october 2005 ~ elul 5765 - tishrei 5766

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

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

Administrator's Wish List: A flat head screwdriver for the office

A New Home for the Jewish Community Free Clinic!
See Community Announcements for complete story.

From the Rebbe

Dear Hevre,

Once again, we gather for the celebration of the new year, and our renewal of ties to community, family, G!d, and of course, ourselves.

Our new Dor Hadash curriculum (which was created much more slowly than G!d created the world!) emphasizes the importance of each of these relationships, and examines them from our liberal and engaged Jewish perspective. This fall and winter we read the books of Bereshit (Genesis) and Shemot (Exodus). I feel that these two books play a major role in our image of the Divine, but it's interesting that the concept of G!d expressed in these two books is quite distinct.

There are several images of G!d in the book of Genesis, but on the whole, I see G!d in a very parental role, and that for the first time. The depiction of the creator is much more that of an artist, quite confident in G!d's ability to establish this work, and certain of how it will come to evolve. G!d is angry, or at least impartially punishing, at the failure of creation to behave according to plan. This theme persists throughout the early part of the book- G!d is constantly looking to restart the world, with concomitant destruction of that which G!d does not like. It's as if G!d lacks the patience to deal with the imperfection of G!d's creatures. Perhaps this is externally directed anger against G!d's own failure to create a perfect being in the first place. G!d is very much involved with individuals, making covenants and promises to Abraham, interceding in his wives' disputes, caring for the cast off Ishmael, listening to Abraham's arguments, taking care of Sara when she is in foreign courts, testing Abraham, answering the servants prayer for Rebekah, tricking Laban, wrestling with and renaming Jacob, then blessing him, caring for Joseph in Potiphar's house, in prison, and in Pharaoh's court, and lastly reassuring Jacob that it was safe to go and live in Egypt. After this, the narrative continues without much mention of G!d's actions for the last 5 chapters. Does G!d realize the mistake made in this last interaction with G!d's chosen family? Or is this another form of trial, like that of the Akedah?

In Exodus, G!d seems to be closer, and yet is frequently more difficult to contact, more awe inspiring than in Genesis. Whenever G!d wishes to destroy the people (who disobey and grumble with remarkable frequency), Moses reminds G!d of the need to redeem this people so as not to lose face in the sight of the nations. Perhaps in some great tribunal, G!d boasted of this test, that of sending the people down to be slaves in Egypt, where they would not lose their faith in G!d in spite of the hardships, and then G!d feels the pressure to save them when G!d realizes that the conditions are too rough for them to bear. Or perhaps it is their crying out to G!d that convinces G! d to save them, a validation that G!d 's children do need G!d, and do turn to G!d. It is possibly G!d 's delight in this fact that causes G!d to say "let them build me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst". I think that G!d really hopes for the devotion of Israel, trusting them with the vision on the mountain, and with the set of rules designed to make them a holy people. All G!d demands is loyalty, purity, and recognition.

The stage has certainly been set for the people to respond to those desires. G!d has chosen and sent a messenger to the people, to take them out safely from their bondage. The games G!d plays with Pharaoh serve to increase everyone's visions of G!d's might, and these were followed by the miraculous redemption at the Red Sea. The only supernatural events in the book of Genesis are in the creation stories, and in the tales of destruction. But here, along with destruction comes a supernatural redemption, followed shortly by a supernatural communication. It is as if G!d were somehow more at ease, more confident of the people's willingness to accept G!d, and therefore is willing to reveal more of G!d's true nature to them. This is apparent even in the first discussion with Moses. It is part of the impulse to have them create a space for G!d, so that they and G!d may become closer through association. This people is the work of G!d's hands, and, having watched and struggled with them through babyhood, G!d is now prepared to take a place as part of them, as advisor, one to be honored, respected, and perhaps even appeased, as they fulfill their promise. This may be an attempt to impose order on a situation which heretofore has not worked smoothly, or it may be a knowledgeable response to the changes which have taken place within the collective psyche during the years of slavery. In either case, G!d has certainly learned a lot from the people, as time has gone by!

I love to see the evolution of our relationship to G!d as the year progresses. In April, we will be in the space of the Redeemer, ready to move into the summer and enjoy it's fruit. Today, we return at the end of the harvest to the Creator, to reforge a new connection, a new adventure - our lives in this holy year.

L'Shalom, Elisheva

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
ARIANA ELSTER, a donation in memory of Pearl Elster

THANK YOU...
To ROBIN LOWITZ, NED HOFFMAN and ELLEN SOLOT for sponsoring the Sept. 2nd Oneg
To ROBIN BIRDFEATHER, for cleaning and rearranging the kitchen, and for donating a gutter cleaner extension
To MARVIN ROGOFF, for helping out in the office
To ARCHIE & SOPHIE LEWINSTEIN, for helping with the High Holy Day mailing
To PAM PEPPER, BLAKE & EVAN PEPPER-TUNICK & MIKE TUNICK and ARIANA ELSTER, for co-sponsoring the Sept. 15th Oneg
To , ARIANNA ELSTER, LESLIE GATTMANN, LIZ HAGEN, ARCHIE LEWINSTEIN, MICHELLE MARKS, MARGO NORMAN, PAUL SARAN and CAROL VANEK, for helping and contributing to brighten up classroom #4/5 with new paint
To LIZ HAGEN for all the time and energy she spent counting our old Machzors and then finding them new homes outside of the K-1 classroom

News from Dor Hadash

Shalom Chevre,
Shana Tova! May this be a year filled with more peacefulness in the world, health in your family, appreciation of each moment, and a school filled with enthusiastic volunteers!

School is off to a wonderful start for the year. We have Karen's beautiful music to inspire us, Debbie's recess games straight from her kibbutz, Daniel's biblical gardening alternative to the classroom, Barkat's Waldorf perspective, Devorah's creative patience, and our newest member teacher, David, a recent Sonoma State graduate in History and Comparative Religions, who I am sure the 7th graders will enjoy. And of course, we have our beloved Rebbe who has written our new curriculum and is teaching our new Confirmation class.

Many thanks also to the tireless Education Committee: Karen Mitchell, Michelle Marks, and Liz Hagen who have worked through the summer to help me pull the school together. It could not be done without their help. Also, a lot of appreciation goes to Jenny Abramson for her very skilled writing of grants for Dor Hadash.

Dor Hadash School has begun the year with a beautifully transformed 4/5 grade classroom. Many thanks to Paul Saran, Liz Hagen, Margo Norman, Arianna Elster, Michelle Marks, Archie Lewinstein, and Carol Vanek. We have sent pictures off to Sinai Memorial Chapel to thank them for the generous grant they made to us for the work in that classroom. Also, many thanks to Paul for his donation of white paint, and to Margo and George for their donation of blue paint. Families can feel free to get together and repaint any of the other classrooms.

I have great news from our past Religious School Director, Gesher Calmenson. He will be teaching an Adult Education class sometime in the fall, which adults will have the opportunity to sign up for. This is open to anyone in the community.

We are also looking for pre- kindergarten children who might enjoy playing for an hour or so on Sunday mornings in a newly developing program with Karen Mitchell. It will take place in our kindergarten room which is full of age-appropriate toys.

We are planning to have a fabulous sukkah this year under the direction of Daniel Levy, in an ever- expanding biblical garden setting at the back of the synagogue. Please plan to come and participate with us in building, decorating, and blessing this year's sukkah. Construction will begin after Yom Kippur.

Karen Mitchell and I will be leading children's Services for the High Holidays, geared towards kindergarteners through sixth graders, though everyone is welcome. Children's Rosh Hashana Services are at 11:15 - 12:45 on Tuesday, October 4th. Children's services for Yom Kippur at 4:00 - 5:15 on Thursday, October 13.

We look forward to celebrating these holidays with you as meaningful family experiences.

B'Shalom,
Leslie Gattmann
Director Dor Hadash School

"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 approach Rosh Hashana, let us recall our connections with Judaism. For members of Ner Shalom there is much to be proud of. Counting our blessings, we note our gift of land for the building of the Jewish Community Free Clinic. We are blessed to have Rabbi Elisheva as our leader. Our Dor Hadash religious school is thriving under the direction of Leslie Gattmann. Although struggling to keep up her appearance we are blessed to own our mishkan, our home in the hub of Cotati.

This is the time to review our commitment to the Ner Shalom community. Could we give more of our resources and ourselves? Could we commit ourselves to more Jewish education as a student or as a teacher? Could we give more to our Jewish spiritual and cultural life? These commitments sustain our community.

The Board of Ner Shalom works to bring us opportunities for worship, celebration, education, and maintenance of our building. All of this requires consistent financial support. Our Board works on faith. Not only spiritual faith, but faith in one another that we will all step forward to support Ner Shalom and faith that Ner Shalom will continue to thrive in Sonoma County. Do you have faith that our community will survive? Will you make a commitment to increase your support? Let us combine our faith with actions. Please keep giving to our Jewish life at Ner Shalom.

Each of us on the Board of Directors is dedicated to strengthening the bonds of friendship between members, preserving our building, and honoring our Rabbi. We hope to get to know each of you better in the up coming year.

I hope that 5766 is a year in which all those who need our congregation are able to find us. I cherish those of you who have been our strength for many years and welcome all of you who are new. May our community grow even stronger and may we move closer to a world repaired. Let me wish to all of you and your loved ones a year of sweetness and peace.

L’shana tovah
Ariana, and all of us on the Board

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

Community Announcements

The Jewish Community Free Clinic is moving in the direction of establishing a permanent facility at Congregation Ner Shalom. They are working with the City of Cotati, volunteer architects, and planners to make their home a reality. The planned new facility will offer three dedicated exam rooms, providing a level of privacy not currently available to our patients. They also plan for a Biblical garden with courtyard. Their aim is to open a Women’s and Men’s Health Clinic as soon as the new building is in place.
They plan to break ground by early autumn of 2005. By spring of 2006, they anticipate moving into their new home. The Capital Campaign will soon be open to the public with opportunities to name different features of the building and the Biblical Garden and Courtyard. They look forward to involving volunteers in all aspects of the new building construction, from capital contributions to donations of labor and materials. The Jewish Community Free Clinic is a 501C (3) non-profit, volunteer driven organization. 100% of your tax deductible donation will go to helping those in need of free outpatient medical care. Please contact the JCFC for any further information or questions at (707) 792-1932, email at info@jewishfreeclinic.org or look to their website at jewishfreeclinic.org

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

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

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!

*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.