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Your Jewish Neighborhood in Lafayette, CA December 2010Keslev / Tevet 5771

Extraordinary HappeningsThere is something extraordinary happening at Temple Isaiah. More people of all ages are engaging in Jewish study, exploring worship alternatives, and attempting to implement Jewish practices around their homes.

I receive emails and calls with questions on history and Jewish thought, requests to help with issues of kashrut and holiday observance. This is all a good thing. It starts with Ganeinu, our par-ents of toddlers who gather on Friday morning with their babies to play and learn: non-Jewish partners asking questions about ‘how to…?’, Jewish grandparents remembering old traditions

and asking “why?” and adult Jews asking “why didn’t any-body ever teach me this!?”

It is an exciting time to be a rabbi at our synagogue. The day-to-day work is all consuming. Life cycle needs are never ending, teaching and mentoring take space and time. But it is the unprompted question that comes from a place of spiritual search, from a deep seated craving for a more intense Jewish life, a need to be better parents to our children, and better citizens of the world, that makes our work most invigorating.

As we come close to the end of the secular year – which falls in the midst of the most intense work season in the Jewish calendar – I see blessings all around us: not only the students in search of spiritual growth, but the doers who sign up in droves for Winter Nights, who, week in and week out, tutor at our Garden Park/CCIH Apartments, at the Richmond School or others, the angels who make sure our congregants in need of a hug, a meal a ride or a kind word, do not go wanting; and the givers who, through their gifts, allow us to respond to the needy among us, to Shelter Inc and CCIH, to Loaves and Fishes, to Shalom Bayit, and the list goes on. Think about it, we may not always be conscious of it, but these are all blessings – some in disguise and some visible, which make our com-munity richer, stronger, deeper.

I hope that at the turn of the secular year, each of you will have a chance to slow the pace a bit, to contemplate the blessings in your lives: family and friends, roof over your head and good food to eat, time for dreams and time and space to name these blessings and acknowledge them.

Though I know things can always be better, I hope you know that at each moment I am grateful for the commu-nity we share.

Rabbi Roberto Graetz

Rabbi Roberto Graetz

IsraelThe Original Wine Country

Join us for an evening of Israeli wine tasting sponsored by the Contra Costa Jewish Day School and the Israel Committee of Temple Isaiah.

Learn about the exciting growth of the modern Israeli wine industry, hear from experts in the field, and try a selection of award-winning Israeli wines.

Sunday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. In the Social Hall

$10 per person, $18 per couple Tickets will be available at the door only, but we ask that you RSVP using the web address below.

Visit www.temple-isaiah.org/israeliwine to RSVP, or call CCJDS at (925) 284-8288 for more information.

for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org2 Temple Isaiah Ruach, December 2010

TEMPLE ISAIAH3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549

Temple Isaiah’s mission is to embody, enhance, and perpetuate our Jewish tradition by providing a welcoming spiritual home where the membership gath-ers to worship God, study Torah, engage in acts of Tikun Olam, participate in Jewish rituals and life cycle events, and experience the joy of being a part of a caring community.

President Lisa Hirsch

Executive Vice President Robert Goldberg

Vice President Sharon Fischel

Vice President David Douglas

Secretary Susan Rideout

Treasurer Steve Ellis

Parliamentarian Paul Menaker Phone Ext

Rabbi Roberto Graetz 314

Rabbi Judy Shanks 314

Asst. Rabbi Alissa Forrest 314

Rabbi Emeritus Shelly Waldenberg 314

Cantor Leigh Korn 314

Executive Director Michael Liepman 310

Education Director Rabbi Nicki Greninger 318

Gan Ilan Director Sharon Brown 320

Youth Director Dan Lange 313

Adult Programs Mary Anne Winig 301

Librarian Val Morehouse 322

Clergy Secretary Nina Jones 314

Education Assist. Nathan Bellet 311

Communications Dir. Deb Phillips 323

Hebrew Tutor Karen Gourdin 324

Office Staff 300

Tonna Lusareta-Stevens 315

Office (925) 283-8575

Fax (925) 283-8355

Religious School (925) 284-9191

Gan Ilan Preschool (925) 284-8453

Gift Shop (925) 284-4933

Website www.temple-isaiah.org

Ruach Vol. 59 No.4 December 2010

Ruach is published monthly except in July by Temple Isaiah. Ruach is breath, wind, or spirit. It also means soul. May it be a breeze of fresh Jewish spirit arriving at your home.

Editor Julie Candau [email protected]

Photographer Michael Fox

Copy Editors Ellen Baer, Miriam Cairns,Jeanie Conneran, Hadele Groman,

Julie Magilen, Len Morgenstern, Carol Olmert, Val Morehouse

Annual AIPAC DinnerBe a part of the largest annual pro-Israel political gathering in the East Bay, bring-ing together more than 800 community members and numerous elected officials. As Israel’s legitimacy is questioned in the international community and the value of America’s relationship with the Jewish state is criticized in the Bay Area, this event is an important opportunity to dem-onstrate the strength of the pro-Israel movement in our area.

AIPAC’s Annual East Bay Dinner is Monday, December 13, at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Marriott City Center. Join key-note speakers Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV), and DeeDee Coleman, Senior Pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, who will discuss the latest developments in Washington, D.C. and in the Middle East. Cost is $95 per person. To register, visit www.aipac.org/NorCalEvents or call 888-284-9078.

Temple Board Nominating CommitteePer our bylaws, a nominating committee of seven members in good standing is constitut-ed every year to nominate both new direc-tors and officers. If you wish to serve on this committee, please contact Paul Menaker at (925) 376-9514 or email him at [email protected] to offer your name or any other member in good standing to serve on this committee. Members of the committee will be selected by the Board of Directors at its December Meeting.

Think You’ve Got Brains? Spend an intensely fun Saturday night testing your wits on myriad subjects with the men and women of Temple Isaiah, on Saturday, January 22, 6–10 p.m. in the Social Hall.

Trivia Night, hosted by Kulanu and Anshei Isaiah, will feature dinner catered by Turquiose Restaurant in Orinda and Temple Isaiah’s own Scott Danish as MC. Childcare and dinner will be provided in the Youth Lounge (minimum 3 years old). Net proceeds go to the Temple Youth Fund. For more information, contact Stephanie Snyder at [email protected].

P’tach Libeynu: Open Our Hearts

Continuing a Conversation about the Stigma of Mental IllnessP’tach Libeynu presents Combating Depression: A Treatment That Works Monday, December 6, 7:30–9 p.m. at Congregation B’nai Tikvah. Renowned psy-chologist Jackie Persons, Ph.D., will discuss Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression. She is the director of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy and has served the past 20 years.

This practical, present-focused approach has been shown in controlled studies to be as effective as drug treatment for depres-sion and anxiety disorders. $5 Suggested Donation. RSVP: [email protected], 925-988-9707.

Pass on Love of Reading

Give one hour a week to help a child. In response to the overwhelming number of Bay Area school children reading below grade level, the Jewish Coalition for Literacy (JCL) trains, places, and supports volunteer reading tutors working with students in grades K – 3. A free tutor training session will be held at Temple Isaiah on Tuesday, December 7, 9:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m.

To register, please visit www.jclread.org. For more information and other tutor ses-sions, please contact: Helene at 415-977-7414 x 100 or [email protected].

Kesher Isaiah participant at a home gath-ering to collect ideas.

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NEWS AND INFORMATION

Temple Isaiah Ruach, December 2010 3www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information

Strength Through CommunityAfter much planning, Kesher Isaiah, The Temple’s three-phase plan initiated in honor of our 60th anniversary in 2012, is under way. If you have not yet heard about it, the program will use a broad-based listening campaign to build stronger relationships among ourselves and develop an action plan for our future. As Temple members connect with each other, we will uncover the ideals, hopes, and issues we hold in common. This type of program, known as congregation-based community organizing, is happening all over the country and is a major initiative for the URJ. Why? Because it strengthens congregations, and in so doing, enables us to act on our most deeply held Jewish values.

We are in the midst of the first phase, “Honoring Our Past.” In this phase, Temple members who have belonged to the congregation for 25 years or more are gathering in members’ homes to participate in community conversations where we listen to their stories of involve-ment in Temple life. Amazing stories have been shared about important relationships, milestones, and life challenges. Those of us who have had the privilege of attending these events and facilitating the conversations find ourselves inspired and humbled by tales of dedication to our com-munity and commitment to Jewish values.

Out of these stories we will create a narrative for Temple Isaiah’s past, one that begins with a small group of families determined to build a Jewish community on a plot of land previously occupied by a Polynesian restaurant. We look forward to sharing the learning we gain in this phase at Temple-wide events taking place in January and February, where all temple members will get the opportunity to learn what par-ticipants have experienced at these community conversations.

In February through May of 2011, we will launch phase II by broad-ening the listening campaign to all Temple members as we explore the present. What are congregants experiencing in their lives today? What does this community mean to them? What are the values we hold in common and how do we see ourselves as participants in the broader community? In the process, we will build strength by connecting with each other, turning strangers into neighbors. There will be many oppor-tunities to attend community conversations and the Kesher team and clergy are hard at work on scheduling these.

In the third phase, we will use the learning from our past and present to look to the future and determine what we want to accomplish as a community. We hope you will consider getting involved. The Kesher team is growing with many opportunities for engagement as a planner, conversation facilitator, or liaison. Please contact us with questions, interest or suggestions. We look forward to connecting with you!

Kesher Isaiah Co-chairs Casey Sasner ([email protected]) and

Jasmine Tarkoff ([email protected])

A Night in the French QuarterIt’s a warm spring evening. There’s a different energy in the air tonight, a sense of magic and excitement. I enter the Temple and I’m immediately transported to the New Orleans French Quarter, wrought iron balconies, antique street lights, and other revelers in masquerade like me.

I wander on and find a bounty of auction items to bid on. How could they know what would be so attractive to me? I linger. I can’t help writing my paddle number on over half the items. About that time, I see my friends gathered by a discreet opening. What could it be? As I approach, I realize it’s a speakeasy. After giving my pass-word, I’m allowed to enter a lively casino. I play a couple of hands of blackjack while my spouse is absorbed by the crowd excitement of the craps table.

After indulging in the delicious kosher-style Cajun and Creole offerings, I turn to something sweeter – the royal cake walk. I sashay to join all the other fun-loving folks dancing to the energetic sounds of the live zydeco band.

Suddenly, there is a flurry of activity, and I join my friends as we ‘second line’ around the floor and the excite-ment of the live auction begins! The auctioneer is pure entertainment in his own right, and I congratulate myself on the decision to make this event part of my life.

I leave the French Quarter that night, reluctant to say good-bye to friends and family. We’re among the last to leave this phenomenal party. When I rest my head on my pillow that night, I drift asleep wondering (in my newly developed Cajun dialect)… “How’d dey do dat?!”

By: “Who Dat”, an Anonymous Future Attendee of A Night in the French Quarter, Temple Isaiah’s Annual Fundraiser on March 26, 2011. Y’all save the date now, y’hear?

Families and First-Timers! Travel to Israel with Cantor Korn or Rabbi Forrest

July 3 - July 15, 2011

Join Cantor Korn or Rabbi Forrest on one of our parallel summer trips to Israel.

Cantor Korn will be heading up a first-timers’ trip and Rabbi Forrest will be leading a family trip.

Join us for an informational meeting on Thursday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Cantor Korn at [email protected] or Rabbi Forrest at [email protected].

Arlene and Larry Kaufman at a Kesher Isaiah meeting.

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COMMUNITY


Welcome New MembersJoined September 22 – October 19, 2010 Mazal Tov

To Blessing Kobey, Ralph Salomonis and Sharon and Christopher Gillam on the marriage of their children Beth Salomonis and Calvin Gillam, on August 28, 2010 in Denver, CO.

To Cindy and Robert Coleman, on the marriage of their daughter Deborah, to Jarett Nixon on September 5, 2010 in Piedmont.

To Marinela Miclea, on the birth of her son, Olivier Simon Miclea, born October 2, 2010.

To Blessing Kobey, Ralph Salomonis and Marcie and Bill Myers, on the birth of grandson, William Everett Salomonis, to parents Nathan and Heather Salomonis on November 5, 2010.

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A Night in the

French Quarter

Temple Isaiah’s 2011 FundraiserSaturday, March 26th

Save the date andlet the good times roll!

Havurat D’vash – Bedford GalleryAt our next Havurat D’vash luncheon Wednesday, December 1, at 12 p.m., we welcome Carrie Lederer, curator of the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. This trea-sure located in the Lesher Center for the Arts hosts a wide variety of art exhibitions. Carrie will discuss the gallery and its current exhibit, The American Scene, on the Art of the New Deal era – 1935-1943, in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the launching of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Federal Art Project (FAP) put thousands of artists to work creating more than 200,000 separate works, including posters, murals, and paintings. The American Scene brings together works by more than 65 artists who found work with the FAP, some of whom lived in the Bay Area during the Great Depression. RSVP no later than the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 29.

Havurat D’vash is also visiting the Bedford Gallery for a personalized docent tour of The American Scene exhibit on Wednesday, December 15, at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy lunch on your own in downtown Walnut Creek and meet us at the Regional Center for the Arts lobby for our tour, no later than 1:20 p.m. Space is limited to twenty participants per docent, so RSVPs are important. Your $5 donation will pay for admis-sion and our docent.

Save January 5, 2011 for our next Havurat D’vash lunch, featuring Cindy Gershon’s talk on Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in our Community: One Child at a Time.

Yachad Post-Chanukah Potluck Back by popular demand, our singles group for the 45+ crowd is meeting to share a dairy or vegetarian potluck with Chanukah-themed foods and stories. Bring your favorite chanukiah (menorah), Chanukah story, and something scrumptious to share on Sunday, December 12, at 6 p.m. to the Adult Lounge.

After dinner, we are encouraged to attend an Israeli wine tasting event in the Social Hall sponsored by Temple Isaiah’s Israel Committee and the Contra Costa Jewish Day School. Sample the wide variety of vintages being produced in Israel and learn about special vineyards to visit on your next Israel trip. For more info and to RSVP for the wine tasting, visit www.temple-isaiah.org/news-communications/news-events/.

For the potluck dinner, RSVP to Mary Anne in the office, or to Sheri (935-6577) with the number attending and the dish you are bringing. We will need helpers that night for food and perhaps for the wine tasting, so let us know if you can help.

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www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, December 2010 5

COMMUNITY

Yizkor ElohimOctober 23, 2010

Mildred Breakstone, grandmother of Vicki Breakstone, great-grandmother of Sam. In Orange County.

October 31, 2010

Temple member Al Simon, father of Belinda (Randy) Harris, Sandy (John) Simon, Julie (Mark) Glenn-DeLaCruz and Lance (Judy) Simon, grandfather of ten and great-grandfather of eight.

November 8, 2010Temple member Michael Knibbe, husband of Barbara Knibbe, father of Zach Knibbe.

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Temple Isaiah’s Generous SponsorsPlease join the Temple Isaiah board and staff in thanking all of our Sponsors below. Through their generous commitment, our sponsors make a difference in maintaining the key programs – spiritual, educational and social-that we all value, and that enable us to strengthen our Jewish identity and ensure Temple Isaiah’s strength for generations to come.

Lisa Hirsch, President of Temple Isaiah

PLATINUM (10,000+)Anonymous

Vicki and Douglas AbelesJulie and Paul Candau

Carole and Donald ChaikenJeanette and Steve Gross

Bonnie N. and George L. KennedySusan and Igor KhandrosJackie and Jeffrey Mann

Susana and Steven MaronJanet and Alex Trzesniewski

GOLD (7200+)Anonymous

Barbara and Roy KaplanJudy and Steve Lipson

Paula B. PretlowJasmine and Robert Tarkoff

SILVER (4800+)Morris F. Collen

Sandra and David AndersonElinor and Gordon BerkeSusan and David Bressler

Roberta and Leonard Cohn

Wendy and William DorbandKim and Mark Drucker

Lori and Mark EdelstoneKaren and Charles Fiske

Linda and Dan FriedmanMelba Muscarolas and Steve Glazer

Bev GrossSteven HallertRebecca HarrisElaine Highiet

Marilyn and Marc KaplanKaren Fessel & Jeffrey Kirschenbaum

Carol LawtonGail and Mark Levie

Judy and Maynard LichtermanChristiane and Jeffrey Maier

Linda and Philip MazurHoward & Carol MelamedAliza and Peter Metzner

Len MorgensternDolly Nathan and Monica Mancini

Laura and Gregg PerloffCheryl and Neil Pincus

Susan and Jeffrey RideoutEllen Rosenbaum

Bette and Stewart SchusterYolanda and L. Jay SelwitzLaurel and Anthony SgroJoni and Robert ShwartsCarol and Mark SimonsAmy and Brad Skepner

Julie Magilen and Richard SniderTracy and Joseph Ucuzoglu

Lynn Gitomer and Daniel WeinerKaren Maas & Steven Weinzimmer

Estreilla and Larry Zulch

BRONZE ( 3600+)AnonymousAnonymous

Angela and Hal ArdittiLinda and Michael BandlerSusan and Richard Berger

Marjorie and Richard CarmelJean and Sandy Colen

Amy Faltz and Tony CreaJodi Schiller and Benjamin Douglas

Jill and David DouglasCelia and Leland Douglas

Michele and Lawrence Downes

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis and Steve EllisSally-Ann and Ervin Epstein

Phyllis and Howard GoldblattLisa and Pierre Hirsch

Melissa and Larry JakubowitzDeirdre Henry and Steven Kliegman

Rebecca and Jonathan KleinSarah and Scott Langbein

Sheryl and Ari LauerTerry and Irwin Lichtblau

Sheila and David MatzSusan and Willy Mautner

Catherine Cutler and Abraham MintzAmy and Eric PetersonAndrea and Kent PriceBeth and Mark RubenCasey and Rick Sasner

Stephanie and Jay SnyderSandy Sussman

Marlene and Herb ThierKaren Chandler and Phil VinceDebby and Jeremy Weinstein

Emily Blanck and Daniel WeissCathy and Frank Witney

David Zuckerman

Meet and Greet – Jewish HumorOn Friday, December 17, we welcome Ralph Beren, Ed.D for an evening of Jewish humor, entitled, On the Other Hand: Laughter for our Times. Drawing on our famous Jewish habit of asking questions that have several “right” answers, Ralph will engage us in a look at Jewish humor and keep us chuckling.

Come for the Happy ½ Hour of cocktails, mocktails, and appetizers at the 6 p.m. oneg before the 6:30 service. Following service, join us for dinner and a fun program. The catered dinner is still just $20 per person. RSVP to Mary Anne in the office no later than December 15.


COMMUNITY – WOMEN OF ISAIAH

From Shelter Lunches to WDC Trips – We Do It All!Happy Chanukah to everyone. Hope the lights on your chanukiot burn bright with light linking our past, present, and future traditions. Since Chanukah is a celebration of action and victory, we thought it would be a good time to highlight how the Women of Isaiah’s (WOI) energetic and generous member-ship effects positive growth and change in our community and worldwide. Here are some current programs we sponsor: • Confirmation trip to the Religious Action Center in Washington DC. Rabbi Forrest noted that this year’s class response has been the best ever. • Coronado School in Richmond – This Halloween, kids cut their own pumpkins under the supervision of WOI volunteers. • The Contra Costa Shelter Lunch program, under the supervision of Nancy Horstman. • Recent Chanukah Party at Temple Isaiah, co-sponsored by WOI and the Youth Department. • Two Rosh Chodesh programs: one for adults ably directed by Karen Marriner and Ellen Montague, and one for teens, coordinated by Rabbi Forrest. • Israeli Dancing program at Family Oneg Shabbats, gifts for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation celebrants, Gan Ilan program for pre-schoolers. • WOI Gift Shop (which can be patronized online as well as onsite) –proceeds support many of our youth and adult programs. • The Avodah program, coordinated by Sara

Grossman, in which our older students earn credit toward Jewish educational endeavors. • The Yes Fund through Women for Reform Judaism, which funds Scholarships at Hebrew Union College, a legislative assistant at the Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C. and youth programs in Israel and the U.S. • The World Union for Progressive Judaism, Jewish Lighthouse for the Blind, and periodically donate to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Fund, Shalom Bayit, and other community charities

It is our goal to continue to support all of these programs and to broaden the scope of our giving. Of course, we can only do what we can afford to do. We thank our current membership for their support and will continue to strive to provide exciting social and educational programming for Women of Isaiah. We invite any nonmembers to become part of this wonder-ful group of women.

Barbara Kaplan and Gloria SchillerCo-Presidents of Women of Isaiah

Gloria Schiller, Women of Isaiah Co-President

Barbara KaplanWomen of Isaiah Co-President

Rosh Chodesh Tevet: Nia with Janet KaufmanFor the next Rosh Chodesh, Monday, December 6, 7:30 p.m. in the Beit Knesset, come experience the joy of move-ment with Nia, a holistic form of movement that is healing for the mind, body and spirit. Nia combines the movement forms of dance, martial arts and the healing arts. No experi-ence is necessary. If you regularly exercise, never exercise, or if you have any physical limitations, Nia can benefit you. Our Nia teacher is Janet Kaufman, a Brown Belt Nia instructor, who has taught in athletic clubs, studios and recreation centers for over seven years.

Wear clothing that you can move freely in: yoga clothing, dance pants, shorts or sweats are all fine. We will be dancing bare foot and getting down on the floor as well. Water bottle and mat are optional. Bring a friend! Questions? Call or email Karen Marriner. For more information on our teacher, visit www.sfbaynia.com/teachers.htm.

got chanukah? We do!The December 3rd got shabbat? is during Chanukah.

Bring your menorah for our candle lighting!The Junior Choir will sing.

5:45 p.m. Pizza Dinner6:30 p.m. Singing, Services, Dessert & More!

www.temple-isaiah.org/gotshabbat to RSVP

WOI Soldier ProjectOur soldiers are facing both constant danger on duty and boredom during their precious off-duty hours. You can brighten a soldier’s life by donating new or gently used paperback books. A collection box is located in the Temple House Lobby, the Sanctuary lobby and the Education building. Clean out your bookshelf and make a soldier’s day. The collection will be directed to Sgt. Jacob Bigelow, son of Temple member Betsy Bigelow, who will then distribute the books to his men.


28Winter Nights Shelter

7:15pm Al Anon


7pm Sacred Chant Healing Circle

26Winter Nights ShelterReligious School Recess

all week

25Winter Nights Shelter9:15am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service

followed by Vegetarian Potluck

24Office ClosedWinter Nights Shelter

8pm Shabbat Service followed by Oneg

31Office ClosedWinter Nights Shelter

6:30pm Shabbat Service followed by Oneg




29Winter Nights Shelter8:30am WOI Wednesday

Hike


7:15pm Al Anon7:30pm Board Meeting


7pm Anshei Isaiah Board Meeting

19Religious School/Adult

Ed. Recess all week

188:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service

(Bar Mitzvah: Brendan Gordon)

17

6pm Happy 1/2 Hour6:30pm 3rd Shabbat

Service with Mizmor Band followed by Meet and Greet

168:30am Tefilllah Thursday8:45am Library Open

(‘til 1pm)

12pm Talmud Study

151:30pm Havurat D’vash

Bedford Gallery Docent Tour

6:45pm Noar Night7pm Adult Ed: Israel on

the Reel7:30pm Parents Circle

141pm Library Open (‘til 6)

7:15pm Al Anon7:30pm Committee Night

1310:30am Women’s Torah

Study

7pm Women of Isaiah Board Meeting

7pm WOI Knitting & Handwork

12Religious School in Session

8:45am Library Open (‘til 1pm)

9:15am Beginning Hebrew

10:15am Encountering Judaism

10:15am Conversational Hebrew

1pm Kleztones Rehearsal6pm Yachad Post-

Chanukah Party7:30pm Israel: The

Original Wine Country

118:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service

(Bar Mitzvah: Elias Heffan)

6pm Rosh Chodesh: it’s a girl thing! Shul-In

108pm Shabbat Service fol-

lowed by Oneg

9Chanukah8:30am Tefillah Thursday8:45am Library Open

(“til 1pm)12pm Talmud Study

8Chanukah: 8th Candle9:15am Torah Café

1pm Library Open (‘til 8:30)

4pm WOI Art Series

6:45pm Noar Night7pm Adult Ed: Israel on

the Reel

7Chanukah: 7th Candle9:00am JCL Tutor Training

6:30pm Executive Committee Meeting

7:15pm Al Anon

6Chanukah: 6th Candle

7:30pm WOI Rosh Chodesh

5Chanukah: 5th Candle

Religious School in Session

8:45am Library Open (‘til 1pm)

9:15am Beginning Hebrew

10:15am Encountering Judaism

10:15am Conversational Hebrew

1pm Kleztones Rehearsal

4Chanukah: 4th Candle8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service

(Bar Mitzvah: Eric Burnstein)

3Chanukah 3rd Candle

9:15am Ganeinu Toddlers

9:45am Ganeinu Babies

5:45pm got shabbat? Pizza Dinner

6:30pm Shabbat Chanukah Family Service followed by Doughnut Oneg

2Chanukah: 2nd Candle8:30am Tefillah Thursday8:45am Library Open

(‘til 1pm)10:30am Jewish Book

Group12pm Talmud Study

1Chanukah: 1st Candle12pm Havurat D’vash

Lunchtime Learning1pm Library Open

(‘til 8:30)6:45pm Noar Night7pm Adult Ed: Israel on

the Reel7:30pm Parents Circle

SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

December 2010 Kislev — Tevet 5771

8 Temple Isaiah Ruach, December 2010 for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org

YOUTH AND EDUCATION

I recently had the great fortune of spending a week in Israel as part of a trip for Reform rabbis who were ordained within the last ten years. On the trip I learned a lot about the changes that have taken place in Israel in recent years, including the following:

1. Israel feels incredibly safe today. Of course security is always on people’s minds, and the sit-uation between Israel and the Palestinian terri-tories is still fragile. However, the Israel of today is nothing like it was a few years ago. When I lived in Jerusalem from 2003–2004, and again in 2007, security guards checked you and searched your bags whenever you entered a restaurant, office, grocery store, school, or synagogue, etc.

Today that is no longer the case because Israel is not experiencing the attacks that were so frequent just a few years ago. Our tour guide told us that 2010 is on track to be the year with the highest number of tourists in a single year in the history of the State of Israel.

2. As Jerusalem becomes more haredi (ultra-Orthodox) in its char-acter and demographics and non-Orthodox Jews flee from Jerusalem as a result, Tel Aviv is becoming more important for the flowering of progressive Judaism in the State of Israel. When we learn about Israel, we should not overlook the importance of Tel Aviv. In fact, just last week Lonely Planet named Tel Aviv third in a list of the world’s best cities! (New York was #1 and the Moroccan city of Tangier was #2.)

3. I spent an afternoon with Rabbi Ofer Sabath- Bet Halachmi, the rabbi of Kehilat Tzur Hadassah, our sister congregation in Israel. They are doing incredibly creative things with music, prayer, and the arts. I am hopeful that we can bring some of their innovations to our com-munity and continue to find ways for our families to connect with their families. On a financial note, Kehilat Tzur Hadasssa constructed a simple building overlooking a beautiful valley outside of Jerusalem, but they have nowhere for kids to play. They hope to install a play structure for children right outside the building, and need around $5,000 to make that happen. If you are interested in making a dona-tion, please let me know.

Since returning from my trip, I have been thinking about better ways to incorporate Israel in our Religious School curriculum and ways to help all our Temple Isaiah families feel more connected to Israel. Yet in truth, there is no better way to learn about Israel than to visit. Fortunately Rabbi Forrest and Cantor Korn are leading concur-rent trips to Israel this summer, and there is a meeting on Thursday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. to learn more. I highly encourage you to consider joining one of the Temple Isaiah trips.

Rabbi Nicki Greninger, Education Director

Rabbi Nicki Greninger,Education Director

The Changing Face of Israel East Bay Author Braff to Speak on Library Shabbat Mark your calendars, and prepare to “let the scales fall” from your eyes. Temple Isaiah Library committee has invited East Bay author, Joshua Braff, as the February 11, 2011 Library Shabbat author.

Braff, author of The Unspeakable Thoughts of Jacob Green, the hilarious coming-of-age story of 13-year-old Jacob, which portrays a “religious” family stressed by narcissism and the funniest bar mitzvah thank-you notes ever penned, has a new novel titled Peep Show. Peep Show captures a gritty New York landscape through the eyes of 17 year-old David.

While selfishness in adolescence is a given: more problem-atic are the adults of Peep Show, who enshrine their own adolescent behavior as they commit personal mayhem in the name of profit and religion. Spread-eagled across fault lines of divorce, truth and lies, secular and religious craziness, and the confluence of sex and repression, David struggles to make sense of the human distance between Times Square’s peep show and a Brooklyn where men and women are separated by dividers (with holes), and “love was always conditional…all dependent on God and order and keeping score.” Braff leavens this triple-x rated show about “grown-ups” and perpetual adolescence with laugh-out-loud humor, skewering the shared ironies of adult business and extreme belief, where the human indignities mirror each other far too closely for comfort.

Val Morehouse, Librarian

Camp Tawonga Near YosemiteCamp Tawonga’s 2011 program dates are available online and registration begins in December. Tawonga is a Jewish, residential summer camp that is American Camp Association accredited, and has a staff/camper ratio of 1:1.5. Tawonga is located outside Yosemite National Park on 160 acres in the Stanislaus National Forest. Tawonga offers 2nd through 12th graders camp sessions, teen leadership, service learning, and adventure travel programs as well as weekend programs for individuals, couples and families. For more info: 415.543.2267 or www.tawonga.org.

Sunday Schoolers start the new year.

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YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS

In honor of:Glenn Millstone and Lesile Eppinger’s wedding, from

Selix Tuxedo

In memory of:Ruth Brager, from Barbara and Roy Kaplan

For the yahrzeit of:Jospeh Abrams, from Hyron and Bette SpinradMilton Brier, from David Shapiro and Tina BrierJacob Domnitch, from Yale and Arlene DownesAlex Fine, from Adeline MatzkinHarold Langert, from Steven Weinzimmer and Karen

MaasEdward Lipson, from Steve and Judy Lipson Herman Kaufman, from Larry and Arlene KaufmanRebecca Mack, from Steve and Judy LipsonLott E. Melamed, from Howard and Carol MelamedHenry Nash, from Irvin and Cherri ShiffmanWilliam B. Phillips, from Beverly KivelClaire Rosenberg, from Katya Bock

Memorial Plaque Fund

In memory of:Barbara Stark, from Stan and Wendy Holcenberg

In memory of:Eleanor G. Leo, from Charles and Karen FiskeHerbert S. Leo, from Charles and Karen Fiske

Prayer Book Fund

In memory of:Edith Metzner, from Steve and Jeanette Gross

For the 0yahrzeit of:Sylvia Gross, from Jeanette and Steve GrossEdith Hadden, from Susan and Jerry Zaret Ken Harris, from Jeanette and Steve GrossMelba King Lapidus, from Richard and Lisa CohenPhilip Seidman, from Michael and Sally RubinsteinBen Zaret, from Susan and Jerry ZaretBonnie Zaret, from Susan and Jerry Zaret

Project Hearth for the Homeless

For the yahrzeit of:Lawrence May, from Ken, Nora, Scott and Julie FishbachSelma Gitomer, from The Gitomer-Weiner FamilyElaine Siegel, from The Gitomer-Weiner Family

Rabbi Forrest’s Discretionary Fund

In honor of:Zachary Sandberg’s bar mitzvah, from Stephanie and

Michael Sandberg

Angel Network Fund

In honor of:Jan Trzesniewski, from Marvin and Bobbi Baron

For the yahrzeit of:Annie Margolis Caplan, from Rebekah CaplanJulius Cohen, from Mike and Barbara Knibbe

Cantor’s Music Fund

In appreciation of:Cantor Korn and the choir’s beautiful addition to High

Holy Days Services, from Marge Sterns

In honor of:Zachary Sandberg’s Bar Mitzvah, from Stephanie and

Michael Sandberg

In memory of:Harriet Fels Farber, from Beverly KivelSam Hauer, from Marge SternsRae Levinson, from Bob and Carol Lowitz

For the yahrzeit of:Charlotte Kohleriter, from Eric and Cheryl KohleriterDolores Moses, from Eric and Cheryl Kohleriter Tudy Routman, from Lois Green

Cantor Ted Cotler Library Fund

For the recovery of:Gary Nankin, from Bev Gross

For the yahrzeit of:Anne Black, from Cindy SilverRobert Force, from Lorraine ForceSusan Kaufman, from Bruce KaufmanMildred Melvin Radin, from Lorraine Force

Daniel Baron Feed the Hungry Fund

In memory of:Harriet Fels Farber, from Cindy Kahan and Jordan

Rose

For the yahrzeit of:Herbert (Bobby) Baron, from Allen and Anna BaronRegi Bloom, from Stewart and Sally BloomLeonard Gardner, from Alan and Trudi GardnerJoey Lott, from Shirley NankinJack York, from Alan and Trudi Gardner

General Fund

In appreciation of:Maynard and Judy Lichterman, from Howard and Carol

Melamed

In memory of:Ruth Brager, from Gloria and Robert Schiller

Rabbi Graetz’ Discretionary Fund

Donations from:Arnold and Jo-Ann Jacobson, The Survivors of the

Bette Beechan Kaplan and Bernard H. Kaplan 1990 Trust, Rachel and Scott Zimmerman

In appreciation of:Rabbi Graetz, from Beryl, Jim, and Chuck Esserman,

Tilden and Francine SokoloffRabbi Graetz’ beautiful addition for our High Holy Days

Services, from Marge Sterns

In honor of:Larry and Nancy Crevin’s anniversary, from Gloria and

Robert Schiller

In memory of:L. Andrew Castle, from Leonard and Irene Osias Arnold Greene, from David ZuckermanJospeh Osias, from Leonard and Irene Osias

For the recovery of:Elly Glaser, from Elaine HighietClaire Schwartz, from Elaine Highiet

For the yahrzeit of:Julius Cohen, from Mike and Barbara KnibbePhilip Director, from Larry and Melissa JakubowitzAaron Frydman, from Bert, Rosemarie, Tamara, and

Michaela FrydmanFred Katzburg, from Lillian KatzburgDorothy Myers, from Bev GrossSarah Orisman, from Charlotte StolbackHarold Peterson, from Richard Snider and Julie

Magilen Samuel Snider, from Richard Snider and Julie

MagilenHilda Steinberg, from Lynn WolffGail Stolback, from Charlotte StolbackFreda Trafton, from Frank and Beth TraftonRobert Wolff, from Lynn Wolff

Rabbi Shanks’ Discretionary Fund

A donation from:The Survivors of the Bette Beechan Kaplan and

Bernard H. Kaplan 1990 Trust

In appreciation of:Rabbi Shanks’ beautiful addition to High Holy Days

Services, from Marge SternsRabbi Shanks officiating at Adam and Elaine Pettler’s

wedding, from Charles and Ruth Pettler

In honor of:Richard and Marsha Molling’s 25th anniversary, from

Howie and Deeni Schoenfeld

Special Gifts and Donations October 1-31, 2010


In memory of:L. Andrew Castle, from Leonard and Irene Osias Harriet Fels Farber, from Mark and Jane RabinovitzMax Feldman, from Rose MichaelsJospeh Osias, from Leonard and Irene OsiasAlan Pasternak, from Meta Pasternak

For the yahrzeit of:Julius Cohen, from Mike and Barbara KnibbeJack Fudim, from Frank KrisnowichSylvia Fudim, from Frank KrisnowichElizabeth Kurtzman, from Mike and Angie KurtzmanStanley Levene, from Steven Weinzimmer and Karen

MaasJoey Lott, from Sheldon and Nancy NankinMiriam Rose, from Howard RoseMyra Rose, from Howard Rose Hilda Steinberg, from Lynn WolffRobert Wolff, from Lynn Wolff

Religious School & Youth Fund

In memory of:Lila Lapa Green, from Benson and Ruth Joseph

For the yahrzeit of:Mandel Berg, from James and Marla Simon

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE -- SPECIAL GIFTS

Social Action Fund

For the yahrzeit of:Charlotte Kohleriter, from Eric and Cheryl KohleriterDolores Moses, from Eric and Cheryl Kohleriter Herman Roth, from Ronald and Sharon BrownLillian Trumbull, from Elise Trumbull

Stanley R. Harris Memorial Lecture

For the yahrzeit of:Harold Peterson, from Richard Snider and Julie

MagilenSamuel Snider, from Richard Snider and Julie

Magilen

Steps for Tzedakah

Donations from:Barbara Beckert, Craig and Arlynn Bloom, David

Bressler and Susan Adler-Bressler, Philip and Cecily Buda, Tony Crea and Amy Faltz, Eyal Elhasid and Hadas Rave, Stephen Ellis and Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, Leonard and Cecile Farkas, Robin Jaye, Rick and Mina Kravitz, Richard and Alice Lasky, David Levine and Vicki Elliot, Willy and Susan Mautner, Mark and Marilyn Morris, Jeffrey and Susan Rideout, Herb and Marlene Thier, Elise Trumbull, Todd Wedeking and Iris Rave, James and Anita Weil, Joel and Ruth Willen

We need volunteers for Winter NightsDecember 20 - January 3

For the 7th holiday season in a row, Temple Isaiah will host the Winter Nights Rotating Shelter for families and senior citizen. Our Social Hall and Oneg area become home to 30+ guests when we provide lodging and three meals a day.

To volunteer for one of the many activities, please contact Sandy Anderson at [email protected] or (925)254-4885.

Special Gifts CorrectionIn the November Ruach, Under Rabbi Graetz’ Discretionary Fund: Their Golden Wedding Anniversary, from Andrea

and Daniel Green should have been: Leland and Celia Douglas’ 50th Wedding Anniversary,

from Andrea and Daniel Green.

July 9 – Jean-Pierre and Susan Aglietti, Charles and Karen Fiske, Nancy Gilbert, Bruce Kaufman, Anna Marie Levy

July 16 – Barbara Aronson, Julie Bell, Galina Furman, Lois Green, Barbara Kaplan, Carol Olmert, Gloria Schiller 3 pt

July 23 – The Hoxie Family in honor of Benjamin’s bar mitzvah, Amy Faltz, Jerry and Carolyn Hokanson

July 30 – Ed Hanley and Debbie Frank, Michael Harris and Dawn Block, Betty Rothaus, Steve and Jerri Schwartz, James and Meredith Suffoletta

August 13 – Gregory and Vivian Poettgen, Havurah Re’ut: Joel and Rochelle Hassen, Sue and Mike Clearfield, Susan and Willy Mautner, Shari Salomon, Judy Kraft, Jeffrey Klurfeld, Judy and Steve Lipson, Stuart and Pat Blumberg, Richard London,

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Oneg SponsorsThank you to our Oneg sponsors July–September:

Judith Feins

August 20 – Herbert and Heidi Benenson, Katya Bock, Bill and Susan Caplan, Roy and Barbara Kaplan, Paul and Robin Ludmer, Arthur and Nancy Blaustein, Havurah L’Hitraot: Robin Jaye, Stuart Forman and Barbara Nash, Liz Menkes, Adam and Jennifer Miller, Carol Rogers, Andrew and Linda Schneit

August 27 – Robert and Mindy Becker in honor of their son David’s bar mitz-vah, and Martin Portnoff, Lawrence Migdale and Terry Lowenthal

September 10 – Seymore and Marilyn Hertz, Larry and Melissa Jakubowitz, David and Meredith Olson, Steven Weinzimmer and Karen Maas

September 24 – Social Action Committee, Anthony and Lucy Di Bianca

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Waldenberg-Zwerling Youth

In honor of:Jasper Gill becoming Bar Mitzvah, from Robbie Dunbar

and Jocelyn Schneider DunbarJeff Kirschenbaum and Karen Fessel’s wedding anniversa-

ry, from Robbie Dunabr and Jocelyn Schneider Dunbar

For the yahrzeit of:Rosalind Almond Lepawsky, from Anthony and Lucy Di

Bianca

Women of Isaiah Fund

In honor of:Gloria Schiller’s bat mitzvah, from Dorothy Strauss

2 Easy, Free & Powerful Ways To Painlessly Earn Money For

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

MARTHA ANN WISHNEV

MARTHA ANN WISHNEV

Broker Associate

[email protected]

Helping my Real Estate clients connect to the Jewish Community since 1977

Expect• Experience• Knowledge• Integrity• Professionalism

Planning a legacy gift, such as a bequest in your will or trust, will ensure that Jewish traditions and the Temple Isaiah community live on. Contact Emily Blanck at 925-631-1704 or [email protected] or Maynard Lichterman at 925 283-6608 or [email protected] for more information.

Friday, December 3

6:30pm Got Shabbat Chanukah, followed by Donut Oneg

Saturday, December 4

8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Eric Burnstein, Bar Mitzvah

Gen. 41:1-44:17; Num. 7:30-35, Miketz

Friday, December 10

8:00pm Shabbat Service, followed by Oneg



Elias Heffan, Bar Mitzvah

Gen. 44:18-47:27, Vayigash

Friday, December 17

6:00pm Happy Half Hour 6:30pm Third Shabbat Service:

Eat, Pray, Learn, followed by Meet and Greet


8:45am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Brendan Gordon, Bar Mitzvah

Gen. 47:28-50:26, Vayechi

Friday, December 24

8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg



Followed by vegetarian potluck

Ex. 1:1-6:1, Shemot

Friday, December 31

6:30pm Shabbat Service, followed by Oneg

Saturday, January 1

8:45am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Layne Novotny, Bat Mitzvah

Ex. 6:2-9:35, Vaera

SHAbbATWorSHIP SErvIcES

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PaidLafayette, CA

94549 Permit No. 30

Address Service Requested

3800 Mt. Diablo BoulevardLafayette, CA 94549(925) 283-8575

A Special Music Program this Winter

High energy soul/gospel/world-music grooves mixed with Jewish heritage, spirituality, and celebration equals a performance that Rabbi Steve Cohen says, “...rocked the house!”

Soul Aviv music grabs the audience from the opening note, and can “…take you to the places you were meant to go”, says Leonard Felder, author of ‘Seven Prayers That Can Change Your Life’.

Soul Aviv’s songs focus on the Jewish tradition of “Tikkun Olam”, which translates to ‘repairing the world’. In a Soul Aviv show you’ll hear traditional spirituals, Hebrew prayers,

original songs, old favorites, and even a little Bob Marley. But it’s all music that speaks to Tikkun Olam, and it’s music that makes people clap their hands, stomp their feet, and lift their voices to sing along.

Shabbat Shira with Soul AvivFriday, January 14, 8:00 p.m. Shabbat Service

It’s Jewish Soul Gospel!

Timely informaTion enCloSed: PleaSe deliver by deCember 1

israel - temple isaiah€¦ · to act on our most deeply held jewish values. we are in the midst of...

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