september 2006 ~ elul - tishrei 5766

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

Please see High Holiday Information under "Board News".

CALLING ALL TEENS: Registration is now open for Tzaddikim, Sonoma County's Jewish Teen Leadership Program (teens 8th through 12th grade) for the 2006-2007 year. Along with monthly peer dinner discussions and social action projects, there's loads of great activities and trips scheduled. Siblings get a 20% discount, and this year includes a new program just for 12th graders focusing on what happens AFTER high school.
Tzaddikim's first kick-off event will be Sunday, September 10th. Teens do NOT need to be affiliated with a synagogue to join the program.
Information and registration forms are available by calling Sara Pflantzer, program director at or e-mail tzaddikim @shomreitorah.org

RABBI ELISHEVA SALAMO is on sabbatical until September 1st. If you need to speak to a Rabbi with an urgent matter, you may phone Rabbi George Gittleman at Shomrei Torah at 578-5519.

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
ANNE CORY-FRENCH, a donation in memory of Estelle Vera Cory
CONDOLENCES...
RICHARD & JUDY TOYFOYA, on the death of Richard's son, Darrias Toyfoya

OFFERINGS...
ELIZABETH LANDERS, a donation to the Building Fund in honor of Ariana Elster and the hardworking and dedicated Board

THANK YOU TO...
DAN WILLIAMSON and ARIANA ELSTER, for giving the stage area a new coat of paint
BARBARA TOMIN and KAREN MITCHELL, for sponsoring the August 4th Oneg
AMY & ARTHUR NEIBRIEF and ARLENE & BRAD KALLEN, for sponsoring the August 18th Oneg
ARIANA ELSTER and BERRINE DECARMO, for helping with the High Holy Day mailing

News from Dor Hadash

Dear Chevre,
Welcome back to the new year at Dor Hadash. We are planning a very sweet beginning to the year and we are looking forward to seeing the bright faces of your children at 9:45 (15 minutes early for registration) on September 17. We are thrilled to have Rabbi Elisheva with us every Sunday as she teaches confirmation classes twice a month, and a combination sixth/seventh grade twice a month. Rachel Thompson will be the seventh grade teacher on the Sundays that the Rabbi does not teach. Rachel is a senior at Sonoma State, attended the San Diego Jewish Day School and Hebrew Academy until she entered high school, and is planning to go into education as a career. I think that the students will enjoy her creative ideas. Devorah Blum will continue to teach the sixth grade on the alternate Sundays that the Rabbi doesn't teach, and Debbie Fass will be continuing to teach a fourth/fifth grade combination class. Karen Mitchell will be with us every other Sunday, leading us in prayer and song, and directing our pre- school program. Unfortunately, Barkat will not be with us because our enrollment is so low with the second and third graders. If you know of any children in this age range that might be interested in joining us at Dor Hadash, please let me know.

We have also received a generous grant from the Jewish Community Federation for a film class about Jewish history and culture that Rabbi Elisheva will be teaching twice a month for any high school student in the area. More information about that will be sent to you when the Rabbi returns from her sabbatical. The class will begin after the High Holy Days.

Karen Mitchell and I will be leading children's services again this year in the Scout's hut across the street from the synagogue. Please check the calendar for times. We will have snacks integrated into both services for the children, so you don't have to worry about food as you are fasting.

The Rabbi will also be teaching a mid-week adult education class that will cover the information being taught in the confirmation program. This is in response to many parents who wanted to be involved with their child's confirmation learning. The time and date of this class will also be announced after the Rabbi returns.

I am trying to bring us together with the religious school families of the Islamic Society of Santa Rosa. I am also hoping to have an artist-in-residence weekend later in the year with a fabulous silk painter, Gail Pro, whom I worked with this past summer at Camp Newman. More on that later.

A heartfelt thank you to all the people who have helped in the past to make Dor Hadash a responsive and creative place for Jewish learning, and a warm welcome to those of you who will help us make it an even better place for learning in the new year.

Peace, Shalom, Salaam,
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 need new tires or more for your vehicle? If you do, than check out the participating merchants in the eScrip (two are Big O Tires and Pep Boys) www.eScrip.com and Communitysmart (such as McLea's Tire) www.communitysmart.com programs. All it takes is having work done at one of these merchants and then when you go to pay for it present your Communitysmart card or use your credit/debit card linked with eScrip. Its so easy to make your vehicle safe and provide a donation to your community.
eScrip shoppers please make sure you keep your credit/debit cards up to date. Just go on-line to www.eScrip.com and check out "my escrip" to see what your expiration dates and card numbers are on their records.

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 Anna can provide you.

Raley's users just need to obtain a Raley's partner's card from Anna 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 Anna Ghandour a call at 584- 4829 or e-mail her at huskyanna@yahoo.com and let her help you make a difference today.

Board News

As always, many volunteers are needed to bring off the Days of Awe, so if you can help, please contact Barbara Tobin at (707) 829-2119.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

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

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

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

Richard Koman 887-0278
e-mail: rkoman@gmail.com

William Rogers 762-8645
e-mail: willrogers13@gmail.com

Dan Williamson 480-2235
e-mail: danrw@sonic.net

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

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

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

Building Maintenance - Dan Williamson 480- 2235
e-mail: danrw@sonic.net

No-Cost Fundraising - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com

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 - Richard Koman 887-0278
e-mail: rkoman@gmail.com

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

Rabbi: Elisheva Sachs Salamo 664-8603

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

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

Community Announcements

The Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust (ASH) & the SSU Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide are pleased to present
An Event Honoring Holocaust Survivors & Supporters of Holocaust Education
Sunday, Sept 17, 2006
3 to 5 p.m. - Congregation Ner Shalom
85 La Plaza in Cotati Please check out this website for more information:www.sonoma.edu/holocaust/ash/events
Please join in the first Yad B'Yad weekend for children with disabilities (ages 4-20) and their families co-sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education and Camp Tawonga to be held September 8-10, 2006. Like the successful BJE program held annually at Camp Newman, we will share all the joys of Jewish family camping, including "no-shush" family Shabbat and Havdallah services, Israeli folk-dancing, campfire, talent show, swimming, arts and crafts, ropes course and much more at Camp Tawonga in the the beautiful Yosemite area. Our high ratio of staff to participants will allow parents to meet, relax, get a massage and participate in discussion groups while counselors supervise children in all the camp activities. There are also lots of opportunities for family time. For more information, please contact Flora Kupferman at 415- 751-6983 ext. 122 or e-mail fkupferman@bje sf.org
Flora Kupferman
Special Education Consultant
Bureau of Jewish Education
639 14th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415)751-6983 ext. 122
(415) 668-1816 (FAX)
Check out BJE's brand new web site:www.bjesf.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.

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’m kvelling. My child will start college in the fall. Can you tell me if there is a Jewish presence on campus?

A: Mazel Tov. For all you kvellers out there, we can share campus highlights including Jewish student organizations, Jewish classes, study in Israel and kosher food. We can provide information on Jewish demographics and nearby synagogues. We can also tell you about websites for student loans, grants and scholarships.

For more information about connecting to Jewish life, call JCI & R at 415/777-4545 or local toll-free 877- 777-JCIR (5247)
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 at: www.JewishNfo.org or bayarea.planitjewish.com

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.

Jewish Family and Children's Services

See our website www.nershalom.org/news/JFCS for programs and classes listed for September at JFCS in Sonoma County.
All low-cost/ no-cost JFCS and Parents Place programs listed on our website are non-sectarian and open to all members of the public.

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

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 2:00 p.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.