may 2005 ~ nisan - iyar 5765

> From the Rebbe
> Gifts of Light
> News from Dor Hadash
> eScrip and more...
> Board News ~ President's Letter
> Pesach Seder Thank You
> Community Announcements
> Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration
> Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
> Jewish Family and Children's Services
> Donations Make a Difference!
> Newsletter Guidelines

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

NEEDED (note this is not just a desire) someone to take over as TREASURER for our community starting July 1st. You do not need to be a CPA or even a bookkeeper (we employ one for you), just someone who answers e-mail, is willing to learn some basic Excel skills and keep an eye on the budget. Michelle will help with the transition while being only a call or e-mail away and will take all her other "hats" with her. Just because we might not personally call you, doesn't mean you shouldn't call us. If you are interested or just want to find out what it involves give Michelle Marks a call at 778-6346 or e-mail her at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net.

Did your Pesach matzah balls swell from the praises of freedom for the Israelites and the opportunity to provide a little tzedakah for our community? If you purchased your matzah balls at almost any store other than G&G's and had signed up for the store's tzedakah program then they could have. Check out the eScrip and more section to let your everyday purchases make a difference for our community.

Rabbi Elisheva will begin her sabbatical on May 1st.
If you need assistance please contact the office at 664-8622.

Administrator's Wish List:
Someone to clean out the refrigerator, stove & microwave in the kitchen.

From the Rebbe

Dear Hevre,

Since I am away, I am preparing my summer Malakh articles in advance, so you will, I hope, pardon their potential for not being relevant to the world happenings or our congregational life. I wanted to share some fun and thought-provoking midrash on several of the Torah portions we will not be reading together, but that you may well enjoy sharing with your family and friends as you sit at a Shabbat dinner, loll on the beach, or join for a barbeque.

May contains the lovely portion call 'Kedoshim' - holiness, which has a whole series of commandments that we can follow to make ourselves holy, just as G!d is holy. It includes the famous line that gets requited by Jesus: (Leviticus chapter 19, verse 18) Love your fellow as yourself: I am the Lord. The verse I want to focus on is just a little later, number 23:WHEN YOU COME INTO THE LAND, YOU SHALL PLANT ALL MANNER OF TREES FOR FOOD.

The Midrash (Midrash Rabbah Leviticus 25:1) says that this is related to Proverbs 3:18 - She is a tree of life to them that hold fast to her - and implies that this is really speaking about the Torah, who is to be the spiritual food of the people from this time on. But they must actively engage with her to plant her in their lives. They, and we, need to plant the Torah, and so receive all the benefits of it's holiness and connection with G!d. This section of the Midrash also has a fun "you get what you work for" story in it. But first, let me give you a little background.

Hadrian became Roman emperor in 118 C.E., when he was adopted by Trajan on the latter's deathbed. He spent most of his time traveling away from Rome. He had an interesting mind set, as is shown by the following story.

Once, when a woman made a request of him as he passed by on a journey, he at first said to her, "I haven't time," but afterwards, when she cried out, "Cease, then, being emperor," he turned about and granted her a hearing.

At first, Hadrian was sympathetic to the Jews. He allowed them to return to Jerusalem and granted permission for the rebuilding of the Temple. The Jews' expectations rose as they made organizational and financial preparations to rebuild the temple. Hadrian quickly went back on his word, however, and requested that the site of the Temple be moved from its original location. He also began deporting Jews to North Africa, prohibited circumcisions and began a temple to Jupiter on the site of the Temple. His appointment of the violent Tinneius Rufus as governor of Judea did nothing to endear him in the eyes of the remaining Jews.

By 132, the small scale skirmishes to win back control over Jerusalem had become a full attack, led by Shimon Bar-Kokhba, where the Jews captured over 1000 towns and villages, including Jerusalem. Then Hadrian sent Julius Severus in and finally won the war, destroying all the Jewish strongholds, though the Romans suffered heavy casualties. Israel remained outside of Jewish control until 1948! No wonder the rabbis in the Talmud hated him so much. Here's the story:

Hadrian (his bones be ground to dust!), once passed along the paths leading to Tiberias and saw an old man standing and digging trenches to plant shoots of fig-trees. He said to him: 'Greybeard, greybeard! If you had got up early to do the work you would not have had to work late! [i.e. if you had not been lazy when you were young, you would not have to work now.] He answered him: 'I have worked early and am working late, and let the Lord of Heaven do as it pleases G!d.' Said he to him: 'By your life, old man! How old are you this day?' 'A hundred years old,' he answered. He said to him: 'So you are a hundred years old, and yet are standing and digging trenches to plant shoots of fig-trees! Do you ever hope to eat of them?' He replied: 'If I am worthy I shall eat, and if not, then as my forebearers have worked for me so will I work for my children.' He said to him: 'On your life! If you are privileged to eat of them, let me know.'

In the course of time the trees produced figs. Said he: 'Now it is time to let the king know.' What did he do? He filled a basket with figs and went and stood at the gate of the palace. He was asked: 'What is your business here?' He answered: 'I want to come before the king.' When he came in, the latter asked him: 'What is your business?' He answered him: 'I am the old man whom you passed by as I was digging trenches to plant shoots of fig-trees, and you said to me: 'If you are privileged to eat of them let me know.' Lo, I have been so privileged and have eaten of them, and these figs are some of the fruit.' Thereupon Hadrian exclaimed: 'I command that a chair of gold be set down and that he sit upon it.' He further said: 'I command that you empty this basket of his and fill it with denarii.' His servants said to him: 'Will you show all this honor to that old Jew?' He answered them: 'His Creator honors him, and shall not I honor him too?'

Now the wife of the old man's neighbor was a woman of low character. She said to her husband: 'O son of darkness! See how this king loves figs and exchanges them for denarii!' What did he do? He filled a haversack with figs and went and stood before the palace. He was asked: 'What is your business?' He replied: 'I heard that the king loves figs and exchanges them for denarii.' They went in and told the king: 'A certain old man is standing at the palace gate carrying a haversack full of figs, and when we asked him: "What is your business?"' he replied: 'I heard that the king loves figs and exchanges them for denarii.' Said the king: 'I command that you make him stand before the palace gate and every one who comes in or goes out shall throw a fig in his face.' Towards evening they cleared him off. He came home and said to his wife: 'I shall pay you back in accordance with all the honour I got!' She retorted: 'Go and tell your mother the gladsome tidings that they were figs and not citrons, or that they were ripe and not hard!'

.

L'shalom,
Elisheva

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
JEFFREY & KAREN SOMMERS, a donation in memory of Justin Sommers

OFFERINGS...
DENNIS & MARY ANN BILECKI, a donation to the General Fund
EVELYN SACKLER, a donation to the Building Fund
ZENO SWIJTINK, a donation to the Building Fund
GREG HAIMS, a donation to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
ARIANA ELSTER, a donation in honor of Lily Wagner's Bat Mitzvah & Dylan Field's Bar Mitzvah

THANK YOU to the following people who cannot attend, but contributed to Casino Night:
BERRINE DE CARMO, BRUCE GORDEN & EDY ULLMAN, REBECCA SACHS, HONORE & THOMAS MCILHATTAN, SALLY CHURGEL, ARLENE KALLEN

THANK YOU...
To ANDREW & CARINA WAGNER, for hiring a gardener to cut down the tall weeds in the entranceway

News from Dor Hadash

Shalom Chevre,
I just returned from the Ner Shalom Board Meeting where the idea of an expanded school schedule was approved. I am happy to announce that Dor Hadash will include 10 more sessions than it has had in the past. This is exciting news because it affirms the congregation's commitment to greater depth and consistency in educating our children. Many families in the past left our congregation because they were not satisfied with the level of education, and joined other synagogues in the area. We want to stem that tide. The Rabbi is also working on creating a very special curriculum for our school, which will address the spiritual growth of our children. It will encompass art, theater, music, and poetry. Of course, Hebrew will still be the focus for the first 45 minutes of each class day, expanding into modern as well as biblical Hebrew. I have fun Hebrew comic books that the students will enjoy.

I want you to know that your Education Havurah and I are trying our best to create a school which answers your dreams, combining the arts, values and ethics, a deeper sense of spirituality, Jewish friendships for our children, and growth within our community.

B'shalom,
Leslie

eScrip and more...

eScrip....Contributions have been down since Oliver's departure from this program.
If you shop at Oliver's please take a moment to look at the COMMUNITYsmart section below and have your purchases make a difference again. Still not having so many other purchases make a difference for our community? Just register all the credit/debit cards you use with eScrip www.eScrip.com and the computers will take care of the rest. Or you can contact Michelle Marks at 778-6346 or e-mail at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net and she can help you get started.

COMMUNITYsmart.... This is the program you need to be a part of to have your Oliver's purchases contribute to our community.
You can instantly join COMMUNITYsmart at Oliver's checkout counter, call COMMUNITYsmart at 568-4995 or go on-line to www.communitysmart.com.

Albertsons.... Can you become contributor number 17?
All you need is a blue and white Preferred Savers card that is easily connected to Ner Shalom by going to www.Albertsons. com or connect it with the tan and white Community Partners card Michelle can provide you. If you need help enrolling or have any concerns let Michelle Marks know at 778-6346 or e-mail at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net

Raley's.... Did you miss the chance to make a no-cost contribution to our community?
If you shop at Raley's and do not have one of their cards, let Michelle Marks know Steven.Marks@prodigy.net and she will get you one.

Two Internet Shopping Opportunities
SchoolPop.... Schoolpop.com is the new way to allow your internet purchases to make a contribution. If you are a former SchoolCash.com member remember to re-register at SchoolPop If you have any problems or questions please contact Michelle Marks.

us.shop.com.... Visit the newest way to contribute with your Internet shopping. If you do not find what you want at SchoolPop then try this new site for contributing to Ner Shalom. You identify our community with the "CareCode" "Ner Shalom". If you have any questions contact Mac McCaffry at mjmccaffry@ sprintmail.com

Participate in our Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) program that helps our environment and Ner Shalom.
Recycle your empty inkjet and laser printer cartridges and old cell phones through Ner Shalom. You can be a part of keeping some of the 300 million cartridges used each year out of our landfills and allow Ner Shalom to receive a contribution for each item that gets recycled. This is a great project to share with your family, neighbors and colleagues at work. A collection box is now available in the foyer of the sanctuary for your donations or you can drop them off with Carol during office hours (Tues-Fri 9am-2pm). If you have questions please contact Michelle Marks at 778- 6346. Thank you to all of those of you who have contributed to our efforts. We are close to having enough inkjet and laser printer cartridges to send off a shipment for recycling.

Board News ~ President's Letter

During Rabbi Elisheva's sabbatical, our Friday evening and Saturday morning services will continue to emphasize music. Musical and chanting services are part of what makes our Ner Shalom services so very special. Our new cantor, Bella Bogart, leads us with guitar and voice in the creation of traditional songs and teaches us new ones to enjoy. The ensemble Shir Halev, which consists of piano, saxophone, cello, guitar, and various percussion instruments, leads our congregation in a sometimes joyful, sometimes prayerful, and always meaningful service. We sing in our Shabbat evening and morning service with the joys of music. In our family tradition here at Ner Shalom, adults and children alike are invited to bring drums, tambourines, and other instruments to play and sing along with Bella, our Cantor, and Shir Halev, our visiting ensemble.

We are offering special and wonderful Shabbat musical services. Bring your family; bring your friends. Check us out. We're sure you'll be pleased with what you find.

Friday evening services are always the first Friday of the month starting at 7:30 p.m. at Ner Shalom.
Saturday morning services are always the first Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. (check calendar for location)

Shalom, Ariana

COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Education Committee - Liz Hagen 829-3031

Finance Committee - Michelle Marks 778- 6346

Building Committee - Mark Cohen 792- 4368

Membership Committee - Sally Churgel 823- 0541

Newsletter - Pam Pepper 588-8824

Personnel - Barbara Lesch-McCaffry 585- 2291

Publicity Committee - Archie Lewinstein 795- 3493

Pesach Seder Thank You

B'shalom,
Pam Pepper-Community Pesach Seder Coordinator

Community Announcements

Ongoing Toy and Book Drive for Free Clinic
Donations of gently used toys and/or books can be brought to Free Clinic on ongoing basis at 421 E. Cotati Avenue, Suite C, or call 792-1932.

Volunteer Coordinator at the Jewish Community Free Clinic needed
For more information, email us at www.jewishfreeclinic.org or call 792-1932

On Sunday, May 15 The Jewish Community Agency (JCA) of Sonoma County is honored to announce that Rabbi Michael Robinson will be awarded the 2005 Tikkun Olam Award for his lifelong service to and for the community. Please click onto our website www.nershalom.org/announcements for more information.

And Now For Something COMPLETELY Different!
On Sunday, May 15th, come out for THE FOOTHILL CENTURY: The Only Kosher Ride in the West! For more information, check out www.sphds.org/foothillcentury

ASK JCI & R
Q: For more information about connecting to Jewish life, call JCIR 415/777-4545 or local toll-free in the Bay Area 877-777-JCIR (5247) or e-mail Info@JewishNfo.org

Jewish Community Information and Referral is a service of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma counties. Visit our websites www.JewishNfo.org and www.jholidays.org Please join us at Israel in the Gardens, Sunday-June 5, 2005 www.israelinthegardens.org

Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration

COURAGE IN ADVERSITY

This year, the Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration which, as usual, is scheduled for the Sunday preceding Yom Hashoah, will coincide with Mother's Day, presenting our community the opportunity to observe two very special occasions on the same day, Sunday, May 8th.We invite you to plan the day accordingly to include attendance at the Commemoration at 2 pm, The Cooperage, Sonoma State University.

A dramatic presentation of a Jewish family hiding in Berlin, and the many righteous gentiles who helped the members survive at the heart of the Nazi regime, will be the feature this year at the Commemoration. Titled "U-Boats in Berlin," and written by Susanne Batzdorff of Beth Ami, the presentation dramatizes the extraordinary courage and collaboration of the Jewish family and their gentile supporters, trying to elude and survive the machinery of death and destruction relentlessly pursuing and threatening all of them.

Three of the family members being portrayed are expected to attend the Commemoration: Ruth Gumpel, who lives in Petaluma, and her brother and sister-in-law, expected from Rochester, NY. Barbara Lovenheim, author of Survival in the Shadows, a book-length version of this family's story, also hopes to be present at the Commemoration. Brian Newberg, drama teacher at Santa Rosa Junior College, is director of the dramatic program to be performed by a cast of six students and colleagues.

In addition to the featured program, the Commemoration will include the traditional lighting of memorial candles by six survivors of the Shoah, presentation of the winner of the Susy Raful Essay Contest, and musical renditions by Fredi Bloom of B'nai Israel in Petaluma. Rabbi George Gittleman of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa will offer the Invocation and Benediction.

Everyone has an opportunity to participate in this observance and remembrance by contributing the names of family and friends who perished in the Shoah. The names will be published in a memorial book that will be available at the Commemoration. Yellow memorial candles to light on Erev Yom Hashoah will again be available to take home after the conclusion of the Commemoration.

Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life

Etz Chaim - Tree of Life
Etz Chaim - Tree of Life
Our Tree of Life in the Oneg room began as a way to thank those in our community who worked so hard to establish our permanent home in Cotati.
It will now be used to help Ner Shalom continue to flourish through the celebration of life events. A simcha leaf to honor a special life event and a pomegranate to commemorate the seeds of our community's hard work, our B'nai Mitzvahs, can be obtained through a donation of 10 Chai or $180 To mark your special occasion with a simcha leaf or pomegranate please contact the office.

Donations Make a Difference!

Donations to Ner Shalom Make A Difference!

*Building Repair Fund
*Dor Hadash School
*Etz Chaim (Tree of Life)
*General Fund
*Music Fund
*Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
*Teen Fund
*Tikkun Olam Fund
*Written Word/Torah Fund
*Waldman Challenge Fund

Honor some one; remember an event or a special person. Donations (minimum of $6 {1/3 Chai} per listing) will be listed in the Gifts of Light section of the next newsletter. Send the donation to the office with the appropriate designation or call the office at 664-8622 for more information. Your generous support of Ner Shalom is greatly appreciated.

Memorialize the memory of a loved one with a Yahrzeit Plaque on our Wall of Remembrance. The cost of a plaque and inscription is $200 Please contact the office at 664-8622 for more information.

Newsletter Guidelines

*1. Deadline will be at 2:00p.m. on the first Friday of every month (unless arrangements have been made with the editor of the newsletter.)

*2. All submissions should be sent to the editor via e- mail with the subject heading: NL submission.

*3. Editor will change, edit, or delete any or all portions of submission(s) as deemed necessary without prior approval of the author.

*4. Editor is not responsible for retrieving submissions from other sources. It is the responsibility of the author to submit all necessary components to the editor by the deadline.