Chai Lights Volume 14 Issue 303 Iyar/Sivan 5775 From the Rabbi’s Desk The flight of time is one of the greatest mysteries. Days can be long, but years seem to be born with unstoppable wings. In what seems a blink of the eye, this month I will be receiving my Doctorate of Divinity for the milestone of serving 25 years in the rabbinate. Twenty five years ago I stood on the bima of the majestic Temple Emanu-El in New York City with my rabbinical class and received the blessing of ordination. Semicha, as it is called involves the laying of hands upon the head to confer the authority of rabbi. Blessed by the then president of our rabbinical school, Dr. Alfred Gottchalk I can still summon the feelings of humility, awe and happiness. Twenty five years ago I handed in my rabbinical thesis, Rabbinic Attitudes toward Healing. It was a significant writing studying the medium of midrashic literature as the vehicle into what the rabbis understood the meaning of illness, prayer, miracles, medicine and hope. I enjoyed the research and have taught much of the material in my first twenty five years as rabbi. I have served on the then UAHC, now URJ staff in New York on Religious Practices and the New York Healing Center where I had the opportunity of introducing healing programming to congregations throughout our movement. Over time the core thought of Jewish Healing expanded into teaching Mussar and utilizing prayer and study as ways to bring wholeness. When we sing Mi Sh’bayrach, we ask G-d for a healing of spirit even before asking for the healing of body. The rabbis seemed to know that the connection between mind and body mattered. We have all known people whose bodies may not have gotten better, yet whose spirits are whole. And we have known people whose bodies are just fine, but their inner wellbeing needs help. In Judaism, we ask for healing of both. One of the ways we raise our spirits is through laughter. Laughter is said to the best medicine. Join me Saturday evening, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. when we welcome a terrific and wholesome comedy group to CBS. All of them are of different ethnicities and all of them are Jewish. Their show is called, “You’re Funny, but you don’t look Jewish!” As a Jewish proverb says, “As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul.” And so it is. With blessings, Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen CBS Annual Meeting May 28 7:00 pm May 2015 In This Issue Administration Anniversaries Book Review Birthdays Calendar Candle Lighting Page 2 18 13 18 16 19 Contribution Form Education Food Faire Life & Legacy Membership 20 5 6 13 12 2 1 7 President Rabbi Religious Practices Shabbat baBayit Social Action Tributes Yahrzeits 14 9 18 19 Join us for Shabbat Services: May 1 5:30 Pre-service oneg 6:00 Family Service 7:00 Familly Shabbat dinner May 8 7:30 p.m. Choir Service May 15 6:00 p.m. Band Service Shabbat baBayit (pre-registration required) May 22 7:30 p.m. Choir Service May 29 5:30 Pre-service oneg 6:00 Shabbat service honoring 2015 High School Graduates Congregation Beth Shalom 4746 El Camino Ave, Carmichael CA 95608 (916)485-4478 2 Chai Lights Religious Leaders Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen [email protected] Rabbi David Wechsler-Azen [email protected] Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Joseph Melamed Director of Education Rina Racket [email protected] Choir Director Kamilyn Davis Temple Administrator Marlo Dewing [email protected] Office Manager Brenda Baskerville [email protected] Board of Directors 2014–2015 President Tivon Schardl VP Administration Jack Ezekiel VP Education Jana Uslan VP Religious Practices Sheree Meyer VP Membership Roberta Malkin VP Finance Joel Birch VP Programming/Fundraising Vacant VP Operations Marty Berbach Financial Secretary Katie Braverman Treasurer Penni Blumberg Recording Secretary Evan Drukker-Schardl Immediate Past President David Ginsburg Members at Large Dean Mirtle, Carry Cohn, Jeff Swatt,, Wendy Wilson, Mauria Hirning, Sheila Sugarman, Fanny Levy, Lori Nalangan When I first began at CBS four years ago, I was fortunate enough to work for a few weeks with Marlo Dewing Debra, the Office Manager at that time, before she Administrator moved to Oregon. My first grand undertaking was to find a replacement Office Manager, and the process, although somewhat bumpy, yielded the incredible result of hiring Brenda Baskerville, who, since August 2011, has been my partner and my rock. I now revisit the hiring process, and while I am confident that we will find someone who is capable and competent; personable and understanding; I will miss Brenda terribly. After four years, especially at this time of year, I feel as if Brenda and I began as Freshmen, weathered the tumultuous “CBS High School” years with laughter and tears, and now are graduating Seniors… Although I remain (and happy to do so). During this time when I am involved in the hiring process, and then training our new Office Manager, I apologize for any inconvenience that somewhat different office hours may cause. I do have volunteers who are able to help (thank you Jana and Fanny!), but please be aware that the office may have limited afternoon hours through the month of May. I will do my best to keep the congregation and community informed of any and all changes. Change is not easy, but it is a normal and necessary part of life. Thank you so much for your kindness and understanding as we make this transition. Please join me in wishing all the best to Brenda in her new adventure. CBS Desktop President’s Message It has been a few months since I submitted a piece for these pages. I hope Tivon Schardl you will forgive me for neglecting this part CBS Board President of my job. Rest assured that the other trustees are more diligent and they and our amazing professional staff have been hard at work. Indeed, so many people in this community have pulled together in recent months and supported each other in so many ways that we should all feel grateful that we belong to a congregation that is true to its motto. Beth Shalom is a place where everyone is family. I hope you will make your voice heard at the upcoming family meetings. First, there are the two opportunities to meet with the mission statement committee. Fanny Levy and Sharyn Gardner have done a fabulous job reaching out to smaller groups and, if you haven’t been consulted as a member of choir or in relation to the religious school or board, I urge you to go to a meeting and participate in this community-wide effort to define who we are. I found the meeting with the board to be a powerful and enlightening experience. I hope you had a good Pesach. The community Seder was another smashing, rollicking success. Please join me in thanking Jana and Brian Uslan, Vicky Forrester, and everyone else who made the delicious meal and supported the event. Passover is an especially important holiday for me. I joke with people that my career path seems like it was laid out by Woody Allen because it’s all about sex and death. First I fought discrimination against women then the death penalty. But really my path came from reliving the story of Exodus; hearing about how Yocheved, Shifra, Puah, Miriam and Batya spoke truth to power and acted; hearing my grandparents and uncles tell us kids again and again that we have a special responsibility as the descendants of survivors to speak for those whose voices otherwise would not be heard. In the last few months we closed out the first year of our Life & Legacy Program. Under Penni Blumberg’s outstanding leadership we exceeded our goal of 18 commitments and received a nice grant from the Grinspoon Foundation. We need to do it again this year. We have been planning a thank-you event for all those who have made legacy commitments. Please be patient with us. In the meantime, I encourage anyone who has not pledged a gift to do so. This is an opportunity for everyone, no matter your present circumstances, to ensure CBS can serve many more generations. Next holiday: Shavuot. Please join Rabbi Nancy and me, Fanny, Sheree Meyer and Dan Bernick for a thought-provoking evening. The theme this year is freedom. I will lead a brief yoga practice on that theme. How does binding oneself contribute to freedom? Come try it and you’ll see. Until then, I just want to say thank you to all of you who were supportive and encouraging during my recent bad impressions of a rabbi, and more generally for all the love and support you’ve given me over the past two years. I’m looking forward to the next two years (unless you come to your senses in time for the congregational meeting). Dearest Congregation Beth Shalom, We want to thank you for your tender words and generosity to our family during these difficult times. Over these three years so many of you offered support making it possible for our family to spend quality time with Aryeh. These treasured visits will have a lifetime impact and all of us thank you. Your support, tender words, and prayers have made a profound difference in our lives. With blessings and gratitude, The Wechsler-Azen family CBS 3 Congregation Beth Shalom is a member of the Union of Reform Judaism. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Gift Shop is open during Religious School on Sundays and by appointment. Please call the office. General Service schedule: 1st Friday: 6:00—7:00 p.m. Family Service 2nd Friday: 7:30 p.m. Choir Service & Guest Speaker 3rd Friday: 6:00—7:00 p.m. Shabbat With a Beat– CBS Band 4th Friday: 7:30 p.m. Choir Service 5th Friday: 6:00 p.m. Torah Study: Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Chai Lights is published 11 times each year with a combined June/July issue. Editor: Marlo Dewing Proofing: Brenda Baskerville Deadline for submissions is the 20th of the month prior to publication. Please send your article to Marlo and Brenda at [email protected] and [email protected] To request a copy by snail mail please call (916) 485-4478. Advertising is available: 1/8 page/business card: $9 1/4 page: $18 1/2 page: $25 Full page: $50 Prices listed are per issue. All ads subject to approval. Please contact [email protected] for more information. 4 Chai Lights Before you go online, GO CBS FIRST! Did you know the Gift shop helps raise much needed funds for CBS? Visit the CBS Gift Shop for your Judaica needs! The Gift Shop is open Sunday mornings during Religious School and by appointment. I am blessed to be employed by such a loving, supportive Congregation. CBS 5 My third year here at CBS at the Director of Education and Youth has been filled with many wonderful volunteers who have made my year possible and positive. I have recognized some of these extraordinary individuals in previous Chai Lights Rina Racket articles, but wanted to give special recognition to Jana Uslan for her Board role as the VP of Education. Jana has met with me monthly for the past three years. Director of Education She has been my sounding board, my resource for constructive feedback, and my liaison to the larger Board of Directors at CBS. I am consistently touched and impressed by her willingness to dedicate her time and life experiences to improve various aspects of CBS life. To me, Jana is the epitome of a true Mensch. Her input in the Religious School has been invaluable, and I want to make sure everyone in the Congregation knows what an important role she has played in the success of our Religious School program. Jana will be stepping down from her Board position (certainly more time with her new grandson is planned), and she will be replaced by Linda Westover. Linda has many years of Education experience, and I look forward to working with her this coming year. Calendar: Wed., May 6th-RS for 3rd-6th grade, Club Kef walks to Skips for dinner, BMP Sunday, May 10-NO RS Wed., May 13th-Final day of RS for all 3rd-7th grade students. Pizza dinner celebration. All 6th graders attend BMP from 6-7, all 7th graders attend Midrasha from 7-8pm. Religious School My name is Lily Wechsler-Azen and I become a Bat Mitzvah is May 16th 2015. The Torah portion is Behar-Bechokotai which tells us about letting the land rest every seven years (sabbatical) and allowing families who fell on hard times and sold their land to get it back every fifty years (Jubilee). For my Mitzvah project, Zoey Mills and I collected and distributed socks and toys for people who have very little. We also painted a Little Library for the grass area behind Mustard Seed School where small children can choose books and read. I am a student at Arden Middle School and a graduate of Shalom School. I have participated in Team Gymnastics for many years at Fliptastics and have reached level 5. During the summer I love to attend the Reform Jewish Camp, Camp Newman in Santa Rosa. Hello! My name is Sofia Schiffman and I am in the 7th grade at Gold River Discovery Center. I become a Bat Mitzvah on May 30, 2015 at Congregation Beth Shalom. My Parsha is Naso Numbers 4:21- 7:89. For my Mitzvah project, Catherine Orange and I raised money by selling pastries at the Congregation. We then used that money to buy toys and treats for children who are patients at Kaiser Permanente. We made gift bags which included a toy, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and a faux flower. We included a message saying “Get well soon!” My hobbies are ballet, reading, listening to music, obsessing over bands, traveling, playing with my dog Stella, hanging out with friends, drawing, watching movies, and hiking. I’d like to thank Rabbi David, Rabbi Nancy, and Carry Cohen for helping me prepare for my special day. Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen and members of the CBS community sing with the Interfaith Choir under the direction of Kamilyn Davis at the Yom HaShoah commemoration event at the Capitol. Photography by Bruce Patt 6 Chai Lights Food Faire Hot off the Press: Please pick up and help distribute our new SAVOR the Date cards! Keep August 30th as a date to plan for and remember! Lydia Inghram & Sheila Wolfe Co-Chairs WANTED: Baking, Kibitzing and Connecting, No experience needed! You'll be guided by experts, make something delicious, have fun and contribute to CBS and the community. What's not to like? Women, men, children, teens, couples, singles, friends, grandparents: all are welcome and we really need your help. Try It! You'll Like it! Please call or email Liz Stein ( [email protected] ) and volunteer for a few Sunday morning baking sessions, held from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon: May 3, 24 and 31 ~ June 28 ~ July 12, 19 and 26 ~ August 2, 9 and 16. Many thanks to everyone on the 2015 Food Faire Dream Team (we couldn't do it without you) and to some of our new volunteers. Bob Rosenberg has volunteered to head up our new and very fun FF Raffle for kids and adults. After the dinner for new members, Bob contacted us with some great new ideas and a real sense of fun and teamwork! Jamie Goldstein, Michael Alcalay, Susan Solarz and Henry Klein are an amazing Promotions/ Publicity Team. Natalie Duke has great ideas on bagel schmearing and has volunteered to join the core team. Thanks also to Andrea Segal for all her years of baking, her willingness to keep making the Schnekken (aka little Jewish cinnamon rolls) and, along with her hubby Scott Parrish, for donating a deluxe new BBQ so our Hot Dogs will be just marvelous! Finally, huge thanks to Eddie Appell, the genius behind our always improving website jewishfoodfaire.com , which opens for pre-orders on May 17th! SHAVUOT: The Fiftieth Day CBS 7 SHAVUOT: The Torah commands, "And you shall proclaim that day (the 50th day) to be a holy convocation!" (Leviticus 23:15). Like Sukkot and Pesach, Shavuot is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three pilgrimage festivals, and in ancient times the Israelites would make a pilgrimage to bring their crop Robyn Asch offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Religious Practices In Hebrew, shavuot means “weeks” and refers to the seven weeks from the second day of Passover--the beginning of the counting of the Omer, a measure of barley, marking the end of the Spring’s harvest--to the beginning of the summer wheat harvest festival on the 50th day. In the Written Torah, there is no association with Shavuot other than agricultural; however, the Oral Torah teaches that Shavuot is the holiday during which we are to celebrate the Revelation (receiving of the Ten Commandments and the Torah) at Mount Sinai and the Children of Israel’s having entered into a covenantal relationship with G-d, the single most critically defining event in our history as a people. Other than bringing the harvest's first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem, which we can no longer do, there are no particular commandments, mitzvot, regarding what to do or how to celebrate Shavuot. There are no very special required observances for this holiday equivalent such as the sound of a shofar, the building of a sukkah, or participation in a seder. The celebration of this festival holiday with its variety of traditional practices was largely and historically limited to those affiliated with Orthodox Judaism; yet, over time, that divide has blurred, and Tikkunim have become extremely popular. In general, it’s become customary to eat dairy foods, a tradition that sprang from, and is meant to be symbolic of, the comparison that words of Torah are as sweet as milk and honey. In more recent years, for many people, enjoying cheesecake and blintzes has become as synonymous with Shavuot as has staying up all night to study. The tradition of staying up all night to study, tikkun leil, has been traced back to the 16th century mystics living in Tzfat, then a remote town in the hills of what is now northern Israel. Traditions regarding what to study vary greatly and have evolved and changed over time. I read that in Jerusalem one could spend the entire night wandering from tikkun to tikkun, where they are held everywhere: people’s homes, educational & community centers, as well as synagogues and institutions of every religious and ideological flavor. Most of the gatherings are evenings of study for the sake of learning and fellowship, and the various themes and topics they address are endless. Some study from Pirkei Avot, (The Wisdom of Our Fathers), reading a chapter a week from the first Shabbat after Pesach and finishing with the sixth, and last, chapter at the conclusion of the counting of the Omer. According to the URJ, Reform Jews often read and study the Book of Ruth. According to Avi Shafran, Internet Blogger, Public Affairs Director of Agudath Israel and contributing author to Foreward.com, “Shavuot is arguably the most important (of the festival holidays) for contemporary Jews, because it holds the secret not only of freedom, but also of love. Really.” Shafran describes Shavuot as a day commemorating a cosmic declaration of love. Our ancestors (and our own souls, as well, as the Midrash famously teaches) stood united in effecting a deep bond by accepting God’s betrothal gift: His Torah. This custom of studying together with a community symbolically means to allow us to re-experience standing at Mount Sinai, where we received the Torah. For, I believe, six years now, members of our Beth Shalom family have been gathering to celebrate having received the gifts of the "Ha'Devarim" (The Ten Commandments) and "Ha'Torah" (the Torah). We share a dairy meal and spend an evening of expansive camaraderie on various topics as they relate to the evening's theme. This year, the theme for our Shavuot study is FREEDOM. To me, there is nothing quite like studying together - you add cheesecake - and that's my idea of a little heaven right here on earth, at Beth Shalom. It would be my wish for all who have the time, and are able to come, that you join the holiday celebration and for those with challenges which are, or appear to be, obstacles to attending, may you find the means to overcome those obstacles and join the evening’s program. Come; study with us. These are always really special evenings. Religious Practices Do you enjoy the sweetness of Shabbat? Please consider helping with oneg. Oneg duties include preparing Kiddush and Challah; providing and plating sweets; putting everything back in order when it’s finished. We also accept donations directly to the Oneg Fund. Please contact the office if you are able to participate in this mitzvah at any time. Many thanks to Don Parks of the RPC who assists Oneg volunteers each Friday. 8 Chai Lights CBS Office CLOSED Monday May 25 for Memorial Day Please support the businesses that advertise in Chai Lights! CBS 9 The Social Action committee is active in many projects. But, before I get into some of that information, I wish to do a shout out to the BSTY Social Action team, who Diane Weber facilitated an informative, and educational Social Action day. I won’t say more about the Social Action Chair content, but will say I am extremely awed with the topic, the presentation, and the cooperation of all the students involved. As a social advocate myself, I look forward to what the future holds for these impressive students and what they will do next. Updates for community action include working on Lifelines to Healing, Immigration, Healthcare for All, Affordable Housing and Homelessness, and Education. At any given time we (our Synagogue) is invited to join other Sacramento congregations to pursue social action involving these issues. If you have a passion for any of these topic please let me know, there is always ways to get involved. Social Action A Helping Hand to CBS Finance I'd be willing to bet that a majority of CBS families has shopped on Amazon before and Joel Birch does so at least a few times a year. Okay, so I'm not a big risk taker. VP Finance If you're going to shop on Amazon, please keep Beth Shalom in mind as you do so. A small contribution is made by Amazon for any shopping you do through the Amazon Smile program when you connect to them through our link. So click here to support CBS. It costs you nothing and benefits the congregation. A testimonial from Doris Walters: “I just changed my designation to Sacramento Jewish Fellowship ...one click!!! Amazing. Can't recall the steps for initially signing up but changing was fun particularly since I no longer want to support the previous recipient. This change was a win-win." From another congregant: “I made amazonsmile.com my first link into shopping on Amazon. The temple gets .5% of all of my spending (that can really add up quickly). So excited to put some of my online shopping to work for my congregation! Go to smile.amazon.com . The first time you go there, it will ask you to choose your Charity. Our Temple Charity name is listed as Sacramento Jewish Fellowship of Carmichael. That's about all! Select to support Sacramento Jewish Fellowship Get the Amazon 1Button App Share your support on Facebook or Twitter Show your friends how they can support CBS (Sacramento Jewish Fellowship) Remember: CBS only benefits when you start at: http://smile.amazon.com In case the link above doesn't work for you, just copy and paste this URL into your browser. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7316431 10 Chai Lights Vacant Annual Meeting 5/28 7:00 pm Annual Meeting 5/28 7:00 pm CBS 11 12 Chai Lights Tikkun Leil Shavuot May 23rd 7:00 p.m. Members of the Tribe Karen Hull Membership Team Member Celebrate the complete freedom experience, both the physical and the spiritual. Our study theme will be "freedom" explored through sacred text, poetry, philosophy, yoga, meditation and art. She often wondered why, when she performed an act of loving kindness, like giving a perfect stranger a ride For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to home, others would ask, “Well, why did live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of you do that? You don’t know that others. Nelson Mandela person”. She would think to herself, “Well, because they needed a ride Enslave the liberty of but one human being and the liberhome”. To her, it seemed like the right William Lloyd Garrison thing to do. Then, one day in 2004, as ties of the world are put in peril. she walked along with a friend, her I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to friend said she was on her way to be free... so other people would be also free. Rosa Parks perform a mitzvah. “What”, she asked? ‘What is a mitzvah”? Her friend explained a mitzvah is an obligation, the sacred responsibility of every Jew to make the world a better place. That's when she knew, for certain, she wanted to be a Jew. Though she was born in Augusta, Georgia, Doris Walters moved west, settling in Sacramento in 1988, after retiring from the United States Air Force. She pursued her profound interest in Judaism by attending an introductory class in Judaism, which she had to sneak off to, because the husband she was married to at the time wouldn’t have approved. Doris married her current husband, Dan in 1995. It was on April 25, 2004, Doris and Dan attended Dan's grandson's little league pancake breakfast in the park. She was seated at a table with a man and his son, and they began to talk. The man attended Mosaic Law. He invited her to attend the 50th anniversary of his becoming a bar mitzvah on the 8th of May. She went. Then she attended every single Saturday service at Mosaic Law for the next 101 Saturdays. Doris' husband, Dan recognized how much Doris respected Judaism and along with Doris' daughter, Amelia, was thoroughly supportive as she pursued what she describes as her "wonderful journey" to join our family. Doris met Rabbi Nancy during her conversion process. To quote Doris, “Rabbi Nancy’s drashes are the most beautiful, meaningful, and inventive. She’s the best in town”. Doris loves attending Friday night Shabbat at CBS because she says, “It is an opportunity to see brilliance”, as Rabbi Nancy juggles the service, never knowing who will be there, not assuming the same people will be at every service, and integrating various people into each service. “Rabbi Nancy helps us as people who have life detours. She understands. She’s real. She gets it” says Doris. Doris undertook the contracting and daily supervision of the remodeling of the social hall, office, restrooms, hallways, and landscaping at the synagogue in 2006. She also designed the walkway and patio on the north side of the synagogue. She says she undertook the project because "it was long overdue." Currently, Doris plans the coordination of aliyot at Friday night services, which is a time consuming task. She contacts various members of the congregation to see if they will be in attendance, and if they will accept the honor. She must also work closely with Rabbi Nancy to know what her plans are for the service, and what will be needed. It is an opportunity for Doris to get to know the members of the congregation, help them to receive an honor, and encourage them to perform mitzvot. Recently, Doris and husband Dan were on a trip, when they stopped at a rest stop. Doris found a wallet in the restroom. The identification was that of a French tourist. Doris tried calling several numbers to locate the owner of the wallet, without success. She even called the French Consulate, who wasn't much help. So Doris continued sleuthing and called the number of a Super 8 Motel she found on a business card in the wallet. As it turned out the French tourist, Brigitte, was staying at the motel that night. Brigitte had not yet discovered her wallet was even missing! Doris and Dan drove from Orland to Vacaville to return Brigitte's wallet to her in person. Now that's a mitzvah! When I talked with Doris about this article, we talked for an hour and a half. What a wonderful experience it was! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. My thought after we talked was, ‘Wow! She’s just amazing’! I hope you all get to know Doris Walters. Member Directories are available in the office. CBS 13 Book Review At our next meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 11th, Sheree Meyer will be leading a discussion of Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. Fanny Levy Here is what Sheree has to say about the book: Jewish literature is often described as occurring "between laughter and tears." Jonathan Safran Foer's debut novel, Everything Is Illuminated, is one of my favorites because it fits right into that tradition. Just as his protagonist travels to the Ukraine to discover his roots in the shtetl of his grandfather's past, we travel with him accompanied by a contemporary Eastern European guide whose fractured English hilariously lampoons American culture. In Everything Is Illuminated, Foer takes us back to the magic realism of Sholem Aleichem and the melancholy of Isaac Bashevis Singer but with a great twist of 21st century satire and humor. Everything Is Illuminated is the Winner of the National Jewish Book Award for Fiction and The Guardian First Book Award. It was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award for First Fiction. It appeared on Best of the Year lists in the New York Times, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, USA Today, Book magazine, Booklist and Publishers Weekly. Please join us! Upcoming Books: June 8: The Orientalist: Solving the Mystery of a Strange and Dangerous Life by Tom Reiss, led by Bill Rozell July 13: The Mathematician’s Shiva: A Novel by Stuart Rojstaczer, led by Marcy Merrill At our April meeting, Liz Stein led our discussion of Eating on the Wild Side by Jo Robinson. All of us had new insights into how to buy, store and cook to get more nutritional value from foods after reading the book, and many of the facts in the book surprised us. For example, we learned that garlic loses much of its nutritional value if you cook it immediately after mincing or crushing. We were also surprised that some canned foods have more nutritional value than fresh ones, and that smaller tomatoes have a higher nutritional content than larger ones. We noted that Eating on the Wild Side is valuable to the home gardener as well as the consumer, as it identifies varieties of seeds to pick if you are growing your own vegetables. One disappointment was that the book did not address the nutritional content of one or two varieties that are commonly available to growers. In general, though, everyone found the book to be a valuable one to read, regardless of whether one is a carnivore, vegetarian, or vegan. Life & Legacy Donors Thank you for committing to a lasting contribution for the future of CBS! Carry Cohn Jean Rubin Anonymous Dean Mirtle Robin Asch David Ginsburg Penni Blumberg Tivon Schardl Judy Lewis Steve Lewis Katie Braverman Anonymous Jana & Brian Uslan Wendy Wilson, Ph.D. Lydia Inghram Jessica Braverman Birch & Joel Birch Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen Rabbi David Wechsler-Azen Alla Gamarnik & Joel Blank Dave & Roberta Malkin Add your name to the list of people who are assuring Jewish tomorrows! For more information about the Life & Legacy Program and how to participate, please contact the office to get connected to one of our Legacy Team Members. 14 Chai Lights Shabbat Babayit Remaining Dates: May 15 and June 19 RSVP required by May 4 to participate on May 15. Click here to register online CBS Shabbat BaBayit Dream: Together we will celebrate Shabbat. Its rhythm will unite us with each other, with Jews around the world, and throughout the ages. On this day we will create a warm and loving space, holding our families and friends together. On this day we will lay down the burdens, distractions, demands, and pressures of daily life. On this day we will renew ourselves, emerging spiritually, emotionally, and physically invigorated. On this day we will own our precious heritage, wearing it as a badge of pride and honor. Together we embark on this great adventure to rediscover our G-d-given gift of Shabbat. CBS will host Melton’s next two-year cycle beginning October, 2015. Classes will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:45pm. Join the great Jewish Conversation. CBS 15 The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world. We have set the standard for high-quality text-based interactive Jewish study by offering a world-class, two year curriculum developed at Hebrew University that informs and inspires adult learners from all knowledge levels and backgrounds. If you are looking for a profound understanding of what it means to be Jewish, join us to explore the texts of our tradition and discover how they relate to us today. Learn more about Melton at www.meltonschool.org/. You may also contact Sara Kahn Shapiro, Director at [email protected] or call 916-488-6397. Federation is now accepting donations for its Kosher Food Pantry. All goods should be non-perishable and have a kosher symbol. Items may be delivered to the Federation office at 2130 21st Street, Sacramento. We also accept toiletries and Judaica items. For a list of suggested items, visit www.jewishsac.org. If you are in need of visiting the Food Pantry, please contact Resource & Referral Coordinator Alicia Mittleman at 916-2050688. 16 Chai Lights Post on your refrigerator! Congregation Beth Shalom is proud to announce its adoption of Mishkan HaNefesh, the new two volume Machzor for the 2015 Days of Awe. A donation of $50.00 covers the costs of a single set of Mishkan HaNefesh, while $100.00 will “buy” one set for you and one set for the congregation. All donations will be acknowledged with a bookplate in the prayer books. Donations should be made to CBS (Religious Practices Committee) and should identify the “New Machzorim” as the purpose of your donation. About Mishkan HaNefesh Offers meaningful liturgy for both regular service attendees and those new to Jewish spirituality and practice Inspires a multifaceted experience of Yamim HaNoraim—from feelings of awe to moments of solace, from the solitude of contemplation to the solidarity of song and worship Provides an accessible guide through the journey oft'shuvah (repentance) and cheshbon hanefesh (self-reflection) Bridges the personal and the communal, the ritual and the ethical dimensions of Yamim HaNoraim Embraces the rich liturgical voices of the Jewish past and the aspirations of our people today Special Features Fully transliterated liturgy Expanded options for Torah readings Study texts that provide background and context Contemporary poetry and alternative readings Rich commentary drawing from Jewish tradition A range of theological possibilities New translations that capture the beauty of the Hebrew Original woodblock art by acclaimed artist Joel Shapiro Includes essays by the leading Reform Movement thinkers CBS 17 Individual/ Family Counseling Jewish Family Service offers affordable individual and family counseling with Community Social Worker Alicia Mittleman, LCSW, or Pastoral Counseling Intern Joel Zeff, Rabbi of Kenesset Israel Torah Center. Strict confidentiality maintained. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Alicia at 916-205-0688. Send in your donation today! Purchase a leaf on the Tree of Life Commemorate a special event with a custom leaf on the CBS Tree of Life, prominently displayed in the foyer. Only $120.00, 120 being the age of Moses. Contact Carry Cohn or [email protected] for details. 18 Chai Lights Happy May Anniversary Bruce Carl & Penni Blumberg Steve & Jenny Jeffrey Gilles & Cindy Attia Scott & Robyn Pettinato Morris Newman & Sharon Bernstein Holly Illfeld & Bob Bennett Reena Lewis & Jim Kilbourn Mark & Susan Leibenhaut Matthew Bray & Nancy Leaderman Bruce Burdick & Layne Hersh Jana & Brian Uslan Jeff Swatt & Robin Taylor Happy May Birthday Madison Alcalay David Bories Natalie Duke Leah Ezekiel Mari Golub Richard Nicoles Wendy Wilson Massoud Bekhour David Meyer Seth Robinson Eliza Wechsler-Azen Angela Ezekiel Tatyana Kagan Naomi Cohen Jami Goldstene Karen Hull Monika Robbins Shelley Spilberg Rachel Friedman Ben Ilfeld Liam Varano Magali Varano Kate Acree Rebecca Jennings Lily Wechsler-Azen Dana Drukker Joanne Harris Julia Sandman Brian Uslan Jacob Appell Rick Frey Andrea Karsh John Kilbourn Bella Bercovich Warren Cohen Rachael Hersh-Burdick Randy Courtland Robyn Pettinato Rita Lehman Vera Sandronsky Joy Cohen Joel Korotkin Edward Appell Sofia Schiffman Alex Golub Elijah Swatt Jonathan Aron Estee Cohen Karen Sackheim Ann Marie Steinke Jordon Glenn Tierney Korotkin April Tributes To the Rabbis’ Discretionary Fund: From the Luedtke Family, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Clair Merksamer, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Carry Cohn, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Seth Rosenthal & Joi Barrett, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Sylvia Grossman, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Dave & Roberta Malkin, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Sheree & David Meyer, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Bob Bennett & Holly Ilfeld, in honor of another perfect 4.0 at UC Davis. Congratulations Ron From Bob Bennett & Holly Ilfeld, in memory of Robert Bennett, Sr. From Gail Abilovitz, in memory of her mother, Sharon Abilovitz From Naomi Rice, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Fanny & Neil Levy, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Herbert & Donne Davis, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Harold Stein, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From John & Phyllis Blum, in memory or Aryeh SteinAzen From Joyce Berger, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Herbert and Donne Davis, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Charlotte Ballard & Robert Zeff, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Robert & Alison Sandman, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Bruce Burdick & Layne Hersh, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From the Edber Family, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Bonnie Kaplan, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Edward & Marcia Edelstein, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Liz & Deon Stein, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Elizabeth and Michael Gurev, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen To the General Fund: From Betsy & Tom Jennings, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Alison & Robert Sandman, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Carol Klein, in memory of her mother, Lillian McCord From Ronald and Iris Bachman, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Herb & Joy Cohen, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Michael Adelson, in honor of the yahrzeit of his father From Alvin Malkin, in memory of Sharon Abilovitz From Deborah Nelson, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen From Mark & Tammy Noel, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen (cont. on next page) CBS May Yahrzeits Phyllis Weis Suzie Ginsburg Richard Ruhman Helen Doneger Al Gray Adele Hersh Dorothy Rosenberg Bonne` Bearson William Leibenhaut Mel Rosenberg Larry Hawkinson Leroy Davis Frances Lewis Ted Dritz Ernestine Harfeld Ani Warner John Martin Polis Ida Friedson Thelma Dames Sam Schwartz Ralph Segal Ray Zirkle Frank Rosenvasser Albert Cohodes Jim Hornak Kirby Asch Rachel Kalamaras Dr. Paul E. Weiss Gil Block Es’Hagh Halimi Shirley June Harris Avraham & Mary Azinski Samuel Bagoon Max Wasserman Elisabeth Baumgartner Chad Pifer Florence Leibenhaut Walter Frey Mary Goldfarb Corey Glick Ruth Ruhman Leonard Vogel Edward Paxon Howard III Robert Dean Laughlin Fannie Frey Alfred Nitta Sylvia Zeiss Margaret Berman Arthur Klein April Tributes (cont. from prev page) Parashot 19 Candle Lighting Friday, May 1 / 13 Iyar 7:39 pm Ahare Mot/Kedoshim Leviticus 16:1-20:27 Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 Friday, May 8 / 20 Iyar 7:46 pm Emor Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23 Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 Friday, May 15 / 27 Iyar 7:52 pm Behar - Behukotai Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34 Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14 Friday, May 22 / 5 Sivan 7:58 pm Bamidbar Erev Shavuot Numbers 1:1 - 4:20 Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 Saturday, May 23 / 6 Sivan Shavuot after 9:03pm Sunday, May 24 / 7 Sivan after 9:04 pm Shavuot From Lydia Inghram, in memory of Sharon Abilovitz From Lydia Inghram, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From the Polis Family, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen Friday, May 29 / 12 Sivan 8:04 pm From Carol Klein, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen Naso From Michael & Elizabeth Singer, in memory of Aryeh Numbers 4:21 - 7:89 Stein-Azen Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 From Betsy & Tom Jennings, in memory of Aryeh Stein-Azen From Mark Lipson From Dick Nicoles From Carl Miller From Ginger & Steve Bicks, in memory of Aryeh SteinDo you want to participate on the bimah? Azen If you are observing a yahrzeit, anniversary, birthday or just wish to be part of the Friday night service by To the Music Fund: performing any of the following tasks, please contact From Carry Cohn, in memory of Sharon Abilovitz Dave Malkin at (916) 782-3699 or From Richard & Susan Nicoles, in memory of Aryeh [email protected] Stein-Azen From Charlotte Ballard, in memory of Sharon Abilovitz 1—light the Shabbat candles 2—Aliyah to the Torah To the Youth Fund: 3—redress the Torah as Hagbah or G’lilah From Alvin & Fifi Paykel, in memory of Aryeh SteinAzen All Jewish members ages B’nai Mitzvot and up are welcome. Postage Address Label Beth Shalom Contribution Tribute Donation Form The enclosed is: ( ) a deposit to my individual tribute account ( ) a designation of $________ from my tribute account to ___________________Fund. ( ) a contribution to the ___________________________________________ Fund. In memory/honor (circle one) of _______________________________________________________ Please acknowledge: Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________________ City, State Zip ____________________________________________________________________ Donor: Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ City, State Zip: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________ General Support Fund • Rabbis’ Discretionary Fund Education Program Funds• Catherine Bos Music Fund • Lester Gould Library Fund • Beautification Fund Unjericho Fund • Memorial Board • Rachel Melamed Storytelling Fund Youth Programs Fund • Religious Practices Fund • Other Thank you for making a tribute to Congregation Beth Shalom in memory or honor of an individual. To insure proper recognition, please use this tribute form when sending your tribute. Thank you! CBS Sisterhood Tribute Chair Please return completed form to Temple Office
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