september 2005 ~ av - elul 5765

> From the Rebbe
> Gifts of Light
> News from Dor Hadash
> eScrip and more...
> Board News ~ President's Letter
> Scapegoat Party in Cotati
> Community Announcements
> Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
> Jewish Family and Children's Services
> Donations Make a Difference!
> Newsletter Guidelines

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

Reb Feivel Ettelson, who will be leading services on Sept. 2nd & 3rd, recently moved to Sonoma County from Colorado. He came under the early influence of Rabbi Samuel Dresner (a disciple of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heshel), from whom he learned a deep appreciation for the way of the Baal ShemTov. After practicing Buddhism for 10 years, Reb Feivel found his way back to Judaism through the inspiration of Reb Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, with whom he studied the art of "davenology" and served as his gabbai at Elat Chayyim. Reb Feivel had the great fortune to meet Reb Shlomo Carlebach in Israel during the last year of his life, and incorporates many of Reb Shlomo's melodies and teachings in the services which he leads.

The Sept. 16th family shabbat catered dinner will be a celebration welcoming back the Rabbi Elisheva from her sabbatical. Lori "Leah" Lippin will provide accordion music.

Interested in studying Kabbalah? See the Community Announcements section.

MISSING - Siddurim - Their numbers are dwindling and we need to have them brought back home. Please check around as you clean up this summer, especially those of you in our past B'nai Mitzvah classes. Please take an extra look around for a borrowed book and return them.

Rabbi Elisheva is on Sabbatical and will return September 15th.
If you need assistance please contact the office at 664-8622.
If you have an emergency, please contact Rabbi George Gittleman at 578-5519.

Administrator's Wish List: Volunteers to help in the office during the last few weeks of September with the High Holy Day rush.

From the Rebbe

Dear Hevre,

Rabbi Elisheva is on Sabbatical and will return September 15th.

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
ANNE CORY-FRENCH, a donation in memory of Estelle Vera Cory
GESHER CALMENSON, a donation in memory of Sol Calmenson
ADELE ZIFF, a donation in memory of Al Nadler
PENNY WOLIN, a donation in memory of Helen Wolin

OFFERINGS...
CHRISTINE HOEX/GE FREE SONOMA, a donation to the General Fund
RICK & TRACY BROWN, a donation to the General Fund

THANK YOU...
To LORI CLINTON for donating the majority of her Dor Hadash salary back to the school
To SALLY CHURGEL, for sponsoring the Aug. 5th Oneg

News from Dor Hadash

Shalom Chevre,
Looking out the window as I sit at my computer, my eyes focus on beautiful golden apples holding onto the branches of the tree. I am hoping that they will hold on long enough to bring them, freshly picked, to the synagogue to share with my Ner Shalom family for Rosh Hashanah.

First of all, I want to thank everyone for helping to send me to the Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education. It was a fabulous opportunity to learn about Judaism, Spirituality, differences in learning styles, and special needs of children in the classroom. There were hundreds of classes to choose from, and I promise to try to bring back to our school some of the inspiration that I was showered with during the conference.

Exciting things are happening at Dor Hadash! We have an excellent staff this year that I am excited to work with. Karen Mitchell K-1, Barkat Ferar 2/3, and Devorah Blum 6, will continue sharing their gifted teaching skills with us. Deborah Fass who lived on a kibbutz in Israel for 15 years, has been helping me this summer to work on our Hebrew Curriculum, and her husband Daniel Levy, also a kibbutznik, will work with our younger students to create a beautiful biblical garden in the back area of the synagogue, and be our in-house substitute teacher. David Stolowitz just graduated from Sonoma State with a major in History, with an emphasis in Comparative Religions. We think that our 7th graders are going to enjoy his sense of humor, openness, and love of the subject material.

One of the most important changes at Dor Hadash this year is the new, beautifully integrated and spiritually inspired curriculum written by Rabbi Elisheva. We will be blessed to have the Rebbe as the teacher of the Confirmation Class (8th and 9th graders), which will meet every other week. Rabbi Elisheva will also be with us during assembly time and for visits into the classrooms on the days that she teaches the Confirmation Class. We have so many students interested in being madrichim this year, that we have begun a tutoring option for the 8th and 9th graders during the hour of Hebrew Language Education that happens from 10:20-11:20am. Each one will be paired up with a younger student that could use some extra support in learning Hebrew.

We can always use your help and support, whether or not you have children in the school. There is nothing more important than the ethical education of our next generation, and it takes an entire community to help that process along. We will welcome you in whatever way you would like to be involved.

I will look forward to seeing you the first day of school on September 18.

B'shalom,
Leslie

"The most direct means for attaching ourselves to G-d from this material world is through music and song. Even if you can't sing well, sing. Sing to yourself. Sing in the privacy of your own home. But sing."
Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav

eScrip and more...

Do you buy GROCERIES??

If you do, than you can participate in the mitzvah of no-cost tzedakkah, because almost every Grocer other than G&G belongs to one of the many no-cost tzedakkah programs. Most of these programs allow you to split your tzedakkah between multiple organizations, so why not spread a bissel to the Ner Shalom/Dor Hadash community?

Safeway, Whole Foods and about 30 other markets belong to the eScrip program. You just go on-line to www.eScrip.com and register. If you are a current subscriber please take a moment to make sure you renewed your Safeway commitment and that your credit/debit card numbers/expiration dates are up to date. Once you sign-up your credit/debit cards and Safeway Club card your contributions are automatically noted at Safeway and any other merchant non- Grocer member of this program.

Oliver's and about 9 other markets belong to the Communitysmart Card program. Oliver's shoppers please note this major change!! To join this program you can: instantly join by asking for a card at Oliver's checkout counter; call COMMUNITYsmart at 568-4995 or go on-line to www.communitysmart.com. When you check out at one of the participating merchants, you slide your Communitysmart card just like a debit card to get credit for your transaction. This program requires that a certain minimum be spent but then we receive a greater rebate (for Oliver's you need to spend $25 for a rebate of 5%).

Albertson's shoppers can participate by connecting your blue and white Preferred Savers card to Ner Shalom by going to www.Albertsons. com or using a tan and white Community Partners card Michelle can provide you.

Raley's users just need to obtain a Raley's partner's card from Michelle and activate it through their website (Raleys.com). Using the card without activating it for Ner Shalom will leave those rebates in suspense.

Not sure where you stand with all these programs? Give Michelle Marks a call at 778-6346 or e-mail her at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net and let her help you make a difference today.

Recycling.... Don't forget to continue to save all your spent laser and inkjet cartridges!!
We can do tikkun olam (repairing the world) and give some tzedakkah at the same time if we recycle. There is a collection box in the hallway leading into the sancturary.

Board News ~ President's Letter

As we prepare for our High Holy Days and the start of a new Jewish year I am reminded of the special community we have at Ner Shalom. We will assemble to daven with our Rabbi and feel the support, love and connections between us. SliHot is the evening of September 24th and Erev Rosh Hashana is Oct 3rd. PLEASE make your reservations early this year. We strongly encourage you to introduce a Jewish friend or family to our services. We are looking to expand our membership and this is an excellent time for potential new members to meet us and have a meaningful experience with our community. Also we offer wonderful services for the children.

Our Dor Hadash Religious School begins on September 18th. If you have young children PLEASE consider enrolling them in the school now. Do not wait until they are 12 years old and want a B’nai Mitzvah on their 13th Birthday. Consider the importance of their connection with other Jewish children and the importance of learning about Jewish History, the Hebrew language and Jewish culture. This is how we plant the seeds in our young ones of what it is to be Jewish, especially as Reconstructionist Jews who learn to live and thrive in both the secular and religious world around us. Please also include in your thinking other Jewish children you might know who would benefit from attending our Religious School. We are honored to have Leslie Gattmann as Director of Education and we have excellent teachers including our own Rabbi Elisheva. There is a wonderful new curriculum and additional classes have been added.

The origin of Judaism is that of people who evolved as a civilization without a place they called home. The Jewish people moved from the land of Canaan to Egypt to the wilderness all before entering a land they settled and called home. To this day, wherever we are on earth, we who are Jewish, know that we are Jews. Surrounded by a dominant Christian culture we need contact with our people to keep in touch with our ways. Oh yes, our G_D is the same G_D, The ONE and only G_D. However there are many ways in which we differ that are profound, for example 1) belief is not as important to a Jew as is how one conducts ones life, 2) our Torah is alive with ongoing discussions on the meaning of each word even down to each letter of each word. Today’s interpretation, while resting on generations of discussion is truly valid and accepted by Reconstructionist Jews. This would be completely wrong to a Christian who believes that G_D wrote the Bible. Period. No discussion allowed. As adults we accept these and so many more concepts as simply "our ways". Our children need cultural and religious education from a young age to help them establish their Jewish identity. We are blessed with an excellent education program at Dor Hadash. Forsake it not. May the future be bright for our children.

Blessings,
Ariana

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD

President - Ariana Elster 824-5609
e-mail: aelster@comcast.net

Vice President - Your name here

Secretary - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com

Treasurer - Michele St.Clair 433-8090
e-mail: msaintc@comcast.net

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Education - Liz Hagen 829-3031
e-mail: lizhagen@earthlink.net

Finance - Michele St. Clair 433-8090
e-mail: msaintc@comcast.net

Religious Practices - Ari Kimiti Wang'oo 239- 9615
e-mail: kimitiwangoo@yahoo.com

Building Maintaince - Mark Cohen 792- 4368
e-mail: mcsax420@netscape.net

No-Cost Fundraising - Michelle Marks 778- 6346
e-mail: steven.marks@prodigy.net

Personnel - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com

Membership - Sally Churgel 823-0541
e-mail: churgel@pacbell.net

Newsletter - Pam Pepper 588-8824
e-mail: twinsushilover27@yahoo.com

Publicity - your name here

Website - Anne Woods
e-mail: rainywoods@yahoo.com

Rabbi: Elisheva Sachs Salamo 664-8622

Dor Hadash Education Director: Leslie Gattmann
e-mail: lgatttmann@msn.com

Cantor: Bella Bogart

Office Manager: Carol Vanek 664-8622
e-mail: shalom@sonic.net
Office Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM

Scapegoat Party in Cotati

Jewish singles looking for love, this is your chance to meet other Jews in the area. Open to anyone who wants to socialize and make new friends.

Two different age groups:
Adults under 40 from 1- 3 pm
over 40 from 3-5 pm.

Last chance to sin before the Days of Awe begin at sunset!

*B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Cocktails) alcoholic or non-alcoholic
*Snacks and ice provided
*Free Fun! ~ No Charge!
Ner Shalom, 85 La Plaza, Cotati. info: rainywoods@yahoo.com with subject line “scapegoat”

Community Announcements

Jewish Reconstructionist Federation West Coast Region website: www.jrf.org/westcoast

Ongoing Toy and Book Drive for Jewish Community 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.

Creativity Kabbalah Study with Izzy Green & Michael Gest at Ner Shalom, which has included readings from the new Daniel Matt translation of Zohar and listening meditations based in Sefer Yetzirah, has been meeting in a private home in Sebastopol during the summer months. The group’s numbers have fluctuated according to the availability of vacation schedules.
We would like to know if there is sufficient interest in conducting further studies at Ner Shalom this fall. Those interested are invited to call or email Izzy Green and express their interest and viewpoints.
Would you attend continued studies of Zohar? Are you interested in experiential meditation practices? Are there other texts you wish to study? What nights are you available?
B'shalom,
Yitzak "Izzy" Green
824-4344
yitzak@medagree.com

Gan Israel Preschool - Petaluma
Programs for Children Ages 2-5
Call for a tour and more information-763- 5136.

Interested in an Interest-Free Loan?
The Hebrew Free Loan Association provides interest-free loans to Jewish residents in Northern California needing assistance with personal or financial matters. Types of loans include: Student, Emergency, Adoption, Personal, Business, First-time Home Buyer, Life Cycle, Debt Consolidation, Institutional (for Jewish communal agencies and synagogues) and Special Needs (for emotionally and physically challenged people).

Since 1897, the Hebrew Free Loan of San Francisco has provided vital assistance to more than 50,000 families. Each year, we help more than 350 people to reach their goals and pave their way towards financial security and future success.

We offer a helping hand, rather than a handout. Whether we're providing people a way out of their financial distress, or helping them to realize a lifelong dream, our recipients maintain dignity and self- sufficiency as they repay their interest-free loans.

If you, or someone you know, needs financial assistance and would like to apply for an interest- free loan, please contact us by phone (415-546- 9902) or e-mail info@hflasf.org.
Check out our website: www.hflasf.org.

ASK JCI & R
Q: I would like to volunteer in the Jewish community. Do you have information on volunteer opportunities?
A: Volunteering is...chicken soup for the soul...a gift from the heart...and it's good for the soul. Did you know that we operate the Volunteer Placement Project? When you want to volunteer, but don't know where to start, view our VPP website www.sfjcf.org/localjewishresources/vpp and we will help you find a job that fits your interests. VPP lists more than 200 volunteer opportunities with Jewish organizations. You can escort seniors, write press releases, staff a library, coordinate a food bank, mentor teenagers, teach a class...and much more. It's your chance to help the community.
"Whoever practices tzedakah and justice fills the world with loving kindness..." Talmud

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

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.