december 2006 ~ kislev - tevet 5767

in this issue
-- From the Rebbe
-- Gifts of Light
-- News from Dor Hadash
-- eScrip and more...
-- Board News
-- Birthdays and Anniversaries ~ December
-- Community Announcements
-- Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
-- Jewish Family and Children's Services
-- Donations Make a Difference!
-- Newsletter Guidelines

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

Thank you to all of you who donated for the Food Drive during the High Holidays to benefit the Redwood Empire Food Bank. We donated a total of 610 pounds of food which provided over 476 meals to those in our community. Such a mitzvah!

Seniors At Home, a program with Jewish Family and Children's Services is offering a new service to Jewish Seniors. This new program is offering free rides to Jewish Seniors to doctors appointments, to the grocery store and Jewish community activities. Please phone 571-8131.

ADMINISTRATOR’S WISH LIST: A small table to place Shabbat candles on during services

From the Rebbe

Dear Hevre,
In the Talmud in the tractate called Shabbat page 21b, our rabbis explained the holiday that we will be celebrating together on December 15th. They ask: What is the reason for Hanukkah? The days of Hanukkah begin on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, and during these eight days lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein, and when the Hasmonean dynasty (Judah Maccabee and his supporters) prevailed against and defeated the Greeks, they made search and found only one cruse of oil which lay with the seal of the High Priest, but which contained sufficient for one day's lighting only; yet a miracle was wrought therein and they lit the lamp therewith for eight days.
We light our lamps for eight days as well and the rabbis go on to say that there is a wonderful possibility: The fulfillment of the mitzvah of Hanukkah requires one light for a household; the zealous kindle a light for each member of the household. So our custom of having all the children light their own menorah is in fact considered an especially wonderful thing. These days, it's so easy - menorot come in the most fanciful of styles, from simple brushed metal strips to three-dimensional recreations of the Temple with individual flasks of oil for each night. Not to mention the lumpy baker's dough examples that many of us enjoyed for a season. It's nice to have an extra one around just in case, because Rabbi Shesheth said: The commandment to light Hanukkah lamp is incumbent upon a guest. You can always melt the base of the candles onto a glass plate to create an instant menorah.

Our rabbis also taught that we have to place the Hanukkah lamp by the door of the house on the outside; if you live in an upper apartment, you place it at the window nearest the street. It seems that we are responsible for advertising the miracle. Our lights tell the passer by; 'Look, the darkness is overcome with light! See how G!d brings possibility into our world! Join us in joy, even though it is cold and dark.'

This year, we celebrate Hanukkah at Ner Shalom on the first night, with a potluck supper and Pam's famous fried treats. Please join us for latkes, stories, dreidel derby, a tikkun olam project, songs, and of course, lots and lots of little lights, joining together in hope and joy as we celebrate the miracles of this holiday season.

L'Shalom, Elisheva

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
WARREN LEVIN, a donation in memory of Walter Levin
JULIA KRASNER, a donation in memory of David Krasner
LORRAINE LICHTMAN, a donation in memory of Lee Hunt Lurie
PAUL LICHTMAN, a donation in memory of Morris Lichtman

THANK YOU TO...
ELLEN SOLOT & SALLY CHURGEL for sponsoring the Nov. 3rd Oneg
SHIRA HADDITT, for sponsoring the Nov. 17th Oneg
TO ALL OF YOU who have stepped up to join the Board and committees during this challenging transition time for Ner Shalom

News from Dor Hadash

Dear Chevre,
We are beginning to plan for our Chanukah event which we will share, as a school, with the greater Ner Shalom community on Friday evening, December 15 at 6:30pm. This is the first night of Chanukah and we welcome everyone to help us bring beautiful light into the darkening days of the season. Please bring your Chanukah menorah with 2 candles.

Dor Hadash is dedicated to empowering the students to participate in healing the world, tikkun olam. These are some of the ideas we are planning during our Chanukah celebration:

The warm sock wrapping event. Please bring clean warm socks that you would like to donate to the family homeless shelter. We all know what a difference warm socks make in the cold of winter. We will supply the wrapping paper for these gifts. Any size socks are appreciated.
The sixth and seventh grade have a non- perishable food pyramid that they are creating in the sanctuary. Please bring non-perishable foods to help our pyramid grow.
The great ecologically correct light bulb exchange. Progressive Jewish organizations have taken a stand against global warming and they are asking us to help by replacing the light bulbs in the synagogue, and our own homes, with new energy efficient bulbs. The sixth and seventh graders will be speaking to us about this issue.
Create the most delicious and unusual latkes. We will have a contest with prizes and the Rabbi will have the honor of judging. Create at home, bring a stack in to share!
Israeli folkdancing
Otherwise, school is going well. We have Dor Hadash on Sunday, December 3, and Sunday December 10. December 17, 24, and 31 are all vacation days. Enjoy the winter holiday.

L’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

Dor Hadash is supported by our community, and by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.

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

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

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

Jack Fender 588-8824
e-mail: fenderola@yahoo.com

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

Renee Kramer 823-9555
e-mail: reneek777@sbcglobal.net

Ellyn Lazar 838-4785
e-mail: emlazar@sbcglobal.net

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

Steve Rotstein 795-7894
e-mail: stevenroy@sbcglobal.net

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

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

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

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

Building and Maintenance - Jack Fender 588- 8824
e-mail: fenderola@yahoo.com

Newsletter - Pamela Pepper 588-8824
e-mail: p.pepper@yahoo.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

Birthdays and Anniversaries ~ December

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
HELENE STEINLAUF NORWITT ~ DECEMBER 6
ELLYN LAZAR ~ DECEMBER 8
AMY SCHIFF ~ DECEMBER 18
DENISE MEIER ~ DECEMBER 20
ANDREW WAGNER ~ DECEMBER 27

Community Announcements

OPEN YOUR HEART TO A WAITING CHILD
Sonoma County has a growing number of children and youth whose families are unable to meet their physical and/or emotional needs. At the same time, we have a serious shortage of caring foster families willing and able to provide safe, loving homes for children and teens, including those approaching adulthood.

Foster parents are needed for children and youth of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Both short and long- term homes are being recruited. We particularly need people who are willing and able to care for siblings, and for children who may return home to their parents.

Both couples and single people may become foster parents. Renters are also welcome. We pay a monthly stipend for each child, and medical and dental coverage is provided. Training and support are also provided.

Foster care information meetings are held monthly at Sonoma County Family, Youth & Children's Services. If you or someone you know is considering becoming a foster parent, please call Rita Jacobs, Foster Home Recruiter, at (707) 565-4274.

SAVE THIS DATE!

Saturday, January 27th,
at Congregation Shomrei Torah
Tzaddikim presents their 2nd Annual Bingo Night Fun for all ages
5:30 pm - dinner only $3 per person; 6:15 pm - Bingo
Bingo, Bake Sale & Silent Auction
Cards are $5 per card; 3 cards $12; 5 cards $20
Kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For more info, call Barbara Rosenthal @ 838- 8853
They are also looking for any donations for the silent auction. All money raised will go towards programming and scholarships to support Tzaddikim, Sonoma County's Jewish Teen Leadership and Adventure Program.

This is your chance: Get the New CD "Live--Best of Jewish Meditation Retreat 2005" complete with chants, storytelling and song!
Suggested Donation $18.00--All proceeds from the evening go the JCC Jewish Meditation Retreat Scholarship Fund.
Dessert and Refreshments will follow.
Please R.S.V.P. to Sheila Katz Feiwell at Drkatzmeow@ pacbell.net so we know how many goodies to prepare!
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE EVENING BUT WANT TO GET THE CD PLEASE JUST REPLY TO THIS EMAIL WITH THAT INFORMATION.
Save the Date:
JCC Jewish Meditation Retreat Dec. 15-17th, 2006!!

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OUTREACH!
If you are 55+ living outside of Santa Rosa, but still in Sonoma County, then something very exciting is happening for you right now!
The Friendship Circle of the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County received a grant from the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, to develop and implement low-cost programs for those of us 55+ in the under-served smaller communities of Sonoma County. If you are looking for:
• A more active social life right in your home town area
• A way to get out and about on entertaining day trips (Broadway shows, Jewish Film Series, San Francisco Shopping Sprees)
• Organized card games (mahjong, pan, dominoes)
• Help with transportation, for fun & entertainment
• Exercise classes designed with you in mind
• Classes to take, a book club, and interesting speakers
Please, don’t hesitate! Call me today to join the Friendship Circle mailing list to get our monthly newsletter with all of the updated events. Also, please call me with your ideas! I’m here to make it all happen for you. You can reach me, Elly Cohen, Outreach Coordinator, Friendship Circle, at the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County at (707) 528-1476 or by email at ellyc@jccsoco.org
website: www.jccsoco.org
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

2 Job Opportunities at Jewish Family and Children's Services. Please check the website for details. nershalom.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.

ASK JCI & R
Nun, gimel, hey, shin! Let the magic of Chanukah begin!

Looking for?
. Community menorah lighting events, visit bayarea.planitjewish.com

. Latke and holiday recipes
. Directions for the dreidel game
. Traditions and rules for lighting the candles
. Fun gift ideas
. Lyrics and music to traditional and contemporary songs
. Family and tzedakah Chanukah projects
. Chanukah e-cards
. Or just trying to get the candle wax drippings off your menorah?
Nu, you’ve come to the right place!

For more information about Chanukah and 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

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.

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

2 Job Opportunities at Jewish Family and Children's Services. Please check the website for details. nershalom.org
See our website www.nershalom.org/news/JFCS for programs and classes listed for December 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.

Contact Information

email: p.pepper@yahoo.com
phone: (707)664-8622
web: http://www.nershalom.org