INSIDE Centennial Family Concert - Temple SinaiOakland, CA · Shamati, as they help Temple Sinai...

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INSIDE

December Without Hanukkah

Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman

Women of the Wall speaker, Anat Hoffman

Centennial Spotlight

Temple Sinai Receives Architectural

Recognition

Exploring the World of Judaism Speaker

Series

Discussion: The Israel I Cherish

Register Kids for Summer Camp

Greenleaf School Food Drive

Literacy Mitzvot

Centennial Family ConcertSuNDAy, DECEMbER 810:45am – 11:30am in the Sanctuary

Come join Isaac Zones, Nathaniel Markman and the rest of their “Jewgrass” band, Shamati, as they help Temple Sinai celebrate the Sanctuary’s 100th Year!

Shamati’s sound is a unique mix of folk revival, soulful Jewish and

downright funky music.

The concert will include a mix of sing-along favorites as well as some danceable creative renditions of songs that bring out the values of community.

Open to the entire community. Parents of religious school students are encouraged to join their join their children at 10:45am in the sanctuary in order to attend the concert.

Investing in Our CommunityPlease consider a gift to this year’s Annual Giving Campaign to ensure the future of our congregation.

We want to count you in! See Spotlight on page 5.

2 n Temple Sinai n December 2013

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESKFROM THE RAbbI’S DESK

TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN (USPS 7053) is published monthly except June and July by the First Hebrew Congregation of Oakland, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland, CA 94609. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA and at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Temple Sinai Bulletin, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland CA 94609-3605.

December without Hanukkah: what’s a Jew to do?

What a strange year it will be. No Hanukkah after the first week in December. Not only is this a fluke in the calendar (as Rabbi Mates-Muchin explained in last month’s bulletin) but I believe that it will lead many of us to wonder

– how do I express my identity when so many around me are celebrating Christmas? In a normal year there is a bit of anxiety for some as Christmas comes and everywhere we turn there are Christmas trees, lights, pictures of Santa and “holiday sales,” the ubiquitous “holiday music.” Many of us wonder: where am I in this picture? We walk into a store and the staff wishes us “Merry Christmas” and normally I can say or think, “its ok, Hanukkah is coming.” But not this year, our holiday will be long over.

So what can we do? As many in the world around us celebrate their holiday, there are at least two responses that we can have. One, help our Christian family and neighbors celebrate their holiday. Christmas is one of the two most important Christian holidays of the year. For Christians it celebrates the birth of Jesus whom they believe to be the Messiah and Son of God. While I do not celebrate these beliefs, and therefore can not celebrate Christmas as my holiday, I can certainly wish my Christian neighbors a meaningful and spiritually fulfilling holiday. So yes, when I am in a store I will wish the staff a “Merry Christmas.” If you have Christian family members and you are invited to celebrate Christmas with them, go and enjoy. Recognize that you are helping them to celebrate their holiday – but it is not your holiday. Just like I can help a friend celebrate their birthday and know that it is not my birthday. I will also avoid shopping on Christmas even if the stores are open. It is my silent protest saying I want Christians to be home with their families or in church on their holiest day – not having to work so that I can buy some milk.

Secondly, it is a time for us to reaffirm our Jewish identity and especially to help our children and grandchildren to affirm their Jewish identity. While we should be doing this

365 days a year – it becomes especially important at this time that we help our children and grandchildren to be proud of their Jewishness. We can do this in so many ways.

Here are a few suggestions:

n There are still four Jewish holidays in December. Four Shabbats. Celebrate Shabbat!!

n Volunteer, as a Jew, at a food bank, hospital, nursing home or other social service agency on Christmas day.

n Encourage your children when asked in a store “What do you want for Christmas?” to politely respond, “Nothing. My family and I celebrate Hanukkah but I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas”

n Have a nothing-to-do-on-Christmas party with others who aren’t celebrating Christmas.

n Watch a movie at home that has Jewish content and talk about it.

n When in the car, listen to Jewish music. You might want to check out Jewish rock radio. http://jewishrockradio.com/

n Read a Jewish themed book. (Our temple library has a great selection – stock up for the winter vacation).

n Do extra mitzvot (check out www.oaklandsinai.org/mitzvot).

n Go for a walk in the woods or on the beach and enjoy God’s creation.

n Find a neighborhood that has lots of Christmas lights out and enjoy the lights. Even if they don’t have religious meaning for you, some displays are beautiful.

n December is the time to register your (grand)children for Jewish summer camp. I highly recommend URJ Camp Newman, http://newman.urjcamps.org. Now is also the time to apply for need-based camp scholarships. Talk to Sue Bojdak in our Education Department.

n Of course there is the old standby: Chinese food and a movie.

However you choose to spend your post-Hanukkah time this year, have a happy and healthy December!

Andrew Straus, RabbiJacqueline Mates-Muchin, RabbiIlene Keys, CantorSamuel Broude, Rabbi EmeritusSteven A. Chester, Rabbi Emeritus

Mike Baker, PresidentPaul Geduldig, Executive DirectorSue Bojdak, Director of EducationEllen Lefkowitz, Preschool DirectorLisa Hanauer, Director of Membership

& Communicationst Cantor Keys, Rabbi Straus and Rabbi Mates-Muchin

WORSHIP

www.oaklandsinai.org n 3

ServicesFriday, December 66:30pm, Erev Shabbat Family Service; Led by 3rd and 5th grade; Music by Junior Choir; Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Cantor Keys, Sanctuary

Saturday, December 710:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the Bat Mitzvah of Mollie Sanford-Eckhaus; Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Cantor Keys

Friday, December 137:30pm, Erev Shabbat; Rabbi Steven Chester, Cantor Keys, Albers Chapel

Saturday, December 1410:30am, Shabbat Minyan Service, Albers Chapel

Friday, December 207:30pm, Erev Shabbat Mizmor Shir!; Rabbi Straus, Cantor Keys. Features the Mizmor Shir! musicians and soulful music; Guest Speaker Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, Executive Director of Berkeley Hillel

Saturday, December 2110:30am, Shabbat Morning Service; Rabbi Straus, Cantor Keys, Albers Chapel

Friday, December 276:30pm, Tot Shabbat; Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Susan Rancer, Albers Chapel

7:30pm, Erev Shabbat; Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Valerie Sopher, Albers Chapel

Saturday, December 2810:30am, Shabbat Morning Service; Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Valerie Sopher, Albers Chapel

SHAbbAT MINyAN Second Shabbat morning of each month, at 10:30 am in the Albers ChapelThe Shabbat Minyan is an exuberant and joyful lay-led service. This highly participatory celebration combines traditional elements with professionally led modern music. Our strong sense of community is enhanced by the potluck kiddush that follows the service. Volunteers (for chanting, readings, etc.) can contact Dan Fendel ([email protected]). Please join us!

TuESDAy MORNING LEARNER’S MINyAN Every Tuesday morning from 7:30am – 8:30am Do you wonder why we read the prayers we do, where they come from, what order they come in, or how they are chanted? Do you crave an understanding of the meaning (both literal and mystical) of Jewish prayers? Join us, along with Rabbi Straus and lay leaders, as we explore the prayers and learn the traditional davening (prayer) style.

SHAbbAT MORNING TORAH STuDy Every Shabbat Morning from 9:00am – 10:15am We study Torah together. Become part of the group that joins Rabbi Straus or Rabbi Mates-Muchin in a stimulating discussion, as we work our way slowly, about a chapter per week, through Torah. We are now in the book of Exodus. The session closes with a prepared drash by a volunteer congregant on the portion of the week. Bagels and coffee are served and the discussions end in time for the 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service.

EREv SHAbbAT – MizMor Shir! SERvICE Friday, December 20, 7:30pm A musical Shabbat service featuring Cantor Keys and the Mizmor Shir! musicians which include: piano, guitar, mandolin, flute, saxophone, clarinet, violin, harmonica, drums and other percussive instruments. This service features congregational melodies and eclectic, contemporary music which complement the creative service booklet compiled by Rabbi Mates-Muchin specifically for this service.

CHOIR vOICES WANTED! Do you or your children love to sing? Want to meet new friends and learn about Jewish music? Want to have fun while learning the Shabbat prayers? Then the Adult Choir or the Junior Choir is the place for you! No auditions needed!

Junior choir meets Sundays 11:30am – 12:00pm in the chapel.Adult choir meets Tuesdays 7:00pm – 8:30pm in the sanctuary.

For more information and schedules contact Cantor Keys at [email protected] or (510) 451-3263.

TEMPLE SINAI AWARDED HONOR IN ARCHITECTuREThe American Institute of Architects

East Bay honored 14 projects with

awards at a ceremony on September 19,

2013. Temple Sinai, the oldest

and largest Jewish Synagogue in the

East Bay, which was added to by

Mark Horton / Architecture and Michael

Harris Architecture working together, was the only religious building to

receive an award. The honors, given every two years, recognize design

excellence in San Francisco’s East Bay.

Pu rim Spie l Au dit ion s:

“My Fair Ladies”Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7:00pm

in the sanctuary

Sunday, Dec. 8, 11:30am in the sanctuary

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESK


SPOTLIGHT

Sinai Annual Giving: a profile of Melissa Heller and Steven DouglasYou will be receiving your year-end appeal for the Annual Giving campaign in the next few days. We thought you might be interested to learn more about why congregant Melissa Heller has graciously agreed to chair this effort.

Melissa Heller and her husband, Steven Douglas, have been members of Temple Sinai for twelve years. Both their children, Sandler and Isley, are graduates of the preschool, are now enrolled in the religious school, and Sandler will become a bar mitzvah in 2014.

Soon after joining Temple Sinai, Melissa and Steve took on leadership roles beginning with the Preschool Parent Committee to Im Tirtzu to the Board of Directors. Now, Melissa has stepped forward again to become the first chair of the Annual Giving Campaign.

Why does Temple Sinai need an annual giving campaign?The annual giving campaign will pay for programs, clergy and staff by filling the gap between membership renewal and the current year’s operating budget. It also allows us to plan for the future. In our personal lives we all understand the need to have some “money in the bank”. Why should the Temple be any different?

Why did you choose to lead the annual giving campaign? When Steven and I decided to join Temple Sinai, we wanted a synagogue where our children could go to preschool, religious school, Midrasha and be part of a Jewish community. Both of us were fortunate enough to grow up with a synagogue that was a central part of our lives – we want that for our children. Temple Sinai is where our children are learning about their Jewish heritage and developing pride in their religion and their culture.

We are trying to instill in our children the importance of tzedakah not just as a belief, but as an action and a way of life. Steven and I were both raised with an understanding of tzedakah as a core family value and a central obligation of Jewish life. I am honored to head the annual giving campaign that directly supports important congregational programs and represents the essence of tzedakah.

Why is the Annual Giving Campaign so important to the temple?The Temple Sinai community has a proud and longstanding tradition of inclusiveness. We welcome everyone who desires to be a part of our congregation without regard to financial ability. As a result, our membership renewal contributions do not cover the cost per household of running the congregation and our many programs. We are all beneficiaries of this vibrant community and need to do whatever we can to support it financially.

How does the Annual Giving Campaign fit in with the planned Capital Campaign? The Capital Campaign will have three essential components: capital gifts to eliminate the debt, annual giving to sustain existing programs and planned giving to provide a foundation for our future. If Temple Sinai is an important part of your life, it needs to be an important part of your yearly tzedakah. We are asking congregants for increased contributions to the annual giving campaign on an ongoing basis.

you started your volunteer role at the temple on the Preschool Parent Committee. What advice would you give young families about getting involved with temple? Temple Sinai is a special community where Steven and I have made many friends, not just in the Preschool and Religious School, but throughout the congregation. Volunteering for the Annual Giving Campaign would be a great way to get involved, meet new people and participate in advancing our community’s future.

Any last thoughts? Just do it!

Bossa ShabbatAn Original Friday Night Service by Composer in

Residence Robert Schoen

Friday, January 24, 2014, 7:30pmTemple Sinai • 2808 Summit Street, Oakland

Cantor Ilene Keys and the Adult Choir, accompanied by Robert Schoen and the Temple Sinai Jazz Ensemble,

will premiere Bossa Shabbat, which features 15 new settings of Hebrew prayers from the Friday night

Shabbat (Sabbath) liturgy.

For more information, contact Cantor Ilene Keys at (510) 451-3263

OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY

Save the date for an evening of prayer with music inspired by Bossa Nova melodies and rhythms!

Jewish Museum at Sinagoga Beth El (Israel)São Paulo, Brazil (Built 1929)

Ipanema Beach & Dois Irmãos MountainsRio de Janeiro

WORSHIP

Women of Temple SinaiWomen of Temple Sinai is an inclusive community for all Temple Sinai women. We have a long history of supporting youth and families, funding Temple endeavors, providing educational forums, getting involved in critical issues, and encouraging women’s leadership development and personal growth in mind, body and spirit.

WTS Hanukkah – Please join us for our annual WTS Hanukkah party on Wednesday, December 4th at Shelley Hubner’s house in Orinda. We will have a very short meeting at 7:00pm with the Hanukkah festivities to start at 7:30pm. We will have singing, food and a white elephant gift exchange. If your last name starts with A – J, please bring a savory dish; K – R, please bring a dessert; and S – Z, please bring a beverage. Please bring a white elephant gift to exchange with others. R.S.V. P. to Zell Nathanson at (925) 247-0132 or [email protected] to tell us you are coming and to get Shelley’s address. Hope to see you then.

Ongoing with WTSDAyTIME bOOK CLub Wednesday, December 18th at 1:15pm in the Temple library – Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Wednesday, January 15th at 12:45pm in the Temple library – The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

Wednesday, February 19th at 12:45pm in the Temple library – The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal

LuNCH CONNECTION Meets the first Wednesday of every month. Contact Sharon Testa-Harker at [email protected] for more information.MEMbERSHIP For membership information please contact Beth Eiselman at: [email protected] MEETINGS Monthly Meetings – Second Wednesday of Each Month. 7:15pm for coffee and schmoozing; 7:30pm for the meeting. Everybody is welcome. Please join us and get involved. Please contact Sue Bachman at [email protected] for more information. WTS website: http://www.oaklandsinai.org/wtsprogram/

Centennial Spotlight1935 – 1945After the departure of Rabbi Coffee, the Temple hired Rabbi William Stern. Rabbi Stern was born in Europe but immigrated as a young child and grew up in San Francisco. Prior to returning to the Bay Area he served as rabbi in Fort Smith, Arkansas during the 1920s and early 30s.

As Rabbi in Oakland, he moved quickly to develop new programs. They included a Young Married group that was strong through the 1960s. He also brought many important speakers to the Temple to talk about both Jewish and World Affairs.

The Rabbi was active in a wide variety of public activities. He was prominent in B’nai Brith and in several non-Jewish groups. He served for many years as a chaplain for the Fire Department, and his fire hat hung in his office.

Rae Stern, the rabbi’s wife, became a strong figure in her own right, and led the Sisterhood for several years. She also taught in the religious school for many years.

Outside his public role, Rabbi Stern was a “friend to every man.” He played poker and smoked cigars.

In the late 1930s the Temple opened the Mausoleum at Home of Eternity cemetery, adding an interior space to the gravesites.

While he was not a strong Zionist at the beginning, Rabbi Stern came to see the value of a Jewish state. During the fierce fight within Reform Judaism over arming the Jews of Palestine during World War II, he sided with the supporters of a Jewish Brigade.

One of the congregation’s wartime leaders was Nathan Harry Miller. During the Temple’s 70th anniversary dinner in 1945, he suffered a heart attack and died, at the age of 47.

LIFE Magazine, 1945

CHEvRA KADISHA, RITuAL buRIAL SOCIETy, AT TEMPLE SINAIChevra Kadisha is a group of volunteers who do the great mitzvah of the ritual preparation of the dead for burial. Dan Fendel has been involved with Kavod v’Nichum (KvN) since attending their annual Chevra Kadisha conference in 2009. KvN’s work, and especially the Gamliel Institute, has inspired him in helping create a Chevra Kadisha at Temple Sinai in Oakland, in co-authoring a new edition of Chesed Shel Emet, and in organizing the East Bay Chevra Kadisha Consortium. If you would like more information on Chevra Kadisha at Temple Sinai, please contact Dan Fendel at [email protected].

SPOTLIGHT (cont’d.)


PROGRAMS AND SOCIAL ACTION

December Guest Speakers ANAT HOFFMAN Executive Director of Women of the Wall Sunday, December 8, 2:30pm

As part of our celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Women of the Wall, Anat Hoffman, the Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center in Jerusalem and one of the founders and current Chair of Women of the Wall, will be our guest speaker on Sunday, December 8, at 2:30pm

Anat is known for her passion for social justice, her commitment to Progressive Judaism and civil rights for all people, her intelligence and sense of humor.

Anat Hoffman became Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center in April 2002. Anat guides IRAC in its work to promote Jewish pluralism, tolerance, and equality and to combat racism, corruption, and religious coercion. Previously, Ms. Hoffman served as a Jerusalem City Councilwoman for 14 years, carving out a niche for herself as an untiring warrior for justice and equality.

Anat was born in Jerusalem and in her teens was an Israeli swimming champion. After army service, she received her BS in Psychology at the University of California in Los Angeles and then pursued graduate studies at Bar Ilan University. Anat was a founding member of Women of the Wall, and she served on the Boards of the Israel Women’s Network, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and many other Israeli organizations for social change.

In recent years, Anat has become a sought-after lecturer, addressing audiences in Israel and in the United States on subjects close to her heart: social justice, religious pluralism, Jewish-Arab coexistence, and equal rights for women and minorities.

Anat’s presentation is co-sponsored by Women of Temple Sinai, The Israel Education Committee of Temple Sinai, and Congregation Beth El of Berkeley.

RAbbI ARIK ASCHERMAN President, Rabbis for Human RightsThe Israel I Cherish: A discussion of the connection between Israel,Human Rights and JudaismMonday, December 9, 7:30pmAt Congregation Beth El, BerkeleyRabbi Arik Ascherman is President and Senior Rabbi of Rabbis for Human Rights. An outspoken activist and organizer for justice, Rabbi Ascherman has several times stood trial for acts of civil disobedience. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his human rights work, as has Rabbis for Human Rights.

Cosponsored by Congregation Beth El, Congregation Netivot Shalom, Temple Sinai, Temple Isaiah, Kehillah Community Synagogue.

DEbORAH NEWbRuNbay Area Director of HazonSunday, December 15, 11:30amThe Green Committee invites you to join us on December 15th at 11:30am for a conversation with Deborah Newbrun to discuss the rich traditions of Jewish environmentalism. Deborah is currently Bay Area Director of Hazon, a national Jewish environmental organization. She served for 25 years as Director of Camp Tawonga and is an author, Jewish educator and naturalist. Come listen and participate in a conversation about Jewish values and sustainable environmental practices.

RAbbI ADAM NAFTALIN-KELMANFriday, December 20, 7:30pmWe hear so much about what it is like to be Jewish on the Cal campus. Is it pro Israel? Is it anti-Israel? Come hear from an expert.

College is all about experimenting and self-exploration. Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, Executive Director of Berkeley Hillel, will share with us how Berkeley Hillel is positioned to support Jewish students’ Jewish exploration while in college. At a time when over 80% of Jews between the ages of 18-26 go to college, Hillel is positioned to be the catalyst for a vibrant and dynamic future Jewish world.

OuT & AbOuT HANuKKAH PARTySunday, December 1, 4:00pm Join Temple Sinai’s LGBT Havurah for candle lighting, food, games, song, and of course, latkes! This is a great way to meet new people and to catch up with old friends. Come on your own or bring a friend – all are welcome. Kids also welcome! RSVP to Susan Krauss ([email protected]). Parties at private home-addresses will be provided when you RSVP.

100 yEARS OF SOCIAL ACTION AT TEMPLE SINAIFriday, January 17Throughout its history Temple Sinai has been known for its commitment to Social Action/Tikkun Olam. Sinai Rabbis and lay leaders have played significant roles in numerous projects and causes both locally and nationally. On Friday night, January 17, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, we will commemorate and celebrate our congregation’s rich tradition of Social Acton. Rabbis Broude and Chester will join us in the service, sharing some of their memories of Temple Sinai’s commitment to Social Justice.6 n Temple Sinai n December 2013


TRIbuTES

Where The Need Is Greatest FundBill and Elaine Bachrach (x2)In memory of Stephen PotashIn memory of Joan GardnerGregory BloomIn memory of Joan GardnerMiriam BloombergIn memory of Leon BloombergAnn BrandtIn memory of Nathan EtkindKen and Ann Cohn (x2)In memory of Joan GardnerIn memory of Ernest PressmanAllen GardnerIn memory of Philip GardnerMurray and Janet GordonIn memory of Clarence MarkusTed and Sharon Gordon (x2)In memory of Howard BloomIn memory of Reba Altwarg GinsburgLes and Catherine Isenstadt (x2)In memory of Abraham IsenstadtIn memory of Gina WeinmannArlene KamalmanEdward KaplanIn memory of Nathan and Noreen KaplanRob and Pamela MajtelesIn memory of Evelyn MajtelesMarilyn PivnickIn memory of Frances BakarBob and Lillian RubensteinIn memory of Howard BloomIn memory of Ernie PressmanSheldon SchafferIn memory of Dorothy B. SchafferJosephine SchwartzIn memory of Sally EiselmanPhyllis SilverIn honor of Lois Arnold’s birthdayArthur and Meredith StantenIn memory of Joan GardnerUnited WayJanet WeinsteinIn memory of her mother, Emma DanzigerMarshall ZemonIn memory of Harry Goldenberg

Sidney and Sandra ZusmanIn memory of Bernice Wolin

Cantor Keys’ Music FundBruce and Jacquelyn HorwitzIn honor of Fritzi Schoen’s 80th birthdayPearl WolffsIn memory of Walter Wolffs and Agusta Wolffs Brody

Fine Arts FundJewish Home of San FranciscoIn honor of Temple Sinai’s Tin Pan Alley Singers

Lionel benas Confirmation FundEvelyn Benas (x2)In memory of Dr. Jerome KaufmanIn honor of Stephen Whitgob, on the occasion of his retirement

Literacy Project — People of the book FundRobert and Ellen AnselIn appreciation of Rabbi StrausRichard and CeCe Langs (x2)In memory of Stephen PotashIn memory of Ruth SchoettlinEugene and Ellen Switkes

New building Fund – TributesJerry and Myra FeigerIn appreciation of Rich and Robin Edwards, on the occasion of “Joyous in Miraval”

Preschool FundLawrence and Helen RosenbergIn loving memory of Rob Rosenberg, Paula Pulver, Curt Pulver and Rosa Straus

Rabbi Chester’s Discretionary FundCharles Andrews and his daughters – Peggy, Elaine, Janet, Nancy, and MaryIn memory of Howard BloomJeanne EberFrances GreenbergIn appreciation of Rabbi Chester

Rabbi Mates-Muchin’s Discretionary FundBarbara Arnold and Andrew BrownBurt BoltuchIn honor of the marriage of Tricia Sung and Joshua BoltuchJohn Citron and Felicia Liu

Dan and Natalie CrouchIn honor of Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-MuchinEric Lerner and Ellen LefkowitzJack and Judy MatesIn memory of Evan LeongPaul RobbinIn memory of Sally EiselmanMartin Stillman and Carol CohenIn memory of Ruth StitlemanRoslyn TunisIn memory of Cyril TunisPearl WolffsIn memory of Walter Wolffs and Agusta Wolffs Brody

Rabbi Straus’ Discretionary FundJohn Citron and Felicia LiuThe Dr. Allen Gardner Family – Allen, Holly, Michael, Jeni, Melissa, Max, Stephanie and AaronIn memory of Joan Green GardnerLinda Kamby and Paul WeirIn loving memory of Michael KambyPearl WolffsIn memory of Walter Wolffs and gusta Wolffs BrodyMary Pezzuto and Paul FarringtonIn honor of the 90th birthday of Merilyn PezzutoIn appreciation of Rabbi Straus

Rabbi’s Giving FundDavid ThorneIn memory of Mary Patricia Thorne

Religious School FundCynthia CohenIn honor of Hannah Reid on the occasion of her starting Hebrew school

Social Action/Anti-Hunger FundBarry and Betsy AdlerIn memory of Pauline Levin AdlerLois ArnoldIn memory of Joan GardnerStephen and Nancy CytronIn memory of Sara and Bernard Cytron

yachad Kulanu – One Community FundBarry and Dori DubinIn memory of Yetta Dubin

Contributions Toda rabah! Thank you very much to the following who made these donations between September 25 & October 30, 2013. We aspire to perfection in this list, so please email [email protected] with any corrections.

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESKADuLT EDuCATION


Exploring the World of Judaism Speaker Series Sundays at 9:15am in the Albers ChapelThis program is supported in part by the Newton & Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust in partnership with Jewish Learning Works.

COMPARATIvE vIEWS OF GOD: CONCEPTS OF THE SACRED FROM buDDHISM, HINDuISM, DAOISM, ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITy WITH JuDITH bERLING, PH.D. Sunday, December 8, 9:15am Virtually all religions have a central concept of “God” or the Sacred, but the ways in which believers think about God/the Sacred, write about it, or imagine it varies considerably from religion to religion, and sometimes even within one religion. Join Dr. Judith Berling as she explores diverse views of God from several non-Jewish traditions, using sacred texts or writings/depictions of major thinkers or artists. Judith Berling, Ph.D. serves as Dean and Academic Vice President of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. As a professor of Chinese and Comparative Religions she focuses on the fields of East Asian religions, Asian Christianities and interreligious learning and theology.

TOWERS OF GOLD: ISAIAS HELLMAN AND THE EARLy HISTORy OF CALIFORNIA’S JEWISH COMMuNITIES WITH AuTHOR FRANCES DINKELSPIELSunday, December 15, 9:15amJoin us as we explore the early years of California’s Jewish community through the life of Isaias Hellman, a Jewish immigrant who became one of the most powerful men in the West and who played roles in both Northern and Southern California. The Gold Rush, German Jewish immigration, Eastern European Jewish immigration, and the great San Francisco earthquake – these were just some of the factors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that influenced the lives of California Jews. Frances Dinkelspiel will share riveting stories and early photos of influential people and monumental events that helped shape our Golden State. Frances Dinkelspiel is the award winning author of Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California. She has over 20 years of experience in the newspaper business, publishing nationally and teaching Journalism at UC Berkeley.

Cirque du Sinaioctober, 2013

Our Own Women of the Wallnovember, 2013

photos by Richard Langs


PRESCHOOL, yOuTH PROGRAMS & MIDRASHA

Temple Sinai PreschoolAs we roll into winter, the preschool community has settled into the routine of school. Just as the weather suggests, albeit mildly here on the west coast, the classrooms become warm, cozy places for the children to play, explore, express, create and imagine. In some ways it is a quiet time of year after the hustle and bustle of the fall and the fall holidays. In other ways, though, it is a time of planning. We start to think about the school year to come. We invite new families in to visit and tour. We plan for our Prospective Parent Night coming up in January. We think about how to express what makes this school special and unique not only as a Jewish preschool, but as a center of early childhood in the East Bay. So, here are a few highlights from our corner of Temple Sinai.n Last year, we were proud to be named best preschool by

Oakland Magazine.n We are one of five Jewish preschools in the San Francisco

Bay Area to have been selected to receive a grant from the Jewish Federation for the Jewish Resource Specialist position – a position held by our teacher, Rachel Fenyves. She has supported our school in offering family havdalah events, special holiday programming, professional development for our teachers, and adult learning for our community.

n In fulfilling our value of lifelong learning, we have a group of parents learning together in a monthly Jewish parenting class.

n Our staff is comprised of committed, thoughtful, dedicated educators who care deeply about Temple Sinai Preschool and the field of early childhood education.

n We take pride in our partnership with our families, who give of their time and energy in countless ways to make our school the best it can be.

n We grow children to be mensches, to care about each other and the world around them, to take pride in their Jewish identity, and to be welcoming to all.

We invite you to come by and visit Temple Sinai Preschool. If you are interested in enrollment, please contact Ellen Lefkowitz, Preschool Director, at [email protected]. To learn more visit the website: http://www.oaklandsinai.org/Preschool/. And save the date for our Prospective Parent Night, Monday, January 13th at 7:30pm. We look forward to seeing you!

Oakland MidrashaThings are going great this year at Oakland Midrasha! Our enrollment has increased significantly over the last two years and we are now serving approximately 130 teens! The responses have been enthusiastic from teens and parents about what we are doing on Tuesday nights. From electives in things like fashion as a metaphor for Judaism (Tefillin is the New Black), relationship choices and ethics (Kosher Sex), and ancient concepts in today’s culture (media/claymation), Midrasha seems to be offereing meaning to everyone involved. Our core classes explore personal and interpersonal identity, the coming together of our American values and our Jewish values, and Israel and Jewish peoplehood while our retreats and lounge nights offer social/bonding/community building experiences. Thank you to our amazing teaching staff who bring the magic to Midrasha.

Midrasha news bite: Last month we piloted a new program by beginning the Midrasha before the retreat with a havdalah service lead by Eric Shoen. His havdalah programs on the retreats are some of the most beloved Midrasha time we have, and we are so excited to bring some of that retreat ruach into our Tuesday nights that lead up the retreats.

First Friday Family Shabbat Service with 3rd and 5th Graders leadingFriday, December 6 at 6:30pm; Dinner at 5:30pmSpend Shabbat in community at our first Friday family services. Connect with other families over an easy Shabbat dinner first and then gather for our child-friendly service filled with music and stories. RSVP for dinner by following our link in the Temple’s Weekly Email or call Sarah Lounsbury at (510) 451-3263. Have a 3rd or 5th grader who is in day school? They can participate too! Contact Sue Bojdak and we’ll give them a part.


5th & 6th GRADERS! It’s not too late to join us for the amazing Shabbaton (sleepover) at Temple on December 13th . Call or e-mail Michele to sign up or get more info! [email protected]

Religious School Dates to RememberFriday, December 6 3rd/5th Grade Friday Family Services with Pizza Dinner

Sunday, December 8 Family Centennial Concert

Sunday, December 22 through Thursday, January 2 Winter Break; No Religious School/ Hebrew Classes

Sunday, January 5 Religious School Classes Resume


LIFECyCLES

bIRTHDAyS12/1 Donald Davis12/1 Stanley Ross12/1 Meredith Stanten12/2 Marvis Brodke12/2 Ronnie Caplane12/2 Pamela Eiselman12/3 Gail Berland12/3 Marc Hallert12/5 Frances Hammond12/8 Diane Lichtenstein12/10 Louis Highman12/11 Vincent Stewart12/12 Marcos Eisenberg12/12 Lori Onderwyzer12/13 Mark Isaacs12/13 Margaret Lindenstein12/15 Marion Bar-Din12/15 Leslie Koved12/15 Richard Kweller12/18 Sally Hardy12/18 Stanley Kahn12/18 Michael Usem12/19 Shane McGilloway12/21 Janet Brown12/21 Jeremy Cogan12/21 Ronald Rubenstein12/22 Jonathan Sakol12/22 Eugene Switkes12/25 Ellen Cohler12/25 Tillie Molho12/27 Barbara Barza12/27 Vicky Friedman12/28 Yevgeniya Pinskaia

12/28 Paul Robbins12/29 Lewis Bowen12/29 Laurie Leiber12/29 Mark Taksa12/30 Susan Medak12/30 Anita Stapen

MAzEL TOv! They’re married! Rabbi Jessica Oleon and Ross Kirschner were married on November 10, 2013.

Jessica’s parents are Ricki and Glenn Oleon

They’re married! Samantha Epstein and Andrew Waranoff were married on November 9, 2013.

Andrew’s parents are Joan Waranoff and Nick Waranoff

They’re married! Sarah Crouch and Michael Brandell were married on August 17, 2013.

Proud Parents: Dan & Natalie Crouch

It’s a girl!Arianna Leya Zatkin was born October 5, 2013.

Proud Grandmother: Ms. Kathie ZatkinProud Parents: Natalie & Michael ZatkinProud Brothers: Jacob & Elliott Zatkin

WEDDING ANNIvERSARIES12/9 Murray & Janet Gordon 6212/14 Bob & Lillian Rubenstein 7212/21 Seymour & Susan Singer 5512/22 David & Sally Hardy 3512/23 Dick & Jane Cohen 4012/28 Gann & Constance Bierner 1512/29 Bill & Elaine Bachrach 45

REMEMbRANCES (through 11/12/13)

Sally Eiselman, congregant, mother of Steven, Gerry, and Nancy Eiselman, mother-in-law of Pamela, grandmother of Michael EiselmanSara Friedman, grandmother of Danielle VidalSylvia Samuely Unikel, sister of Henrietta GarfinkleCelia Wieder, mother of Sandra WiederJoel Oberstein, brother of Adrienne ObersteinNicholas Crisafi, grandfather of Elisa DumesnilFrederick Weiss, congregant, father of Ronald Weiss

Birthdays and Anniversaries are listed in multiples of 5. Any birthday or anniversary that

ends in a 0 or a 5 will be listed. Mazel Tov!

bAT MITzvAHMollie Sanford-Eckhaus Daughter of Stephanie Eckhaus & Colleen SanfordSaturday, 12/7/2013

Now is the time to register the kids for summer camp! CAMP NEWMAN IS OuR REFORM JEWISH CAMP!Camp Newman, located in Santa Rosa, CA, has sessions all summer long for students entering 2nd grade all the way through 12th. Jewish summer camp is fun, dynamic, and amazing. Learn about Camp Newman at http://newman.urjcamps.org/ Newman scholarships are available from Temple Sinai. Contact Sue Bojdak to request a camp scholarship form. Scholarship requests are due January 31.

CHECK OuT CAMP TAWONGACheck out the great programs at Camp Tawonga, located near Yosemite, including traditional summer camp, teen quests, family weekends, and more. http://www.tawonga.org/

THE FOuNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMP HAS SCHOLARSHIPS Get up to $1000 for first time campers at https://www.onehappycamper.org/CIPMS/Home.aspx

THE EAST bAy FEDERATION OFFERS CAMP SCHOLARSHIPSVisit http://www.jewishfed.org/see-how-we-help/scholarship-grants-jewish-overnight-camps for more information.

Temple Sinai DECEMbER 20

13

sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturdayNo Religious School

No Adult Education

No Junior Choir

No Hebrew School

No Hebrew School

No Adult Choir

7:30am Tuesday Morning Minyan

11:30am Seniors’ Lunch

First Candle of Hanukkah

No Religious School

12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting

HanukkahThanksgiving – Office & Preschool Closed

HanukkahOffice & Preschool Closed

7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

Hanukkah9:00am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service – B’nei Mitzvah of Bryce Harrison and Samuel Gordon

HanukkahNo Religious School

No Adult Education

No Junior Choir

Hanukkah 4:00pm Hebrew School

5:00pm Hebrew School

Hanukkah 7:30am Tuesday

Morning Minyan


5:30pm Madrachim Meeting

6:00pm Ritual Committee Meeting

7:00pm Adult Choir

7:15pm Midrasha

Hanukkah 12:00pm WTS Lunch

Connection (offsite)



4:00pm Religious School

7:30pm Executive Committee Meeting (offsite)

Hanukkah 5:00pm Hebrew School

7:30pm Preschool Parents Com-mittee Meeting

5:30pm Shabbat Pizza Dinner

6:30pm Erev Shabbat Family Service 3rd/5th Grade

9:00am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service – Bat Mitzvah of Mollie Sanford-Eckhaus

8:15am Hebrew School

9:15am EWJ Speaker Series

9:30am Religious School

10:45am Centennial Family Concert

11:30am Junior Choir


11:45am Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class

2:00pm Committee on Arts, Culture and Community Sing-Along (offsite)

2:30pm Speaker – Anat Hoffman (Women of the Wall, Israel Religious Action Center)

3:00pm 7th Grade class



7:00pm Rabbi Arik Ascherman – Rabbis for Human Rights (offsite)



5:30pm Madrachim Meeting

7:00pm Adult Choir

7:15pm Midrasha

URJ Biennial – San Diego 12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting



7:15pm WTS Board Meeting

7:30pm Israel Education Committee Meeting

URJ Biennial – San Diego 5:00pm Hebrew School

7:30pm Brotherhood Meeting (offsite)

URJ Biennial – San Diego 5th/6th Grade Shabbaton 7:30pm Erev Shabbat

Service

URJ Biennial – San Diego 5th/6th Grade Shabbaton 9:00am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Minyan Service followed by Potluck Kiddush Lunch

URJ Biennial – San Diego 8:15am Hebrew School

9:15am Religious School

9:30am EWJ Speaker Series

11:30am Junior Choir

11:30am Green Committee speaker Deborah Newbrun


2:00pm Family School

3:00pm 7th Grade class

5:15pm Rosh Hodesh Group for 7th Grade Girls



7:30pm Finance Committee Meeting


11:30am Seniors’ Lunch


6:00pm Youth Lounge Night

7:00pm Adult Choir

7:15pm Midrasha

7:30pm Green Committee Meeting


1:15pm WTS Book Group



7:30pm WTS Board Meeting

6:00pm Cantor’s Intro Family B’nei Mitzvah Meeting

7:30pm Temple Board Meeting


7:30pm Development Commit-tee Meeting

7:30pm Kevah Text Study Group: Parenting Through a Jewish Lens

7:30pm Erev Shabbat Mizmor Shir! Service with guest speaker, Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, Executive director of Berkeley Hillel

9:00am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Community Kiddush Lunch

No Religious School

No Junior Choir

Preschool Winter break

No Hebrew School


No Adult Choir



Office Closed

No Religious School



6:30pm Tot Shabbat Service

7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service


9:00am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Community Kiddush Lunch


No Religious School

No Junior Choir


No Hebrew School

No Adult Choir


7:15pm Midrasha

Nov. 24 Nov. 25 Nov. 26 Nov. 27 Nov. 28 Nov. 29 Nov. 30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 3 Jan. 4


PERIODICALFirst Hebrew Congregationof Oakland

Temple Sinai2808 Summit StreetOakland, CA 94609

(510) 451-3263www.oaklandsinai.org

Donate Food to the Greenleaf School Food Drive at Temple Sinai

HELP FEED SCHOOL CHILDREN OvER THE HOLIDAyS

Greenleaf Elementary School in Oakland, one of our Literacy Project’s adopted schools, provides a large

percentage of children free breakfast and lunch every day. However, during the two-week winter break, these children

will not receive these meals. Many will go hungry. Temple Sinai has volunteered to help.

You can help these Oakland children and their families by purchasing items from the suggested shopping list below.

Bags of rice, Cans of vegetables (mixed, green beans, corn), Bags of beans (Portuguese and pinto), Cans of fruit/

fruit cups, Boxes of cereal, Juice boxes or cans (small), Packages of dried pasta, Baby food (no jars), Cans of

soup and tomato sauce, Packages of dried nuts or trail mix, Tuna, Peanut butter/Jelly (no glass jars), Packages of tostadas, Dried Fruit (in packages), Toothpaste, Bar soap,

Dishwashing soap, Shampoo (New and full items only) (no tortillas or anything perishable)

Please bring your items to Temple Sinai by Monday, December 16 and place in the marked bins.

(Thank you to Alameda County Food Bank for providing the bins!)

Got (Literacy) Mitzvot? Through the Literacy program, you can contribute in a big way to children in Oakland’s low-income neighborhoods!

Donate new or gently used paperbacks (pre-K-7). They go directly toward building home libraries for kids whose families can’t afford to buy books.

•Volunteer your time! We need tutors and subs, readers, people to help with books in libraries, book rooms, or book giveaways at schools.

•Donate food for our holiday food drive. Many Greenleaf students depend on school breakfasts and lunches, which they receive during winter break.

•Adopt a Greenleaf School family for the holidays.

•Donate funds!!! Cash donations are way down this year, and we desperately need funds to purchase books and to bring authors to schools.

Questions? Contact Judy Zollman at (510) 653-9112 or [email protected] or Jean Stein at (510) 654-2772 or [email protected].

For questions about the Adopt-a-Family program, contact Flora Feldman at (510) 465-2572 or [email protected].

NEW HOME FOR OLD TOyS! The Green Committee will be sponsoring a used toy and game drive

in December and January. Watch your Weekly eNews and Facebook for details!

INSIDE Centennial Family Concert - Temple SinaiOakland, CA · Shamati, as they help Temple Sinai...

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