JValley.news: January 2016

JValley news 速

OF SILICON VALLEY

January 2016

yavneh menorah displayed at white house camp ramah opens in norcal photography exhibit at jcc yeshiva preschool in willow glen

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 2016

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

Celebrating Jewish Life

January 31st, 2016 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.

ADMISSION

General $5 • JCC Member FREE Children Free (ages 5 and under)

*Must show current membership card at the time of entry.

Kosher snacks provided by L'Chaim Foods are included in the ticket price; and kosher meals are available for purchase. L'Chaim Foods are under Orthodox Kosher Supervision provided by Rabbi Landau of the Adath Israel community.

MORE INFO: WWW.APJCC.ORG/JEWBILEE OR CALL 408.357.7411

14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032

The JCC is proud to be a part of the Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood, presenting educational and cultural programs that explore Jewish heritage, identity, and community. The initiative is co-funded by the Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture. Jewbilee Jewish Day of Learning is made possible, in part, by a generous gift from Belmont Village Senior Living.

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from the ceo We have all heard the saying “two Jews, three opinions.” When first heard, the saying makes our people sound overly opinionated. The reality, however, is that those three opinions represent the mindsets we develop over time, through education and discussion.

In Judaism we are taught to continue our learning and thinking, and to go as far as to question the facts and theories we have already learned. We meet in groups and discuss the ins and outs of life, the many facets of the Torah, and just about any other topic that we come across.

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 & BILLING Amanda Glincher amanda@jvalley.org 408-357-7503

Last month the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley’s board of directors met to discuss a statement on bringing Syrian refugees into the United States. Our organizational partners around the country had released public statements and many of our community rabbis had signed these statements as well.

In our initial discussion we determined that a more lengthy educational process was necessary for us to engage in this conversation. Together our board studied text, shared insights and created a statement that is reflective of our community.

Our statement is shared on page 29, but even more valuable than the words we share is our collaborative process. I am proud to be a part of a community of thinkers who values the process as much as the outcome.

SIMCHA & OBITUARY DEPARTMENTS Andrea Greyber andrea.greyber@gmail.com

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.

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

Jyl Jurman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley

content Highlights

Generating innovation Tzedakah and leadership Anti-BDS legislation Geshuri joins Wikimedia Foundation trustees Kehillah students wityh stock market game Taking time to reflect Federation selected for pilot giving program Junior kindergarten Community building at KJHS Learning and doing New Ramah opens in Northern California Yavneh menorah honored at White House New Jewish preschool in San Jose Preschool as entry to community USCJ’s 2015 convention Recognizing a congregation of inclusiveness JScreen helps plan for healthy futures Anat Hoffman to speak at Shir Hadash Tzedakah beyond the box CBD participates in Abrahamic Alliance Preschool photography exhibit at JCC Celebration for Hana Cidon

CANDLELIGHTING San Jose, CA

Friday, Jan 22................5:03 P.M. 5 5 12 12 12 14 14 18 18 18 20 21 21 23 23 24 24 25 25 28 28 28

Statement on Syrian refugees Think more, do more, b’more Director of Social Services position at JFS Hanukkah celebration in downtown SJ Cremation or burial Holocaust Survivors’ Association

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Friday, Jan 29................5:10 P.M. Friday, Feb 5.................5:18 P.M. Friday, Feb 12...............5:26 P.M. Friday, Feb 19...............5:33 P.M. Friday, Feb 26...............5:40 P.M. Friday, Mar 4.................5:47 P.M. Friday, Mar 11...............5:54 P.M. Friday, Mar 18...............7:00 P.M.

In Every Issue Community photos

Datebook Ask the Rabbi Simchas Obituaries Rabbi’s column Professional Directory

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Friday, Mar 25...............7:06 P.M. Friday, Apr 1.................7:13 P.M.

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Generating innovation: building on success

By Arielle Hendel A few years ago, the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley undertook a strategic plan. As a result, the Board of Directors developed several initiatives, one of which was the JValley Generator grants.

These grants focused $50,000 from our annual donations to three areas: seniors, teens and young families. We have held three rounds of funding from two consecutive Annual Campaigns for the JValley Generator grants.

These grants were selected for their impact, ingenuity and collaborative potential: • Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center’s (APJCC) Adults with special need programming in collaboration with HaTikvah House; • A collaborative Community Freedom Seders for Russian-speaking Jews (Community Relations Council, Jewish Family Services and APJCC); • HomeCare and quality-of-life scholarships for low-income seniors through Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley; • APJCC’s senior music program; • Shabbat the Queen program for 5-8 year olds; • Teen scholarships to regional and national Jewish-affiliated conventions; • Community teen programs; • APJCC’s Wake up & Taste the Torah program; • Yavneh Day School’s tzedek garden ‘seed money’; • APJCC’s inclusion shadows for children attending Camp Shalom, Yavneh Day School’s community parenting learning series, Young family Shabbat dinners; • Scholarships for young families to attend LIMMUD Bay Area Experience 2016; • Young adult monthly mixers co-sponsored by the Jewish High Tech Council and NexGen of the Jewish Federation; • Jewish Time Travel: an 1800s Saturday Night event; • Senior transportation assistance program through JFS; • And, an engaging program, making media with G-dCast for children and their parents.

This year we are releasing our annual allocations grants and the JValley Generator grant applications at the same time. The grant applications will be available in late January, and we encourage applications with innovative, collaborative and impactful ideas. Visit www.jvalley.org to learn more, or call me at (408) 357-7501.

federation news Tzedakah and leadership: Rita Jacobson

By Eleanor Weber Dickman This year’s recipient of the Janet Berg Award ― Rita Jacobson ― is a woman described by others as “a wonderful role model for our community.” Notes Alyssia Berkowitz, president of Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, “She gives of her time, talent and treasury to our community in so many ways.”

Among her significant contributions are her decades-long commitment to Chai House since it was first incorporated in 1978. She has been on the board of Chai House since 1979, involved in fundraising, building, and nutrition committees. As a member of Congregation Sinai since 1956, and as one of the first women to serve on Sinai’s Board of Directors, Rita has held every office except president and treasurer. She was also active on the synagogue’s Sisterhood Board. In addition, Rita is a long standing life member of San José Hadassah serving on their board as a young mother. She was also active in the neighborhood campaign for the American Cancer Society and volunteered for many years at Valley Medical Center in the Emergency Room and ICU. And, few know that Rita worked as a medical assistant at Hamilton Medical Group for 26 years. Says Susan Gavens, immediate past-president of the Women’s Philanthropy and current Annual Campaign Chair for the Jewish Federation, “Rita shows us what involvement means, and that the result of her hard work, dedication and commitment are all part of the materials that grow our community and keep our people strong. Rita is truly an eshet chayil--a woman of valor!”

Rita and her husband Jerry moved to our community from Schenectady, New York in 1956, raised three sons in the Willow Glen area of San José and now enjoy 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren! They encourage philanthropic support from their friends and other members of the local Jewish community. As Rita says, “It is easy to make a commitment to the community and anyone can do it. Really, it’s my hope that anyone who is passionate about the continuity of our Jewish community would consider a legacy gift.”

The Jacobsons have helped with many projects for Congregation Sinai, and have served as active fundraisers for synagogue projects. Notes Rabbi Joshua Berkenwald, “Rita is usually the first person to visit someone who is ill, come to the Sinai office to help out or drive a friend to the airport for a late-night flight. She is a surrogate grandmother for many of Sinai’s children and is a regular at Shabbat services where she welcomes regulars and guests alike with warmth and love.” Rita often helps out in the Sinai office and is described as “the embodiment of the quality of anava (modesty), always feeling that she has not done enough.”

Rita was honored by the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of San José at its annual “Chai Tea” by both Congregation Sinai and Chai House for her volunteer work. She was honored at the 1992 Award continued on page 24

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c mmunity photos

Yavneh students participated in the Computer Science Education Week/Hour of Code.

Yavneh students performed at the Children’s Discovery Museum during Hooray for Hanukkah, a program co-sponsored by APJCC and PJ Library.

Congregation Beth David students spent Congregation Beth David students spent Teens from Congregation Beth David and Temple a beautiful Sunday outdoors at Urban part of Veteran’s Day morning at the Emanu-El were among the visitors to the Rabin Veteran’s Memorial section of Oak Hill Project Exhibition which Congregation Beth Adama farm in Berkeley. The students toured and worked the farm as they Cemetery in San Jose, embellishing David hosted. Student groups and visitors learned about food justice. Favorite the sites with American flags. The considered the question of what democracy activities included weeding plots in students took time to read the names in Israel should look like as posed by the Dror order to feed the goats, manually of the soldiers, and noted their ages.

Israel movement. Young Israelis from the movement tour the exhibit throughout the US blending fruit to form smoothies in a After a short discussion, the students bicycle blender, and grinding wheat into completed the visit with a heartfelt and Israel as a way to rekindle the unity and flour and rolling the dough to make pita recitation of the pledge overlooking the soul searching Jewish society, especially in bread. rows and rows of adorned grave sites.

Israel, experienced after Rabin’s murder.

Federation donors gathered at the Major Gifts Dinner at La Rinconada on December 1.

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c mmunity photos

Members of Neshikot BBG wrapped Embrace-a-Family gifts and sort donated food for JFS’ food pantry.

Hillel of Santa Cruz’s Hanukkah party (with the Ice Menorah) attracted 200 students.

Every year Seema Cicerone buys out the store for Jewish Family Services’ Embrace-A-Family to make sure that needy families and seniors can have better holidays.

On December 11 community members gathered to hear Sheriff Laurie Smith discuss the racist subculture among jail guards and possible solutions.

Young adults gathered to celebrate an 11th night at the NextGen Hanukkah party on December 17 in Mountain View. www.jvalley.org

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datebook

All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted.

ONGOING EVENTS

SUNDAYS Knitzvah Meeting Levy Family Campus, 10:30 AM, 1/24, 2/21, 3/13 Knitzvah is a JFS volunteer group of knitters, crocheters and seamstresses of all ages.

They meet monthly to create beautiful handmade creations.

Knitzvah distributes these gifts to 18 nonprofits. loric@jfssv.org, 357-7467 Jews in Medieval Spain Under Islamic and Christian Rule Beth David, 10:30 AM, 2/14, 2/21 Dr. Fred Astren discusses the 700-year Golden Age of the Jews of Spain under Islamic rule and the Christian conquest of Spain which ultimately led to expulsion in 1492. 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org Silicon Valley Holocaust Survivors Association (SVHSA) APJCC, 10:30 AM – 1 PM, 2/14, 3/13 A bagel brunch is held the second Sunday of the month for Holocaust survivors and their families. In addition to brunch entertainment and/ or an educational program is always included. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430 MONDAYS Lean In Circle Beth David, 7:30 AM, 2/28, 3/14 Come join the Beth David Lean In Circle, a women’s networking and support group inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In.” Our mission is to help women lean into their ambitions, whatever they may be. cbd.leanin@beth-david.org, 257-3333 TUESDAYS Yiddish Conversation Group Beth David, 3 PM, 2/2, 2/16, 3/1, 3/15 Enjoy Yiddish conversation, jokes, and more with Yiddish

speakers of all levels. cbd.2573333, yiddish@beth-david.org Jewish Musical Theatre: Composers and Lyricists APJCC, 3 PM, 2/26, 3/15 Join Stephen S. GIll to learn the history of composers and their music. $5/per month, FREE for JCC members cherie@apjcc.org, 357-7462 Israeli Dancing Emanu-El, 7:30 PM, 2/2, 2/16 Bring your dancing shoes. New faces are always welcome! megan@templesanjose.org, 292-0939 WEDNESDAYS Ima & Me Playgroup Sinai, 9 AM Every Wednesday when the Sinai Nursery School is in session, join other moms and bond with your child while exploring their world through play, music, and movement! For children age two and under. Free. 264-8542, SinaiNurserySchool@Sinai-SJ. org Financial Club APJCC, 3 PM, 1/27, 2/24, 3/23 The Financial Club at the JCC promotes financial knowledge through organized workshops, seminars and presentations.

The focus is on finance for adults ages 55+. Club volunteers work with financial professionals to organize monthly lectures to enlighten and educate. It’s time to take the mystery out of finance.

Free. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430 THURSDAYS Silicon Valley Beit Midrash Sinai, 9:30 AM Join Rabbi Josh Berkenwald for in-depth study of Jewish thought, belief, and practice.

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

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542

Women’s Study Group: American Jewish Women Speaking Out Shir Hadash, 10:30 AM, 1/21, 2/18, 3/17 The theme of Rabbi Melanie Aron’s Women’s Study Group will focus on American Jewish Women and Politics. We will read about and discuss topics including: are Jewish women particularly outspoken, how did involvement in philanthropic activities move Jewish women into politics, and the role Jewish women played in the battles for women’s suffrage, birth control and workers’ rights. We will study important pioneering women in American politics including Florence Prag Kahn and Bella Abzug and consider the growth of American Jewish women’s involvement in politics through the 1990s. We will take a short detour to consider the role of women in Israeli politics and hear from several speakers who themselves have been involved in political activity. $10/ person. patty@shirhadash.org, 358-1751 Freilache Menschen Retirees Group Luncheon: Jewish Views on the Afterlife Shir Hadash, 11:30 AM, 2/11, 3/10 Join our retirees group for a monthly lecture, discussion, performance or film. Each month we have a new program to educate or entertain and we would love for you to come. We meet on the second Thursday of each month. We are pleased to provide the program and a light lunch for a nominal donation of $5/person. shanda@shirhadash.org, 358-1751 iEngage 2.0: The Tribes of Israel: A Shared Homeland for a Divided People Sinai, 7:30 PM, beginning 2/4 A 10-session series of video lectures, text study and discussions led by Rabbi Josh Berkenwald. Scholars grapple with the challenge of creating a Jewish and democratic public space in the modern State of Israel. Can the relationship

between the collective and the individual tribes that comprise Israel be restructured? Join us for this thought-provoking series. Materials fee: $50/ person for Sinai members, $75/ non-member.

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 FRIDAYS Friday Talmud Study: Tractate Megillah Beth David, 10 AM Join Rabbi Ohriner as we study Tractate Megillah, containing laws of Purim, Torah reading, and synagogue practices.

English texts are available.

Newcomers are welcome.

Donations to Adult Education are appreciated. 257-3333, adulted@beth-david.org Alzheimers Caregivers Support Group Shir Hadash, 10 AM, 2/12, 3/11 Support Groups help to provide tools for caregiving such as sharing ideas and resources.

They are most helpful for families and friends needing “helpful hints” because they are caring for or know a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Senior Shabbat Lunch APJCC, Noon-2 p.m., 1/22, 2/26 A once-a-month get-together in the auditorium. Enjoy a catered hot lunch followed by entertainment. $6/JCC member, $8.50/non-member, and $10/person at the door. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430 PJ Shabbat Beth David, 6 PM, 2/19, 3/18 Join us for a special Shabbat service filled with movement, song and stories. Enjoy dinner afterwards with yummy chocolate chip challah and kid (and parent) friendly food, along with lots of people to hang out with. Play and socialize in a welcoming atmosphere. The program is geared for children 6 and under. Older siblings welcome.

Service and crafts are free of course! Dinner: $10/adult, $2/ child aged 3-12, under 3 free.

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Questions? info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Family Dinner & Service Shir Hadash, 6 PM, 2/5, 3/4 Dinner precedes a lively, 45-minute service from 7-7:45 p.m.with fresh stories and hands-free Siddur, oriented to K-5. nadine@shirhadash.org, 358-1751 SATURDAYS 21st Century Torah Beth David, 10:30 AM, 2/13, 3/12 Think the Torah can’t possibly say anything useful to your life? Think again. Join in on discussions that you’d never expect on a Saturday morning, led by someone who respects the clergy too much to let himself be a member of it. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Know Before Whom You Stand--for Russian speakers Beth David, 10:30 AM, 2/13, 3/12 An exploration of the content and historical background of the prayers in Russian. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Approachable Torah Beth David, 10:30 AM, 2/20, 3/19 Rabbi Berkowitz makes the Torah accessible to all and helps learners connect Torah lessons to their lives.

Participants discover that all of us can spin drash (a lesson of meaning). info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Tot Shabbat Beth David, 11:15 AM, 1/23, 2/13, 2/27, 3/12 Relaxing, lighthearted, interactive, Shabbat program for tots. Includes songs, stories, puppets and more. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Book Discussion Group Beth David, approx. 1:30 PM, 2/13, 3/12 February event: “Menachem Begin: The Battle for Israel’s Soul by Daniel Gordis, led

by Paul Freudenthal. Gordis is at his best in making a complicated narrative

accessible. He boils down Begin’s long life, full of controversies, into clearly crafted prose... For those not familiar with the riveting story, this certainly serves as an enjoyable and important introduction to this fascinating man.”--The Jerusalem Post.

March event: A discussion of the biblical book of Ezekiel will be lead by Rabbi Philip Ohriner.

All adults and mature teens are welcome. 257-3333, adultEd@beth-david.org Jewish Artists Group Beth David, 1:30 PM, 2/20, 3/19 Presentations and discussions on Judaica. This month, Miriam Marr and Joanne Cornbleet will do a presentation on Miriam’s Cup. Everyone is welcome, whether member of CBD or visitor, including non-artists. cbd. 257-3333, artistsgroup@beth-david.org

UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, January 21 PJ Library-Stories and Snories Levy Family Campus, 6:30 PM An afternoon of reading and relaxing with PJ Library. arielle@jvalley.org, 357-7501 Friday, January 22 Scholar-in-Residence Service, Dinner, Lecture, and Reception Sinai, 5:30 PM Join us to welcome Shabbat together as a community and start our Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Rabbi David Golinkin. Service begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30, presentation by Rabbi Golinkin at 7:30, and a meetand-greet dessert reception following his presentation.

RSVP before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, for the early-bird pricing: $20/adult or youth (age 13+); $5/child (512); and $54 maximum/family.

As always, there is no charge for children under 5. RSVP: Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 PJ Library Family Shabbat Dinner Levy Family Campus, 5:30 PM

datebook

All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted.

See ad on page 17. arielle@jvalley.org, 357-7501 Tot Shabbat--The Birthday of the Trees!

Shir Hadash, 5:30 PM Celebrate the birthday of the trees with us! Rabbi Levenberg will lead a brief preschool friendly service with lots of music; followed by crafts and snacks! 358-1751, rabbilevenberg@shirhadash.org Celebrate Shabbat with Craig Taubman Emaul-El, 6:30 PM Celebrate Shabbat with singer/ songwriter Craig Taubman!

6:30 p.m. Wine and Cheese Reception; 7:30 p.m. Rock Shabbat Service with Craig Taubman and Temple EmanuEl musicians including our Meshorerim and Choir. No Charge! 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org Scholar-in-Residence: The State of Judaism in the Jewish State Sinai, approx. 8 PM Presentation and dessert. No charge to attend.

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 Tu B’Shvat Shabbat Service Shir Hadash, 8 PM Join us for a “State of the Forests” presentation in honor of Tu B’Shvat. In celebration of the New Year of the Trees, the Food Justice Committee is sponsoring a special sit-down Oneg. Traditional Tu B’Shvat fruits, nuts, and wines will be served and speakers will share an overview on the state of trees worldwide, the special challenges here in California, and what we can do to help. nadine@shirhadash.org, 358-1751 Saturday, January 23 Communal Tu B’Shvat Seders Beth David, 11:15 AM Join us during Shabbat services to welcome the New Year of

the Trees with a special seder to remind us that the Earth is a precious gift. We offer separate seders for adults, youth/teens (4th–12th grades), children (K-3rd grades) and tots (ages 5 and younger). 257-3333, info@beth-david.org Scholar-in-Residence: Why Observe Jewish Law? A Nonfundamentalist Approach Sinai, approx. 11:30 AM Kiddush luncheon served during the learning session.

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 Scholar-in-Residence: Nine Approaches to the Status of Women in Jewish Law Sinai, 4:15 PM Join us for Shabbat Mincha service starting at 4:15 p.m.

Seudah Sh’lishit (light dinner) will be served during the learning session, starting at approximately 5 p.m. Program will conclude with Arvit and Havdalah at approximately 6:25 p.m. Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 Sunday, January 24 Tzedakah Day Beth David, 9:30 AM Join us as we commemorate MLK Day and celebrate Tu B’Shvat with projects that promote justice and sustainability. Email for more information: 257-3333, bendahan@beth-david.org Scholar-in-Residence: Jewish Sources on Ecology Sinai, approx. 10 AM Join us for Sunday morning minyan starting at 9. After minyan service, coffee and light refreshments will be served during the learning session. Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 Preschool Open House APJCC, 10 AM See ad on page 19. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430

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datebook

All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, January 27 Lunch and Learn Torah Study Emanu-El, Noon With Rabbi Dana Magat. Bring your lunch and learn about Torah! 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org Thursday, January 28 Recognizing the Sage in Ourselves (Workshop 1 ) Shir Hadash, 10:30 AM “Draw from the Past” will focus on developing, sharing, and preserving your unique story.

You are invited to bring a few photos or other memorabilia to jog your memory. We will work on some fun writing exercises during the session. Guidelines for researching your ancestry will be provided. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Saturday, January 30 Men’s Night Out Poker Tournament Levy Family Campus, 6:30 PM See ad on page 35. 357-7508, michellen@jvalley.org Book Group--The Golem and the Jinni Shir Hadash, 10:45 AM Picture this: a Golem and a Jinni meet in New York City in 1899. This sweeping novel combines the immigrant story with Jewish and Arab folk mythology. The inventive historical novel describes two supernatural creatures who are truly strangers in a strange land until they meet, becoming friends and soul mates. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your impressions and reactions with the reading group. 3581751, nadine@shirhadash.org Sunday, January 31 Early Childhood Center Open House Shir Hadash, 12:30 PM The Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center is a fully licensed program for ages two through five. Spaces are available on a rolling basis.

Enrollment for the following school year begins in January.

The Center is open to all families in the community. 3581751, robin@shirhadash.org Jewbilee APJCC, 1 PM See ad on page 2. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430 Tuesday, February 2 Young Professional Joint Networking Mixer Hult’s Restaurant, 165 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos, 5:30 PM NextGen, along with Los Gatos Young Professionals (LGYP), Silicon Valley Young Professionals (SVYP), JHTC 2.0, ENGAJ,and Congregation Shir Hadash are hosting a professional networking mixer.

Come meet new business contacts and make new friends. becka@jvalley.org, 357-7502 Thursday, February 4 Recognizing the Sage in Ourselves (Workshop 2 ) Shir Hadash, 10:30 AM “Work for the Future” will focus on planning ahead through the preparation of vital documents such as Living Wills, Advance Directives, POLST, DNR. We will discuss the importance of making plans for what to do about your belongings, where and how you will want to live, keeping passwords safe and available to others who will need to know.

We will offer guidelines on how to prepare an Ethical Will so that your values live on in the next generation. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Friday, February 5 Shabbatluck Dinner Emanu-El, 6:15 PM Potluck dinner before Shabbat services. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org

TGI Shabbat--A Trip to Israel!

Beth David, 6:30 PM Welcome the day of rest and kick back because it’s TGI Shabbat, a potluck dinner for the whole congregation to enjoy! This month we focus on Israeli cuisine. Enjoy Israelinfluenced appetizer, main course, side dish, veggie and dessert. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Saturday, February 6 Hot Topics in Halakhah Today Beth David, 1:30 PM What topics of Jewish law is Rabbi Ohriner studying?

Join Rabbi Ohriner to learn about the hottest halakhic issues facing our kehillah, the Conservative movement, and the Jewish world. 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org Erev Shabbat Family Service Emanu-El, 7 PM megan@templesanjose.org, 292-0939 Storytelling & Coffee House Shir Hadash, 7 PM Jews are a storytelling people.

Our holy books are all stories, and stories about stories, that have been handed down through the generations. With over 25 years of storytelling world-wide experience, Jerry Falek brings a wide range of tales from traditional to little-known that promise to make us laugh, wonder and learn. Hear about mitzvot, niggunim,Talmudic reasoning, and of course Chelm, in an entertaining and thoughtprovoking feast of stories in the tradition of the maggids.

Join us for Havdalah and an enticing evening of coffee and stories. $3 in advance; $5 at the door. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Music, Magic and Mirth Sinai, 7:30 PM See ad on page 37.

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 Sunday, February 7 Super Bowl XLX Party Sinai, 3 PM Party starts pre-game. Light snacks and beverages provided.

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 Monday, February 8 Movie Club APJCC, 7 PM Join the APJCC and Hadassah, Sharone Chapter to review the latest movies. This social club meets monthly on the third Monday to share views on new movie releases. Participants see the movie on their own time and then join the group to share their thoughts.

Movies are chosen a month in advance, giving participants time to see the movie. A $2 donation is recommended and will support both Hadassah programs and the APJCC Movie Club. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430 Rosh Hodesh Group Shir Hadash, 7 PM Adar I, the leap month of the Jewish calendar. Adar I is added in certain years in order to keep lunar time balanced with solar time, so that holidays fall in their proper seasons, yet the months always correspond to the moon’s phases. A year with a leap month is called a “pregnant” year. nadine@shirhadash.org, 358-1751 Tuesday, February 9 Jewish Medical Ethics Shir Hadash, 7 PM See ad on page 31. becka@jvalley.org, 358-1751 Wednesday, February 10 Lunch and Learn Emanu-El, Noon Bring your sack lunch and enjoy lessons from Rabbi Magat! megan@templesanjose.org, 292-0939 Siddur Play SPHDS, 6:30 PM Open to the entire community; come celebrate with our students. 738-3060, maya.yaniv@sphds.org Saturday, February 13 Babies and Bagels: Baby Shabbat Emanu-El, 9 AM See ad on page 37. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org

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South Bay Teen Idol SemiFinals APJCC, 7 PM Twenty of the South Bay’s best teen vocalists will compete. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430 Sunday, February 14 “Cremation or Burial? A Jewish View” American Legion, 1504 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, 7 PM See article on page 30.

Friday, February 19 Tot Shabbat with Catered Dinner Emanu-El, 6 PM Tot Shabbat services are tailored to meet the needs of families with young children (preschool through kindergarten--of course, siblings are invited as well).

Led by Rabbi Magat and Cantor Simerly, the service includes blessings and songs, stories and prayers, introducing the children to the sanctuary.

Stay after services--Sisterhood provides a complimentary dinner. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org Sunday, February 21 Continuing the Conversation on Clutter Shir Hadash, Noon We share our clutter problems, help each other find solutions, and celebrate our progress in a supportive environment. Pair up with a “clutter buddy” and/ or become a part of our online “Caring Community of ClutterBusters.” Bring your ideas for a decluttering project that we can work on together so that the things you no longer need end up in a place where there is a need. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Tradition Meets Innovation Computer History Museum, 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, 4 PM Event honors David Kulka and David Mendel for their decades of dedication to SPHDS. $150/ person. maya.yaniv@sphds.org, 738-3060

Wednesday, February 24 Good Morning, JFS! Villa Ragusa, 35 S. 2nd St., Campbell, 8 AM Join us for an inspiring morning of first-hand stories from those who make our world a better place. Learn more about how Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley empowers people facing difficult life challenges.

A free breakfast will be served.

Please be our guest. mindyb@jfssv.org, 357-7455 Lion Event...Silk Scarf Making Ellen Brook Art and Design Studio , 11 AM Women’s Philanthropy event for women who donate a minimum of $5,000.Join us to see how Ellen makes her beautiful silk scarves, and make your own. 357-7508 Friday, February 26 Shabbat Service with Fred Ross-Perry Shir Hadash, 8 PM Join us as Fred Ross-Perry and Cantor Felder Levy lead services on guitar. Fred is an accomplished singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Fred says, “Judaism is something that you do, not just who you are. Composing and playing music, supporting the beauty and spirituality of a service, is how I participate.” 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Saturday, February 27 Learners Shabbat Service Shir Hadash, 10:30 AM At this introduction to the basic Shabbat service at Shir Hadash you can ask questions.

In this service you will gain an understanding of the reasons for the content and placement of the prayers and the customs that surround them. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Sunday, February 28 EWJ: The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls Shir Hadash, 9:30 AM The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the greatest manuscript discoveries of the twentieth century. The 900+ manuscripts found in 11 caves near Khirbet Qumran reveal the beliefs,

datebook

All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted. practices and scriptures of affiliated Jewish groups living during the late Second Commonwealth period, at the birth of rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity. Apocalyptic in orientation and halachically dissimilar from other Jews, the communities behind the scrolls preserved our best and earliest evidence of Tanach. We’ll explore these “mysteries” and some of the fascinating technologies and methods being used to reveal the scrolls and the diverse Jewish world from which they emerge. 3581751, nadine@shirhadash.org “Night at the Shuk” An Evening to Honor Hana Cidon APJCC Auditorium, 4-7 PM Event celebrates the contributions of Hana Cidon, Yavneh Kindergarten teacher since 1998. The evening will feature a vegetarian Israeli dinner, dancing, and live music from Lior Ben-Hur and Sol Tevel. There will be no solicitation or fundraising at the event. All parents, community members, and alumni ages 13 years and older are invited to attend. $72/ person; $18/Yavneh alumnus.

Childcare is available for $10/child (ages 5-12). For more information, and to purchase tickets, tributes, and sponsorship, or to send Hana a congratulatory video message, please visit: www. yavnehdayschool.org, or contact Lauren Carlinsky, laurenc@yavnehdayschool.org, 984-6700, 357-7407 Monday, February 29 Super Monday!

Levy Family Campus, 4 PM See ad on page 32. becka@ jvalley.org, 357-7502 PJ Library-Stories and Snories Levy Family Campus, 6:30 PM An afternoon of reading and relaxing with PJ Library. arielle@jvalley.org, 357-7501

Friday, March 4 TGI Shabbat--Persian-Themed Potluck Beth David, 6:30 PM TGI Shabbat, a potluck dinner for the whole congregation to enjoy. This month we will focus on Persian cuisine to honor the month of Purim! info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Scholar-In-Residence: Shekhinah--The Feminine Half of G-d Beth David, 8 PM One of the boldest contributions of Kabbalah is the idea that G-d is equally female and male. Daniel Matt will briefly trace the development of Kabbalah and then focus on the concept of Shekhinah (the feminine aspect of G-d) from its rabbinic origins to its full flowering in the Zohar, where Shekhinah is identified with the Sabbath Bride. AdultEd@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Saturday, March 5 Scholar-in-Residence: The Mystical Meaning of Torah Beth David, 1:30 PM How does the Zohar interpret and reimagine the Torah? How does the mystical approach to Torah differ from a literal approach? From a midrashic approach? Daniel Matt will explore these questions with us by studying several passages from the Zohar. 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org Scholar-in-Residence: G-d and the Big Bang Beth David, 7 PM Daniel Matt will present a lecture exploring the parallels between Kabbalah and contemporary cosmology.

How does the mystical understanding of Creation compare with the modern theory of the origin of the universe? Is there a way to harmonize these two continued on page 16

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11

state news

Anti-BDS bill introduced in California legislature Originally published on JTA A bill aiming to counter the anti-Israel Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment movement, or BDS, was introduced in the California State Legislature.

The measure introduced Monday forbids the state government from contracting with companies “engaging in boycotts based on race, color, religion, gender or nationality.”

Travis Allen, a Republican assemblyman, in introducing the bill said that “boycotts of entities and individuals affiliated with specific countries can amount to ethnic, religious, racial and/or national origin discrimination.”

“No group better demonstrates this fact than the BDS movement, whose use of false, demonizing and delegitimizing propaganda against the State of Israel has become a pretext for the expression of anti-Jewish bigotry,” said Allen, of Huntington Beach in Southern California’s Orange County.

Allen added that the bill “ensures that California won’t support businesses that actively seek to undermine our mutually beneficial trading relationships, based on prejudice.”

Last year, the legislatures of South Carolina and Illinois approved similar bills.

Arnnon Geshuri joins Wikimedia Foundation board of trustees The Wikimedia Foundation announced Arnnon Geshuri as a new trustee in this month.

“We considered dozens of candidates from all over the world, with not-for-profit and technology experience, and the highest professional standards.” said Dariusz Jemielniak, chair of the Wikimedia Foundation Board Governance Committee and board trustee. “Arnnon’s expertise in talent development and cultural diversity will be indispensable for the development of the Wikimedia Foundation, and communications and transparency within the Wikimedia movement.”

Arnnon brings more than 20 years of experience in developing organizational cultures with diverse, passionate employees. He is the VP of Human Resources at Tesla Motors, where he shepherds Tesla’s unique culture and oversees all global people operations, analytics, and staffing. Before joining Tesla, Arnnon served as senior director of HR and Staffing at Google, where he built the company’s talent acquisition and diversity strategy, growing the organization to more than 20,000 people in five years. Earlier in his career, Arnnon served as vice president of People Operations and director of Global Staffing at E*TRADE Financial. Arnon is currently the President of Yavneh Day School and a committed member of the Silicon Valley Jewish community.

“I have always believed in the power of open, transparent knowledge. Wikipedia represents some of the best aspects of our changing world: deeper knowledge, collaboration, and, ultimately, understanding,” said Arnnon. “This opportunity is a true privilege for me and I am thrilled to help support this powerful mission.”

Arnnon was approved unanimously by the Wikimedia Foundation board of trustees. His two-year term is effective January 1.

The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to encouraging the growth, development and distribution of free, multilingual, educational content, and to providing the full content of wiki-based projects to the public free of charge. The Wikimedia Foundation operates some of the largest collaboratively edited reference projects in the world, including Wikipedia, a top-ten internet property.

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Ask the Rabbi about Tu B’Shvat Dear Rabbi,

ask the rabbi

I have a funny question. I am an older adult and I have vivid memories of Tu B’Shvat in my childhood when the whole religious school would get together to plant a tree at the synagogue on the New Year of the Trees. They are vivid, because it was always freezing out when we trooped outside to plant.

Occasionally, we would “get the opportunity” to chew on a hard, brown, pod of carob, which they told us grew in Israel. We sipped a cup of grape juice and maybe ate a handful of nuts and that was it. It was a minor holiday.

In recent years, I have started to see a lot of communal publicity about Tu B’Shvat Seders, and before I choose to try one out, can you tell me what this is? I thought a Seder was what we hold at Pesach when we read the Haggadah.

Thanks, Susan Dear Susan, I have the same memories. I couldn’t initially understand why carob became popular in later years until I tasted an actual carob candy instead of the pod. As you may know, there are many “New Years” on the Jewish calendar. Of course, we know about Rosh Hashana. Tu B’Shvat is the second New Year observance on the Jewish calendar.

The 15th of Shevat (tu is the way 15 is written in Hebrew) was the time when fruits may have been designated as either available to eat or forbidden (orlah) depending on whether they had been grown within the first three years after a tree was planted. It also may have been the time when fruit was designated for a tithe (ritual setting aside as a gift for the temple priests.) The Talmud in Tractate Rosh Hashana 14a writes that the 15th of Shvat is the time when the greater part of the year’s rain has fallen and the cycle of ripening of the fruit has begun.

The third New Year is the first of Nisan, the springtime month, the start of our month of the Exodus from Egypt and the beginning of our nation’s history. 1 Elul, the fourth New Year, is the New Year for tithing of cattle born during the fiscal year. So, after my New Year digression, here is the response about Tu B’shvat and the Seder.

Seder simply means “order” so it can apply to a number of experiences with an organized structure for the observance. The initial Tu B’Shvat Seder was attributed to mystics/Kabbalists of Sefat in the 16th century. They developed an order for eating the seven species of fruits and grains grown in the land of Israel and combined the ordered tasting and drinking with philosophical, spiritual and mystical descriptions of the things tasted. This was a perfectly natural continuum for the Kabbalists who often used the trees’ roots and branches as a way of describing G-d’s relationship to the spiritual and physical worlds.

The Seder was not observed for many years, but in our age of renewed concern for nature and the environment, the Tu B’Shvat Seder has been rediscovered and the roots (pun intended) of the Jewish Biblical, Talmudic and Mystical expression of our responsibility to protect G-d’s creation has been learned and has been a source of pride once again.

Yes, when we were children, we planted a tree, which was great in itself, gnawed on some carob, not so great for me, recited shechechianu (the blessing for new experiences) and sometimes tasted other examples of the seven species grown in Israel.

Many places in the community offer the chance to come to a Tu B’Shvat Seder. This year, at Beth David, on Saturday, January 23, we will have several sedarim for adults, teens, kids and tots after services from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., followed by lunch. Susan, why don’t you give the Seder a try this year?

Fondly, Rabbi Leslie Alexander, Congregation Beth David

Be a hero to your children and grandchildren.

SUPPORT THE SILICON VALLEY JEWISH COMMUNITY LEGACY PROJECT. C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Congregation Beth David Congregation Shir Hadash Congregation Sinai Hillel of Silicon Valley Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley Temple Emanu-El Yavneh Day School

Please call 408.357.7508 or go to www.communitylegacyproject.org.

S I L I C O N VA L L E Y J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y

LEGACY PROJECT

www.jvalley.org

13

l cal news

Jewish Federation selected for pilot Giving Circle program

Taking time to reflect

By Michelle Nathanson

By Dr. Ann Goewert, SPHDS Principal SPHDS is more than a school; it is a vibrant community of students, faculty, parents and staff devoted to life-long learning and building meaningful relationships.

To enhance our culture of collaboration as well as our commitment to improving student learning and achievement, we have launched a professional learning community. A crucial aspect of this initiative is the SPHDS-co-sponsored Master of Arts in Education degree program at Touro University California (TUC). Faculty enrolled in the master’s degree program are learning cutting-edge research in areas of innovative education focusing on effective pedagogy, developing expertise in student-centered learning, such as project-based learning, as well as embracing information, media and state-of-the-art technology in the context of 21st century skills. Our masters degree candidates are employing this research in the classroom on a daily basis and thereby implementing our shared vision of excellence in education. Supporting professional development of our faculty on a continuing basis is a hallmark of our professional learning community. This past November, the faculty participated in a workshop facilitated by the Graduate School of Education at Touro University California focusing on student-centered learning with an emphasis on project-based learning. This type of authentic learning encourages students to critically think, collaborate and experiment, which nurtures deeper learning and creativity. In our “halls,” you will overhear faculty discussing successful, datadriven practices for facilitating student learning at high levels.

Not only does SPHDS value excellence in academics, Jewish values also play an important role in the social and emotional development of our students.

Jewish values are woven into the fabric of our curriculum and daily activities, and we treasure that our students work to embody these values.

Our shluhot are ambassadors of these core Jewish values, and their presence also brings the Israeli spirit to our school. These young, vibrant women serve as role models mentoring our students to reflect our values of shalom, kavod, and achrayut in their daily lives.

To learn more about South Peninsula Hebrew Day School visit www.sphds.org or call (408) 738-3060.

In Silicon Valley we have a unique vantage point when it comes to developing new ways of giving and, in the spirit of the Valley, it’s exciting when innovative opportunities come to our community. One such trend in Jewish philanthropy is the Giving Circle Movement, which will be launched in our community this year.

So what is a Giving Circle? Through participatory philanthropy, a Giving Circle is a powerful way to bring people together to have a greater impact as a group than they could as individuals. Through the strength of the Giving Circle, participants come together to share and leverage the group’s financial contributions, skills, and creativity. A Giving Circle makes giving a collaborative and social experience. It inspires, engages, educates, and builds community both among the participants and in the broader sense as well.

Giving Circles serve multiple functions by providing friendship, community, philanthropy, and a personal connection to the Jewish Federation and the agencies, organizations and synagogues that make up our community.

Leading the Jewish Giving Circle Movement is New York-based, Amplifier.

With the support of the Natan Fund and the Charles & Lynn Schusterman Foundation, Amplifier is helping to create a network of Giving Circles motivated by Jewish values and inspired by change makers making a difference around the world. Amplifier also works to connect developing Giving Circles with supportive host organizations and nonprofits doing great work across a range of locations and issues.

The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley was selected among hundreds of organizations nationally to spearhead this pilot program and to develop new avenues for Jewish philanthropic giving and community engagement. With the support of the Federation, Jonathan Katz and Shoshana Wolf are leading the effort to jumpstart our local Giving Circle by reaching out to a vibrant group of emerging young leaders in our community.

This group will in turn reach out to the organizations, agencies and synagogues that make up our community. Through a collaborative and integrated process, the group will develop its own philanthropic lens and then move outward in allocating its funds primarily to local projects and organizations while connecting with the change makers of our Silicon Valley Jewish community. If you or your organization would like to connect with the Giving Circle or learn more about it, please contact Michelle Nathanson, Director of Philanthropic Giving at the Jewish Federation.

Please email (michellen@jvalley.org) or call me at (408) 357-7508 for more information.

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www.jvalley.org

By Andrea Cohen Greyber

Called to the Torah Alaina and Brenna Fox were called to the Torah as B’not Mitzvah on October 3 at Temple Emanu-El. They are 7th grade students at Fischer Middle School. The proud parents are Cindy & Bruce Fox. Also on hand for this happy occasion were Aunt Marci & Uncle Wayne Greene. Rob & Ruth Fox of Saratoga are the proud grandparents. Alaina’s passions are reading, writing, and dance. For her mitzvah project she raised money to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for children’s cancer treatments. Brenna loves to sing and does so in the Fisher’s Women’s Choir and “Sing,” the school’s a cappella group.

She likes biking, gymnastics, and jewelry making. Brenna has created original jewelry pieces which will be auctioned at the SPACA of Monterey’s annual fundraiser. Both sisters volunteer at the Glide Memorial Free Meals Program in San Francisco, the SPCA of Monterey and Treasure for Teens charity.

Sophie Jackman, daughter of Steve & Kim Jackman, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El on November 14. She is a seventh grader at Willow Glen Middle School.

Her hobbies include cooking, baking, and dancing. She has been a dancer at Center Stage Dance in Willow Glen for the past seven years where she takes tap, modern and ballet.

She is a member of National

Charity League and serves as social chairman. She has been collecting non-fiction and paper-back books for the Elmwood Correctional Center for women. In her free time, Sophie loves to hang with her friends, travel and visit with her extended family.

William Solovei, son of Howard & Belinda Solovei, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Sinai on November 14. He is in the seventh grade at Almaden Country School, as is his sister, Talia, 11.

William enjoys martial arts, gymnastics, rock climbing, and Lego Robotics. He has earned a brown belt in martial arts and is a junior trainer instructor.

He enjoys teaching karate as well as learning it. His current Lego Robotics project will, hopefully, divide Oreo cookies and take the cream off the cookie. William was pleased to have his grandmothers Marion Solovei, from Long Beach, CA and Fanny Sprung of New York join him for this special occasion.

Sophia Audrey Olsen, daughter of Lisa & David Sandman and Erik Olsen, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on November 21 at Temple Emanu-El. She is a seventh grader at Fisher

SIMCHAS

Middle School in Los Gatos where she is involved in leadership and dance. Sophia loves to draw and has taken fine art classes after school for several years. She is involved in fundraising efforts for the youth charity, Treasures for Teens. She has also volunteered at Glide Memorial Free Meals Program in San Francisco and has donated her hair to Locks of Love.

Weddings

graduation. The traditional Jewish wedding took place at Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate in Oakland and was officiated

by Rabbi Leslie Alexander.

The couple met on J-Date.

Kevin is now the Assistant Attorney General in the Public Integrity Bureau of the New York Attorney General’s Office where he prosecutes government corruption. Tai is the Director of Marketing Programs at JW Player, a NY based video technology start up. After a honeymoon in Italy and Greece, they are making their home on the Upper West Side of New York City.

Pearl Heather Rapson, daughter of Ann & David Rapson of Piedmont, and Aron Benjamin Mizrahi, son of Dafna & Joseph Mizrahi of Los Altos, were happily married on June 21 at Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos. Rabbi Mark Bloom of Oakland’s Temple Beth Abraham performed the ceremony. The couple enjoys world travel, outdoor activities and practicing yoga together.

Pearl and Aron are both teachers in the Bay Area and are now living in San Francisco.

Kevin Barnett Frankel, son of Steven & Donna Frankel, and Marisa Tai Nicolopoulos, daughter of Peter & the late Ellen Frisch Nicolopoulos, were married on October 11. They had an auf ruf at Congregation Beth David where Kevin had celebrated his Brit Milah, Bar Mitzvah and Hebrew High

Please send announcements and photos to Andrea Greyber at andrea.greyber@gmail.com or phone her at (408) 3776224.

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All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted. continued from page 11 approaches—the scientific and the spiritual? 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org

historian currently focusing on the history of medicine and public health. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org

Sunday, March 6 Scholar-in-Residence: Raising the Sparks: Finding G-d in the Material World Beth David, 10:30 AM How can G-d be encountered in our daily life? Dr. Matt will explore this question with us by teaching passages from Kabbalah and Hasidism on the nature of G-d, the act of Creation, and the challenge of discovering G-d in the material world. 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org

Saturday, March 12 Tea and Torah Emanu-El, 10 AM The Tea and Torah program includes study of the week’s Torah portion over tea and noshes. Utilized are commentaries reflecting a variety of perspectives, including URJ’s Torah: A Women’s Commentary. Open and welcome to all who would like to learn about the history, thought process, and fast evolving freedom of expression from a contemporary Reform Judaism approach. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org

Art Auction and Tea Shir Hadash, 4 PM Original art by the children of Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center will be auctioned off during our afternoon Spring Tea. Children are welcome to join in our FUN-raising event. robin@shirhadash.org, 358-1751 Monday, March 7 An Evening with Anat Hoffman Shir Hadash, 7:30 PM See article on page 25. 3581751, nadine@shirhadash.org Thursday, March 10 Freilache Menschen Retirees Group Luncheon Shir Hadash, 11:30 AM Join our retirees group for a monthly lecture, discussion, performance or film. Each month is a new program to educate or entertain, and we would love for you to join us on the second Thursday of each month. Program and a light lunch for a nominal $5/person donation. 358-1751, shanda@shirhadash.org Friday, March 11 Shabbat 2.0 & Levine Lecture Shir Hadash, 8 PM David Oshinsky is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American

Sunday, March 13 Jewish Federation Super Sunday!

Levy Family Campus, 9:30 AM See ad on page 32. becka@jvalley.org, 357-7502 EWJ: How Your Tzedakah Giving Can Accomplish Real Change Shir Hadash, 9:30 AM Philanthropy is an old and very revered practice. Yet there is a great difference between helping people in need and changing the situation so that they no longer need help. It requires considerable thought, getting to understand the situation and meeting the stakeholders you are trying to assist. With Rabbi Melanie Aron adding commentary on the Jewish values of this tzedakah work, join highly experienced philanthropic advisor Cole Wilbur, as he outlines ideas to improve your philanthropy, so that as you lie down in bed at night you can say, “Yes, today I made a real difference.” 3581751, nadine@shirhadash.org

Medieval Jewish Egypt and the Cairo Genizah Beth David, 10:30 AM Thousands of items reveal a complex Jewish community that included both rabbinic and Karaite Jews. Most important is a detailed picture of an active Jewish commercial class involved in the production of goods, international trade, and finance. Among the records of the Genizah are stories of Jewish courtiers at the caliphal court, converts to Islam, charitable organizations, tax evaders, and synagogue controversies.

Genizah documents include the handwriting of Maimonides and other famous rabbis. 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org All In “Chai Rollers” Levy Family Campus, 6 PM See ad on page 40. 357-7508, michellen@jvalley.org Saturday, March 19 Purim Party OFJCC, 6 PM Join NextGen, Engaj, OFJCC, Reboot and others for Silicon Valley/Peninsula wide Purim Party. becka@jvalley.org, 3577502 Sunday, March 20 Purim Spiel and Carnival Emanu-El, 11 AM See ad on page 17. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org Shir Hadash Purim Carnival!!

Shir Hadash, 11:30 AM This will be our biggest and best Purim Carnival yet!

Games, bounce houses, Super Slide, face painting, balloon twisting, and more! Come in costume and win prizes!

Purchase a $15 wristband for unlimited playtime ($10 for preschoolers). Buy your wristband in advance to

skip waiting on line. 11:30 a.m.-Noon: early entry for preschoolers; Noon-2 p.m.: open to all. 358-1751, shanda@shirhadash.org Grandparents Circle Shir Hadash, 7 PM This guided discussion program will be lead by Jean Bronstein, herself an interfaith grandparent, and Rabbi Melanie Aron. Grandparents Circle is a program of Big Tent Judaism, formerly known as The Jewish Outreach Institute.

Participants are also able to avail themselves of the resources of this national organization. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Wednesday, March 23 Family Megillah Beth David, 5:30 PM See ad on page 17. 257-3333, info@beth-david.org Community-wide Spaghetti Dinner--Seudah Beth David, 6:30 PM See ad on page 17. 257-3333, info@beth-david.org Purim Service & Purim Shpiel: Return of the Jew-Di Shir Hadash, 7 PM Join the multi-generational Beth David cast in this hilariously witty parody of Broadway’s long-running hit musical. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Purim Shpiel at CBD: Presented by Guggenheim Entertainment Beth David, 7:15 PM See ad on page 17. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Gantze Megillah Beth David, 8 PM See ad on page 17. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333

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MEN’S NIGHT OUT

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www.Beth-David.org/purim5776 Wednesday, March 23rd Family Megillah ∙ 5:30 - 6:30pm Shortened Megillah reading led by Rabbi Ohriner, who will do the voices of Queen Esther, King Ahashverosh and even Haman. Meant for families with children.

Community Dinner ∙ 6:30 - 7:15pm Dinner features a spaghetti bar, garlic bread, salad, fruit and dessert. RSVP by March 9th for early bird pricing: www.Beth-David.org/RSVP. Don’t delay; dinner usually sells out. Final RSVP cutoff is March 16th.

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Ch uded Frid l c n i r ay, Ma dinne rch 11 Levy F 5 : amily C 3 0 -7 a :30 PM

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Purim Shpiel ∙ 7:15 - 7:45pm Presented by Guggenheim Entertainment “Avenue Jew” - a Purim parody of Avenue Q*. Join the multigenerational, Beth David cast in this hilariously witty parody of Broadway's long running hit musical. *”Avenue Q” by Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx; “Avenue Jew” parody by Scott & Shannon Guggenheim.

Gantze Megillah ∙ 8:00pm

Sunday, March 27th

Purim Carnival 11:30am - 2:00pm Games ∙ Prizes ∙ Crafts ∙ Food Email Purim@Beth-David.org with questions. ®

Congregation Beth David

OF SILICON VALLEY

19700 Prospect Road ● Saratoga ● 408.257.3333 ● Beth–David.org

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17

education Junior kindergarten

By Gordon Gladstone, Executive Director of Congregation Shir Hadash Looking for a Junior Kindergarten? The Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center is offering a Junior Kindergarten class for the 2016-17 school year.

Children turning 5 between September 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016, are eligible, as well as those 5-year-olds who may not be ready for Kindergarten.

Contact Robin Adelman at (408)358-1751 ext. 115 or robin@shirhadash.org or visit our website SHECC.org for more information.

Community building at KJHS Kehillah, in Hebrew, means community, and it only makes sense that Kehillah Jewish High School launched an initiative aiming to reach not only its students, or even the immediate circle of students, parents and alumni — but rather a larger South Bay populace. Culture Grinds is a series of music, poetry, and performance art events, the first of which was held at Kehillah on November 19.

The widely publicized event, free and open to all, was made possible through a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of the Silicon Valley. It featured two stellar Bay Area musicians, Jeremiah Lockwood and Jewlia Eisenberg, who recently teamed up to form a duo project “The Book of J.” Their repertoire included Yiddish songs, Hebrew psalms, Welsh chants, Armenian songs, and classic Americana blues.

The event was held at Kehillah’s Black Box Theater, and along with a student art exhibit and gourmet coffee cart stand, evoked a convivial, casual coffee shop atmosphere.

Bridging together aesthetic, educational, and communal concerns, the event’s organizers ran a Q&A session to deepen the discourse around the performance. A lively discussion sprang up when one of the audience members, a Kehillah senior, asked the artists whether their music was “Jewish,” and what constitutes Jewish music. As the Talmudic tradition would have it, Ms. Eisenberg responded to this question with a question of her own. More questions yet were piled on by other audience members. Needless to say, that is how real communities are born and nourished.

Call (650) 213-9600 for more details on Kehillah.

Learning and doing

By Jamie Zimmer, Director of Education at Congregation Sinai 2015 has been a year of change at Congregation Sinai. It saw the departure and return of Rabbi Berkenwald and his family on Sabbatical, the introduction of a new education director, the hiring of a new cohort of teachers from USY and a new religious school curriculum. All of which have helped us do what we do best — connecting to Judaism, Israel and one another.

Our Tuesday program is now aimed at teaching Modern Hebrew — streaming the students into different levels based on ability to make sure they understand the mechanics of the language itself, the fact that it is our national language, and to bring a wider Israel focus into the school. Students in grades 3-7 start their afternoon with a snack, break, and tekes, where they learn a new Israel fact and sing Hatikvah before splitting into their groups to study Modern Hebrew. They conclude their day with whole-school t’fila, where they learn the evening service with Rabbi Berkenwald.

Our Sunday program has seen some changes, too, particularly at the B’nei Mitzvah level. Along with their Judaica and t’fila Hebrew learning, our fifth grade students study Torah trope; in sixth grade, haftarah trope. We give our students these valuable skills which they can apply to their B’nei Mitzvah ceremony and beyond, reminding them that the event is merely the beginning, not the conclusion, of a lifetime of Jewish learning.

In seventh grade, students embark on Proyect Nevi’im — the Prophets Project, where they need to teach the class and embark upon a service learning project that is based on the prophet or theme that is discussed in their haftarah portion. All of these skills come in handy monthly when our students meet for Junior Congregation, our learners’ minyan, where students (and their parents) can chant Torah, Haftarah, and lead the service. Our younger students have their own service and join the “big kids” for the Torah service, before joining together in the main sanctuary to help lead closing songs.

All of this is ongoing; we’ve also got our animal celebration, our community Hanukkah event, social action projects, Tu’B’Shvat seder, Purim Carnival, chocolate seder, Yom Hashoah/Hazikaron/Ha’atzmaut ceremonies and celebrations, Shabbat Mishpacha and spaghetti dinners for our tots, and so much more.

None of this may sound particularly new or flashy, but at Sinai, it doesn’t need to be. We’re getting back to basics, reminding ourselves of the haymishe communities we grew up in, the community we want our kids to grow up in. A Beit Knesset, in its most literal form, is a house of meeting — a safe place to engage with others, to learn, to pray, to celebrate the very thing that brings us all together — our Judaism.

At the foot of Mount Sinai, the Jewish people were transformed from being B’nei Yisrael (the children of Israel) into Am Yisrael (the nation of Israel.) We received our laws, our blueprint for the future, and we said “Na’aseh v’nishma” — “we will do and we will listen.” A little hasty perhaps, but certainly indicative of the people of action we intended, and still intend, to be.

These days at Sinai, we’ve changed that just a bit to say “Nilmad V’Na’aseh” — “we will learn and we will do.”

Come learn with us today. To learn more about Congregation Sinai, visit www.sinai-sj.org or call (408) 264-3138.

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www.jvalley.org

ng , or a you to ademic cation perfect cial aid is -6700 or

Yavneh is a place to learn

a place with outstanding teachers and engaging curriculum

a place to be a mentor

a community school, open to everyone

and a leader

We invite you to discover Yavneh and see how it just might be the perfect place for your family - whether your child is entering kindergarten, middle school, or a grade between.

a place where students are at the center

a place you can learn Hebrew 408-984-6700, joy@yavnehdayschool.org Financial aid is available

a place that teaches values and builds Jewish identities

a place to be a musician an author an athlete a mathlete

a place to become an artist an actor an engineer a programmer

Located on the Levy Family Campus in Los Gatos

and experience amazing places a place where you can give back and give anything a try

www.yavnehdayschool.org

Now accepting applications for the 2016-17 school year.

Call 408.357.7417 for information or a tour.

APJCC Preschool Open House SUNDAY, JANUARY 24TH • 10:00AM – 12:00 NOON Learn about our developmental, play-based program for children ages 18-months to 5 years. We offer full-day and half-day options.

Two, three or five days per week. Toilet training not required.

Call us at 408.357.7417.

14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 www.apjcc.org/preschool Our program promotes a sense of community based on respect for others, and cultivates a connection to Jewish values and tradition. We welcome families from all backgrounds. License #430709398

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education

New Ramah opens in Northern California with a splash Those who have attended or worked at a Jewish summer camp can recognize the transformation that comes with the experience of an intense, intentional Jewish environment. It’s easy to look back and picture oneself stepping onto the bus to camp at the beginning of the summer as one person, and stepping off that same bus at the end as a whole different person.

There is no one moment that creates such change to those in attendance, but rather it is the summation of many different experiences combined. From the independence of daily life away from parents, to the formation of lasting friendships, to the culture of spiritual exploration, Jewish summer camp provides campers with the opportunity to find oneself in a safe environment — both in the physical space, but also in the emotional and spiritual milieu.

This year kids in the Bay Area will have a new summer home in their backyard to consider — a Jewish camp on the beach. With the opening of Camp Ramah in Northern California in 2016, campers can experience the magic of Jewish camp while building skills in unique activities ranging from scuba diving to musical theater to fat-tire mountain biking. This Ramah specialty camp will feature three specialty tracks at its 380-acre site near Monterey. In the Ocean Exploration track, campers may surf, scuba dive, kayak, and study marine biology, but they will also work with local scientists in the preservation efforts and research that is happening in and around Monterey Bay. The Performing Arts specialty track features talented Jewish artists and musicians who will teach and engage campers in elements of performance and composition in music, drama, and dance. The Adventure Sports track pushes campers to develop their fat-tire mountain biking, bouldering, and horseback-riding skills while they learn about the ecology and natural systems of the environment through organic farming.

Camp Ramah in Northern California, or Ramah Galim (Ramah of the Waves) in Hebrew, is the ninth Ramah overnight camp to open in North America. Camp Director Sarah Shulman reports that early interest and enrollment for the new camp has been strong.

“We are excited to announce that we have over 100 campers signed up for our various sessions in our inaugural summer of camp, representing synagogues, day schools, and communities from all over the West. We especially look forward to strengthening partnerships with local Jewish organizations as our campers return to them with new insights, excitement about Jewish life, and local camp friends. That’s the wave-like power of Ramah Galim: every camper is a future Bay Area Jewish leader.”

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL

JOINT NETWORKING MIXER Come network and mingle with other Silicon Valley young professionals (20s and 30s).

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, 2016 5:30-7:00pm

Hult Restaurant 165 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd Los Gatos, CA 95030 Admission is free

CO-SPONSORS: NextGen, JHTC 2.0, Congregation Shir Hadash Young Adults, Los Gatos Young Professionals (LGYP), Silicon Valley Young Professionals (SVYP), ENGAJ

POWERED BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SILICON VALLEY

INFO: becka@jvalley.org 408.357.7502

What impact will the opening of Camp Ramah in Northern California have on other local camps? The fact remains that only about 5% of eligible young Jews of camper age in the Bay Area attend Jewish camp each summer. The staff of Camp Ramah aims to attract a good portion of the 95% who do not already attend Jewish summer camp to their unique specialty programs, immersive Jewish environment, and kosher facility. Shulman and her senior staff have been working collaboratively with the other local Jewish camps as well as their sister camp, Camp Ramah in Ojai, California.

Rabbi Josh Berkenwald of Congregation Sinai shares the enthusiasm for Camp Ramah in Northern California as an important new option for local families: “I know from personal experience the tremendous impact that Camp Ramah can have on young Jews.

Over the years to come, our community will be strengthened by the inspiring Jewish experiences that our children will have. I am proud to be sending my own kids for the inaugural summer. They are super excited already!”

More information about Camp Ramah in Northern California is available on the camp’s website, www.ramahnorcal.org.

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Yavneh Day School students’ menorah honored by White House and featured online

By Joy Null The White House selected Yavneh’s student-made “Religious Freedom Menorah” as a finalist for this year’s White House Hanukkah Candle Lighting. Yavneh’s Rabbi Laurie Hahn Tapper commented, “We are honored to have been considered and we are proud of our students and their teachers for creating such a beautiful piece of Jewish ritual art.” You can see the Hanukkah Menorah on the White House Blog at www. whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/12/09/menorah-hanukkahreception.

Freedom of Speech. Freedom of Worship. Freedom from Want. Freedom from Fear.

For the last few years, 8th grade students from Yavneh Day School have stood in front of these words at the FDR memorial on their class journey to Washington, D.C. and were asked the questions: What do these freedoms mean for you as an American? What do these freedoms mean for you as a Jew? If we are so lucky to have the privilege of enjoying these freedoms, does that obligate us in any way to ensure them for others?

In that spirit, Yavneh Middle School students created the Religious Freedom Menorah. Featured on this menorah are historical and current figures who have contributed to ensuring freedom for all. George Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Emma Lazarus are among those included. As American Jews, there are many themes in the Hanukkah story that speak to the intersection of our American and Jewish identities such as courage and freedom of religion.

This menorah, filled with the names, faces, and teachings of American and Jewish religious freedom heroes, reminds our students of the blessings and privileges of being a Jew in America. On the bottom of the menorah, there is a quote in Hebrew and English by the Baal Shem Tov, “From every human being there rises a light.” Every time we kindle the Hanukkah candles, the students are reminded that we too have the potential to be Religious Freedom Heroes, find the light of freedom in ourselves and to bring it forward to help others.

This project is a hallmark/exemplar of learning at Yavneh Day School in which students use inquiry and collaboration to make sense of the world around them and shape their own individual identities. Integrating art, social studies and Jewish studies, this interdisciplinary project gave students the opportunity to articulate how an ancient struggle for religious freedom is relevant in their modern world.

Learn more at www.yavnehdayschool.org.

education

New Jewish preschool in San Jose

By Sarah Klein

Yeshiva Preschool of Silicon Valley (YPOSV) in San Jose is excited to announce its opening for the 2016-2017 school year. The preschool will offer quality Jewish education for children ages two, three, and four. Its campus will be located in close proximity to the Willow Glen section of San Jose with ample space for both indoor and outdoor play, as well as parking for staff and families.

YPOSV has been greeted by a tremendous outpouring of support and excitement from parents and community members who see the need for another Jewish preschool to serve the large number of Jewish children in our neighborhood.

Yeshiva Preschool of Silicon Valley was founded by Rabbi Menachem Levine, rabbi of Congregation Am Echad, who understands the importance of Jewish education and the role it plays in ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people. Rabbi Levine serves as president of the Board of Directors of YPOSV and leads the board of qualified individuals who have many years of educational, financial, technological, and parenting experience.

Rabbi Levine emphasizes the value of a Jewish education in establishing a Jewish identity. “More important than any other factor, a Jewish education teaches our children who they are and the meaning of the heritage they were born into.”

The school will be directed by Aviva Lieberman, a resident of San Jose and mother of three. Aviva brings a wide array of skills and professional experience to YPOSV, but most importantly, the school will benefit greatly from her strong love and commitment to the learning and growth of all the students. Aviva is excited about being part of this meaningful project.

“We are opening a new preschool for families looking for an excellent program in a traditional Jewish environment,” she says.

“Jewish education is essential even to our young children, and unfortunately there are not enough Jewish schools to support the large numbers of Jews in Silicon Valley. We are sure YPOSV will have a positive impact not just on our students and their families, but on the San Jose community at large.”

YPOSV is a great fit for families looking for an excellent traditional Jewish education for their children. The preschool will provide a happy, fun and loving environment for Jewish children as young as 24 months.

The classroom environment and program curriculum at YPOSV are guided by the California Department of Education to ensure all areas of a child’s development are met. Through theme-based lessons, students will engage in guided discovery and hands-on learning. With special attention to the individual child, YPOSV will offer each student developmentally appropriate experiences tailored to his or her unique abilities, interests, needs and learning style.

Families that sign up by July 1 will get a $750 discount per child for the 2016-17 school year and a $500 discount per child for the 2017-2018 school year. Sibling discounts are also available. For more information visit www.yposv.org or email info@yposv.org.

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2016

For Ages 18 Months – 16 Years at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032

www.apjcc.org/camp

Camp scholarships available

Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley

The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley provides need-based camp scholarships for overnight and day camps.

Levy Family Campus

Visit jvalley.org/camps to learn more and apply. Contact Arielle Hendel, (408) 357-7501 or arielle@jvalley.org, for more information.

HALAQA-SEDER: MUSLIM AND JEWISH PERSPECTIVES ON THE EXODUS STORY SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016

4:00PM – 8:00PM CONGREGATION SHIR HADASH 20 CHERRY BLOSSOM WAY, LOS GATOS Dramatic reenactments of scenes from the Exodus Story from Muslim and Jewish scriptures Interfaith conversations • Halal/Kosher dinner $10 per person. Register at www.ing.org/halaqa-seder

Questions: Sean Rose, sean@ing.org, (408) 296-7312 or Diane Fisher, diane@jvalley.org, (408)357-7504 Convened by Islamic Networks Group (ING).

Sponsored by Congregation Shir Hadash, Pacifica Institute, and the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley

OF SILICON VALLEY

Community Relations Council

Congregation Shir Hadash

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Preschool: a gateway to academic achievement or entry point into the organized Jewish community?

By Gordon Gladstone, Executive Director of Congregation Shir Hadash Several recent studies see a link between preschools and early academic success. While there is still no firm study revealing that those gains are still evident at the high school or college level, the boost for early success are well documented (Yoshikawa, et al; 2013).

Not only are there benefits to school performance but also in social skills, problem solving and other life skills.

For Jewish institutions, preschools serve another function ꟷ they are entry points into the community. For most Jewish adults the decision to affiliate with a synagogue or other institution is driven by the arrival of children and the desire to provide an education in the tenets of Judaism. According to studies conducted by Dr. Pearl Beck, a social psychologist for the Jewish Early Childhood Education Partnership (Contact, 2002), there is a significant correlation between Jewish practice and affiliation. Surveys were made in three cities of 90 families who had children enrolled in JCC and synagogue schools from several streams. Of those families, a quarter reported being interfaith or including a Jew-by-choice ꟷ a number that would certainly be higher if the study were repeated in 2015. Of the families, very few were day school graduates and in only about half of the respondents’ households was there a parent who had visited Israel. Most of the families had not sought out Jewish preschools for their Jewish content.

Rather they cited proximity, facility quality and schedule as factors in their decision to enroll their children in a Jewish preschool.

Despite their relative lack of Jewish involvement, the families expressed a great deal of satisfaction with the Jewish content of the programs with 87 percent reporting that they were “very satisfied’ with the school as a whole and more than 9 in 10 being similarly pleased with the Jewish content. However, it was when examining the alumni of the programs that the greatest impact was revealed. More than half of the families surveyed choose to continue their child’s Jewish education in a synagogue-based program. Of the remaining, more than three quarters of them had plans to enroll their children in a similar program within the next 1-2 years.

All of this prompts a simple question: why? Why is this avenue of engagement so effective? Some initial answers are that the preschool environment is an opportunity to create community around the common denominator of parenthood. To couple this with Jewish content prompts the creation of even stronger bonds between the parents, children, and host institution. It can be asserted with no exaggeration that preschools represent one of the largest on-ramps to Jewish communal life. The investments we make as a community in the quality of the Jewish experience in our preschools will pay dividends for years and generations to come.

The Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center, founded seven years ago, is expanding on its programming this year with the addition of a Junior Kindergarten class for the 2016-17 schoolyear. To learn more about the expanded program, read the article on page 18.

For more information on Shir Hadash and the Early Childhood Center, contact Director Robin Adelman at (408) 358-1751 ext. 115, robin@shirhadash.org or visit the SHECC.org for information.

education USCJ’s 2015 convention was incubator for change

By Laurie Kamens This November 13-17, the world’s largest gathering of Conservative Jewish thinkers and doers converged upon the Chicagoland-area to influence the future of Conservative Judaism at The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s (USCJ) convention, Shape the Center. Not just a conference, but a launching pad for positive change, Shape the Center was an opportunity to engage, inspire and transform Conservative Judaism and kehillot (sacred communities) throughout North America.

Taking a holistic approach to synagogue life, the convention offered interactive workshops to build people’s capacity in addressing today’s most pressing issues, including LGBTQ and special-needs inclusion, leadership development, change management, millennial engagement, interfaith families, financial sustainability, and more.

The convention’s action-oriented workshops were facilitated by Jewish leaders and innovators such as author Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom; novelist Dara Horn; Lab/Shul spiritual leader Amichai Lau-Lavie; director and founder of the 92Y Shababa Network, Karina Zilberman; co-author of Immunity to Change, Harvard University Professor Robert Kegan, and Pulitzer Prizewinning Washington Post critic Sarah Kaufman.

Rabbi David Wolpe, named the most influential rabbi in America by Newsweek and PresenTense, a community of innovators and entrepreneurs, thinkers and leaders, creators and educators from around the world, led an interactive “IdeaLab” to come up with a new tagline for Conservative Judaism to help define its future course.

“Shape the Center is just the beginning as attendees will walk away with the tools, resources and actions plans to ensure the continuation of robust and meaningful Conservative Judaism,” said Margo Gold, USCJ International President. “Together we’ll shape the center of Jewish life in North America, Israel, and around the world.”

The gathering also included a multi-generational Shabbaton for more than 500 Conservative Jews of all ages. Together they engaged in a weekend of celebration and learning, culminating with a Havdalah concert from Joey Weinsenberg, the creative director of the Hadar Center for Communal Jewish Music, and Cantor George Mordecai of Temple Israel in White Plains, NY. Locally, Congregation Beth David of Saratoga received one of only two top Schechter Awards for its innovative Netivot HaNeshama program.

To learn more about United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism visit www.uscj.org.

www.jvalley.org

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l cal news

Recognizing a congregation of inclusiveness

By Richard Muirhead

unable to hold a prayer book easily.

At November’s URJ Biennial in Orlando, Florida, Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos was recognized as an “Exemplar Congregation” for the inclusion of those with disabilities. Exemplar congregations have excelled in one or more areas of inclusion, and have agreed to serve as mentors to other congregations in areas of inclusion.

Gordon Gladstone, executive director of Shir Hadash, says that the ultimate objective is to create an environment so people with disabilities “can fully participate to the best of their abilities.”

Leviticus 19:14 articulates laws for the protection of those with disabilities: “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” In our day, the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. While these are fundamental, we need to ask ourselves how we can go beyond these mandates to create welcoming and inclusive environments for those with disabilities and for their families.

Shir Hadash was recognized in several areas. The flexible nature of the sanctuary building itself, without fixed furniture, means that chairs and the reader’s table can be moved to support those with mobility issues. The bimah can be reached via a built-in ramp, and a hearing assistance device is available for people with low hearing.

The congregation also reaches out to those who cannot make it to the physical building, both through Shabbat programs at nearby assisted-living facilities, and by streaming High Holy Days services over the internet.

In addition to considering the needs of people with physical impairments, Shir Hadash has made an effort to be inclusive of those who are dealing with mental illness. For example, in the past the congregation’s Caring Committee has organized a Caring Shabbat focused on “Anxiety as a Jewish Illness.” In April they are organizing a Shabbat service and dinner on the theme of “Refuat HaNefesh Refuat HaGuf” — Healing of the Body and Spirit.

Additional inclusion efforts under consideration include a state-of-the-art “hearing loop” system in the sanctuary that works directly with hearing aids, and video screens in the sanctuary to aid both those with vision issues and people who are

This goal of participation is continued in Shir Hadash’s religious school, where Rabbi Lisa Levenberg’s overarching “ethos of inclusion and flexibility” is implemented by building “inclusion into the existing programs.” Two of these existing programs have proven to be valuable for students with learning or behavioral differences.

Both of these programs were not designed for students with special needs, but have proven to be a good option for some families. The “Free Range Torah” program, an alternative to the traditional classroombased religious school, emphasizes family involvement and varied hands-on activities and outings freed from expectations around classroom conduct. The Hebrew tutoring program, an alternative to classroom-based Hebrew school, is helpful for students and families for whom a classroom setting would be an additional strain.

Still, even with accommodations, school programs may not be the right fit for every student. In those cases, Shir Hadash partners with those families to design individual learning plans. “We try to find what’s right for each family,” says Rabbi Levenberg.

Robin Adelman, director of the Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center, echoes this message of inclusion. In recent years she and her staff have worked with parents seeking a preschool experience for a special needs child. “We let them know their child is welcome, and we will find a way to include them in the program,” she says.

JScreen: Helping you plan for your family’s healthy future We are all carriers of many genetic traits that are passed on through generations, whether it’s curly red hair, brown or blue eyes, or a hereditary genetic disease. Today’s geneticists have identified genetic markers for more than 80 hereditary diseases (40 of which are predominant in the Jewish community) that a person would not know they carry unless they were tested. JScreen is a public health initiative dedicated to preventing Jewish genetic diseases through carrier screening. Participants receive at-home access to cutting-edge genetic technology, patient education and genetic counseling services.

So whether you’re single, dating, planning to have children someday or are growing your family, JScreen is for you. Get more information and request a kit at www.JScreen.org.

Rita Jacobson continued from poge 5

Luncheon sponsored by Annual Philanthropy Day in Silicon Valley. Rita is this year’s winner of the Janet Berg Award, which is given by the Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, and which honors service to the local Jewish community.

She will be awarded this honor in person at the Power of Women event on April 14, 2016. Janet Berg, of award fame, says “I could not be more thrilled that CAER (The Council of Agency Executives and Rabbis) chose Rita as this year’s recipient of the award that bears my name. I have known Rita for decades. She is one of the nicest women in the community.

Her caring about this community is well-known and serves as an example to others. Great choice.”

A common message expressed by the Shir Hadash staff was one of working with each specific individual and their needs to find the right way to include them.

Rabbi Levenberg noted that, while Shir Hadash does not have a formally defined “inclusion committee,” this actually reinforces the idea that inclusion needs to be everyone’s job.

For more information on Congregation Shir Hadash call (408) 358-1751.

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Anat Hoffman to speak at Shir Hadash

By Elayne Klasson, Founding Member of Shir Hadash Three years ago my husband and I traveled to Israel with Rabbi Melanie Aron. When I asked about programs working toward peace and justice, Rabbi Aron scheduled breakfast with Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), legal and advocacy arm of the Reform Movement in Israel.

Ms. Hoffman is also chair of the board of Women of the Wall, which works against unbelievable opposition by the ultra-Orthodox, to allow Jewish women freedom to pray together at the Western Wall.

On Monday evening, March 7, at 7:30 p.m., Anat Hoffman will speak at Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos. The lecture is one of the celebrations to commemorate Shir Hadash’s 36th anniversary, as well as Rabbi Aron’s 25th and Cantor FelderLevy’s 20th anniversaries.

In 2013, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz named Anat Hoffman “Person of the Year.” The Jerusalem Post named her fifth among its list of the 50 Most Influential Jews in Israel. From 1988-2002, Hoffman served on Jerusalem’s City Council, speaking for women, minorities and secular practices.

The Israel Religious Action Center has many accomplishments including:

• Reduced gender separation and exclusion of women from the public sphere. In December, the Attorney General’s Office of Israel ordered the rabbi of the Western Wall to include women, for the first time, in the national candle-lighting ceremony for Hanukkah. Anat Hoffman was influential in this act symbolic of a 27-year struggle to obtain equality for women at the Wall; • Equality of status and funding for Reform and Conservative rabbis; • Combating racial incitement, intolerance and inequity; • Representing rights of converts; • Advocating for freedom of choice in marriage and equal rights in divorce.

Anat Hoffman’s speaking engagements in the U.S. help raise money and public awareness for the social justice work of the Israel Religious Action Center.

Those who contribute at least $100 toward the event on March 7 will be invited to a cocktail party reception at 6:30 p.m. at Shir Hadash honoring Ms. Hoffman before her presentation.

Please mail your check to Shir Hadash at 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos, CA, 95032, making sure you indicate your contribution is directed toward Anat Hoffman’s visit. Or, contribute online to shirhadash.org/hoffman.

Admission to the lecture only, without reception, on Monday, March 7, will be $10. For more information contact Shir Hadash at (408) 358-1751.

l cal news Tzedakah beyond the box

By Zvi Weiss, Yavneh Day School One of the first baby gifts that we received when my eldest was born was a beautiful tzedakah box with an inscription of her name. Every Friday, before lighting Shabbat candles, she would look forward to putting coins in the box. Every year before Yom Kippur (in a reenactment of ancient biblical ritual) we would make an appointment with our Rabbi, and after discussing the causes that were important to her, she would hand the money over to his discretionary fund, trusting that he would designate the money in a manner consistent with her wishes. This was the first of many acts of tzedakah (which literally means "justice") in which she and her siblings were involved. Most of these projects consisted of drives (books, canned food, diapers, etc.) and fundraising for various causes.

Much of the tzedakah in which my family has been involved has been based on the teachings of Maimonides: the higher the level of anonymity between giver and receiver, the higher the value of the tzedakah. While I understand the rationale behind Maimonides' "Ladder of Tzedakah", in that direct distribution of charity can become a patronizing and even demeaning act to the person on the receiving end, and while I wholeheartedly agree with the intention, I feel that from a broader educational perspective, this approach misses an important growth opportunity for our children.

At Yavneh Day School, as at many Jewish and other independent schools, we distinguish ourselves by talking about educating the whole child. The euphemism of 'whole child' refers to educating beyond the cerebral academic domains, to include attention to physical, social and emotional development: teaching to the mind, body, heart and soul. A particular hope and challenge of this approach is instilling empathy in our students, teaching our children to care. To a generation that spends much of its time interacting with the screens of their personal devices, the art of making personal connections with others, making eye contact, reacting to others' reactions/feelings/emotions genuinely and spontaneously, are at risk. These skills go hand in hand with the development of empathy towards others. Building a strong sense of empathy in students goes a long way in creating a learning environment that is kinder, gentler and less likely to tolerate bullying. The act of engaging in problem solving of everyday conflict on the playground, showing concern towards a hurt or sick classmate, cheering up a sad friend, these are the primary ways in which kindness, repair and justice are lived and learned at school. It is our goal as a school to extend this empathy to inspire the pursuit of justice through acts of tzedakah in the broader world as well.

I would argue that in order to create an effective next generation of Jewish philanthropists, it is important that we build empathy for the plight of others. I turn from the teachings of Maimonides towards the words of Pirkei Avot (1:5) continued on page 27

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25

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*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

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Tzedakah

continued from page 25 for guidance on this matter as we are taught that the "poor of your city should be members of your household." This teaching suggests that tzedakah should be up close and personal. Through personal connections with those in need, our children will hopefully gain more meaningful understanding and a stronger commitment to support those less fortunate in our midst, thus helping to even the scales of social justice in our world.

In this spirit, Yavneh has been putting a greater focus on creating experiences for our students that go beyond coins in the tzedakah box and fundraising for causes (although our students certainly engage in those acts of tzedakah as well). Our eighth grade students recently completed weeks of hands-on work cleaning neighborhoods and creeks shoulder to shoulder with local homeless as part of San Jose's Downtown Streets Team. At the end of the project, the Pirkei Avot teaching came to life as those homeless co-workers were invited to Yavneh to be guests at our table and share breakfast. At breakfast, our students and the homeless adult team counterparts shared stories and learned from each other. In the words of our students: "I learned that they are just like everyone else: some have solid families, some have broken families, many are out of jobs...some had a family member become sick and accumulated medical bills, or a family member with a drug problem where they ended up losing everything...I used to think that all homeless people were lazy, but after learning more about them I was wrong."

One of the homeless shared his struggles with illiteracy and he, along with several others urged our students to appreciate their education. Several of our students were motivated to sell hot

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chocolate the next week to raise money to buy good quality rain ponchos for their new acquaintances. Everyone gained appreciation for the Downtown Streets Team organization that is helping provide social services, including job placement services for the group with whom they worked.

In another act of direct tzedakah, our kindergarten students engaged in a process to determine how to allocate the monies that they collected in the class during their first term. The group came to the consensus that they wanted to support sick children in the hospital. As part of their research the group interviewed people who had spent time in hospitals. Based on these interviews they learned the importance of lifting the spirits of patients as part of the recovery process. As such, they bought items that would entertain hospital-bound children.

They then engaged in the mitzvah of bikur cholim, visiting sick children at a local hospital and personally delivered games and books while interacting with the patients. In the words of one of our kindergarteners: "I felt really happy going to the hospital because it made the patients feel better."

Engaging in acts of tzedakah from a traditional Jewish vantage point is not about building empathy, but about following G-d's commandment in pursuit of social justice. At the same time, the interactions between our students and real world challenges provide valuable opportunities to build empathy. Ultimately, the hope is that these experiences will bring greater meaning to our children's lives, inspiring them to be committed citizens and members of the Jewish community while doing their part to create a more caring world.

Experience it all at the JCC! Join us for Jewish education, enrichment classes, fitness, aquatics, camp, preschool,cultural programs, and much more.

Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley Levy Family Campus

14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 408.358.3636 | info@apjcc.org www.apjcc.org

www.jvalley.org

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Celebration for Hana Cidon

By Joy Null Please join us for a special evening to celebrate the contributions of Hana Cidon, Kindergarten teacher at Yavneh Day School since 1998. In celebration of her 18 years at Yavneh, we will hold a celebration: “A Night at the Shuk” on Sunday, February 28th from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at the APJCC Auditorium in the Levy Family Campus, Los Gatos.

The evening will feature a vegetarian Israeli dinner, dancing, and live music from Lior Ben-Hur and Sol Tevel. All parents, community members, and alumni ages 13 years and older are invited to attend.

Tickets are $72 per person, and $18 for Yavneh alumni.

Childcare is available for $10 per child (There will be no solicitation or fundraising taking place at the event.)

For more information, and to purchase tickets, tributes, and sponsorship, or to send Hana a congratulatory video message, please visit: www.yavnehdayschool.org RSVP at www.facebook.com/events/500468730121469/ or email or call Lauren Carlinsky, laurenC@ yavnehdayschool.org, (408) 984-6700

Photography exhibition at the APJCC

By Emily Somma “Focus on Wonder,” an exhibition of beautiful photographs of children at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Preschool is currently on display on the second floor art gallery hallway at the Levy Family Campus. The photos represent a significant point of connection for the APJCC community and speak to the important role of education and growth in the JCC. The focus of the exhibit is to showcase children’s learning through exploration. They show children engaged in activities that strengthen their sense of wonder and reinforce control over their learning. Each photo is a work of art on its own, but it is also a part of the narrative of children’s learning.

The photos chosen for the exhibition reflect the APJCC Preschool’s developmental philosophy, which is that young children learn best through direct sensory encounters and not through a formal academic process. Learning at the preschool is the outcome of hands-on experience, especially play.

Each group of photos in the exhibition depicts a Jewish value that the children learn in the preschool. The photographs were taken by APJCC Preschool teachers and offer a deep experience and personal insight for the viewer.

“Focus on Wonder” will be on display through March 11. For more information about the APJCC Preschool, visit www.apjcc.org/preschool or call (408) 357-7417.

The APJCC Preschool is now accepting applications for the 2016-17 schoolyear. Children who will be between 18 months old and 5 years old by August 2016 are encouraged to apply. The preschool is hosting an Open House on Sunday, January 24 from 10:00 a.m.-noon for interested families.

CBD participates in Abrahamic Alliance dinner for the homeless

By Carol Cassell Congregation Beth David members united with Christians and Muslims on October 25 to make and serve dinner to the homeless at CityTeam Men’s Recovery Center.

Abrahamic Alliance International is a faith-based, non-profit organization uniting Jews, Christians and Muslims for active peace building and poverty relief. Its executive director, Rod Cardoza, contacted designated representatives of Beth David (Carol Cassell), the West Valley Muslim Association (Taj Noori), and Saratoga Federated Church (Pastor Arvin Engelson) and the group met. Rod facilitated introductions and mini histories, and told us we were serving dinner to 265 people, including the volunteers.

It was quickly decided that Beth David would be responsible for a vegetarian main course, and the other groups would provide green salad, fruit salad, garlic bread, lemonade and baklava for dessert. However there was a challenge; Beth David has no working kitchen as the building is being remodeled. After some inquiries, we were invited to use Saratoga Federated Church’s kitchen to make 30 half-trays of lasagna the morning of October 25.

The lasagna making team included Rabbi Shoshana Ohriner, Linda Weiss, Irene Spector, and Bonnie Slavitt Moore and two wonderful ladies from the church. Chris Cassell helped unload the cars, and the group was off and running. The first action was to unscrew 56 jars of marinara sauce. After about 2 hours the trays were ready.

In the afternoon the volunteer groups arrived; about 15 from each faith. There were speakers and prayers from all three groups. Rod Cardoza organized the volunteers into “buddy groups.” Same gender, similar age work groups composed of individuals from all three faiths. The groups talked, answered questions and shared before getting down to work, preparing and transporting the meal. At the shelter, after the food was delivered, each buddy group was assigned a task. Residents and walk-ins lined up and at 4:30, dinner was served. Nancy Skilken, one of Congregation Beth David’s volunteers said the experience “was both interesting and fulfilling.”

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Deliberative process leads to statement on support for Syrian refugee admissions This statement was approved by the Board of Directors and the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.

It represents a deliberative process of study and discussion that was inspired by our strong Jewish tradition, which honors debate and dissent on important issues in our lives. We thoughtfully considered all voices, including those who felt the balance must fall more heavily on the security vetting process and potentially increasing anti-Semitism, than on our obligations to help refugees. We studied with Rabbi Laurie Hahn-Tapper, the rabbinic representative to the Community Relations Council and rabbi of Yavneh Day School. We adopted common language passed by the Jewish Council of Public Affairs (representing 152 Federations and 16 national agencies including Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform movements) at its 2015 Town Hall, and then modified it to reflect our local feelings and additional world events.

In the end our consensus was strong, partly because of our understanding of Jewish tradition, and partly because of our desire to build consensus even when it is difficult. The process and the result were both valuable. The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley is proud to share this work and invites the community to similarly engage on this issue by sending comments to diane@jvalley.org.

Approved December 16, 2015 Guided by our own history as refugees as well as our shared biblical and prophetic mandate to protect and welcome the stranger, the American Jewish community has always been a stakeholder in refugee resettlement and protection, both in the U.S. and in other countries—offering new beginnings, including helping to welcome more than three million refugees who have arrived in the U.S. for resettlement since the enactment of the Refugee Act of 1980.

By definition, refugees are persons who cannot return to their countries of origin due to a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of who they are or what they believe. The 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol (the Refugee Convention) prohibits returning a refugee to his or her country of persecution; requires access to fair and humane asylum procedures for all asylum seekers; and states that countries shall not penalize refugees for illegal entry or presence. There are 148 countries that have signed either one or both of these international legal instruments, including the United States, Israel, and all European Union member states.

The most staggering refugee situation today is the crisis stemming from Syria’s civil war—now in its fifth year. There are an estimated four million Syrian refugees who have fled their country and eight million people internally displaced within the country. These people have faced horrific violence and persecution, many risking their lives in an effort to reach a country that will provide refuge.

Over the last five years, conditions have gone from bad to worse in Syria and for those fleeing from the conflict. Refugees

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in host countries, whether in camps or in urban environments, face inadequate housing and food, limited access to medical and psychological care, lack of educational opportunities, and limited resources.

The United States has provided significant funding to assist Syrian refugees, but it is nowhere near enough to meet the growing needs. The countries bordering Syria—primarily Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey—are struggling with the challenges of hosting large numbers of refugees and are preventing many refugees from entering. The scope of the crisis is so vast that it threatens to destabilize the entire region, and deteriorating conditions in countries of first asylum are causing secondary mass displacements.

For many of the refugees who have fled their homes in Syria, resettlement to a third country is, for the foreseeable future, the best opportunity for them to restart their lives in safety.

With the largest and most sophisticated resettlement program in the world, the U.S. can and should increase the number of refugees it resettles from Syria and enhance efficiency of the resettlement program. This leadership will encourage other countries to step up their efforts as well.

In addition to saving lives in this crisis, we take note that resettled refugees have a historical track record of enhancing diversity and boosting the economy in communities around the country. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is built on a model of self-sufficiency—refugees receive employment authorization upon arrival, and they are encouraged to become employed as soon as possible. Most refugees begin working in entry-level jobs at first, and before long they start businesses, pay taxes, and purchase goods and services.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs believes: •

The international community must respond to the Syrian refugee crisis. This must include contributing significant aid and utilizing refugee resettlement to save lives and share responsibility with countries of first asylum;

•

Refugees must be treated with dignity and respect. This includes providing access to protection, livelihoods, medical services, and education;

•

We can and must hold concurrently our legitimate fears of terrorism and our dedication to providing refuge for those fleeing violence. We are alarmed by the xenophobia generated by an imbalance of these concerns.

The community relations field should: •

Urge the international community to significantly increase humanitarian aid funding to ensure that Syrian refugees’ basic needs are met in countries of first asylum;

•

Call on the international community and Syrian refugeehosting countries to strengthen the infrastructure of refugee-hosting communities to ensure that proper resources are allocated to provide services both to their citizens and to refugees; continued on page 31

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c mmunity

Director of Social Services position

Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley (JFS SV) is seeking a Full-Time Director of Social Services to manage agency programs for a diverse group of clientele that includes families, seniors, émigrés, Holocaust survivors, volunteers, and others.

You will manage and oversee programs and services for adults, families, and seniors. Your job responsibilities include assuring effective client services, carrying a small caseload, supervising departmental staff, assuring grant and contract compliance, and promoting JFS SV throughout the community.

You must be outgoing, friendly, positive, and highly organized. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office are required. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Excellent benefits.

Requirements:  Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or LMFT;  Three years post-graduate work (including supervision of staff and direct counseling/ case management work with clients) in a non-profit agency;  Understanding of Jewish community, religion and the unique issues Jews face;  Ability to work well with others in community including volunteers, clergy, educators, JCC, Federation and other professionals.

Résumés to: jobs@jfssv.org

Think more, do more, b’more!

By Iris Bendahan and Sarah Miller Imagine teens from 17 regions across N. America, singing & cheering at a 65th anniversary bash for USY, with the mantra Think More, Do More, B’More. What might such a bash look and feel like?

USY, United Synagogue Youth, is the Conservative movement’s youth group, and often the bell weather for issues that the movement considers of imminent importance as the youth become the next generation of leaders. This year’s annual USY International Convention (IC) took place in Baltimore on Dec. 27-31, and after the 700 teens completed the thunderous cheering and singing that typically characterizes the opening session, they began the meaningful work of learning about advocacy and how to actively participate in making change. USYers chose learning tracks on hot topics such as Israel Advocacy, Sexual Orientation/Gender Roles (they even had a gender neutral bathroom), Environmental Issues, Mental Health, and engaged with representatives from major non-profit organizations.

This bash also included varied special events such as attending a solidarity event at the Oriole’s stadium in response to the “silent game” they played during the Baltimore riots (the USYers walked to the stadium and sang songs there); an Amazing Race simulation where USYers competed against other color teams with a variety of activities, a visit to the aquarium, a Saturday night dance/sport complex event, and a finale concert by Hatikvah 6. During “Pre-convention” many teens also spent several days in DC, visiting the Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian, ICE - an interactive exhibit made completely out of ice, and engaging with philanthropist extraordinaire, Danny Siegel.

“IC” is but one of the many amazing USY events teens can experience. Our local USY region, led by regional director Sara Miller, is called New Frontier (www.newfrousy. org), which won an award for “largest percentage membership increase” at IC. New Frontier hosts a variety of regional events, such as Fall Kinnus, Yom Theme Park, and May Convention. Here in the South Bay, PAUSY (Kol Emeth), SJCUSY (Sinai) and SAUSY (Beth David) hold individual chapter and sometimes combo events. IC, however, is the crowning event each year as SAUSY president, Josh Mendel, puts it ““​IC this year was really fun, giving us opportunities to ​be with friends, meet new people from across the country, and discuss and explore important issues in the world today. From touring the monuments and memorials in D.C. during Pre-Convention to going to the aquarium in Baltimore with hundreds of Jewish teens, it was an amazing experience.”

At one time, you were proud of that old car.

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

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A good summary of what this IC felt like comes from SAUSY’s Israel Affairs rep, Rafi Bendahan, who was initially skeptical of the IC tag line that it can be the ‘best week of your life’: “…my time with USY literally was the best week of my life. I met many senior ‘celebrities’. I met so many people I hope will be my lifelong friends and I can’t wait until next year in Dallas to make even more friends and have an even better time!”

Teens who want to Think More, Do More, B’More, should contact our SAUSY advisor Sivan at CBD.USY@beth-david.org or CBD. Kadima@beth-david.org for 6th-8th graders who want to start getting in on the action!

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Hanukkah celebration brings Judaism to downtown San Jose

l cal news Statement on Syrian refugees

By Jenny Green The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center brought the light and joy of Hanukkah to the wider South Bay community with its first ever “Hooray for Hanukkah” event at the Children’s Discovery Museum in downtown San Jose on December 6. More than 2,000 people attended the event.

Children and adults sampled latkes and donuts, rolled Hanukkah candles and participated in other art projects, read Hanukkah themed books with PJ Library (a project of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley) and enjoyed concerts by Hot Kugel and the Yavneh Day School choir.

continued from page 29 •

Encourage the international community, led by the United States and Europe—and in alignment with the principles of international customary law and the generous humanitarian intent behind the Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967 Protocol— to share responsibility with host countries, particularly Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, and resettle meaningful numbers of Syrian refugees. In the case of the United States, with the most sophisticated resettlement program in the world, we urge the Administration to increase annual admissions of Syrian refugees while continuing to improve and strengthen the rigorous security screenings that are integral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program;

•

Strive to create a welcoming environment for Syrian refugees and speak out when others—including community, religious, and political leaders—label them with hateful or xenophobic invective, or conflate them with terrorists, particularly given that many Syrian refugees are themselves victims of terror;

•

Actively encourage HIAS and other resettlement agencies to develop social integration programs for refugees that not only teach American values and way of life, but openly address anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments prevalent in the dictatorship and violent society they have escaped.

The “Hooray for Hanukkah” event is one of several in the APJCC’s newest initiative ꟷ Community Engagement: Beyond the Walls of APJCC. The initiative is intended to connect with the Jews in Silicon Valley who have no Jewish organizational affiliation.

Jewish and Medical Ethics A Panel Discussion with Author Daniel Asa Rose Daniel Asa Rose, author of Larry’s Kidney, will speak about his trip to China to get his cousin a kidney as well as Jewish medical ethics. Library Journal called Rose’s book “a side-splitting tour de force... Larry’s challenging journey to China will resonate with readers who are rightfully concerned about the plight of American patients who may be relegated for years to an organ transplant waiting list.”

Rose will then moderate a panel featuring: The Honorable Jamie Jacobs May, Dr. Stephen Jackson, and Rabbi Joshua Berkenwald

Tuesday, February 9th, 2016

7:00pm-Drinks and Desserts, 7:30pm Speaker and Discussion Congregation Shir Hadash 20 Cherry Blossom Ln, Los Gatos, 95032 $18 per person. Register at www.jvalley.org/MedicalEthics Chairs: Virginia Turner Hess, JD and Stephen Jackson, MD

® OF SILICON VALLEY

Congregation Shir Hadash

Congregation Sinai

A PROGRAM OF MAIMONIDES AND CARDOZO SOCIETIES OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SILICON VALLEY

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There’s more than one way to answer the call.

Not a fan of the phone? We hear you. You don’t have to pick up to donate on Super Monday (2/29) or Super Sunday (3/13) - it’s your call.

4 ways to give Give online at jvalley.org

Send us an email with your pledge (info@jvalley.org)

Stop by our offices or send a check

Go old-school and pick up the phone (408) 358-3033

® OF SILICON VALLEY

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obituaries

MARTIN FELDMAN

He spent many years skiing, fishing and golfing. He also enjoyed poker and was a huge sports fan.

Martin Feldman was born in Los Angeles, CA to Doris and Jacob Feldman; he passed away at his home in Los Gatos with his wife Nell and his family by his side.

Jay is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Lila Bale Levinson, and six children: Sally Kay, Michael Fowler, JaNell Shepard (Stuart), Steven Levinson, Daneen Heislitz (Martiens) and Rochella Axner (Mikael). He also leaves eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two nephews and a niece. He was predeceased by his sister, Elayne Brill.

September 12, 1922 – December 5, 2015

In 1941, Martin attended the University of Oregon on a football scholarship. He was a Marine Corp Reservist and was called to active duty at the start of World War II. He was with the 22nd Marine Division and saw combat on Guadalcanal, Taiwan and Eniwetok and other notable battles in the South Pacific; he was awarded two purple hearts.

After the war, he attended and graduated Stanford University where he played football and rugby; he was subsequently named to the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame. He also coached at Stanford and was the second head coach for the Oakland Raiders.

Marty was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a proud Marine. He was respected and loved by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Nell, sons Scott (Judy), Lance (Wendy) and daughter Keri (Roger) and grandchildren Aaron, Hannah, Max, Avi, Rachel, Bailey and Mitchell.

Please send donations in his memory to Marty’s favorite charity, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Semper Fi.

JAY BRUCE LEVINSON

July 14, 1938 – November 29, 2015 Jay passed away peacefully on November 29. He was born to Sally (nee Alpern) and George Levinson in Newburgh, NY. He served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and graduated from Syracuse University in 1960. Jay moved to California after college and worked for SCM before becoming a well-respected realtor and mortgage broker in Santa Clara Valley for almost 50 years. He served on the Real Estate Board and was a member of the Sheriff’s Advisory Board.

Jay loved his family above all else and enjoyed traveling, good food and wine.

Home of Peace Cemetery and Mausoleum Founded 1853

Owned and operated by Temple Emanu-El South Bay Area’s only Jewish-owned Cemetery, Mausoleum, and Columbarium.

Pre-Need Terms Wayne Rose, Administrator

(408) 266-4184 cemetery@templesanjose.org

In lieu of flowers, please engage in random acts of kindness.

PETER MARKUS

December 30, 1944 - November 18, 2015 Peter was born in a refugee camp in Switzerland after his parents, Johanna Haachen & Kurt Markus, escaped from Berlin; his mother had been a slave laborer in a German munitions factory. After the war, his family moved to New York and they lived in Greenwich Village where his brother Rolf was born.

A motorcycle accident left Peter a paraplegic, but took nothing away from his active mind and enthusiasm for life. He enjoyed art and technical problems, cartooning, photography, architectural design, and electronics.

Peter moved to Chai House where he became president of the Resident’s Council, started and ran a current events program called “Let’s Talk with Peter,” and helped with the publishing of the Chai House newsletter. He was a supporter of the kosher meals at Chai House and organized a successful fundraiser to help fund it. He was a long-time member of Congregation Sinai.

Peter was pre-deceased by his parents and brother and is survived by cousins Alex, Carol, Mark, Diane, Wendy and William Herzberg and cousin Karen Hubler. He is also mourned by his long-time companion Cindy Faulkner and members of the Chai House community.

Donations in his memory may be made to Chai House, and Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley.

HELEN MATZNER

December 7, 1939 – December 26, 2015 Helen was born in London to Walter and Betty Gillston. During the worst of the Blitz, she was moved to the countryside in England. After the War, she returned to London. She liked to say that she moved to the “colonies” in 1962. She lived in Canada, Long Island and New Jersey and finally San Jose. continued on page 34

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Cremation or burial: a traditional Jewish view

Obituaries

By Fabienne Adler

One of Helen’s favorite jobs was helping the Russian émigrés once the Soviet Union began to let the Jews out.

She met Bruce Matzner when he placed an ad in a San Francisco Jewish paper; she happened to see this when she was assisting a young Russian with a job search. She moved to the Villages and married Bruce in 1996. Helen studied cooking at the Cordon Bleu in London and was known for her cooking skills which she demonstrated many times in the Villages.

Making funeral plans for oneself or a loved one is a painful task, especially when decisions have to be made in a rush and in the midst of grief. The widespread lack of knowledge regarding Jewish traditions of burial and mourning adds to the difficulty, as families might be unaware of their options and of the possible consequences of their choices. Cremation, for instance, is sometimes presented as a “green” and economical alternative to burial, but Jewish tradition does not consider it a respectful treatment of the body. As such, the voluntary cremation of the deceased’s remains has negative consequences in Jewish law.

continued from page 33

Helen is survived by her mother Betty Gillston of Toronto, Canada, her husband Bruce, her son Jonathan Curshen and daughter Caroline Brown, grandchildren Jacob, Joseph and Jade Curshen, Tyler and Erica Brown.

She is also survived by her step-children, David Matzner and Lee Bilodeau and step-grand-child Isaac Matzner.

Helen was active in Brandeis and Hadassah in the Villages and donations in her memory may be made to those organizations.

RUTH E. PERKINS

June 3, 1948 – November 23, 2015 Ruth E. Perkins of Sunnyvale passed away after a tenyear courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

The Chevra Kadisha of the South Bay (www.ckosb.org) seeks to assist all Jewish families at the time of the death of a loved one, providing information and services to the community and ensuring that the dignity of the deceased is safeguarded. In cooperation with Rabbi Menachem Levine, of Congregation Am Echad in San Jose, the Chevra Kadisha will be holding free informational events across the Bay area on Sunday, February 14. Rabbi Doron Kornbluth will speak on the subject of Cremation or Burial--A Jewish View in three locations: the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (3200 California Street) at 11 a.m., the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto) at 3:30 p.m., and the American Legion, 1504 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, at 7:00 p.m.

For more information, call the Chevra Kadisha of the South Bay at (408) 239-4704.

The world lost a beautiful, warm, generous, and charitable lady.

She is survived by her daughters Terasa and Diana, her brothers Myron and Mike, sisters-in-law Susan and Robin, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Charles and her parents Irene and Irving Sabes.

Services were held at Congregation Etz Chayim in Palo Alto.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation: Themmrf.org.

Please send obituaries and photos to Andrea Greyber at andrea.greyber@gmail.com or phone her at (408) 3776224.

Home of Peace Cemetery and Mausoleum Founded 1853

Owned and operated by Temple Emanu-El South Bay Area’s only Jewish-owned Cemetery, Mausoleum, and Columbarium.

Pre-Need Terms Wayne Rose, Administrator

(408) 266-4184 cemetery@templesanjose.org

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POWER WOMEN OF

Walking in Her Shoes Guest Speaker:

JANE WEITZMAN,

Philanthropist, Author and Stuart Weitzman’s Leading Lady Janet Berg Honoree:

RITA JACOBSON Co-Chairs:

SUSIE BRENNER & RUTH LITWIN

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 7:00 PM, LOS GATOS Info: www.jvalley.org

www.jvalley.org

for everything Jewish in Silicon Valley

COCKTAILS with friends

An informal evening promoting heart health Tuesday, February 23rd

7:30 pm Levy Family Campus APJCC Art Gallery (upstairs)

$23 ($5 will be donated to the American Heart Association, Go Red Campaign) Info: www.jvalley.org/wp Chaired by Jodi Gerston & Andrea Rubnitz

www.jvalley.org

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c mmunity Holocaust Survivors’ Association

By Sheila Kessler Gold The Silicon Valley Holocaust Survivors’ Association was first formed in 1993 under the name South Bay Holocaust Survivors’ Group with Ruth Brill as president. The main goals were to provide emotional support for members and their families, to share information about members’ governmental rights and to provide a social outlet.

One of the association’s greatest contributions to our community is found on the facade of the Levy Family Campus — the Holocaust Wall and Memorial Plaque. Dedicated on October 19, 1997, by then Congressman Tom Campbell, the plaque and wall were gifts from survivor Jack Tramiel, his family and many others. The wall was reinstalled when the campus was rebuilt in 2005.

Resembling Rachel’s Tomb near Jerusalem, the wall is made of Jerusalem stone. The design is of a hand with survivor Richard Hirsch’s number tattooed on it representing the numbers tattooed on concentration camp prisoners.

The installation is a visual reminder of our community’s promise to the world, NEVER AGAIN! Members and interested parties meet for a lox and bagel brunch the second Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the AddisonPenzak Jewish Community Center located on the Levy Family Campus in Los Gatos. Food and money donations are gratefully accepted and programs vary with speakers, films, musical groups like the Yiddish Choristers, and time for shmoozing. For further information, please contact Cherie Ravel at (408) 367-7462.

Stewardships onto this land

By Rabbi Melanie Aron, Congregation Shir Hadash One of the things I’ve enjoyed about living in California is being in sync with the seasons on our Jewish calendar. It no longer snows on my Succah, as it used to when I was growing up in Cincinnati, and when we sing, “The Rain is Over and Gone,” from Song of Songs on Passover, the words ring true. The advantage in enjoying the right weather for the holidays is most noticeable to me on Tu Bishvat, the New Year of the Trees, which falls this year on January 25. After years of bringing my heavily bundled-up religious school students outside in New Jersey and New York, only to find the ground so frozen that digging a hole for a tree planting was impossible, I’ve enjoyed the rainy and clear years here at Shir Hadash, where Tu Bishvat is truly the tree planting season and we can see those first buds on the trees that we sing about in our Tu Bishvat songs.

It’s not just the seasonal weather. In marking the new year of the trees, Tu Bishvat makes me more conscious and appreciative of the natural world. Tu Bishvat is a reminder of our human responsibilities on this earth — “le-avdah ul’shomrah — to till it and to tend it.”

That is, to work the land and to guard it (Genesis 2:15). Tu Bishvat is also a reminder that the poetic words of the Psalmist, “the earth is Adonai’s” are meant not just metaphorically, but also in terms of Jewish law. We are tenants, not owners: we are responsible for the preservation of the earth. God has promised not to bring another destructive flood to destroy all creation, and we are similarly bidden to safeguard God’s creation for the generations that will follow our own.

The idea that we are meant to be guardians of the earth has received some significant support this year, well beyond the expected circle of environmentalists, liberals, and other tree huggers. The Pope’s very strongly worded environmental encyclical is being studied in congregations around the world including those in red states here in the United States. His voice is not easily dismissed, not only among Catholics, but among others who have come to respect Pope Francis. Earlier this fall, a group of 15 military leaders, mostly Republicans like the former chairman of President Bush’s National Intelligence Council, spoke out about global warming as a security challenge. There was a similar element of surprise back in October when the heads of 81 U.S. Corporations joined together to make a statement: “delaying action on Climate Change will be costly in economic and human terms.” These corporations included the expected newbies Google, Facebook and Apple, but also old time corporations like General Motors, International Paper and Kellogg’s. Together these corporations employ 9 million people. A survey in November of business leaders, found that 67% of them saw a clear business case for action on climate change. We know that insurance companies are already including climate change in their calculations. Finally, in the days leading up to the Paris summit, CEO’s from 78 companies, in 20 different economic sectors, with combined revenues of $2.1 trillion, joined together in urging that a price be put on carbon through market mechanisms, something which has been discussed extensively, to trigger investment in a low carbon economy and reduction in greenhouse emissions.

Jewish tradition both in aggadic passages, like that from Genesis Rabbah (“This is the last world I shall make. I place it in your hands. Hold it in Trust”) and through halachic concepts like Baal Tashchit (Thou Shalt not Wantonly Destroy), speak out clearly and repeatedly on our long-term responsibilities towards G-d’s creation. That is why I was very surprised that a recent effort by CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership declared environmental issues off limits in a program encouraging the study of Judaism and science.

With the recent release of information on how several large oil companies distorted discussion of environmental issues over a long period of time, do we want the discussion within our synagogues to be similarly curtailed by funder’s requests? I am hopeful that as people speak out on this issue, CLAL will reconsider the parameters of this conversation.

Tu Bishvat is built into our Jewish calendar to remind us of our personal stewardship responsibilities and of our duty to move Jewish values into action. Working with the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), which was represented at the Paris Conference, and other Jewish organizations, we can make a difference.

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APJCC DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES

Dinner with Writer Bruce Kaplan Thursday, February 25th, 2016 7:00pm Enjoy dinner with author Bruce Kaplan, cartoonist for the New Yorker and writer for the TV shows Girls, Seinfeld, and Six Feet Under.

He will discuss his latest book, I Was a Child.

FEE: $18 JCC members, $25 non-members.

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RSVP REQUIRED. Contact CJLL@apjcc.org More info: 408.357.7411 or visit www.apjcc.org/jplace

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The APJCC is proud to be a part of the Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood, co-funded by the Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture, and supported further by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, and donors like you.

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