november 2005 ~ tishrei - cheshvan 5766

> From the Rebbe
> Gifts of Light
> News from Dor Hadash
> eScrip and more...
> Board News ~ President's Letter
> High Holy Days 2005 Appreciations
> Community Announcements
> Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
> Jewish Family and Children's Services
> Donations Make a Difference!
> Newsletter Guidelines

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

Safeway eScrip participants please renew your commitment by going to www.eScrip.com to keep your contributions flowing.

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,

L'Shalom, Elisheva

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
SHIRA HADDITT, a donation in memory of Sophie Manes Holzman
SANDRA RUBIN, a donation in memory of Helen Rubin

OFFERINGS...
BARBARA TOMIN, a High Holy Day gift donation
MICHELLE & STEVEN MARKS, in honor of Jacob Marks obtaining his first degree decided black belt from the American Tae Kwon Do Association
KEITH BOXERMAN, a donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund in honor of his parents, Melvin & Florence Boxerman

THANK YOU TO...
BARBARA TOBIN for coordinating the High Holy Days
SHIRA HADDITT and MARVIN & MYRNA ROGOFF, for sponsoring the Oct. 7th Oneg
BERRINE DECARMO for helping in the office and lovingly trimming the roses
ARIANA ELSTER, for helping in the office, and acting as pickup and delivery person for the High Holy Days
LESLIE GATTMANN, for donating apples for Erev Rosh Hashana
PENNY WOLIN, for donating honey for Erev Rosh Hashana

News from Dor Hadash

Shalom Chevre,
As I write this note to you, Rosh Hashana has passed, Yom Kippur is on its way, and I am planning the construction of the Sukkah. By the time you read this, we will have finished our celebrations for the New Year, shared food under the shelter of our Sukkah, and we will have celebrated Simchat Torah. I hope that each of you will have had a chance to experience an opportunity to reflect on the past year, and the inspiration to move toward your new goals with confidence and resolve.

Many thanks to Daniel Levy for coordinating the building of our beautiful Sukkah, and for all the parents, students and community members who helped to create our shelter of peace – Sukkat shalom.

The Education Committee of Dor Hadash continues to re-evaluate and to listen to your comments. We are trying to make the school a more stimulating, challenging, and ethical institution. Always feel free to talk to me about your insights regarding the school.

Speaking of ethics, we have raised over a hundred dollars for the Katrina Relief effort.Tzedaka and Tikkun Olam are values that are very important to our school community.

We are thrilled to have 10 participants in our new Confirmation Class, and to have so many wonderful tutors and helpers in the school. Each of our volunteers, tutors and madrichim plays an important role in our children’s education at our school and that is a tremendous mitzvah. Our school really appreciates your hard work.

We will be having Dor Hadash class days on November 6th, 13th and 20th. We hope that everyone will enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend vacation.

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 shoppers must renew their commitment to the eScrip program. You just go on-line to www.eScrip.com and hit the renew button. While you are there please take a moment to check that your credit/debit card numbers/expiration dates are up to date by going into "my eScrip".

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 sanctuary. If you donate laser cartridges please put the spent cartridge back into the box with the end pieces so it can be sent back in the best condition possible.

Board News ~ President's Letter

Dear Members and Friends,
Our celebration of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur was a joy for me. All seats were filled with no one turned away. My heart is full of gratitude and deep appreciation for our dear Rabbi Elisheva who led services with warmth and intelligence. Emily Greenwald-Brown, Dylan Field and Lily Wagner shared their lovely voices in song that softened our hearts and turned us toward the Divine. Thanks to you, Barbara Tobin, for coordinating everything from SliHot to Simcha Torah. You are such a pleasure to work with that no one could say no to your requests. Your willingness to do the tasks at hand is exemplary as is your unending delightful attitude.

Many more have offered their talents and deserve honorable mention:

Carol Vanek, our administrator, for producing a lovely HHD Booklet/Program/Calendar for the year, and for managing the multitude office tasks leading up to our holidays
Margo Norman for the gorgeous floral arrangements
George Triest for pouring champagne on Erev Rosh Hashana and for the lox at breakfast
Cass Smith, Steven Marks, John Barrone, Dave Abramson, Randy Hagen and Mark Cohen for security
Helene Steinlauf-Norwitt for local police coverage
Michelle Marks for assisting on the flyer and reservation form
Anne Woods for publicity and maintenance of the website
Penny Wolin for special homegrown Sonoma County honey
Leslie Gattmann for apples from her trees AND for organizing and leading the Childrens’ Services
Pam Pepper for organizing the Redwood Food Bank donations and schlepping supplies for TashliH
Liz Hagen for TashliH organization AND for helping Carol with pre-holiday office work
Karuna Gerstein for assisting the rabbi with the ritual needs
Anna Ghandour for writing the thank yous to our donors
Sally Churgel for help with the Rabbi’s Tish and organizing the Break Fast potluck
Marvin Rogoff for organizing the Torah Readings
Myrna Rogoff for help with the food solicitations
Molli Nagel for assisting with the Bagel Breakfast
Berrine DeCarmo for kitchen and clean-up help, chairs and prayerbooks setup, and ongoing landscape work
Alan Hahn for many assorted tasks
Archie and Sophie Lewinstein for helping with room set-up.
To all of you who were Greeters!
To those who came early to open up the synagogue or stayed late to close up!
To our Torah readers and those with Honors!
And to all of you who attended services!
It is all of you individually and together who make me proud to serve as President
It is you who make it happen as we enter a New Year with prayer and song.
Here’s to a Good Year of work, learning, prayer, challenge, and fun.

L’Chaim,
With love,
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 Maintenance - 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

High Holy Days 2005 Appreciations

As our President, Ariana Elster, has done her best in another article to thank all the individuals who helped make our High Holy Days so special, I want to make sure that she, too, is given the appropriate acknowledgment for some her contributions.

A few of the jobs that Ariana took care of:
shopping for the bagel breakfast, the children’s snacks, and miscellaneous supplies
setting-up chairs
opening and closing the synagogue
organizing and leading the greeters
cleaning the kitchen
getting the challot

Ariana does it all with good cheer and focus on helping our congregation to be a warm and welcoming place for all. We are lucky to have you at the helm!

In closing, I want to share with you that it is truly my honor to have this opportunity to give something back to our wonderful congregation. I hope that you will consider joining us next year in participating as well. There are many ways to contribute, with many taking only an hour or two. It’s a great way to get to know fellow congregates and to share the energy needed to keep our events flowing smoothly.

Barbara Tobin, High Holy Day Volunteer Coordinator

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

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.