June 2014 JValley.news

JValley news June 2014

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an D i b b Ra re i t e r to

Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley 14855 Oka Rd., Suite 200 Los Gatos, CA 95032 Change Service Requested

Published by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley June 2014

l o o h c S y a D s e h t e a n u v a Y rad g s e t a celebr ed t c e l e s APJCC t program s lo i n p a r r e o t f . ve S .

U g servin h s a d a Shir H s student me o c l e w rabbi etz M n e dL n a a i cy a g Sylv e l eir h t e r sha NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SAN JOSE, CA PERMIT #553

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

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

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Pat Bergman Kay Gatell

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

SIMCHAS Andrea Greyber agreyber@yahoo.com

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

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

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

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

CANDLELIGHTING San Jose, CA

Friday, June 27..............................8:14 p.m.

Friday, July 4.................................8:14 p.m.

Friday, July 11...............................8:11 p.m.

Friday, July 18...............................8:08 p.m.

Friday, July 25...............................8:03 p.m.

Friday, August 1..........................7:57 p.m.

from the ceo M. I. Levenson said, “Childhood is a kind of paradise.” As summer begins and our campus fills with children from 18 months to 18 years, I feel blessed to get to view this paradise on a daily basis.

Every good leader knows that developing community-minded children is just as important as building community within adults.

At the Levy Family Campus, we are surrounded by children who love their Jewish communities. As if the gear weren’t enough (Jewish logos adorn the beach towels, swim bags and water bottles of just about every camper!), the children are truly excited to be a part of a Jewish campus. Funding the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center and providing a beautiful space for this organization is one of the many things the Jewish Federation does to ensure that Jewish children grow up in warm, welcoming communities.

This summer, because of the generosity of our community donors, the Federation was able to give scholarships to Jewish children to attend summer camp. This experience will sit with them for a lifetime and your commitment to community is what makes all of this possible.

Thank you for building community and being a part of this wonderful experience for our Jewish children.

L’dor v’dor – from generation to generation, jyl jurman

content Local Highlights

A pilgrim’s promise Yavneh Head of School to leave Yearbook slur gets serious response Community Relations Council Yavneh’s new garden JFS welcomes new employees Rabbi Pressman to retire Yavneh graduating class A priest and a rabbi go to lunch APJCC program for veterans Rio de Janeiro to Los Gatos New leadership at Shir Hadash JET Teen Shabbat

In Every Issue 4 4 4 6 9 9 11 13 14 15 17 17 17

Ask the Rabbi Datebook Obituaries Simchas Professional Directory

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l cal news A pilgrim’s promise

By Arielle Hendel When you sit and talk with Sylvia and Len Metz, it is more like a warm embrace. Sylvia’s enthusiasm is infectious and Len’s quiet demeanor belies his intelligence and fortitude.

When they welcome you into their home, you are enveloped into their ever expanding family.

They will be the first to tell you that they enjoy sharing their good fortune. “If you’ve got it, you need to use it for good,” says Sylvia on those occasions when I am fortunate to thank them for their support.

The Metz’s feel that they were very fortunate to find each other through a blind date set up

by Rabbi and Mrs. Gitin. Rabbi Gitin married them. When Len became president of the APJCC, Rabbi Gitin commented that when you get one Metz you get two for the price of one. They are a remarkable couple. They also recognize that their lives have been so positively influenced by the Jewish community that they want to make sure that it is here for the rest of their lives and future generations.

Both Sylvia and Len want to see that their efforts in the community continue as their legacy. They are working with their financial advisors to ensure the best mechanism for establishing their endowment of the Jewish community. Mostly, they want to see our entire local Jewish community continue to thrive.

The Metz’s have been part of the creation of this Jewish community and want to ensure that their lives’ work is perpetuated through a legacy gift. As Sylvia says, “When we came, there was very little. In fact, a community visitor told me, I was a pilgrim and I took it to heart. Now look at our community….we have so many synagogues, our schools and our beautiful campus! Everyone could ensure that what we have stays and continues to be. If people chose to, if everyone knew how easy it was, they would do it, too.”

Head of School leaves Yavneh Day School Steve Bogad, the current head of school at Yavneh Day School, will be leaving this month for a new opportunity in Florida. The years he gave Yavneh were vibrant and challenging and the community is grateful for his dedication.

Yavneh has hired his replacement and more information will be available in the July issue of JValley.news.

Please read the letter below that Steve shared with the Yavneh families: I arrived at Yavneh nearly seven years ago excited about the prospects for growth and guidance that lay ahead. In that time I helped Yavneh move forward and I am now ready to move on myself. I am planning to leave Yavneh at the end of this school year, proud of the accomplishments and growth that has taken place.

I have been privileged to work here in strengthening the foundation of Yavneh at a critical time in its growth. I made great strides in building out a strong faculty and administrative team. This cadre of faculty and administration provides the learning opportunities and school activities which assists our children in their academic growth and their strong identification as knowledgeable Jews. Our graduates continue to excel in the high schools and colleges where they attend.

I am proud of my work at Yavneh. A few highlights are: I have raised the bar in math, science and in an articulated reading & writing program. I have directed the faculty in making Israel education and awareness a priority. I have promoted greater and more consistent communication. I have worked to instill a strong orientation of Jewish values. I supported the development of a new technology plan at Yavneh and I directed a successful accreditation process with the California Association of Independent Schools.

I believe that the faculty and administration are poised to work successfully with our Trustees in moving the school forward. I have recently spoken with Arnnon Geshuri, our Board chair, and I have assured him that I will assist in this transitional period. I will be watching, albeit from afar, as Yavneh continues to grow and develop. Thanks to all of you who have entrusted your children’s education and development in our care; thanks for sharing your suggestions and ideas and thanks for offering a warm and caring community that Sheryl and I have enjoyed for almost seven years. I wish you all the best.

Steve Bogad

Yearbook slur gets serious response

While yearbook pranks have a long history, there was nothing funny about the swim team photo caption that changed an Israeli student’s last name to end with “ajew.” It was not funny to students who came into the Monta Vista High School office to report it. It was shocking to the Holocaust survivor family of the targeted student. Since the slur came to light after 1,600 yearbooks had been printed and distributed, the school struggled with how to repair the wrong. In the weeks since, Fremont Union High School District Superintendent Polly Bove has been working closely with the JCRC of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. The brainstorming has led to very thoughtful responses that are teaching respect and responsibility. A sticker has been printed to overlay the caption, and 300 yearbooks have been repaired so far. While the yearbooks are student property and cannot be recalled, the school has brought together strong student leadership that is reaching out through social media in a For information on the Community Legacy heartfelt campaign that will continue through the summer and into next school Project, or to learn more about how you can year. Funds have been secured to hold two additional Challenge Day programs make your own legacy gift, please contact that teach about the impact of bullying and the power of empathy. Questions Michelle Nathanson at (408) 357-7508 or on the on-going efforts can be directed to JCRC Director Diane Fisher at michellen@jvalley.org. diane@jvalley.org or (408) 357-7504.

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Congratulations Class of 2014

Party in the Park! tuesday, july 22, 10:00-11:30 am

oak meadow park, los gatos, picnic area 3 Fabulous Fun at a Fantastic Park!

Join us at our shady reserved park area for a jolly jaunt and summer fun.

Playtime | Storytime | Craft Time | Snack Time | Slides & Rides RSVP to www.jvalley.org/pjlibrary by July 16 - REQUIRED! Space is limited.

First 30 children registered will get a FREE ride on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad!!!

Why Your Child Should dent

The PJ Library速 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 357-7501 pjlibrary@jvalley.org

Thank you to our generous local funders

www.yavnehdayschool.org

Shy Adelman Michelle Agroskin Shaina Alcheck Zachary Alfi Natalie Arnheim Sophia Aron Eileen Atlasov Madeline Bennet Joshua Booth Sara Bryk Philip Caine Eliza Cohen Shirli Cohen Arielle Davis Naomi Dwork Danielle Factor Sarah Fadem Heather Fils Daniel Finnie David Freedland Miguel Frid Roy Gilboa

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2014 Kalil Grinberg Noa Hadar Ruby Hartman Avi Horowitz Aaron Horwitz Chelsea Karp Zachary Klein Max Jaime Korman Mark Kudryavtsev

Elina Kudryavtseva Shauna Kupershmidt Noah Lerner Leah LeVine Amir Luria Sophia Mann Daniel Meier Emily Nadler Aaron Pluemer

Rachael Rosenberg Anna Ruban David Selis Andrea Sosnick Benjamin Spruch Daniel Taylor Sophia Jaz Twersky Jacob Zarling Eyal Zeev

EXTRAORDINARY FUTURES www.kehillah.org

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c mmunity relations council JCRC strengthens mutual understanding, educates the community and advocates for policies that reflect Jewish values. The Silicon Valley JCRC is part of a network of 125 JCRCs across the country, doing similar work—together we make a real difference.

JCRC Director Diane Fisher and JCRC board member Rob Chaykin gather with Ven. JianYing, Abbot of the Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, along with other interfaith guests, for the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday on May 4, 2014.

Dr.Denise Kopecky, Holocaust survivor, received the proclamation for Holocaust Remembrance Day from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and District Attorney Jeff Rosen on April 30, 2014.

Freedom Summer 50 Years: Civil Rights Then and Now, at Temple Emanu-El on June 5, 2014, left to right: Marci Gerston and Diane Fisher (JCRC), Dr.Clarence Jones (MLK speech writer), Brad Herzog (author) and Vlad Khaykin (ADL)

Black-Jewish coalition advocating for voting rights, June 16, 2014. Left to right—Milan Balinton, African American Community Services Agency; Diane Fisher, JCRC; Congressman Mike Honda; Marci Gerston, JCRC; Rev. Jeff Moore, NAACP; Carl Davis, Black Chamber of Silicon Valley

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MEN’S NIGHT OUT Ready, Set, Go!

Join us for our second annual event: Sunday, August 24, 2014 K1 Speed, Santa Clara 6-9 pm. $72 includes dinner, drinks and race car fun CHAIR: JOEL RUBNITZ

Register at jvalley.org

Third Saturday of every month. 10:00am-1:00pm

Want more information?

Contact Michelle Nathanson at (408) 357-7508 ®

Men’s Division

The Men’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley helps build community through social networking, meaningful events and philanthropic investment in our Jewish community.

Chantel Building 3880 S. Bascom Avenue, San Jose Visit www.cpcal.org for other locations.hantel Building - 3880 S. Bascom Avenue, San Jos

Questions: CPSVDivorceOptions@gmail.com Sponsored by Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley www.cpsv.us

Temple Emanu-El 1010 University Ave, San Jose, CA 95126 www.templesanjose.org Temple Office (408) 292-0939 Religious School (408) 292-3223

Summer Shabbat Patio Services Every Friday at 6:30 PM Enjoy the beauty of Shabbat under the warm sun in our tranquil patio courtyard. Continuing now through until August 29.

at 7:30 PM

Yoga Shabbat Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 AM A ritual experience to deepen your connection to yourself and your community. Honor Shabbat with a mellow yoga practice led by Rachel Dorsey. Explore themes for the week’s Torah portion while moving to prayers and meditations set to world beat music. Accessible to yogi’s of all ages, new and experienced.

Underwritten by Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood. www.jvalley.org

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Lunch and Ledaber: Hebrew Conversation Need to practice speaking Hebrew? Grab your lunch and come to this informal, lunchtime gathering to keep your Hebrew conversational skills sharp. Led by Rabbi Ilana Baird, the JCC’s Hebrew instructor.

Commit and save! Purchase an 8, 16, or 24 pack of sessions-the more you buy, the more you save! $8 per session; $56 for an

Fridays, 12:00-1:00pm.

Every other week beginning July 11th* *Class will meet on 7/11, 7/25, 8/8, 8/15, 9/5, 9/19, 10/24, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5, 12/19, 1/2, 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 3/27, 4/17, 5/1, 5/15, 5/29, 6/12, 6/26

8-session pack; $100 for a 16-session pack; $120 for a 24-session pack

Contact Jenessa Schwartz 408.357.7411 | jenessa@svjcc.org www.SiliconValleyJCC.org/JPlace

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Yavneh Day School has a new garden!

Yavneh Day School has a beautiful new garden. It began with dedication from inspired teachers, a grant from Whole Foods, donations from the generous community, and hard work and deep discounts from David Curtis (California Horticulture).

The result? 975 square feet of beautiful garden space with 400 square feet of raised garden beds containing rich soil and drip irrigation. It also contains several fruit trees including apple, orange, lemon and lime. Many Yavneh classes have already begun planting.

The benefits of the new garden go well past planting flowers or picking weeds.

Students will go outdoors for experiences in science, art, Jewish studies, math, and even cooking.

Students will delve into the science and technology of horticulture including soil analysis, plant research, and climate effects. They will gain an understanding and interest in how gardening relates to the food chain while building healthy habits and a greater understanding of how food arrives on the table.

To support the teaching of Kehilah Kedosha--making sure everyone in the community is cared for--the Yavneh student body plans to harvest enough food in the future to donate to those in need in the community.

The new garden project exemplifies how wonderful things can happen when the community comes together with a bright idea and some determination. Thanks go out to: Whole Foods, Whole Kids Foundation, Julie and Matt Sachse (parents of Yavneh students), Marcia and Harry Ratner (grandparents of Yavneh students Abigail and Gabriel), Daniela and Seth Silverstein, Yavneh teachers Alicia Ammann and Sherrie Rose Mayle, David Curtis of California Horticulture, and Troy Smothermon of Start Organic.

l cal news JFS welcomes Jodi and Anna Jewish Family Services has two new staff members who joined the JFS family.

Director of Social Services Jodi Capitola-Duran has a Masters in Social Work (MSW) focused on Title 4E Child Practice.

She has graduate certificates in socially engaged spirituality and building healthy communities. Jodi has worked with older adults, children and families, chronically mentally ill and dual diagnosis adolescents, and has done community organizing.

Jodi has worked in social services for over 25 years and has three adult children.

When asked what made her choose JFS,” she answered, “I was interested in the position because of the breadth of the population JFS serves, and I thought it would be an opportunity to bring the skills I have and have a chance to grow personally and professionally.”

What Jodi likes most about JFS is “the staff and volunteers I’ve met so far are lovely people. I like the diversity of languages, cultures and personalities. It makes the workplace more enjoyable.”

Project NOAH Social Worker Anna Bennett has over 10 years of experience in social services. She holds a Masters degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University and has worked with richly diverse populations in Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Anna’s experience has included work with people facing serious mental illness, HIV/AIDS, substance recovery, and homelessness.

Anna tells us “I tailor my approach to each individual I work with.” Anna is also knowledgeable of holistic modalities and is a certified yoga teacher.

Both Jodi and Anna look forward to utilizing their clinical skills to expand Jewish Family Services’ counseling for our community. Jodi can be reached at (408) 357-7456 and jodicd@jfssv.org. Contact Anna at (408) 357-7425 and annab@jfssv.org.

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WOMEN’S

PHILANTHROPY

@night

Connect. Be Inspired. Make an Impact.

Join us for an evening of bocce and fun!

THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 7:15 – 9 PM Campo Di Bocce 565 University Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95032 $25 for refreshments and court time. No-host bar.

Did You Know. . .

Now is the very best time to sell your home!

Why? Low Inventory!

Low Interest Rates!

Multiple Offer Opportunity!

RSVP: arielle@jvalley.org 408.357.7501

Give Me a Call, and I Will Help You.

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12988 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road

Women’s Philanthropy

“Create. Connect. Celebrate.”

Havdalah in the Woods Join us at Mt. Madonna County Park for hiking, a campfire

and

s’mores.

Contact

shanda@shirhadash.org

for

more

details.

Saturday,

July

12 Take a Tag and Fill a Bag! Take

part

in

the

Annual

Backpack

and

School

Supplies

Drive.

All

backpacks

should

be

returned

to

Shir

Hadash

by

August

1.

Tags

may

be

found

in

the

lobby

of

Shir

Hadash.

Friday,

August

1 Tisha B’av Program Hear

why

and

how

Shir

Hadash

members

are

actively

conserving

water,

as

we

prepare

for

Tisha

B’av,

the

parched

holiday.

Friday,

August

1,

8:00-­9:00

pm Beer & Bouncy Join

us

for

a

mid-­day

summer

barbeque

for

families

with

children

5

and

younger.

Get

to

know

other

families

and

learn

about

Shir

Hadash

at

this

free

event.

RSVP

to

shanda@shirhadash.org.

Sunday,

August

17,

10:30

am-­12:30

pm New & Prospective Member Wine & Cheese Learn

more

about

Shir

Hadash

while

enjoying

an

evening

of

wine

and

cheese.

Sunday,

August

24,

7:00

pm

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

J E W E L E R S EUROPEAN GOLDSMITH

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Back-to-School with Student Rabbi Beni Wajnberg Join

us

for

our

Back-­to-­School

Family

Service

and

meet

our

new

Student

Rabbi

Beni

Wajnberg Friday,

September

5,

7:00-­7:45

pm For more information on services, programs and adult ed please

visit

shirhadash.org,

or

call

the

temple

office

at

354-­1751

ext.

5

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Our “Mara Datra” ― Rabbi Daniel Pressman

l cal news

By Eleanor Weber Dickman

to ensuring that Beth David would be a welcoming community.

Rabbi Daniel Pressman leavening difficult truths with salty humor. Rabbi Pressman inspiring loyalty to Israel, our spiritual home. Rabbi Pressman welcoming the possibilities for intelligent change by encouraging Beth David to become a pilot site for the innovative Synagogue 2000 initiative. Rabbi Pressman moving congregants to tears with passionate sermons and making us laugh by sharing his father’s humorous High Holiday messages. Rabbi Pressman leading us on a profoundly spiritual journey to Israel to bring back our new Torah. Rabbi Pressman promoting interfaith dialogue in our community through participation in the Saratoga Ministerial Association.

Rabbi Pressman leading in-depth journeys through the Talmud for decades with a cadre of loyal students.

And the list could go on. For the past 33 years (well over half the life of the synagogue, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year), Rabbi Daniel Pressman has been Beth David’s articulate and dedicated mara datra (local spiritual leader). He has helped set guidelines for ritual and Jewish law according to the practices of Conservative Judaism, emphasizing the value of collaboration in considering innovative change.

He addressed the delicate issue of membership for interfaith families, softening the policy requiring conversion of the non-Jewish partner and establishing the criterion that the family would commit to raising the children as Jews. When he felt strongly, he was insistent, such as eliminating instrumental music from formal worship, or changing the bylaws to identify membership according to “household” rather than “family,” thus welcoming non-traditional family unions to the congregation. He worked diligently to establish and promote the presence of adult learning opportunities, expanded Hebrew High to the 12th grade.

His influence spread beyond Beth David.

Rabbi Pressman was an active member of the UJA’s Rabbinic Cabinet, and served on the executive committee of the Rabbinical Assembly. He brought an articulate and powerful Jewish presence to the Saratoga ministerial group. He devoted all his rabbinical leaves of absence to study and participation in other Jewish communities.

He created “Torah Sparks,” guides to

He encouraged congregants to compete for the USCJ’s Solomon Schechter awards program, and was proud when Beth David won significant recognition for programs such as the Miriam Gannes Reading Program and Hazak, the engagement program for over-50 members.

He has always been an advocate for Israel, encouraging congregants to visit and to support our religious homeland. As part of Beth David’s “Year of the Torah,” organized in 1999 by Doris Katz and Margie Pomerantz (then synagogue president), Rabbi Pressman led a group of congregants on a trip to Israel to bring a newly created Torah Scroll back to California. Rabbi Pressman called it a wonderful way to celebrate the congregation’s “double chai” anniversary.

Torah study shared nationwide by the Conservative Movement.

This partnership of faith and learning began in 1981. After seven years as rabbi of Congregation Ner Tamid in Palos Verdes (Southern California), Rabbi Pressman looked northward for a new experience.

He and his wife Beverly were looking for a vibrant Jewish community with a nearby day school for their children Aliza and soon-to-be born Benjamin. They found what they were looking for at Beth David.

“Beth David was warm, offered a good peer group for young families; Yavneh was starting; congregants shared our values; the leadership was committed and capable. We felt it was a good match; and all of our intuitions proved to be true.”

Rabbi Pressman felt that his first job would be to “get to know everyone, and to learn who’s who in the larger community.” Although he “tried not to mess with anything,” he did speak out on matters that were important to him as, for example, not allowing instrumental music during worship. “I worked hard to establish and promote adult learning,” he notes. He engaged the congregation in the initiatives suggested by Synagogue 2000, collaborating with dedicated volunteers to establish a formal Chevrat Chesed to link families in need with individual congregants willing to help. Seemingly small initiatives, such as membership badges, also reflect this commitment

Rabbi Pressman welcomed many Jewish émigrés from Russia, working with Jewish Family Services’ outreach programs, performing marriage renewal ceremonies and encouraging B’nai Mitzvah for teens.

He is sorry that he delayed addressing the issue of homosexuality. He came to believe that, in today’s world, “you can’t apply the Torah’s precepts on this matter literally. With candor, he admits that he regrets that he “did not address this sooner.”

When asked what he considered one of his most important duties, Rabbi Pressman cites, in addition to the obvious ritual tasks, working closely with leadership to create “proper governance and strategic thinking as priorities for synagogue management, creating a good culture with good practices.” Recently, he introduced a United Synagogue program, “Sulam,” focused on developing “emerging leaders.”

As a teacher, Rabbi Pressman has led a Talmud study group for dedicated congregants for decades, as part of his commitment to “creating a culture for adult learning.” He is proud of encouraging members to embrace “traditional rituals around death and mourning.” Asked about his goal for congregational harmony, Rabbi Pressman immediately responds, “just getting people to treat each other kindly.”

Rabbi Pressman views his role in leading change to “be in front but stay in touch!”

Continued on page 21

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ask the rabbi Dear Readers, This isn’t an actual letter, this time. But, as I close my tenure as the Jewish Community chaplain, I wanted to share with you the kind of question I have gotten hundreds of times over these last nearly 16 years, and my response as I reflect on the wonderful opportunity I have had to serve community in this capacity. This question below is the most frequently asked, but there are others-Rabbi, can you do the naming for our new daughter; officiate at our son’s Brit; Rabbi, can we hire you to teach our son for his Bar Mitzvah and do the service, and more. My answer to the question can be adapted to all of these other situations.

Rabbi Alexander, It was very kind of you to visit my husband at the hospital recently during his critical illness, but I just don’t understand why you didn’t automatically agree to be the Rabbi who officiates at his funeral and comes to do the service we want that night at home.

After all, you have met us now, and we feel like we know you. We are not affiliated and we need you!

Mrs. Miriam Cohen My response, from the heart: Dear Mrs. Cohen, I cannot express how much it meant to me to be able to join you at your husband’s bedside, to speak with him, and, recently, to be with you and share prayers and memories. It grieves me that I cannot assure you that I will be there to support and nurture you through the days that will come. I understand that even though I can assist you in finding someone, whomever it is that may be an officiant for you may not know you or your husband and also may not be able to fulfill your need for a service at home.

I am so sorry on so many levels. While I am happy that the Federation has supported a chaplain over all these years to visit and be “community” for those who are hospitalized and I feel it has been a very positive role, a chaplain cannot fulfill all the hopes and needs of those who don’t have a continuing relationship with a community. I can provide a reminder that the Jewish community is out there, waiting and hoping to welcome you, but I can’t replace an extended Jewish Silicon Valley family. I can’t provide it all.

The only way that you can be assured of the constant care, presence, support and love of a Rabbi and other community members is to choose to be a part of us, not just in crisis, but everyday throughout the years.

By choosing a synagogue community, you get folks who know you when you are joyful and celebrating and they celebrate with you.

They know you when you are experiencing sadness and they are there to hold you up and grieve with you. The Rabbi comes to your husband’s bedside and comes back again. Congregants make meals and set up a Shivah should the family reach that difficult time.

The Rabbi conducts the funeral speaking of the person because they know him or her, not because she gleaned the information in an hour.

There are many ways to connect with Jewish life in our area and I know that this connection does give people a sense of wholeness, security, warmth. I want that warmth for you.

Synagogue life is for crisis, but not crisis alone—it is for the everyday of “creating a village” of people who know you, your name, not only the one you sign on documents, your internal name—who you really are. Temple or Synagogue, a JCC or a Federation office, if you haven’t done it before or don’t know what to expect. But I can truly assure you that if you do come in, you will find a welcome. I don’t know what your past experiences have been, and I won’t negate them, I am just asking you to reach out as we reach out to you.

There is never a wrong time to explore and make that connection and any of us who are Rabbis or nurturing professionals in our community, in synagogues, at the JCC, at the Day School, would love to be there for you as you begin to connect. I was honored to meet you. I hope we meet again.

Rabbi Leslie Alexander To those who read this article, a postscript. It has been my honor to help people begin to feel cherished through this Federation Chaplaincy, even when I must convey to them the limits of what they may expect from any chaplaincy. I completely believe, though, after all these years as the chaplain, that people really do want to connect, they just haven’t been involved for so long or ever, that they don’t know how. We, who know the beauty and delight of involved Jewish life, have to be there to help them do that, not just we who are Rabbis, all of us. We need to open our arms and our hearts so that people feel embraced, not just by the limited reach of a chaplain, as important as that is in its place, but by the constant hug of community.

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l cal news

The power of a girl, the power of the Yavneh Graduating Class of 2014 Each year at Yavneh Day School, students from the eighth grade design a mural that reflects the experiences of their graduating class. This year’s mural, prominently located in the middle school hallway, is entitled “The Power of a Girl.” The class of 2014 is unique in that they are all girls. Because of this, there has been a strong focus within the Social Justice program on issues that particularly affect girls around the world such as rights to education, economic equity, trafficking, and other important global issues.

I am a leader. “I am a leader because I can change the world.

I can make the right decisions. And I will not be a follower. I am me and nobody can change that. I am a leader.” – Andrea I deserve an education. “I chose this statement because it is important to me that everyone everywhere has an education, because they deserve it. The world would be a much better place if everyone had an education. I can make this possible if I get my own education.” – Molly I can change the world. “To me, this statement is very true because even a 13-year-old girl like me can change something in the world and make a difference.” – Eden I speak the truth. “For me, this statement is what I work my life around. Speaking the truth, even in adversity, maintains a good moral conscience and may reward you in the future.” – Arielle I have a voice. “I chose this statement because as a girl, people expect me to just follow the rest of the crowd and not say what I think and what I believe. I think that girls, no matter where they are from, should have a voice and a say in what goes on in the world and in

The mural depicts a girl—a leader–standing on the world and wearing a kippah. The world signifies that important values are universal and not just personal, and the kippah symbolizes the Jewish education and values at the core of their desire to make the world a better place. Surrounding the girl are deeply meaningful speech bubbles. Each was written by one member of the graduating class and says something that they, as leaders, want to strive for:

their lives.” – Noa

I speak for the powerless. “I wrote this speech bubble because that is something I want to do in the future, as a leader. I want to stand up for people and help people stand up for themselves.

The earth represents that when we step up and take our role as leaders, we are on top of the world because it makes us confident and proud.” – Sabrina

I stand for equality. I chose this statement because I believe that although everyone does not have the same opportunities, they should be treated as equals. It should not matter what race you are, who you love, what your gender is, etc. Nobody should be treated as less than anyone else for being who they are. – Mira

I speak with compassion. “I chose this quote because I do my best to speak kindly to everyone.” – Rebecca

Congratulations to the Yavneh Day School Class of 2014!

I have the power to make a difference. “For me, this means that as an individual, I am capable of great things, and I do have the power to change the world by making a difference. This is meaningful to me because I think it is very inspiring and it is also a personal goal I have—to make a difference in the world.” – Dalia

I fight for others. “I fight for others when they aren’t strong enough or no one else will stand up for them. I fight when others are hurt or need help.” – Oran I am confident. “The quote means many things to me. It means that I am confident enough to take a stand for what is right. It means that I am confident in my power as a girl to change the world. And it means that I am confident that I will do my best to make the world a better place.” – Naama www.jvalley.org

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l cal news A Priest and a Rabbi go to lunch, inspired by the Pope When Pope Francis stood at Yad Vashem on May 26 and called on Christians and Jews to develop deeper knowledge of each others’ faith, clergy in Silicon Valley were listening. They also heard Israeli President Shimon Peres call for a religious rather than a political context for solutions to the conflict. Thus when Jewish and Catholic clergy gathered the next day at the Diocese of San Jose, under the auspices of Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath—affectionately known as “PJ”—the focus was on relationship building. Leadership among the clergy have long had good relationships, with Rabbi Magat and the Bishop known to be friends, and Rabbi Aron and Fr. Pedigo frequently sighted working together in interfaith contexts. But the meeting on May 27 sought to establish broader relationships between Jewish and Catholic clergy. Fr. Pedigo challenged the group, asserting that the solution to Israeli-Palestinian peace belongs to all of them, because pastoral approaches open doors that can lead to trust and affection, and ultimately work toward mutual respect and co-existence. Catholic-Jewish relations have come a long way from the days when Pope Pius X refused to recognize Israel on theological grounds. Yet the clergy sitting around the table in San Jose, from St. Thomas Acquinas, Most Holy Trinity, Our Lady Left to right: Rabbi Berkenwald, Bishop McGrath, Rabbi Lobel, Fr. of La Vang, St. Mary’s of Gilroy, and Congregations Shir Hadash, Gobbo, Diane Fisher, Cantor Felder-Levy, Fr. Rubio, Rabbi Aron Beth David, Sinai, Emeth and Kol Emeth, could really use some structured relationship building opportunities. The Bishop agrees, and discussions have begun on bringing together young Catholic seminarians and rabbis, to break bread and share sermons. While everyone is fascinated with Pope Francis’ potential global policy role, we have important work to do here in San Jose. For more on this effort contact JCRC Director Diane Fisher at diane@jvalley.org or (408) 357-7504.

S I L I CO N VA L L E Y JEWISH COMMUNITY

LP E GACY R O J E C T

SAVE THE DATE! Community Legacy Educational Workshop Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 Temple Emanu-El More details to follow S P O N S O R E D B Y:

Silicon Valley Jewish Community Legacy Project

For more information contact Michelle Nathanson, michellen@jvalley.org, 408.357.7508

CO M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Congregation Beth David Congregation Shir Hadash Congregation Sinai Hillel of Silicon Valley Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley Temple Emanu-El Yavneh Day School

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Older Americans Month

l cal news

May was Older Americans Month. In commemoration, The County of Santa Clara recognized the Department of Aging and Adult Services and its community partners in their proclamation presented on Tuesday, May 13 at the Board of Supervisors meeting.

Back row Left to right: Supervisor Dave Cortese; David Tran, Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS); Chris Cunningham, Peninsula Family Services (PFS); Lauren Cisneros, PFS; Arielle Hendel, Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley; Sup. Mike Wasserman; Jim Ramoni, Director, DAAS; Tracey Gott, City of San Jose; Ellen Rollins, Senior Care Commission; Don Moody, Public Guardian; Sup. Joe Simitian; Georgia Bacil, Senior and Adult Legal Services; Sup. Cindy Chaves; Sup. Ken Yeager Front row left to right: Vanessa Merlano, Department of Public Health; Bev DeKoven, Health Trust; Diana Miller, Seniors’ Agenda; Tita Das, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center; Marjorie Heart, People Acting in Community Together; Marilou Christina, Research and Respite for Alzheimer’s Disease; Jill Osofsky, AGEnts for Change; Wanda Hale, Ombudsman, Catholic Charities

Addison-Penzak JCC selected for pilot program serving veterans The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos was selected as one of several JCCs nationally to pilot Project Welcome Home, a JCC Association initiative meant to educate them to better assist U.S. service men and women and their families and to engage with their communities.

The project, which will be steered by JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, a program of JCC Association, incorporates the needs of veterans, their families and caregivers, as it helps ease their way back into community. The initial training was on May 7 and 8 in New York City. The training included input from the Department of Veterans Affairs and a presentation by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

“Project Welcome Home is a chance for the JCC to express our appreciation to those who served this country, and to support returning veterans and their families as they transition home after deployment,” said JCC Program Director Rabbi James Greene. “It is an embodiment of our most important values. It is our chance to say thank you. We hope that through PWH, the JCC will become a hub for recent veterans seeking community.”

The Addison-Penzak JCC was among six JCCs across the country to pilot the program, and also includes JCC of Northern Virginia; Barshop JCC in San Antonio, Texas; Kahn JCC in Columbia, South Carolina; JCC Chicago; and Robert E. Loup JCC of Denver, Colorado. These six represent a cross-section of JCCs by size and location.

“These JCCs applied to be part of this exciting initiative, recognizing the presence of returning veterans and military families in their communities,” said Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky, JWB deputy director for programming at JCC Association. “They understand how important it is to reach out and connect this population to the community.”

The Addison-Penzak JCC has agreed to offer membership incentives to returning veterans and their family members, ranging from free or reduced membership to discounts on early childhood programs and day camp. They have also agreed to be part of intensive training regarding the needs of veterans and their families and will have staff dedicated to working with

them. They will create programming that highlights the service of Jewish men and women in the military, engage leadership skills that veterans possess, and include them in ongoing educational projects.

Project Welcome Home also recognizes the needs of caregivers and will educate the JCCs to coordinate with community organizations to engage in activities such as providing respite opportunities. They will work to remove barriers to community engagement that isolates caregivers and those they care for.

“We feel it’s important to participate in this program because we need to honor our veterans,” said Nate Stein, CEO of the AddisonPenzak JCC. “They’ve put their lives on the line for the freedom we enjoy in this country. By assisting veterans and their families, we’re fulfilling the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world.”

JWB Jewish Chaplains Council is the first Jewish organization to work with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in a coalition of public, private, non-profit and faith-based groups addressing the unmet needs of veterans and their caregivers. In early April, the Dole Foundation released results from a RAND Corporation study that found military caregivers struggling to shoulder enormous responsibility caring for wounded service members. The coalition hopes to address these needs, and has cited Project Welcome Home as providing a template for other organizations wishing to do so.

“I am truly grateful that these six JCCs have stepped forward to receive training on how to incorporate caregivers into their veteran reintegration programs. There is such wonderful potential for this new resource to uplift caregivers in these communities and, in time, serve as a model for communities across our nation,” said Sen. Elizabeth Dole. “As the first Jewish organization to join our national coalition, and one of the first communities of faith to pledge its support to our military and veteran caregivers, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council has shown tremendous leadership and commitment to these hidden heroes.

I look forward to the difference we can make on this critical issue together.”

www.jvalley.org

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The Place To Be

Celebrate Belong Discover

PICTURE

2000

Learn more about what CBD has to offer you: Info@Beth-David.org Save the Date: BBQ and Barkhu – August 22nd at 5:00pm Open to the community! Activities for tots through teens. Meet and Greet happy hour for Adults. BBQ with all the fixings.

Congregation Beth David

19700 Prospect Road . Saratoga . CA . 95070 408-257-3333 www.Beth-David.org

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From Rio de Janeiro to Los Gatos Congregation Shir Hadash is thrilled to welcome Student Rabbi Beni Wajnberg this Fall to our community. Wajnberg is an incoming fifth-year student at the Hebrew Union College/ Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles and will be spending a dozen weekends with the congregation.

Student Rabbi Wajnberg’s relationship with Judaism began at early age as he studied Jewish history, language and culture but not religion at Jewish Day School in Brazil. When he became a Bar Mitzvah, he became more curious about religion. A turning point in his life came at the age of 16, when he served as a volunteer religious leader and spiritual care giver for a local Jewish nursing home. “The first time that I went there, during Chanukah, was the moment that I decided to become a rabbi. I was expecting a big crowd of residents, waiting excitedly for me to show up. To my surprise, there was only one person waiting there for me.

I invited her to light the Chanukkiah with me, but she said that she couldn’t because she didn’t know Hebrew and because she was a woman. I told her I would help her out with language, and that her being a woman was by no means a problem. After we had performed the ritual, she opened the biggest smile I have ever seen (as we say in Portuguese, “from one cheek to the other”) and said: “I have never been this happy my whole life.” It all felt right, and I promised to myself that I would dedicate my life to make people smile.”

Few Brazilians have become rabbis, and rarely in a Reform rabbinical school, but for Wajnberg it just felt completely right. After college in Rio de Janeiro, where he studied psychology, he went to a Conservative rabbinical school in Argentina for a year. He then decided to transfer to Hebrew Union College. After spending a year in Israel, where he met his wife Miriam (a fellow rabbinical student), he spent a year in the Cincinnati campus of the college, and then transferred to Los Angeles. He has served student congregations in Bristol, TN, Santa Maria, CA and Kalispell, MT. He has interned at Stephen S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles, at the USC Hillel and at the Los Angeles County Hospital.

Relationships form the core of his rabbinate, as he reflected: “As I move forward towards the last year of my education, I look back to the experiences that shaped the development of my rabbinical identity until today, and realize that relationships are at the core of what I consider is my present role and what I envision to be the center of my rabbinate.”

Wajnberg believes that teaching and learning Torah needs to come for a relational perspective. Otherwise, we are just looking at Torah as one would look to a fish swimming in a glass bowl. One would watch the movements of the fish, and how it affects and moves the water—which is not enough. One needs to get into the water with other people, and get one’s clothes wet. This is true for relationships with others as well.

Congregation Shir Hadash is excited about Student Rabbi Beni Wajnberg’s arrival in August. His priority, to establish sacred relationships with members of the community, is embraced by the congregation. He envisions this as an opportunity to contemplate what Abraham Joshua Heschel called the question that encompassed everything that one experiences: “What am I here for?” His hope is that he will also help those that he meets answer this same sacred question.

l cal news Welcoming new leadership at Shir Hadash Congregation Shir Hadash is thrilled to welcome Gordon Gladstone as its new executive director. Gordon brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the Jewish Community as a leader and a community organizer. “Everywhere I’ve worked, I’ve approached it with the concept of building community,” he explains. Prior to joining Shir Hadash Gordon served as Northwest regional director of JStreet a grassroots political advocacy organization working for a two-state solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. Gordon was the first person to work in the San Francisco office of JStreet, and over the course of his tenure he established or enlarged chapters in seven cities and worked with volunteer advocates in five states.

Prior to his role at JStreet Gordon served as executive and associate Director of the Berkeley Hillel serving over 2500 Jewish students. Before coming to the Bay Area Gordon oversaw educational travel for Israel Experts, an Israeli educational consulting start up. Gordon is a licensed Israeli tour guide, a former USY director and was a scholar-in-residence for BBYO’s Bulgaria-Romania youth conference. Gordon holds an MA in history and has lectured on topics of Jewish and Zionist history to students in Tel Aviv and Haifa University’s overseas program, Bay Area Limmud and synagogues across the Northwest. Gordon is an avid cyclist who completed the LOTOJA, a two-hundred-six mile single-day race from Logan UT to Jackson Hole WY in 2010.

Gordon is thrilled to bring his expertise to Shir Hadash and the South Bay community. “I am excited to have an opportunity to work in an ongoing community in the context of an institution.

I’m really looking forward to having opportunities to broaden and deepen the underlying social interactions that create the kind of synagogue that people talk about. It’s not the architecture that makes a synagogue unbelievable. It’s that sense when you walk in the room that there is a real sense of community – a sense of connection and mutual responsibility. That is what I’m looking forward to doing at Shir Hadash.”

Shir Hadash will hold meet-and-greet gatherings to allow the community to get to know Gordon personally and welcome him to our community.

JET teen Shabbat On Friday evening, May 2, twenty-two Beth David 8th-12th-grade teens came together at the Ohriner’s home to celebrate a ruach-filled, amazing outdoor kabbalat Shabbat service. After davening together, the teens schmoozed, participated in several discussions and dined on a delicious home-cooked dinner and desserts prepared by Rabbi Shoshana Ohriner.

The entertainment was provided by Ari, Eli and Kobi Ohriner.

Thank-you to Rabbis Philip and Shoshana Ohriner, Ari, Eli and Kobi for opening your home, leading the teens in prayer, song and preparing all of the delicious foods and dessert. Thank-you to Irene Swedroe, our JET principal, for organizing the teen attendance and discussions. To our amazing CBD teens, thank-you for sharing Shabbat with all of us and always being an inspiration to our Religious School students. www.jvalley.org 17

datebook

All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted.

ONGOING EVENTS TUESDAYS Classic Jewish Texts Los Gatos JCC, 9:30 AM Rabbi Joey Felsen of the Jewish Study Network guides you through the fundamental works of Maimonides, Luzzato, and other classic commentators. No Hebrew necessary. This is a free, dropin class. No need to register. jenessa@svjcc.org, 358-3636 WEDNESDAYS Rambam Roundtable Los Gatos JCC, 10:30 AM Maimonides (Rambam), the 12th century Jewish scholar, wrote the Guide of the Perplexed as a three-volume letter to his student. The Guide is a classic work of Jewish Philosophy, written in coded and intentionally deceptive language. Studying the Guide is a mystery and a pleasure.

Join Rabbi James in a journey the Guide of the Perplexed together. Sections will be short to allow for full discussion.

This is a free, drop-in class.

No need to register. jenessa@ svjcc.org, 358-3636 Meditation Shir Hadash, 10:30 AM We have all heard that it’s good for our brain, our health and our heart. Newcomers to meditation should arrive at 10:30 AM for orientation, discussion, and beginning meditation. Please bring a water bottle and dress comfortably. Most of us sit on chairs. If you prefer to lie down, bring your own yoga mat or blanket. All experience levels are welcome. There is no cost to attend. If you are interested, please contact Marilyn@katz.us, 358-1751

THURSDAYS Silicon Valley Beit Midrash Sinai, 9:30 - 11 AM Join Rabbi Josh Berkenwald for in-depth study of Jewish thought, belief, and practice.

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

Schedule subject to change.

Please check the Sinai Silicon Valley Beit Midrash event listing for up-to-date information. Office@Sinai-SJ. org, 264-8542

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY, JUNE 27 Happy Hour and Kabbalat Shabbat Sinai, 6 PM Wine and appetizers (adult and child-friendly) followed by evening services. Come as you are whenever you can. Office@ Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 SATURDAY, JUNE 28 Kiddush Lunch in Honor of Rabbi Pressman Beth David, 9:30 AM Help Rabbi Pressman celebrate his final Shabbat as CBD’s spiritual leader. Lunch is free but RSVP required: www.BethDavid.org/RSVP by June 16th.

257-333 FRIDAY, JULY 11 Kabbalat Shabbat in the Living Room Sinai, 6 PM Evening services at the home of Rabbi and Dana Berkenwald.

Call the Sinai office or visit Sinai-SJ.org to sign up and get directions. Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542.

SATURDAY, JULY 12 Havdalah in the Woods Shir Hadash, 4 PM Join us for a Shabbat afternoon of fun, friendship, and spirituality in the redwoods.

We will meet in the Redwood Grove at Mt. Madonna County Park, an easy 45-minute drive

from San Jose/Los Gatos.

Spend the late afternoon exploring, hiking, playing games, or simply reading and relaxing. Then we will come together for a delicious barbecue dinner. As twilight falls, gather around a roaring campfire for singing and s’mores. We’ll end the evening with Havdalah. $15/person includes dinner, s’mores, and activities. For more information or to register, contact Shanda: 358-1751 x2 or Shanda@shirhadash.org SUNDAY, JULY 20 Knitzvah Los Gatos JCC, 10:30 AM Knitzvah is a JFS volunteer group of knitters, crocheters and seamstresses of all ages.

They meet monthly to create beautiful handmade creations.

Knitzvah distributes these gifts to 18 nonprofits. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. Come and be a part of this dynamic group or donate yarn to help them meet the needs of our community. loric@jfssv.org, 556-0600 TUESDAY, JULY 22 PJ Library Goes to the Park!

Oak Meadow Park Los Gatos, 10 AM Join us for fun at Oak Meadow Park! Meet us at Picnic Area #3. There will be crafts, story time and the first 30 kids to RSVP get a FREE ride on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad!

There may be a fee for parking charged by the City of Los Gatos. RSVP is a must for this fun-filled event. arielle@jvalley.org, 357-7501

FRIDAY, JULY 25 Happy Hour and Kabbalat Shabbat Sinai, 6 PM Wine and appetizers (adult and child-friendly) followed by evening services. Come as you are whenever you can.

Office@Sinai-SJ.org, 264-8542 SATURDAY, JULY 26 Jewish Artists Group Beth David, 1:30 PM First Meeting! Artists from CBD and the greater Jewish Community are invited to attend this discussion group.

This meeting will include a presentation by Paul Freudenthal on artists listed in the Torah. We will also introduce ourselves, tell each other a bit about our own art and discuss topics for future meetings. No need to RSVP for this meeting. Just show up. cbd.artists@beth-david.org, 257-3333 MONDAY, JULY 28 CSH Goes to Jewish Heritage Night with the SF Giants Shir Hadash, 5 PM The Jewish Heritage Night game is against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game begins at 7:15 p.m, but the pre-game festivities begin at Seals Plaza at 5 p.m. and include music and food for purchase.

This year’s give-away item is a limited edition Giants mezuzah…very cool! Due to the fabulous performance of the San Francisco Giants, the tickets have gone up in price a bit, but are still only $40/ person. We will sell out, so it is first paid, first served. Please email Shanda for tickets or more information: 358-1751, Shanda@shirhadash.org

Have an event to add to the calendar?

Submit it at www.jvalley.org!

Questions about upcoming events?

Contact amanda@jvalley.org or 357-7503.

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Congratulations Class of 2014!

Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!

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MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley invites you to our sixth annual Mah Jongg tournament.

9:00 am-3:00 pm. $54 per person; $72 after October 31. Lunch and games included.

Two tiers of play: mavens and novices.

CHAIRS: KAREN GUGGENHEIM AND DORIS KATZ RSVP atjvalley.org or to arielle@jvalley.org

MEN ’S NI GHT OUT

texas hold ‘em

tournament Sunday, november 9, 2014

6-10 pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm).

Includes dinner with Kosher burgers and more. $72 buy-in = 1,000 tournament chips. Re-buys $36 (first hour) $36=500 chips. Additional table games, prizes and more!

Chair: Rick Tavan Men’s Division Chair: Joel Rubnitz Contact: MichelleN@jvalley.org or 408-357.7508

Register at jvalley.org ®

www.jvalley.org

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l cal news

Rabbi Pressman Continued from page 11 As for guiding lay leaders toward effective synagogue management, he tries to “constantly be able to look from above rather than being in the weeds.” He is committed to being a “lifelong learner,” and sees it as a benefit to himself as well as to the congregation.

In order to facilitate orderly change, Rabbi Pressman gave the congregation five years’ notice about his retirement. He is proud that together with the lay leadership, we did “a great job in hiring assistant rabbis and helping them learn the community.” He also has pledged to remain involved in the new building campaign, which, he believes “will help our religious and communal strategic vision because it is mission-driven. He strongly relies on collaborative leadership.

Although Rabbi Pressman has been the synagogue’s spiritual leader for over three decades, he and his family were also active members. The Pressman family relied on congregational support during the dark days of his wife Beverly’s illness and death. The congregation responded by establishing an evening Minyan every Monday through Thursday. His gratitude has turned to pride and appreciation for those whose loyalty and participation has made the Minyan an ongoing service for those saying Kaddish or observing a Yahrtzeit.

As Rabbi Pressman looks forward, he feels sure that Congregation Beth David will “go from strength to strength.” He has “great confidence” in Rabbi Philip Ohriner and is “glad to have Rabbi Leslie Alexander returning to develop ways to help Beth David be more welcoming.”

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Looking around at his office, filled from floor to ceiling with books, Rabbi Pressman looks pleased with what he has been able to accomplish as Beth David’s spiritual leader — though there is always more to be done. “I hope that what I’ve built will continue to be built upon ― that will be the best tribute to me.” Proud of Beth David’s accomplishments, strengths, and forward-looking vision, he plans to continue to be involved with Beth David ― as a congregant and dedicated synagogue supporter. ✓Fine Furniture ✓Carpet ✓Hardwood ✓Laminate ✓Linoleum ✓Cork & more ✓Window Coverings ✓Hunter Douglas

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

Pre-Need Terms Wayne Rose, Administrator

(408) 674-5867 cemetery@templesanjose.org

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Attorneys Peter D. Feinberg

Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel 60 S. Market St., Ste 1400 San Jose, CA 95113 (408) 287-9501 pdf@hogefenton.com

www.hogefenton.com/our-people/attorneys/ Feinberg-Peter-D

Practice focused on corporate, M & A and business transactions.

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.

David J. Hofmann

Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel 60 S. Market St., Ste. 1400 San Jose, CA 95113 (408) 287-9501 djh@hogefenton.com www.hogefenton.com/hofmann.html Practice focused on commercial and residential real estate transactions & finance.

David S. Howard

Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel 60 S. Market St., Ste. 1400 San Jose, CA 95113 (408) 287-9501 dsh@hogefenton.com www.hogefenton.com/howard.html Practice focused on complex taxation, corporate strategy, and business succession planning..

Steven D. Siner

Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel 60 S. Market St., Ste. 1400 San Jose, CA 95113 (408) 287-9501 sds@hogefenton.com www.hogefenton.com/siner.html Practice focused on complex business transactions, estate planning, and family business succession planning.

Christl Denecke

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

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

Law Office of Derryl H. Molina

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

Michael W. Malter

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

Minda B. Parrish

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

Attorneys

Real Estate

Lynne R. Snyder

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

Shannon Stein

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

Carol Elias Zolla

Orna & Ruben Yomtoubian

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

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

Audiology Marni Novick, AuD

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

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

Cantor-Educator Dr. Itzhak Emanuel

27 Eucalyptus Lane San Rafael, CA 94901 Phone/Fax (415) 453-3899 Cell (415) 218-1295 All Life cycle ceremonies-special events, Spiritual Leadership; Cantorial-Liturgical skills; Hebrew-Jewish studies

Commercial Real Estate Guggenheim Realty Group, Inc

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

Events AMB Designs

(408) 942-0852 ambdsgn@pacbell.net www.ambdesigns.com Balloon & Event Décor. Any Occasion, we do it all!

Call Amy Blach, your Event Designer

Financial Services

Senior Services Lyn Pasqua DELIVERED BY GRACE

Transportation and Shopping Service 408-590-5898 Personalized transportation service, serving seniors throughout Santa Clara and most cities in San Mateo County. Our service is tailored to meet your needs.

Tax Preparation & Representation Philip S. Levine EA, MBA Padgett Business Services Silicon Valley West Inc.

501 N. Santa Cruz Blvd. Ste. A Los Gatos CA 95030 (408) 402-3725 p_levine@smallbizpros.com www.siliconvalleywest.com Tax Preparation and Professional Representation before the IRS and CA FTB. A small business focus including corporations and partnerships as well as their owners and other professionals. We also welcome CA Registered Domestic Partner (RDP) returns as well as clients with international tax issues.

Leonard W. Williams, CPA

A Professional Corporation 455 S. Mathilda, Sunnyvale 94086 (408) 736-1566 www.LWWilliamsCPA.com Leonard W. Williams, CPA Y. Mary King, CPA, Paul Schechter, CPA, Brenda L. George, EA, T. Patricia Cohen, EA, Keith Kreider, EA, Sue Conners, EA Tax Planning & Return Preparation for Individuals, Trusts & Estates.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICE IN THE JEWISH PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY! Contact Amanda Glincher: amanda@jvalley.org, (408) 357-7503

www.jvalley.org

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obituaries VALENTINA MATVEENA FRUMKINA July 1, 1920 – May 21, 2014

Valentina was born to Matrena Kanunnikva (Sokolova) and Mathew Kanunnikov in the village of Ivan-Ozero not far from Tula. She had five siblings. When she was two years old, her father died and she had a difficult childhood in the home of her step-father. Food and clothing were in short supply and starvation and death were not unknown. When she finished middle school at the age of fourteen, she followed her older sister to Moscow and found employment there in a factory.

She continued her education in night school and worked as an accountant during the war. She married Alexander Aronovich Frumkin, an electrical engineer in 1944 and gave birth to her only child Michael Alex Frumkin in 1950.

After the war, she worked as an accountant at the Soviet Academy of Sciences and had the opportunity to meet many top Soviet scientists. She always made a point of helping others in need and in helping Jews find employment.

In her 80s Valentina went to Jerusalem and in her 90s she was active in the Russian Senior Center in Los Altos. She lived with her son Michael and daughter-in-law Sheri, and made herself

useful in the home: sewing, cooking traditional Russian dishes and striving always to be independent. Last year when she was 93 she went back to Moscow on her own. She loved following the activities of her granddaughter Natasha who is active in the robotics program at Mountain View High School. She lived all of her days to the fullest.

She is survived by her son Michael (Sheri), granddaughters Julia Frumkin Satovsky and Natalia Alexandria Frumkin and greatgranddaughters Jenna and Jessie Satovsky.

MORT SCHORR

August 10, 1926 – May 15, 2014 Born Francis Mortimer Schorr, Mort was the fourth of five children of Samuel and Nettie Schorr. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Kenneth, Ruth and Bernard and is survived by his sister Arleen. Mort is survived by his children, Wayne, Amy, Sam (Priscilla), Fred (Mary) and Andy (Jean), his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including those of his late wife of 20 years, Hedy. He had many cousins, nieces and nephews who were also very special to him.

Mort was a WWII veteran and attended San Jose State University where he played basketball for 4 years while earning his teaching degree. He was proud to play on SJSU’s first nationally ranked basketball team as well as their first-ever NCAA basketball tournament team.

Mort taught elementary school for 40 years in the Sunnyvale School District where he also served as president of the Sunnyvale Education Assn. He was a Willow Glen Little League coach and a teacher of religion at Temple Emanu-El in San Jose.

Always a teacher, Mort loved the art of teaching regardless of subject or age of his students.

FD262

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

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

Peninsula Office (FD1830) 777 Woodside Road, Suite C, Redwood City Robert L. Malinow (FDR894) Managing Funeral Director rmalinow@sinaichapel.org

(408) 297-3636 Wayne A. Rose (FDR979) Funeral Director wrose@sinaichapel.org

FDIC insured Pre-need funeral arrangements available.

Upon retirement, Mort enjoyed tennis, golf, travel and playing poker and bridge with his friends. He enjoyed attending the theater and was a life-long supporter of the arts. He was an avid follower of SJSU Spartan Athletics, a past president of the Order of Sparta and attended many SJSU football and basketball games. He taught tennis to disabled adults and children through Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation. Mort enjoyed being a member of the South Bay Blue Star Moms, a Moose Lodge member and a board member of the Northpoint Homeowners Assn.

Mort was a devoted friend to many. If you were a friend of his, you were a friend forever. He held his family in the highest regard and in turn, Dad, Papa and GG was greatly loved. He would gladly be at any and every event for his grandchildren and left a great legacy of love and support for them.

The family appreciated the care given to him by the Sunny View Manor and Hospice.

Mort was a very charitable person and gave to many organizations during his lifetime. Donations in his memory can be made to the cause or charity of choice.

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

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www.jvalley.org

SIMCHAS

By Andrea Cohen Greyber

BIRTHS

Liana Brielle Alpizar Greyber was born on February 11 to Natasha Karma Bicycles. Josie enjoys a circus class which features & Robert Greyber of Seattle, WA. She aerobic dancing and walking on stilts. She was pleased that her weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces and was 18 grandparents from Florida, Suzanne & Fred Braun could be with inches long. She is the little sister of her for this special occasion as well as her grandmothers Nancy Asher Greyber, 3 ½. She is the grandchild Gordon and Ann Gordon. Uncles Andy Braun of NC, Howard of Vicki Alpizar of Houston and of Andrea Braun of CO and Evan Braun of NJ also came in for the big day. & Howard Greyber of Congregation Sinai; after seven grandsons, they were excited to welcome a first granddaughter. ENGAGEMENTS Liana was named in memory of her

Drs. Dale & Meira Frank and Eli & Ariella Barak are pleased to great-grandmothers, Lillian Cohen and Barak Frank and Orit Beatrice Goldgraber. Liana is the niece of announce the engagement of their children

Barak who will be married at Caesarea, Israel on September 10.

Elizabeth & Joe Lichy of San Jose, first Orit will be working as a lawyer in Tel Aviv and Barak will be cousin to Ari, Sam and Carl Lichy and

the first niece of Rabbi Daniel & Jennifer doing his legal apprenticeship there. Barak is the grandson of -.&) 1))#. &))#/ (,(,-#))&( )& ,) !,* # .!% &) Greyber and first cousin of Alon, Benjamin and Ranon Greyber of Barbara Frank of Congregation Sinai and the late Al Frank, a past president of Silicon Valley Federation. , Durham, NC. ," 3 ,+ 1 '#!0 2" &!01.#

#2 &) Congratulations to Roberta & Jeremy Bloom of Congregation

Beth David whose grandson Daniel Shmuel Bloom was born

. $0/ in Boston on March 17. Daniel weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces and is living with his parents, Shoshana & Channock Bloom. #+0 His maternal grandparents are Arlene & Stuart Scharf of

- * Massachusetts. He is also blessed with three great-grandparents, Harold & Rosalie Bloom of Saratoga, NY and Norma Lorn of Westchester, NY.

CALLED TO THE TORAH

Josie Gordon, daughter of Kelly Braun & Edward Gordon, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on May 17 at Congregation Sinai. Josie is a seventh grade student at Yavneh Day School. Through Yavneh she worked on a social action project called Good

Wedding and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Videography

Candice Solomon and Ben Tilles became engaged on March 1.

They look forward to a May, 2015 wedding. Candice and Ben met at the University of California at Santa Cruz when they were undergraduates there.

Ben went on to study law at Santa Clara University, passing the California State Bar exam in 2013. Candice is a medical student at the University of California at Davis. She will graduate in May of 2015. Candice’s proud parents are Trevor & Lauren Solomon of Irvine, CA where they are long-time members of Beth Jacob Congregation. Ben’s parents are Steve & April Tilles of Saratoga and they are longtime members of Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos.

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

Lynn Osband Events

! ! "

408.206.6505

www.blue-moon-productions.com 408.

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

Now, you can be proud of it again.

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

Donate Today!

1-877-JFS-4-CAR

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

Weddings•Private Parties• Graduation Parties•Corporate Events•Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

When it comes to entertaining and planning your special event, you can never be TOO organized or prepared! Let Lynn Osband Events put your mind at ease and make your event a success!

(408) 981-8422 www.lynnosbandevents.com

www.jvalley.org

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CONNECT A GENERATION WITH ISRAEL.

NURTURE LIFE ON CAMPUS.

FILL SUMMERS WITH JEWISH MEMORIES.

WHILE YOUR LATEST APP INSTALLS. It only takes a few minutes to strengthen the future of our people — instilling identity and pride through Hillels, Birthright, Jewish camps and schools, and more. Meanwhile, you’ll help the needy, the aged and the vulnerable thanks to the many other innovative programs the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley supports. The moment is now: Donate. Volunteer. Get involved. Your link to getting started: JValley.org

®