JValley.new (January 2015)

JValley news January 2015

an anonymous legacy story the history of the purim spiel jewish food for body and soul yavneh’s hour of code Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley 14855 Oka Rd., Suite 200 Los Gatos, CA 95032 Change Service Requested

Published by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley January 2015

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SAN JOSE, CA PERMIT #553

A Women’s Journey Women in Relationships Sunday, February 8, 2015 1PM—4:30PM Keynote Speaker~Lori Solay Awakening your full potential to live your best life!

A workshop for women from Te e ns t o Golde n G irl s with lectures featuring local health professionals.

Topics include: Teen Romance, Meaningful Relationships in a Cyberworld, Expectations of Aging Parents, Adapting to Motherhood, Feathering Our Empty Nest with Fun, Letting Go with Grace, Balancing Career and Kids, 20’s are for Change, and more. $18 per person pre-paid. $25 at the door. Teens attend FREE. For registration and full description of the topics and presenters visit: www.templesanjose.org Open to the community.

1010 University Ave San Jose, CA 408-292-0939

2

REGIS 015 TR A OPEN TION JAN. S 20

Join Us!

! s c i m e d a c A g n i z Ama ! s e i t i v i t c A e m o Awes

and More!

nce•Art• ie c S • ts r A e g a u g n Math•La

5 . r G K

and rning o m s. emic ctive le Acad e n rnoo afte

g. 7 u A 2 2 ) June sions iple (Mult

Ses

Other Programs

• Sport Camps • Swim School • English Language Institute (International Students)

Gr. 6-12

For-cr edit an enrich d ment c ourses

June15-A

(Multip

Visit our website for more details!

ug. 7

.

le Ses sion

s)

summer.harker.org

campinfo@harker.org | San Jose | 408.553.5737

2

www.jvalley.org

JValley news JValley.news is published by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley JEWISH FEDERATION CEO Jyl Jurman jyl@jvalley.org 408-357-7500

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Amanda Glincher amanda@jvalley.org 408-357-7503

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Pat Bergman Kay Gatell

ADVERTISING Amanda Glincher amanda@jvalley.org 408-357-7503

SIMCHAS Andrea Greyber agreyber@yahoo.com

BILLING Jeri Jensen jeri@jvalley.org 408-357-7507

from the ceo This year Purim begins the evening of March 4. The story of Purim follows a common theme in Jewish history—they tried to kill us, we survived, let’s celebrate! While as a people we have a long history of persecution, we also have just as lengthy a history of rejoicing and celebrating life. As such, I want to ask you to join me and the rest of our community in many celebratory events over the coming weeks.

First, in just a few days, join us for the Power of Women on January 22. Comedian Carol Leifer will make you laugh so hard you cry and what better way to celebrate than with laughter? Just two weeks later on February 8 is our annual donor celebration event, A Night at the Ranch. This event includes whiskey, bull riding and line dancing...need I say more?

Published six times a year by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.

We reserve the right to edit all copy. JValley.news is not responsible for the content of paid advertising.

Our ability to celebrate our donors and community stems from the pride we have in so many Silicon Valley Jews stepping up to support Jewish life locally and around the world. On Super Sunday (February 22) volunteers will be reaching out asking the community to make an annual pledge. This pledge is our promise to the community—to support, to provide and to ensure a vibrant Jewish tomorrow. Thank you for answering the call and supporting our community.

Send copy to JValley.news, 14855 Oka Rd., Suite 200, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Fax: (408) 356-0733.

Jyl Jurman Federation CEO

CANDLELIGHTING San Jose, CA

Friday, Jan. 16........................,.....4:57 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 23........................,.....5:04 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 30........................,.....5:12 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6...........................,.....5:19 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 13........................,.....5:27 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20........................,.....5:34 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 27........................,.....5:41 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 6........................,.....5:48 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 13.....................,.....6:55 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 20.....................,.....7:01 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 27.....................,.....7:08 p.m.

content Local Highlights

Yavneh’s Hour of Code Local child joins PJ Our Way team Top five reasons I’m a day school fan An anonymous legacy story Jewish diversity today With a song in my heart Local Frank Family Fellow visits Israel Community Tu B’Shvat seder The history of the Purim spiel 16 On being a FEREP Monthly support group for mental illness Mah Jongg tournament awards proceeds Jewish food for body and soul Julie Krigel lives tzedekah Conversation starters Hillel’s L’Dor V’Dor event

4 4 9 10 13 13 14 16

In Every Issue Community photos Ask the clergy Rabbis’ column Just words Datebook Professional Directory Simchas

6 17 17 19 24 28 30

17 17 21 21 23 23 29

www.jvalley.org

3

l cal news

Local child joins national PJ Our Way design team

By Arielle Hendel

I recently talked with Robert Nathanson, the Silicon Valley Design Team representative to the PJ Our Way National Design Team.

Robert was selected from a pool of applicants in our community. He joins nine other ‘tweens’ from across North America in this honor selected from the PJ Our Way pilot communities.

Robert, a sixth grader at Fisher Middle School, shared, “I am Robert Nathanson excited for this new experience, to work with people from around the world and to get a different perspective.” Robert and the other design team members Skype once a month with the director, Catriella Freedman, who lives in Israel.

PJ Our Way, the next chapter of PJ Library, gives children ages nine through 12 a free, high-quality book each month. The participants are able to select their free book from a selection of four books. The book selection ranges from serious to funny, graphic novel to more serious literature. The participants and their parents are encouraged to participate in an online community: www. pjourway.org with blogs and book reviews.

Locally, PJ Our Way is looking to start programming for this cohort. We are encouraging kids in fourth, fifth and sixth grade to become part of a team to plan local programs. If you, your child or grandchild is interested in the local team, please contact Director of Community Engagement Arielle Hendel at arielle@jvalley.org or at (408) 357-7501.

Yavneh Day School’s Hour of Code

By Vanina Mutchnik 5th Grader: “My dad asked me if I liked coding and I said no because coding is just not for me. After my hour of coding I realized that I love it!”

2nd Grader: “Coding was so much better than just playing a game on an iPad.” 5th Grader: “I just couldn’t stop, I went to my house and I showed it to my mom and we did it together.”

3rd Grader: “It was fun and challenging at the same time.”

7th Grader: “I love coding.”

All grades: “When are we doing it again?!!!!”

Yavneh Day School students and teachers participated in the Computer Science Education Week (CS Ed Week) that was held worldwide from December 8-12. The CS Ed Week and The Hour of Code initiative joined forces to promote and encourage people (mostly students) to code for one hour during that week.

During the week, each class at Yavneh had the opportunity to code for 60 to 90 minutes. For most of the students, it was their first experience coding. For a few others, it was an opportunity to be challenged and code in platforms that were new to them. In addition to coding during their assigned time, many middle school students helped support younger students during their hour of code.

One of the main goals of the #YavnehHourOfCode was to show the students that coding is accessible to everyone. Students realized that they can actually learn code and that they will eventually be able to create apps and games and not just use applications that already exist. Their confidence was boosted and their horizon was expanded.

For each group of students’ hour of code, we discussed: What is coding? What is pair programming?

Why are we using this approach in our school? To get started, we used the methodology of “I do”, “we do”, “you do”, meaning that first I showed one or two examples, then the students and I worked on another example together, and finally each pair of students worked together to solve coding challenges.

During the CS Ed Week, all Yavneh students, from Kindergarten through 8th grade, participated in the hour of code. At the end of the week, we gathered together to share the experience and enjoy the community.

This year Yavneh Day School will be hosting a Day of Code (#YavnehDayOfCode) on Sunday, February 22. This event will be open to all the families in our community.

Stay tuned for more info on this event. We can certainly say that Yavneh Day School is STEAMing and coding!

Vanina Mutchnik is Yavneh Day School’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Coordinator. She brings her passion for innovation in education to Yavneh with the goal of having all students know that they can create technology. For more information on Yavneh Day School visit www.yavnehdayschool.org.

4

www.jvalley.org

WE ANSWER THE NEEDS. WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL? Each year, the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley holds a Super Sunday phone-a-thon to raise money for local and overseas programs. It is an effective way for us to bring everyone together for one purpose: raising funds to support our Jewish community around the world.

So, when you get the call, please answer it.

SUPER SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22 The Levy Family Campus

Chairs: Susan Murai Raider & Andy Raider Co-Chairs: Naomi & Jeff Salowe

Info: 408-358-3033 or visit jvalley.org

www.jvalley.org

5

c mmunity photos

The Silicon Valley Jewish community joined together for candlelighting on the second night of Hanukkah (December 17) at Santana Row. Performances by MeshugaNutcracker, Rick Recht, featured performer, and local children entertained the crowds of people.

Candlelighting at Santana Row is organized by the PJ Library Program of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.

Thank you to Phil Kipnis for capturing these photos!

Over 1,000 people joined the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center for the Hanukkah Snowstorm on Sunday, December 14.

6

www.jvalley.org

c mmunity photos Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Gala on November 15, 2014

Scott Budman and Avery Kaufman

Fred & Alyssa Berkowitz and Sylvia & Len Metz

Rev. Michael Henderson, Cantor Devorah FelderLevy, CRC Director Diane Fisher, and former SJ city councilman Forrest Williams pose at the 150th Anniversary of First AME Zion Church, the oldest African-American church in San Jose, 11/23/2014.

Cantor Felder-Levy offered congratulations and sang “The Journey Song� by Debbie Friedman.

National PJ Our Way Director Catrielle Freedman stands with local PJ Library committee members, Nancy Goldsmith, Eleanor Dickman and Robin Fineman-Marino.

Doris & Rick Davis

Sharkie with Jason Goldstein at Jewish Heritage Night on December 8

Zoe Cyrluk, Congregation Sinai member (far left) and Isabella Ginsberg, Congregation Shir Hadash member Yavneh middle school students harvested the garden and donated the produce to (3rd from left) celebrate Thanksgiving with their friends Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley. in the Teen Interfaith Leadership Council.

www.jvalley.org

7

c mmunity photos

Young adults celebrate the third night of Hanukkah with NextGen of the Jewish Federation at the Tied House in Mountain View.

Men’s Night Out: Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament was held November 9.

Our community members came to support local camperships and scholarships, raising $3,000!

A special thank you to Rick Tavan for chairing another successful tournament!.

First place winner, Ron Cohn is pictured second from the right, bottom row. Steve Dick, second place winner, is pictured far left, bottom row.

Save the date: January 31, 2016!

Event chairs Dan & Amy Schiff Howard May, Guest Speaker Izzy Ezagui, Virginia and Randy Hess

Major Gifts Dinner 2014

8

www.jvalley.org

l cal news

Top five reasons I am a fan of Jewish day schools

By Zvi Weiss, Yavneh Day School When we first moved to the peninsula over fifteen years ago, my wife and I bought a house for more money than we could ever have imagined. As parents of young children the main rationale for purchasing this "home with a property tax bill rivaling the gross domestic product of a third world country," was its nationally recognized school district. When the director at our oldest child’s preschool suggested that we consider a Jewish day school, my wife and I both viewed it as a ludicrous proposition.

Nonetheless, we agreed to sign up for a tour. By the end of our visit, we were sold, and now, four children later, we truly believe that it was the best investment that we could have made.

I have become such an advocate that my professional journey has now led me to the position of Head of School at Yavneh Day School, a K-8 Jewish Independent School in Silicon Valley. The following are the top five reasons that I am a day school fan: 1. Stellar academic education Besides outstanding teachers and small class size, a focus on life skills such as curiosity, critical thinking, reasoning and perspective-taking learned through the study of Jewish texts and Hebrew language help develop the capacity for a deeper level of learning across all subjects. Since arriving at Yavneh, I have heard multiple stories from former students who have found themselves significantly better prepared academically for the challenges of their new schools, being tracked in high-level classes or even skipped to the next grade.

2. K-8 structure In the past decade, there has been an incredible trend nationally away from stand-alone middle schools. Research shows an increase in academic achievement and a reduction in issues (such as discipline and absenteeism) in the larger span of grades.

As our middle-school children's bodies develop and they begin discovering new feelings and urges, they face new social and emotional challenges. Besides being in an environment with teachers who actually know and care about their students, the K-8 structure provides opportunities to strengthen the adolescent's self-image.

The Jewish Day School experience is designed to foster the development of a sense of identity and purpose.

4. Child-centered education Jewish tradition teaches us to teach a child "al pi darko", according to his/her learning style. Teachers focus on teaching children, not subjects. Assessments are used to shape instruction and to teach test-taking skills, not as government criteria for school funding. Students are given safe spaces to take risks, learn from failure, and celebrate success. As an example, at Yavneh Day School, there is time built into the schedule for hands-on innovation — opportunities to synthesize learning and pursue passions. There are daily and weekly times set aside for self-reflection, through discussion and the creation of online portfolios, so that students can better process what they have learned and develop the metacognition to understand how they learn best while our teachers adapt their instruction to support students' learning styles.

5. Community My nuclear family, like most others in the area, is geographically distant from extended family. Jewish tradition teaches us the value of community and mutual responsibility — kol Yisrael areivim zeh lazeh. Shared values create a familiarity that lends itself to forming community. Parents linger in the school lobby and build relationships. A baby is born, someone is ill, a child needs a ride — we are there for each other. Surrogate extended families are formed to share holiday meals. The community raises funds from within to help those for whom tuition is a challenge. My children, like so many of their friends, are growing up feeling secure because they belong to a greater entity.

As my eldest completes her first semester as a college sophomore, she is a confident young woman, successful in her studies, firm in her own identity, embracing a strong group of friends of diverse backgrounds. She loves learning and is incredibly comfortable dialoging with her professors both in and out of the classroom setting. She is actively involved in building a successful future for herself and the world. As the next generation of families consider their children's future, I highly encourage visiting a Jewish day school. Even if you don't have age-eligible children we'd love you to come and visit. From my perspective, there is no better investment in the future!

Older students realize that younger students look up to them, and thus they tend to take their position as school leaders and role models seriously. The regular pairing of middle schoolers For more information on Yavneh Day School visit with our K-2 students creates levels of compassion that extend www.yavnehdayschool.org or call (408) 984-6700. far beyond the intended activity into spontaneous interactions on the playground and in the hallways, resulting in a kinder, gentler community than you would typically see in separate lower and At one time, you middle school programs.

3. Experiences that build and reinforce identity Studies show that Jewish Day School graduates have a much higher likelihood of becoming activists for causes in which they believe both on college campuses and in their communities. At our schools, children experience, study, question and explore Jewish values and traditions. We encourage them to create their own relationship with Israel. We create a safe space to discuss current events and societal challenges. We provide them with hands-on service learning, advocacy and tikkun olam encounters.

were proud of that old car.

Now, you can be proud of it again.

Donate your unwanted vehicle to Jewish Family Services and support vital programs for families, children, and older adults in need.

Donate Today!

1-877-JFS-4-CAR

1-8 7 7- 5 3 7- 4 2 2 7 www.jfssv.org

www.jvalley.org

9

l cal news

An anonymous legacy story This is the story about a recent Legacy Gift that will benefit the Silicon Valley Jewish Community for generations to come. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, as well as the guilty, but all the other facts are true. Just as Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous were inspired, they hope their story will inspire you and other community leaders to launch similar Legacy programs.

-Authored by Alan Werba, Community Legacy Project Chair

Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous attended the July Legacy training at Temple Emanu-El and were delighted to find a way to accomplish what was in their hearts and minds. This branch of the Anonymous family tree happens to be long-time Emanu-El members. So when they asked to meet with Jyl Jurman and Alan Werba to discuss Legacy giving, they were focused on endowing their support for Emanu-El way beyond their lifetime. The couple also decided to include the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and other local Jewish agencies in their endowment gift.

The meeting in Jyl Jurman’s office began with Mr. Anonymous saying, “It’s all your fault, Alan. When you led the Legacy training session at our temple, we knew immediately that we wanted to establish a Legacy and we felt compelled to begin now rather than waiting for the gift to happen after we pass away.

We have been very blessed in our personal and business lives and clearly feel the need to give back to the community that brought such rich Jewish experiences to us and our children. We want you and Jyl to help us set up a Legacy fund with income going perpetually to Temple Emanu-El, Federation and perhaps other organizations that we support. We want to start the fund with $1 million and when we pass on, we plan to designate additional funds to the cause. How will this fund work?”

After Alan and Jyl mentally high-fived each other to celebrate this very generous endowment gift, they carefully walked through all the choices to be made and rules to be followed for the Anonymous Family’s Donor-Advised Fund. As soon as the $1 million is deposited with Federation, the Anonymous’ will be entitled to claim a $1 million charitable donation deduction on their income tax return, subject to certain limits based on their adjusted gross income. Upon receipt, the Federation will deposit these funds into the pool of all endowment funds entrusted to Federation. The endowment pool is managed by an independent, professional asset management firm selected by the Federation’s Investment Committee utilizing the investment guidelines established in the written investment policy statement developed by the same Investment Committee. Despite comingling these assets with all the other endowment funds, Federation would track the Anonymous Family Fund separately so they could calculate for Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous how much was available every year for distribution.

Jyl told the couple that Federation’s standard payout rate from these type funds was 5% per year, but they could specify a higher or lower rate in consultation with the Federation Investment Committee. If they opted for the Federation’s 5% payout rate, in year one, $50,000 of their $1 million fund would be distributed to the beneficiary agencies. In year two, this amount will rise or fall depending on the actual investment performance of the endowment investment pool. If the investments earn more than 5% in year one, the year two distribution will rise. If the year

one investment return falls short of 5%, the year two distribution would subsequently drop.

Jyl went on to explain that donor-advised funds require that the donors recommend the amounts and organizations to receive the funds each year, but the Federation Board has final say on these recommendations. These rules are mandated by the tax codes.

Jyl explained, however, that the Board policy is generally to approve all donor-advised recommendations that are earmarked for qualified 501(c)(3) organizations unless a particular charity is subject to any legal issues or operating contrary to sound public policy. It is rare for the Federation Board to disallow a donoradvised recommendation.

Mrs. Anonymous asked what would happen to their Legacy fund after they died. Alan explained that they could designate their children to continue serving as advisors for the fund. If they preferred not involving their children in this way, then the fund would convert to a perpetual endowment fund either with set percentages for each organization to receive annually or as unrestricted endowment for the Federation Board to allocate.

That choice would be determined by Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous in the fund agreement they would execute with Federation.

“I heard that there will be expenses charged against our donoradvised fund. Is this correct?” asked Mr. Anonymous.

Jyl explained, “Federation hires professional money managers to manage all the endowment funds. Of course, the Federation Board negotiates a competitive rate for these services and the fees are prorated across all the endowment funds. The larger the endowment pool becomes, the lower the percentage fee being charged to each individual fund. All the discounts are shared.”

“For providing the donor-advised fund program,” Jyl continued, “Federation charges an administrative fee of 1% of the asset base per year. So a $1 million donor—advised fund will average a $10,000 per year administrative fee.”

Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous looked at Jyl and Alan with a pride and excitement in their eyes. “This Legacy gift is feeling better every minute. We are so excited by the prospect that this fund is likely to grow over time and that Temple Emanu-El, Federation and the Jewish community will receive the money they need to serve our children, our grandchildren and generations beyond them. We’re starting to feel like a key link in the chain of descendants from Abraham and Sarah. This is unbelievable!”

Alan and Jyl tried to thank Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous for their gift, but they were interrupted by Mrs. Anonymous. “No. We need to thank you for opening our eyes to this wonderful opportunity. Of all the things we have done in our lives, we think this Legacy gift may well be the most meaningful reminder of our lives and the values that were important to us. Although we do prefer our gift to remain anonymous, we are thrilled to have you share the story with all of our fellow Jews in Silicon Valley.”

We hope this story explains the powerful impact a donor-advised fund can make and perhaps inspires you to try something similar. Your children and grandchildren will remember and thank you for enriching their lives. For more information on becoming a Legacy donor, contact Michelle Nathanson, michellen@jvalley.org, (408) 357-7508.

10

www.jvalley.org

DINNER LITERARY CIRCLE Fabulous Books • Fabulous Food • Fabulous Authors

GERALYN LUCAS Then Came Life

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH • 7:00 PM Geralyn Lucas, author of Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy, will be discussing over dinner how humor helped her survive breast cancer and her new memoir, Then Came Life.

Lucas photo: ZoeHiigliStudio

When Geralyn Lucas put on red lipstick on her way to the operating room, she was showing everyone — her doctors, her family, and most importantly, herself — that she planned on coming out of the OR and living life to the fullest. Her bright red lips were a badge of courage and femininity; it was a bold moment of reinvention, one that went on to inspire women across the world.

RSVP by February 4th. $18 to attend, price includes a copy of the book and a catered dinner.

Have you attended our other Let’s Do Lunch events? Let us know when you purchase your tickets and receive a 15% discount!

Geralyn is now living the life she was afraid she’d never be able to have. After the harrowing experience of cancer at the age of 27, she felt that growing old enough to get wrinkles was a gift — one she prayed fervently for in her youth. With Then Came Life: Living with Courage, Spirit, and Gratitude After Breast Cancer, Geralyn explores what it means to survive cancer only to face new challenges — of learning how to live with the fear of her cancer returning, domestic disappointments, and quickly outgrowing her Spanx.

Geralyn Lucas is an award-winning TV producer, author, lecturer, and women’s health advocate. Her memoir, Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, became an Emmy-nominated Lifetime Original movie and her story was recently featured in Nora and Delia Ephron’s off-Broadway hit Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Levy Family Campus 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 408.357.7411 | jenessa@svjcc.org www.SiliconValleyJCC.org/JPlace

www.jvalley.org

11

Santa Clara University, Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Interreligious Council and the Diocese of San Jose

Join in partnership for this special lecture from the Bannan Institute

Rabbi Abraham Skorka “Interreligious Dialogue and Leadership: Building Relationships as Persons” Tuesday, February 10, 2015

4:00pm – 5: 30pm St. Clare Room, Library, Santa Clara University Free and open to the public. RSVP required at www.scu.edu/ic/bannan Rabbi Skorka is a long-time friend of Pope Francis. He teaches at Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires. Bishop Patrick McGrath (Diocese of San Jose) and Rabbi Dana Magat (Temple Emanu-El) will reflect on their longtime friendship and its impact on local Catholic-Jewish relations.

Community Relations Council

CANCER SURGEONS BECOME A ROCK BAND. PATIENTS BECOME FANS. MUSIC CAN CHANGE THE JOURNEY. A FILM BY ANDREA KALIN

JOIN WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY FOR A SPECIAL FILM SCREENING NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY DR. JOANIE MAYER HOPE

FEBRUARY 11, 6:30-9 PM AT AMC SARATOGA 14 $10 (ADVANCE ONLY) Register/tickets: www.jvalley.org COMMITTEE

Carol Pliner, Chair Alyssia Berkowitz Susan Gavens Steve Jackson

SPONSORS

Carol Pliner Kari Wolff in honor of StandUp2Cancer Cancer Care Point Good Samaritan Hospital

® OF SILICON VALLEY

#healthbelowthebelt

Committee and sponsor lists in formation

Jen Landes Lynn Osband Kari Wolff

Women’s Philanthropy

For info or sponsorships, contact Arielle Hendel, arielle@jvalley.org, 408.357.7501

12 PHOTO CREDIT: JEN FARIELLO

WWW.NEDTHEMOVIE.COM

Sheila Brown Mr. and Mrs. Lee Olitzky Tina Levenfeld Dr. James Lilja

www.jvalley.org

Jewish diversity today

By Debbie Coutant The Jewish people is a diverse group, with roots stemming from Africa, Asia, and Europe. We are an amalgam of many languages, nations and skin colors. Over the centuries the Jews have moved to new homes in new geographies, and like other groups we have intermingled and assimilated to varying degrees into many different cultures. As a result, today’s Jewish experience is very rich with many languages, customs, food, art, architecture, dance and music.

The majority of American Jewry is Ashkenazic, from Central and Western Europe. In more recent times, however, there has been considerable growth in the Sephardic population, Jews from Spain, Portugal, the Spanish diaspora, Mediterranean countries and the Middle East. The local South Bay Area is home to many Jews of Sephardic descent.

Ladino is the language of Sephardic Jews of Spain, a mix of 16thcentury Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish and other languages. Sephardic communities used to keep themselves very isolated, using Ladino amongst themselves. This language is not in common use today.

Sephardic foods are highly influenced by Mediterranean and Islamic food cultures and include olive oil, eggplant, spinach, beans and spices. Modern day Ashkenazic food trends are embracing these Sephardic foods, especially as Mediterranean diets are becoming synonymous with heathy eating.

Unique holiday customs characterize the Sephardic home, such as a seder for Rosh Hashanah that includes a series of special foods eaten as omens for a good New Year (dates, beans, leeks, etc.) and the eating of rice and legumes on Passover. Other differences are prayer melodies, Hebrew pronunciation and differences in liturgy.

For most of their early history Spanish Jews lived comfortably.

That changed when the Catholics reconquered the multi-cultural country, at which point in 1492 the Jews were expelled. From there they went to Portugal only to be expelled in 1497. Many of those refugees settled in North Africa and in the lands of the Ottoman Empire, which welcomed them. Their history is rich with stories of coping and survival. Many of these stories survive to this day.

If you’d like to learn more about our Sephardic heritage come enjoy an evening of music and stories as we transform the Shir Hadash Oneg Room into a coffee house on Saturday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. Gryphons Wild is an early music ensemble dedicated to bringing to life long-forgotten treasures of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras through the magical storytelling power of the human voice blended with colorful and expressive instruments.

Their passion is performing unusual yet historically informed arrangements of little known music, interweaving storytelling and drama throughout. They do much of their own arranging, giving early music a contemporary twist by incorporating influences from Eastern European, Sephardic, Middle Eastern and other folk traditions and using unusual combinations of instruments.

Stories in Song: Sephardic Romances Re-imagined will blend storytelling and music to present two tales with roots in Medieval Spain: continued on page 18

l cal news

With a song in my heart: Shoshana Levitt

By Eleanor Weber Dickman

Shoshana Levitt is a young woman with an indefatigable reservoir of energy. As a sophomore at New York University majoring in “Media, Culture, and Communication” focusing on “global and transcultural communication as well as technology and society,” Shoshana is also minoring in “the business of entertainment, media, and technology.” After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in the fields of marketing, public relations, or communications.

Despite the challenges of her academic commitments, Shoshana finds time to sing with an energetic Jewish a capella group known as “Ani v’Ata,” with concerts ranging from “A Capella Shabbats” at NYU to performing on Broadway with James Earl Jones. She also serves Ani v’Ata as its vice president of marketing and publicity. (Ani v’Ata earned distinction as a semifinalist group at the International Championship for Collegiate A Capella in 2011.)

Shoshana brought to Ani v’Ata years of choral experience, singing in ensembles as well as the “concert choir” and the elite “chamber singers” of Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley, where she attended high school. At Woodside Priory, she was a section leader in both ensembles and was elected president of the chamber singers in her senior year. With the chamber singers, she performed all over the Bay area as well as traveling to Argentina, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

She credits her supportive parents, Marc and Paula, with encouraging her passion for music, “driving me to and from many piano and voice lessons, volunteering for my school’s choir and theatre programs, and supporting me through all of my personal musical endeavors.”

While it may be exhausting trying to follow this energetic young lady’s academic and extra-curricular activities, singing is for Shoshana the way which “allows me to express myself, to explore my mood, to become energized!” She delights singing in ensembles, but admits that “I enjoy the rush that comes with singing solos.” Shoshana also writes songs for voice and piano, acknowledging that “it is a dream of mine to professionally record my original songs.”

Shoshana will be performing with Ani v’Ata at Congregation Beth David on Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 PM. Attendees will be able to recognize her as the young woman with talent and energy! Tickets may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=14438358519.

www.jvalley.org

13

l cal news

Young Adults “Opening uur Jewish hearts�

By Marina Gafni This December, I was honored to take part in the Frank Family Fellowship for young adults in the Jewish community. Eight young adults were selected from across the United States to take part in this fellowship; first we visited Krakow, and then we left for Israel to join the Jewish Council for Public Affair's Mission to Israel. In October, we will re-convene to join the plenum, a national conference that convenes Jewish leadership to explore domestic and foreign policy issues, discuss best practices for community relations work, and vote on resolutions that define national Jewish consensus policies.

In Krakow, we visited the old Jewish ghetto, the Jewish quarter, the Schindler Museum, and Auschwitz. The enormity of the losses and pain that took place there felt very visceral, and being there motivated me to continue to work to prevent mass suffering, both of the Jewish people and of other marginalized groups. If there's a positive message that can be taken from the Holocaust, it's the oft-repeated phrase "Never again."

In Israel, we joined the JCPA mission for six days of learning and discussion regarding the current state of affairs in Israel. I felt honored to have the chance to interact with and learn from such an accomplished group of Jewish community leaders; the warmth with which they welcomed the young adults to the group was really touching.

Marina Gafni, second from left in middle

On Wednesday, we met with various members of the Knesset, including those representing row, with JCPA Frank Family Fellows in Israel the parties of Likud, Yesh Atid, and Labor. The political situation was very dynamic when we arrived, as the government had disbanded about three days prior. We discussed a variety of issues, with an emphasis on Palestine, Iran, the rising cost of living and income inequality, the current system of government, and the place of the Haredim in modern Israeli society.

The following day, we met with Christian leaders of three different denominations. They expressed their grievances regarding the separation wall and bureaucratic discrimination. continued on page 29

14

www.jvalley.org

Jewbilee!

Celebrating Jewish Life Sunday, January 25th, 2015 1:00-8:00pm at the APJCC Jewbilee is a full afternoon of classes, workshops, and performances for all ages. The afternoon is divided into sessions, with many classes, workshops and performances happening simultaneously during each session. You choose what you want to do. $10 general admission, $8 students/seniors/kids, ages 4 and under are free Food will be presented by L’Chaim Sushi, the Bay Area’s only kosher and sustainable sushi. Vaad supervised and certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.

More info at www.SiliconValleyJCC.org/jewbilee Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley Levy Family Campus 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 | 408.357.7411

Jewbilee is also made possible, in part, by a generous gift from Bonnie Slavitt Moore and Jack Moore.

FREE CHILDCARE!

(Reservations required.) We will also have a variety of Jewbilee workshops that are appropriate for children, some of which can be done without parents, and some of which require parental participation.

www.jvalley.org

15

l cal news

The History of the Purim Spiel

Community Tu B’Shvat seder at Shir Hadash

As a child, one of my favorite Jewish holidays was Purim. I absolutely loved to dress up, admittedly as Queen Esther, and go to my synagogue’s Purim service. While I was in high school, my cantor would dress up as Megillah Gorilla and there was always a big parade to see everyone’s costumes. I even remember that there were some families in the synagogue that were having costume competitions. And of course, there was the Book of Esther itself!

By Eleanora Ginsborg (5th grade) and her dad, David Ginsborg What’s Tu B’Shvat and what is a seder? Tu B’Shvat is when people celebrate the birthday of the trees. According to the PJ library, the Jewish New Year for the Trees comes when the earliestblooming trees emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. This holiday reminds us that the Earth is a precious gift; it is celebrated by planting saplings and participating in a ritual meal (or seder) with fruits, nuts, and wine (or grape juice). The Tu B’Shvat seder is like a Passover seder: it is literally a meal and a service all blended together. As the PJ library exclaims, the Tu B’Shvat Seder has become a way to savor and appreciate the bounty of this world and to give thanks for all the ways in which the trees provide food, shelter, beauty, air, and valuable life lessons.

Have you ever gone to a Tu B’Shvat seder? Well, here’s your chance. Shir Hadash’s Free Range Torah students are organizing a community-wide Tu B’Shvat seder. Whether you belong to a synagogue or just want to participate in a fun, faith-based celebration of the trees, agriculture and the environment, this event is for you: everyone in the community is invited to attend. Plus, as the service will be led by youth, it will be especially kid-friendly.

The seder will begin at 12:30 p.m. and go to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 8. While a few main dishes will be provided, every family is asked to bring a vegetarian dish to share. Also, there is a small fee of $5 per a person or $10 per family to help defray the cost of the seder. The seder will be in the Oneg Room at Shir Hadash, which is located at 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. There will also be many fun activities such as art & crafts, songs and more.

We hope you will join our family of Free Range Torah students—who are part of a family-based Jewish learning and exploration program at Congregation Shir Hadash. In the Free Range Torah model, parents and kids learn together. Many (but not all) of our gatherings are clustered around Friday night and Saturday morning services and study events. The program includes a rockin’ retreat, fun field trips and values-based outdoor adventures plus book groups and “Shabbat swaps.”

Please contact Nadine at nadine@shirhadash.org or (408) 358-1751 ext. 5 for more information or register at http://bit.ly/1zBSOws.

By Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy, Congregation Shir Hadash

Today, dressing up in costumes is still fun, but now my favorite part of the holiday is the Purim Spiel. Every year, we tell the story of Esther, Mordechai, King Achashverosh and Haman. At Congregation Shir Hadash, like many other synagogues around the country, we tell the Purim tale in a spiel according to some theme or show, where the original story has been rewritten to fit the Purim story. At Shir Hadash, we have told the story of Esther through the music of Annie, Les Miserables, Grease, the Book of Mormon (the Book of Purim), the Lion King, Wicked, and Mary Poppins ─ just to name a few.

The history of Purim spiels goes all the way back to the 1400s where Ashkenazi Jews would tell silly monologues made of rhyming paraphrases of the Book of Esther, holy texts or funny sermons. The word spiel is a Yiddish word that means play or skit and through these monologues, the idea of the Purim spiel was born.

In the 1500s and 1600s, the Purim spiels would take place on Purim, but privately in people’s homes, though they were often performed by Yeshiva students who wore masks and costumes. The spiels were often of a more adult-oriented entertainment and not always appropriate for children. The spiel was a performance, though not necessarily based on the story of Esther.

This continued into the 1700s and 1800s, when the spielers moved beyond contemporary Jewish life to more biblically inspired productions. The Purim spiels sometimes became so vulgar, that the Hamburg community banned them in 1728. And as the 18th century began, the Purim spiels moved from the private homes into a more public forum, such as the synagogue.

Today, we continue performing the Purim spiel and the story of Esther.

Whether it is through a performed recitation, or by puppets, or by the hottest movie or Broadway show, the telling of the story makes it come alive for the rest of the congregation. As Dr. Suess might have said: So, Hooray, Hooray, it’s Purim time, A time to feast, to jest and rhyme!

Come one; come all to hear a story Full of lots of heart and glory.

Away your cares and worries so We’ll sing and dance, away we go To any local synagogue, a costume you shall wear Who knows, perhaps, you’ll see a snowman or a bear Whether you dress as Mordechai, Haman or Esther Who knows you can even go as a jester In costume, you will parade So that all can see what you have made A chant from the Megillah Who knows? Maybe even from a Gorilla?

A 3-sided pastry filled with strawberries or prunes And you won’t have to take a trip to the dunes.

Hooray, Hooray, its Purim time And you hopefully won’t have to spend a dime!

Erev Purim is on Wednesday, March 4, and Purim Day on Thursday, March 5.

Please check the local calendar at www.jvalley.org for various happenings.

16

www.jvalley.org

On being a FEREP

By Becka Ross, NextGen Director It was a cold rainy day in Baltimore two years ago and I was surrounded by three thousand other Jews from around the country at the 2012 Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) General Assembly (GA). All of us were silent as we listened in awe to a conversation between Natan Sharansky, the famed refusenik and CEO of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, author, and Nobel Peace Prize winner. They inspired us all, with Wiesel telling the audience, “It proves to us that everything is possible if you still want it.”

How did I, a graduate student in Los Angeles, get to be privy to such an amazing conversation, as well as meeting and speaking with Jewish professionals and lay leaders who continue to work effortlessly on behalf of the Jewish community? I was at my first GA (in fact, my first Jewish community conference ever) in thanks to my FEREP program fellowship.

Just 6 months earlier, I had been selected along with four other graduate students from across the United States as a FEREP fellow.

FEREP stands for Federation Executive Recruitment and Education Program. This fellowship, open to all students pursuing Masters in order to work in the Jewish community, trains today’s students to become the leaders of tomorrow. Along with a $20,000-a-year scholarship towards our tuition, FEREP fellows are brought to various JFNA conferences, participate in quarterly learning conference calls, and are mentored by senior professionals in the Jewish Federation community. After graduation, all FEREP fellows commit to working for at least two years at a Jewish Federation.

The support I receive from the FEREP program has made such a difference in my life as a professional. I have a cohort of 16 other FEREP fellows (those currently who are in school and those who are also in their commitment years) that I can discuss programs, ideas, and trends in the Jewish community which have made me a better professional. FEREP has created access for me to speak with almost anyone working in the field and the mentoring I have received has been invaluable. I could not do my work today as NextGen Director without my experience as a FEREP fellow.

For more information on applying for FEREP, please visit www.ferep.org or email FEREPscholarship@jewishfederations.org.

To speak with Becka directly about her experiences with the FEREP program, contact her at (408) 357-7502 or becka@jvalley.org.

Monthly support group for those affected by mental illness Jewish Family Services and NAMI of Santa Clara County announce a free monthly support group for people with mental illness and their loved ones. The group begins Monday, January 12 and will be held the second Monday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30pm.

JFS wants people living with mental illness to know they are not alone. This group provides support, education, and advocacy.

Attending this support group strengthens members by effectively using the medical, legal, and government systems, learning about brain disorders, and helping others by sharing knowledge and experience.

Contact Jodi Capitola-Duran, ACSW at JFS for more information at (408) 357-7456 or email jodicd@jfssv.org.

ask the rabbi Are we really commanded to get drunk on Purim?

By Rabbi Debbi Israel, Congregation Emeth Soon we will celebrate the holiday of Purim. The story of Purim teaches important core values: that one person can make a significant difference, that good triumphs over evil, that everyone has the potential to be a hero. This holiday is so important that our rabbinic sages taught that in Messianic times, even if all other holidays are abolished, Purim will continue.

The story of Purim takes place in the 4th century BCE, in Sushan, Persia, under the reign of King Achashverosh. A Jewish girl called Esther, who was raised and guided by Mordecai, became the queen. Haman, the Prime Minister, plotted “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.”

Through Esther’s bravery, the plan was thwarted and the Jewish people were saved. Of the many traditions associated with this festive holiday, one of the most puzzling is the common myth that we are commanded to get drunk on Purim. The Talmudic sage Rava teaches that a person is obligated “to get drunk with wine” on Purim until one does not know the difference between “cursed be Haman” and “blessed be Mordechai.” The medieval scholar Maimonides explains this to mean that a person is obligated to drink until one falls asleep, at which point the person will not be able to distinguish between things.

The Talmud tells this spiritual allegory (Megillah 7b): Rabbah and Rav Zeira celebrated the Purim feast together.

They became intoxicated. Rabbah arose and slew Rav Zeira. The next day, Rabbah prayed for mercy (on Rav Zeira’s behalf) and brought him back to life. The following year, [Rabbah] again asked [Rav Zeira], “Come, let us celebrate the Purim feast together.” Rav Zeira answered him: “A miracle does not happen every time!”

While the story is humorous, and even shocking, there are a few points to be made. First, why drink on this holiday?

Three crucial events associated with Purim have to do with wine: 1. The story begins with the King’s 180-day party. On the seventh day of this party, the Purim Megillah (relating the story of Purim) tells us that the king’s heart was “merry with wine.”

2. Esther was crowned queen during a feast of wine.

3. Haman’s execution took place during another wine feast.

And why did the sages of the Talmud tell us the story of Rabbah and Rav Zeria? Was it offered as a warning to celebrate with wine, while adding a cautionary note? A later writer, Rabbi Ephraim, says this incident is told in order to refute the ruling that one must become drunk on Purim. Some of our sages ruled that one should become intoxicated while others say the requirement is simply that one should drink more than one usually does. continued on page 27

www.jvalley.org

17

The next chapter is going to surprise you...

Welcome to PJ Our Way

Jewish diversity continued from page 13 The Queen and the Captive and The Warrior Maiden. They will discuss the role played by women in preserving the songs brought with them from Spain.

The members of Gryphons Wild sing and play many instruments, including recorders, percussion, harp, guitar, and sruti box.

Quality coffees and delicious Sephardic desserts round out this fun and educational evening, all free of charge. (408) 358-1751

Bringing delicious extra rich Shabbat Challah from the famous Diamond Bakery on Fairfax in Los Angeles to the South Bay It’s so easy!

Children ages 9-11 select free monthly chapter books Sign up today at pjourway.org Info: Arielle@jvalley.org or 408.357.7501

Place your order online.

Pick up your Challah at a convenient location on Friday No shipping charge! Pick up locations in San Jose Los Gatos Cupertino Los Altos Palo Alto Sunnyvale Santa Clara

TheChallahExpress.com

Baby and Me

A free weekly program for all Jewish families with babies ages 0-2. Join Baby and Me for a different activity every Thursday from 10–11 am.

1st Thursdays of the month: “Baby and Me Hits the Road” rotating at the different preschools. Check jvalley.org/babyandme for specific locations 2nd Thursdays of the month: Baby and Me Yoga Club J, Levy Family Campus 3rd Thursdays of the month: Stroller Fitness Walk Club J, Levy Family Campus 4th Thursdays of the month: Snories (Snacks and Stories) Club J, Levy Family Campus

RSVP to becka@jvalley.org | 408-357-7502 | www.jvalley.org/babyandme Drop-ins also welcome! ® OF SILICON VALLEY

18

www.jvalley.org

community relations Just Words Diane Fisher, Community Relations Council Director As outlined in the last installment of “Just Words,” our Jewish institutions provide a broad spectrum of opportunities to engage in social action and social justice work. But for many Jews in our community, their day-in, day-out work constitutes a professional dedication to tzedakah. I explored the question of how Jewish values and professional values intersect with Front End Program Manager Jonathan Weinberg at the Department of Family and Children’s Services, County of Santa Clara.

Twenty-five years ago this last December, Jonathan Weinberg took an entry-level job at the County of Santa Clara as a case worker. He always knew he wanted to work with kids, after spending summers running JCC camps and childcare programs.

But something much deeper led him to spend his time helping children who are victims of abuse or neglect, and helping parents kick drug habits and keep their children at home. My question to Jonathan—was it a conscious religious value that inspired him? Thousands of cases later, and from the vantage point of senior management rather than a case worker, Jonathan says it’s a chicken-and-the-egg question. It’s hard to say whether his professional values informed his religious values, or vice versa. What he can say is that the job has changed him, and that at this point, his religious and professional lives inform each other.

It’s not a trivial choice to work on issues that people don’t like

FD262

Serving the entire Jewish Community for over 110 years Honoring the dignity of the deceased and providing compassion and support for the living    

Advanced planning counseling At-need arrangements Bereavement support and services Burial at all Jewish cemeteries locally and globally

Peninsula Office (FD1830) 777 Woodside Road, Suite C, Redwood City

(408) 297-3636

to talk about—Jonathan doesn’t share work stories at cocktail parties. It’s a job with a lot of stress and lower compensation than other Silicon Valley careers. Even the media doesn’t like to cover child abuse, it’s just really uncomfortable. Coming from a nice, upper-middle-class, suburban upbringing, Jonathan’s career has exposed him to seriously bad stuff, and at times leads him to a feeling of despair over human nature.

Jonathan attributes his commitment to this work to a combination of family, personal and Jewish influences. His family instilled in him from an early age a strong belief in giving back to the community. His parents and grandparents led by example—communal responsibility was part of the DNA of everyday life. He also was intrinsically an optimistic person. He knew he wasn’t inspired to chase the competitive Silicon Valley dream of money; he wanted to make a difference. He believes that kids are the least well-represented among advocates, and many of the parents he helps are victims of a society that doesn’t take care of its people.

It is very telling though, what inspiration hangs on Jonathan’s wall, and which he shares with all his staff. It’s a quote from Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers, the book of the Mishna which Jews traditionally study every spring. It’s the teaching of Rabbi Tarfon, “It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either” (2:16).

Jonathan knows that there are people who are alive today because of his involvement in repairing their lives. He knows that kids who emancipate out of the foster care system don’t have good outcomes, so the work to repair families and keep them together is worth the energy. Despite seeing much human capacity for bad, he has also seen amazing examples of people changing their lives for the better. The ability to do that depends on having a sense of hope. His job each day is to instill a ray of hope into the lives of the troubled families and into the spirits of the case workers in his department who handle heavy loads. He believes, humbly, that he is good at that, and that this work gives him the reward that allows him to close his eyes comfortably each night and rise up to begin the work again each morning.

Home of Peace Cemetery and Mausoleum

Robert L. Malinow (FDR894) Managing Funeral Director rmalinow@sinaichapel.org

Wayne A. Rose (FDR979) Funeral Director wrose@sinaichapel.org

FDIC insured Pre-need funeral arrangements available.

Founded 1853

Owned and Operated by Temple Emanu-El South Bay Area’s only Jewish-owned Cemetery, Mausoleum and Columbarium Pre-Need Terms

Bob Basuino, Administrator

(408) 292-0939 cemetery@templesanjose.org

www.jvalley.org

19

Our building is down but our programming is up!

Groundbreaking Ceremony Sunday, January 25th

Artist in Residence

Scholar in Residence

January 28th—- February 1st

March 20th – 22nd

Mordecai Rosenstein

Ron Wolfson

Purim at CBD

Israel’s Election and its Future: A REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK With

Janine Zacharia,

Journalist, News Analyst, Visiting Scholar at Stanford University

February 11, 2015

Purim Shpiel

Wednesday, March 4th

For all ages created by the Guggenheims of MeshugaNutcracker fame plus dinner and Megillah readings

Purim Carnival

Sunday, March 8th

Congregation Beth David 19700 Prospect Road ● Saratoga ● 408.257.3333 ● Beth-David.org

7:00pm Levy Family Campus, Adult Lounge

Free, space limited.

Registration required at jvalley.org/israelelections

® OF SILICON VALLEY

Community Relations Council

PICTURE 10227 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino, CA 408.446.2900 vardysjewelers.com

J E W E L E R S

2000

heartsonfire.com

EUROPEAN GOLDSMITH

4135-Vardys_Ad_4.875x6.25.indd 1 3/20/13 5:14 PM 20

www.jvalley.org

Jewish Food ― for Body and Soul

By Eleanor Weber Dickman Shopping Jewish in Silicon Valley is becoming easier and easier to do these days. For dining out, you can enjoy Jerusalem Grill and Bar in Campbell. If you need glatt kosher catering (approved by the Vaad of Northern California), you can call Yes Catering. And for diversity of choice for kosher beverages, just visit Royal Liquors store in San Jose.

Food for the soul ― in the form of Jewish toys and games, ritual and decorative Jewish arts and crafts, and a wide variety of books ― can be found at Alef Bet in Los Gatos.

The Jerusalem Grill and Bar, located at 1740 South Winchester Boulevard in Campbell, has been serving the greater Bay Area for over three years, serving grilled entrees such as shwarma, lamb chops, beef steaks, and chicken, with, of course couscous and other delicacies on the side. Also supervised by Vaad Hakashrus of Northern California), the Jerusalem Grill and Bar specializes in Israeli and Middle Eastern food. Currently offering a variety of beer and wine, the restaurant is planning to open a full bar soon. The owners claim “Our goal is to provide a clean and kosher environment combined with our signature mouthwatering entrees and excellent customer service.” The restaurant also offers a full catering service (contact them at catering@jerusalemgrillbar.com), and orders for Shabbat dinners can be home-delivered with sufficient advance notice. (408) 866-2666 Yes Catering (which can be reached by calling owners Meni and Margarita Peretz at (650) 456-7000), started three years ago and now serves about 1,000 meals each month. The service caters weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and events sponsored by local Jewish organizations.

Their menu includes kosher versions of vegetarian spring rolls, vegetable quiches, Burmese samosas, borekas, Kosher sushi, deviled eggs with caviar or smoked salmon, dolmas, and a sushi bar.

Royal Liquors Store, located at 3144 Williams Road, San Jose, opened in 1997 and promises “a great selection of whatever you are looking for in a bottle.” They feature a newly remodeled “craft” beer section featuring limited release and new beers as well as seasonal items.

They promise “the largest Kosher wine selection in the entire South Bay Area,” as well as a wide variety of Kosher “spirits.” Royal Liquors hosts tasting events on the first Wednesday of every month. Their website promises “good selection, good prices, good people.” (408) 260-1098 Pars Kosher Market, 3978 Bascom Avenue in Campbell, has become a destination for families looking for an extensive line of kosher chicken and beef, and offers a selection of bakery items from Eilat Bakery in Fairfax, Los Angeles. Pars promises Israeli products that are difficult to find in regular supermarkets. Operated by Iranian-born owners Rami and Nadia Haluyan, who have been living in Saratoga since 2006, the market’s name refers to their Persian culture. (408) 996-2742

l cal news Mah Jongg Tournament awards proceeds to JFS

By Arielle Hendel

This year, Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley (WP) held its sixth Annual Mah Jongg tournament. Our community mavens, Karen Guggenheim and Doris Katz chaired the event. Once again, the event was sold out!

As has become the custom, WP awards the proceeds to worthy charities here and in Israel. This year, WP chose to support Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley’s (JFS) Embrace-A-Family program. More specifically, WP is allocating the Mah Jongg Tournament proceeds to purchase bicycles, helmets and locks from Good Karma Bikes for clients of JFS. The Embrace-A-Family program had identified that JFS clients needed 100 bicycles. WP was able to give enough money to purchase 36 bicycles, helmets and locks. WP is proud to be able to give 36 people the ability to transport themselves to school and/ or work.

The tournament also awards prizes to the top 10 mavens and the top novice playing in the tournament. Susie Brenner won First place for the Maven division, followed in order by Susan Greenbaum, Ellie Gerstley, Elisa Itkowitz, Thalia Greene, Mona Eidenberg, Gail Ouchi, Marty Johnson and Jessica Bernhardt. Jan Olsen won the first place in the Novice division.

Now for nourishment of a different source! Alef Bet Judaica, in the Vasona Station Shopping Center at 14103-D Winchester Boulevard, Los Gatos, offers a wide range of Judaic articles, ritual objects, books, music, and other learning tools, and Jewish art. The store, established in 1993, is owned and run by Nurit Sabadosh, an Israeli native and long-time Jewish educator, who is committed to making her store “a central point for all Jewish life, simchas, and needs.

Serving our community has been a continued pleasure throughout the years.” “Alef Bet,” the beginning of the Hebrew alphabet, is a wonderful beginning into a journey of Jewish culture and intellectual resources. (408) 370-1818 www.jvalley.org

21

Temple Emanu-El

Create . Connect . Celebrate At Shir Hadash

Shabbat in Nature Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 AM Once a quarter we join together in a bay area state park to celebrate the joy of Shabbat in a natural setting.

• Create lasting friendships, in our welcoming, and vibrant Reform Jewish community.

• Connect through new experiences like our Haggadah making class in February.

• Celebrate connectedness, spiritual growth, and lifelong learning.

Rock Shabbat - Spring and Love Friday, February 20 at 7:30 PM Join us for a rockin’ Shabbat service featuring the amazing musical stylings of our Rock Shabbat band!

Purim Spiel and Carnival Sunday, March 1 beginning at 11:00 AM Come join in the celebration with lots of Purim fun! Carnival games, prizes, crafts, jump house, costumes, boxed lunches, cotton candy, popcorn, hamentaschen, and a fantastic raffle.

Erev Purim Wednesday, March 4 Join us for a potluck dinner and discussion at 6:00 PM followed by a Megillah reading at 7:00 PM. Be sure to wear your best Purim costume!

“Tu B’Shvat, Purim and Shabbat information at shirhadash.org” Congregation Shir Hadash 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos • 408-358-1751

NEXTGEN SHABBAT A monthly rotating Shabbat experience open to all young adults in their 20s/30s

January 23: Congregation Sinai February 27: Temple Emanu-El March: TBD April 24: Congregation Shir Hadash INFORMATION/RSVP:

www.jvalley.org/nextgenshabbat Contact Becka Ross at 408.357.7502 becka@jvalley.org

®

22

www.jvalley.org

Julie Krigel lives tzedakah

By Eleanor Weber Dickman Julie Krigel is an intelligent, eloquent, and passionate supporter of Jewish community, and has been so all her life. She credits her parents Ruth and Al Sporer, for her sense of commitment to Jewish causes, acknowledging them as “amazing role models for the concept of tzedakah and communal responsibility.” Her mother often quoted the famous Rabbi Hillel “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?”

This was the creed that directed the values she has tried to live by for many years ― for her synagogue, Congregation Sinai; for Yavneh, the Jewish Day School that both her sons attended; and for the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, for which she currently serves as president of the Board of Directors.

She thinks that “when you pledge your hard-earned dollars every year, it is a statement of how much you value the work our Federation does on behalf of its many beneficiary agencies and projects, and when you talk to other people about their own gifts, you get to talk about things that really matter!”

When something happens, Julie believes, “the questions will be, who will be there to respond? Who will remember the words ‘never again’? That is what drives me.” In the past, our Federations across North America were able to bring 1.5 million Soviet Jews from the USSR to the United States and Israel in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as save over 25,000 Ethiopian Jews, airlifting them to Israel, in the 1990s. “Many people took on the responsibility to make those rescues happen, and I believe we need to ensure that there will be another generation to carry on the very important work of our Federation, including rescue and resettlement, wherever and whenever Jews are threatened around the world.”

With Julie, tzedakah is a family affair. Her husband, Stuart, now serving his second year on the Kiddush Cup Challenge, has also served in many leadership positions in the community, including president of Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley. Her sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Dan Schiff, have served on multiple boards and chaired this year’s Major Gifts dinner. Cousin Steve Ellenberg, past-president of Federation, continues to serve with Julie on the executive board; his wife Susan is a past-president of Yavneh and its current social justice teacher. Her parents and aunt Maureen Ellenberg still donate time, treasure, and talents as well. Julie herself served for 12 years on the Women’s Philanthropy Board as a member of the campaign cabinet, the campaign chair and president.

She says, “I am glad that I have spent so much of my own “Three T’s” on this lifelong endeavor we call Judaism.”

Julie contributes most by example, and her infectious smile is irresistible. She firmly believes that “it is important for everybody in our community to have this sense of responsibility, to take on the same obligation. I want to inspire others to share this commitment as well. This is something I really value. I thank those who are already helping, and ask more to join me.”

With such an attitude, how could anyone resist joining Julie Sporer Krigel in the wonderful and important adventure of keeping our Jewish community vibrant and alive?

leadership Conversation Starters: an evening of educational insights

By Daniela Silverstein, Yavneh Day School Yavneh Day School is excited to announce a special event on Wednesday evening, March 25. The Board of Trustees will install our new Head of School, Zvi Weiss.

To highlight this special occasion, Yavneh will host a discussion panel with some of the area’s leading thinkers on the future of education. Mistress of Ceremonies will be Susan Ellenberg, former Yavneh parent, current Yavneh teacher and recently-elected member of the San Jose Unified School Board.

This significant event will bring parents, grandparents and community together to join in an entertaining conversation with respected and influential figures whose educational expertise bring lay, professional and academic perspectives to domains of education, from traditional school venues to corporate education and online learning.

Moderated by Dr. Lee S. Shulman, professor emeritus at Stanford Graduate School of Education, president emeritus of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and a member of Kehillah Jewish High School’s Academic Advisory Committee, Dr. Shulman brings his years of knowledge and research in the area of pedagogical application to the conversation.

Panel experts include: Denise Pope, Ph.D., senior lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, author of “Doing School,” co-founder of Challenge Success and a past board member of Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School; Marc Dollinger, Ph.D., the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility at San Francisco State University, current president of Jewish Community High School and past-president of Brandeis Hillel Day School; and Candice Reimers, lead of Google’s Education Team, a former educator and administrator at schools in Palo Alto, Switzerland and Mexico and a current member of Yavneh Day School’s Board of Trustees. The panelists are honored to participate in the evening supporting Yavneh Day School and its efforts to enrich Yavneh’s approach to education. Please join us for this unique and informative evening.

Chaired by Yavneh parent Heidi Zinman, in coordination with Lynn Osband’s Events, Conversation Starters will be held from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley on the Levy Family Campus in Los Gatos and a light supper and desserts will be catered by Lucy Fried of Deliciously Yours Catering. This evening is a fundraiser benefiting Yavneh Day School. For more information and tickets, please contact Daniela Silverstein at (408) 984-6700 or daniela@yavnehdayschool.org.

www.jvalley.org

23

datebook

All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted.

ONGOING EVENTS SUNDAYS Knitzvah APJCC, 10:30 AM, 2/15, 3/15 JFS volunteer knitters, crocheters and seamstresses meet to create & distribute beautiful handmade creations to 18 nonprofits. All ages and levels of experience welcome.

Yarn donations welcome. loric@jfssv.org, 556-0600 TUESDAYS Classic Jewish Texts Levy Family Campus, 9:30 AM Study “Duties of the Heart” with JSN’s Rabbi Joey Felsen. info@jsn.info, (650) 493-5764 Israeli Folk Dancing Emanu-El, 7:30 PM Beginner folk dancers—no partners needed. 292-0939 WEDNESDAYS Ima & Me Sinai, 9 AM Children up to 2 years of age. Join other moms and bond with your child while exploring through play, music & movement! FREE. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 Lunch and Learn, Song of Songs Emanu-El, Noon, 1/21, 2/18, 3/18 Bring lunch and join Cantor Meeka Simerly for an in-depth study of Song of Songs, one of the five Megillot (scrolls).

Materials provided; no previous study required. 292-0939, stephanie@templesanjose.org Lunch and Learn, Torah Study Emanu-El, Noon, 1/28, 2/25 Bring your lunch and share in a discussion of Torah as Rabbi Magat and a dedicated band of students continue to explore the text. No previous study required; new faces welcome! stephanie@templesanjose.org, 292-0939

Lunch and Learn Emanu-El, Noon, 2/11, 3/11 Bring your lunch and join in a stimulating conversation with Rabbi Magat on recent events, political happenings and other relevant topics. 292-0939 THURSDAYS Silicon Valley Beit Midrash Sinai, 9:30-11 AM Join Rabbi Josh Berkenwald for in-depth study of Jewish thought, belief, and practice.

No fee; drop-ins are welcome; no experience necessary.

Schedule subject to change.

Please check the Sinai Silicon Valley Beit Midrash event listing for up-to-date information.

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 Baby and Me Events Various locations, 10 AM See ad on page 18.

Siddur Hebrew Reading Class Level 2 Sinai, 11 AM Already comfortable with basic Hebrew reading? This class uses the book “Alef Isn’t Enough,” and selections from the prayer book to further strengthen skills. Taught by Alisa Israel Goldberg. No fee; open to all. limmud@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 Engaging Israel: Foundation for a New Relationship Sinai, 7 PM Through video lectures, text study, and discussion groups, Rabbi Josh Berkenwald leads this exploration on Jewish values and ideas at the foundation of our relationships with Israel. 264-8542 FRIDAYS Talmud Study Beth David, 8:30 AM Join a lively discussion in the exploration of Jewish rituals and rules. Newcomers encouraged to join! Donations welcome. 257-3333

Stroller Fitness Emanu-El, 9 AM A stroller-based indoor/ outdoor exercise class using cardio and strength training as well as stretching. $5/class. jmschnitzer@gmail.com, 292-0939 Spiritual Ethics Discussion Group Beth David, 10 AM Explore Jewish wisdom dealing with ethics and morals in this participant-led group. Newcomers welcome.

Donations appreciated. 2573333, adulted@beth-david.org Tot Shabbat and Catered Dinner Emanu-El, 6 PM, 1/16, 2/20, 3/20 Brief services for families with young children, followed by a delicious dinner. Free. 2920939 Shabbatluck Dinner Emanu-El, 6:15 PM, 2/6, 3/6 Share a meal with the congregation before the Family Shabbat Service. Please bring a kosher-style main or side dish to share. stephanie@ templesanjose.org, 292-0939 SATURDAYS Singing the Siddur Sinai, 9 AM, 1/24, 2/28 Come practice singing the Shabbat prayers. No fee. Open to all. No registration required. limmud@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 Baby Shabbat Emanu-El, 9 AM, 2/14, 3/14 Shabbat experience for families with children 0-30 months.

Songs, stories and play. Oneg sponsored by Sisterhood.

Siblings welcome! 292-0939, stephanie@templesanjose.org Youth Services Sinai, 10:30 AM, 1/31, 2/28 K-2nd grade families join for songs, stories and games led by Jamie Zimmer. 3rd-6th graders have a learner’s minyan where they practice leading prayers led by Eve Havivi. 7th grade B’nei Mitzvah students will focus on the theme of the month. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542

Torah Study Shir Hadash, 9:30 AM Begin with a section of the Parashat HaShavuah (weekly Torah portion) and then layer onto our study the commentary of Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, known as the Gerrer Rebbe, through a wonderful translation of his work by Arthur Green, one of the foremost contemporary scholars of Jewish mysticism and Neo-Hasidism. Step out of your weekday world and join us for 50 minutes on a different plane. Some of those attending Torah study stay on for Shabbat morning services, but it is not required. Informal dress and drop-ins are welcome. 3581751, nadine@shirhadash.org Torah for Tots Sinai, 11 AM, 2/7, 3/7 Singing, movement, stories and more for nursery-age children and the adults they bring.

Followed by lunch with the congregation. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 Hot Topics in Halakhah Today Beth David, 1:30 PM, 2/7, 3/7 Join Rabbi Ohriner to discuss the hottest halakhic issues facing our community, the Conservative movement and the Jewish world. 257-3333, adulted@beth-david.org

UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 Jewish Artists Group: Kipot– Theory and Production Beth David, 1:30 PM This group is open to all artists in the Jewish community. Ann Tavan will do a presentation on Kipot – Theory and Production.

Feel free to bring your artistic kipot along. Followed by discussion. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Ani V’Atah Acapella Group Performance Beth David, 7:30 PM Ani V’Ata is New York University’s Premier Jewish A Cappella Group, comprised of about twenty talented undergraduate students.

Dessert reception to follow.

24

www.jvalley.org

Ticket pricing: $10/person cash at the door; $5/BBYO or USY member (ID necessary); children under 12 free. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 Mitzvah Day 2015 Shir Hadash, 9 AM Projects support many local non-profit organizations. There are projects for every skill level and the whole family. shanda@shirhadash.org, 3581751 Mitzvah Day Emanu-El, 9:30 AM This all-ages event has many opportunities, and sign-up is encouraged in advance.

For more info contact Greg turtzkyg@yahoo.com or 2920939 THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 Power of Women Fourth Street Garage in San Jose, 6 PM Honoring Robin Sabes, Janet Berg Awardee, with entertainment by comedian and author Carol Leifer. Event chaired by Linda Mighdoll. $72/ person; $108/patron (includes signed book). arielle@jvalley.org, 357-7501 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 Generations Day Yavneh, 11 AM A day for grandparents and special friends to spend time with Yavneh students in the classroom and celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat together. daniele@yavnehdayschool.org, 984-6700 NextGen Shabbat Sinai, 6 PM See ad on page 22.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 Girl Scouts’ Shabbat Sinai, 9 AM Girl Scouts are invited to spend Shabbat morning at Sinai where they will be participating in the Torah procession and lead Ashrei, Aleinu and Adon Olam.

They will also learn about Jewish observance of Shabbat and synagogue rituals with Dana Berkenwald. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 Groundbreaking Ceremony Beth David, 10 AM A celebration and ceremony taking Beth David into the next 50 years. Refreshments and activities. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Book Discussion Group: Jeremiah Beth David, 1:30 PM Discussion of Jeremiah (biblical book), led by Rabbi Philip Ohriner. 257-3333, adulted@beth-david.org

Jewbilee APJCC, 1 PM See ad on page 15.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Mah Jongg Tournament Beth David, 10 AM Includes prizes and lunch!

Tournament is 12 games, 4 per hour. Players rotate each hour. $40/person. Proceeds support Silicon Valley Rotating Shelter. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 Artist in Residence Beth David, 6 PM Join Mordecai Rosenstein for this teen dinner and hands-on art experience to kick-off the artist in residence experience. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 Teen Shabbat Sinai, 9 AM Sinai teens will lead various parts of the regular Shabbat services. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 Stories in Song: Sephardic Romances Re-Imagined Sinai, 7:30 PM See story on page 13.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Super Bowl XLIX Party Sinai, 3 PM Light snacks and beverages provided. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Women’s Workshop Emanu-El, 1 PM This workshop, featuring local health professionals, is for women from teens to golden girls. $18/person. stephanie@ templesanjose.org, 292-0939 A Night at the Ranch Levy Family Campus, 6 PM See ad on page 32.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 N.E.D. – The Movie AMC Cupertino, 6:30 PM See ad on page 12.

Let’s Do Dinner Literary Circle: Geralyn Lucas APJCC, 7 PM See ad on page 11.

Sunday Seminar: Reshaping Judaism and Reordering the Jewish World Beth David, 10:30 AM adulted@beth-david.org, 2573333 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Rock Shabbat – Spring and Love Emanu-El, 7:30 PM A rockin’ Shabbat service featuring the musical stylings of the Emanu-El Rock Shabbat Band! 292-0939, stephanie@templesanjose.org SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Minyan, Tea & Torah Emanu-El, 10 AM Join Cantor Meeka Simerly for an egalitarian program.

292-0939, stephanie@templesanjosr.org SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Super Sunday Levy Family Campus, 9 AM See ad on page 5.

Sunday Seminar – Constantinople: New Rome in the East and its Christian Empire Beth David, 10:30 AM Dr. Fred Atren, chair of the Department of Jewish Studies at San Francisco State, investigates what happened to the Roman Empire after it officially became Christian and what that meant for the Jews. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 NextGen Shabbat Emanu-El, 7 PM See ad on page 22.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 The Road to the 2016 Elections Beth David, 1:30 PM Dr. Larry Gerston, professor of Political Science at San Jose State University, discusses results of the 2014 general election and what that portends for 2016. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 South Bay Teen Idol SemiFinals APJCC, 7 PM diana@svjcc.org, 357-7402 Purim Masquerade Ball Sinai, 7:30 PM Featuring the Sol Tevel Band and the Sinaites. $40/person in advance or $50 at the door; includes one drink. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 SUNDAY, MARCH 1 Purim Carnival and Spiel Emanu-El, 11 AM Carnival games, prizes, crafts, jump house, costumes, boxed lunches, cotton candy, popcorn, hamentashen and raffle! 292-0939, stephanie@templesanjose.org Purim Carnival 2015 Shir Hadash, 11:30 AM Midway games, bounce houses, super slide, animals, balloon twisting, fire truck, face painting, snacks and lunch! Play all day! 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org TUESDAY, MARCH 3 Good Morning JFS! Villa Ragusa in Campbell, 7:30 AM Enjoy a free breakfast while you learn more about Jewish Family Services. We promise to tug at your heart and get you out by 9 AM. 556-0600, goodmorning@jfssv.org WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 Purim Beth David, 5:45 PM Purim crafts, Family Megillah reading, spaghetti dinner, Purim Spiel by the Guggenheims and a full Megillah reading at 8 PM! info@beth-david.org, 257-3333

www.jvalley.org

25

Erev Purim Emanu-El, 6 PM A potluck dinner and discussion followed by Megillah reading.

Be sure to wear your costume! stephanie@templesanjose.org, 292-0939 5775/2015 Purim Extravaganza Sinai, 6 PM Featuring live music and a complete Megillah reading.

No cover charge; fun for all! office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 THURSDAY, MARCH 5 Morning Service and Megillah Reading Sinai, 9 AM Groggers and schnapps provided. Free; all are welcome. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 FRIDAY, MARCH 6 Purim Carnival Emeth, 5:30 PM For more details: info@emeth.net, 778-8200 SUNDAY, MARCH 8 Book Group: “The Hare with the Amber Eyes Shir Hadash, 10:45 AM Borrow a copy of this book

by Edmund de Waal from the Temple, read and enjoy a spirited conversation! 358-1751 nadine@shirhadash.org Purim Carnival Beth David, 11 AM Fun for the whole family! Singa-long and carnival! info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Purim Carnival Sinai, 11 AM Purim puppet show and costume parade for kids of all ages. Carnival and Persian lunch, arts and crafts, bounce house, giant slide, rock climbing and more! No RSVP required. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 Josephus: Witness to the World of Hillel and Jesus Shir Hadash, 7 PM This visually rich course will take you to first-century Israel to visit the sites Josephus knew so well. Along the way you’ll learn about him and his fight

against, and willingness to surrender to, the Romans. Was he a hero or traitor? 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Paws Shabbat Emanu-El, 10 AM Celebrate Shabbat with your four-legged friends. Bring your dog(s) for a morning service in the courtyard. Walk will follow service. 292-0939, stephanie@templesanjose.org Book Discussion Group: “The Museum of Extraordinary Things” Beth David, 1:30 PM A discussion of Alice Hoffman’s novel, led by Ruth Kohan. adulted@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Baghdad: Islamic Metropolis and Jewish Mother City Beth David, 10:30 AM Dr. Fred Astren, chair of the Department of Jewish Studies at San Francisco State, discusses what happened when Islam was established, its community went on to create a world empire, and what that meant for Jews. 257-3333, adulted@beth-david.org SUNDAY, MARCH 15 Hillel of Silicon Valley Annual Event Fourth Street Garage, San Jose, 5 PM See article on page 29.

International Holocaust Remembrance San Jose City Council Proclamation

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 1:30pm Join with local Holocaust survivors, Councilwoman Rose Herrera and Mayor Sam Liccardo in marking the date that Auschwitz was liberated, during the Ceremonial Items of the regular meeting of the San Jose City Council.

January 27 was proclaimed as International Holocaust Remembrance Day by the United Nations in 2005. AuschwitzBirkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, was liberated on January 27, 1945.

For information: diane@jvalley.org

® OF SILICON VALLEY

Community Relations Council

Call Me for the Very Best Strategy. . .

Visit jvalley.org to submit upcoming events.

When You are Ready to Make Your Next

MOVE!

Rosa Bencuya, Realtor®

408.499.2077 | rbencuya@apr.com

HomeByRosa.com

Servicing the cities from Willow Glen to Saratoga and all communities in-between

apr.com | SARATOGA 12772 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road

26

www.jvalley.org

Ask the Rabbi continued from page 17 In my opinion, we know that wine increases gladness and we are commanded to be happy on Purim. So, with or without wine, fulfill the mitzvah of experiencing this wonderful holiday in happiness!

Los Gatos Memorial Park Shalom Garden

Serving the Bay Area Jewish community since 1889 Peaceful, park-like setting overlooking Santa Cruz Mountains

*Pre Plan and receive a discount *Graveside Ceremonies in a serene setting *Upright monuments available *Trained funeral professionals *Traditional caskets and ritual services

Schedule a tour of Shalom Garden and receive a

$25

Viva Restaurant Gift Card!

2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., San Jose, CA 95124

www.losgatosmemorialpark.com

(408) 356-4151 Darling-Fischer Mortuaries Chapel of the Hills 615 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354-7740 FD940

Garden Chapel 471 E. Santa Clara St. San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 998-2226 FD557

Campbell Memorial Chapel 231 E. Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 379-5010 FD898

www.darlingandfischer.com

SAVING LIVES EVERY DAY The situation in Jerusalem is volatile. Recent terror attacks on innocent Israeli citizens are tragic. Our hearts are with the victims and their families, and all the people of Jerusalem Hadassah Medical Organization, with two extraordinary hospitals in Jerusalem, continues to treat these victims with speed, efficiency and, above all, medical excellence. We are proud of the invaluable role our physicians and nurses play today and every day in saving the lives of the people of Israel.

WISHING YOU JOY, PEACE AND GOOD HEALTH IN THE YEAR AHEAD.

Hadassah Central Pacific Coast 415.771.5900 CPCR@HADASSAH.ORG HADASSAH.ORG/CPCR

©2014 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah is a registered trademark of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

HADASSAH Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

CPC AD_OR_12 4 14.indd 1 12/4/14 www.jvalley.org

27

4:56 PM

Jewish Professional Directory Attorneys Christl Denecke

“Helping you plan for your family’s tomorrow at every stage of your life.”

1743 Pilgrim Avenue Mountain View, CA 94040 (650) 336-5185 Christl@DeneckePlanning.com www.DeneckePlanning.com Family Wealth Planning • Living Trusts • Special Needs Trusts • Estate Planning for Young Families Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families

Philip L. Hammer

Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel 60 S. Market St., Ste. 1400 San Jose, CA 95113 (408) 287-9501 plh@hogefenton.com www.hogefenton.com/hammer.html Specializing in complex family law matters.

Certified Specialist in Family Law, State Bar of CA; Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Audiology Marni Novick, AuD

“Open your ears to a new world of sound.”

Silicon Valley Hearing, Inc. 340 Dardanelli Lane, Suite 22 Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 540-7128 info@siliconvalleyhearing.com; siliconvalleyhearing.com Our Doctor of Audiology, whose own experience with hearing loss led her to help others with theirs, has 13 years’ experience fitting hearing aids and wireless assistive listening devices.

Our services include comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid consultations, balance assessments, and tinnitus evaluations and management.

Commercial Real Estate

“Trust Your Trust to Us!” 1142 S. Winchester Blvd., Ste. B San Jose, CA 95128 (408) 244-4992 attderryl@comcast.net www.fulllifecareplanner.net Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law. Mediation Facilitor.

595 Millich Drive, Suite 101, Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 871-8722 x222 Fax (408) 834-4959 www.guggenheimrgi.com Commercial Real Estate Management, Investments, and Leasing. Call us for your property management, leasing and sales needs.

Allen Guggenheim & Gary Naillon

Financial Services

Michael W. Malter

Binder & Malter, LLP 2775 Park Avenue Santa Clara, CA 95050 (408) 295-1700 Michael@bindermalter.com www.bindermalter.com Certified Specialist, Bankruptcy Law The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Specializing in all aspects of bankruptcy representation, issues re distressed real estate and asset protection.

Lynne R. Snyder

101 Church St., Suite 13, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 354-5590 Adoption, Custody, Dissolutions, Guardianship, Juvenile Court, Paternity

Shannon Stein

Law Offices of Shannon Stein 438 South Murphy Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 774-9097 shannon@shannonsteinlaw.com www.shannonsteinlaw.com Family Law Attorney, specializing in dissolutions, child custody, child support, mediation, restraining orders, limited scope representation, postjudgement issues.

Carol Elias Zolla

16450 Los Gatos Boulevard, Suite 208, Los Gatos, CA 95032 Tel: 408-358-6900 carol@zollalawfirm.com www.zollalawfirm.com Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

Senior Services Lyn Pasqua DELIVERED BY GRACE

Guggenheim Realty Group, Inc Law Office of Derryl H. Molina

Financial Services

Orna & Ruben Yomtoubian

408-253-2250 or 408-887-8239 888-Do0-Fees 888-360-3337 Orna@ORNA.com www.ORNA.com Full Service Discount Commission Realty Broker/Owner BS, MS, MIS, Finance www.aDiscountRealty.com • 1% Listing Broker Commission • I pay all my Buyer’s Closing Costs* • Free Service to Jewish Organizations (Bet Kenesets) www.aDiscountMortgage.com • 30 Years Fixed Conforming No Fee Loan 3.5% APR • No Upfront Fees, No Fee Loans, $417K> Loan>$250K Real Estate #01098186, Mortgage #NMLS31413, Appraisal #AL029181

Transportation and Shopping Service 408-590-5898 Personalized transportation service, serving seniors throughout Santa Clara and most cities in San Mateo County.

Our service is tailored to meet your needs.

Tax Preparation & Representation Leonard W. Williams, CPA

A Professional Corporation 1307 S. Mary Ave., Suite 250; Sunnyvale (408) 736-1566 www.LWWilliamsCPA.com Leonard W. Williams, CPA, James Park, CPA, Bruce Pajak, CPA, Brenda L. George, EA, T. Patricia Cohen, EA, Sue Conners, EA, Jenny Barnes EA Tax Planning & Return Preparation for Individuals, Trusts & Estates.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICE IN THE

JEWISH PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY! CONTACT: Amanda Glincher: amanda@jvalley.org (408) 357-7503

28

www.jvalley.org

Hillel of Silicon Valley is “Ensuring the Future” at L’Dor V’Dor

By Eleanor Dickman After ten years of celebrating “Pillars of the Community,” Hillel of Silicon Valley’s annual fundraising event is undergoing a “name-lift” to “L’Dor V’Dor” (From Generation to Generation) as we recognize that we are “ensuring the future” of our students’ connection to Judaism and Israel. This year, “L’Dor V’Dor” will be held on Sunday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. at The Fourth Street Garage in San Jose (88 S. Fourth Street, 7th floor). The event may have a different name, but Hillel of Silicon Valley is still celebrating with plenty of time for schmoozing, interacting with the students, and honoring those individuals who lead the way for Hillel’s success. The community is invited to join Hillel for an elegant luncheon, special entertainment, including Robert Strong, live auction and more.

Hillel of Silicon Valley serves De Anza College, Foothill College, San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, and West Valley College, providing, as its mission statement says, “a welcoming supportive environment to enrich students’ college experience and enable them to connect with the Jewish community and Israel.” This has been a remarkable year. Hillel regularly has 40+ students for Shabbat dinner each week, a huge growth. The students run Shabbat services 2 – 3 times per month at Hillel House. Students don’t just come to Hillel House for Shabbat dinners, Hillel goes to the students on its five campuses with campus tabling every week, Cupertino Shabbat dinners for De Anza and Foothill College students, Santa Clara University student-led Shabbat dinner, and new mitzvah projects for both local and Israel communities. In addition, Hillel of SV had a full bus to Israel on Birthright and has several students who are going to Israel this winter on different programs.

Hillel of SV wants to spend all its energies on enriching students’ Jewish lives and connecting them to Israel. Unfortunately this year, our college campuses have been facing strong anti-Israel activities. Hillel of Silicon Valley provides students with information, training, and support so that they understand Israel’s situation and feel confident in presenting the case for Israel to their peers, classmates, and teachers. Hillel SV plays a constructive role in fostering ongoing respectful dialogue on campus about Israel-related issues.

Jack Moore and Bonnie Slavitt Moore are this year’s community honorees.

Their energy, creativity, incentive, loyalty, leadership skills, and sense of humor have been applied to many different organizations in the Silicon Valley Jewish community as well as to Hillel. Bonnie has just completed a successful term as president of Hillel’s Board of Directors, and Jack has been a loyal Hillel Board member. A Jewish educator for over 50 years, Bonnie was the founding director of the CJE (the Council on Jewish Education) at the Federation, the project coordinator for SHORESH (a staff development grant funded by the Covenant Foundation), and the founding head of school at Yavneh Day School. Jack is a long-time supporter of the APJCC, served on the Board of Congregation Beth David, and was a member of the Board of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, serving as secretary/treasurer. He was also a member of Yavneh’s Finance and Scholarship Committees.

Students recognized at L’Dor V’Dor have demonstrated strong and positive leadership for Hillel as well as for the universities they represent. Student honorees this year are Amber Artman of San Jose State University, and Kyle Gerner from Santa Clara University. Amber has strong leadership and volunteer skills. She is a creative thinker. Kyle is passionate for Jewish life. He hosts Shabbat dinners on campus and arranges for students to go to synagogue together.

“L’Dor V’Dor” is one of Hillel of Silicon Valley’s opportunities to recognize its appreciation to the community for its support, as donors and as volunteers.

For more information, please contact Executive Director Sarita Bronstein at sarita@hillelsv.org or (408) 775-7531.

l cal news

Frank Fellow, continued from page 14

Afterwards, we met with activists in the Palestinian community who are working for cooperation between Palestinians and Jews through a number of initiatives, economic as well as social. Next, we went to the Peres Center, were we heard from the policy advisor to Shimon Peres and U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro. Our day concluded with a dinner talk by the editor of Ha'aretz Aluf Benn, who offered some insight into the challenges of Israel's current political situation.

On Friday, we went to Sderot, a city that has received the brunt of Palestinian missile attacks for years. We attended a private screening of documentarian Lauren Bialis’ new movie "Rock in a Red Zone" about the music scene in Sderot and the effect of the rockets on daily life. Seeing the difficulties that these people face was an eyeopening experience.

On Sunday we visited the Hand in Hand School.

The school is integrated between Jews and Palestinians, and the experience of the students there was very hopeful. Finally, we visited the Foreign Ministry, where we discussed the BDS movement, anti-Semitism in Europe, and the relationship between American Jews and Israel.

We concluded with a dinner at the Frank's beautiful home in Jerusalem, and a goodbye to one another: "See you at the plenum in October!"

I feel so blessed to be given the experience to learn and grow with such a dedicated group of Jewish leaders. Although we weren't a monolith in terms of political opinion, each member of our group was committed to developing and growing our local and national communities in the future, and I look forward to working more with all of them towards this goal.

After candle-lighting on Friday, we heard a drash from Rabbi Steve Gutow regarding Parsha Vayishlach. This is the point in the Torah where the word "Israel" is introduced, which literally means to struggle (with G-d.) While I didn't come away from the fellowship with any clear-cut answers, I am committed to struggle for answers, to keep asking the hard questions, and to stay engaged. When we asked the Franks about the purpose of their grant, Larry Frank answered that he wants us to "open our Jewish hearts." I want to keep my heart and mind open, because nothing is simple, and being Jewish means seeking answers.

Marina Gafni represents Congregation Beth David to the JCRC Board, and also serves as the Kadima advisor at Beth David.

www.jvalley.org

29

SIMCHAS

By Andrea Cohen Greyber

Emmet Eli Lewis was welcomed by Jonathan & Debbie Lewis on November 4. He weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 20 inches long. He is the little brother of Jaren, 5, who is in kindergarten at Willow Glen Elementary School and Asher, 2, who attends Sinai Nursery School. Emmet’s grandparents are William & Veronica Lewis of San Jose and Kenneth & Elaine Krueger of Indianapolis.

of a science bowl team and plays the alto saxophone. Ari is the younger brother of Eli, a tenth grader at Archbishop Mitty, and the older brother of Benjamin, a third grader at Amber Elementary School. Ari was sad that his grandparents, Nydia & Gerardo Rogoff of Chelmsford, MA, were not able to come.

Barbara & Lawrence Jacowitz, his maternal grandparents, have just moved to San Jose and were pleased to join in the festivities as were his uncle and aunt David & Julie Jacowitz and cousins Aaron and Barrie of Edmonds, WA.

Called to the Torah

Weddings

Births

Benjamin Lev Greyber, son of Rabbi Daniel & Jennifer Greyber, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Beth El Congregation in Durham, NC, on November 8. He is in the seventh grade at Lakewood Montessori Middle School where he plays bass clarinet in the band and was the manager of the football team. Benjamin is the older brother of Ranon, a third grader at Lerner School in Durham and the younger brother of Alon, a sophomore at Riverside High School.

Benjamin’s grandparents Andrea & Howard Greyber of San Jose, Tommy & Barbara May of Grayton Beach, FL, and Leslie & Rabbi Stephen Listfield of Atlanta, GA, were there to help celebrate.

Aunt & uncle Elizabeth & Joe Lichy and cousins Sam and Carl from San Jose as well as many generations of relatives from Herzyliah, Israel, Atlanta, Seattle, Chicago and Grayton Beach were delighted to attend. Benjamin is collecting money to buy Lego’s for the less fortunate.

Alexa and Jacob Richman, twin children of Marci Schwartz & Gary Richman, were called to the Torah as B’nai Mitzvah at Congregation Sinai on December 13. They are seventh graders at Union Middle School. Alexa enjoys playing guitar, singing, hanging out with her friends and working on creative projects. Jacob plays baseball and soccer, plays the piano, and enjoys drawing. For their D’var Torah about Joseph and his brothers, Alexa spoke about the importance of words and communication; Jacob spoke about the qualities which were necessary for good leadership. They both have volunteered at a variety of places in the past and plan to continue volunteering in the community in the future. Grandmother Corrine Schwartz came in from Verona, NJ as did aunt and uncle Alyssa & Steve Lebovic from Fairlawn, NJ. Uncle Andrew Schwartz & Aunt Elisa came from Denver and lots of cousins were on hand for this special occasion.

Ari Judah Rogoff, son of Brian & Renee Rogoff, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on December 20 at Congregation Sinai. He is in the seventh grade at West Valley Middle School where he serves as treasurer of the student body. He was part

Nechemia Jacobson, son of Rabbi David & Emily Jacobson of Los Angeles, and Chaya Hoschander, daughter of Yehuda & Bella Hoschander were married on August 11 by her grandfather, Rabbi Chaim Hoschander in Toronto, Ontario. Nechemia is the grandson of Jerry & Rita Jacobson of Congregation Sinai in San Jose. The happy couple is now living in Jerusalem where the groom is pursuing advanced rabbinic studies. He had studied with Rabbi Meir Solevachik. The bride has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education and one in Accounting.

Kate Mueller and Rich Goldman of Congregation Sinai were married on August 31 in Carmel by Rabbi Jason van Leeuven.

Rich is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and is owner and CEO of LegIT, LLC. Kate is a graduate of the University of Judaism and is the religious school director of Congregation Sinai. Along with many friends from Silicon Valley, Rich’s parents Myron & Louise Goldman of Elkins Park, PA, his brother David & wife Tara Goldman of Williamstown, NJ, and his sister, Bethanne Goldman of Boston joined in the celebration as did Kate’s father, Joseph Mueller and her sister, Janet of Morgan Hill.

Please send announcements and photos to Andrea Greyber at andrea.greyber@gmail.com or phone her at (408) 377-6224.

Wedding and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Videography

408.206.6505

www.blue-moon-productions.com 408.

30

www.jvalley.org

www.jvalley.org

31

a night at the ranch j ew i s h fe de r at io n o f s ilic o n va ll ey d onor c e l e brati on

Y

’R OU

E INVITED

TO

a hootenanny featuring: mechanical bull

WHISKEY BAR SALOON BLACKJACK TABLES

B A R B E QU E D I N N E R line

dancing

sunday, february 8th, 2015 6:00 pm Levy Family Campus 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos $108

Young Adult (21-30) Special pricing: $36

RSVP www.jvalley.org/ranch WHISKEY AND COCKTAIL BAR PROVIDED BY ROYAL LIQUORS

co-chairs OF SILICON VALLEY

Susan & Jonathan Sweedler