Volume 31, Number 7

March 2012

Adar / Nisan 5772

the

T E M P L E B E T H A B R A H A M

Pu RiM

Volume 34, Number 5

February 2015

Shevat/Adar 5775

GENERAL INFORMATION: All phone numbers use (510) prefix unless otherwise noted.Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610Hours M-Th: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Fr: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.Office Phone 832-0936Office Fax 832-4930E-Mail admin@tbaoakland.orgGan Avraham 763-7528Bet Sefer 663-1683

STAFFRabbi (x 213) Mark BloomCantor Richard Kaplan, kaplanmusic@hotmail.comGabbi Marshall LangfeldExecutive Director (x 214) Rayna ArnoldOffice Coordinator (x 210) Virginia TigerBet Sefer Director Susan Simon 663-1683Gan Avraham Director Barbara Kanter 763-7528Bookkeeper (x 215) Kevin BlattelCustodian (x 211) Joe LewisKindergym/Toddler Program Dawn Margolin 547-7726Volunteers (x 229) Herman & Agnes Pencovic

OFFICERS OF THE BOARDPresident Mark Fickes 652-8545Vice President Eric Friedman 984-2575Vice President Alice Hale 336-3044Vice President Flo Raskin 653-7947Vice President Laura Wildmann 601-9571Secretary JB Leibovitch 653-7133Treasurer Susan Shub 852-2500

COMMITTEES & ORGANIZATIONS: If you would like to contact the committee chairs, please contact the synagogue office for phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Adult Education Aaron PaulChesed Warren GouldDevelopment Leon Bloomfield & Flo RaskinDues Evaluation Susan Shub Endowment Fund Herman PencovicFinance Susan Shub Gan Avraham Parents Toni Mason Gan Avraham School Committee Gary BernsteinHouse Stephen ShubIsrael Affairs JB LeibovitchMembership Ulli RotzscherMen’s Club Jeff IlfeldOmer Rachel DornhelmPersonnel Laura WildmannPublic Relations Lisa FernandezRitual Eric FriedmanSchools Alice HaleSocial Action Marc BrunerTorah Fund Anne LevineWomen of TBA Molli Rothman & Jessica SterlingYouth Phil Hankin

DIRECTORY

Services ScheduleServices Location TimeMonday & Thursday Morning Minyan Chapel 8:00 a.m.Friday Evening (Kabbalat Shabbat) Chapel 6:15 p.m.Shabbat Morning Sanctuary 9:30 a.m.Exception: we will begin 9:00 a.m. the Thursdays of Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret.

Candle Lighting (Friday)February 6 5:20 p.m.February 13 5:28 p.m.February 20 5:35 p.m.February 27 5:43 p.m.

Torah Portions (Saturday)February 7 YitroFebruary 14 MishpatimFebruary 21 TerumahFebruary 28 Tetzaveh

TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAMis proud to support the Conservative Movement by affiliating with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Advertising Policy: Anyone may sponsor an issue of The Omer and receive a dedication for their business or loved one. Contact us for details. We do not accept outside or paid advertising.The Omer is published on paper that is 30% post-consumer fibers.The Omer (USPS 020299) is published monthly except July and August by Congregation Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Omer, c/o Temple Beth Abraham, 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610-3232.© 2015. Temple Beth Abraham. The Omer is published by Temple Beth Abraham, a non-profit, located at 336 Euclid Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610; telephone (510) 832-0936. It is published monthly except for the months of July and August for a total of ten issues per annum. It is sent as a requester publication and there is no paid distribution.

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To view The Omer in color, visit www.tbaoakland.org.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

THE TEEN SCENEThe Friendship CircleFriendship Circle programs pres-ent families of individuals with spe-cial needs and teen volunteers the opportunity to form real friendships within a non-judgmental and supportive community.

Teen Scene:Teen Scene is a semi-monthly, one and a half hour program on Sunday evenings for teens with special needs to join with loving teen volunteers for a fun, educational group experience.The program begins with a light dinner and is followed by an hour of activities and Jewish discussion. Teens enjoy various activities, which include dancing, basket-ball, yoga, drum circle and more.

For more information, including Teen Scene dates, please contact Devorah Romano, dl@fcberkeley.org.

See additional Adult Education activities on pages 4 and 6.

SAVE THE DATES:March 8: WTBA Vashti’s Banquet

March 14: Men’s Club ShabbatApril 26: Schools Auction

May 1-3,: TBA Camp Retreat

Hazon Bay Area’s 2015 California Ride & Retreat

Love biking? Love Shabbat? Love being in a community of people who care about food and the environment?

Then register for Hazon Bay Area’s 2015 California Ride & Retreat!

This year’s Ride & Retreat will take place over Mother’s Day Weekend, May 7-10, 2015. It will be held at Walker Creek Ranch in Sonoma County. Come for a weekend of vibrant pluralistic Jewish celebration, learning, food, community-building, and beautiful bike routes through the San Francisco Bay Area. The California Ride & Retreat raises money for Hazon’s innovative program-ming in the Bay Area, including food justice work, educational initiatives, and sustainable food resources for Jewish institutions. The ride is fully supported and suitable for people of all cycling levels and ages. Hazon, which means vision, seeks to create healthier and more sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond by supporting a broad range of projects.

To register and for more information: http://hazon.org/calendar/california-ride/

Some testimonials:

“This was the best ride of my life. The ruach and kava-nah were palatable as we soared over mountains, breezed along the sea, and came back home to our hevrah in the valley below. Tikkun olam is possible and is calling me to action like never before.” -Scott Green, first-time rider

“Thanks for the wonderful and inspiring bicycle and shabbat experience. It was great to connect with a com-munity of Jewish bicyclists committed to food justice and environmental care.” -Shosh Blachman

MAH JONGGJoin us on the second Shabbat of the month

as we gather in the Chapel after Kiddush.Feb. 14

March 14April 11May 9June 13

UPCOMING KINDERGYM DATESFebruary 1 and 22 are Kindergym Sunday PlayDays for under-3s with a loving adult from 10:30 a.m. to noon in

the Social Hall at TBA.$11/TBA members; $12 general.

Winter/Spring weekday drop-ins and the mix and match toddler series are also open to all!!

Dawn Margolin looks forward to seeing you there!

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FROM THE RABBI

Two Environmental Mitzvot, Two Storiesby Rabbi Mark BloomWhat is the Jewish basis for caring for our earth and our connection to the outdoors? There are two separate but related mitzvah categories: shomer adama, which means to take care of the earth and bal tashchit, which means not to waste. With those mitzvot in mind I want to share the following two fairly famous nuggets from the Jewish tradition with you.

First, from the Talmud, Tractate Ta’anit 23a:

One day Honi the Circlemaker was journeying on the road and he saw a man planting a carob tree. He asked, “How long does it take [for this tree] to bear fruit?” The man replied: “Seventy years.” Honi then further asked him: “Are you certain that you will live another seventy years?” The man replied: “I found [already grown] carob trees in the world; as my forefathers planted those for me so I too plant these for my children.”

And secondly, from the tales of Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav:

Rebbe Nachman was once traveling with his Hasidim by carriage, and as it grew dark they came to an inn, where they spent the night. During the night Reb Nachman began to cry out loudly in his sleep, waking everyone up in the inn, all of whom came running to see what hap-pened. When he awoke, the first thing Reb Nachman did was to take out a book he had brought with him. Then he closed his eyes and opened the book and pointed to a passage. And there it was written “Cutting down a tree before its time is like killing a soul.” Then Reb Nachman asked the innkeeper if the walls of that inn had been built out of saplings cut down before their time. The innkeeper admitted that this was true, but how did the rabbi know? Reb Nachman said: “All night I dreamed I was surrounded by the bodies of those who had been murdered. I was very frightened. Now I know that it was the souls of the trees that cried out to me.”

From our masters’ lips to our ears, may we continue to preserve their legacy of the Jewish commitment to nature.

Committee chairs, Deborah Reback and Doree Jurow Klein with Rabbi Mark and Karen Bloom. For more photos of the TBA Gala, see pages 8 and 9.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Please Join Us for Morning Minyan on Mondays and Thursdays

Join the regulars at our Minyan service, each Monday and Thursday usually starting at 8:00 a.m. The service lasts about an hour, and is really a great way to start the day. As an added bonus, breakfast is served immediately afterwards. To use the old expression – try it, you’ll like it. If not as a regular, just stop in once or twice and see what it’s all about.

Judaism and the Outdoorsby Mark FickesWith Tu B’Shevat approaching, it is the time of year in the Jewish calendar when we turn our thoughts to nature and the outdoors. Because I am not that knowledgeable about Judaism’s vision of nature, I decided to turn to my children and their Judaics teacher for a little back-ground. Here is what I learned.

During their second grade year at Contra Costa Jewish Day School, Zachary and Galvin investigated the theme of Shemirat Ha’adamah which comes from the Hebrew words mean-ing “protecting the earth.” Stewardship of our planet is a universal value rooted in Judaism. Indeed, at the very beginning of the Torah we asked to respect all things that grow. Adam is placed is the Garden of Eden to “keep it and watch over it.” (Genesis 2:15).

My kids also taught me about the Jewish value of ba’al tashchit (meaning “do not destroy”) which is an injunction against wastefulness. This concept has been the mantra for the Jewish ecology movement. When put into action, it means that we must all become partners in pre-serving the beauty and sustainability of our world. Translating that theme into the real world, my two Fourth Graders and the rest of their CCJDS class are exploring the theme of sustain-ability this year in a unit on Hafrachat Ha’adamah - the flowering of the Earth. Their class serves as the caretakers of a school garden which gives them an opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in sustainable food practices.

Garden work can provide us all the opportunity to explore the concept of Shmitta, which we find in the book of VaYikra where we are told, “The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai: Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you enter the land that I assign you, the land shall observe a Sabbath of the LORD. Six years you may sow your field and six years you may prune your vineyard and gather in the yield. But in the seventh year the land shall have a Sabbath of complete rest, a Sabbath of the LORD: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap the after growth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your untrimmed vines; it shall be a year of complete rest for the land.” Vayikra 25:2-5

Why do we give the earth a year of rest? Here is one thing Talmud has to say on the subject: “A disciple came and asked R. Abbahu: ‘What is the reason for the Sabbatical year?’ ‘Now,’ said R. Abbahu, ‘Sow for six years and let go of the land in the seventh year: in order that you know that the land is Mine.” Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 39a. Thus, the Earth is not mere-ly some resource to be used and abused. If we want to live on the land, it is our responsibility to let it rest.

I still have a lot to learn on the subject and so I am lucky to have Galvin, Zachary and their wonderful teacher Hadas Rave to teach me about Judaism and nature. If you want to learn more, there is a great book called “Let the Earth Teach You Torah.” I am going to check it out soon and I hope you do too.

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THE OMERWe cheerfully accept member submissions. Deadline for articles and letters is the seventh of the month preceding publication.

Editor in Chief Rachel DornhelmManaging Editor Lisa FernandezLayout & Design Jessica Sterling

Calendars Jon GoldingB’nai Mitzvah Editor Susan Simon

Cover David AvidorHelp From People like you!

Copy Editors Jessica Dell’Era, Nadine Joseph, Richard Kauffman, Jan Silverman, Debbie Spangler

Proofreaders June Brott, Jessica Dell’Era, Charles Feltman, Jeanne Korn, Anne Levine, Stephen Shub, Susan Simon, Debbie SpanglerDistribution Hennie Hecht, Herman and Agnes Pencovic

Mailing Address 336 Euclid Ave. Oakland, CA 94610E-Mail omer@tbaoakland.org

ADULT EDUCATION VOLUNTEER BOARD

Ken Cohen’s class starts Sunday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. in the TBA Chapel. Ken Cohen is returning to our adult ed teaching staff. The additional dates are March 1, 8, 22, 29, and April 12. Cost for the six class series is $75, or $15 per class individually. The topic? Bible Stories your Bubbe Never Told You. Send an email to Susan Simon to sign up or if you want more details about the topics.

The return of Dr. Nily Shiryon, March 15, 10:00 a.m. in the TBA Chapel. Nily will be getting us ready for Pesach with her talk entitled Twelve O’clock and All is Well. What is the secret to keeping children – and anyone, for that matter – interested and at the Seder table rather than bored and under it, tying people's shoes together? Is it by getting through the Haggadah as fast as pos-sible, or can it actually be by slowing down? What to do and how to do it. Designed for Seder plan-ners who are too old and dignified to be tying shoes together under the table! No charge for this program – great for seasoned Seder professionals, novices, or just those who love to learn with Nily. Don't miss this learning opportunity.

Give a new parent an hour to shower This is a perfect mitzvah for those with daytime flexibility. Volunteers are needed to provide short daytime sits free of charge to our new moms and dads allowing them to shower, get a haircut, or just take a walk. Interested sitters should contact us at womenoftba@ tbaoakland.org.

Welcome a New Member Do you have time to help deliver TBA’s new member baskets? If so, please contact Virginia at virginia@ tbaoakland.org

Feed the hungryTBA volunteers at CityTeam to feed the hungry on the fourth Sunday of each month from 5-7 p.m. If you wish to volunteer contact Caren Shapiro to sign up at cjshapiro@hotmail.com

March Omer Theme: The March issue of the newsletter will focus on the Passover story and haggadot. Tell us about your favorite part of the seder, memorable seders you’ve had, a favorite family haggadah. Really, anything related to the Passover story goes. Just send them to Rachel at handknit@gmail.com by Sunday, February 8.

Six Word Memoirs: For March, we’d love to include your six word memoirs about the Passover seder. Please include your name and age (approximate age is fine if you prefer) and email them to handknit@gmail.com.

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SIX WORD MEMOIRS COMMUNITY

Six Word Memoirs: Jews in NatureWe’d like to put together a book of six word memoirs from our larger community on topical Jewish themes. We’ll print them, one month at a time, in the Omer until we have enough to compile a book.

Please send us your six word memoirs to omer@tbaoak-land.org with the word “six word memoir” in the subject line. Please include your name and your age, because part of the beauty of the book will be seeing how we feel about Judaism at different ages.

Being nature, infinitely immanent, wonder presence!Michael Bostick

Walking, kvetching, hiking, kvetching, OY VEY!Stacy Margolin

Camping, nature, outdoors. That’s my religion.Bob Gammon

Jewish camp is what Judaism’s about.Lisa Fernandez

Jewish Outdoor Job One - Tikkum Olam.Charles Feltman

Being in nature, counting my blessings.Stacy Margolin

Chuppah in front of Yosemite Falls.Rob DeBare

Muddy shoes tracked through the house.Jessica Teisch

Shabbos hike after rainstorm, fresh awakening.Jessica Dell’Era

Hug a tree, connect to God.Karen Bloom

I feel God’s presence when outside.Karen Bloom

Tu B’Shevat seder – mix juice colors.Karen Bloom

Tu B’Shevat is birthday of trees.Karen Bloom

In coming issues!! Submit to omer@tbaoakland.org. The Six-Word Memoirs on Jewish Life is a partnership between Reboot (www.rebooters.net) and Larry Smith. In November 2006, writer and editor Larry Smith issued a challenge to fans of his online publication, SMITH Magazine. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s legendary shortest of short stories (“For sale: Baby shoes, never worn”), Smith asked readers to describe their lives in six words. Since then, the Six-Word Memoir® made its debut in 2006, nearly one million short life stories have been shared on the storytelling community SMITH Magazine website.

JOIN A NEW TBA CHAVURAH! Do you want to be a part of a smaller, more inti-mate group within Temple Beth Abraham?

Forming or joining a chavurah could be what you’re looking for!

What is a chavurah?From the Hebrew word for friend, a chavurah is a group of people (singles, couples, families, or a mix of these) who meet regularly (usually monthly in each others homes) to experience Jewish life togeth-er. Joining a Chavurah is one way to meet other TBA members in a smaller, more personal setting.

What does a chavurah do?Each chavurah is created to reflect the interests of its members. There could be groups with any of the following interests: socializing, Jewish study, Shabbat gatherings, social action, holiday celebra-tions, camping, hiking, music, sports, etc. The group could meet with or without children. Each chavurah is completely autonomous and can decide as a group when, where, and how often to meet. It is important for all members to be committed to working together toward building the community.

How large is a chavurah?A chavurah is generally made up of between 5 and 10 families or individuals. It could include members who already know each other, or a mix of some old and new friends or acquaintances.

How do I join a chavurah?The process of joining a chavurah is very simple. Just fill out the questionnaire by October 15. Sometimes it takes awhile to put together the right group, but it’s worthwhile to wait for a group that’s a good fit. Hard copies are also available in the office at TBA. https://ccjds.wufoo.com/forms/tem-ple-beth-abraham-chavurah-questionnaire/

How do I find out more?If you have questions, contact Amy Wittenberg, our chavurah coordinator, at: amyw@earthlink.net

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WOMEN OF TBA, OUR SISTERHOOD

Join us for WTBA’s Girls Night Out

Tu B’Shvat Seder Thursday, February 5

7:30 - 9:00 p.m.Baum Youth Center, 341 MacArthur

Girls Night Out is a casual, monthly event to gather TBA women together for relaxed and unstructured social time. Drop in on the first Thursday of each month to chat, laugh, debate, have a glass of wine and some light goodies, and get to know each other better. No need to bring a thing! Meet old friends, and make new friends. There’s a different mix, vibe, and conversation every month. Come check it out! Questions: jessica.sterling@ymail.com or molli.rothman@gmail.com

Sponsered by WTBA & Ruach Hadassah

Next MeetingMonday, February 23

On behalf of The Women of TBA (WTBA) and Oakland Ruach Hadassah, we would like to invite all East Bay Women to join our Rosh Chodesh group. The group meets monthly on the Monday close to Rosh Chodesh, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at rotating members’ homes. The meetings are facilitated by members of the group. Our new text is The Harlot by the Side of the Road, by Jonathan Kirsch. The meeting will open with a short discussion about the significance of the new month.Questions? Contact Amy Tessler at abtessler@comcast.net or (510) 482-1218 to obtain the read-ing materials and get on the distribution list for the upcoming meeting locations.

Save the Date Vashti’s Banquet

Sunday, March 8, 2015, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.Temple Beth Abraham, Social Hall

Save the Date Vashti’s Banquet

Sunday, March 8, 2015, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.Temple Beth Abraham, Social Hall

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MEN’S CLUB

Chanukkah Party TitleThe Men’s Club celebrated the memory of past-president of many years Leonard Fixler. His wife Helen Fixler was in attendance with many members of her family. It was a joyous evening with plenty of sufganiyot, arts and crafts, music, bingo and the 2nd annual TBA latke cookoff. Our master chefs Susan Simon, Ruth Morris and Virginia Davis cooked latkes on site, while Rick and Alice Heeger, Helen Fixler, and Rayna brought their own special recipe latkes from home. When the votes were counted, Helen Fixler was crowned champion with her absolutely delicious latkes. Thank you to all the TBAers, old and young, for coming out and helping to create such a special Hanukkah celebration, and to help honor the memory of our our much missed friend, Leonard Fixler.

Helen with Men’s Club president Jeff Ilfeld, and past-presidents Phil Hankin, David Mendelsohn, and Jon Shuster, each wearing

one of Leonard’s ties, which Helen graciously gifted them.

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TBA CELEBRATES A GALA EVENING

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TBA CELEBRATES A GALA EVENING

Thanks to all who attended, volunteered, and contributed to this event. In error, the Gala program neglected to list a few of our donors. The full list includes:

Herb & Harriet Bloom

Alan & Cheryl Silver

David & Lori Rosenthal

Ken & Ann Cohn

Outi & Warren Gould

The Kessler Family

George & Janet King

Robert Klein & Doreen Alper

David Paulson & Debra Weinstein

Paul & Flo Raskin

Sheldon & Barbara Rothblatt

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JEWS IN NATURE

Working in Yosemite Was Sublime But Nature is Everywhereby Jessica TeischI’d never dreamed of becoming a park ranger the way some people dream of becoming an astronaut or a sur-geon or an Olympic athlete. Yet in the spring and summer of 1993, between years at college, I found myself leading educational programs for school groups, hiking with bird (and bear) lovers, and fielding questions about biology and geology and the Miwok people — all in the awe-inspiring grandeur of Yosemite Valley. I think I’d camped as much as twice before in my life, but on my days off I was trekking across remote, snow-covered precipices in the high country feeling smug triumph at not seeing other human footprints for two days, and shivering in terror when coyotes scratched at the tent I shared with my non-Jewish boyfriend, a fellow ranger. The latter is key: Working in Yosemite was, in fact, the least explicitly Jewish experience of my life to date. Partly that was my fault. The only Jew in our cohort of rangers, I had sud-denly become more focused on following contour lines on a map than in lighting Shabbat candles.

That short period of non-Jewish observance I view as more situational than fundamental to who I am; when I returned to “regular” life I also returned to my very casu-al, 20-something style of Judaism. But outside of gaining an enhanced appreciation of the vast, glorious, and end-lessly unknowable landscape created by God or glacial activity or both, did I ever once link my Jewish identity to my eight months of living in Yosemite? It’s possible, but I don’t think I did.

It often takes a herculean effort to leave our urban Oakland setting, and even our proximity to Tilden doesn’t always appeal to our 3- and 5-year-olds’ sensibilities. But why should nature have to feel so far away? I have to remind myself now and again that the natural world is everywhere—in the strawberry plants we cultivate in our small courtyard to the leaf prints my children bring home from the Gan. Last summer, our children spent a week at camp at Urban Adamah. Sure, I know the difference between a manufactured agrarian setting and Yosemite Valley. But while some may find religious or spiritual inspiration in grandeur, I think there’s much to be said for the nature of the “everyday,” especially when explored in a Jewish context. When I would pick up my very dirty children, they regaled me with stories of worms and mulch and seed necklaces and goats and wheat ground for pita for Shabbat—and they had associated these “nature” activities, many accompanied by Jewish music and sto-ries, with their burgeoning Jewish identity.

Is there something unique to Judaism, in all its permuta-tions, that fosters a love of nature? Perhaps. But I’d argue for the relevance of that question’s approximate inverse: Can immersion in nature, in permutations both great and very, very small, foster a love of God and Judaism? To that I say yes.

Camp Memories from Elinor DeKovenI always remember how my father, Rabbi Ralph DeKoven, ‘zl, felt that one of the most important experi-ences for a Jewish child was to go to a Jewish camp. In his words, “it is living Judaism.” I feel that our children

Jessica Teisch, far left, during her days working in Yosemite.

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JEWS IN NATUREand grandchildren benefit as campers. My three children went to Camp Arazim. When my oldest son was the Director of Arazim, he gained so much joy from watch-ing the campers learn the prayers and the Hebrew words for things such as food items and utensils, etc. The Campship Fund provides scholarship money for Ramah and it is my hope that congregants contribute to this fund to assist children in being able to have this wonderful experience and connection to Judaism.

The NATURE of Judaism by Michael BostickFrom the time when I was a kid, languorously watching bugs crawl up and down blades of grass for hours, I’ve sensed a metaphysical, eco-psychological connection to the natural world beyond words and explanation. Similar revelatory sauntering in the wild Sierras has also infused me with a religiosity that seems fundamental to who I am, and in this, I believe, live the origins of a spirituality that underlies Jewish thinking.

Many of us have wandered into the woods and encoun-tered the mysterious yet perfectly accessible beauty of scenery that deeply accords with our true selves. Being in Nature can be one of the most comforting and meta-physical moments in one’s life. The essence of this immersion in the natural world is typified by a complete sense of connection to the “spirit that moves through all things.” It is a feeling both humbling and strengthen-ing at the same time. It is not just beautiful – it can be a transcendent awakening of an awareness of our inherent immanence, our oneness, in nature.

Through devoted observation of nature, and mystically perceiving our limitless belonging to all that is, we may unveil the source of consciousness itself, a natural wellspring, Discovery of our place in Nature is akin to a stream’s harmony with the terrain through which it courses. “Being” quietly present with the “nature” of consciousness, is both our natural and divine inheritance. In this, dwells a nexus between an authentically enjoined Judaism and its similar invitation to explore our essential ethical selves, in relation to each other and to Adonai, the waterfall of life itself.

I have long held that “Being” Jewish is not about Torah scrolls, Stars of David, bobbing heads, kvetching about the lousy latkes, or cleverly delivering sarcastic one-liners, my usual schtick – all of which are qualities, but not the whole megillah of being Jewish. These practices are like trees, rivers, chipmunks and scat to the natural world and contribute to our overall engagement. Yet, like Nature, Judaism cannot be limited by symbolism, sanc-timony, theories or juxtaposing ourselves from others. It is about relationships, imagining, intuitive realizations

of who we are as sentient beings, as well as latkes, of course. At its more meditative level, Judaism likewise evokes a patient exploration into the Nature of awareness itself.

The opportunity is to create an open readiness to each

Jews in Nature - TBA’s Matan Bostick Becomes an Eagle ScoutOn January 3, longtime TBA member, graduate of Gan Avraham and adventurer, Matan Bostick, was award the rank of Eagle Scout after 7 years of scouting with Oakland’s Troop 202. Succeeding on the path to becoming an Eagle Scout requires lead-ership, endurance, service, citizenship, and mastery of outdoor ethics and survival skills. Matan worked hard to fulfill these requirements, backpacking and camping with his troop throughout California and New Mexico, including his recent leading of the troop to the 14,140 summit of Mt. Shasta and culminating in his Eagle Project of completely refurbishing of Joaquin Miller’s memorial site at Woodminster this last July. Matan earned over 30 merit badges, including the Jewish emblem.

Matan graduated from Bishop O’Dowd in June, 2014 and now is a freshman at UC Santa Barbara studying Political Science. (from Michael Bostick)

continued on page 12

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JEWS IN NATUREavailable, often uncomfortable, moment of how life natu-rally unfolds, as it ecologically succeeds. To me, the power and the beauty of Judaism is that it allows for a vastness and an intimacy, an invitation to consider incom-prehensible magnificence while participating in rich, ines-capable reality, the dirt of being human.

In my view, one of the most important environmental principles of Judaism is L’tikkun olam b’malchut shad-dai: to improve the world in the image of God, which demands us to be good stewards of the earth. But, I think it goes beyond the notion of sustenance – it’s addressing the infinite – the magma of existence. Protection of this Earth should happen effortlessly. God and Nature are one. It happens by entering into the complex realm of Nature as Being, respect for Gaia, the Earth’s inimitable intelligence, as our destiny, as we stand for the natural world we love. It’s not just preservation of the wild; it’s transformation of what we thought pos-sible, for the sake of children’s and all life’s survival. Resolving the unfathomable conundrum of climate change will require no lesser charge.

This Tu b’Shvat, let’s plant an appreciation of special connection with nature, and be present, on occasion, with each immeasurable gift of Natural Being.

Michael Bostick is a longtime member of TBA. He is a Senior Air Quality Inspector for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District as well as a Lead Greenhouse Gas Verifier for the State of California.

Appreciating Our Bodies and Nurturing Our Minds: Why Biking is Jewish by Shosh Blachman Riding my bike to run errands–to shop at TJs, visit my 95 year old mom at Piedmont Gardens or attend services at TBA–is an inherently Jewish act. It provides numerous opportunities to do mitzvot; to care for my body, appreci-ate and protect the environment, and educate by example. But in addition to those more pedestrian mitzvot, biking reminds me of my place in a larger Jewish (biking) com-munity, both in the form of other riders and by encourag-ing me to remember and honor my loved ones who biked but who are no longer with me.

Both my father Nelson (z”l) and my uncle Ben (z”l) were passionate about biking. For decades each biked to work. Due to his poor vision Nelson was unable to get a driver’s license, though he could still safely undertake his 7-8 mile daily commute. Ben also rode recreationally, and was active in the Western Wheelers. A bike/ped under-crossing in Palo Alto was dedicated to him after he died.

In their memory my husband Joel and I took up road bik-ing in addition to our daily commuter rides, and joined

115 other riders last May on the Hazon Bay Area 2014 California Ride & Retreat. In November we joined 163 other bicyclists on the Arava Institute & Hazon 2014 Israel ride, including some TBA members, and rode about 300 miles from Jerusalem to Eilat over 5 days with a break in the middle for Shabbat. Both of these rides were fundraisers. (Thank you to all the TBA members who supported our rides both financially and emotionally!)

This year, we have decided to participate again in the Hazon Bay Area 2015 Ride & Retreat. Please consider joining us or at least nab the best parking spot at TBA by biking! Imagine a community in which the norm is to bike, walk and use public transit, one in which we spend much of our transit time outdoors.

13

RITUAL

Prayer, Shmayer, What’s The Big Deal?by Susan SimonI was chatting with some friends recently about their Tai Chi practice and as we were chatting, part of me was thinking that might be kind of a cool thing to do and the other part of me was judging what I’d look like and if I would be any good at it. Kind of the same thing about yoga – I’ve been to a couple of classes, but never enough to get past that feeling that everyone must be looking at how awkward I am and how inept I feel. I’m guessing that the same must be true for praying if it’s not part of your skill-set.

The Hebrew rod for prayer is t’fillah. It comes from the root Pey-Lamed-Lamed and the word “l’hitpalel” which means to judge oneself. Is there a connection between the meaning of the root and the act of praying? I have read that the most important part of prayer, regardless of the purpose of your prayer, is the introspection it provides. We have an opportunity to look inside of our-selves, to see our role in the universe.

Today, many Jews outside of the Orthodox movement don’t see the need for daily or regular formal prayer. Some don’t see the need for it at all, but others will tell you that they pray when they are inspired to or when it is meaningful to them. This philosophy overlooks both the purpose of prayer and the need for practice.

Purpose, you ask? Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz says that “prayer is a direct and unequivocal act of relating to God…an explicit addressing by the human “I” to the Divine “Thou.” Prayers can be thank yous, requests, expressions of fear and worry, complaints or simple con-versations. The prayers in our siddur represent a wide range of emotions and needs. Our prayers can be very intimate in nature, disclosing things we can never say to other human beings.

What about the practice aspect of prayer? This is what brings me back to my Tai Chi example – the first 10 times we do something, it feels awkward and “wrong,” as though everyone else knows the secrets that have eluded us. This is especially true since we want an emotional connection with the act of prayer. If we are wrapped up in worry about the mechanics, it is hard to find that con-nection. In a synagogue setting, we have so many of these worries – when do I sit and stand? How can I fol-low the Hebrew? When do I bow and why? How can I keep up with all of the melodies and the speed of the reci-tations? What do these prayers really mean? When your mind is swirling with these worries, no wonder it is hard to find a connection of any kind.

We all know that if you want to do something well, you have to practice it continually to get past that feeling of awkwardness. This is as true of prayer as it is for playing a sport or musical instrument. The sense of connection to God or to something greater than ourselves doesn’t come very naturally to us and so just saying the words in the siddur may not evoke that emotion that we seek. Not at first. Over time, however, that emotion is felt. For some it might be a real connection with the words or the melo-dies. For others it might be that feeling of community that you get when chanting prayers together in the sanc-tuary or chapel. For still others, it takes a serious event in life to bring you to the synagogue to seek comfort, whether it comes from friends, from the prayers, or from that time of introspection that I mentioned earlier.

Rabbi Steinsaltz said that “when a congregation is deeply absorbed in prayer, a new entity is created – no longer a collection of individuals, but a Kahal Kadosh (Holy Community), praying in unison.” Each individual can draw strength in this common purpose and in being a part of this larger whole. If you have ever attended our Neilah service at the end of Yom Kippur then you know what I am talking about. There are hundreds of us, exhausted and hungry at the end of a long 25 hours, all raising our voices in prayer. It is a deeply moving experience that strengthens my connection every year.

Prayer takes a certain mindset – saying the same words over and over without the introspection, meaning, con-centration, or intent is meaningless. In our world where we are accustomed to being entertained, amazed, awed, and wow’d at every turn, introspection has become a rare event, probably reserved mostly for those moments before we fall asleep. Setting aside a time every day or every week to make sure this happens is nurturing to our mind, body and soul. The melodies help with this process since so many of us connect as much to the music as the mean-ings.

I know there are so many obstacles – some of which I mentioned above and then there’s the whole “do I believe in God?” issue. But I know you believe in community. And I know you believe in music! And I know you believe in the idea of rest (whether you find time for it or not). And I know you understand the value of gratitude and being part of something bigger than yourself. So I hope that some of you will knock down some of these obstacles, exercise that long dormant prayer muscle, and take the steps to find out what this whole prayer thing is all about. If I get enough of you to commit, maybe I’ll even try Tai Chi.

14

COOKING CORNER

B’Tayavon: Tzimmes 101by Faith Kramer

photo caption: Tzimmes Tamales

I like to make a big fuss over the Ashkenazi Jewish dish tzimmes (sometimes spelled tsimmes). Tzimmes is a root vegetable stew usually sweetened and sometimes made with meat. Make it with meat or without, add spices or even wrap it in a tamale. It is a very versatile dish.

The word is thought to be derived from the Yiddish words “to the” (zum) and “eat” (essen), or from the Middle High German word meaning “side dish.” Perhaps because of the cutting and chopping needed to prepare the stew, the word tzimmes was also used to mean a big fuss, as in “No need to make a tzimmes about it.”

The earliest tzimmes contained root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and turnips sweetened with honey and little or no meat. As it evolved in America, the dish usually has meat, carrots, dried fruits such as raisins or prunes, and sweet potatoes or other root vegetables. A few traditional recipes cook bread or matzo dumplings in the stew, which is an intriguing idea. Most also include honey or other sweetener. Some add cinnamon.

Tzimmes began as a slow-cooking choice for Shabbat lunch, but quickly became part of holiday menus, espe-cially for Rosh Hashanah (because of the carrot slices representing gold coins and prosperity and the honey symbolic of a wish for a sweet New Year) and Pesach (because the dish’s ingredients are all suitable for Passover). The first mention of the dish in America was in 1882 and with American prosperity, tzimmes became a regular sight on American Jewish dinner tables.

Below is a classic tzimmes recipe adapted from the Encyclopedia of Jewish Food (Wiley Publishing) by Gil Marks (of blessed memory). I’ve also included two recipes of my own that show tzimmes’ versatility — an Indian Jewish Curry Carrot Tzimmes (leave out the meat and add extra fruit and vegetables for a vegetarian option) and a Beef Tzimmes with a Kick (and Tamales), inspired by a Mexican-Jewish family’s interfaith tradition.

If you have tzimmes stories or recipes to share, send me an email at fjkramer@msn.com. I’m also working on a knishes for the Omer, so be sure to send me your knish memories, recipes, etc., as well. GIL MARKS’ CLASSIC TZIMMES, ADAPTED FROM ENCYCLOPEDIA OF

JEWISH FOOD3 lbs. beef brisket or chuck roast (see note)

2 Tbs. vegetable oil2 medium onions, halved and sliced1½ lbs. carrots, sliced into rounds

2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled & quar-tered

1½ cups prunes1½ cups dried apricots½ to ¾ cup honey, granulated sugar, or brown sugar

2 bay leaves1 tsp. salt or to taste1/2 tsp. ground black pepper or to taste¾ tsp. ground cinnamon1/8 tsp. ground cloves½ teaspoon ground gingerAbout 4 cups water, or half water and half orange juice

Note: I prefer to cut the meat into 1 1/2” to 2” cubes instead of using the whole roast or brisket. Either way the recipe is delicious.

Dry the meat with paper towels. In a large pot heat oil over medium high heat. Brown the meat on all sides. (Make sure pot is large enough that meat doesn’t touch sides. If it does, cut into two pieces and brown separately. If using cubes, brown in batches if necessary.)

Remove meat to plate. Add onions to pot. Sauté until soft, stirring up any browned bits. Return meat and any accumulated juices to the pot. Add carrots, sweet potatoes, prunes, apricots, honey, bay leaves, salt, pepper, cinnamon, ground cloves and ginger. Add water (or water and juice mixture) to cover.

Simmer for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours over a low heat until meat is tender.

CURRY CARROT TZIMMESServes 8-10

The secret ingredient in this dish is bananas. The fruit gives the tzimmes an intriguing sweetness and is traditional to the Indian Jewish dish this recipe is based on.3 lb. brisket or boneless chuck steak or roast

1/2 cup flour4 Tbs. oil, divided4 cups thinly sliced onions1 Tbs. minced garlic2 Tbs. curry powder, divided1 tsp. ground cardamom1/2 tsp. ground cumin1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper1/2 tsp. ground black pepper1/2 tsp. salt1/8 tsp. ground cloves4 cups vegetable stock, divided1 1/2 lbs. carrots, cut into 1⁄2-inch chunks

15

COOKING CORNER2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1⁄2-inch chunks

2 cups dried apricots1 cup raisins2 ripe bananas

Cut meat into 3/4-inch cubes, dredge in flour. Heat 2 Tbs. oil into a large, heavy pot on medium high. Working in batches, brown meat, adding 1 Tbs. oil if needed. Remove from pot. Add 1 Tbs. oil. Sauté onions until soft, stirring up any browned bits from bottom. Add garlic, 1 Tbs. curry and spices. Sauté 1 minute. Add 2 cups stock. Bring to simmer. Add meat and accu-mulated juices. Return to simmer, cover. Adjust heat. Simmer, stirring occasion-ally, until meat starts to soften (about 90-120 minutes).

Add 1 cup stock, 1 Tbs. curry and carrots. Cover. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occa-sionally. Add sweet potatoes, apricots and raisins. Cover. Simmer, stirring occasion-ally, until vegetables and meat are ten-der. Add remaining stock. Mash bananas and stir into pot. Cover. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

BEEF TZIMMES WITH A KICK (AND TAMALES)

Serves 6, or 4 if also making 12 tamales

The chipotle pepper gives the stew a nice tingle without much burn. Remove the seeds if you want the taste without much heat. I recommend making the stew a day or two ahead of making the tamales.2 Tbs. vegetable oil3 pounds of boneless chuck steak or roast cut into 2” cubes

2 cups thinly sliced onion1 clove garlic, minced2 carrots sliced into ½ inch rounds1 large sweet potato cut into 1” cubes, divided

½ tsp salt¼ tsp ground black pepper1 chopped chipotle pepper packed in adobo sauce (from a can, reserve remainder for another use)

½ cup dried apricots½ cup pitted, dried prunes1 cup chicken stock2 Tbs. tomato paste

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Brown the meat and set aside. Add onions and sauté until light brown. Add garlic and carrots, sauté for a few minutes. Add half of the sweet potatoes, the salt and pepper and the chi-potle pepper. Sauté until vegetables have begun to color. Add the meat, apricots,

prunes, chicken stock and tomato paste. Stir up any brown bits that may be on the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer. Cover, lower heat and simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Add remaining sweet potatoes. Continue simmering, cov-ered, and stirring occasionally for anoth-er two to three hours or until the meat is falling apart tender. Taste and correct seasoning if needed. (Note: Sometimes the meat needs less time to be truly tender, sometimes it needs much more.)

TZIMMES TAMALESMakes 12 Tamales

Tamale making is often a time to have friends or families over to help stuff and wrap the tamales. While extra hands help, the recipe below can be managed by one person without much trouble.8 ounce package dried corn husks1 ¾ cups masa harina (look for the type labeled for tamales)

1 cup plus 2 Tbs. of hot water5 ounces chilled schmaltz (chicken fat) or vegetable shortening

1 tsp. baking powderAbout 1 ¼ cups chicken stock¾ tsp. salt2 cups chopped solids from Beef Tzimmes with a Kick recipe above

Salsa, for servingPut the corn husks in a large pot. Add water to cover. Bring to boil. Let stand for about an hour, keeping the husks sub-merged by putting a plate on top of them. Separate out 12 unbroken husks to wrap the tamales in. Tear one of the remain-ing husks into 12 long ¼” “strings” to tie the tamales. Separate and keep the rest to line the steamer.

Make the batter by mixing the masa harina and hot water together. Set aside to let cool. Beat the schmaltz or shortening and baking powder in the bowl with an elec-tric mixer until light and fluffy, about

continued on page 23

16

GAN AVRAHAM BET SEFER

The Birthday of the Treesby Barbara Kanter When we celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of the trees, at Gan Avraham in early February, it presents a perfect opportunity to recognize the importance of trees, nature and ecology in Jewish traditions. In addition to eating food from trees associ-ated with Israel (figs, dates, oranges, olives, pomegranates, carob and almonds) and planting, we emphasize the mitzvot and Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, repair of the world, and Bal Tashcheet, preserve the earth, in our classrooms.There are many concrete ways that young children can practice taking care of trees and the earth. We recycle lots of paper and often use recycled paper for drawing. We try very hard not to use too many paper towels to dry our hands. We take care of the things in our classrooms and yard when we clean up and put our toys away. Preschoolers are also eager to remind adults, especially their parents. So be ready to hear about saving trees and the earth, recycling, reusing and composting. Young children can be teachers too!

Coincidently, the topic at our Jewish Early Childhood Educators Conference in mid-February is the outdoor classroom. The Outdoor Classroom Project co-founded by Eric Nelson (the conference keynote speaker) is dedicated to the quality, quantity and benefit of outdoor experiences in early childhood education programs. We continue to be educated about the importance and value of outdoor play for children’s development. The outdoor environment and activities are criti-cal to quality early childhood programs. The yard is an extension of our classrooms. At the Gan we are dedicated to providing and cultivating a stimulating outdoor environment and activities.

Toda Raba! Thank you!A huge shout out to our volunteers who made our Bet Sefer Hanukkah parties possible. WTBA for underwriting the ingredients for our latkes and Mary Odenheimer who shopped for 100 pounds of potatoes and onions and all of the other things necessary to make latkes. And that’s not all – she also spent 8 hours in the kitchen helping to make over 700 latkes – thank you Mary!

Thanks also to other latke makers – Jennifer Baum, Elise Perelman, Dawn Margolin, Laura Wildmann, Bryna Ross, and Jessica Sterling – I hope I didn’t leave anyone off this list!

Also thank you to those parents who helped out at the two parties – Josh Mailman, Angela Engel, Sara Engel, Mala Johnson, Laura Tucker, Sherry Marcus and Ortal Trilling.

A wonderful time was had by all – thanks for making it possible!

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BET SEFER

Association of Tree Huggersby Susan SimonI confess I am a tree hugger. I love trees – love to look at them, touch their barks, walk on them at places like the Rockefeller Forest, take pictures of them, smell them, and marvel at their beauty. I love them so much that on my last vacation I took a three plus hour drive up 101 just so I could spend a few days hiking among them. (I’d be happy to share my photographs!) I wasn’t raised by parents who appreciated nature – my parents were more of the hotel variety rather than the camping vari-ety. I don’t know where my appreciation for nature came from – maybe it was something absorbed from my Jewish learning.

Our Jewish tradition is rich with teachings on caring for the land, for plants and animals as well as humans. Take, for example, the mitzvah of shiluach ha-kan, which teaches us that if we come upon a nest where a mother bird is tending her eggs or young, we cannot take those eggs or young birds while the mother bird is present – we have to shoo her away. Why? We don’t know exactly, but many believe that it has to do with the idea of mercy toward the mother bird or maybe the law is a way of keeping compassion for living things in OUR minds. In either case, it prevents us from killing the mother bird at the same time.

Another example – tzar ba’alei chayyim, the prohibition against hurting animals without a good purpose. This broad law demands that we take animal suffering seri-ously. We are required to permit our working animals to rest on Shabbat. We are required to give them adequate food, water, and a large enough place to sleep as part of this concept. According to Maimonidies, it is a mitzvah to relieve the burden of an animal that is suffering under its weight. In some cases it is even permitted to break the rules of Shabbat in order to alleviate the suffering of an animal.

My tree hugging example is my favorite – bal tashchit, the prohibition against destroying resources. In D’varim 20:19-20 we learn that when we are waging war against a city and we capture it, we may not destroy its trees. We may eat from the trees but we are expressly admonished not to cut them down. Later this law was interpreted more broadly, including the wanton destruction or con-sumption of anything (See Rambam, Mishneh Torah). But the fact that this requirement is expressed using trees as a protected class really warms my heart.

Each year at Bet Sefer we conduct a Perishable Food Drive that benefits the Alameda County Food Bank and we do this in honor of Tu B’Shvat which falls on February 4th this year. We ask people to bring in big

bags of perishable food – like bags of apples, oranges, bananas, onions, potatoes, carrots, and other produce that will be quickly distributed to families in need in our own community. We so often collect canned food for hungry families and are always told not to bring anything perishable. Well this is your chance to make sure that our neighbors get nutritious fruit and vegetables. The Food Bank works with us every year to get the food from us and distribute it very quickly. It’s a wonderful way to perform a mitzvah that really makes a difference in people’s lives.

How can you help us?

1. You can drop off a bag of produce to the main synagogue office during regular hours anytime the week of February 2 through February 6.

2. You can send in bags with a Gan or Bet Sefer stu-dent and we’ll make sure it gets to the main office.

3. You can email me (susan@tbaoakland.org) and let me know how much money you want to contrib-ute. I will be going to Berkeley Bowl (they are wonderful working with us each year on this project and give us great pricing). The Food Bank actu-ally meets me at Berkeley Bowl every year to pick up the massive amount of food that we donate – it warms my heart to know how many people will be getting fresh produce. When you email me, I will have your pledge amount put on your TBA bill, so no need to even send a check!

Join me in tree hugging this year – both by going out in nature and appreciating how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place, and by donating to our perishable food drive – QUICKLY – IT’S ALMOST TU B’SHVAT!!!

18

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19

LA’ATID MIDRASHA

Upcoming La’atid Event: Planting Trees for Tu B’shvat

Feb 8 - 10am-1pmIf you are a 4th-7th grade

parent this year, your child is automatically a

member of La’atid “To the Future”. We have monthly events which tend to be both

social and socially conscious.

To RSVP or questions, contact your

trusty advisors, Dina & Phil Hankin at dinahankin@aol.com.

Shabbat Mishpacha for preschool-aged children

and their families.Kitah Gimmel classroom.

February 710:15 a.m.

T’fillat Y’ladim for children in Kindergarten,

1st & 2nd grade & their families. In the Chapel.

February 710:15 a.m.

Junior Congregation for children in

3rd - 6th grade.In the Chapel.

February 2110:15 a.m.

Please Join Us for TBA’s Youth Services

Report from Bay Area Midrasha in Oaklandby Kendra Lubalin, Executive DirectorOur first semester at Oakland Midrasha was so positive, lots of new connections made, teens joining together in com-munity, uncovering who they are as ethical beings in the world, replenishing each other’s resilience and spark. Tuesday nights have a kind of magic to them, and it’s been heartwarming.

Micah Bloom and his AZA Dredeil crew help out at the La’atid Youth Group ice skating extravaganza. Jan. 11, 2015.

Save the date: Annual Midrasha FundraiserThe annual Midrasha fundraiser is the evening of March 21!

Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for details!

20

November DonorsDAVIS COURTYARD MATCH FUNDEthan Lipman Fifi Goodfellow, in memory of Yvonne & Isaac MarcusGary & Faith KramerMarshall & Lynn Langfeld, in memory of N. Michael KharazziSteven Rosenthal & Ailsa SteckelEthel Shaffer, in memory of Abraham ShafferEthel Shaffer, in memory of Daniel ShafferStephen & Susan ShubMark & Lori Spiegel, in memory of Anita Bloch’s FatherMark & Lori Spiegel, in memory of Josef SpiegelMark & Lori Spiegel, in memory of Masao Kishi

JEANETTE JEGER KITCHEN FUNDJack Coulter, in memory of Arthur & Gertrude YarmenJack Coulter, in memory of Irving & Dorothy DronsickMisia Nudler, get well wishes to Anne Schwartz StromMisia Nudler, Happy Birthday to Pinky PencovicMisia Nudler, in memory of Jeanette JegerJoel Piser & Jing Weng Hsieh, in memory of Toni Berke

HIGH HOLY DAYS APPEAL - GENERAL FUNDCharles Bernstein & Joanne GoldsteinDaniel & Anne BookinMarc & Eden BrunerMelissa DiamantCharles & Harriett FeltmanMark Fickes & William GentryDan Finkelstein & Joanna BergJoel FreidRonald & Lynn GerberDavid Goldstein & Sharon ShoshaniNoah Goldstein & Jenny MichaelsonSeth & Donna GolubHennie HechtBob & Lori JaffeAmy KaminerIsaac Kaplan & Sandy SchwarczRichard & Audrey KauffmanRuth KleinmanJoseph & Eve MaidenbergMichael & Katherine MaidenbergDrew & Kelsi PerttulaPaul & Florence RaskinDavid & Lori RosenthalCurtis & Adi SchackerStephen & Susan ShubCindy SloanBen Stiegler & Barbara GrossMadeline WeinsteinAlon Wolf & Liat PoratMichael & Jessica Zapruder

Raphael Breines & Rinat FriedNorman Frankel & Janice Lasar FrankelStuart & Jeanne KornHoward & Judy Craddick MaccabeeGary & Naomi Rosenblum

HIGH HOLY DAYS APPEAL - ENDOWMENT FUNDCharles Bernstein & Joanne GoldsteinDaniel & Anne BookinMarc & Eden BrunerMelissa DiamantCharles & Harriett FeltmanMark Fickes & William GentryDan Finkelstein & Joanna BergJoel FreidRonald & Lynn GerberNoah Goldstein & Jenny MichaelsonSeth & Donna GolubHennie HechtBob & Lori JaffeAmy KaminerIsaac Kaplan & Sandy SchwarczRichard & Audrey KauffmanJoseph & Eve MaidenbergMichael & Katherine MaidenbergHerman & Agnes PencovicDrew & Kelsi PerttulaPaul & Florence RaskinDavid & Lori RosenthalCurtis & Adi SchackerCindy SloanDavid SteinbergBen Stiegler & Barbara GrossMadeline WeinsteinAlon Wolf & Liat PoratMichael & Jessica ZapruderRaphael Breines & Rinat FriedStuart & Jeanne KornHoward & Judy Craddick Maccabee

GENERAL FUNDHerbert & Marianne Friedman, in honor of Judi & Joe Epstein’s

50th AnniversaryMichael BensimonHarvey & Donna Clar, in memory of Sam ClarMarvin Cohen & Suzy Locke, in memory of Freda RubensteinMartin Davis, Todah Rabah for the wonderful Yom Kippur ServicesEric & Tina Eisenman, because Eric is such a good boy Glenn & Amy Friedman, in memory of Augusta WeinbergerLouis & Lisa Goodman, in memory of Herbert Goodman Ann Rapson, in memory of Herbert Goodman Martin & Evelyn HertzSusan Kasdan, in memory of Bernard Kasdan

DONATIONS-NOVEMBER

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DONATIONS

Mortimer Landsberg, for a lovely Rosh Hashana serviceKlaus Ullrich Rotzscher & Jessica Siegel, in memory of Penina

TurnerBryan Schwartz & Alicia Cernitz-Schwartz

KIDDUSH FUNDHelen Fixler, in memory of Miriam NudlerFifi Goodfellow, in memory of Esther Naggar

MINYAN FUNDEtoile Stella Campbell, in memory of David Benisty, Etoile Stella Campbell, in memory of Raphael BenistyEtoile Stella Campbell, in memory of Zohra BenistyAndy & Marcia Wasserman, in memory of George Wasserman

YOM HA SHOA FUNDHarlan & Pearl Kann, in memory of Sophie KranzAdele Mendelsohn-Keinon & Irwin Keinon, in memory of Al

Mendelsohn

CAMPER/SCHOLARSHIP FUNDElinor DeKoven

RABBI DISCRETIONARY FUNDJoshua & Georgia Freedman-WandStuart & Abby Zangwill, in honor of Lucas Pilkey’s Brit Milah

SILVER LIBRARY FUNDWilliam & Sharon Ellenburg, in memory of June Fleck

ENDOWMENT FUNDSally & Victor Aelion, in honor of Pinky’s 91st birthdayDiane Biglovsky, in memory of Bill Biglovsky & Richard GutmannJoseph & Judith Epstein, in memory of Mervin & Helen TesslerLarry Miller & Mary Kelly, in memory of Paul RothmanIlya & Regina Okh, in memory of Joseph Okh

HERTZ INTERFAITH FUNDGerald & Ruby Hertz, in memory of Sam Morow

December DonorsDAVIS COURTYARD MATCH FUNDJereme & Summer AlbinNaomi Weiss Rayna & Saul ArnoldMarc & Debra BarachLeon & Judy BloomfieldDan Finkelstein & Joanna BergEric & Heike FriedmanRobert Gammon & Lisa FernandezRonald & Lynn GerberFifi Goodfellow, in memory of Herb GoodfellowFifi Goodfellow, in memory of Raymond NaggarSandy Gross & Paula Reinman, in honor of Paul and Flo

Raskin’s 35th anniversarySteven Grossman & Jill RosenthalSteven & Penny HarrisYtzhack & Etta HeberBrett & Robyn HodessJonathan & Joy Jacobs

Jan & Randy KesslerGary & Faith KramerPhillip & Andrea LaMarMarshall & Lynn Langfeld, in memory of Robert ZuckerbergJB Leibovitch & Judy ChunCharles & Edna LevineJosh Mailman & Juliette LinzerDavid Paulson & Debra Weinstein, in memory of Herman RothGary & Carolyn PomerantzJosh & Rebecca PosamentierPaul & Florence RaskinJohn Rego & Deborah Kahane RegoRonni F. Rosenberg, in honor of Steven Shub’s 50th re-Bar MitzvahSheldon & Barbara Rothblatt, in memory of Benjamin GoorJeri & Marvin Schechtman, in memory of Stan SchechtmanSheldon Schreiberg & Sherry MarcusBryan Schwartz & Alicia Cernitz-SchwartzStephen & Susan Shub, thank you to Hennie and Outi for their

help at Steven’s re-Bar MitzvahElizabeth Simms, in memory of David GalantMarvin & Wendy Siver, in honor of Yael Berrol’s Bat MitzvahMarvin & Wendy Siver, in memory of George HochmanAaron & Rebecca SkilesJeff Wald, in memory of Arthur WaldHoward Zangwill & Stacy MargolinVera ZatkinCheryl Zatkin-Steres

JEANNETTE JEGER KITCHEN FUNDNorman & Jo Budman, in memory of Edith BudmanMisia Nudler, in honor of Adele and Irwin’s great grandson born

in IsraelMisia Nudler, in memory of Anita Bloch’s mother, condolences

to AnitaMisia Nudler, in memory of Miriam NudlerBarbara Oseroff, in honor of Marshall Wildmann Bar MitzvahBarbara Oseroff, in memory of Nathan Denenberg

BET SEFER DISCRETIONARY FUNDDenise DavisJudy Shalev, in memory of Erwin Wallen

HIGH HOLY DAYS APPEAL - GENERAL FUNDFrank OffenRabbi Mark & Karen BloomIrene BrauerDenise DavisRonald & Lynn GerberPeter GertlerDennis & Susan GildeaRichard Heeger & Alice HaleSheldon Kahn & Sarah LironRandall & Jan KesslerAlan O’Neill & Joni Tanis

continued on page 22

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DONATIONSJoel Piser & Jing Weng HsiehAllen & Ellen RubinRichard & Joan RubinElizabeth SimmsFreya TurchenKnut & Laura GrossmannMichael Rosenberg & Jessica Teisch

HIGH HOLY DAYS APPEAL - ENDOWMENT FUNDRabbi Mark & Karen BloomIrene BrauerDenise DavisPeter GertlerDennis & Susan GildeaYtzhack & Etta HeberRichard Heeger & Alice HaleSheldon Kahn & Sarah LironRandall & Jan KesslerJoel Piser & Jing Weng HsiehElizabeth SimmsFreya TurchenMichael Rosenberg & Jessica Teisch

GENERAL FUNDRichard & Naomi ApplebaumMarc & Debra BarachBarry Barnes & Samantha SpielmanAzary & Clara BlumenkrantzAbigail BornsteinKenneth & Ann Cohn, in memory of Rose RosenbergElinor DeKoven, in memory of my mother Esther KeKovenJoseph & Judith Epstein, in memory of Rebecca EpsteinGlenn & Amy Friedman, in memory of Michael WallersteinJoshua Geyer & Suzanne KleinSari GrossmanSteven Grossman & Jill Rosenthal, in honor of Rabbi Bloom

induction into Nor Cal Jewish Sports Hall of FameJan & Randy KesslerMarshall & Lynn LangfeldCarl M. Leventhal, in honor of James Leventhal’s new positionDavid & Stephanie MendelsohnAlan S. & Eve O. Rosenfeld, Happy Hannukah to Lynn,

Marshall & Garrett LangfeldAllen & Ellen Rubin, in memory of my father Samuel RubinJessica Sacher, in memory of Samuel L. Bernstein, M.D.Bryan Schwartz & Alicia Cernitz-SchwartzMollie Singer, I have enjoyed attending your services this year!!Michael & Deborah Sosebee, in honor of Paul and Flo Raskin’s

35th anniversaryMichael & Deborah Sosebee, in honor of Sue King’s upcoming

weddingMichael Zielenziger & Diane Abt

KIDDUSH FUNDRoma & Thomas Lascano, in memory of my professor Rabbi

Hayem G. Perlmutter

KIDDUSH FUNDStephen & Susan Shub, in honor of Steven Shub’s 50th Bar

Mitzvah anniversary

MINYAN FUNDMartin & Evelyn HertzAlison Heyman, in memory of my father Stanley HeymanRoma & Thomas Lascano, in memory of my professor Rabbi

Hayem G. Perlmutter

YOM HA SHOA FUNDMarina Gottschalk, in memory of my parents, Fritz & Irma

GottschalkMarshall & Lynn Langfeld, in memory of Edith Bloch

CAMPER/SCHOLARSHIP FUNDElinor DeKovenJudy Shalev, in memory of Erwin Wallen

RABBI DISCRETIONARY FUNDRichard & Naomi ApplebaumSteven Berl & Anita Bloch, in memory of Edith BlochHerbert & Harriet Bloom, in memory of Ben NathanHerbert & Harriet Bloom, in memory of my father, Mark S. BloomLawrence Dorfman, in memory of my Father, Joseph DorfmanHarlan & Pearl Kann, in memory of Meyer KranzFred & Linda Knauer, in memory of Rose DancerEdward & Miriam Landesman, in honor of Harriet and Herb

BloomDavid & Toni MasonJeffrey & Simona Sara Morris, Another good year!!Barry & Hana Rotman, in memory of Paula Rotman

CANTOR DISCRETIONARY FUNDDan Finkelstein & Joanna Berg, in memory of Edith Bloch,

Anita Bloch’s motherRachel FriedmanFreya Turchen, in memory of Geraldine Turchen

RUBEL MUSIC FUNDPenny Righthand, in memory of Richard I. Levine MD

ENDOWMENT FUNDBarry Barnes & Samantha SpielmanMarshall & Lynn LangfeldAngelina LevyDavid & Stephanie Mendelsohn

HERTZ-ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDGerald & Ruby Hertz, in memory of Sally SimonWelch & Kay Warren, in honor of all TBA members who volun-

teered in Sar El program

REHR-DAVIS TEEN FUNDBruce M. Barbash & Janis Rosenfeld Barbash, in honor of

Garrett LangfeldHoward Davis

POLA SILVER FUNDRon & Adele Ostomel, in memory of Sam Silver

23

LIFE CYCLESB’

nai M

itzva

h Abe Barnes, January 3, 2015My name is Abe Barnes and I’m a seventh grader at Piedmont Middle School. My favorite subjects in school are math and language arts. I like to collect baseball cards, play baseball and basketball, and watch baseball, basketball, and football. My favorite teams are the Giants, 49ers, and Warriors. My parents joined Temple Beth Abraham when I was born, Rabbi Bloom was at my brit milah, and I started Gan Avraham when I was 2 years old.

My torah portion is Vayechi. It’s about Jacob telling his sons their future roles in Judaism before he dies. Hope to see many of you there.

Mira GellmanFebruary 14, 2015My name is Mira Gellman. I am in seventh grade at The Springstone Middle School in Lafayette, California. At school my favorite subjects are art and science. Outside of school I love to figure skate, play Minecraft, draw, do art projects, read, play flute, swim and watch TV.

My Bat Mitzvah is on February 14, which is also my birthday. The Torah portion is Mishpatim, which covers laws and rules. In my drash I will discuss how these rules affect us.

1 minute. Add the prepared masa mixture in three batches, mixing well with each one. With the mixer going, add in a ½ cup of the chicken broth until combined and then add ¼ cup of chicken broth at a time as needed until the masa mixture is soft but still holds its shape. Mix in the salt, tasting and adding more if necessary.

Spread a corn husk open in front of you with the pointed, narrow side at the bot-tom. Wipe dry with a paper towel. Place ¼ cup of the masa mixture about ¾ of an inch from the top of the husk. Spread it into about a 4” square, being sure to leave a ¾” margin on each side and at least 1 ½ inches from the bottom point. Place 2 Tbs. of the chopped tzimmes filling down the center of the masa. Next pick up the two long sides and push them together, making the batter enclose the meat filling. Roll both flaps in the same direction around the tamale. Flip the stuffed husk so the seam side faces you and fold the pointy end of the husk up to close off the bot-tom. Secure it by using a torn husk strip

to tie it together. Repeat to make remain-ing tamales.

Prepare or improvise a steamer at least 4” deep. Put several inches of water in the pan underneath. Line the steamer with 2/3 of the remaining corn husks. Place tamales inside the steamer with open (top) sides up. They should be packed in so they are standing up. Place a bowl or some crum-pled foil to the steamer basket to help the tamales stay upright if needed. Top with remaining corn husks and cover. Bring to and keep water at boiling. Add water as needed and steam for about 1 ¼ hours or until the husk peels away easily. Let tamales firm up for a few minutes before serving with salsa, or let cool, store in refrigerator and reheat in steamer.

Welcome New Member David & Bette BirnbaumRicardo Craft & Erica ReischerAndrew & Andrea Dreyfuss

Cooking, continued from page 15

B’Tayavon food errata

In the recipe for Kugel in the November issue one should add four beaten eggs to the noodles before adding to the greased pan.

Sorry for any inconvenience!

24

LIFE CYCLES

1Jason Finkelstein

Zoe Waitkus2

Micah BloomZoe Matsuzaki

3Philip MezeyAriana Rukin

5Simon Jacobs

Samuel J. Tobin6

Gabriel AbramiAvi MargolinJames Rose

Zachary Waitkus7

Maxwell BermanAdam Gildea

8Aden GoldbergMartin Stone

9Kimberley Carter Martinez

Matthew HartsockMelanie LaMar

Stein MasonLisa Silberstein

10Daniel Silberstein

11Jonah Moore

12Miriam GouldJacob Zatkin

13Sophia ShareSydney Shub

David Weintraub

14Sonia AronsonAdiel Avidor

Daniela Simone GoldfeinErin Hodess

Janice Lasar FrankelAri Lipsett

Deborah Reback15

Oliver BermanSamuel Daffner

Jana Good16

Bethany KharraziGabriella ZakLevi Zapruder

17Tamara BenauJeanne KornBryna Ross

18Ariella Sharone Falco

Aviva KellmanHarvey Varga

Molly WerthanSamuel Werthan

19Sabrina Berdux

Lilliana KaySandra Simon

Polly Vandewater20

Judah Solomon ChabonJudah EliahuEllie Gertler

Simon GertlerRichard Kauffman

Ezra Tobias Schwartz21

Jason BergerSylvia GutkinAdam Klein

Curtis SchackerIlya Varga

22Felix Baum

Michael BurgeNoah Garber

Marvin Schotland23

Dina Rose Zangwill24

Jonah AbramiRobert DeBare

Michael Wasserman25

Hannah KleinDaniel Wasserman

26Maxwell Goldstone

Penny HarrisEric Leve

Raya SawleEli Baum

Lawrence PolonCamelia Schwartz

28Elisabeth Schleuning

Hannah SumnerLeorah Zangwill

29Natalie HagarDina Hankin

Garrett Schwartz30

Karen BloomJay Goldman

Sophia PosamentierOren Micah Schotland

31Max Berk-Wakeman

Asa Goldberg

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

25

LIFE CYCLES

Is your birthday information wrong or missing from this list? Please contact the TBA office to make corrections.

1Miriam IlfeldAnn Rapson

Hannah RebackNancy Rose

Elise Hannah SchleuningLisa Tabak

3Carolyn BernsteinArjun BornsteinAmy FriedmanMax GochmanLena GutkinLeah Hagar

Jing Weng HsiehJacob Raskin

4Akash Bornstein

Maya MarcusJason Prystowsky

5Dan Maidenberg

Sarah MarcusElise Perelman

6Reuben Goldberg

Julia JohnsonDawn MargolinSusan Sasson

Stuart Zangwill7

Hattie GutkinElizabeth James

Barbara RoseCecile Schlesinger

9Michael FalcoAri Rosenblum

10Dahlia Bernstein

Sarah BookinSherry MarcusDavid Sasson

11Tina Eisenman

Joanne GoldsteinRebekah Kharrazi

Lauren SmithLiam Sondreal

Joni Tanis12

Julie KatzJessica Sterling

13Larry Miller

14Paul DilibertoMira GellmanAllan Gordon

Jason Green-LoweKaren KlierMark Liss

Jake Moore15

Zoe DaffnerAlexander Finkelstein

James KleinmannPaloma Margarita Siegel

Yonathan Wolf16

Avi EliahuDeren Rehr-DavisDavid RosenthalJosh Sadikman

17Eric Jones

Maya Sherne

18Roslyn AronsonLoryn Hudson

19Daniel HarvittRachel HertzJacob Klein

Victoria ReichenbergAmy Schoenblum

B20Jacob Liron

21Joseph Charlesworth

Rita FrankelWard Spangler

22Judith Klinger

Debbie Spangler23

Aaron BornsteinAmit BornsteinAri Goldberg

25Joshua DeBareTheodore JamesSagie Kleinlerer

26Philip HankinDavid Mason

27Julian Goldstein

28Marc Bruner

Paula HamiltonJonathan Ring

Isabella Scharff

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

26

LIFE CYCLES

TEVET 10-11January 1-2Jacob BernsteinBlemah Frankel-JurmanHarold Charles GoldbergIrving GrutmanGeorge HochmanDavid LazarBen NathanRose DancerIrene KahnTEVET 12-18January 3-9Ruth EisenmanLena FassAlfred FeldhammerAbbey RockmakerRose RosenbergHerman ZubkoffNathan DenenbergBarry GoldbergMax GrossMeyer KranzMark LeonPhillip NathansonSally SimonArthur BravermanMary BriskyAlan GreenbergCarolyn Sue NightingaleErna PikarskiPaula RotmanRandy DiamantBetty HollomanIrving KingstonLouis RosenbergAnna D. WeinsteinEugene WeissSam BarnettMurray R. DavisStanley HeymanEsther IsaacsonBecky SingerEthel CohenHoward Cohen

David HolemanJay MichaelsonDavid BiatchAbraham S. CouzinBernard David LaytnerEdwin H. LeuinRochelle MasonTEVET 19-25January 10-16Raphael BenistySydney GoldsteinBessie RanzerCharlotte ResnickDavid BluerFred BraschDonald BrauerLouis E EnglebergElias HerfieldBela J. KlarmanLew MenkesJoseph SingermanIda CowanAlbert EisMinna EpsteinEdward FlickRheta GoldbergGussie GrossEvelyn HarrisLouis JacobsAbraham KreimermanDennis PolseMoshe ShwekyJoel Irving SteinEsther WallisEdith WorgoldMollie BerkowitzIsadore LazarIrina PartsufJack BergerRebecca FynlandJoseph GoldMarta HankinFrances KingArthur J. Levine

Leonard QuittmanMarian StoluskyBeth BelzerSheldon BerrolIgnatz JacobsJessie KasdanSarah RosenthalIsadore RubinMarion StoluskyMaurice C. StoneHenry ZapruderCarl HirschMorris SilverTEVET 26-SHEVAT 3January 17-23Bertha FrankelDebbie A. NesbitMichael R. NesbitShirley SpillmanMaurice TobinAnna WeintraubFrank GlasserMae GoldingLouis JudsonCaroline KaufmannEthel LouikLeslie TurchinGertrude ZatkinEthel BaumSofica Becker Herscu

MantelHerbert RighthandWilliam L. SternHerman Samuel HandloffDorothy LavinJuel Ephraim FassBenjamin GoorHarry KarshSamuel KayEliezer NaharyMorris KesslerWilliam MandlerHarry MorofskyHelen Siegel

Morris SilbermanRose CohenRon JosephBertha RabinowitzMani SaidianSHEVAT 4-10January 24-30Alice CunninghamMorris NankinEtta KushnerEsther SchulackLeo WassermanMildred KarrenNat KaufmanRobert MorrisMiriam NathansonBetsy RosenbergHoward RosenbergMatthew SeamansTom TurchinAlexander DubrowGeorge ElberMaurice KernsRebecca ParkerMarcus ZaslovMargaret AshRose FreyHelen HankinGreta RauchCelia VeissNathan YeszinIda FassStanley LevinGrace Blue RossMalka BreslovVictor Samuel CohenYetta EnglebergHerbert GoldsteinRobert KrugerJoe ZatkinSHEVAT 11January 31Sylvia KarshBetty Ray

JANUARY YAHRZEITSMay God comfort you among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

27

LIFE CYCLES

Robert Zuckerberg, Brother of Arlene Zuckerberg (Alan Gellman)

Rabbi Harold Schulweis

Robert Wallerstein, Father of Amy (Glen) Friedman

Jerrold Schoenblum, Father of Amy Schoenblum (Jonathan Carey)

Recent Deaths in Our Community

SHEVAT 12-17February 1-6Sarah BlumbergRae FineSarah HerskowitzMollie LaubMorris RothmanAubrey BroudyDora DavisJennie DicksonJoseph JacobsMoshe NaggarJean Kistal RubinShoshanah ShoshaniFanny Grey KlerinDavid SaidianMattie WachsmanMarion Newman WolfMary LeonHarry H. LevineZelda RosenfeldPearl CoopersmithRabbi Ralph DeKovenLillie Mary FogelsonRose JacobovichMax LevienWilliam MorofskySara HeberShirley Doris Hyman

KlezmerDorothy PetersonPhil RotblattGoldie ShapiroSHEVAT 18-24February 7-13Barnett EpsteinAbraham GrutmanCelia KadenFreda KlarmanMoshe SterenbergMax BrickSelma Jackson

Harold SilberzweigEdward FriendlyBlanche NeumanLillian RaphaelFay SchaeferAdolph WollnerThomas W. CainLouis FeldmanJoseph MorvaiDavid OkhGertrude YarmanJoel CareyJoseph GrutmanBernice RighthandLawrence A. “Sonny”

SingermanErwin BaranyEtty BernsteinEleanore LeonIsaac ShatzkinLucille TamaHarold Tott FrankelSHEVAT 25-ADAR 1February 14-20Gertrude KingstonBetty MoskoCharles SomersIrwin WeintraubAl RothmanAllan StoneJulian WolfSamuel BandelElizabeth BernsteinFrieda BlatterHyman BrodkeJoseph GouldSamuel Aaron GrinbergRose HillmanBernard PollackMilton WeinerLeonard WolfIrving Goronkin

Shirley GouldRose KatzRose KotzSam WolfJoseph ZuckerbergDorothy GlasserShirley GoldbergJoseph G. KayJoseph KvintMelissa Anne PowersLillian AdlerHelen AldeffEric BaumTillie ElsenbergKalman GluckPearl S. GoodmanRose BruderCora CoulterIrving Selig GoldmanCassel GulinsonAnna JacobsMoses SeligsonADAR 2-8February 21-27Goldine JacobsMarjorie KauffmanCelia KesslerJulius KohnJoel LaLoneSimon LerchSydney Sylvia RossRuth RothMabel StevensMary BergerRaymond ChunMatilda Bloom HolzmanHelen KatzburgMarion MorrisBenjamin OttovichLouis RothenbergDaniel ShusterMilton Weintraub

Max PearlFran PragerClara RamoRobert BurnsteinPhilip Samuel FruchtCelia GoldsteinHarry David LevineHarry SimonFrederick Harland

SpectorAbraham BaimLeonard BaumAnna CohenTille CohenSylvia HertzSamuel JaffeHarry JangerSigmund KaplanSara SchmulowitzArthur YarmanLouis AdlerRachel AelionPhilip BakarCharles Bernard

BernsteinArnold LissHenry RamekPhyllis ZangwillADAR 9February 28Lucy Jackson DaytonAvram Mendel

GoldbergHarry GoldenharSue KraftElaine ReismanEdythe SchultzRegina Weiss

FEBRUARY YAHRZEITS

28

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