april 2007 ~ shevat - Adar 5767
Chevre and Friends...
Announcements:
FAMILY POTLUCK SHABBAT DINNER with DOR HADASH STUDENTS
Friday, April 20 @ 6:15 pm.
Bring your kids, friends and loved ones, and join Rabbi Elisheva and the Dor Hadash students in welcoming in the Sabbath. There will be plenty of singing & chanting. Please bring a potluck dish to share.
Reservations requested, but not required. From the Rebbe
Dear Hevre,
Spring is here, and with it is Passover! I've already done my annual noodging of my family to eat all our Hametz before it's time to clean it all up and give it away, but as usual, I am in despair about the freezer - it looks like we'll be eating raviolis 3 meals a day! As you all know, there is a tradition to sell your Hametz before Passover to a non-Jew, who has the right to come get it for 8 days. If they choose not to pick it up by then, it will revert to it's original owner. Anyone wishing to sell their Hametz this year my contact me, and I will arrange it.
On a different note, I want to remind you that Passover is not just about liberation - it is also about Love. We read of the outstretched hand of G!d as a tool of power, but embedded deeply within our tradition is the arm of invitation, of embrace, of romance. This is reflected in the tradition of reading the Song of Songs on the Shabbat of Passover. This day, a combination of the blessing of rest, the freedom from Hametz (the agents that prevent us from being our true, pure selves), and the holiness of the time of desire is the day on which we reconnect with our Creator in partnership. We are the young maiden who has left her parents' home to cross the unknown desert and receive our Ketubah at Sinai. We rejoice in the sweetness of the time between the announcement of our engagement and the consummation of our relations at Shavuot. Like all weddings, the reality of working on the relationship kicks in soon afterwards, and we all know that the Israelites have a hard time with their adjustment. But that story is for May - let us return to the time of Love.
The whole Torah is Holy," says Rabbi Akiva, "but The Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies." In Sephardi communities, the Song of Songs is read after the Hagadah, making for a rather long Passover night! Ashkenazi communites like ours read it on the Shabbat that falls during Pesach. It tells of the blossoming of nature, love and awakening beauty which are the motifs of spring time. It is also reassuring - we have just planted our grain, we have just left the known, we are embarking on the newness of the flocks and the fragility of lambs, and the text tells us to slow down, to be present, to enjoy this moment, to trust in the left hand under our heads, kissing us - all will grow, fruit, provide for us. Rabbi Sheffa Gold, whom I hope you will have come to chant with on the weekend of March 23rd writes the following:
"The Path of Love, of rising to the challenge of learning to love and be loved, is the most rigorous spiritual path there is. Stepping onto the Path of Love, I am faced with every resistance, every illusion, every obstacle to self-realization. The Great Work is suddenly laid out before me in startling detail. In the words of the Song, 'I was asleep but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking.'"
Come join us this year as we celebrate Love at a special chanting service on April 7th made up of excerpts from the Song of Songs - some new tunes, some traditional, all destined to inspire our souls, to open our hearts, and awaken us to the Power of liberation, joy, and love.
L'Shalom, Elisheva
Gifts of Light
MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
ALAN & ADELLE ZIFF, a donation in memory of Dora Ziff
JEFFREY & KAREN SOMMERS, a donation in memory of Justin Sommers
THANK YOU TO...
HELENE STEINLAUF and MELISSA WILLABY, for sponsoring the March 2nd Oneg
JACK FENDER, for replacing the outside lights and fixing what’s in need of repair
LESLIE GATTMANN, for putting together the highly successful event with Dor Hadash students and the Islamic Society
News from Dor Hadash
Dear Chevre,
I am writing this article the afternoon after our day with the Islamic Society. What a success! I counted about 100 people in the circle as we finished our day together. For those of you who were not there, here is a synopsis of our day. We sang "Od Yavo Shalom Aleynu" and "Peace, Salaam Shalom" to begin our experience together. After welcomes and introductions we played a word game where our kids matched their assigned word in Hebrew to the equivalent word in Arabic that one of the Muslim kids had. Together they had to figure out the meaning of their word in English, and post them together on the walls of our stage. Afterwards, some of the kids played basketball, some watched clips from the movie "Promises" with Rabbi Elisheva, and some created beautiful banners that now hang in both our synagogue and their mosque. After sharing blessings for food and eating together, we gathered in a circle that took up the entire sanctuary. We heard the Islamic call to worship, and they heard our words praising the majesty and oneness of G-d, then we recited both calls three times. We ended with individuals sharing about the impact of the day. One of our adult guests said that she had never realized that there were Jewish people who opposed the occupation. Several kids spoke with appreciation for the experience. Thank you to everyone from Ner Shalom that participated.
Earlier in the month we had a successful Purim celebration and 30 lbs. of canned food was brought to Elisha’s Pantry, which feeds the hungry in Santa Rosa. We also celebrated Passover on the March 25th with a Model Seder in the second half of the school day.
Many thanks to all the parents and teens who have been helping us out with various events during the month of March. We so appreciate your support.
We also send wishes of healing to Cal Gallegos as he recovers from his injury.
Shalom, Salaam, Peace,
Leslie
DOR HADASH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Calendar
Sunday, April 15
Sunday, April 22
Sunday, April 29
"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.c om 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 are current. If you are not up to date, than Ner Shalom does not receive contributions from your eScrip transactions. You can also register your major credit cards so that qualified purchases on cards also raise money for the congregation. This is a secure site with an excellent track record.
eScrip also has an “Online Mall” which directs you to the homepage of participating merchants. Each merchant contributes a set percentage of purchases to Ner Shalom (Land’s End 5%; Eddie Bauer 4%; Barnes and Nobel 3.5%; 1-800-Pet Meds 6% for example). It is just one extra step for you but think what you can contribute to Ner Shalom!
Check to be sure that your Safeway receipt says “Qualifying purchases have been accumulated towards eScrip.” Then go to the eScrip web site and verify that Ner Shalom is registered as your school Just go on-line to www.eScrip.c om 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.Al bertsons. 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
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 ~ April
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
BETH FIELD ~ APRIL 4
MICHELLE LAZAR ~ APRIL 9
EVAN PEPPER-TUNICK ~ APRIL 14
PAUL LICHTMAN ~ APRIL 16
ELISHEVA SALAMO, SONIA FINDLING ~ APRIL 26
Community Announcements
Jewish Family and Children's Services Presents:
Challenges for Gay/Lesbian Parents
Some of the topics for discussion will be:
Establishing support with your community.
Coming out over and over again.
Bring your own thoughts and concerns to the workshop.
Presented by Denise Wagner, LCSW
Tuesday April 17, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
OR
Saturday April 21, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Childcare Provided
A FREE training thanks to a grant from the California Department of Social Services.
Pre-registration is required
Presented at Parents Place 1360 North Dutton Ave. Ste C, S. R.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO PRE-REGISTER PLEASE CALL DEBBY KEITH, MFT, POST ADOPTION COORDINATOR at 707/303-1509.
The Jewish Community Free Clinic is now accepting donations of toys and children's books. Please bring them to Ner Shalom and drop off in lobby. Or you may deliver them directly to the Jewish Free Clinic now located at Commerce Blvd. next door to the old Albertson's and across from Summit Bank.
JFCS RIDES hits the road to help seniors go to medical appointments, shopping, personal care appointments, and local community events.
Please check our website nershalom.org for more information.
OPEN YOUR HEART TO A WAITING CHILD
Sonoma County has a serious shortage of caring foster families.
Foster parents are needed for children and youth of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
Please check our website nershalom.org for more information.
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation West Coast Region website: www.jrf.org/westcoast
ASK JCI & R...
Q: What is my child doing this summer? Do you have camp brochures and information?
A: Have we got a camp for you! JCIR is pleased to send you brochures and tell you about the upcoming summer camp fair. We have listings for day and overnight summer camps and information about trips to Israel. If you let us know your interests and needs, we will provide you with information so you can make the right choice. We can tell you about camperships for financial aid. Did you know we also provide listings for family and adult camps?
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.
Please check our website nershalom.org for more information.
Community Yom HashoaH Commemoration
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF SONOMA COUNTY
WILL OBSERVE ITS ANNUAL
YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION
(HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL)
“REBUILDING OUR LIVES:
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT”
A MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO PERISHED
A CELEBRATION OF SURVIVORS’ LIVES
DATE: Sunday, April 15, 2007
TIME: 2:00 PM
PLACE: The Friedman Center
4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
PHOTOGRAPHER EVVY EISEN AND HER DVD:
‘MULTIPLY BY SIX MILLION’ WORLD PREMIERE (*
LOCAL SURVIVOR HILDE CATZ, FEATURED SPEAKER
CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY BY LOCAL SURVIVORS
PLEDGING TO REMEMBER CEREMONY WITH LOCAL TEENS
CANTORIAL SOLOS , NIGGUN, AND SONGS
PRESENTATION OF SUSY RAFUL ESSAY CONTEST WINNER
*) Film supported by the Koret Foundation and the California Stories Initiative of the Council for the Humanities
THE YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AGENCY OF SONOMA COUNTY, WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE ALLIANCE FOR THE STUDY OF THE HOLOCAUST AND ALL SONOMA COUNTY SYNAGOGUES.
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 April 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
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