in honor of
Elena Falkow
Ellen Tobe
Ruthellen Toole, in memory of Monte Toole
Naomi & David Torgersen
June & Milt Torn
Carol & Norman Traeger
Steven Tulsky
Cynthia Ulman & Bob Daniel, in honor of
Ethan Daniel and Julia Daniel
Lisa & Anthony Vidergauz
Barbara & Scott Waxman, in honor of the
Rabbis, executive director and staff of
Kol Shofar
Bonnie Weiss
Kim Wertheimer
Melanie Wice Perkoff & Max Perkoff, in
memory of Sara Goren
Frances & Charles Wisch
Susan & Robert Wolfe
Ricca & Lawrence Wolff
Judith Yanover & Anthony Oliphant
Mary Yasharpoor, in honor of Rabbi Levy
Diane & Larry Yermack
Karen & Michael Young
Diane & Howard Zack
Myrna & Marty Zelin, in honor of
Sharon Brusman; in memory of Pearl Zelin
Judy & Steve Zimmerman
Marilyn Zimmerman & Robert Mickel, in
honor of their sons
Anne Zishka & Elliot Bien
Judy & Ron Zuckerman
Lisa Zukovsky & Stan Deck
Save the date: Sunday April 26, 2015 for Kol Shofar’s Annual Gala
Step back to the early 60’s and party with the hipsters of Madison Avenue
CONGREGATION KOL SHOFAR
215 Blackfield Drive | Tiburon CA | 415.388.1818 | www.kolshofar.org

Jewish Learning

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