JCN

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VOL. 69, #1, October 2009

The JCN celebrates 50 years Can you guess who is on the cover? p. 14

Home Sweet Home Hillel of Silicon Valley buys new home, triples former size p. 5

Jewish Film Festival p. 13

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Cecily Ruttenberg Executive Editor Pat Bergman Editorial Assistant Andrea Greyber Simchas Editor Pat Bergman Datebook Editor Published six times a year by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. Subscription Price: $36 per year*. All articles must be submitted typed, double-spaced, before the deadline shown on this page. We reserve the right to edit all copy. The JCN N is not responsible for the content of paid advertising. Send copy to Jewish Community News, 14855 Oka Rd., Suite 200, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Telephone: (408) 431-0936. Fax: (408) 356-0733. e-mail: cecily@jvalley.org For: Billing questions call Michelle Ryder (408) 357-7505 For: Advertising call Lori Cinnamon (408) 867-9692 For: Circulation call Danelle Rhiner (408) 358-3033 Assoc. Member: American Jewish Press Association Subscriber: Jewish Telegraphic Agency

DEADLINES: EDITORIAL: Oct. 26 • ADVERTISING: Nov. 2, 2009

CANDLELIGHTING Friday, October 16.......................6:12 p.m. Friday, October 23.......................6:03 p.m. Friday, October 30.......................5:55 p.m. Friday, November 6.....................4:48 p.m.

We're on the net at www.jvalley.org

Friday, November 13...................4:42 p.m. Friday, November 20...................4:37 p.m. Friday, November 27...................4:34 p.m. Friday, December 4.....................4:32 p.m.

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Heroes Wanted: Be the Match and Save a Life

Gary Aknin searches for Transplant Donor

Thank you from the Aknin Family

I’m not kidding. We need your help. You might save my life. My name is Gary Aknin; I am 50 years old. I have a loving wife and son. In 2002, I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), prevalent among Jews. I received several cycles of chemotherapy at Stanford. My CLL progressed into an aggressive form of CLL. In 2007, I received a transplant, but my transplant failed and my CLL returned. I’m now preparing for a second transplant. Please register with the Be the Match p g or 1-800-471-4619 Registry at http://www.BeTheMatch.org and give a simple mouth swab to ďŹ nd out if you’re my match. Or, attend the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Light The Nightâ€? (http://www.LightTheNight.org/SJ/ p g g g /) event, scheduled this October in Palo Alto, San Jose, and San Mateo. You can register and receive a free and simple, mouth swab screening at the event. While you might not be my match, you could match someone else and help save a life. What a mitzvah! What could be more rewarding‌?

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

How would YOU balance California’s budget? Come to Congregation Beth David as it starts its Adult Education Lecture Series with the “California Budget Challenge 2009,” on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome. This free lecture is cosponsored by the Sharone chapter of Hadassah. This interactive and provocative evening will be presented by Next 10, an independent, nonpartisan group focused on planning for California’s future. Each year, the Governor and Legislature work together to pass a state budget that decides how our taxes will be spent. In recent years, California has spent more money than it had coming in, which has led to deficits. The budget process involves many tough trade-offs. You will have a chance to share what you think should be our state’s spending priorities and how we should pay for them. For more information contact Congregation Beth David at (408) 257-3333. 

Young adults ante up for poker and Federation The Silicon Valley Young Adult's Division (SVYAD) of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley hosted the first Ben Gurion Society Poker Tournament on Thursday, September 3. Held at the home of Amanda and Jacob Orrin, door prizes were awarded to all as thank you gifts for each participant’s generous contribution of $1,000 or more to the Jewish Federation's Annual Campaign. Each donor gave an additional $100 to play in the tournament, and dinner and snacks were provided throughout the evening. There were two raffles, which included a 500 chip case set and a case of wine donated by Bonnie Slavitt Moore and Jack Moore. The two big winners of the evening were first place winner Steve Orrin who won a brand new Asus netbook and Burt Podbere who came in second and received an aluminum 500 piece clay chip set. 

New program for seniors at JFS Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley is offering seniors and their families a comfortable place to explore and learn about different aspects of senior living. Topics include social and volunteer opportunities, health insurance and benefits, housing and care options, transportation and more. The program takes place on the last Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the JFS office beginning October 29. Seniors and their family members are welcome! For information and registration please contact Avital Agam at (408) 357-745 or avitala@jfssv.org 

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Local News New Hillel House welcomes community, students

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fter a five-year search for a much-needed new space, Hillel of Silicon Valley opened its doors at 44 11th Street in San Jose in early September. The new house expands Hillel’s operating space from a mere 625 square feet at the current William Street facility to 3,000 square feet once renovations are completed. “This is the birth of a new era for Hillel of Silicon Valley,” said Executive Director Sue Maltiel. “It is the opportunity to meet the real potential of our Hillel by serving our student populations with a more robust location and expanded programming.” Hillel of Silicon Valley serves five local campuses: San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, De Anza College, Foothill College and West Valley College. Hillel marked the close of escrow on the new building with a wine and cheese party to thank community members who had helped provide bridge loan funding and “seed” donations for the facility. The doors of the new Hillel House were recently opened to students for the first Shabbat dinner. Despite the fact that only two of the Hillel-served schools had opened, 55 students came to celebrate this signature moment along with 12 guests and staff members. The new Hillel House will host weekly Shabbat dinners, but will not be opened full-time until renovations are completed by the end of the spring semester. “Most of the construction will be in the basement, which needs added height to conform to building codes and to be comfortable for students and staff,” Maltiel said. “Contractors will remove the existing slab and lower the building’s floor by approximately eighteen inches.” Hillel’s property at 336 E. William Street was acquired in 1999 and marked the re-birth of Hillel at San Jose State University. Since that time, Hillel of Silicon Valley has expanded its services to four additional schools and has provided thousands of area students with a Jewish home away from home. “We are thrilled to be able to open the doors of this beautiful new facility,” Maltiel said, “and we are thankful to the Federations of Silicon Valley and San Francisco as well as our individual supporters for making this dream come true.” Maltiel and Alan Werba will lead a Capital Campaign to cover the purchase and renovation costs as well as endowing the building. “Our community was so enthusiastic during our $250,000 Seed Campaign and for the $660,000 Bridge Loans that I expect the Capital Campaign to go very smoothly,” an exuberant Werba

Hillel's new home is located at 44 11th Street in San Jose

Hillel Board president Barbara Illowsky, (left) with Vik Ringel, Jerry Lopatin, Herzel Ashkenazi and Maureen Ellenberg tour the basement of the house

Students Michelle Salinsky and Maya Kostyanovsky provided tours for Ruth Krandel and Maureen Ellenberg to see the new house

said. “We have five committees that will oversee this project and we urge community members to get involved by volunteering for one of these committees. Hillel fills a vital need in our community and this project will secure Hillel’s place at our local universities for many years to come.”

Anyone interested in working on a committee should contact Hillel at (408) 286-6669. Maltiel added, “We want everyone in the Silicon Valley Jewish community to tour this beautiful new facility and help us celebrate the expansion of our commitment to Jewish students.” 

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Community Photos

Yehudit and Joan of Chai House are enjoying Footwear etc’s display of shoes which the store donated to the senior home for the High Holidays.

Footwear etc’s Than and Avi assist Chai House residents in trying on shoes. Footware donated over 100 shoes for the High Holidays.

Lions of Judah at La Rusticana This week the Lions of Judah met at the local winery, La Rusticana D’Orsa for a truly spectacular getaway. Here you see Bonnie Slavitt Moore, LOJE Chair, Susie Brenner, President of Women’s Philanthropy and Beryl Grace, Event Chair who were among the 18 women who shared the event. Just 10 minutes from downtown Los Gatos, the winery offered glorious views of the valley and gracious hospitality. The staff prepared delicious food in the wood fired ovens paired with their estate vintage wine. The Lions were treated to an engaging and humorous lecture about the history of wine by Dr. Jehon Grist of the Lehrhaus Judaica. Lions of Judah are women who each year generously commit $5,000 or more to Federation’s Annual Campaign.

Michelle Bakman, Leya Babchin and Chagit Shmargad attend a Silicon Valley Young Adult Division's Connect cocktail event.

Beth Presser and Maya Ben-Barak flash smiles at Silicon Valley Young Adult Division's Connect.

Jan Rose receives the “Waters of Life” award for being the mikvah volunteer coordinator at the Grand Opening of the Community Mikvah of Silicon Valley.

The Jewish Study Network hosted it's annual Habitat for Jewmanity program on Sunday September 13. The program brought together over 50 young adults from all over the Bay Area to build sukkahs from Marin to San Jose. Rabbi Avi Lebowitz, of the Jewish Study Network, Danny Steinberger, Simon Linder, and Meir and Shmuel Lebowitz, stand proudly over their newly built sukkah.

Yavneh Day School students assemble High Holy Day food packages with Jewish Family Services.

Over 150 people attended “Mikvah Dialogues,” the opening event of Community Mikvah of Silicon Valley at the Levy Family Campus.

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

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Local Briefs Shabbat in Nature October 24 at Alum Rock Park Enjoy a Shabbat morning service in the outdoors. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Ramada Group Picnic Area in Alum Rock Park (Penitencia Creek Road off Piedmont, Berryessa Avenue exit off Highway 680; $6 for parking). Rabbi Dana Rabbi Dana Magat and Magat and Cantor Meeka Simerly C a n t o r Meeka Simerly will lead minyan starting at 10:30 a.m. Lunch, discussion, hikes, and resting will follow the service. Bring a parve or dairy dish to share for the potluck lunch. Sponsored by the Temple Emanu-El Ritual Committee. Call (408) 292-0939 

“What do I do when….?” with Rabbi Magat Have you ever been in a situation when you’re just not sure what to do or say as a Reform Jew? Do your children ask tough questions that you’re not sure how to answer? Bring your questions or situational dilemmas and Temple EmanuEl’s Rabbi Magat can fill you in, based on a Reform response. Sunday mornings, November 1, 8, 15 and 22, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $36 donation requested. Call (408) 292-0939. 

JFS newsletter wins award

L. to R. Harvey Zeller, AJFCA Board Chair; Marcia Riggio, JFS SV President; Mindy Berkowitz, JFS SV Executive Director; and Lee Sherman, AJFCA CEO

Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley is proud to announce that the Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies (AJFCA) has awarded a 2009 KOVOD Award for Excellence in Print and Electronic Publications to the agency for its newsletter. The presentation was made at the AJFCA’s 37th Annual Conference, held in Chicago. The AJFCA is a membership organization of over 135 Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies and Jewish human service agencies in the United States and Canada. 

Local Woman Delivers $18K to Hadassah Medical Center

Sandi Weinstein with a child at the Mother and Child Pavilion.

Sandi Weinstein, a member of Sharone Hadassah and the knitting group “Knitzvah” which is run by Jewish Family Services, recently took her granddaughter, Jaime, and her daughter, Wendy, to Israel on a L' Dor V 'Dorr trip in celebration of Jaime's upcoming Bat Mitzvah. According to Sandi, “As a three generational Hadassah Life Member family, I especially wanted them to see the hospital. We had some very special gifts to present.” Through the combined efforts of friends, family, and Sharone Hadassah's

Cantor Seeks Employment Congregation Beth David in Saratoga is attempting to find employment for Cantor Andres Levy, who has flown in from Buenos Aires, Argentina for the past five years to act as Chazzan during the synagogue's High Holy Day services. Due to the difficult economic situation in Argentina, Cantor Levy is looking to relocate to the United States and Beth David is attempting to assist in finding him employment. Cantor Levy may be reached at (408) 341-5931 or through the offices at Beth David, (408) 257-9446 or by email at arkinet@arkinet.co. 

Jewish Study Network Annual Banquet Nov. 8 The Jewish Study Network will be hosting its Annual Banquet to Celebrate Jewish Learning. This year, the JSN is honoring Bette & Stan Sussman. The event will be held on Sunday, November 8 Stan and Bette Sussman at 6 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. Please register at www.jsn.info. 

high school division, Sandi raised $18,000 for a brand new computer station for chronically ill children at the Mother and Child Pavilion. In honor of Jaime, Sandi made 13 blankets along with 13 stuffed animals; six for the neonatal department and seven for the young children. Sandi tells us, “I had the privilege of actually giving one to a young boy who was there from the Ukraine awaiting a bone marrow transplant. He immediately hugged the blanket to him wrapping the gorilla in it and said spasiba.” (Thank you in Russian). 

Introduction to Torah Trope Cantor Meeka Simerly will share the nuances of Torah trope. The only prerequisite is an ability to read Hebrew. Sunday mornings, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., beginning October 11 at Temple Emanau-El in San Jose. Class fee is $36 for 10 sessions. Call (408) 292-0939.

Jewish study group meets Thursday mornings Every Thursday morning from 9-11:45 a.m. men and women from several Silicon Valley synagogues (and non-affiliates as well) gather at Congregation Sinai’s Beit Midrash (house of study). The first topic is Talmud, with emphasis upon mishnah and tosefta. Don't be put off by these erudite terms. The language of instruction is English. The background of the participants is quite varied and the group is open to all levels of experience. During the second study period, from 10:30-11:45 a.m., the pages of Pirkei Avot (the ethics of our sages) are analyzed. Both groups are led by Rabbis Simcha A. Green of Ahabat Torah and Joshua Berkenwald of Sinai. The class is free and open to the public. For more information contact Congregation Sinai at (408) 264-8542. 

Fluency in Hebrew reading course offered at Ahabat Torah While many men and women have “learned” how to read Hebrew as adults in the national program which is conducted in Jewish centers and synagogues, or through Talmud Torah classes, many of them find that they still are not fluent in reading. With that in mind, Ahabat Torah is now offering a program to help. Interested men and women are invited to speak with Rabbi Simcha A. Green, (408) 371-6331, to arrange a private meeting to evaluate their level of fluency and to prepare a method for success. Rabbi Green has many years of experience in this field of study. He has lectured extensively on the reasons why many children/adults do not master fluent reading, and he emphasizes that it is not difficult. There is no charge for this evaluation. All you need is a serious interest in becoming fluent in the reading of Hebrew texts. Once you achieve this level you will feel much more comfortable participating in services at all area synagogues. 

JFSSV Employment Network Meetings now expanding to congregations Since April, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley has been holding Employment Network meetings. Meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 1:30 p.m. at the Levy Family Campus in Los Gatos. Job seekers can share contacts, leads, and advice. T h e s e meetings also offer information, techniques, and training on topics Jim Holley (right) speaks with a such as job seeker. interview skills, resume preparation, search techniques, and the use of social networking sites such as Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter in job searching. Soon these meetings will also be offered in three area congregations, including Congregation Sinai, Congregation Beth David, and Tempel Emanu-El. These meetings will be supported by JFSSV staffers, but led by experienced volunteer facilitators or outside speakers. Hopefully congregants not seeking employment will also participate in order to offer advice and personal referrals. The meetings will begin in October with the initial schedule as follows: Congregation Sinai, October 21, 2009 at 10:30 a.m., Congregation Beth David, October 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Temple Emanu-El, October 13, 10 a.m. There is no cost to participate, and reservations are not necessary. Anyone seeking employment is encouraged to attend. For additional information on the network meetings or other job seeker assistance provided by JFSSV call Jim Holley, Job Developer at (408) 357-7461 or email him at jimh@jfssv.org. 

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Maggie Anton to speak about third ‘Rashi’s Daughters’ book

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n January 19, at 7:30 p.m, author Maggie Anton will discuss her latest book, Three Women and a Talmud: The Story of Rashi’s Daughters Concludes with Book Three—Rachel, at Congregation Beth David. Book sales and signing will follow the lecture, which is open to the public. Anton will speak about the research behind h er best-selling “Rashi's Daughters” trilogy, set in the household of the great medieval Talmud scholar who had no sons. Among the topics she'll discuss: What was life like for Jewish women in 11th century France? Were Rashi's daughters really learned? Did they actually wear tefillin? Why should a 21st century Jew care about Rashi, his daughters, or how French Jews lived in the 11th century anyway? The answers to these questions will surprise and fascinate you. The epic historical series of three sisters in 11th-century France concludes with the dramatic tale of Rachel, the youngest (and favorite) child of the great Salomon Ben Isaac (aka Rashi). A brilliant entrepreneur admired for her discernment as well as her beauty, she is working to build a successful textile business that will keep her husband, Eliezer, at home rather than traveling on increasingly lengthy trading missions. But before Rachel can achieve her dream, disaster strikes. The marauders of the First Crusade massacre nearly the entire Jewish population of Germany, and her beloved father suffers a stroke. Eliezer wants to take his family to the safety of Spain, but

Rachel is determined to stay in France and help her family save the Troyes yeshiva, the only remnant of the great centers of Jewish learning in Europe. As she did effectively in Joheved and Miriam, Maggie Anton vividly brings to life the Maggie Anton world of 11thcentury France and a remarkable Jewish woman full of dignity, passion, and strength, who thrived against all odds in this challenging time. A donation of $3 for Beth David members and $5 for non-members is requested. Maggie Anton, the award-winning author of the historical trilogy, “Rashi's Daughters,” was born Margaret Antonofsky in Los Angeles, California. Raised in a secular, socialist household, she reached adulthood with little knowledge of Judaism. All that changed when David Parkhurst, her future husband, entered her life and they both discovered Judaism as adults. In 1995, while studying in a woman's Talmud class, she became intrigued with the idea that Rashi, one of Judaism's greatest scholars, had no sons, but three daughters – daughters reputed to be learned in a time when women were traditionally forbidden to study the sacred texts. These forgotten women seemed ripe for rediscovery, and Maggie published the first in a series of historical novels about them in 2005. Call (408) 257-3333

Cardiovascular Expert to Speak at Congregation Shir Hadash The 2009-10 Speaker Series for the Shir Hadash Men’s Club begins on Wednesday, October 21 with Dr. Frederick St. Goar speaking about “Cardiovascular Healthcare: State of the Art and Thoughts on the Future.” Dr. St. Goar is a cardiologist at Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists in Mountain View, where he directs the clinical research program. Before that, he practiced cardiology at El Camino Hospital for eighteen years. Dr. St. Goar graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his cardiology training at Stanford. His practice is focused on coronary and peripheral vascular interventions, with a special interest in structural heart disease.

In addition to working as a physician, St. Goar teaches at Stanford Medical School in their BioDesign program. He has served as a consultant for numerous start-ups Dr. Frederick and his entrepreneurial St. Goar work includes established medical device companies. He has helped to found several companies, including Heartport and Evalve. Dr. St. Goar’s talk will be held in the Oneg Room at Shir Hadash starting at 7:30 p.m. This lecture is open to members and non-members. Call (408)358-1751.

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

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‘Jews Rock’ Art Exhibit

Congratulations, JCN! Take a Bow for 50 Years

a p r. c o m | S A R AT O G A

Gloria Melmon Ascher Direct 408.781.8624 Office 408.741.1111 gascher@apr.com

12988 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road

To advertise call Lori at (408) 867-9692

Did you know David Lee Roth is Jewish? How about Paula Abdul or Ashley Tisdale? Slash from Guns and Roses? How about George Michael, or all four members of the Knack? You probably know something about the contributions of Jewish actors or comedians, but you might not be aware of how many Jews have been involved in the musical tradition of rock and roll. Music is such an integral part of our pop culture and the Jews Rock! exhibition visually presents the Jewish roots that have been a part of this musical landscape all along. The new Jews Rock! art exhibit, opening at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos, reveals some of rock and roll’s key Jewish icons through the lens of renowned photojournalist Janet Macoska. Macoska has been documenting rock and roll’s Jewish heritage since 1974. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, People, Vogue, and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Admission is free to view the exhibit at the JCC from October 25 through December 13, 2009. The JCC will be

offering a sneak preview at its monthly mixer on Thursday, October 22, from 6:30-9 p.m., with admission, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres all free to the public. The exhibit will officially open the weekend of October 24-25, with a rock concert for teens from 8-10 p.m. Saturday, October 24 with Jewish rock musician Sheldon Low, followed by a family concert and pizza party for parents and children from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. Jews Rock! will be on display in the 2nd floor art gallery hall at the Levy Family Campus, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. For more information, contact Lisa Ceile at the JCC, at (408)357-7492. 

Great-great granddaughter of early Well Fargo Bank president speaks on book Towers of Gold Author Frances Dinkelspiel will discuss her new book Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California, on Tuesday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth David. Book sales and signing will follow the lecture, which is part of the synagogue's Conversations in Jewish Learning lecture series, open to the public. Isaias Hellman was California’s premier financier in the late 19th and early 20th century, a man who rose from peddling goods to the powerful presidency of Wells Fargo Bank. Towers of Gold, by his great-great granddaughter Frances Dinkelspiel, tells the remarkable story of Hellman’s rise, and the role he played in transforming California from a frontier economy driven by the barter of hides and the exchange of gold to one of the most dynamic economies in the nation. Starting in the days when Los Angeles was more Mexican pueblo than American city, and continuing through the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and World War I, Towers of Goldd features cameos by Collis Huntington, Henry Huntington, Edward

Doheny, Edward Harriman, Meyer Lehman, and Levi Strauss, and paints a rich portrait of California’s Gilded Age. A donation of $3 for Beth David members and $5 for non-members is requested. Frances Dinkelspiel is a fifth-generation Californian who grew up in San Francisco. A graduate of Stanford University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Dinkelspiel spent more than 20 years working as a newspaper reporter. Her freelance work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, People Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She has also taught at the Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Towers of Gold, d her first book, was a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller and notable book of 2008 and was named by the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association as a best book of 2009. Beth David's Jewish Book Discussion Group, led by Harry Cornbleet, will discuss Towers of Goldd at the synagogue on Saturday, December 12 at approximately 1:30 p.m. All adults and teens are welcome. Call (408) 257-3333.

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Jewish families picnic and learn at organic farm

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t 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday in July, 40 members of the South Bay Jewish community showed up at the Mariquita Farm in Hollister to see first hand where the fruits and vegetables they receive each week come from. Everyone in the group participates in the APJCC's Teva to You program, a CSA (community-supported agriculture) organization that delivers fresh produce to the JCC weekly. The group, half young children, followed farm owner Andy and his dog Red around picking ripe peppers, summer squash, fresh basil, tomatoes and cucumbers. Adults learned how birds help keep insects away, why a Jerusalem artichoke isn’t really an artichoke or from Jerusalem, how the Indian corn and sweet corn are planted far apart to avoid cross-pollination, and how you plant winter crops in the front of the farm, so you don’t have to drive your truck too far into the muddy fields come harvest time. Daniela Silverstein attended the farm visit with her husband Seth and two young sons, Max and Ethan. “I loved seeing where and how our CSA shares are grown. I enjoyed meeting Andy and talking about his philosophy about the CSA programs, growing and staff,” she said. Kids hunted for the largest squash and smallest cucumber. They climbed on the tractors and wound up as dirty as a freshly picked carrot. Daniela’s three-year-old loved picking the veggies, “The funniest thing is that Max wanted to go home and pick all the vegetables out of his garden-even though they weren't ready to be picked!”

Rabbi Fenton visits the Mariquita Farm in Watsonville with participants of the APJCC's Teva to You, community supported agriculture program. Many families came because they wanted to explain to their kids where our food comes from, how it is grown and who grows it. These are abstract concepts that many people don’t think about, but Judaism asks us to be conscious about our food and how it is grown and prepared. Stacy Tobin brought her daughter, Mia, and her son, Mitchel, who had narrow ideas about a farm. She said, “As we pulled up to the farm, Mitchel said, ‘Where are the animals?’ I explained to him that this place is where we get the vegetables we eat, and he thought that

was the coolest thing!” Once the picking was done, everyone found a place in the shade and set up for a farm picnic. They brought snacks to share, pulled out the picnic blankets for the kids, and sat around enjoying the feast on crates normally used to harvest the produce. Andy took freshly picked peppers and grilled them on the spot. “That was my favorite part,” said Tobin, “The kids were having such a good time resting in the shade and munching on the grilled peppers.” As the visitors relaxed and partook of the fresh produce, Rabbi Joshua Fenton explained the different bless-

ings that Jews say before they eat different foods and how thinking about the food in different ways may lead you to say a different bracha. As the group dispersed, Daniela Silverstein said that she and her family “are looking forward to more Teva To You events in the future to bring the idea of eating locally, organically and inexpensively to our community and families. The Teva to You program is open to all members of the South Bay Jewish Community. For more information or to sign up, call Rabbi Joshua Fenton at (408) 357-7413. 

Com ming Events at Shir Hadash @

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Men M en’ss Clu en’s Club Spea Cl Club peaker ker er Se Seriees on “Car Ca diovas Ca diovas dio vascul cular cu cul cular ar Hea H lth thcar hcar caa ee:: Sta State tatee of the th h Art A and Thoughts of the of thhe Fuutur ture” tu e” pre e” p ese sen enttedd by b ca cardi ardi rdd olo looggis ist expe xp rtt Dr. Frederick St. Goar Wee nesday Wed W nes esday da Oc da Octob ctob ober 21 at 7:330 pm p in the Oneg Room m Please join us for this interesting lecture on Card Card ar iiov ovvas aascculaar Hea ealthc hccare are. e Alll ar are welc l ome mee.

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Speecia Specia ci l Shab h bbatt with ha w th Gue wi Guu st st Son on nggle l ade deer,, She h ldo doon Low ow ow. Frriday Fri daay Occttobber 23 day 2 at at 8:0 8: 0 pm pm Wee have W hav ave the the ple ple l asu asure ree of bei b ngg mus musica ically cally l in inspi s red by sp spi b one of the newest faces in Jewis wis wish i h musi u ic, us c, Shh ldo SShe donn LLow. oow. w. Pl w P eeas asse join join i us for this musical Shabbat service. Ope ppeen to to ever e yon yoone. e. e.

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W l the Wi Wil he Rea eal Sara a h Plea e se Sta ea St nd Up Up? U p Lecture ure ree by Gu G es eest s Scholar Rabbi b Eli bi Ellizab El za eth Golds Go G llds dsttei teein Wednesday Oc O tober 28th at 8:00 pm Reform Judaism believ iev eves ev es tha h t thee Tor Torah ahh was ass wr writitt itttenn by b ffou our our dififfffere e entt pri ere pr ma pr mar arry auth uthors ors. Thi Thiss sess seess s ion onn compa c mpa co ppaares r re the he ma main inn autthor hoors’ s per pe spe s cti ct ves v on on women menn. The SSpe Speake k r will ke il focus ill fo f cus c oonn th cu thee diff ifffere erent nt aut author uthor hors’ s out outloo utloo looks k on gen ender en d an de der a d thei thheiir port ortray rtray rayals yals als of th the matr mat atr t iar arrchh Sa SSar arah. ahh Lect ecture ree iss fr freeee and annd open to the public.

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Gho hhost and Go Gobli obli bl n Com omm mmuni u ity Shabbat Satturday October 31 at 10:30 am S Please join us as we wil willl bbee shhar aring ngg Je Jewis e i h sttor ories ess of o Gh Ghost host ostss and nd Go nd Gob oblin inns and andd dis di cover the thh Jeewis wishh Trad wi Trrad raa iti ittitions ti nss of tthe of he ririch c sto t rie ries i s of of the thee sup su ern er atu er t ral r . Alll aree we ra w lcome. lco come. co me me

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“N “No Noo Sh S ush ussh Sh S abb abbat” at” - TThe at” h Kid-Friendly Ki Ki Service FFriiday, November 13 at 6:30 pm In addition to our clerg erggy team a No No Sh Shush hush shh Sh S abb bbat aatt ser servic rvic v es e wil w l featture rre song n le leade leade aderr Ang Ange nge g laa G Gol old, d our urr ne nnew ew “ha hands ha nds-fr frree Sidddur duu ”,, a stor tory, y bir birtthd bi hdaayy ble leessi sssings ngs ng g , and nd a shor h t,, quiz-s qui uiz-s z-show how ow-st -ss yle l ga g me me. ee. All inn 45 All 45 mi minnut uttes! ess es!

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Einnste steein’’s Jewi wiisshh Wor w World, orld ld, dd, sp speakker Bruce Thompson, Ph.D. D., Assoocia D. c te Dir Direct Di ect cttor; or; r C Ceente nter for Jew wish shh St S ududdies, U.C. ies C Santa Cruz. Friday November 13th tth h att 8:3 8:300 pm TThh s lect Thi c ure u onn Ei E nst n ein ns ein ei i and and his an is co c tem con t pporrari te a es foc f us use ses onn tthe hee his hisstor toryy and to n soci so io iology iology g of tw went e iet etth cent entury phyysic ph si s. W Whhyy were r so s maany ny lea l din dinng phys hysici icci cists sts st ts, partticular larly arrly nuc nuu lear lea eaar phys h iiciists, hy t Jewish?. This lecture is free, open to ope to the h pu pubbllic icc an and part partt of ou our Syna our Syna naple aple plexx Shab Sha h bbat Program. hab

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Coommunity Shabbat cel Com C ce ebrating the Ethoppian Fe Festi sstiival vaal of o Si S gd d Saturday November err 144 at at 110: 0:300 am m In Jul In J y 22008 0008, the 008 he Isr Iss ael a li Knes n set ne e de et decla c red cla ed th the fest fest estiva iva val of Beta val eta Yi Y ssra raeell a nati nati a ona at onal holi on holi ol da day ayy inn th the he Stat ate te of of IIsrael. P asee coome Ple me joiin us and nd ccel e ebr ebbrate t wi w tthh ann Eth thopi hopi opia p an pi an llun unch for f $1 fo $ 2. 2 Re Reser see vattions required, pleease ase co c ntaact c Naddine inn at at 40 4 8-3 8 35858 175 7511 eext. 75 x 5 or Nadine@shirhadash.org. All are welcome. xt

11

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Temple Emanu-El board member lands top slot at Broadway San Jose When Temple Emanu-El board member Ruth Pangilinan became general manager of the new Broadway San Jose this past June, it was a perfect career opportunity given her background. Another benefit—a Jewish-affiliated professional in a local, leadership role. “I’m honored to have this opportunity and it’s great to see Broadway theater, which has such a mass appeal, back in San Jose,� Pangilinan said. Broadway San Jose was established following the demise of the American Musical Theater of San Jose, which shut down after 73 years due to financial difficulties. Pangilinan now has the opportunity to create a financially viable and thriving theatre outlet for the South Bay. Pangilinan also works with Team San Jose to bring the shows to downtown San Jose’s Center of Performing Arts. Because Broadway San Jose knows the closing of AMTSJ was difficult for subscribers, the company is offering discounts of up to 35 percent on inaugural year season tickets, depending on the night chosen and the history with AMTSJ. The season opened with “Monty Python’s Spamalot� on September 15 and continues with “Spring Awakening,� on October 28. “Riverdance,� “Avenue Q,� and “Legally Blonde, The Musical� follow at later dates. Pangilinan's love of theatre started at five or six years of age, when her parents took her to Chicago to see a Broadway performance of “Fiddler of the Roof.� Growing up, she thought she wanted to become an actress. She attended the University of

Iowa to major in theater but it wasn’t a fit. As she worked her way through college as a janitor, she saw postings in the performing arts building for director of marketing, ticketing manager, and box office manager. In what she calls her own “Good Wi l l H u n t ingâ€? moment she knew she wanted to fill the seats and get Ruth Pangilinan people to the shows. Ever since graduating 20 years ago, she’s worked in performing arts marketing. When the opportunity to head up Broadway San Jose came, she knew it was the best of both worlds: the arts and the start-up culture so prevalent in Silicon Valley. Making Broadway an important experience for others is what Pangilinan wants to achieve through Broadway San Jose. For Pangilinan, also a Board member at Temple Emanu-El, a great event starts with ticket buying to walking into the theater, seeing the lights go down and hearing the moment of silence before the music starts. “One of Broadway San Jose’s goals is to bring people back downtown, support the restaurants and help make the area thrive,â€? Pangilinan said. See www.broadwaysanjose.com for more information. ď ™

Congratulations to the JCN on your 50th Anniversary

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Mazel Tov to the Jewish Community News on Fifty Wonderful Years Come Join Us!

Comedy Sportz (288 S. 2nd St.) Saturday, October 17 at 9:00 pm Join the CBD Young Adults Group for an interactive comedy show. More info: JewsNextDor@gmail.com.

Services of Interest

$ Friday, October 16

Ganon Sunday, October 18 Beth David Religious School Pre-K begins at 10:45 am-12:30 pm To register your preschooler e-mail ReligiousSchool@beth-david.org. Open to both members and non-Beth David members.

6:00 PM Tot Shabbat/Potluck Dinner (also November 20)

The Folk Collection Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 pm Sing along to music of the Kingston Trio, Peter Paul and Mary and other great folk artists. A treat for the entire family! Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 childeren (12 and under). RSVP to RSVP@beth-david.org.

Shabbat Mishpaha Service Friday, November 6 at 6:30 pm

PJ Shabbat Friday, November 20 at 6:00 pm

Weekend Services

Shabbat/Saturday - 9:30 am Youth/Tot Services 10:00/11:00 am See Website for details

7:30 PM Gary Richards (“Mr. Roadshow�)

$ Saturday, October 24

$ Sunday, November 15

10:00 AM Shabbat in Nature (Alum Rock Park)

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Chanukah Boutique

$ Friday, November 13 7:30 PM Brotherhood Shabbat

Sugihara Memorial Sunday, October 25 at 1:00-3:00 pm Daily Minyan Join us at Beth David for this community event to Mon-Thurs at 7:00 pm honor the memory and deeds of Chiune Sugihara, a “Righteous Gentile� who saved the live of thousands Shabbat Services Fridays at 6:30 pm (unless PJ Shabbat) of Jews. For more info, call 408-257-3333. Shir Shabbat

$ Thursday, October 22

$ Saturday, November 21

Service Schedule

Friday, Oct. 23 and Nov. 27 at 6:30 pm

Special Events

6:00 PM Diaspora Dinner XIX: The Jews of China

$ Friday, December 11 7:30 PM Rock Shabbat Chanukah Service and Celebration

Square Dancing! Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 pm An evening of music, dancing and noshing. For more info, call 408-257-3333.

Temple Emanu-El 1010 University Avenue, San Jose CA 95126 Administrative ofďŹ ce: (408) 292-0939 Religious School ofďŹ ce: (408) 292-3223 Preschool ofďŹ ce: (408) 293-8660 www.templesanjose.org

Towers of Gold: How one Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California Tuesday, November 17 at 7:30 pm Author Frances Dinkelspiel tells the remarkable story of her great-great grandfather who became the powerful president of Wells Fargo Bank. For more info, call 408-257-3333.

Congratulating the JCN on 50 years ....as Hausner celebrates 20 Please join us for our Open Houses Kindergarten - Thursday, November 12, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Middle School - Sunday, November 1, 1:00 - 3:30 pm

RSVP to Aileen Mitchner, Director of Admission 650.494.8200 ext. 104 or admissions@hausner.com Additional scholarship funds provided by the Jim Joseph Foundation in Partnership with the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties and the Bureau of Jewish Education.

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13

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival plans special events to celebrate 18th Chai Year

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he Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival (SVJFF) kicks off its 18th “Chai” season this week with a blockbuster lineup of films and a series of special events that includes an after-film concert, a live comedy act, and special guest appearances by directors and actors. In keeping with its goal of attracting a diverse audience and expanding its reach in Silicon Valley, the SVJFF will be showing films at four venues: • On Sundays at The Camera 12 theater in downtown San Jose • On Wednesday evenings at The Camera 7 theater at the Pruneyard Shopping Center in Campbell • On various dates at the Cubberley Theater in Palo Alto, and the Oshman Family JCC on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life. “Letters for Jenny” will show on opening night, Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center. The SVJFF season continues through Sunday, November 22, with films, documentaries and shorts from Israel, the U.S., Germany, Romania, Argentina and France. Tickets and information are available online at the SVJFF web site, www.svjff. org, or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Here are some select highlights of special films and events at this year’s Festival:

October 17, 7:30 p.m. - SVJFF Opening Night and Grand Opening Celebration of the New Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto - The opening night event at the Oshman Family JCC features the Argentine film “Letters for Jenny”(Cartas Para Jenny) and a short talk by Monique Balbuena, Assistant Professor of Literature at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Dr. Balbuena is an expert on the Latin Jewish experience, including Jewish contributions to literature and to the Tango Dance. Attendees will also be treated to a colorful and entertaining tango demonstration by the premiere dancers of the Oshman Family JCC Argentinean Tango Club.

Jewish heroine Hannah Senesh. Included are guest appearances by Shimon Peres and Sir Martin Gilbert, the dean of Holocaust historians. Following this docudrama, meet and ask questions of Roberta Grossman, director/producer of “Blessed is the Match.” Roberta is an award-winning filmmaker with a passion for history and social justice.

Following the film, meet and ask questions of Radu Gabrea, director and co-writer of the film, who is traveling from Romania to visit with the SVJFF audience. Mr. Gabrea has an extensive film and theater background, including directing “Maria Callas – La Divina”, which was appreciated by audiences in New York, Washington, Tampere (International Theatre Festival), Helsinki, Canberra (International Cultural Festival), and Sydney.

“Gruber's Journey”

“Blessed Is the Match”

Sunday, Oct. 25, 3 p.m. - “Blessed Is the Match”- This is the definitive story of the life and legacy of 20th century

Sunday, Nov. 1, 5:15 p.m. - “Gruber's Journey”- This film is based on the personal recollection of Curzio Malaparte, a war correspondent for Italy’s leading newspaper, who was sent to Romania in 1941. While desperately needing to find a doctor to whom he was referred, he witnesses the results of a major pogrom at Jassy. This powerful feature film is a dramatic indictment of the collaborationist government of Romania.

“Praying in Her Own Voice”

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2:45 p.m. - Following the film “Praying in Her Own Voice”, the true story of the Women at the Wall, Rabbi Melanie Aron of Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos will describe her own experience of praying with the Women at the Wall and moderate a panel discussion. See “Film Festival” p. 32

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper

Fifty years of Jewish news and community with the

Jewish Community News ( JCN ) This year, the Jewish Community News of Silicon Valley celebrates 50 years in print. During its lifespan, the community has grown tremendously. This special anniversary section was designed to showcase the history of the newspaper, acknowledge significant contributors and commemorate the growth of the community, including the proliferation of Jewish agencies and Jewish owned businesses. Enjoy.

The JCN in the old days By Shirley Ginzburg

The Oka Road campus long before it was demolished to make way for the Levy Family Campus.

`Guess Who?´ from the cover

I arrived in San Jose Spring, 1971. Other than my husband, I did not know a soul. First I had to find the Jewish community. Surely there was one. It was not long before I met Miriam Marr and Liane Enkelis [thanks to the Jewish young marrieds havurah] who asked me to write for the JCN. The three of us young women not only became fast friends, but divvied up the tasks of producing copy about the fledgling Jewish community. It was a volunteer effort on our part, but the Federation paid for monthly printing and mailing. Holding a camera and a notepad allowed me to interview 'movers and shakers' in town. For the next several years I learned a lot more than those names and faces. From freeways to winding lanes I covered miles in my '62 Buick. From one end of the Valley to the other, I sought out events of interest but also discovered the best roadside stands selling seasonal fruit, found neighborhoods I would otherwise never encounter, and sampled cuisines reflecting the ethnic heritage of this unique area. My love for the region grew; I no

longer felt like a stranger. The JCN was printed on glossy white stock, and usually ran 6 or 8 pages. Ethel Hellman provided a monthly cooking Shirley Ginzburg column. We tried to reach out to all Jews, regardless of affiliation, and worked hard to announce the activities of all congregations. These were pre-computer days, when text had to be hand delivered to the printer, after laboriously typing, revising, and typing once again. My 'cut and paste' skills involved rubber cement and scissors, not a mouse click. Photos were black and white, some developed in my makeshift darkroom at home. There were no airbrush or 'PhotoShop' possibilities. Nevertheless, we were proud that each issue was less amateurish, and more professional looking. In time, a person was added to solicit advertising, and eventually, Janet Berg became the paid editor. 

Phillip Hammer, a long standing San Jose Jewish family By Mike Soliterman

Top left to right: 9. Eli Reinhard 1. Addie and Raymond Kopp

10. Ron and Linda Rossen

2. Rabbi Pressman

11. Carole Seymour, Bernis Kretchmar,

3. Judy Levin

Ruthellen Harrris, Sara Ellenbogen,

4. Len Metz

Janet Berg, Jyl Jurman, Barbara Katz,

5. Suzie Brenner and Nella Hoffman

Paul Ellenbogan, Linda Rossen,

6. Cookie and Arnie Addison

Karen Guggenheim and Jan Rose

7. Burt and Sandy Epstein

12. Mel and Dorathy Cotton

8. Doris Davis, Janice Naymark

13. Sylvia Metz

and Maureen Ellenberg

14. Bonnie Slavitt Moore

Phil Hammer, a prominent family law attorney belongs to one of San Jose's long established Jewish families. His mother and father, Philip and Evelyn Hammer, owned HAMMER'S. a women's clothing shop on South First Street in downtown San Jose, and were involved in many aspects of the community. The elder Phil Hammer helped found the Jewish Community Council, predecessor to the Federation and served as its first president. Evelyn Hammer was one of the first San Jose women to travel with Hadassah to Israel. As a couple, the Hammers were active in helping resettle Holocaust survivors in San Jose. “Immigrants would just arrive here with nothing at all,” young Phil Hammer remembers. “We housed some of them until they found a place to stay and then

my father would help them find jobs.” Evelyn Hammer insisted that her children attend Saturday religious school and in 1948, young Phil's bar mitzvah Phil Hammer Jr. was the first to take place at the newly constructed Temple Emanu-El. A city of 70,000 at the time, the celebration revealed a small, yet dedicated Jewish community. “It was the first real synagogue – the building still looks modern to me,” reminisced Hammer. In his adult life, Phil Hammer—married to past San Jose mayor Susan Hammer— has and does serve on many boards, including the Jewish Community See “Phillip” p. 36

15

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper 30 year long JCN N volunteer - Pat Bergman

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The Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus under construction in 2004.

7KH :LWNLQ )DPLO\ Mazel Tov on 50 Years! Your South Valley Jewish Community Serving South San Jose to Hollister 17835 Monterey St. Morgan Hill, CA www.emeth.net (408)778-8200

he year 1967 is well known as the year of Israel’s Six Day War. Here in San Jose, however, the year also marked the arrival in San Jose of David and Pat Bergman. They had moved from Atlanta, where they had been married. For the first seven years, Pat yearned to return to her former home. “Now,” she admits, “I love it here, because we have invested so much in this community.” Reflecting upon her growth as an observant Jew, Pat says, “G-d has a plan, and until you step back to see the big picture, you don’t know the whole plan.” Helping her see the big picture has been her almost 30 years of mostly volunteer work for the Jewish Community News, for which she has worked as ad salesperson, proofreader, layout assistant, and Datebook manager. “I’m a doer,” she says. “I used to know everybody in the Jewish community!” Her work for the Jewish Community News has helped her keep abreast with the many changes that have happened since she moved here more than 40 years ago. The biggest changes she has seen include the creation of the Levy Family Campus facility, the increase in the number and range of Jewish day schools, and the proliferation of congregations. “Initially, there was Emanu-El and then Sinai, and now, look at all the different houses of worship there are!” Pat’s investment in the San Jose Jewish community has dramatically enriched the organizations she helped establish and the synagogues she helped grow. The Bergmans moved to Evergreen and joined Congregation Sinai. They relocated to Willow Glen in 1974, enjoying the neighborhood’s kosher butcher and Jewish residents. In 1976, Rav Avraham Hyam Lapin arrived to lead Am Echad. “He was wonderful, so we joined there, too,” she notes, where they remained active for 16

years. Am Echad, which had originated as a Conservative synagogue, became affiliated with the Orthodox Union shortly before Rav Lapin’s arrival. A second Orthodox congregation, Ahavas Torah, which the Bergmans helped found in 1994, opened Pat Bergman its doors across the street. In 2006, Ahavas Torah changed its name to Ahabat Torah, and strengthened its outreach to the Sephardic community, being especially attentive to B’nai Anusim, (formerly labeled as “conversos” or “crypto-Jews,” acknowledging the forced conversion to Christianity that Jews underwent during the Middle Ages and later). “Our congregation is very outwardreaching,” says Pat, noting that many of the synagogue’s members are Ashkenazic. Ahabat Torah offers Sephardic prayer rituals, houses its Torah in a traditional Sephardic case, and features Sephardic delicacies at its onegs. Still a small congregation, Ahabat Torah also conducts a Beit Midrash at Congregation Sinai. She enjoys being an active member, and has accepted the role of answering the shul’s phone “24 hours a day, six days a week.” Previously, her Jewish connections led her to start a youth group at Sinai and a young marrieds’ group in the building behind Temple Emanu-El that served as the Jewish Federation’s first home. She was an early member of Sinai’s Sisterhood, and served for a time on the board at Am Echad. She and David helped establish the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, just in time for her sons Marcus and Ivan to attend. Later, she helped found the Chevrah Kadisha of the South Bay, and still coordinates taharah (purification) preparations at area mortuaries and the Oak Hill Cemetery. She makes it a point to connect with people outside the Orthodox community to which she now belongs. “My mother was a community volunteer, and my father was also involved. I always just knew that you became active in your community. And, in doing so, I met a lot of really great people.” One thing she has learned from her work with so many different organizations and houses of worship is that “We are all Jews together. We need to be respectful to each other.” Her perspective, along with her engaging, energetic personality, make her a wonderful example of how this can be done in a superb fashion. 

www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

16

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper

Phil Hammer Sr. Ruth Sporer

1861

1930

1861 Temple Emanu-El is founded as the Bickur Cholim Society and is responsible for San Jose’s first Jewish cemetery.

1930 -The San Jose Jewish Federation was incorporated with Phil Hammer Sr. as the first president.

1942-1945

1948

1956

May 1948 - The establishment of the state of Israel.

1942-1945 - Six million Jews killed in the Holocaust during World War II.

1959 1959 - First issue of the JCN. N

1956 Congregation Sinai purchases existing property in San Jose. The Synagoge was formed in the early 1950s as a traditional offshoot of Temple Emanu-El.

1961

1962 1962Congregation Beth David is formed.

September 1961- The Phil Hammer Fund, originally established by the Federation, becomes the Federation’s “Loan Fund.” Later, the Federation gives its money and this responsibility to the Hebrew Free Loan Association.

1965 1965 Abraham Joshua Heschel and other Jews support Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights battle by marching from Selma to Montgomery.

1966 June 1966 Jewish Federation and JCC moves to 1024 Emory Street, one block from Temple Emanu-El. The Federation moved to this location from six years at 678 N. First Street.

1967 1967- Israel engages in Six Day War, capturing the Golan Heights, Sinai Desert and the West Bank. November 1967The Federation forms its first ever year round Women's Division with first president Ruth Sporer.

October 1966Federation raises and allocates $72,830.

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper

San Jose Mayor Norm Mineta at the B'nai B'rith Women's fashion show with models, Mrs. Hurwitz and Mrs. Applebaum.

1968 September 1968 - The Federation purchases 6 ½ acres by San Jose Post Office on Gaton Drive for a Jewish Community Center.

1969 June 1969 Camp Shalom opens for the first time for campers led by Camp Secretary Fagie (Wells) Rosen.

1970 January 1970 Ambassador Yitzak Rabin speaks at JCC Annual Meeting & Temple Emanu-El.

July 1970 - Ground was broken for the new Home of Peace mausoleum, recognizing the decreasing availability of space at the only Jewish cemetary.

1971

1972

August 1971 Sid Stein leaves as editor and executive director of the Federation after 12 years.

1973

1972 - Eleven Israeli athletes 1973 - The killed at Olympic Games in Addison-Penzak Munich by PLO terrorists. Jewish Community Center August 1972 is incorporated as Federation and JCC an independent moves to 7700 square non-profit, no foot rental building at longer a commitLeigh and Foxworthy. tee of the Jewish December 1971 Rent was $10,000 per Federation of Federation votes to month, double from Silicon Valley. sell land behind SJ Myrtle and Emory. Post Office that had been purchased for a Jewish Community building.

1974 August 1973 Janet Berg begins selling advertisments for the JCN N and in 1975 becomes JCN editor.

1975 June 1974 - San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta leads mission to Israel.

Congregation Beth David breaks ground.

November 1973 Yom Kippur War rallies Jews everywhere, 1,500 attend Temple Emanu-El meeting followed by record breaking collection.

February 1971 - South Peninsula Hebrew Day School founded.

December 1975 San Jose City Council designates week of Hanukkah as “Zionism Week” and flies Israeli flag with USA flag at City Hall.

To my friends in the Jewish community,

Mazel tov on 50 years!

Congressman Mike Honda 15th District of California

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper

An early photo from Yavneh Day School. President Ford addresses the Federation's annual dinner in 1976 President Ford, left Don Glazer. right Bob Silver

1976

June 1976 President Ford addresses Federation banquet on May 25, 1976.

1977

Congregation Shir Hadash's first president Gail Long at the ground breaking An early photo from the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival.

1979 1979 - Israel and Egypt sign peace treaty.

1979 - Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley is incorporated.

1977First meeting of the Federation's Young Leadership Development Fund, the precurser to SVYAD (Silicon Valley Young Adults Division.)

1980

1980 Congregation Shir Hadash is established.

1981

1983 1983 The first Federation Chai Tea, the precurser to Connections, the annual event honoring women volunteers in the South Bay Jewish Community.

September 1981Yavneh Day School opens at Beth David with Bonnie Slavitt Moore as the first principal.

1984

1985

January 1984 JCC closes escrow on Berry School site in Los Gatos.

1988

December 1988 Chai House kosher kitchen opens. September 1989 Pope condems hostility towards Jews.

December 1985 Chai House Opens. September 1984 Community celebrates Chai House groundbreaking.

1989

1989 - Establishment of the Almaden Valley Torah Center.

1991 1991Establishment of the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival, as a program of the JCC.

1989 - Mid-Peninsula Jewish Community Day School forms, later becames Gideon Hausner Hebrew Day School.

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper

An early photo of Chabad of S. Jose.

Congressman Mike Honda participates in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Levy Family Campus.

1994 1994 - Israel and Jordan sign a peace treaty; Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres receive a Nobel Peace Prize for signing a declaration of principles with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

1997 May 1997 Mikvah society breaks ground establishing the first mikvah in the 136 year history of San Jose.

1999

2000 2000 Rabbi Cunin established Chabad of S. Jose.

1999 Hillel of Silicon Valley opens it's first permanent home on Williams Street in San Jose.

2001

2002 August 2002 Kehillah Jewish High School welcomes its pioneer freshman class.

2001- Establishment of the Jewish Study Network.

2003 - Chabad of Sunnyvale founded. July 1994 - Ahavas Torah founded.

2003

2004

April 2004 JCC transfers title of Oka Road property to the Federation. Old buildings demolished on April 1 to make room for the Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus.

Congregation Emeth opening

2005

2007

October 16, 2005 Grand opening of the Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus with performance by renowned Jewish singer songwriter Debbie Friedman.

May 2004 Santa Clara County hosts its firstever Israel Cultural Awareness Day.

2008

January 2008 Community Mikvah at the Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus opens for service.

March 2007 Kehillah Jewish High school juniors travel to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

2008 Congregation Emeth establishes first permanent home on Monterey Street in Morgan Hill.

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper Janet Berg: 35 years helping grow the South Bay Jewish Community By Eleanor Dickenson

Dr. Al Sporer and wife Ruth Sporer greet Mrs. Adele Berg at the “First Annual Sponsors’ Ball” for families who gave at least $200 to the United Jewish Welfare Campaign, April 30, 1965.

Alexander Ellenberg, M.D., Maureen Ellenberg, Dorothy Cotton and Mel Cotton

Coordinators of the Women's Division Golf and Tennis Tournament are Barbara Okun and Susan Hammer.

Phillip Hammer Sr. and Phillip Hammer Jr.

Hostesses Ruth and Joan Fox

Julie Sporer and Randy Della celebrate Hanuukah at Sinai Nursery School.

Children in the Sukkah with Rabbi Josef Zeitin, Beth David's first Rabbi, 1964.

Janet Berg is a name dropper. When you ask her about her accomplishments over the years, she’ll first tell you about the people who helped her – her bosses, her colleagues, her friends, her successors. When you ask her about the most exciting experiences she had, she might mention an interview session with Golda Meir or Elie Wiesel, but she’ll also glow when regaling you with stories about her grandchildren and their strong Jewish identity in JCC camp and local day schools. When you ask her what gives her the greatest sense of satisfaction in her life, she’ll mention those who spearheaded the building of the Levy Family Campus, but she’ll also say, “watching us become a community.” That community has certainly changed in the 35 years since Janet and David moved here from Seattle. Upon her arrival, she immersed herself in the local Jewish community, serving as president of the San Jose chapter of Hadassah (then the largest in the area), and was a member of the boards of both Federation and Women’s Division. At the time, the Federation was very small. Marsha Dryan was the Women’s Division board president, Don Glazer had succeeded Syd Stein as executive director; and the staff consisted of Don, a bookkeeper, and a secretary. Janet, who supervised the Women’s Division, was the office manager and editor for the Jewish Community News. She was drawn to the Federation by watching her parents’ involvement in the Jewish community in Seattle, where her mother served as vice president of the Federation’s Women’s Division and her father served as vice president of the JCC and president of Hillel at the University of Washington, helping build the Hillel House there. “My whole life, I grew up surrounded by people who cared about the Jewish community. I was proud being Jewish, it was like a badge of honor to me, and when I moved to San Jose, there was no question that I would become involved.” When Don asked Janet to become the editor of the JCN, she at first demurred, but “Don got the ‘big guns’ – Al Frank and Mel Cotton – who talked me into taking the job.” (Janet succeeded previous editors Syd Stein, Miriam Marr and Mark Levine.) A Journalism Major in college, Janet had long been sensitive to the role of communication in developing community. Growing up in Seattle, she had admired the Seattle [Jewish] Transcript. “I wanted our paper to be like that: to have national, international, and local news – anything

that would make people understand [and care about] what was going on in the Jewish community as a whole. I knew that the more connection they would have, the more they would give. Everything I did ended up with ‘what’s in it to help Federation help the community’ in my mind.” Janet Berg “I kept trying to grow the paper,” she recalls, “and got some great feature writers, such as Larry Gerston and Abe Gannes. I started the Rabbi’s column, and recruited people who wrote interesting things. The Council of Jewish Federations had an annual award ceremony at their General Assembly, and, three times while I was editor, our paper won a silver award for being the best intermediate sized paper with advertising.” As editor of the JCN N for over 20 years, she enjoyed some unique and “thrilling” experiences; being part of two “journalism missions” to Israel, where she interviewed top Israeli leaders. She met President Gerald Ford and interviewed Elie Wiesel, Moshe Dayan and Abba Eban. She also worked with Mayor Janet Gray Hays to develop a counter-rally to one being staged by the Ku Klux Klan in front of City Hall. As a key member of the Federation staff (including five different stints as acting executive director), she helped grow the organization to which she was so passionately committed. She especially enjoyed “learning from Mike Papo and Jon Friedenberg, really special people who taught me so much.” She also lauds Jyl Jurman (whom she has known since she was 15 years old), who “has accepted unique challenges and has done an incredible job.” She is proudest of all the independent and “important service organizations that initially began as committees of the Federation,” citing Jewish Family Service, which began as a volunteer committee working to resettle Russian émigrés arriving in San Jose in 1975. Two years earlier, the Jewish Community Center, which had also started as a committee of the Federation, established itself as a separate entity, moving to the old Foxworthy and Leigh School campus while the Federation moved to 1777 Hamilton Avenue. Janet worked for the Federation for 31 years. Her greatest sense of satisfaction? “To watch the community See “Janet” p. 37

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper

Jewish Agencies in the Silicon Valley 1861 - Temple Emanu-El Established in 1861 as the Bickur Cholim Society, Temple Emanu-El is Santa Clara Valley’s first Jewish congregation, and responsible for San Jose's Jewish cemetery. In 1869, the founders requested that a portion of Oak Hill Cemetery be set apart for a “Hebrew Cemetery.” Members first met at the old City Hall and the Masonic Hall was the acting synagogue building. In 1870, a building at Third and San Antonio streets was dedicated for Bickur Cholim. That building was destroyed by fire in 1940. Yet, the Ner Tamid [eternal light] and the Bickur Cholim stained glass windows were saved and still hang in today’s Temple Emanu-El, built in 1948 on University Ave. With the new building, members changed the Bickur Cholim name to Temple Emanu-El. A three-story school building, now also home to an award-winning preschool, was added in 1959. Rabbi Joseph Gitin led the congregation from 1950 through 1976 and has served as Rabbi Emeritus ever since. Led by Rabbi Dana Magat for the past ten years and newly invested Cantor Meeka Simerly, the caring congregational community consists of Jewish and interfaith couples, families and individuals from diverse backgrounds. Temple Emanu-El has started planning its 150-year celebration!

1930 - San Jose Jewish Federation The San Jose Jewish Federation, now known as the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, was incorporated on June 2, 1930, in the city of San Jose. Phil Hammer Sr. was the first president, and helped launch the Federation with a small group of other people. The Federation could not have been founded at a more important time. As Hitler ascended to power in Germany, anti-Semitism in America rose to its highest historical Don Glazer, Federation executive director, levels in the 1930s. affixes a mezuzeh on the door at 1777 The purpose of the Hamilton Ave. Federation was to raise funds for the Jewish Agency which was the lifesaving organization trying to save the Jews in Europe. Since its inception, Federations in every major city have grown to become the umbrella organization for the organized Jewish community. The Silicon Valley Federation has been the launching pad for most local agencies, including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Community Relations Council. As these agencies grew and served larger populations, they became separate non-profit organizations with their own Board of Directors and volunteers. The Federation remains the umbrella organization, studying the fiscal responsibility of these agencies and providing advisory support when necessary. Funds from the Annual Campaign are allocated to Israel for humanitarian and emigre programs. Locally the Federation allocates funds to local agencies, synagogue religious schools, day schools, Chai House as well as many other programs such as, camp scholarships, Hillel, Jewish Study Network and more. The Federation also holds Endowment Funds from individuals and Foundations for the community and designated programs. The Federation spearheaded the Capital Campaign to

build and run the Levy Family Campus that houses the Federation, APJCC with Club One, Yavneh Day School and Jewish Family Services. Today Dr. Steve Green is Federation President and Jyl Jurman is CEO.

1950s - Congregation Sinai In the early 1950s, several families that had been meeting for traditional minyanim in Temple Emanu-El’s social hall decided it was time to form their own synagogue. With the support of Rabbi Gitin of Emanu-El, the idea quickly took form. The founding members Congregation Sinai Confirmation chose the name class circa 1964 Congregation Sinai because it paralleled the Jews’ wandering in the desert before their arrival at Mount Sinai. After several years of assembling in temporary locations, Sinai’s current property was purchased in 1956. There, Sinai flourished. In the mid-1980s, Congregation Sinai affiliated with the Conservative Movement. While membership declined in the 1990s, the past several years have seen significant growth in membership and energy at the shul. In 2006, a new campus was built from the ground up. Comprised of beautiful and inspiring areas of worship as well as functional spaces, the new building exudes a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for adults and children alike. Rabbi Joshua Berkenwald joined Sinai in 2007 as its spiritual leader. Congregation Sinai is lay-led, multi-generational, and egalitarian. It continues to thrive due to the efforts of the many individuals and families who are dedicated to fostering this close-knit, welcoming community.

1950s - Hillel Hillel of Silicon Valley was founded during the post-World War II era. Mel and Dorothy Cotton recruited Dorothy and Jay Frankel, Al Kragen, and Ted Purwin to start a Hillel at what became San Jose State University. The original charter date is unknown, but activities occurred in the 1950s. Initially known as San Jose State College Hillel Foundation, it was affiliated with Stanford Hillel and drew its membership from the San Jose State campus. In 1970, the group expanded to include Santa Clara University students. And, in the 1980s included the local community colleges DeAnza, West Valley and Foothill. Rabbi Charles Familant, Stanford University’s Hillel director in the 1960s traveled regularly to San Jose to lead Hillel classes, services, and activities held mainly in the Catholic Newman Center. Local men’s and women’s’ B’nai B’rith leaders sponsored occasional Hillel Shabbat and holiday dinners on campus or insured that students were invited to member’s homes. In the late 1960’s local students Stephen Kinsey and Mark Levine met with Hillel faculty advisors Dr. Robert Levinson and Dr. George Sicular. Efforts began to acquire a permanent location. Over the years, Hillel had several homes. During the early 1990s, Hillel was not able to attract students. Through a concentrated effort by Mishy

Balaban, Kinerette Hasson, Randy Levinson, Lindsay Greensweig, and the Jewish Federation, Hillel was reinvigorated and moved into the current Hillel house. Articles of Incorporation and an Agreement of Affiliation with Hillel International were signed in 1999. Today, Hillel of Silicon Valley is an award winning, thriving operation with five full-time staff persons. Recognized by Hillel International with a Visions and Values award, Hillel is a model multi-campus Hillel. Student participation has exploded and the Hillel board has just found a new, larger facility to call home.

1962 - Congregation Beth David In 1962, four couples, Gerry and Esther Daniel, Herb and Ruth Dreifuss, Monroe and Freddie Postman and Nat and Edie Kallman began talking about the need for a Conservative synagogue in the South Bay. Another interested party, Paul Kernoff, soon joined them. Gerry and Paul put an ad in the November 1962 San Jose Jewish Community Bulletin (the precursor to the Jewish Community N e w s ) Congregation Beth David's groundbreaking announcing ceromony a meeting to explore forming a new Conservative congregation in the area. The meeting was a success: over one hundred people attended, seventy-five of whom put their names on a list of potential members. By the time of the second meeting, in December, Paul Kernoff had been named acting chairman and committees had been formed to organize a new congregation. Incorporation papers were filed January 21, 1963. Gerry Daniel became the first president of the congregation. In April 1963, newly named Congregation Beth David began to hold services at the Meeting House in Santa Clara. The first High Holy Day services were held that fall; the pioneer Hebrew School classes right after. The congregation met at several locations before establishing its permanent home in Saratoga in 1975. Current senior Rabbi Daniel Pressman joined the synagogue in 1982. From its peripatetic beginnings, Beth David has grown into a community of 570 families, nationally recognized for its rich and varied programs. Through it all the synagogue has striven to retain the innovative spirit and communal warmth of its early days.

1970 - Congregation Am Echad In 1970 members of a small minyan in a private home incorporated Congregation Am Echad. Rabbi Avraham Hyam Lapin visited for the High Holy Days of 1977 and became Am Echad’s permanent spiritual leader. Over the years, he and his wife Rebbetzin Maisie, built up the congregation based on Torah values and character refinement. In 1988 several subsidiary organizations were formed to fulfill specific Torah needs. They included the Chevra Kadisha (Burial Society) and the Chesed Society. In 1989, Am Echad’s continued growth required a move into their current home on Meridian Avenue in San Jose. In November 1991, Rav A.H. Lapin unexpectedly passed away. At this time, the community requested that his son, Rabbi Raphael Lapin, come to San Jose and assume the mantle of leadership. Under their influence, Am Echad continued its spiritual and physical growth. Now under the guidance of Rabbi Menachem Levine, a dynamic speaker, Am Echad is seeing renewed community participation and energy. With a diverse membership, coming from non-religious and religious backgrounds, the shul welcomes all to visit, pray, and learn in this See “Jewish” p. 22

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper From “Jewish” p.21 warm, vibrant and inviting environment. Visitors often comment on how down-to-earth the synagogue is, while at the same time adhering to the values of traditional Orthodox Judaism.

1971 - South Peninsula Hebrew Day School

South Peninsula Hebrew Day School

SPHDS was founded in 1971 by a group of parents representing all segments of the Jewish community; the first offices were located at Kol Emeth in Palo Alto. The first classes were held in 1972. In 1975, SPHDS began renting its current facilities. In 1981, with the help of what is now the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties and the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and three individual donors: Eli Reinhard, Hal Dryan and Jim Joseph, SPHDS purchased the current site from the Cupertino School District in conjunction with the City of Sunnyvale.

1973 - Jewish Community Center The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley (APJCC), founded in 1973, has grown from a small, barebones facility, to a giant, thriving center for Jewish life. Originally named the J e w i s h Community Center of San Jose, it began An opening day celebration the old JCC many years ago building on Oka Road as a committee of the Jewish Community Council (now the Jewish Federation). The JCC incorporated in 1973 and moved to a rented building on Leigh Avenue, before buying a building on Canoas Garden Avenue in 1978. In 1985, the JCC sold the Canoas facility, purchased the old Berry School on Oka Road in Los Gatos with donations from the AddisonPenzak family and many others, and became the AddisonPenzak Jewish Community Center of Greater San Jose. Tennis courts and a pool were added to the Oka Road campus in 1987-88, and in 1988 the APJCC Preschool was founded. In 1999, the Center changed its name to the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Silicon Valley. In 2004, the old facility was torn down and in 2005 the APJCC re-opened in the Federation’s new, state-of-theart building on the Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus. Today's APJCC has over 4,000 members and brings the entire Jewish community together for holiday celebrations and other community events. It offers award-winning Jewish education, enrichment programs for all ages, summer camp and preschool, a 20,000-square-foot fitness center, event rentals, cultural programming, and houses an award-winning Club One Fitness Center.

1977 - Congregation Emeth The South County Jewish Community was established more than 30 years ago when Ellen Fuchs first placed an announcement in the Gilroy Dispatch asking area Jews to attend a meeting to discuss their mutual interests. Within a couple of years, in 1977, Congregation Emeth was established by a group of approximately 12 families in the South Santa Clara County area. They began having

activities to nurture the spiritual and cultural needs of area Jews. Services were held in members’ homes and led by the members. High Holy Days were led by student Rabbis and held in local churches or community buildings. The membership grew to approximately 30 families, and despite the small number of members, the congregation developed a full program of Shabbat and Holy Days services and adult education. In 1982, an educational program for its children was added. In 1984, Congregation Emeth hired its first Rabbi. Another milestone was the purchase of its first Torah in 1996 and, during that same year, the congregation established a Jewish cemetery in Gilroy. In 2007, a second Torah was purchased, whose Congregation Emeth opening history included serving communities throughout Eastern Europe, and after being rescued from the Holocaust, it traveled to Israel–and then to Congregation Emeth. In subsequent years, Congregation Emeth blossomed even further. In September 2008, the Reform-affiliated synagogue moved into its first permanent facility in downtown Morgan Hill. Known as Beit Emet, “the house of truth,” the Temple has a large sanctuary, adult and children's library and meeting room, social hall, ample classrooms, commercial kitchen, Judaica gift shop, and play area. Congregation Emeth continues to be a vibrant and growing congregation, offering a host of programs to meet members’ needs. These include a variety of adult and children’s education programs, a Sisterhood, and numerous committees covering a wide variety of interests. In August 2006, the congregation welcomed its current Rabbi, Debbie Israel.

1979 - Jewish Family Services Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, officially incorporated in 1979, began some five years earlier as the vision of two friends and colleagues, both licensed social workers: Gertrude Conrad and Areta Stadler. By the mid1970's the Santa Clara Valley had become home to many Holocaust survivors and was a David Sigura blows a shofar at a retirement experiencing rapid influx of home as part of a JFS outreach program Jewish émigrés from the Soviet Union. Many individuals and families in both groups were in need of assistance—sociological as well as material and educational. Local rabbis were overwhelmed by the requests for counseling, so Gertrude and Areta volunteered to help. They soon realized that the counseling services they provided were only the tip of the iceberg. In response to the need, they recruited four community volunteers—Barbara Frank, Adele Berg, Alan Turover and Burt Epstein—as a committee to obtain and organize other émigré needs (such as housing, clothing and jobs), to recruit a cadre of additional volunteers, and to lobby the Federation Board (successfully) for formal recognition and support. In 1977, at the Federation's Hamilton Avenue location, Jewish Family Services became a committee of the Jewish Federation and was given a small office to use for counseling and business purposes. In 1979 it incorporated as an independent 501-(c)-3 agency with Gertrude Conrad as the first president. Dr. Arthur Goldberg was hired as the first executive director. During the last 30 years the agency has grown to provide

a variety of critical services to almost 10,000 members of our community each year utilizing a dedicated staff of professionals and over 700 volunteers.

1980 - Congregation Shir Hadash The initial meetings to form Congregation Shir Hadash were held in the home of Mel and Barbara Jacobs. Mel (z”l) also became the first president of the congregation. Close to 75 people showed up to the initial meetings. Founding families included Mel and Barbara Jacobs, Stuart and Pearl Sandelman, Max and Carolyn Lettween and Sylvia and Jim Katzman. Congregation Shir Hadash operated out of several different locations before Linda Rossen and Robert settling at its current home at Weisman breaking ground for 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los the Shir Hadash Sanctuary Gatos. As membership has grown, a sanctuary was built and the building that used to operate as a school has been remodeled, including the recent addition of a preschool. For almost 20 years, Shir Hadash has been led and inspired by Rabbi Melanie Aron. For the last 13 years, Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy has taken Shir Hadash’s name (a New Song) to heart and expanded the congregation’s musical participation. Rabbi Lisa Levenberg is the Temple’s educator and Rabbi Joel Fleekop serves as associate rabbi.

1981 - Yavneh Day School In the fall of 1981, Yavneh Day School opened its doors in the halls of Congregation Beth David and welcomed nineteen preschool and kindergarten children. Head teacher Leah Bernstein, Dr. Abe Gannes, Rabbis Jerry Danzig, Daniel Pressman, and Sheldon Lewis, and a staff of dedicated teachers including Shula Raz and Amalia Arndt, and the founding parents—made the school a reality. Within a year Yavneh received the Charter of Affiliation from the Solomon Schechter Day School Association. Yavneh Day School Yavneh quickly outgrew Beth students line up for their David. At the time, the APJCC first class in the new Levy was in negotiation to purchase Family Campus 2005 the Oka Road site (then a medfly station), and Yavneh came aboard. Head of School Bonnie Slavitt Moore provided professional and scholastic leadership, meanwhile rolling up her sleeves with others to whack weeds around the building, clear years of grime, divide classrooms, hang blackboards, and prepare to welcome the children to their new home. In 1999, under the careful guidance and tireless efforts of Liz Michaels, Yavneh earned full accreditation by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Bureau of Jewish Education. With this recognition as a top independent school in the state, Yavneh confirmed its early goal of academic excellence. In 2002, Yavneh moved to temporary quarters at the old Blackford High School, which it shared with Kehillah Jewish High School and other independent schools. During this time, Yavneh expanded to include a middle school. In 2005, Yavneh moved to its permanent home at the Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus.

1985 - Chai House Chai House is the only Jewish-sponsored living facility for independent seniors and disabled individuals in Santa Clara County. In 1967, the Jewish Council of Elderly was formed and met at Temple Emanu-El with the goal of

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Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper meeting the needs of San Jose’s growing elderly Jewish population. With Lee Axelrad and Robert Krandel as the driving forces, the committee’s mission was to establish an affordable, comfortable, secure environment for the seniors. Thus, the dream of building Chai House was born. The capital funding was provided by loans from HUD, the RDA of San Jose, private lenders, organizations, foundations, major gifts and other individual donations Phase One was opened in 1985 and Phase Two was opened in 1987 with additional support from the Chai House ground breaking Greater San Jose Jewish Community in conjunction with the City of San Jose and the Redevelopment Agency. Chai House is an Equal Opportunity Housing project. Chai House has a Kosher Nutrition Program under Rabbinical supervision. The food program is important as this encourages congregate dining, balanced nutrition and socialization. Before the kitchen was built, kosher meals were driven down daily from San Francisco and served by volunteers from the Board, their spouses and residents. Under the auspices of Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, counseling services are available to residents and their families. The San Jose State Nursing program offers free health monitoring. Both are offered onsite for free. Annual financial support continues from the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, individual donations, gifts, bequests and special events.

1988 - Chevra Kadisha Although, taharott (Jewish burial preparations) had been performed on an as-needed basis, in 1988 Bernie Schwartz, Mary Jo Elman and Ruth Novice took it upon themselves to establish an independent Chevra Kadisha of the South Bay. The group worked hard on the By-Laws, which were presented to Rav A. H. Lapin, z”l. Upon his approval, the organization was incorporated. It has always been the policy of the Chevra Kadisha to open the organization to all Torah-observant individuals as volunteer workers, and to all individuals of Jewish faith for preparation for burial. There are no charges for the services of the Chevra Kadisha, but tax-deductible contributions are suggested and used to help provide for indigents’ funerals. The religious supervision of the Chevra Kadisha is by the Rabbis of the Beth Din of the South Bay, who answer questions as they arise, and Rabbi Elchonon Zohn from New York, the expert on taharot in the United States. Throughout Chevra Kadisha's growth and development, it has worked cooperatively with Oak Hill Funeral Home and Wayne Rose of Sinai Memorial Chapel. The Chevra Kadisha will perform taharott at any mortuary that requests the service.

1989 - Chabad Outreach In 1989 Rabbi Noach and Rivkah Vogel came as Chabad Outreach emissaries from New York and continued their Chabad-Outreach work as the Almaden Valley Torah Center. The Almaden Valley Torah Center continues to offer Shabbat and holiday services, adult education, Hebrew School, Summer Torah Club, Women's Concert, and other programs including holiday parties such as public Menorah Lightings.

1991 - Jewish Film Festival In 1991, Fagie Rosen, the JCC Senior Services director at the time, Burt Epstein, a community leader, and Bernis Kretchmar, the then Jewish Federation’s Women’s Division director, all had the same thought. Why not build a film program for Jewish movies in the South Bay Area? In the course of a few months, the San Jose Jewish Film Series was born and today, the program that was a good

idea is now the successful—and growing—Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival. Back in the early days, the challenge was to book a few movies. The first film, “The Quarrel” was brought to the committee by Dan Pulcrano, editor of The Metro Newspaper, and was shown to a standing-roomonly audience at The Towne Theatre on The Alameda. After several years, the Festival moved to Camera 3 in downtown San Jose and when Camera 12 came under the ownership of Camera Cinemas the then-named San Jose Jewish Film Festival moved to the larger venue. Today, the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival is offering films at the Camera 12 Theater, the Camera 7 Theater in the Pruneyard Shopping Center, and the Towne Theater in Santa Clara Cubberley Theater in Palo Alto and will soon be providing programs in the newly opened auditorium of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. Since its inception, the Festival has shown films representing a multitude of countries and a Tower of Babel of languages.

1997 - Mikvah Society The first mikvah in Silicon Valley was built by the Mikvah Society of San Jose under the inspiration and guidance of Rabbi Gedalia Meyer of Ahavas Torah. The posek (Halachic authority) is Rabbi Yirmiyah Katz of Brooklyn, New York, who inspects regularly and has set it at a very high standard. Rabbi Noach Vogel capably handles the local supervision of the facility. The mikvah is purposely located in a residential neighborhood. Pat Bergman at the San Jose The Mikvah Society was Mikvah opening involved with arranging educational programs on Shalom Bayis and the laws of mikvah use.

2000 - Chabad House In 2000, the West Coast director of Chabad, Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, responded to the request of an Israeli high tech executive in S. Jose to create a new Chabad House in the South Bay, joining the Chabad House that had already existed in Palo Alto for over 25 years. Two weeks later, Rabbi Aaron Cunin arrived. Its first activity was a public Menorah Lighting in downtown S. Jose. Chabad of S. Jose now conducts classes almost every day of the week, including adult education, Hebrew school, Chabad's Rabbi Cunin with holiday awareness programs, Metro Newspaper's executive editor Dan Pulcrano in front of a and public Seders, in addition menorah in downtown San Jose. to a Shabbos minyan, with a focus on reaching out to unaffiliated Jews throughout the community.

2001 - Jewish Study Network In the summer of 2001, just as the dot.com bubble burst, six eclectic rabbis arrived in Palo Alto to found the Jewish Study Network. Brimming with the optimism, energy and innovative talent of a start-up, the rabbis of the “JSN” shared a vision: raising the level of Jewish literacy in the

San Francisco Bay Area. It all started when three ambitious rabbinic students from Jerusalem, Rabbis Joey Felsen, Daniel Kermaier and Menachem Spira were looking to make their mark in Jewish education. They soon discovered that the Bay Area had a reputation for being under-serviced. Encouraged by community members and leaders from From left to right: Rabbis Yaacov Benzaquen, across the Joey Felsen, Yisroel Gordon, Dani Kermaier, spectrum and Menachem Spira blessed with the support of such visionaries as Ephraim Lindenbaum, Halfon Hamaoui, Chuck and Barbara Taubman, Rabbi Yitzchak Feldman and Dennis Teifeld, Rabbis Benzaquen, Gordon and Jacobs were recruited and the JSN was born. The rest is history.

2002 - Kehillah Jewish High School When Kehillah Jewish High School welcomed its pioneer ninth-grade class in August 2002, there was no other pluralistic Jewish high school between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Kehillah was founded by entrepreneurs and day school founders Jacqueline Bocian, Len Lehmann and Bobby Lent. Kehillah’s first home was at the Blackford campus in San Jose, where it leased the large, former public high school campus for its students and subleased surplus Kehillah Jewish High classrooms to Yavneh Day School's founder and School, Mid-Peninsula Jewish president, Len Lehmann Community Day School (now (left), and philanthropist Bobby Lent hang a mezuah Hausner Jewish Day School), on the campus and the Addison Penzak JCC Preschool. Kehillah’s 33 freshmen were recruited from area K-8 day schools as well as public middle schools from San Jose to Fremont to Belmont. In 2005 Kehillah moved to its permanent, state-of-the-art facility in Palo Alto, across from the new Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life. Kehillah has 130 students this fall and will ultimately increase enrollment to 250 students.

2003 - Chabad of Sunnyvale Chabad of Sunnyvale was founded in September of 2003 by Rabbi Yisroel Hecht and his wife Miriam to act as an independent sattelite location of Chabad of Greater South Bay. Chabad of Sunnyvale serves all segments of the Jewish Community of Sunnyvale with its Youth Programming, Adult Education, Social and Material Asststance, and Synagogue Services. Prior to founding the Chabbad of Sunnyvale in 2001, Rabbi Hecht took over the Director position of Camp Gan Israel and under his guidance, the camp has flourished with over 1,000 unique children having benefited from the program.

2005 - Ahabat Torah Ahabat Torah is the newest congregation in Silicon Valley, having rededicated itself as a Sephardic synagogue on Chanukah 5766/2005. From its founding in 1994, it was known as Ahavas Torah and followed the Ashkenazic mode. At the suggestion of Rabbi David Zitter, the members voted to adopt the Sephardic mode since many of the members had come from such communities as Iran, Syria, Morocco and Israel. The Ashkenazic members understood that this would be a way of distinguishing between the two Orthodox congregations in the same Willow Glen neighborhood. 

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper South Bay Jewish owned businesses celebrate 15 years or more Footwear etc. open 23 years

Peninsula Beauty celebrates 50 years in business

The story of Footwear etc. begins in 1986, when Sunnyvale resident Elie Monarch opened his first store in Palo Alto. Twenty three years later, with six stores in the Bay Area, two in Southern Lottie and Elie Monarch California, and a successful online presence, Footwear etc is truly a successful, local business story. Monarch, who is very active in the South Bay Jewish community, has always promoted high-end Israeli brands such as Naot and Beautifeel. In celebration of Rosh Hashanah, Footwear etc. teamed up with Yaleet Inc, the distributor of the Naot brand, to donate 200 pairs of women's shoes to Chai House. Monarch’s involvements in the local Jewish community are many. His children attended South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, where his wife Lottie also taught for many years. His son Aviv is now a teacher at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School. The family is affiliated with Congregation Sinai, and Monarch is one of the partners of Mountain View’s new kosher restaurant The Kitchen Table. 

As owner and CEO of Peninsula Beauty, which has ten locations including south bay locations (Campbell, Willow Glen, Los Altos, Sunnyvale a n d M o u n t a i n V i e w ) , Burlingame resident Lori Silverstein maintains a strong philanthropic Lori Silverstein presence in the community. S h e d o n a t e s to schools, synagogues, charitable associations, theatre groups, sports teams and healthcare organizations. Over the past 20 years, Peninsula Beauty has given away over $500,000 in cash, gift cards and products. Once a week, Peninsula Beauty’s warehouse opens its doors to challenged youth from Mills High School, helping them to gain useful work experience in product pricing and other tasks. Additionally, for over a decade, Lori and Peninsula Beauty have annually created “beauty baskets” for women at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital every Mother’s Day, with the goal of lifting their spirits as their children are being treated for various illnesses. Lori has been active in the Jewish community since high school when she was in the temple youth group, BBYO and

spent summers as a camp counselor at the Peninsula JCC. Later she became involved as a youth group leader in temple as well as a BBYO advisor. Lori’s son Jason began his education at Ronald C. Wornick Jewish day School (formerly the Jewish Day School of The North Peninsula), where Lori later served on the board and the executive board for five years. 

If you are a Jewish business owner in operation for more then 15 years in the south Bay please contact Lori Cinnamon at (408) 867-9692 or email locinnamon@aol.com, so we can include you in a future issue.

Mel Cotton’s Sporting Goods remains a local institution Mel Cotton's Sporting Goods' roots began in Santa Clara County in 1946, long before the area became synonymous with Silicon Valley, at a time when the majority of real estate housed orchards, not corporations. Mel Cotton's is now a household Mel Cotten name in Northern California with a 60+ year reputation. The store sells items for outdoor activities ranging from backpacking to camping; skiing to snowboarding; freshwater to saltwater fishing; athletic shoes to hiking boots; athletics to water sports. Not only a successful businessman, Mel Cotton was a dedicated philanthropist, in both the Jewish and general, local community. On the Jewish front, he served as president of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, helped found Congregation Sinai and served in leadership roles at Temple Emanu-El, B’nai B’rith and Hillel. He was a long supporter of many charities, including those that supported Holocaust survivors. Mel Cotton passed away in 2008 at the age of 91. His son Stan Cotton now runs the store. 

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Happy 50th Anniversary Jewish Community Newspaper Almaden Valley Athletic Club going strong since 1976 Since 1976, The Almaden Valley Athletic Club (AVAC) has offered Silicon Valley residents health, fitness and wellness programs for all ages. What was once a walnut grove is now a luxury-style, fullfeatured fitness facility. Owners JoAnn Shank and Joseph Shank recall how, JoAnn Shank during the 1970's, no one facility offered a place for men, women and children to work out together, play tennis, racquetball, other fitness activities and swim. And then AVAC was born. An active member of the Jewish community, JoAnn Shank is proud of her numerous leadership positions including past-president of Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood, board member of Temple Emanu-El and URJ North America and URJ Regional Governing board member. JoAnn has twin daughters and enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren. 

JoAnn Jo Ann SShhan An ank

Joel Nelson Productions keeps it in the family

Alef Bet Judaica 16 Years and Counting

Joel Nelson Productions was founded in the early 1980's in San Jose. Not just a DJ or live music agency, JNP has grown over the years to include photo booths, green screen photography, variety entertainers, lighting and sound production. In the last 25 years, Joel, his associate Frank Goldstein, and a long list of JNP DJs and musicians have performed at over Joel Nelson 8,000 Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and thousands of Jewish weddings in the Bay Area. While the Internet has made the marketplace more competitive, Joel Nelson Productions has survived and thrived due to an emphasis on customer service, quality entertainment at affordable prices, and lasting relationships with clients. Joel recently told this story to a local publication: “Many years ago, I did a Bar Mitzvah for a young man named Steve and a Bat Mitzvah for a young lady named Hallie. Years later, I performed at their wedding. Finally, they had a child who recently had a Bat Mitzvah, and guess what? We did her party as well! Those are the relationships that make the Jewish community in the Bay Area so tight-knit, and we are honored to be a part of these celebrations.” 

Narit Sabadosh has been running Alef Bet Judaica for 16 years. “I like being a part of so many people's lives, their Bar Mitzvahs, getting married, coming back to visit. The continuation, it's Narit Sabadosh really great.” Sabadosh moved to the Silcon Valley from Israel in 1981 with her husband Uri and her then 10 and 13-year-old children. She began teaching Hebrew and Judaica at Shir Hadash and Yavneh Day School. After 11 years at the schools, “I felt I needed to do something different,” she said. With the support of her family, Nurit opened Alef Bet for business 16 years ago. “Alef Bet is really a place that I feel that I help the community,” she said. The store is located at 14103-D Winchester Blvd in Los Gatos. Alef Bet is the only Judaica store in the South Bay. It offers gifts, books and Jewish ritual items. For young children, the store is stocked with a huge selection of holiday themed arts and craft projects.”It's nice to give something that is Jewish,” Sadadosh says about giving Jewish-themed gifts. 

Lawrence Contract Furnishers since 1971

Lawrence Contract Furnishers building in Campbell

Established in 1971, Lawrence Contract Furnishers has provided individuals and contractors with competitively priced flooring, window treatments, and fine furniture. Lawrence (better known as Larry) started Lawrence Contract Furnishers after successfully running a chain of five furniture stores called Design Interiors. Over the years Lawrence Contract Furnihers has established itself as a reputable business and has been Diamond Certified for over eight years. Larry has been an active member of Temple Emanu-El (for over 50 years) and over the years has been involved in the Men's Club. 

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Vardy's Jewelers

Misha Shtein, Vardy Shtein and Fanya Hull

Owner and founder Vardy Shtein began apprenticing to craftsmen in his homeland of Estonia, working first with silver, advancing to gold and platinum fabrication and then to master gem setting. To escape the oppression of a Communist doctrine, he migrated to the United States with his wife, two small children, $500 and his talent for jewelry making. Once settled in California, he opened a shop doing repairs for other jewelers, but as his creative designs captured the attention of the local community, it was only natural for him to open Vardy’s Jewelers in 1981. In 2006, Vardy’s expanded to accommodate their growing customer base. Vardy works alongside his grown children and loyal staff, who share his passion and knowledge for fine jewelry. Fanya Hull, Marketing Manager and daughter of Vardy has a degree in Finance and International Business. She is also certified

as a Gemologist. Misha Shtein, Manager, is the son of store owner Vardy Shtein. After completing college Misha followed in his father’s footsteps to learn the highly skilled art of European Goldsmithing. A European Goldsmith is both an artist and engineer, with a deep understanding of metallurgy and gemology. Misha is a certified GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) and AJP. Vardy, Fanya and Misha give back to the Jewish community in their own meaningful way. Fanya is on the Board of Director of the APJCC, Misha belongs to Shir Hadash. And Vardy is a former board member at Jewish Family Service. 

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Joel Abramson Takes Business Back Home to Israel

Joel Abramson and his family live in Yokne’am, near Haifa. Lori works as a Jewish educational consultant, while Joel runs his business and, like any good musician, has several music projects in the works. 

Hagafen Cellars The Abramson family making Aliyah in 2007.

Since 1994, Joel Abramson Orchestras & Entertainment has provided musical entertainment for Jewish events in the Bay Area. Joel first ran his business from Oakland, also working in day schools and synagogues as both a Judaic teacher and Cantorial soloist. His wife Lori was the education director for Temple Sinai in Oakland from 1994-2004. When the family moved to San Jose, they joined Congregation Am Echad and Congregation Sinai. Joel continued to operate the business, while his wife Lori became Yavneh Day School’s head of school. In 2007, the Abramson family, including daughter Lori (now 15) and son Benjamin (now 11) made Aliyah. Joel took the move as an opportunity to expand his business to the Joel Abramson Israel Connection, serving families that host their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and weddings in Israel, in addition to maintaining his Bay Area branch of the business. In this capacity, Abramson serves as an Israel specialist who provides rabbis, cantors, tour guides, locations and personalized family tours.

Hagafen was founded in 1979 by Ernie and Irit Weir as the first kosher premium winery in Napa Valley. This was done to honor their Jewish cultural and religious histories but also to show that fine wine could be kosher and still do well in tastings and competitions. Since its founding, Ernie with kids building the winery Hagafen wines have been served at the White House more than two dozen times and earned many gold medals. The wine is produced in small lot releases, allowing hand selection and a more refined product. Ernie and Irit are very active in Napa's local shul, Congregation Beth Shalom, with both having formally served in various capacities for the congregation over the years. Most recently, Ernie served as Congregation President from 2007 to 2009. The family owns land in Israel and travel there several times a year for both social and business matters.

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

The PJ Library y® Program completes first year in South Bay Once a month, 630 little boys and girls wait eagerly for the big white envelope with the blue Jewish star to arrive in their mailboxes. They are delighted to see another free, age-appropriate book to share at bedtime with parents and siblings. The book comes from The PJ Library® Program, an initiative sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley with the support of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Massachusetts and the Jim Joseph Foundation of San Francisco. Rabbi Leslie Alexander, the project’s staff professional, and Eleanor Weber Dickman, volunteer outreach coordinator, have monitored the program’s progress since its inception one year ago. In addition to receiving the free monthly book or CD, families are invited to participate in events sponsored by The PJ Library® Program. Gatherings, designed to appeal to young children have included a Tu B’Shevat story time and planting project at Calabazas Library and a Passover story time at Alef Bet in Los Gatos and at BookSmart in Morgan Hill (including making haroset). Initial programs welcomed 10-15 children. Recently, gatherings have grown in size to nearly 60 children.

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A key goal of the program is to reach out to unaffiliated young families using Facebook, local libraries, bookstores, and malls, posting on parenting websites and seeking coverage in local community weekly newspapers. To enroll, visit the program’s website www.jvalley.org/pjlplace and sign up. Involved in designing and implementing programs to increase PJ Library’s visibility is a volunteer committee that includes Aurianne Dorsay, Maria Elena Jarson, Beryl Grace, Scott Guggenheim, Elaine Hamilton, Doris Katz, Gail Long, Sandy Mayer, Carrie McCarthy, Dalia Michael, Lizi Oceransky, Nurit Sabadosh, Naomi Salowe and Emily Reich Shem Tov. 

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Ask the Rabbi Rabbi Fenton chooses a new book for community program By Rabbi Joshua Fenton Why are we reading Professor Singer’s book The Life You Can Save for the One Community One Book program? Study in Judaism, though valued in and of itself, is only fully realized when manifested through action. There is a scene in the Talmud in which Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon are arguing about which is greater; study or practice. The sages interrupt and explain, “Study is greater for it leads to practice.” For the last few years we have read books that celebrate the Jewish experience, Jewish thought, and the Jewish community. I felt it was time to realize the words of the sages, so I chose a book which I found both compelling and inspiring. I hope that this book will lead many, if not all of us, to action. The fact of the matter is that I have not found a more clearly or succinctly articulated argument for giving more to those who have the very least, then in Peter Singer’s book, The Life You Can Save. It is truly not a Jewish story. It’s not really a Jewish book at all. Though Professor Singer did grow up in a Jewish home and is halakhicaly Jewish, he doesn’t identify as Jewish, doesn’t suggest that his ideas are somehow rooted in his

Jewish heritage or the Jewish tradition, and in fact says “… my identity as a Jew, or not, just isn’t all that important to me.” So why this book? Singer has given us a book that demands a Jewish response and I believe through reading his book our experience as Jews will be deepened. The basic argument he puts forward is as follows: people are dying all over the world from preventable disease, due exclusively to the extreme poverty in which they live. We, “the rich folks”, could end extreme poverty forever with what Singer considers to be a nominal sacrifice of our current standard of living. He suggests that if each of us could give a few hundred dollars a year to organizations fighting extreme poverty, by 2015, 500 million people would no longer be living in extreme poverty and 300 million would no longer suffer from hunger. How can anyone argue against this? Singer doesn’t stop there. He goes on, talking about the implications of choices we make about the way we spend, save and consume, and the direct effects that such a lifestyle has on the world. He argues that our lifestyles demonstrate that we value certain luxuries over the lives

of individuals. How can you buy $1000 shoes when people are starving unless you think your shoes are worth their starvation? For Singer, giving is a moral imperative. What Singer is trying to show us is that Tzedakkah is not charity. This is why I chose the book. While he doesn’t use those words, nor does he arrive at that realization through any “Jewish process”, he does get there. He gets there through making a profoundly simple argument: if $1,000 can feed a family for a year, then a $1,000 pair of shoes takes food away from a family suffering from starvation. So what isn’t Jewish about this? It’s Singer’s process. Peter Singer is a utilitarian philosopher. He determines whether an action is right or wrong based on the end it produces; the greater the happiness, the more acceptable the sacrifice. So, if those $1,000 shoes make you “more happy” than the “happiness” a year’s worth of food would bring to a starving family, it was a good decision. This is Singer’s method and this is what’s so “un-Jewish”, yet this is the logic that is so compelling to us modern American Jews. What’s “un-Jewish” is the basic

assumption that anything is okay if it produces enough goodness or happiness for enough people. We believe that life is sacred, and therefore reject the logical conclusion of utilitarianism; we will never sacrifice the innocent to save the majority. Such behavior is a rejection of the most basic of Jewish values, that life is sacred and of immeasurable value. So why this book? The Jewish message, of giving 10 percent of your income before taxes to tzedakkah because it’s a mitzvah, God says so, hasn’t done much for most people. The argument that you should do everything in your power to save even one life because of life’s inestimable value, also hasn’t moved us much to do a whole lot. The fact that we are taught that only 90 percent of the money we earn in our lifetimes is really ours; the rest is only given to us to distribute to the poor, has produced similar outcomes. I thought we would investigate another approach, a wholly different argument, and that through studying it and the Jewish response (of which I have only scratched the surface), maybe we would be moved to do something really wonderful. The Sages of the Talmud explain that “study leads to action.” May our study this year inspire us to greater heights, profound generosity and a renewed sense of purpose as partners with God in making this world the place it should be. 

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Simchas of Silicon Valley BY ANDREA COHEN GREYBER Births Ann & Joseph Sorger of Congregation Beth David are thrilled to announce the birth of their second grandson, Julian Abraham Sorger, on August 5. He was named in honor of Ann’s father, Abraham Chilowicz, a Holocaust survivor. Julian Sorger Big brotherr Noah and his proud parents Nicole & Jonathan Sorger of Belmont warmly welcomed Julian. Called to the Torah Jacob Kulakofsky, son of Joseph & Ryuko Kulakofsky was called to the Torah at Congregation Sinai on June 6. He is in the eighth grade at Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos. Jacob studies Tae Kwon Do and is working on his skills as Jacob Kulakofsky an umpire for baseball games. He is also an accomplished cellist. For his Mitzvah project, he played a concert for the residents at Chai House and he plans to continue to do this in the future. Jacob is a big brother to his twin sister and brother, Rachel and Jonah who are entering fifth grade at Dave’s Avenue

Elementary School. They were excited to share this celebration with him. Jacob’s grandparents Kazuyuki & Yoko Ito came in from Japan and his grandparents who live in the Villages, Mike & Carolyn Kulakofsky, came down the hill to join in as well. His Uncle Daniel was in from West Hartford and read from the Torah as did his cousins Jonathan and Benjamin Kulakofsky. His tutor, Jeff Schwartz, from Kol Emeth also read as did Jacob’s father. Lots of relatives came in from around the States including ones from North Carolina, Texas, Conneticut and Oregon. Rayna Levinson, daughter of Cindy & Roger Levinson, a seventhgrade student at Yavneh Jewish Day School, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on August 29 at Congregation Sinai. She is the big sister of Nathan, a fourth-grader at Yavneh. Her grandparents are Dr. Bernard & Marilyn Levinson of Sun City, CA and Sharon & Bob Rasmussen of Leicester, NC. Her aunts Denise Stevens of Redwood City and Rayna Levinson Dr. Bari Levinson of San Rafael and uncle Mitch Levinson of Pleasanton were delighted to be there for this wonderful occasion. Rabbi Theodore & Gertrude Alexander of B’nai Emunah in San Francisco have been close friends of the Levinson’s and were very pleased to participate in the Bat Mitzvah ceremony. For her mitzvah project, Rayna and her

mother, Cynthia Levinson, visit a home in Santa Clara for seniors, the Westwood Retirement Residence, to bring religious services to the Jewish residents once a month. She will also be donating 20 percent of her Bat Mitzvah money to Mazon. Kayla Berlinberg, daughter of Craig & Jacki Berlinberg of Saratoga celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on September 5 as she was called to the Torah at Shir Hadash. Kayla is an eighth-grade student at Redwood Middle School Kayla Berlinberg and enjoys dance, drama and the swim team at Brookside. Her older sister, Elyse, 14, is a ninthgrader at Saratoga High School and her younger sister, Jenna, 10, is in the fifth grade at Saratoga Elementary School. Her grandparents, Rose Berlinberg of Del Rey Beach, FL and Joy & Floyd Kitchen of St. George, UT were on hand for this special occasion as was her Aunt Karen Geller Shinn of Santa Clarita, CA.

Ilana Goldstein, daughter of Leigh & Simona Goldstein, of San Jose was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on September 5 at Temple Emanu-El. She is an eighth grade student at Chaboya Middle School in Evergreen, San Jose. Her older brother, David, is a student at Evergreen Valley High School. On hand for this happy occasion were her grandparents, Rozalyia & Leopold Ekhilevski Ilana Goldstein of San Jose and Claire & Jay Goldstein of San Leandro. Ilana is a sweet-singing softball player for both her school’s team and for the Evergreen Little League Viper’s and made a playoff game-saving double to the cheers of the crowd. She loves music and being the adopted mom to a certain adorable pet rabbit named Wumpy. Her mitzvah project involved volunteering at Andy’s Pet Shop where she took care of rescued bunnies. ENGAGEMENTS Teri & Berry Kane of Willow Glen are pleased to announce the engagement of their son Alex Kane to Lindsay Lassen of New Orleans, LA. She is the daughter of Nancy Hirsch Alex Kane and & Wayne Lindsay Lassen Lassen of Metairie, LA. Alex is the big brother of Charlie Kane who is a sophomore at the University of California at Berkeley and the younger brother of Emily Kane, a UCLA grad and lawyer who now works

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

Simchas of Silicon Valley in the Los Angeles area. Alex graduated from the University of Arizona at Tucson and is now employed there in the finance department. His bride-to-be graduated with a degree in fine arts from Arizona and works as an art director for an advertising agency, and in her spare time she designs jewelry. Pleased grandparents include Bette Hirsch of Baton Rouge, LA, longtime Temple Emanu-El congregant, Sally Ravel of San Jose, Rabbi David & Yetta Kane, rabbi and chazzan emeritus of Beth Shalom in Long Beach, CA. Other close family members are aunts and uncles, Dr. Bryna Kane & Joshua Kaufman, and Jerry Kane of Long Beach, CA, Stacey & Joshua Abarbranel of San Monica, CA and David & Phyllis Ravel of Milwaukee, WI. The wedding is scheduled for November 8

in New Orleans. Taryn Hoffman of Saratoga, daughter of Pam & Jeff Hoffman, met her fiancé, David Gluckman, son of Phil & Gwen Gluckman while they were at Saratoga High School. She is now completing her last David Gluckman and year at the Taryn Hoffman University of Arizona where she is studying elementary education Her groom-to-be finished UCLA in 2008 and is now working as an analyst for Houlihan Lokey. Jenelle Hoffman,

Taryn’s older sister, graduated from the University of Arizona in architecture; her younger brother Marcus is a junior at Saratoga High School. The plans are for a June 2010 wedding at Temple Emanu-El. WEDDINGS

attended Los Gatos High School and graduated from Cal State East Bay with a degree in music performance. He plays saxophone in different bands around the area and teaches clarinet and saxophone. His bride studied cosmetology at Miss Marty’s in San Francisco and is a licensed hairdresser.

Jason Bellenkes and Heleen Ramos were married by Rabbi Dana Magat at Temple Emanu-El on August 1. Jason is the son of Greg & Francine Bellenkes of Los Gatos and Heleen is the daughter of Robert Ramos and Alice Jason Bellenkes and Pockalny of Heleen Ramos San Jose. Jason

Nathan, Cynthia, Roger and Rayna Levinson

PEARLS TELL HER SHE’S LOVED.

Roger & Cynthia Levinson were married 20 years ago prior to her conversion to Judaism. As the family’s commitment to observance intensified and as their twentieth anniversary approached, they decided to renew their vows and include a Ketubah, Bedeken, the Chuppah, a Kabbalat Panim, and a Tisch. The bride circled her groom seven times during the ceremony at Congregation Sinai on July 5. The bride was accompanied down the aisle by their daughter Rayna, and the groom by their son Nathan. Rabbi Joshua Berkenwald officiated. The couple celebrated with a second honeymoon in Santa Monica after they dropped their children at Camp Ramah in Ojai. SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

VARDY’S PEARLS TELL HER SHE’S UNIQUE. For gifts traditional enough to wear forever and unique enough for

Oops! In last month’s issue of the Jewish Community News, we mentioned that Simone (Shoshana) Rachel Hawkins had graduated from The Hebrew Academy in Huntington Beach. Unfortunately, we failed to mention that in addition to her younger sister, Helena, who is attending school in Virginia, she has an older sister, Arianna Hawkins, who is a student at San Jose State University. Until about a year ago the Hawkins family lived in the South Bay.

her—talk to the jewelry maker.

For Simchas, please send announcements and pictures to Andrea Greyber at agreyber@yahoo.com or phone her at (408) 377-6224.

10227 So De Anza Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95014 • 408 446-2900 • www.vardysjewelers.com Proceeds of sales from this ad will go to Jewish Federation's ISRAEL EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN

✡✡✡✡

32

www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

From “Film Festival” p. 13

“Black Ove White”

Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. - “Black Over White”- This depicts the emotional, musical journey of the members of the Idan Reichl Project as they travel to Ethiopia to perform and reunite with the remnants of some of their families. Following the film, Oscar-winning world music composer/ producer Yuval Ron (Oud) and international percussionist/ educator Dror Sinai, along with talented musician Peter Jacques will take you on a journey of Jewish World Music. Besides his Academy Award for “West Bank Story” shown by the SVJFF in 2008, Yuval has a long list of musical credits including “Sleeper Cell,” “Someone to Die For”, “Oliver Twist” and “Golda’s Balcony.” Besides being an international performer and educator, Dror Sinai is also the founder of Rhythm Fusion, Inc. in Santa Cruz. In 2002, he received the Gail Rich award for supporting the arts. Peter Jacques directs the Brass Menazeri Balkan Brass Band, which won the “Best International Band” category in the SF Weekly’s Reader Choice awards. He combines Balkan, Roma, Greek, Turkish and klezmer to create deeply soulful music. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2:45 p.m. - Following the film “Menachem & Fred”, meet and ask questions with Fred Raymes, one of the two brothers featured in the movie. Fred was saved from deportation by the Quakers, and he will talk about his family's assimilation, as well as their difficulty in confronting issues around the Holocaust. Don’t miss hearing about his very personal and somewhat difficult reunion with his brother, Menachem, who is also featured in the film. Now retired, Fred Raymes is involved in Holocaust education in the Sarasota, Florida area.

About Jeff: f After 18 years in California, this New York City native tells of his Chinese wife who orders from take-out menus in fluent Mandarin, and their teen son who calls himself “Jewnese,” because he says it sounds better than “Chine-ish.” Jeff recently made his national U.S. TV debut on CBS as a comedian on the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” He has also opened for and performed with comic legends Robert Klein, Richard Lewis and Robin Williams Jeff was cast by Sandy Hackett, the late Buddy Hackett's son, to play the principal role of Joey Bishop in the long-running musical tribute “The Rat Pack Is Back,” in San Francisco, Chicago, Manchester, NH, and Las Vegas. (see www.jeffapplebaum. com)

“Sharon”

Several highly regarded Israeli films will be featured in the 2009 SVJFF: “Sharon” is a definitive study of Ariel Sharon, including his life, deeds, and inner thoughts from 1982 until his untimely illness. The documentary includes candid comments from key international figures as well as Sharon’s friends and adversaries.

“S'rugim”

“S’rugim” are the knitted kipot worn by the hip religious, as well as the name of this smash-hit Israeli television series depicting the lives of 30-something highly educated, modern religious professionals in Jerusalem. SVJFF will show 9 episodes; Episodes 1-4 on Nov. 12 at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto and Episodes 5-9 on Nov. 15 at Camera 12 in San Jose.

“Circumcise Me”

Sunday, Nov. 22nd, 5:30 p.m. - Enjoy an afternoon of comedy at the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival. “Circumcise Me” will be followed by a stand-up comedy show. Immediately after the movie, which is a true and hilariously told story of Yisroel Campbell, well-known South Bay comedian Jeff Applebaum will keep the laughs flowing.

“Altalena”

“Altalena” is a dramatic and nail-biting re-enactment of the sinking of the freighter See “Film Festival” p. 34

Datebook TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 6:45 PM, Hanging in the Hut Jews' Next Dor's annual Hanging in the Hut is back. Enjoy a FREE dinner under the Sechach and stars while we dine and schmooze in the Sukkah of Rabbi Schonbrun and family. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for our annual toy drive to support Jewish Family Services. RSVP appreciated to JewsNextDor@beth-david. org http://cbdyag.wordpress.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 6:30 PM Erev Simchat Torah/Erev Shabbat Family, Temple Emanu-El. Rabbi Dana Magat and Cantor Meeka Simerly will lead the service. An entire Torah scroll will be unrolled around the inside of the Sanctuary. Call (408) 292-0939.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents Chaim Potok’s THE CHOSEN, October 7-November 1 at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts. The play spotlights the unlikely friendship of two teenagers from very different Jewish communities, “five blocks and a world apart.” Reuven is the son of a writer and scholar following modern methods of studying Judaism, and Danny is the genius son of a Hasidic rabbi. The two forge an unbreakable friendship, growing to manhood in the postwar turbulence of 1940’s Brooklyn. For tickets and information, call (650) 463-1960, or visit www.theatreworks.org. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 5 PM - 6:30 PM, Sukkot Party and Dinner at the APJCC Celebrate the autumn festival of Sukkot in the APJCC's Sukkah. Enjoy dinner, games, singing, and dancing under the stars. Barbecue chicken dinner is provided. This event is FREE, and everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a JCC member to attend. Please RSVP to CJLL@ svjcc.org. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 8-9 PM, Meaningful Midrash Class at Beth David Please join us for a brief introduction to the world of Midrash and an examination of the Jewish Holidays through the lens of the 5th century work “Pesikta De-Rab Kahana.” This course will be taught at Beth David by Rabbi Schronbrun. Thursdays, 8-9 pm, Oct 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov 12, 19; Dec 3 Cost: $35 members, $55 non-members. Call (408) 257-3333.

Saturday, October 10 6:30 PM, Haverim!, Beth David Celebrate Shabbat with song, stories and dance. For kids in grades K-3rd. Call (408) 257-3333. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 9 AM, Temple Emanu-El Simchat Torah Morning Service and Yizkor Rabbi Dana Magat and Cantor Meeka Simerly will lead the service. A memorial service is added to themorning service on the three pilgrimage festivals (Shalosh Regalim), of which Simchat Torah is one. Call (408) 292-0939. 9:30 AM -12:30 PM, Beth David Join us as we celebrate Simhat Torah. This community program is for kids, tot to pre-teens (2-12) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 10-11 AM, Beginning Hebrew 1A Class at Beth David

33

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org This daytime class is appropriate for beginners as well as those wishing to refresh their childhood Hebrew. Wednesdays, 10-11 am, nominally 13 sessions: Oct 14, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18, 25; Dec 2, 9, 23, 30; Jan 6, 13. Cost: $35 members, $55 non-members. Call (408) 257-3333

3921 Fabian Ave. Palo Alto, CA. The feature film “Letters from Jenny”, followed by Dr.Monique Balbuena, an expert on the Latin Jewish experience including Jewish contributions to the Tango and a tango demonstration by the OFJCC tango club. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, www.svjff.org.

7 PM, Meet & Greet at Great Vegi Land Jews' Next Dor, Congregation Beth David's Young Adult Group Join Jews’ Next Dor for some delicious Chinese vegetarian fare at Great Vegi Land (near El Camino & Sunnyvale-Saratoga). Chat with old friends and meet someone new as we enjoy delicious hot pots…. Plus, where else can nice Jewish boys and girls indulge in shrimp and oysters? We will be sharing family style platters of food. Bring cash for up to $20 cost per person ($1’s much appreciated), to be calculated and collected after the meal. Please RSVP to JewsNextDor@beth-david.org.

9:00 PM, Comedy Sportz Jews' Next Dor, Congregation Beth David's Young Adult Group You're invited to ComedySportz, an awardwinning interactive comedy show where two teams of “act-letes” compete for audience laughs and points while improvising scenes, games, operas and musicals based on audience suggestions. This show will support Jews' Next Dor and is family friendly. Join us at the 9pm show at Comedy Sportz in San Jose. Tickets are $20, with $5 of each ticket going to Jews' Next Dor. Purchase tickets online at http://comedysportzsanjose.com/ showtimes.html , click on the “Buy Tickets” button for the Saturday 9 pm show. Find October 17 and select the fundraiser ticket. You can also call 408-985-5233 and request a fundraiser ticket.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16-18 Animal Celebration Weekend, Sinai Events include family-friendly Friday Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 PM, and catered Shabbat Dinner, 7 PM in the Social Hall. On Sunday, celebrate our animal family members with a short, family-friendly service with our pets, 11:30 AM in the Courtyard. All pets are invited in carriers, cages, on leashes, or in bowls. Playpens for both large and small dogs will be provided. Catered lunch at noon in the Social Hall with Youth Science Institute presenting some of their animals and speaking on Wild Animal Rescue as a Mitzvah. Children’s T-shirt painting and challah cover painting. Prize drawing for the children artists with prizes from Aleph Bet. No charge for Shabbat dinner or Sunday brunch, but RSVP is a must by Oct. 12. (408) 264-8542 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 SVYAD Shabbat Across the Bay 7:30 PM, Private home Meet, mix, and mingle with Jewish young adults (ages 21-45) from all over the Bay Area. $15/person includes 3-course meal and wine. Amanda Orrin, (408) 357-7503 or www. SVYAD.org 6 PM, Beth David Welcome Shabbat in PJ's. This program is for families with kids 5 and under. After services there is a kid friendly dinner. RSVP by October 12, RSVP@beth-david.org or call (408) 257-3333. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 10 AM- 11:45 AM, Beth David Learning the Shabbat Service From Tefilla to Trivia. For kids in grades 4th-7th. Call (408) 257-3333. Torah for Tots 11 AM-Noon, Sinai Social Hall Meet in the Social Hall. For kids ages 0-5. Join families for fun, interactive, educational, parent-led services for kids. Shabbat songs, stories, dancing, games and snacks. For more information, e-mail torahfortots@sinai-sj.org. Sinai membership is not required. Call (408) 264-8542. Book Discussion Group 12:30 PM, Beth David All are welcome to this monthly group discussion. This month’s book is “All Other Nights” by Dara Horn. Discussion led by Susan Rojo. Miriam Marr, (650) 968-7138 7:30 PM, SILICON VALLEY JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS “Letters for Jenny” SVJFF Opening Night This film will be shown at Oshman Family JCC

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 Kehillah Jewish High School Campus Tours 10 AM-4 PM, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto Come visit Kehillah as we help celebrate the grand opening of our new neighbor, the Oshman Family JCC! Kehillah students and teachers will be on hand to give tours, answer questions and tell you all about Kehillah. All families are welcome! www.kehillah.org or Marily Lerner, (650) 213-9600, ext. 154 or mlerner@kehillah.org Jewish Girl Scout Troop Meeting 2-4 PM, Sinai Jewish Girl Scout Troop for girls in grades 1-5. The girls will do a time capsule and learn about Brownies. Girl Scouts discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Girls must be registered in advance of the meeting: Sinai office, (408) 264-8542 The Folk Collection 3-5 PM, Beth David Enjoy an afternoon of nostalgic Folk music. Cost is $15. RSVP@beth-david.org. Call (408) 257-3333. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 Silicon Valley Connect 6:30-8:30 PM, The Loft, 86 S. Second Street, San Jose Meet, mix, and mingle with Jewish young adults (ages 21-45) from all over the Bay Area, at one of Silicon Valley’s coolest venues. $15/ person (or $10/person with a donated can of food) includes vegetarian appetizers. $15/ person. Amanda Orrin, (408) 357-7503 or www.SVYAD.org THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 7:30 PM, Jews' Next Dor, Congregation Beth David's Young Adult Group Join Jews' Next Dor 30 and under crowd as we watch TheatreWorks production of “The Chosen” based on Chaim Potok's book of the same name. Tickets are $33 for those 30 and under, contact JewsNextDor@beth-david.org to reserve your ticket with our group. Space is limited. RSVP by October 12 to jewsnextdor@ beth-david.org. Show time is 8pm at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 BGS Havdallah and Game Night 8:30PM, Private Home Join other Ben Gurion Society donors for a

night of Havdallah services and old-fashion games. No video games or electronics allowed! FREE for all donors who give a minimum of $1,000 to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign. Amanda Orrin, (408) 357-7503 or www.svyad.org. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 Sugihara Memorial 1 PM, Beth David A memorial celebration, dedication of street sign, and speakers. Abe Bromberg, (408) 2530826 or abebromberg@hotmail.com 4 PM-6PM, APJCC Auditorium Pizza and Sheldon Low Sing-a-long with Sheldon and his infectiously fun pop songs. Sponsored by APJCC and PJ Library of Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley Cost $25/family RSVP by 10/22/09 chocfountain@comcast.net MONDAYS, beginning OCTOBER 26 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew and Chumash with Rashi 7-9 PM, Sinai The first half of this course will introduce students to the basic lexicon and grammatical structures of biblical Hebrew, with an emphasis on the development of a set of useful translation strategies. Throughout the course, students will be applying their emergent skills to translating a variety of biblical texts. In the second half of this class, students will be introduced to the insights of the Torah's most famous medieval commentator, Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105). Instructors: Tammie Benjamin and Rabbi Elizabeth Goldstein. $300/Sinai or APJCC member; $350/non-member. (408) 264-8542. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 SVYAD Speed Dating 7:00 PM An enchanted evening of 20 dates for $20 in just one hour! Thought coffee dates were condensed? Try this night of schmoozing, snacking and selecting you b’sheret! Amanda Orrin, (408) 357-7503 or www.svyad.org THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 One Community, One Book Event 7:30 PM, APJCC Auditorium “The Life You Can Save” by Peter Singer is this year’s book. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin will be speaking on “Tzedakkah Is Not Charity.” Center for Jewish Life and Learning, CJLL@ svjcc.org or (408) 357-7413 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Congregation Beth David Shabbat Mishpaha A lively welcome to the Shabbat Bride. For families with kids 2-12. Call (408) 257-3333. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Torah for Tots 11 AM-Noon, Sinai Social Hall Meet in the Social Hall. For kids ages 0-5. Join families for fun, interactive, educational, parent-led services for kids. Shabbat songs, stories, dancing, games and snacks. For more information, e-mail torahfortots@sinai-sj.org. Sinai membership is not required Square Dance 7:30-10:30 PM, Beth David An evening of music, dancing and nosh sponsored by Beth David Sisterhood and Programming. $10/person. RSVP required by Oct. 30: RSVP@beth-david.org. (408) 257-3333. 3-5 PM, Wine and Dine in Style Spend an afternoon with other young couples

as we share stories and great wine through the afternoon. Open to anyone in a committed relationship, between the ages of 21-45. Amanda Orrin, (408) 357-7503 or www.svyad.org Fabulous Fun Fish Fry Fiesta 5 PM, Sinai $10/adult; $5/child. RSVP: (408) 264-8542 7 PM, Ice Cream Social and Board Game Night Bring your favorite board games to play and share with fellow young adults. Please RSVP with your favorite Ice Cream flavor. RSVP to JewsNextDor@beth-david.org FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Synaplex Speaker: Jews and Science 6 PM, Shir Hadash The evening begins with a child/family friendly pizza dinner in the multipurpose room at 6PM. ($3/child or $7/family) At 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary we will hold our new kid friendly NoShush Shabbat service with Rabbis Fleekop and Levenberg and song leader Angela Gold. Adults are invited to a wine and cheese (and schmooze) reception at 6:45, immediately followed by a catered dinner at 7:15. ($10/ adult and $5/child in advance). Families who attended No Shush Shabbat and want to stay for the later programs are also welcome to join us for this later dinner. At 8 PM two parallel programs will begin. A brief Shabbat service will be held in the sanctuary lead by Rabbi Aron and Cantor Felder-Levy while the movie October Sky will be shown in the chapel. At 8:30 Dr. Bruce Thompson will speak on Einstein’s Jewish World in the Sanctuary. Reservations are required for either dinner. Please contact Nadine at 358-1571 x5 or nadine@shirhadash.org SVYAD Shabbat Across the Bay 7:30 PM, Private home Meet, mix, and mingle with Jewish young adults (ages 21-45) from all over the Bay Area. $15/person includes 3-course meal and wine. Amanda Orrin, (408) 357-7503 or www.SVYAD.org SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Book Discussion Group 12:30 PM, Beth David All are welcome to this monthly group discussion. Short story reading, led by Joanne Cornbleet. Miriam Marr, (650) 968-7138. Teen Dance 8–11 PM, APJCC A dance inspired by the APJCC’s “Jews Rock” art exhibit. Free. Jason Goldstein, (408) 357-7497 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 SVYAD Casino Event TBD, Levy Family Campus, Los Gatos 2nd Annual Young Adult Casino Event! Do you know when to hold them? Amanda Orrin, (408) 357-7503 or www.svyad.org Tuesday, November 17 Chanukah Boutigue, 11 AM-8 PM, Levy Family Campus Come shop and schmooze! Buy your holiday gifts and donate to ?. How to Get Your Organization’s Events Listed in the JCN: Email cecily@jvalley.org by October 26. Include name of the event; date and time; place, address and street, city; sponsoring organization and one-sentence description; cost, if any; contact name, phone number and/or e-mail address, and the last day your organization will accept reservations or RSVPs. Photos related to the event are encouraged.

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

From “Film Festival ” p. 32 “Altalena” in June 1948, a month after Israel’s Declaration of Independence.

in Europe. Although neither knows much about the other, their paths cross once again in Paris, when she seeks his help during a moment of desperation.

Myriam, are neighbors and best friends in Tunisia, North Africa, in 1942. Their world is torn when the Nazis, who occupy the country, impose harsh anti-Semitic policies, which imperil the safety of Myriam and her widowed mother.

during the war. This film is searing, dark, powerful, inspiring and uplifting. Derek Jacobi and Willem Dafoe shine as supporting players. AUDIENCE NOTE: This is a strong film with scenes that may be difficult for some.

“For My Father” “Lost Island”

“For My Father” is the spellbinding story of a young Arab who volunteers for a suicide bombing mission in an effort to redeem his family’s honor. When the switch fails to detonate, he finds himself stranded in a Tel Aviv neighborhood over a weekend.

“Lost Islands” is a film about growing up, relationships, and the special difficulties of Israeli life, circa 1980. “Beau Jest”

“Adam Resurrected”

“The Wedding Song” “Strangers”

In “Strangers”, a young Israeli man has a chance encounter with a young woman

Other audience favorites include “The Wedding Song”, in which two young women, the Muslim Nour and the Jewish

“Adam Resurrected” is based on a novel by renowned Israeli author Yoram Kaniuk. In an early-1960’s Israeli mental hospital where all the patients are emotionally scarred Holocaust survivors, Jeff Goldblum plays a brilliant but deeply tormented camp survivor. Once a famous German nightclub performer, his soul died as a result of the degradation he experienced

“Beau Jest” is a light-hearted and charming film featuring Lainie Kazan as the Jewish mother and Seymour Cassel as the father. In order to please her parents, their daughter hires an actor to portray her “Jewish” doctor boyfriend. You can only imagine what happens! Preview movie trailers of the SVJFF 2009 selections and complete film synopses may be viewed at www.svjff.org You can also follow the festival on Facebook. Look up Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival. 

October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

35

36 From “Phillip” p. 14 Relations Council, the Federation and Temple Emanu-El. He was a founding board member of San Jose Repertory Theatre, and the company's state of the art theatre is called the Susan and Phil Hammer Theatre Center. One of his proudest achievements however was a law suit that he filed on behalf of the Temple Emanu-El confirmation class in 1974. The teens were at the Pruneyard seeking signatures to encourage President Ford to protest the United Nations' equation of Zionism with racism. While collecting signatures is allowed in public spaces, at that time in San Jose's history the downtown streets were almost bare. When the teens tried

www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009 the Pruneyard shopping center, they were ejected by the security guards. “They came to the board of temple Emanu-El and asked what to do, and I was the only lawyer on the board at the time,” Hammer recalled. The suit, which he handled pro bono, took six years and traveled all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was approved 9 to 0. Along the way the previous California precedent was overturned by the California Supreme Court. Hammer argued that a large regional shopping center is “the functional equivalent of the town square,” using the phrase coined by California Supreme Court Justice Stanley Mosk in an earlier case. See “Phillip” p. 38

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org From “Janet” p. 20 grow and become a cohesive, proud, Jewish community. When I look back at the people with whom I was active, like the Sporers, Ellenbergs and Foxes, I see how their children are now the leaders of the Jewish community. That is continuity. What more can you ask? This community will never fade away, because their children ‘get it.’” “When I look back on my career, where else could I have gone where I met such fabulous, wonderful, concerned, caring people; friends I made along the way working for the Jewish community. I feel so blessed. When people say, ‘It’s because of you that I got involved,’ I just burst with pride.” Over the years, the most dramatic changes Janet has witnessed relate to the growth of the community and its diversity. “I see more and more opportunity for children to become involved in the community, such as the birth of Jewish day schools and the

growth of synagogues.” Whatever kind of involvement you seek, she believes, “you can find a place to go” and be welcomed. She is especially delighted with the realization of the Levy Family Campus. “The biggest and most important thing that happened while I worked there was the building of the Levy Family Campus – that was the epitome of my dreams; a place for my grandchildren to grow up and call their second home.” In that regard, Janet is delighted with the community’s strength and success: Her son Joey, whose first visit to Israel when he was 23 changed his life, taught at EmanuEl and Yavneh for many years, and is now is director of the Addison-Penzak JCC camp and teaches at Willow Glen Middle School. He met and married fellow Yavneh teacher, Shirat Negev, who now teaches at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, where their children go to school. Daughter Stephanie Berg Naillon, whose children

currently attend Yavneh, works with Club One at the JCC selling memberships and setting up workout programs for seniors. Looking forward as well as back, Janet sees three challenges going forward: assimilation, apathy, and money. “We live in a community where it’s so much easier to go skiing than to become involved in the Jewish community, with many people still thinking ‘let someone else do it.’ We live in one of the richest Jewish communities. How can we motivate people to give to help the Jewish people?” Janet understands the community’s obligation to “do more outreach and bring in new and more people. We need to make programs that are interesting and bring people in, offer them social as well as philanthropic opportunities.” Over the decades she served the South Bay Jewish community, she was instrumental in creating and promoting such programs. After her retirement, the Federation established the Janet Berg Award for

Community Service. “Initially, I thought, what is Janet after Federation? Now, I have found there is life after Federation, but I still look back and kvell. I was so lucky. How many people not only have a job they loved, made fabulous friends, and helped grow a Jewish community? It’s the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done!” 

Visit us on the internet at www.jvalley.org

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www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

Obituaries

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 Wayne Rose, Administrator

Pre-Need Terms

(408) 292-0939

We don't make a profit. We make a difference. Our non-profit status has its benefits. Particularly for the dozens of community organizations we support: local synagogues and their education programs, a camp to help families deal with grief, seniors' programs and many, many others. At the end of the day, it's a bottom line we're proud of. So we ask that you consider Sinai Memorial Chapel - Chevra Kadisha in times of grief, as a way of honoring life.

New w Peninsula Office 777 Woodside Road, Suite C Redwood City (408) 297-3636 FD 1830

Wayne A. Rose Pre-need funeral arrangements available.

Peninsula-South Bay Director wrose@sinaichapel.org FDR 979

Gene B. Kaufman, Executive Director

ROBERT MIZRAHI

DEBRA HELLER STEIN

Robert Mizrahi, husband of Mildred Mizrahi of Saratoga, and father of Mary Mizrahi of Petaluma, died on July 23. He was born in 1922 in Cairo, Egypt and married in 1955 on the farm of his wife in New Glasgow, Quebec. When the couple first came to the Bay Area, they lived in El Cerrito and helped to start Temple Beth Hillel in Richmond where they are life members. Robert was president of the synagogue and he sang in the choir. When they moved to the South Bay, he and his wife helped to start Shir Hadash. His wife remembers when there were only seven members there and now there are over 600 families. The family later became members of Congregation Beth David. Robert worked as a mechanical engineer at IBM from which he attempted to retire at least three times.

Debra Heller Stein, a nationally recognized land use expert, public affairs professional and published author who counseled some of the largest developers in San Francisco and across the United States, died suddenly of complications related to a rare neurological disease on July 30. She was 48 years old. Debra grew up in the South Bay. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Ruth P. Stein and Dr. Michel Stein. Her parents were founding members of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of San Jose, now the Lyric Theatre, and she participated in many of their productions. She was a graduate of the University of California with a degree in political management and held a law degree from the University of San Francisco. She was married to noted architect Jeffrey Heller. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her stepdaughter Rebecca Heller and her husband Thomas Gallagher, her sister Sharon Moerner and her husband Leo and their son Daniel, and her brother Doug Stein, his wife Eileen and their sons Robert and Andrew. In addition to her outstanding career achievements, she was an avid reader of historical fiction and a passionate Austen devotee. She served as co-chair of the Northern California chapter of the Jane Austen Society and gave a presentation on “Status, Social Climbing and the Meaning of Gentility in Emma” at the organization’s past international conference in Canada. She was an accomplished chef who loved international cooking and was a member of the renowned Chaine des Rotisseurs. 

RAYMOND SOMMER Raymond Sommer, Doctor of Optometry, was born January 21, 1929. His parents were Edward & Anita Sommer. He died on August 30 surrounded by his family: his loving wife Christine, sons David (Paula), Ron (Jeanne) and daughter Sheri Hill. He was a loving grandpa to Randi Naquin, Sean Taylor, Kyle Sommer, Jeffrey Sommer, Kerry Sommer and Nicole Hill. He will be missed by his brother Melvin and sister-in-law Sybil, active members of Temple Emanu-El. Raymond was an avid fisherman and active in the community. He served on the board of directors of Chai House where he and his wife live. Donations may be made in his memory to the Humane Society of Silicon Valley or to the Hospice of the Valley. From “Phillip” p. 36 Philip and Susan Hammer have three children who are carrying on their family's tradition of Jewish and civic involvement. Matt Hammer, their youngest, is executive director of PACT (People Acting in Community Together),

To place an obituary in the JCN, please contact Andrea Greyber at agreyber@yahoo.com or (408) 377-6224.

a non-profit agency in San Jose providing community organizers primarily to churches and synagogues. “Being Jewish gives me something that many people don’t have, and that’s roots, roots to be proud of,” Hammer said. 

Darling & Fischer Chapel of the Hills 615 No. Santa Cruz Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 Phone (408) 354-7740 FE940

Garden Chapel 471 E. Santa Clara St. San Jose, CA 95112 Phone (408) 998-2226 FE557

Campbell Memorial Chapel 231 E. Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 Phone (408) 379-5010 FE898

Bob Silver - Funeral Arranger

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October 2009 • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • www.jvalley.org

J e w i s h Attorneys

P r o f e s s i o n a l Attorneys

D i r e c t o r y

Brooke A. Blecher

Minda B B. Parrish

Dr. Itzhak Emanuel Dr

Blecher & Hubbell 1500 E. Hamilton Ave., Ste., 201 Campbell, CA 95008 Phone (408) 369-1010 brooke@blecherhubbell.com www.blecherhubbell.com Certified Family Law Specialist (State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization) Specializing in the practice of family law, divorce, custody disputes, and child and spousal support.

14500 Big Basin Way, Suite D, Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 741-3500 minda@parrishlaw.net Estate Planning, Probate, Elder Law

27 Eucalyptus Lane San Rafael, CA 94901 phone/fax 415-453-3899, cell 415-218-1295, alternate phone 415-441-1860 All Life cycle ceremonies-special events Spiritual Leadership; Cantorial-Liturgical skills; Hebrew-Jewish studies

Philip L. Hammer Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel 60 S. Market St., Ste. 1400 San Jose, CA 95113 (408) 287-9501 plh@hogefenton.com www.hogefenton.com/hammer.html Specializing in complex family law matters. Certified Specialist in Family Law, State Bar of CA; Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Philip S. Rosenblatt 60 S. Market St., 14th floor San Jose, CA 95113 Phone 408-280-2808 psr-law@ix.netcom.com www.lawyers.com/rosenblatt Legal services for Real Estate disputes, litigation and transactions and general business matters.

Lynne R. Snyder Adoption, Custody, Dissolutions, Guardianship, Juvenile Court, Paternity 101 Church St., Suite 7, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 354-5590

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

Shannon Stein

Joyce W. Levy 400 Cambridge Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 (408) 287-1644 (650) 248-0888 levyesq@sbcglobal.net www.jlevyesq.com Certified specialist in estate planning, trust & probate law, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.

".D %3I02@ <3 (5.;;<; (A26; 438 South Murphy Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Phone (408) 774-9097 www.shannonsteinlaw.com shannon@shannonsteinlaw.com Family Law Attorney, specializing in dissolutions, child custody, child support, mediation, restraining orders, limited scope representation, and post judgment issues.

Law Office of Derryl H. Molina H)?B@A 6@ <B? /B@6;2@@ L 1142 S. Winchester Blvd., Ste. B San Jose, CA 95128 (408) 244-4992 attderryl@comcast.net Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law. Se habla espanol.

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Contractors H2N Painting and General Contracting & % <E Cupertino,CA 95015 Cal Lic # 636286 408-375-1037 H%; )6:2 %; B142AL Painting,Pressure Washing,Deck Restoration, General Contracting,Plantation Shutters $35.20 Per Sq Ft installed

Commercial Real Estate

1671 Dell Avenue, Suite 218 Campbell, CA 95008 Commercial Real Estate Management, Investments, and Leasing. Call us for your property management, leasing and sales needs. Allen Guggenheim & Gary Naillon E K 3.E www.guggenheimrgi.com

Dentists Carol Elias Zolla 1631 Willow Street, Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 264-9822 ext. 15 carol@zollalawfirm.com www.zollalawfirm.com Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

Personal Service Quality and Dignity

A Full Service Funeral Home

• Serving all Jewish cemeteries in the Bay Area • Traditional services in cooperation with Chevra Kadisha of the South Bay • Cremations • World-Wide Service • Pre-Need Planning

OAK HILL FUNERAL HOME Lic. # FD 991

300 Curtner Ave. San Jose, CA 95125

297-2447

Events

Cantor - Educator

Dr. Zuri Barniv, DDS

AMB DESIGNS SG S AMB DESIGNS "ALLOON %VVENT $ECOR s !NY /CCASION WE DO O IT ALL .99<<; C2;A 20<? K ;F %00.@6<; D2 1< 6A .99 #ALL ! !MY "LACH YOUR %VENT $ESIGNER Call Amy Blach, your Event Designer 408-942-0852 408-942-0852 AMBDSGN G PACBELL NET s WWW AMBDESIGNS COM ambdsgn@pacbell.net www.ambdesigns.com

Financial Services Alan Werba, CPA, CFP Financial 7ERBA $ $AVIS !DVISORY Services 3ERVICES ,,# /LIN ! !VE 3UITE 3AN *OSE #! Alan Werba, CPA, CFP 4EL Werba & Davis Advisory &AX Services, LLC &EE "ASEDD 0ORTFOLIO -ANAGEMENT SINCE %96; C2 (B6A2

OFFERED THROUGH ,ORING 7ARD San3ECURITIES Jose, CAS95128 S )NC MEMBER &).2! 3)0# S )NC MEMBER &).2! 3)0# Tel. 3ECURITIES (408) 260-3109 Fax. (408) 423-0209 Fee-Based Portfolio since 1990 Morgan Management Stanley Smith Barney Securities offered through Ward Robert Loring Chaykin Securities Inc., member FINRA/SIPC 6ICE 0RESIDENT "RANCH -ANAGER ,,OS 'ATOS "LVD ,OS 'ATOS #! ROBEERT CHAYKIN MORGANSTANLEY COM 7E OFFER CCOMPREHENSIVE lNANCIAL PLANNING AASSET Morgan Stanley & Co. ALLOCATIONN STRATEGIES COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS AND Robert Chaykin RETIREMENT PLAANNING )NVESTMENTS AND SERVICES AR RE OFFERED Vice President / Branch Manager ER 3)0# THROUGH -OR RGAN 3TANLEY 3MITH "ARNEY MEMBE 16000 Los Gatos Blvd. Los Gatos, CA. 95032 Personal Services (408) 358-0988 robert.chaykin@morganstanley.com Soul Mates TM WeUnlimited offer comprehensive financial planning, asset allocation strategies, Judith Got ttesman, MSW college savings plans, and retirement CELL planning. Investments and services JUDITHRACHE ELLEG GMAIL COM are offered through WWW SOULM MATESUNLIMITED COM Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated, 0ERSONALIZEED MATCHMAKING member SIPC. CONlDENTIAAL EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD ALL AGES ST G TATE WIDE

1210 E. Arques Ave., Suite 200 Sunnyvale, CA 94085 (408) 733-1124 Barniv_Dental@yahoo.com www.Barniv-Dental.com Dr. Barniv is a university faculty member, practicing high-quality dentistry in a mercury-free office with digital X-rays. Dentist speaks Hebrew.

Physicians Physicians StephenE.E.Green, Green, MD., MD., Inc. Stephen Inc. Practice of Preventive & 0RACTICE OF 0REVENTIVE Consultative Cardiology #ONSULTATIVE #ARDIOLOGY 2400 Samaritan Drive, Suite 200, 3AMARITAN $RIVE 3UITE (.; !<@2 K

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Advertise Online For more information contact Lori Cinnamon amon www.jvalley.org/profdirectory.html

40

www.jvalley.org • JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS • October 2009

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