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VOLUME 32, NO.1 FEbrUary/March 2016 ShEVat – adar aLEF – adar bEt 5776The

BETH JACOB

CONGREGATION

CBJ will be honored during Friday night services on February 5th as one of the first synagogues certified by the organization Rosh Pina. The certification attests that our synagogue is a place where all are welcome and included.

It is most appropriate that an organization stressing inclusion is named Rosh Pina. The name Rosh Pina means cornerstone and one of the Psalms that we sing during Hallel proclaims: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner-stone.” (Psalm 118). The belief that the stone which is often overlooked and rejected is in fact the cornerstone of the most important building in Jewish history—the Temple—reminds that everyone has the potential to be a crucial piece of community.

To receive the certification, we participated in a study process looking at all aspects of our community and how we can live and breathe inclusion. We developed a plan building on our existing ethos of inclusion which looked at every part of synagogue life from the physical plant, to the curriculum and teacher training, to best use of inclusion specialists in school and communication strategy. Guiding us through this process was Elana Naftalin-Kelman, a gifted educator who has done ground breaking work on inclusion in the Jewish community. Elana directs the Tikvah special needs program at Camp Ramah in Ojai, California

(a program that has a special place in my heart for me and my family). She trains teachers to create curriculum and classroom skills that allow all students and families to flourish. She began Rosh Pina as a means to bring deep change in organizations regarding inclusion.

Here is what I wrote on the Rosh Pina web-site: At Congregation Beth Jacob, we feel honored to be one of the first institutions working with Rosh Pina to receive the certification they provide. If we truly believe in inclusion, then our work needs to be comprehensive and thoughtful. Rosh Pina has helped us begin a process of comprehensive inclusion—looking at every aspect of our community. Rosh Pina has assisted us in assessing our inclusion policies and practices in every aspect of synagogue life: Preschool, Religious School, religious programming, community activities, communication and culture. The awareness, assistance and expertise provided by Rosh Pina will help us live the value of tzelem elohim—seeing and nurturing the divinity in every human—rather than just talk about it. The more communities receive Rosh Pina certification, the more inclusion will be normative, rather than just an afterthought. This is important and groundbreaking work.

Please join us as we celebrate this moment in CBJ history.

a message from rabbi ezray

–Celebrating inClusion–Rabbi Nathaniel Ezray

February 5th at rockin’ Shabbat!

NEW! Family Shabbat SErvicE

February 6th and March 5th First Saturday of each month at 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

For families with children ages 0-7 years old led by Bill Futornick and Rabbi Ilana. Followed by Kiddush luncheon with the community in the Social Hall.

1550 Alameda de las PulgasRedwood City, CA 94061 Ph: 650-366-8481 • Fax: 650-366-4629Religious School Ph: 650-366-8483E-mail: [email protected]: www.bethjacobrwc.org

cLErgy

Rabbi.............................Nathaniel Ezray

Ritual Director..................Bill Futornick

Cantor.............................Barbara Powell

Rabbi Emeritus.......H. David Teitelbaum

Cantor Emeritus...................Hans Cohn

PrOFESSiONaL StaFF

Executive Director.................Gary Geller

Religious School Director........................

Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon

Preschool Director.........Ann Cauterucci

Engagement Director....Rebecca Schwartz

Controller ……………....Laura Bahbout

Director of Family Educational

Programs……..Natalya Martyushova

Office Managers ……Maryjane Simmons

and Rosa Whitten

Assistant to Preschool Director…………..

Kristin Blake-Sanon

Religious School Coordinator…………..

Alex Lane

Custodian..............................Hue Truong

FirSt Friday rockiN’ Shabbat

FEBRUARY 5TH AND MARCH 4TH

6:15 p.m. Service • Dinner following

NeW Lower Prices!Adults (ages 13 years and up): $18.00 per adult

Children (ages 4 – 12 years): $9.00 per childYoung Children (3 and under): No Charge

Maximum Family Price: $54.00

RSVP for dinner on Wednesday prior by 4:30 p.m.www.bethjacobrwc.org/shabbat-sign-up1.html

Voice Deadline

The deadline to submit copy for the April/May 2016 issue is: Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

Please email your articles and photos to Office Manager:

[email protected].

For parents and grandparents with babies and toddlers

(birth to 30 months)Join our new teacher, Meredith Liron,

an early childhood educator and CBJ member

Songs and discussion in the preschool’s toddler classroom followed by Kiddush lunch at a reserved table

in the Social HallFree to all members and non-members

No advance sign-up required

Shabbat for baby & Me

seCoND saturDays at NooN february 13th

marCh 12th

third Friday Family Shabbat

FEBRUARY 19TH AND MARCH 18TH

5:30 p.m. Dinner • 6:15 p.m. Service

NeW Lower Prices!Adults (ages 13 years and up): $16.00 per adult

Children (ages 4 – 12 years): $9.00 per childYoung Children (3 and under): No Charge

Maximum Family Price: $50.00

RSVP for dinner on Wednesday prior by 4:30 p.m.www.bethjacobrwc.org/shabbat-sign-up1.html

TheVoice is published six times per year by Congregation Beth Jacob, a Conservative congregation.

One of the things that I love about this community is how diverse we are, and how we are so open and accepting of those who are different. In our Saturday morning study, we have people who have intensively studied Talmud, those who don’t know a letter of Hebrew, and many in-between. Each of our voices is lifted up, heard, and respected. Some of us are more observant, some less, and all of us pray together in one voice.

I am especially proud that our community has been in the forefront of ensuring that those with special needs are full and equal participants. Speaking from my perspective as the mentor to our B’nai Mitzvah, I have had many kids over the years with different needs: dyslexia, processing disorders, autism, etc. Each of these kids was able to have a unique and special experience with great integrity.

David Neufeld, who has done such a marvelous job as the Director of Special Needs at Jewish Learning Works, quoted a Mishnah that sums

up a guiding principle of the Rosh Pina work of our North Peninsula community: A human being mints many coins from the same mold, and they are all identical. But the Holy One, blessed be God, strikes us all from the mold of the first human and each one of us is unique.

I truly believe that our recognition of the uniqueness of every individual allows us to be closer to God. By seeing everyone as having been created in the image of God, we affirm the divinity of every human being, irrespective of his or her differences. In fact, we go a step further, and celebrate the differences that each person has. This month is Disability Awareness Month. May it spur us to recognizing the divinity in each of our fellow humans.

Bill Futornick, Ritual Director

Bill’s Message

The family of hank Washauer, a beloved member, has esTablished a scholarship in his memory. please read The folloWing criTeria and consider applying.

• Eligibility: HigH ScHool SEnior Enrolling full timE at four yEar accrEditEd collEgE or univErSity. This is a one-Time aWard.

• QualificationS: dEmonStratEd lEadErSHip in tHE JEwiSH community, involvEmEnt in congrEgation bEtH Jacob. family bElongS to congrEgation bEtH Jacob.

• annual grant: 1 ScHolarSHip of $2,500, or 2 ScHolarSHipS of $1,250. tHE ScHolarSHipS can bE appliEd to tuition, fEES, bookS, SuppliES, and EQuipmEnt rEQuirEd for courSE load.

• plEaSE Submit a 500 – 600 word ESSay dEScribing your involvEmEnt in JEwiSH community and itS impact on your lifE. ESSayS muSt bE SubmittEd to rabbi Ezray by marcH 1, 2016. rabbi Ezray and a committEE dEvotEd to tHiS proJEct will rEviEw tHE applicationS.

heNry Washauer memoriaL sChoLarshiP

For CBJ High School Seniors

What does special needs inclusion look like at Beth Jacob Preschool? It looks like children sitting at circle time in different ways; on the carpet, in a cube chair, on a cushion, on a teacher’s lap. It also looks like children finger painting in different ways; some on paper enjoying the feeling of the slippery paint, some with the paint inside a ziplock bag so fingers don’t get dirty. It can also be invisible; children using a variety of classroom equipment to allow everyone to hone their skills, while interacting and creating relationships with each other. Different ways but all at the

same time; special needs inclusion looks like children engaged with each other, in ways that each child can enjoy and best learn.

In a 2009 article, What is Inclusive Preschool Education? Alice Parker, ED writes that “inclusive education is a system in which students with special needs can attend school with their typically developing peers. An inclusive preschool system integrates special education and related services into all aspects of its program. This makes it possible to address the needs of both special needs and typically developing children.” Everyone learns about colors, and numbers, and Jewish holidays, and how to share shovels in the sandbox, and how to be kind, and teachers provide this by meeting each child where they are. It really is quite magical to see. Our amazing teachers have knowledge of both typical and atypical development as well as ways to meet the needs of each child.

This didn’t happen for us overnight. We have been fortunate to have had time to study with many outside professionals about a wide range of special needs. Over the years we have had workshops led by Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, experts on Autism and sensory processing. We’ve been lucky to learn about recognizing developmental red flags from experts in the community, and have attended conferences and seminars that tackle the issue of special needs inclusion from many perspectives; from hearing how parents feel to Torah study, and everything in between.

When teachers are tuned in to special needs inclusion, they are able to provide the children in their classrooms with an early awareness of diversity and the needs of others. Children are sharing experiences and learning about (and appreciating) each other’s likenesses and differences. Three and four year olds quickly learn when classmates might need assistance and are always there with a helping hand. Compassion for friends, even advocacy for friends is something they learn through these shared experiences.

Lastly, it is wonderful to see families who haven’t been connected to the Jewish community find connection. A position statement from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, on early childhood inclusion states that, “A program philosophy on inclusion should be used to shape practices aimed at ensuring that infants and young children with disabilities and their families are full members of the early childhood community and that children have multiple opportunities to learn, develop, and form positive relationships.” Families not only form positive relationships within the preschool, they have so many opportunities to connect to the larger congregation. I am so proud to be a part of a community that has embraced special needs inclusion and continues to work toward creating a community of inclusion for everyone.

A MessAge froM Ann CAuteruCCi, PresChool DireCtorA MessAge froM Ann CAuteruCCi, PresChool DireCtor

When Sooze Protter last worked at Beth Jacob, Rabbi Teitelbaum was the rabbi, Sooze ran a booming teen program, and she walked on her own feet. This year, Sooze returned to CBJ to teach our 6th and 7th grade students. Her ability to connect with youth is as strong as ever, but a car accident 14 years ago has left her in a wheel chair.

What would you do if you were a teacher, and you had a visible disability? Ignore your difference, and hope the kids do too? Make a cursory acknowledgement of it, and move on? Not Sooze! She devotes her entire first unit to disabilities, offering students a glimpse of the significant, sometimes overwhelming, challenges she faces living life in a wheel chair.

Partway through the unit, Sooze tells her students that every person has a disability of some form: nearsightedness, color blindness, dyslexia, ADHD, depression, insomnia, and countless other differences that have no formal names. Many disabilities can be invisible to others. “Who would like share what their disability is?” she asks, and nearly every hand goes up.

This is the blessing of inclusion. As we practice the skills of acceptance and compassion towards others, we begin to feel acceptance and compassion for ourselves. Differences that once shamed us, we no longer hide.

Invisible disabilities can challenge us at a more base level. One mother said to me of her child’s public

school classmates: “They wouldn’t pick on a child with Down Syndrome. But if a child appears to be normal and isn’t catching social cues, they can be cruel.” We know this to be true as adults, too. When we notice odd behaviors, it’s hard to withhold judgment.

CBJ kids do far better, this mother told me. “Religious school is a safe place,” she said. In that offhand comment, she affirmed my most cherished wishes for our community.

A safe, accepting community does not happen by chance. CBJ has worked hard to ensure that inclusion is both an explicit and implicit value in our school. For example, our faculty includes an expert in learning disabilities, Darby Morris. Darby has no formal teaching responsibilities, so that she can be available during religious school hours to support students with special needs, and to support teachers in meeting the diverse learning needs of their students.

Abraham our forefather was a wanderer and a foreigner. Moses stuttered. King David was the 7th son of a shepherd. If our ancient stories have one lesson for us, it is this: out of vulnerability can emerge new strength, and people who are different will create a new tomorrow. In the words of Isaiah the prophet (49:7), “The one who is despised…kings will see him and rise.”

a message from reLigious sChooL DireCtor

by RABBI ILANA GOLDHABER-GORDON

marCh 20th, 12Pm PuriM CArnivAl AnD sChool PerforMAnCe

marCh 23rD, 5:30Pm PuriM PArty AnD MegillAh reADing

marCh 30th originAlly A vACAtion DAte,

religious sChool will be in session

aPriL 25th religious sChool CAnCelleD

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REMINDERS

NEW THIS yEAR, FAmIly SERvICE FIRST SHABBAT OF THE mONTH, 11:30Am

TIkkuN OlAM – PARTNERS IN ACTIONREPAIRINg ThE WORlD

Blood Drive and CPR Workshop Wednesday, March 9th betWeen 2:00 p.M. and 7:00 p.M.

ContaCt Linda Leeb, SoCiaL aCtion Chair, at [email protected]

Easter Dinner at Maple Street Shelter sunday, March 27th

Committee memberS needed, ContaCt rebeCCa SChwartz in the CbJ offiCe [email protected]

HoME anD HoPE, IntERfaItH anD CoMMunIty SuPPoRt foR HoMElESS faMIlIES

returns to cbJ March 27th through april 3rd ContaCt oLga PooLe at [email protected] for more information and to voLunteer

CBJ is a vibrant, engaged community whose members are connected to the notion of Tikkun Olam in multiple and overlapping ways. Partners in Action coordinate projects throughout the year

that bring together different ages and groups within the congregation.

UPCOMING EvENTS INCLUDE:

BEiNg MORTAl DOCUMENTARYSuNDAY, FEBRuARY 21ST AT 4:00 P.M.

We will be showing the documentary Being mortal, which follows surgeon Atul Gawande as

he explores the relationships doctors have with patients who are nearing the end of life. In

conjunction with Gawande’s book, Being mortal, the film investigates the practice of caring

for the dying, and shows how doctors—himself included—are often remarkably untrained,

ill-suited and uncomfortable talking about chronic illness and death with their patients.

Contact the CBJ office for more information.

“Purim lanu, Pasah ala mano,” cries the folksong of Bosnian born Jewish-American singer Flory Jagoda. “Purim is ended, Pesach is at hand,” is a call to engage in the preparations for Pesach: cooking, cleaning, and the rabbi’s instruction about refraining from eating bread. As it instructs to

make the special foods, and to dust the ceilings and corners, each verse ends in a chorus of “Aman” (Amen) and appreciation of G-d’s favor. This work of kashering in the month between Purim and Pesach is an expression of faith and gratitude.

As I look around my home, apart from the crumbs of chametz, such as bread and fermented products, I see other types of chamtez in the physical possessions which I can no longer use, which I yet hold on to stubbornly, as if they had intrinsic importance. Instead of welcoming the challenge of confronting the excess, I groan at the thought of parting with the favorite pair of shoes that I can no longer wear. Where’s the sense of holiness in

the endeavor? I have to find it. Maybe it would help if I wrote another verse to Flory Jagoda’s song about purging old clothes from one’s closet, or a verse that quotes Marie Kondo’s bestselling book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by asking does this “spark joy?” before ending singing “Aman, Aman, Aman.”

Each stage of the Jewish journey through the year is preceded by preparation. Whether it is the opening prayers of a morning service that lead to the high point of the conversation with G-d during the Amidah, or the 30 days of preparation from Purim to Pesach, or the month of Elul study that leads to Rosh Hashanah, we can’t just “get there” without going through the physical, mental and spiritual work. Cleaning out the chametz is like laying the groundwork for growth in the vegetable garden: heavy, necessary labor, done in order to allow for full expression of the living things that will grow. As I search for the chametz, in all its forms, I’ll try to have such courage. The preparation for celebrating our redemption at Pesach will be worth the difficulty, and might just invoke a sense of gratitude for the freedom we were granted upon leaving Egypt.

CantorBarbaraPowellPurim to PesaCh

Membership Engagement Director Rebecca Schwartz

This is our first issue of the voice centered on a particular theme, and the timing couldn’t be better. As we look to our member families with a variety of needs and styles of learning and participation this is an opportunity to examine everything we do at CBJ through this particular lens. Are we meeting everyone’s needs? Are there places in which we could be doing more?

This topic recently arose among several of us who realized that our Religious School parents in particular might appreciate a safe space in which to discuss their experiences raising children with different needs. At the time of this writing we are looking into creating such a space on Wednesday

afternoons while children are learning. If you have not already been seeing emails about this group please watch for them to begin soon. If such a group appeals to you and you want to make sure to receive announcements please be in touch with Rebecca to add your name to the interest list.

Looking to our adult programs, are we missing classes or learning opportunities that would appeal to you? Are our offerings inaccessible to you for any reason? Please let us know your thoughts and feelings, as inclusion means including everyone who wishes to participate. Make sure we know how to best include you.

Save the date!

Passover 2nd seder at CBJ

saturday, aPril 23rd

at 6:15 P.m.

februAry bAr MitzvAh

Jonathan Blecherman is a seventh grader at Hillview Middle School, younger brother to Ben, and 5-minute older twin brother to David. Starting at a young age, Jonathan developed an amazing interest in history, especially the American Civil War. His love of all things old is steering him toward studying archaeology, starting with an expedition to Pleasanton, CA to discover traces of the old Niles Canyon Railroad. His favorite sport is rock climbing and his parents have promised him a new pair of climbing shoes when he completes several new v3 routes.

David Blecherman is a seventh grader at Hillview Middle School, younger brother to Ben, and 5-minute younger twin brother to Jonathan. David accepted the challenge from his parents at a very young age to substitute watching cartoons with studying all shows on the food network, finding inspiration especially in

“Iron Chef” and “Chopped” provided the secret ingredient was not durian. This has led David to study cooking in after school programs and cooking school lessons, planning for a culinary career surrounded by high quality food and fun cooking gadgets. He enjoys swimming, which helps in his recovery from hip surgery, and rock climbing.

DaviD & Jonathan Blecherman FEBRUARY 13, 2016

MArCh bAt MitzvAh

We are delighted to have our precious Annie called to the Torah for her bat mitzvah on March 26. She has already worked very hard for this day and is nearly ready. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with all members of the CBJ community.

annie GolDman MARCH 26, 2016

Hineni Social SundaySALL ARE WELCOME AT OUR INTERGENERATIONAL EvENTS.

GAMES DAY AT CBJSuNDAY, FEBRuARY 28Th FROM 2:00 TO 4:00 P.M.

OUR GAMES DAY WAS SO POPULAR LAST YEAR WE ARE BRINGING IT BACK. COME AND

PLAY YOUR FAvORITE BOARD OR CARD GAMES.

vISIT TO THE STANFORD ART MUSEUMSuNDAY, MARCh 13Th FROM 12:00 TO 4:00 P.M.

CONTACT REBECCA TO RSvP OR WITH ANY qUESTIONS, [email protected].

MERcAz LIMMuD / ADuLt EDucAtION

There is always learning going on at Congregation Beth Jacob:

• Adult B’nai Mitzvah Classes• Weekly Shabbat Torah study on Saturday

mornings at 9:00 a.m.• Mondays with Meaning at 10:30 a.m.• Talmud Study on Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m.• Beginning Hebrew Class on Wednesdays at

7:00 p.m. with Esti Ben-David• Women’s book group also continues to meet

on the 2nd Thursday each month at 7:30 p.m.

sChoLar iN resiDeNCe, rabbi WayNe DosiCk

In February we welcome 2016 Scholar in Residence, rabbi Wayne Dosick, sponsored by the PJCC and Northern Peninsula synagogues.. Rabbi Dosick leads the Elijah Minyan in San Diego, and is the author of nine books, including When Life Hurts and The Real Name of God: Embracing the Full Essence of the Divine.

Rabbi Dosick’s events at Congregation Beth Jacob are:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3 AT 5:30 P.M. Kabbalah Alive! Soul Journey into the Tree of Life

MONDAY, FEB. 8 AT 10:30 A.M. Hey Boomers! We’re All Going to Die so Get Used to it

See the full schedule of all events here: www.pjcc.org/jewishlife/culture/scholar.html.

Professor haNaN aLexaNDerOn the weekend of FEB. 12-13, Congregation

Beth Jacob opens our doors to host a Shabbaton with hanan Alexander, Professor of Philosophy of Education, Dean of Students, and also Head of the International School and Center for Jewish Education at the University of Haifa. The focus is Meeting the Challenge of BDS: Anti-Israel Activities on Campus. He will be joined by Mark Yudof,

Chairman of the Academic Engagement Network Board of Advisors and former President of the University of California.

the feast of JeWish LearNiNgReturns to the South Peninsula on SuN., FEB. 20

AT 7:00 P.M., Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos..

2ND friDay Night sPeaker, rabbi iLaNa kaufmaN

MaRCH 11 features our 2nd Friday Night speaker, rabbi ilana kaufman. She is the Public Affairs and Civic Engagement Director for the Jewish Council on Community Relations (JCRC). Please keep in mind that we also share potluck Shabbat dinners prior to our 2nd Friday Night speakers, so watch for the announcement: come to dinner and stay to pray!

Purim CarNivaL, LearN With rabbi ezray

SuNDAY, MARCh 20 AT 12:00 P.M. brings us to the annual Congregation Beth Jacob Purim Carnival, and a great opportunity to learn with Rabbi Ezray. This year, rabbi ezray will explore misery in the megillah: What we Don’t Talk About at Purim. Yes, it’s time to take a better look some of those ‘other’ themes in the Megillah!

sPeaker, Perry zarriNPerry zarrin will be teaching on ThuRSDAY,

MARCh 29 AT 7:30 P.M. Mr. Zarrin is a student of Kabbalah, which he learned from a rabbinic dynasty that published a commentary on the Zohar, Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Jewish mysticism—from its inception to its current practitioners.

tHERE aRE WonDRouS WayS to DElvE Into lEaRnIng at CongREgatIon BEtH JaCoB—JuSt DRoP By anD DRoP In.

START ANYWhERE—AND FIND YOuR CENTER ThROugh lEARNINg AT CBJ

(WE RECOMMEND CONTACTING THE SYNAGOGUES TO CONFIRM SCHEDULES)

ChAbAD north PeninsulA, usuAlly At MArriott hotel, 1770 s. AMPhlett blvD., sAn MAteo, 650-341-4510CongregAtion beth JACob, 1550 AlAMeDA De lAs PulgAs, reDwooD City, 650-366-8481

CongregAtion eMek berAChA, 4102 el CAMino reAl, PAlo Alto, 650-857-1800CongregAtion kol eMeth, 4175 MAnuelA Avenue, PAlo Alto, 650-948-7498

PeninsulA sinAi CongregAtion, 499 boothbAy Avenue, foster City, 650-349-2816PeninsulA teMPle beth el, 1700 AlAMeDA De lAs PulgAs, sAn MAteo, 650-341-7701

suNDays moNDays tuesDays WeDNesDays thursDays friDays

8:00 a.m. and 8:05 P.m. Congregation emek

beraCha

8:30 a.m. Chabad north

PeninSuLa

9:15 a.m. and 7:45 P.m. Congregation koL

emeth


beraCha

7:45 P.m. Congregation koL

emeth


beraCha

8:00 a.m. PeninSuLa temPLe beth

eL

7:15 P.m. PeninSuLa Sinai Congregation


emeth


beraCha

7:00 a.m. congregaTion beTh

Jacob


emeth


beraCha

6:45 a.m. and 7:45P.m. Congregation koL

emeth

7:00 a.m. PeninSuLa Sinai Congregation

6:30 a.m. Congregation emek

beraCha

Mishloach ManotA CoMMunity builDer, A holiDAy MitzvAh, AnD A fun wAy to suPPort CbJ

Purim falls on March 24 this year, and again we will be partnering with our friends at happyPurim.com on mishloach manot, the giving of Purim goodie baskets to one another in the congregation and to friends and family around the country. It is a religious custom of very long standing in connection with this most joyous of holidays.

Net proceeds from Mishloach Manot benefit our programming budget, but of equal benefit is the warm feeling of kindness and connection generated by the giving and receiving of the Purim baskets. Volunteers making deliveries have seen tears of joy from recipients when they read the list of friends old and new who are thinking of them on Purim.

Mishloach Manot has been a positive spiritual experience and an effective fundraiser for our synagogue. If you have not participated in the past, thank you very much for your support, if not, we urge you to try it this year. Religious school or preschool family? give to everyone in your child’s class. Minyan or adult class attendee? give to the people with whom you pray and learn every week. Or just give to your friends and family.

Watch for e-mail or uSPS mail soon explaining the program and the simple steps it takes to participate. We will also be looking for volunteers to help assemble and deliver the baskets.

Thank you!

By Gary Geller, Executive Director

From Diane HowarD

dear friendS,aS we Start the new Year,

i wouLd Like to introduCe You to the LeaderShiP team on Your redwood CitY CounCiL. John SeYbert haS been eLeCted aS Your maYor. he iS an individuaL who underStandS the ConCernS of the CommunitY and the CitY Staff, and iS Committed

to their reSoLution. he iS Committed to the ConCePt of a tranSParent government, and he underStandS that a CitY government iS there to Serve the CommunitY and not the other waY around.

ian bain haS been eLeCted aS Your viCe maYor. he waS the toP vote getter in thiS LaSt eLeCtion aS he beginS hiS fourth term. he haS a reCord of being aCCeSSibLe to the PubLiC. he bringS a great deaL of marketing and ComPuter exPertiSe to the CounCiL, and he aLwaYS LookS for innovative SoLutionS to diffiCuLt ProbLemS. together, i beLieve, that John and ian wiLL Lead uS ConfidentLY into the future.

we have two new memberS eLeCted to the CounCiL thiS PaSt november, SheLLY maSur and Janet borgenS. both have Strong rootS in our CommunitY and have made SignifiCant ContributionS to the betterment of our CitY.

thiS PaSt eLeCtion waS not without ControverSY. our booming eConomY haS aCCeLerated deveLoPment in our downtown. thiS raPid growth haS eLiCited a fuLL range of emotionS from our CommunitY. our CounCiL wiLL keeP aCtiveLY working to addreSS theSe ConCernS, aS we ConStantLY Strive to find that eLuSive Sweet SPot. we aLSo reCognize there iS no SoLution that wiLL make everYone haPPY. however, it iS our Job to make Your LiveS better.

what iS more ConCerning to me are the fruStrationS that i have heard from Some of You, whiCh iS that the CounCiL doeS not LiSten to You. Let me CategoriCaLLY aSSure aLL of You that thiS CounCiL wiLL be LiStening to You. we take Your ConCernS and ideaS SeriouSLY.

what aLSo ConCerned me during the eLeCtion waS the LaCk of CiviLitY diSPLaYed on Some SoCiaL media SiteS. theSe SiteS have the CaPaCitY to be a uSefuL tooL to exChange information and ideaS, but unfortunateLY Some uSed theSe SiteS to SPread unfounded rumorS and make hatefuL aCCuSationS. thiS tYPe of behavior onLY further divideS our CommunitY and haS no PLaCe in redwood CitY. i want to beLieve that we are better than thiS.

aS the new Year beginS, we oPen a new ChaPter in the book that iS redwood CitY. aS we turn the Page and enter what i beLieve wiLL be a ChaPter fuLL of exCitement and oPPortunitY, i Look forward to hearing Your thoughtS and ideaS. our intention moving forward iS to Provide manY more oPPortunitieS for PeoPLe to weigh in on different iSSueS, SuCh aS downtown traffiC, Parking and deveLoPment; affordabLe houSing oPtionS; and ParkS, art and reCreationaL oPPortunitieS uSing tooLS Like LoCaL neighborhood meetingS, town haLL meetingS, the farmerS’ market and our webSite.

i hoPe You wiLL ContaCt me if You have anY queStionS or iSSueS You wouLd Like to diSCuSS. i Can be reaChed bY CeLL, #650-208-4774 or emaiL – [email protected].

in CLoSing, i wouLd Like to wiSh You aLL good heaLth, haPPineSS and PeaCe in 2016.

Sincerely,

DIANE HOWARDredwood CitY CounCiL member

Recent contributionsADulT EDuCATION FuNDIn honor of: Ed Rosen’s 75th Birthday by Marsha Lee & Norman BerkmanIn memory of: Lee Schoenfeldt by Marsha Lee & Norman Berkman

CARES FuNDIn memory of: Beverly Altman and Rita Silber by Bernie & Joanne Arfin; Ida Cohn by Hans Cohn; Bo Wang by Yuning & Jeff Pathman

gAlA FuNDBy: Sol Kutner

gENERAl FuNDBy: Anonymous; Tanya Dubinsky; Jacqueline Holt; Tami and Amir Raubvogel; Francine Rokaw; Ilse Rosenbaum; Norma Siegel ; Gail Waxman; Alisa Yaffa and Ken McElvain In honor of: Janet Teman’s Aliyah by Joan Abrams; Alex Ackerman by Joseph Ackerman; Ike Goodman on his 85th birthday by Joanne and Bernie Arfin; Jeff Sultan by Diane Brown; Bernie Arfin by Betsy Eckstein & David Heller; Grandson Samuel’s Bar Mitzvah by Ernest and Ursula Fruehauf; Granddaughters Sage and Phoebe by Dina & Eugene Gorlick; Roy Lee by Anita Lee; Bernie & Joanne Arfin’s 60th Anniversary by June & Wally Levin; Birth of David Moradzadeh by Mary & Joshua Lipp; Jon Rose’s 60th Birthday by David and Susan Ron; Anne Chasson by Stefi Rudolph; Jon and Wendy Segal’s and Jeff and Linda Wexler’s 35th Wedding Anniversaries by Elaine & Bob Sloss; Greg and Nancy Sterling in celebration of the birth of their Granddaughter by Eric Stone; Ike and Jeanette Goodman’s 60th Wedding Anniversary by Bernie & Joanne Arfin, and by Roland & Audrey Lampert, and by June & Wally Levin, and by Ruth Lee Wise; Carolynn and Norm Licht’s 65th Anniversary and Margot Lobree’s birthday by Ruth Lee Wise; Ed Rosen’s 75th birthday by Bernie & Joanne Arfin, and by Rhoda Grumet, and by Barbara Hasten, and by Frank & Ellen Kushin, and by Shelley London & Mike Zall, and by Diane & George Rauchwerger, and by Barbara & Tom Rauchwerger, and by Miriam & Richard ZimmermanIn memory of: George Abramson by Pamela & Scott Abramson; Judy Ackerman by Joseph Ackerman; Rose Patrick & Hyman Altman by David Altman; Jules Wilner by Susan & Elliot Bloom; Arthur Bronstein by Matt & Amy Bronstein; Sara Berloe, Julian Caplan, Henry Slager and Hyman Berloe by Helen Caplan; Ada Levy by Ann & Steve Chalmer; Gene Topperman by Marilyn David-Krasner; Sybil Devore by Sheila Devore; Dr. Robert P. Dorin by Anna Dorin; Bessie Scheer & Molly Elgarten by Janet Scheer & Gerald Elgarten; Mike Schwimmer by Jane Falk; Isaak Farber by Gennady Farber; Myron Feinstein by Zelma Feinstein; Paul Fish and Jack Mervis by Charlotte Fish; Arline Milan and Harry Friedman by Harriet Friedman; Lea Weininger, Anna Gold and Joseph Weininger by Frederica & Frank Gold; Peter v. Remmerde by Emilie Goldman; Joseph Goldschmid by Joyce and David Goldschmid;

Charles Goldsmith by vera Goldsmith; Harry Gorlick by Dina & Eugene Gorlick; Parents, Devera & Sidney and Aunt Lottie & Uncle Morris by Susan & Clifford Gutterman; Louis Prober by Ellen Hall; Jerry Holiber by Judith Holiber; Trevor Egnal by Barry Wolf & Sarah Jacobson; Leo Kanner by Margret Kanner; Sheldon Goldstein by Debra Kaplan; Carl and Erna Kermit, Frieda Weiss and Henry Weiss by Lillie Kermit; Jacob Kochavi, Ishayahu volf, Malka Kochavi and Rosi volf by Edi Kochavi; Louis David by Marilyn and Norman Krasner; Ethel Bittker and Norman Leviant by Martha Leviant; Norman Leviant by Melissa & Curtis Leviant; Beverly Adelman by Donna & Stan Levin; Frieda Odenheimer, John Odenheimer and Katinka Roth by Edith Odenheimer; Esther Pava by Jacob Pava; Charles Girsky by Tami & Amir Raubvogel; Marcus Greifinger by Ruth Rothman; Arcadi Elbert by Gary & Ophra Rudolph; Alice Goldschmidt by Stefi Rudolph; Doris Duleich, Eddy and Lena Scheier by Charlotte Scheier; Edith and Bernard Jerotovsky by Cheryl & Jeffrey Selman; beloved Arnold by Leah, Darrell & David Shea; Bill Sporer by Lisa Levine & Michael Sporer; Patricia Stayn by John A. Stayn; Rosa Zeckel by Susan Sterling; Shirley Teitelbaum by Robin & Rabbi David Teitelbaum; Elizabeth Wachter by Paul Wachter; Bernard Weiss and beloved husband Herbert by Annette Weiss; Esther Markman by Grace Winston; Isadore Wallach and Pearl Jaffe by Beryl Yaffa; Ann Cohen and Sam Cohen by Leah Zimmerman; Beverly Altman by Adam quartarolo, and by Ilse Rosenbaum; Carl Grumet by Zachary Antovich, and by Judith Parker, and by Grace Rosenberg, and by Jane Tan; Rita Silber by Ann & Stan Forman, and by Margret Kanner, and by Eric & Robyn Stone, and by Manfred and Sylvia Wildmann

kORENgOlD CAMPERShIP FuNDIn honor of: Margot Lobree’s birthday by Etty KorengoldIn memory of: Alda Siegan and Beverly Altman by Etty Korengold

lIBRARY FuNDIn memory of: Ronald Stein by Peter & Harise Staple

lINDAuER DISABIlITY FuNDIn honor of: Ed Rosen’s Birthday by Diane Levinson, and by Jacki Silber

PRAYER BOOk FuNDIn honor of: Norman Berkman’s special birthday by Arlene and Milton Berkman, and by Evelyn Fox, and by Bernard Ghee, and by David Kanner, and by Sharon & Irwin Kasser, and by Tami Raubvogel, and by Carol Seiler RobertsIn memory of: Bernard Berkman and Isaac Berkman by Marsha Lee & Norman Berkman; Rita Silber, Jacob Pava, and Mike Schwimmer by Charlotte Scheier

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FuNDBy: Arne Benowitz; Morris Davidowitz; Harriet Friedman; Melinda Berlant Gurman; Esther & George Rubin; Anne Schlossman; Jacki Silber; Linda & Jeffrey WexlerIn honor of: baby naming of grandchildren by Ann & Steve Chalmer; Noreen Sommer by Jim & Sheila Greenley; Zach Leslie’s Bar Mitzvah by Mark & Debra Leslie; Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah by Mary & Joshua Lipp; Norm Berkman’s special birthday by Ed & Linda Rosen; Rabbi Ezray’s 20th Anniversary at Beth Jacob by Margret Kanner and by Martha LeviantIn memory of: beloved sister Rachel Levin by Dan and Esti Bendavid; Gertrude Shaffer by Sandra & Ed Epstein; our parents and their unveiling by Henia Kamil and Family; Beverly Altman, Max Bitkin and Harry Leviant by Martha Leviant; Marilyn Levin by H. Ann Liroff; Philip Neckowitz by Reba Neckowitz; Marrieta Fulton by Elka Niclas; Bo Wang by Yuning & Jeff Pathman; Dr. Sam Rabinovitch by Marlene Rabinovitch; Fradel Zoldan by Jennie and Milton Reynard; Esther Richards by LaLa & Dr. Marvin Richards; Rita Silber by Linda and Ed Rosen; Sylvia Greifinger by Ruth Rothman; Bill Sporer and Leonard R. Levine by Michael Sporer & Lisa Levine Sporer; Alisa’s beloved father Bernard Yaffa by Alisa Yaffa and Ken McElvain

RElIgIOuS SChOOl FuNDIn memory of: Saul Heiser by Judith Schiffner

RITuAl DIRECTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FuNDBy: Marcia and Jan Chaiken; Margret Kanner; Linda & Jeffrey WexlerIn honor of: Ilan’s bar mitzvah by Uri Ladabaum & Sylvie l. Blumenstein; Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah by Mary & Joshua Lipp; Our awesome Moms, Beryl Yaffa and Carolyn McElvain by Alisa Yaffa and Ken McElvainIn memory of: Frieda Steiner and Carl Freeman by Janice & Richard Freeman

RuTh ShAPIRO kIDDuSh FuNDBy: Bernie & Joanne Arfin; Leslie WeinsteinIn honor of: Wendy and Jon Segals’ 35th Wedding Anniversary by Jackie & Steve Dines; Ed Rosen’s 75th Birthday and Jeanette & Ike Goodman’s 60th Wedding Anniversary by Irwin and Sharon Kasser and vivian Gluck; Dahlia’s Bat Mitzvah by Jennifer and Daniel Levy; Helen Caplan’s 95th Birthday by Linda & Ed RosenIn memory of: Morris Arfin, Beatrice Sussman Friedman, Paula Sussman Rose and Joseph Sussman by Bernie & Joanne Arfin; Morton Cominsky by Tina Cominsky and by Linda & Michael Klein; Rita Silber by Steve & Jackie Dines; Philip Neckowitz by Reba Neckowitz

YAhRzEIT FuNDIn memory of: Margaret David by Marilyn David-Krasner; Sarah Rosen and Arthur Rosen by Linda & Edward Rosen; Bernie Scheier by Charlotte Scheier

yahrzeits February to March 2016

Friday, February 5Saturday, February 6

EmiliE Aknin

GoldiE BirnBAum

CrAiG BowErs

JonAh Brown

sylviA GoldstEin

PhilliP GrEEnBErG

sylviA GrEifinGEr

JAmEs GruBEr

sEliG GruBEr

CAryl lois holiBEr

normA kushin

wErnEr loEwEnstEin

dinA mAtlin

miriAm PECklEr

nAthAniEl PolinGEr

sAmuEl PollACk

orA sAldinGEr

rosA sChAnz

CArl smilovitz

EdwArd stEin

sAmuEl yAffA


BArnEt AdElmAn

GEorGE BErns

sArAh dE hAAff

florEnCE fAsmAn

BErthA fEilEr

nEimA GABBAi

miriAm Gismot

AdriEnnE Goldsmith

BArBArA horowitz

lyndA kAPlAn

dAvid korEnGold

sElmA lAChtmAn

dorothy lEvEn

hAzEl loEwEnstEin

BlumA loGAsA

sylviA mErvis

Art mEyEr

AnnEttE moss

BErthA moss

CAry moss

EdwArd PollACk

hErBErt rosEnBAum

AlExAndEr sChArf

ElEAnor toBiAs

PAulinE wEinstEin

roBErt williAms

sAdiE zEmEl


roy ABB

ChArliE Aknin

mAuriCE BrodiE

GErtrudE Browdy

GitEl CohEn

ChArlEs EPstEin

louis fAsmAn

Julius Goldsmith

hErshEl GuttErmAn

frEdA hirsCh

molly lAzArus

AdolPh lEE

louis lEvinson

mAx millEr

ABrAhAm mossEri

BEss PArnEs

williAm shEr

Arnold silBErstEin

BErnArd sPiEGEl


yvEs Aknin

BEryl APPEl

nAthAn Brody

BEn zion CohEn

BErniE dolinko

toni drEyfuss

dorothy B. frAnklin

mAx GErriCk

lottiE GuttErmAn

EdwArd kAins

Arthur mArkmAn

mArCo mEnEsEs

mAry nAkAtA

shirlEy PErkins

ukE PoPik

nAtE riChArds

simonE roBinson

lil rosEnBErGEr

hAnnAh sChrEiBEr BlAttBErG

mosEs sChwAB

fAnyA tEkslEr

mAtthEw turBow

BErtrAm wEinEr

sol wEintrAuB

Friday, March 4Saturday, March 5

EdwArd BEslovE

EsthEr BrotmAn

nElson BurstEin

myron fEinstEin

sidnEy GuttErmAn

AdElE hErzliCh

AnniE kirsChEnBAum

rosE lEviAnt

sArAh lEvin

rABBi riChArd lEvinE

sArAh lEvinson

Ann linn

BErnArd mAnn

mArion mosEs

dAniEl rosEnBAum

AriEh sAndlEr

GABriEl sAndlEr

JonAthAn sAndlEr

dAniEl sChnEidEr

dAniEl siEGEl

Boris sPECtor

louisE wEissmAn

morris wofChuCk


PAul hAskin

dAvid iChElson

frEidE kAlish

mimi kAnnEr

Jim kEstEnBAum

Arnold solkov

williAm sosnow

AAron sPiElmAn

mAx tEisCh

hAttiE volPE

williAm volPE

Arthur wolPE


EdwArd BEslovE

yEttA GErshmAn

rosE hurwitz

nAthAn lAChtmAn

nAthAn mAnn

Erwin sPirA

zinA sturm

shAyA yurfEst


AnnA BErGEr

lEisEr BlAttBErG

EthEl hiGhAm

ChArlottE mAxwEll

ruth wEissmAn

If you would lIke to add loved ones to the yahrzeIt lIst or have a correctIon, please send an emaIl to [email protected].

the art of a shiva by rabbi naT ezray

A powerful Jewish value practiced with great love at CBJ is comforting those who are mourning. We encourage you to attend the shiva of any congregant who has had a loss

—even if you do not personally know them. Together we create a community of healing and kindness.

Here are some thoughts about attending shiva:

1. Be present. The essence of shiva is being present for those who have suffered a loss. There is a law that teaches we do not greet mourners. Underlying this law is the insight that everyone experiences grief differently. Some will weep, others will not. Some will want to talk, others will be silent. Let the mourner set the tone. Our attentive listening brings comfort. Please be aware if the family has requested that people visit at specific times. As you approach the home, be aware that for traditional families, there is no need to knock or ring the bell—they expect that you will enter. For others not as traditional, it is a good idea to knock on the door.

2. Bring something. Traditionally people bring food. Please be aware that some people have dietary restrictions and that fruit or vegetables might be a thoughtful alternative to snacks. It is also nice to bring a meal during the week—check with the family about food requests. If you are not into cooking, you might also bring over a plant or a book. Customarily, we do not bring flowers to a shiva.

3. Share stories. Think of memories you have of the person who has died. People find great comfort in hearing stories of their loved ones. Rabbi David Wolpe writes: “These are precious bits, the lifeblood of continual survival in this world. What you remember, relate.” If you didn’t know the person who died, you can ask the mourners if they would like to share a memory with you. If you sense that the mourner does not want to talk, or cannot think of something to say, there is a traditional line for mourners: may God comfort you amidst those who mourn in Zion and Jerusalem.

4. Shiva is not a social event. Remember, shiva is not a time to for socializing or loud conversation with others who are attending. Turning shiva into a social occasion takes away the proper mood that should be at a shiva home.

5. Services. Participate as best you can during the service. In a traditional home, only the

mourners recite the Mourner’s Kaddish. However, often in homes where people are not as familiar with the rituals, joining in during Mourner’s Kaddish is comforting.

6. Stay in touch. It can be especially difficult for people once shiva is over. Suddenly, people are no longer around. Stay in touch—call periodically, send notes, visit, invite over, take out. When shiva ends, comforting takes on even more significance.

tHank you to ouR gala SPonSoRS!

HonoRIng BIll futoRnICk on JanuaRy 31, 2016sPoNsor List as of JaNuary 4, 2016

DiamoNDMark & Gilah Abelson

Susan Borg & Jeff SultanLisa & Barry Cheskin

Stuart Schonberger & Carmen DiCinque

Jon & Susan GolovinAlisa Yaffa & Ken McElvainChealsea Nather & Deborah

GolderAlan Fisher & Barbara Sommer

goLDNorman & Marsha Lee Berkman

Marc & Robin DruckerRabbi Nat & Mimi EzrayMichelle & David Gee

The Reich-Meyer FamilyThe Sahn Family

Jim & Emily ScheinmanGreg & Nancy Sterling

siLverAnonymous

Bernie & Joanne ArfinDavid Arfin & Maddy Chaleff

Fred & Nicole AronPhyllis Brock & Jon Bornstein

The Citron FamilyBryan Johnson & Jocelyn

GoldfeinEmilie & Lonnie GoldmanJeanette & Ike Goodman

Susan & Steve HellerLori Kaplan

Sonya KaplanAmy & Harold Keer

Nelson & Sally KoenThe Kramer FamilyJosh & Sara Leslie

Mark & Debra LeslieSeth & Sharon LeslieBryan & Jean Myers

Howard & Cheryl NeckowitzGayle & Allen Notowitz

Stephanie RosekindEdward & Linda Rosen

Philip & Mindy RosenbergDavid & Tara Saul

Mark Selwyn & Susan StaynEsther & Barry ShermanDavid & Patti Smilovitz

The Smirin FamilyApryl & Raymond Stern & Family

David & Adrienne WeilLeslie Weinstein

Sheila Zelinger & Ray Girouard

broNzeMilford C Davis & Ellen Alberstat

Sereen & Herbert BaraschElliott & Susan Bloom

Sallie DeGolia & Marty BronkOra & David ChaikenAnn & Steve Chalmer

Jason & Roxanne CohenCantor Hans & Nina Cohn

Helen & Ron DanczakDon & Zoe Danielson

Brian & Michelle de HaaffReuben Donig

David & Masako ElisofonRobin Feuchtwang

Ann Marie Jasse & Bruce Fram

Rebecca & Mike FreedmanJanice & Richard Freeman

Gary & Caroline GellerArturo Salz & Andrea GoldsmithBarbara Gottesman & Michael

MitgangRuthellen Harris

val Herman & FamilyShirley Kraus, Steve Hurwitz, Jake

& JordanJacqui & Jim Inglis

Barry Wolf & Sarah JacobsonJosie & Bill Kamin

Mark & Kathy KaufmannLinda & Michael Klein

Julie Dorsey & Dan LeemonCurtis & Melissa Leviant

Daniel & Jennifer ReifAstrid & David RieberSusan & David Ron

Eva & Aaron RoodmanSusan & Jon RoseGrace Rosenberg

Rob & Beth SaltzmanWendy & Jon SegalJohn & Reva Segall

Cheryl, Jeffrey, Sarah, Elana & Ben Selman

Jon & Naomi ShalowitzGwen & Edward Solomon

Elliot & Karen SteinCarol & Norman Stone, M.D.

Robin & Rabbi David TeitelbaumBarbara & Ken Weber

Emely WeissmanLinda & Jeff Wexler

Corynn Greene & Susan Wolf

Beth JacoB NewsPlease don’t hesitate to contact the Beth Jacob office and let us know of your lifecycle events.

WElCOME TO NEW MEMBERS…Norm AroN

MAzAl TOV TO…JordAN ANd deseNe sterliNg oN their weddiNg

Judy ANd tom hood oN the birth of their grANdsoN Abel JAmes thomsoN

steve ANd JAckie diNes oN the birth of their grANdsoN léo messikA

CONDOlENCES TO… the PAvA fAmily oN the PAssiNg of JAvob PAvA

frANk kushiN oN the PAssiNg of his beloved cousiN ritA mArks

elAiNe schwimmer oN the PAssiNg of her beloved husbANd mike schwimmer

May Their MeMory Be a Blessing

CBJ’s active Sisterhood gathers women of all ages for social activities, learning, recreation, spiritual endeavors and service to our synagogue and the greater community. We meet monthly and have engaged in guided mediation and yoga, learned to bake Jewish foods, planned and created rituals, studied with inspiring teachers, listened to each other’s stories, created art, enjoyed music, taken an architectural walking tour in San Francisco, visited art museums, and have eaten a lot of food. Dues are $36/year.

Check the calendar for upcoming events and meetings. Contact [email protected] for more information.

If you do not receive our Evites and emails

please contact the office to make sure we have your correct information.

Sisterhood Shmooze

GOURMET CATERING FOR ALL EVENTS

FEBRUARY

Check website calendar for up-to-date information at www.bethjacobrwc.org/calendar.html

MARCH

Check website calendar for up-to-date information at www.bethjacobrwc.org/calendar.html

PuRIM

Purim CarNivaL, suNDay, marCh 20th

SAvE-THE-DATE

CAKE-WALK, GAMES, CHILDREN’S

PERFORMANCE, TEEN-ONLY CASINO

erev Purim, WeDNesDay, marCh 23rD5:30-6:30 P.M.PRE-MEGILLAH PARTY

THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS INvITED FOR

HAMENTASCHEN, SINGING, COSTUME CONTEST

6:30-8:30 P.M. MEGILLAH READING

STAY FOR THE MEGILLAT ESTHER READING

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