january 2007 ~ tevet - shevat 5767

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

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:

Help us spread the word throughout our Jewish Community!

JFCS RIDES hits the road to help seniors go to medical appointments, shopping, personal care appointments, and local community events. Rides will be available:

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Windsor to Rohnert Park (North to South) and from Oakmont to West Santa Rosa (East to West)
• Thursdays are reserved for Petaluma
• Mondays are reserved for Friendship Circle luncheons

How to Apply: Those interested in enrolling in JFCS RIDES need to complete an application and schedule an in-home interview. The cost for this one time enrollment fee is $30 per year. Rides can then be scheduled between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm based on the above schedule and the cost is $5 per stop. For example: $10 for a round trip ride to a doctor $15 for a round trip ride to a doctor and a stop for grocery shopping. (Scholarships are available for those who do not have the ability to pay).

Please feel free to call Seniors At Home, a program of JFCS, at 707-571-8533 with any questions you might have. We have flyers available that we can mail to you for distribution. JFCS RIDES is funded through client fees, individual contributions, corporate sponsorships, and a grant from the Jewish Community Federation. Thank you very much for your help to make sure our community's seniors receive the help and support they need!

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

From the Rebbe

Dear Hevre, Somebody asked me the other day how I related to Christmas as a Jewish person. I said that I love the lights, and I respect the traditions of those people for whom it really is a religious festival. Then I started to think about the odd interweaving of Judaism in many cultures throughout history. One amazing thing about the Jewish people is their ability to create a new and positive space within the boundaries of another culture. Were Jews in Spanish Andalusia during the Middle Ages as effected by Ramadan as we are by Christmas? How did they manage? These Jews, while integrating themselves into the culture at large (some writers even complain about assimilation!) still firmly maintained their unique ways of life.

During this time, Spain became an independent center of Jewish learning. In addition to traditional text study, contact with Arab grammarians sparked interest in unraveling the Hebrew language, and significant developments in this area led to a better understanding of the Bible, as well as greater scope for the composition of poetry. This last benefit would apply especially to compositions designed for insertion onto a worship service, where antiquity of style could be a moving aspect of the newly written poetic prayers. We add contemporary poems and prayers to our services today - everyone at Ner Shalom knows Debbie Friedman's 'MisheberaH', and many of us love Marge Piercy's translation of the Kaddish.

In addition to topics connected with Jewish law and sacred texts, the cultural milieu in Andalusia encouraged education in a wide range of subjects, including language, mathematics, history, philosophy, and courtly bearing. This respect and pursuance of knowledge is an extremely important value in Jewish culture throughout the subsequent centuries (My grandmother, used to say - "so you want to be a bricklayer? Go to bricklaying school, learn how to do it properly!").

Unlike in Sonoma county, Andalusian Jews tended to live close to one another, so as to be near to synagogues, kosher butchers, yeshivot, community services and neighbors who understood their particular way of life. This tendency did lead to segregation of Jews within small areas of cities, but even the ghettos of later Medieval Europe shared in these same advantages. That being said, just like in modern America, the freedom to practice their and our own religion gives a security which helps to overcome the stresses of being a minority culture.

It seems that the Jews of Spain and Portugal in the 'Golden Age' embraced the great things about the culture that surrounded them, and still kept fast to Jewish traditions. So we too light our menorahs and eat latkes as we turn to the internet for information, laugh at Passover hip hop music, and learn Spanish. Our multiculturalism has even led to a revival of interest in our Sephardi cousins! Let us continue to emulate them in sharing with all of humanity, the blessings and benefits of this new century, while we keep our own lights and our own faith burning strong.

L'Shalom, Elisheva

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS... LESLIE GATTMANN, a donation in memory of Eugene Frank KATY MADRIGAL, a donation in memory of her mother, Helen Moncharsh LYNNE WASLEY, a donation in memory of her sister, Carol Wasley

THANK YOU TO... SHARI BRENNER, for her donation to the Chanukah party LESLIE GATTMANN, PAM PEPPER & ALL THE VOLUNTEERS, who helped make the Chanukah party such a success

News from Dor Hadash

Dear Chevre,

Wishing you all a wonderful and peaceful secular New Year. See you at Dor Hadash on January 7th.

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 ~ January

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

ADAM BUXBAUM ~ JANUARY 6 RHONDA FINDLING ~ JANUARY 19 JOELLE HAGAN ~ JANUARY 24

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. 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.

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

ASK JCI & R about Jews and Sports...

Q: My child is looking for after-school sports programming. Can you tell me about enrichment and sports programs?

A: A wide array of educational, recreational, cultural, and social programs are available for your child. We can tell you about the Maccabee games, support and mentoring for Jewish athletes and about the new Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. We can also direct you to the nearest JCC fitness center.

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

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.

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