november 2007 ~ chesvan - kislev 5768
-- Rabbinical Support During Transition
-- Gifts of Life
-- News from Dor Hadash
-- eScrip and more...
-- Board News
-- Birthdays and Anniversaries ~ November
-- Community Announcements
-- Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life
-- Jewish Family and Children's Services
-- Donations Make a Difference!
-- Newsletter Guidelines
Chevre and Friends...
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Rabbi Ted Feldman will be leading Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Please bring at dessert to share for Oneg following services.
Rabbinical Support During Transition
Rabbi Ted Feldman of B'nai Israel Jewish Center in Petaluma will be providing rabbinic support to our congregation during this transitional period. If any Ner Shalom member is in need of spiritual counseling or rabbinic support for a life cycle event please feel free to contact him directly at 707-765-2937. We hope to have Rabbi Feldman lead a Friday night service in the near future so that you have a chance to meet and get to know him. We are very pleased and honored that he has agreed to assist in serving our community and hope this will also create ties with the members of B'nai Israel.
Gifts of Life
MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
PAM PEPPER, JACK FENDER, BLAKE and EVAN, a donation in memory of Sally Churgel's mother, Harriet
OFFERINGS...
BARBARA and MICHAEL LESCH MCCAFFRY, a donation in honor of Rami Roger's Bar Mitzvah
THANK YOU TO...
All who helped to make the High Holy Days such a success: Renee Kramer, Myrna Rogoff, Berinne DeCarmo, Pam Pepper, Jack Fender and those too many to mention!
News from Dor Hadash
Dear Chevre,
Dor Hadash is up and running, thanks to a wonderful group of members on our education committee-- Shari Brenner, Jack Fender, Berrine DeCarmo and Myrna Rogoff.
We have had an inspirational tefillah morning "rain dance" led by Reb Irwin Keller and we have decided to continue our traditional rain dance each week through the winter, along with some traditional blessings.
The students in the 5/6 grade class are getting into the transition of learning more Hebrew along with some new and creative ideas by Rebecca Gunter, their teacher. Sharon Gendleman enthusiastically teaches the kindergarten through 2nd grade children. She has some new and exciting ideas up her sleeve for the school year.
Please be on the lookout for Chanukah celebration news.
Blessings,
Pamela Pepper, education committee
Shari Brenner, education committee
eScrip and more...
Are your grocery purchases helping Ner Shalom? Every grocery store in the area, (except Trader Joe's) is a member of some program that benefits us. The cost to you is nothing-- but the benefits to Ner Shalom are great. If you don't know which program your store is connected with, ask at the store or contact Anna Ghandour. We all buy groceries - why not help the synagogue at the same time? Your friends and relatives can also sign up and name Ner Shalom as the beneficiary. We have or will be getting over $300 for the first four months of this year alone. If every member and their friends took a minute to sign up at their favorite store or on line, the money could be doubled!!!
Also, ask at your favorite merchants if they are part of the Community Smart program. You may reach COMMUNITYsmart at 568-4995 or go on-line to www.communitysmart.comand check out their merchant list before you make a purchase. Another painless way to raise money!
Yet another Albertson's change! Albertson's markets in Northern California have been purchased by Save Mart and they will soon no longer by accepting the Preferred Savings Card. Save Mart has their own program called S.M.A.R.T which pays up to 3% of every qualified dollar spent. Between April and August, Save Mart will be transitioning to the new program as they take over stores. I have requested the paperwork from Save Mart and will let you know when new cards are available. In the meantime, keep using your Preferred Cards until the transition is complete.
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.
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
Dear Chevre,
Once again winter is almost upon us and Hannukah fast approaches. But before that, we have a Shabbat service in November to be led by Rabbi Ted Feldman of B'nai Israel of Petaluma. It is at 7pm on Friday the 16th, followed by a dessert potluck for Oneg. Ted Feldman is currently our Rabbi for life cycle events and for rabbinic support. Please contact him if you need any rabbinic assistance.
Since the departure of our beloved Rabbi Elisheva moving on to newer pastures, we have come up with a new strategy to enliven and boost the membership at Ner Shalom and are planning to bring new faces to our beloved Shul.
Our High Holy Day services were led by Rebbe Tsvi Bar- David which merged a newer interpretation of the High Holy Day services. Sukkot was also a special event this year with Tsvi leading a Sunday school service for our children as well as the special needs children's class in the Sukkah.
In the coming months, we hope to have Rebbe Tsvi lead some Shabbat and Saturday morning services.
Members are always encouraged to attend our scheduled board meetings.
B'shalom,
Jack Fender
Board President
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Jack Fender 588-8824
e-mail: fenderola@yahoo.com
Berrine DeCarmo 588-9088
e-mail: berrine1988@sbcglobal.net
Ellyn Lazar 838-4785
e-mail: emlazar@sbcglobal.net
Renee Kramer 823-9555
e-mail: reneek777@sbcglobal.net
William Rogers 762-8645
e-mail: willrogers13@gmail.com
Nancy Rapp (415) 897-5090
e-mail: rappwayne@prodigy.net
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Education - Co-Chairs Pamela Pepper 588- 8824
e-mail: p.pepper@yahoo.com
and Shari Brenner 575-5863
e-mail: sbrenner@sonic.net
Finance Committee -Ariana Elster 824- 5609
e-mail: aelster@comcast.net
Membership - position open
Personnel - Barbara Lesch-McCaffry 585- 2291
e-mail: mccaffry@sonoma.edu
Visioning Committee - Sally Churgel 823- 0541
e-mail: churgel@pacbell.net
No-Cost Fundraising - Anna Ghandour 584-4829
e-mail: huskyanna@yahoo.com
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
Dor Hadash Education Director: position open
Office Manager: Carol Vanek 664- 8622
e-mail: shalom@sonic.net
Office Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Birthdays and Anniversaries ~ November
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
ALEX MALINAK ~ NOVEMBER 2
JACK FENDER ~ NOVEMBER 5
GABRIEL NEIBRIEF ~ NOVEMBER 19
WAYNE LAZAR ~ NOVEMBER 25
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO...
MARY ANN and ART MALINAK ~ NOVEMBER 9, 1985
Community Announcements
In "Voices of the Generations," Julie Kohner, a 2nd generation Holocaust survivor, tells her family's unique story of survival against all odds, on Tuesday, Nov. 6th at 7 P.M., at Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa 95405. A guided discussion follows, led by Beth Ami's Rabbi George Schlesinger. Refreshments will be served. Free. Call 707-360-3000 for more information.
Julie will include a 30 minute video of the 1950s televison show, "This is Your Life," in which host Ralph Edwards interviewed Julie's parents--the first Holocaust survivors to be interviewed on national television in the U.S.
Len Lyons, author of "Ethiopian Israelis: Personal Stories of Life in the Promised Land," presents the story of the "unfinished Exodus" at 7 P.M. on Wednesday, Nov. 14th, at Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa 95405. Free.
His intimate portraits of Ethiopian Jews in Israel--their profound challenges and inspiring accomplishments-- is captured in an audio-visual presentation, with Q and A, followed by book-signing. Wine, cheese, coffee and dessert will be served. Call 707-360-3000 for more information.
"Ethiopian Israelis" won a Gold Medal from the Independent Publisher in 2007. More information is available at www.ethiopianisraelisproject.org.
The Jewish Community Free Clinic is now accepting donations of toys and children's books. Please bring them to the Jewish Free Clinic located at 6307 Commerce Blvd., next door to 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...
Yours for the Asking:
Did you know...
the following publications and educational guides are available to you free of charge (and if you want one for a friend, just ask for two, with our compliments?)!
*Resource, A Guide to Jewish Life in the Bay Area 2006
*Jewish calendar for the New Year 5768
*The Whole Megillah--A Guide to Jewish adult activities in the Bay Area
*A Guide to Compensation and Restitution for Holocaust Survivors
Israel Information:
*An Insider's Guide to Israel
Family education:
*8 lights for 8 Nights; Your Chanukah Companion
*Resource book for planning a great Jewish summer
*Bridges/Issues and Information for Interfaith Families
*Alef Bet, the Letters, Language & Literature of the Jewish People
*Common Threads: the Fabrics of Jewish Life
*Heroes, Who Needs 'Em
*Our Family Matters, Jewish Memory & Storytelling
*Kids and the Law: An A-to-Z Guide for Parents
*When you become 18: A survival guide for teenagers
Emigre information:
*Creating Success: Russian-English Guide to Financial Security
Senior information:
*Seniors and the Law: A Guide for Maturing Californians
*New Lifestyles, Area Guide to Senior Residences and Care Options
*Senior Alternatives: Informed Decisions
*Visitors Information: Where Magazine and ToDo guide
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.
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 October 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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