JValley news 速
OF SILICON VALLEY
November 2015
embrace a family this winter jewish learning at the apjcc teens tackle hunger dedicated to building peace
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 November 2015
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from the ceo
JValley news
Dear friends, The cold weather has finally arrived. As we enter the shopping season, I’d like to reflect on the non-physical gifts we share. Each morning we bundle into warm clothes and proceed with our days. Some of us go to our offices, others drop off children at school or daycare, visit the gym or run errands. The beauty of these days is the freedom we enjoy. We have the freedom to go about our lives, to choose to visit the JCC gym or send our children to a Jewish school. We can work in offices branded with Jewish name and be proud of it - I sure am. Even as we enjoy these simple gifts of life, I recognize that these privileges are not afforded to all people. There are still areas of our world where people don’t feel safe, areas here in Silicon Valley where adults and children remain cold and hungry during the winter and year round. In our gratitude for receiving the lives we have, it is our responsibility to take care of others as well. Whether you make a gift through our Annual Campaign to support Jewish life, or you make a donation to our coat and blanet drive (see ad on page 14), you are making a difference in the lives of others. Thank you for sharing these gifts: the gifts of comfort, freedom and choices.
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
ADVERTISING & BILLING Amanda Glincher amanda@jvalley.org 408-357-7503
SIMCHA & OBITUARY DEPARTMENTS Andrea Greyber andrea.greyber@gmail.com
Published six times a year by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. We reserve the right to edit all copy. JValley.news is not responsible for the content of paid advertising. Send copy to JValley.news, 14855 Oka Rd., Suite 200, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Fax: (408) 356-0733.
jyl jurman
content
Local Highlights
Free-sharing PJ Library Dedicated to building peace Jewish-Catholic relationships Meet me at the Beth David minyan Our part in the drought When a parent has cancer Feeding our souls 8 ways to celebrate Jewish learning at the APJCC Anna Budman name to PJ Design Team Embrace-a-Family this Hanukkah Yiddish instruction Mahatma Gandhi award Teens tackle hunger
In Every Issue
Community photos Datebook Rabbi’s column Simchas Obituaries Professional Directory
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CANDLELIGHTING San Jose, CA
hanukkah word scramble
Friday, Nov 27......................4:33 P.M.
1. KLSETA ______________________
Friday, Dec 4........................4:32 P.M. Friday, Dec 11.......................4:32 P.M. Friday, Dec 18......................4:34 P.M. Friday, Dec 25......................4:38 P.M. Friday, Jan 1.........................4:43 P.M. Friday, Jan 8........................4:49 P.M. Friday, Jan 15.......................4:55 P.M. Friday, Jan 22......................5:03 P.M. Friday, Jan 29.......................5:10 P.M. Friday, Feb 5..........................5:18 P.M.
2. LACNDSE ____________________ 3. LIDHAOY ____________________ 4. DEICRETADONI _____________ 5. MEECDREB ___________________ 6. NOMERHA ___________________ 7. YIGASFUONT ________________ 8. IDDELRE ____________________ 9. CCABAESEM _________________ 10. ILMAYF _____________________
3, 12, 21 6 15 22 27 31
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answers on page 21
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c mmunity photos
The crowd on the dance floor
Ruth and Michael Fletcher
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Gala October 24, 2015
Yavneh students dressed as their Yavneh middle school students read to preschoolers. favorite book characters during Reading Week.
Children enjoyed a day with their pets and petting zoo friends at Celebration of Animals, an event hosted by Congregation Sinai and cosponsored by Federation’s PJ Library program.
APJCC board chair Avery Kaufman Borenstein spoke to the crowd at the APJCC gala.
Yavneh 4th and 5th graders learned about electricity while creating Shabbat music.
Children gathered at the October Club Noar session. Club Noar is run by Rabbi Ilana Baird of the APJCC; the program is for Russian-speaking Jewish preteens ages 10-12 years old.
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Jodi Gerston and Andrea Rubnitz chaired the Women’s Philanthropy Friendship Breakfast and Do the Twist. Between the two events thousands of items were donated to the Dignity Drive!
Over 100 women gathered to Do the Twist and make challahs on October 22 with Women’s Philanthropy.
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Rabbi Philip Ohriner spoke to the crowd at the Beth David and Federation sponsored Scotch & Steak in the Sukkah evening.
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(408) 374-7590
Be a hero to your children and grandchildren. SUPPORT THE SILICON VALLEY JEWISH COMMUNITY LEGACY PROJECT. C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Congregation Beth David Congregation Shir Hadash Congregation Sinai Hillel of Silicon Valley Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley Temple Emanu-El Yavneh Day School
Please call 408.357.7508 or go to www.communitylegacyproject.org. S I L I C O N VA L L E Y J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y
LEGACY PROJECT Eric Lews and Jon Katz sampled the scotch options. 4
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Celebrating Jewish Life
January 31st, 2016 1:00-8:00pm at the APJCC
JEWBILEE IS A FULL AFTERNOON OF CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND PERFORMANCES FOR ALL AGES.
The afternoon is divided into sessions, with many classes, workshops and performances happening simultaneously during each session. You choose what you want to do.
ADMISSION
General $5 • JCC Member $1 Children Free (ages 4 and under)
Kosher meals will be provided by L'Chaim Sushi Catering & Lchaim@Home which are under Orthodox Kosher Supervision provided by Rabbi Landau of the Adath Israel community.
MORE INFO: WWW.APJCC.ORG/JEWBILEE OR CALL 408.357.7411
14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
The JCC is proud to be a part of the Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood, presenting educational and cultural programs that explore Jewish heritage, identity, and community. The initiative is co-funded by the Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture. Jewbilee Jewish Day of Learning is made possible, in part, by a generous gift from Belmont Village Senior Living.
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datebook
All area codes are 408 unless otherwise noted.
ONGOING EVENTS SUNDAYS Silicon Valley Holocaust Survivors Association (SVHSA) APJCC, 10:30 AM – 1 PM, 12/13, 1/10, 2/14, 3/13 A bagel brunch is held for survivors and their families. Entertainment and/or an educational program included. Admission is free, but an optional $5 donation at the door will help defray costs. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7430 Knitzvah Meeting Chai House, 10:30 AM, 12/20 Knitzvah is a JFS volunteer group of knitters, crocheters and seamstresses of all ages and experience. Knitzvah distributes handmade creations to 18 nonprofits. Be a part of this dynamic group or donate yarn. loric@jfssv.org, 357-7467 MONDAYS Movie Club APJCC, 7-9 PM, 1/11, 2/28, 3/31 APJCC and Sharone Hadassah invite you to share views on new movie releases. Participants watch the film on their own time and then join the group to share their thoughts. Cherie@apjcc.org, 357-7462 Lean In Circle Beth David, 7:30 PM, 12/14, 1/11, 2/8 Come join the Beth David Lean In Circle, a women’s career networking and support group inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In.” 257-3333, lori.kahn@sbcglobal.net TUESDAYS Classic Jewish Texts APJCC, 9:30-11 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, drop-
in class. No need to register. (650) 493-7463 Yiddish Conversation Group Beth David, 3 PM, 12/8, 12/22, 1/12, 1/26 Conversation, jokes and more with Yiddish speakers of all levels. Cbd. 257-3333, yiddish@beth-david.org WEDNESDAYS Ima & Me Playgroup Sinai, 9 AM Join other moms and bond with your child through play, music and movement. 264-8486 sinainurseryschool@sinai-sj.org Meditation Group Shir Hadash, 10:30 AM Participants use principles of Jewish meditation as described by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. 3581751, nadine@shirhadash.org Kuzari with JSN OFJCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, 10:45 AM Join Rabbi Felsen for a dialogue on Kuzari, exploring the theological, philosophical and ideological dilemmas. info@jsn.info, (650) 493-4764 Lunch and Learn Emanu-El, Noon, 12/2, 12/9, 12/23, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24 Bring lunch & join Torah Study with Rabbi Magat. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org Senior Shabbat Lunch APJCC, Noon, 12/11, 1/22, 2/26, 3/25 Enjoy a catered hot lunch followed by entertainment. $6/JCC member; $8.50/nonmember; $10 at the door. cherie@apjcc.org, 357-7462 Financial Club APJCC, 3-5 PM, 1/27, 2/24, 3/23 Develop your financial knowledge through workshops, seminars and presentations. cherie@apjcc.org, 357-7462
THURSDAYS Silicon Valley Beit Midrash Sinai, 9:30-11 AM Study of Jewish thought, belief and practice. Taught by Rabbi Josh Berkenwald. 264-8542, office@sinai-sj.org Freilache Menschen Retirees Group Luncheon Shir Hadash, 11:30 AM, 12/10, 1/14, 2/11, 3/10 Join o retirees group on the second Thursday of the month for a lecture, discussion, performance or film. $5/ person. 358-1751, shanda@shirhadash.org FRIDAYS Swimming in the Sea of Talmud: Tractate Megillah Beth David, 10 AM The Talmud is a compendium of stories and legal discourse that serve as the foundation of Judaism. Last class is December 11. 257-3333 adulted@beth-david.org Tea and Torah Emanu-El, 10 AM, 12/5, 1/8, 3/12 Study of the week’s Torah portion over tea and noshes. megan@templesanjose.org, 292-0939 Jewish Ethics Discussion Group Beth David, 11:15 AM Explore Jewish wisdom dealing with ethics and morals in this participant-led group. Newcomers welcome. Last class is December 11. 257-3333 adulted@beth-david.org Senior Shabbat Lunch APJCC, Noon, 1/22 Enjoy a catered hot lunch followed by entertainment. $6/JCC member; $8.50 nonmember; $10 at the door. cherie@apjcc.org, 357-7462 PJ Shabbat Beth David, 6 PM, 12/18, 1/15, 2/19, 3/18 What could be more fun for children than coming to Shabbat Services in their PJs? Geared for children 6 and under. Older siblings welcome. Service and crafts are free!
Dinner: $10/adult; $2/child aged 3-12; under 3 free. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 SATURDAYS Know Before Whom you Stand (in Russian) Beth David, 9:30 AM, 12/12, 1/9, 2/13, 3/12 An exploration of the content and historical background of the prayers with Rabbi Baird. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 21st-Century Torah Beth David, 10:30 AM, 12/12, 1/9, 2/13, 3/12 Think the Torah can’t possibly say anything useful to your life? Think again. Join in on discussions that you’d never expect, led by someone (Doug Brook) who respects the clergy too much to let himself be a member of it. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Approachable Torah Beth David, 10:30 AM, 12/19, 1/16, 2/20, 3/19 Rabbi Berkowitz makes the Torah accessible to all and helps learners connect Torah lessons to their lives. Participants discover that all of us can spin drash (a lesson of meaning). info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 A Learning Minyan Beth David, 10:30 AM, 11/28, 1/23, 2/27, 3/26 This session with Rabbi Alexander is for those who want to understand the prayers, psalms and choreography of the Shabbat service so that it can begin to be a meaningful personal and communal experience. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Tot Shabbat Beth David, 11:15 AM, 12/12, 12/26, 1/9, 1/23, 2/13, 2/27 Relaxing, lighthearted, interactive Shabbat program for tots on second and fourth Saturdays. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Jewish Artists Group Beth David, 1:30 PM, 1/16, 2/20 Presentations and discussions on Judaica. Jan. 16 will be a presentation by Bayla
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Bromberg on Art of Ketubot. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 Jewish Book Discussion Beth David, 1:30 PM, 12/12, 1/9, 2/13 All adults and mature teens are welcome to attend. 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org
UPCOMING EVENTS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Israeli Dancing Temple Emanu-El, 7:30 PM No previous experience necessary. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org Does Anti-Israel=Anti-Semitic? Beth David, 7:30 PM Vlad Khaykin from the ADL will discuss BDS and other antiIsrael movements. 257-3333, AdultEd@beth-david.org WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Birthright Orientation Levy Family Campus, 7 PM Open to all Birthright participants and parents going on a winter 2015-16 trip. becka@jvalley.org, 357-7502 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 Shabbatluck Dinner Emanu-El, 6:15 PM Bring a dish and enjoy Shabbat dinner. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org TGI Shabbat – Chinese Jewish Culture Night Beth David, 6:15 PM Get together for a potluck dinner with a Chinese theme. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 Tea and Torah Emanu-El, 10 AM, 12/5, 1/9 Study the week’s Torah portion over tea and noshes. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org
Using Hassidic texts and stories, participants will have the opportunity to find personal meaning in Jewish prayer and discover that these current spiritual tools are rooted in the Jewish experience. Led by Rabbi Greene. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333
on page 24. 292-0939, admin@templesanjose.org
Heroes?” 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Hanukkah Party 5776 Sinai, 6 PM Congregation Sinai’s Hanukkah party. $12/adult, $6/child 5-12, free for 5 and under. office@sinai-sj.org, 264-8542
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Hanukkah at Santana Row Santana Row, 3 PM See ad on page 28.
Anti-Semitism and Messaging about Israel Beth David, 1:30 PM Marina Gafni will review two “hot topics” discussed at the recent 2015 Jewish Community Town Hall in Washington, DC. adulted@beth-david.org, 257-3333
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Hanukkah Show SPHDS, 6-8 PM Performances by children grades K-5. Refreshments. Free, all are welcome. 7383060, maya.yaniv@sphds.org
Jewish Heritage Night at the San Jose Sharks SAP Arena, 7:30 PM Join the Silicon Valley Jewish community and root on the SJ Sharks! Ticket includes Jewish Heritage Night cap and donation to local Jewish community. Register at www. jvalley.org. becka@jvalley.org, 357-7502 Men’s Club at the Shark Tank SAP Arena, 7:30 PM Join Shir Hadash Men’s Club on Jewish Heritage Night for their annual get-together at the Shark Tank. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 Hebrew through Poetry Shir Hadash, 11 AM Improve your Hebrew reading and root recognition skills by studying Israeli poetry found in prayer books. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org Hooray for Hanukkah Children’s Discovery Museum, 11 AM See ad on page 12.
Hanukkah Tot Shabbat Shir Hadash, 10 AM Tot Shabbat service with the story of Hanukkah geared towards children ages 5 and under. shanda@shirhadash.org, 358-1751
Community Hanukkah Celebration BookSmart, 80 E. 2nd St., Morgan Hill, 1:30-3 PM Dreidels to spin, cookies to decorate, stories to share, and songs to sing. 778-8200, membership@emeth.net
Mindfulness and Meditation through the Hassidic Lens Beth David, 10:30 AM
Latkes and Laughs Emanu-El, 5:30 pm Punchlines and laughs. See ad
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 JCC Night at City Lights Theater 529 S. 2nd St., SJ, 8 PM “Handle with Care” is a hilarious and heartwarming holiday comedy with a Jewish theme. 25% of ticket proceeds go to APJCC. jenny@apjcc.org, 357-7429 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 Family Service and Dinner Shir Hadash, 6 PM Community dinner followed by a lively, 45-minute service with fresh stories and hands-free siddur-oriented to K-5.3581751, nadine@shirhadash.org Rock Shabbat Hanukkah Extravaganza Emanu-El, 6:30 PM Wine and cheese reception, rock Shabbat Hanukkah service and latke competition. See ad on page 24. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Babies and Bagels: Baby Shabbat Emanu-El, 9 AM Babies will enjoy parachute play, story time, and fun with Rabbi Magat. Bagel oneg to follow. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org Shabbat Hanukkah Service Shir Hadash, 10:30 AM Amy Dean, founding executive director of Working Partnerships and a former Confirmation mentor, will speak about “Following in the Footsteps of the Maccabees Who Are Today’s Social Justice
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 Israeli Dancing Temple Emanu-El, 7:30 PM No previous experience necessary. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 NextGen Hanukkah Party Tied House Brewery, 7:30 PM See ad on page 15. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 Tot Shabbat with Catered Dinner Emanu-El, 6 PM A service for families with young children and catered dinner. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 PJ Library Stories and Snories Levy Family Campus, 6:30 PM An afternoon of reading and relaxing with PJ Library. arielle@jvalley.org, 357-7501 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 Musical Performance by CSH Choir Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 7:30 PM See article on page 7. DECEMBER 20-25 Rotating Shelter Meals Shir Hadash The Silicon Valley Rotating Shelter Program provides shelter, case management, meals, shower facilities, bus passes, job development and counseling and other supportive services to homeless men. From December 20 until December 25, Shir Hadash members will provide dinners for the rotating shelter. Some of our groups cook a whole meal, while individuals can prepare one dish. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 Movie and Chinese Food APJCC, 1 PM Watch the Pixar film “Up” and enjoy a Chinese food lunch in the APJCC auditorium. $15/
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adult; $5/child (3-10); ages 2 and under free. emily@apjcc.org, 357-7492 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 PJ Library Bounce! Snacks! Stories! Levy Family Campus, 3 PM Join PJ Library and bounce out your winter blues! An afternoon of bounce houses, snacks and stories! 357-7501, arielle@jvalley.org Blood Drive Beth David, 3:30 PM Give the gift of life! If you really want to lend a hand— lend an arm. (650) 723-7831, sponsor code 0722 FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 Family Shabbat Dinner and Service Shir Hadash, 6 PM Come for a community dinner followed by a lively 45 minute service with fresh stories and hands-free siddur, oriented to K-5. nadine@shirhadash.org, 358-1751 SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 Happy Hour and Havdalah Shir Hadash, 6:30 PM Stomp your feet; move to the beat! Winter celebration of Nashville food, music and that great Tennessee export, American Whiskey. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 Jews in American Popular Culture Shir Hadash, 9:30 AM Multimedia presentation serves as an introduction and overview to Jewish in American popular culture, focusing on a handful of key moments in the evolving history of Jews in pop culture. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org South Bay Teen Idol Auditions APJCC, 10 AM Teens in 8th-12th grades are invited to audition for South Bay Teen Idol, the JCC’s annual singing competition that awards the winner a $2,500 prize plus funding for their school’s music department. diana@apjcc.org, 357-7402
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 Martin Luther King Shabbat Service Emanu-El, 7 PM megan@templesanjose.org, 292-0939 SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 Women’s League Shabbat Beth David, 9:30AM Join Congregation Beth David as ladies take the bima for an inspiring Shabbat service. Lovely luncheon to follow. info@beth-david.org, 257-3333 SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 Mitzvah Day Shir Hadash, 9:30AM On Mitzvah Day, Shir Hadash has twenty different Tikkun Olam projects, partnering with different organizations and agencies all over the county. There are projects for people of all ages, interests and abilities. 358-1751, nadine@shirhadash.org THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 PJ Library Stories and Snories Levy Family Campus, 6:30 PM An afternoon of reading and relaxing with PJ Library. arielle@jvalley.org, 357-7501
Free sharing PJ Library The PJ Library book catalog is now online! You can borrow a book for your home or classroom. Too much of the December dilemma in your child's classroom? No problem. Go online and search for taglines about Hanukkah. Looking for a book to help your child understand Jewish values around ecology. We have those, too. We have over 230 books from the PJ Library program available to borrow for your family or for a classroom project. You can access the library at http://pjlibrary.libib.com/ or by calling Arielle Hendel at (408) 357-7501. She is also available to consult on ideas for classroom programs. Special thanks to PJ Library committee members, Robin Feinman-Marino and Marla Deutsch for their volunteer hours to catalog and tag the books. In the coming months, we hope to also have a special place for a free-sharing library for PJ Library books on the Levy Family Campus.
Wedding and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Videography
408.206.6505
www.blue-moon-productions.com 408.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 Celebrate Shabbat with Craig Taubman Emanu-El, 7:30 PM See ad on page 24. 292-0939, megan@templesanjose.org SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 3rd Annual Men’s Night Out Poker Tournament LFC, 6:30 PM The game is Texas Hold ‘Em, the food is BBQ, and the stakes benefit our community. Proceeds provide camp scholarships for local children. Buy-in: $72 (includes first round of chips, dinner and drinks) michellen@jvalley.org, 357-7508 SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 Jewbilee LFC, 1 PM See ad on page 11. 10227 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino, CA 408.446.2900 vardysjewelers.com
Please submit upcoming events online at www.jvalley.org.
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3/20/13 5:14 PM www.jvalley.org
Lakin’s life: dedicated to building peace and bridging communities
l cal news
Jewish-Catholic relationships
By Dorothy Dorsay One day in October, we were having lunch in a Jerusalem restaurant with Karen and Richard Lakin, dear friends for more than fifty years. The next day I got a message from Karen that Richard had been shot and stabbed multiple times on a bus*. Shock doesn’t describe the feelings I had. We three went to Boston University together, all majoring in sociology-sharing good times and philosophical talks. Richard had always been a gentle, thoughtful and thinking man. His Facebook page has an iconic picture of an Arab boy with a kaffia and a Jewish boy with a kippah under a “Coexist” logo made from religious symbols. Richard strongly believed in and worked hard for Coexistence. From early on he acted on his beliefs. He and Karen in the ’60s were Freedom Riders on buses in the South, a dangerous undertaking since buses were often bombed and burned. That his life would be taken on a regular city bus so many years later is unimaginable. Everyone describes Richard as a man of peace. For fifteen years, he was an exemplary principal in a Glastonbury, Connecticut elementary school. He was the kind of principal most teachers only dream of working with: always respectful, gentle, kind; a model for students. The family has received literally thousands of personal messages and letters from friends, colleagues and students both in the USA and Israel, proclaiming the huge positive influence Richard had on their lives. Lakin left his job as principal in 1984 to move with his wife and two young children to Israel. Later he wrote a book, “Teaching as an Act of Love,” and created a website “Thanks2Teachers.” He wrote extensively; frequently of the joy he took in working with children. “He was just a deeply optimistic and hopeful person, and refused to be deterred by the grim political reality here,” said Rabbi Levi WeimanKelman, their Jerusalem rabbi. “He wasn’t oblivious to reality, but it didn’t affect his basic existential nature. He could not imagine a solution wasn’t possible and that people couldn’t learn to live together.” His son Micha asked in his eulogy: “How is it that such a beautiful person is struck down in such a brutal and horrific manner?” Richard’s daughter Manya’s words were poignant: “How can my sweet, kind, caring dad who tells me at the end of every single phone call that he loves me; who always supports me, never criticizing, only guiding and sharing his wisdom with me; whose humanity and kindness is spread worldwide, through generations of children and their families, his love seeping out of my cell phone. “He has been so brutally murdered? My mind cannot accept it! “Your beliefs are universal, above any religion or political agenda. Your caring soul never saw boundaries. I know that the prayers said for you by all faiths, the loving messages, the support and energy we received from friends, family, student, parents, neighbors, let you die in peace, erasing the inhumanity of your murder from your beautiful mind.” The international media descended on Lakin’s hospital room when United continued on page 11
By Rabbi Melanie Aron The Cathedral Basilica of St Joseph’s downtown might not be the place you expect to hear the Shir Hadash choir, but the volunteer choir will be performing at the Cathedral as part of the 20th Season of Hope performance series. The Cathedral, a 200-year-old center of Catholic life in San Jose, has invited musical performances from many different traditions this year expressing the broader vision of community which the Catholic Church has embraced. The Jewish presence is in many ways the fruit of over 25 years of work by Lil Silberstein (z’’l) of the then National Council of Christians and Jews which sponsored ongoing dialogue between Jewish and Catholic religious leaders including several of the recent bishops. As part of those conversations a delegation of rabbis was also invited several years ago to participate in an educational program at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Seminary in Menlo Park where Rabbi Joshua Berkenwald of Congregation Sinai leads an afternoon service. In addition several of our local rabbis work actively with local priests in ministerial associations and on social justice issues, through the Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice and through People Acting in Community Together. Congregation Shir Hadash has had a close relationship with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Saratoga where for the past decade the congregation has been holding their High Holy Day services. Rabbi Aron remembers what a boon that was to the congregation: “We lost our regular rental at the Masonic Temple unexpectedly over the summer and we were looking for options everywhere. In our desperation we even went to Great America. Sacred Heart Church has been so gracious to us and the sanctuary is arranged in a way that everyone can be close to the bimah.” The presentation at the Cathedral by the Shir Hadash choir will take advantage of the opportunity to highlight some of the musical traditions used throughout the Jewish calendar. Cantor Felder-Levy explained: “Music is a wonderful means to teach others about Judaism and give those who may know little about Judaism a better understanding. “Many Christians also find learning about Judaism a vehicle for strengthening their own understanding of their own faith tradition. The program will be held on Tuesday, December 22, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 South Market Street, downtown San Jose, and is free and open to the public. During the concert, there will also be a presentation about services available to the community including a free healthcare clinic, access to services stabilizing a person’s living situation, and help for the homeless in the community.
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l cal news
Meet me at the Beth David minyan By Eleanor Weber Dickman A minyan, as most people know, is a gathering of at least ten adults to worship or observe the death or the yahrzeit (anniversary) of a loved one. Congregation Beth David is most fortunate in having a loyal cadre of synagogue members who have made ongoing commitments to attend its daily minyanim, held Monday through Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm, and Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, as well as during the regular Shabbat services on Friday nights (at 7:00 pm), and Saturday mornings (beginning at 9:30 am).
Chuck “realized that taking an active role in the evening minyan (leading on a regular basis, coordinating the leader schedule, and just being there to support others who I may not even know) had evolved into being a real “upper” for me.” Harry Glatstein’s response is simple, positive, and direct: “I attend once a week on Tuesday, unless I am out of town or have a prior commitment. I consider it a responsibility for being a Beth David member and I get a lot of it as far as learning more of the prayers, meeting other congregants and some people, not members, who come for a yahrzeit. There has developed a certain camaraderie for those in attendance. It is usually 30 to 40 minutes and is not difficult to find the time.”
It is comforting even for those who do not attend services on a regular basis to know that, in times of sorrow and loss, Beth David welcomes members and those from the community who wish to observe a yahrtzeit. Several members have, in addition, made it a regular practice to attend these short but vital services Rabbi Allan Berkowitz attend evening minyan twice a month, even if they themselves are not observing a yahrtzeit in order to even if he is not observing a personal yahrzeit. He considers provide a community for those who are grieving. attending to be “an important part of my weekly observance and is a positive way of supporting the community’s need for a Beth David’s nightly minyan service is dependent upon the regular minyan. thoughtfulness and commitment of all congregants, and enjoys the dedication of several members who have made the minyan Mary Jo Bernard and her husband Alan attend minyan two or a regular part of their week. For their part, these attendees three times a week when they are in town, often responding to a find meaning in the worship, as well as pleasure in being there phone call from the synagogue. “I consider it important to have to comfort friends, synagogue members, and Jews in the larger a minyan,” she believes, “to support those saying Kaddish. And, community. I’ve gotten to know a few other members much better.” She recalls a time when a minyan of 10 or even 15 people was a usual Sandy Mayer, a devoted “regular,” helped Rabbi Aaron Schonbrun occurrence, but now acknowledges Sandy Mayer’s commitment establish a daily evening minyan to help support Rabbi Daniel to calling Beth David members each night when the minimum Pressman after the death of his wife Beverly. The original minyan number for a minyan is needed, and believes, “If members came “captains,” who helped recruit worshipers and ensure continuity just once a month, we would easily make a minyan each night.” of the service, were, in addition to Sandy, Herb Dreifuss, Margie Pomerantz, and Norm Abramovitz. Over time, many other To address this need, Rabbis Ohriner and Alexander have members have accepted the responsibility to ensure that the requested greater awareness of the nightly minyan, and greater minimum of ten adults is available, even if they themselves are commitment to participate in ensuring that a nightly minyan not observing a yahrtzeit on that particular night. It is a quiet is available for those in need. “To help ensure the vibrancy of and loving gesture of community support that thrives at Beth our minyan, our captains have created the following schedule David. organized alphabetically by last name. Of course you are always welcome to attend!” Sandy says, “When my mother [z”l] passed away I was able to say Kaddish for the year because other members came to make the A-D: First Week of the Month minyan. It is my responsibility to now come and be present for E-K: Second Week of the Month other members who want and need to say Kaddish.” Sandy says L-R: Third Week of the Month that she and her husband David attend minyan daily because, S-Z: Fourth Week of the Month “this is a passion of min because I have personally experienced Occasionally there is a Fifth Week – We need everyone’s help! that benefit.” The Rabbis invite you to look at your schedules and commit For Harry Cornbleet, regular attendance at minyan helps him to to attending at least one minyan during the week. Check your “feel that I am fulfilling a community responsibility, as well as calendars now, while you’re thinking about this, and see if attending when I have a personal yahrzeit to observe.” Because you can attend Friday night at 6:30 pm, Sunday at 9:30 am or he lives close by the synagogue, he is often asked to help make Monday through Thursday at 7:00 pm. If everyone participates, the minyan, especially during the summer. it should be an easy and positive duty to fulfill. As Rabbi Shmuel Kogan of Chabad notes, “Never underestimate the power of the Chuck Taubman, a well-known synagogue leader, leads the individual Jew!” Even if nine of the most knowledgeable and minyan service on Mondays, and often helps out on an additional righteous Jews are in attendance, it might be you who ensures day, whether it is for a personal yahrzeit, a shiva minyan, or that the minyan can be held and Kaddish can be said. It’s an easy “sheloshim” (the conclusion of 30 days of mourning). He notes mitzvah to do and the benefits ― feeling closer to your fellow when other congregants are observing a yahrtzeit, and feels “I congregants, while enabling someone to fulfill one of our most should do what I could to support them.” Most of all, however, important religious obligations. See you in shul! 10
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Our part in the drought By Amanda Glincher As we all anxiously await El Nino, it is with great worry that we wonder how much water is needed to repair the damage done over the years of our Californian drought. While we may be stocking up on umbrellas and rain boots, it is important that we keep in mind that even a heavy rainfall will not put us in the clear. As a campus that is grounded in Jewish values, tikkun olam — repairing the world, is of utmost importance. Since the beginning of the drought the Levy Family Campus and the organizations located on site have made large strides toward reducing water usage. Some of the changes have included: installing waterless urinals, reducing the watering of our fields, and the addition of low-flow faucets, including shower heads. The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center (APJCC) has supported this effort by encouraging members to take shorter showers and reduce towel usage. In light of these impactful moves, we are proud to announce a 25 percent reduction in water usage over the past year. Thank you to those of you who have been a part of this effort — your reduction in water usage is creating a better world for all of us.
When a parent has cancer: caring for the whole family By Diane McNutt A cancer diagnosis is one of the most frightening things that can happen to an individual, but it affects the entire family. It is especially hard on children to learn that mom or dad is sick. Cancer CAREpoint, a local nonprofit organization that provides non-medical support services to all Silicon Valley cancer patients and their families and caregivers, has created a new program to help parents and children cope when cancer comes into their family. The Family CARE program was launched in October at the Cancer CAREpoint Resource Center in San Jose. For four weeks, a small group of parents and children gather on a week night for dinner and the chance to talk with others about what every family is experiencing. Parents learn how to better communicate with their children, and youngsters have the opportunity to talk with kids their own age about having a parent with cancer. “The Family CARE program grew out of a pilot support group last year for teens who had a parent battling cancer,” said Rob Tufel, executive director of Cancer CAREpoint. “The teens found it very helpful to have a safe, supportive place where they could deal with their anxieties and the common reactions of feeling angry, sad, guilty and unfairly burdened.” Patients struggle with deciding when to tell their children, how much to tell them and how to respond to questions: Why did you get sick? Are you going to die? Who is going to take care of me? “Ultimately, the parent has to decide what information to share and in what way,” Tufel said. “We are here to support them every step of the way.” For more information on the services available at Cancer CAREpoint, visit cancercarepoint.org or call (408) 402-6611.
Lakin
l cal news
continued from page 9 Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited him. Lakin’s children--Micah and Manya--passed on a message asking the world body’s leader to do more to curb hate speech, saying that is what their father would have wanted. “Dad would no doubt (have talked) about the importance of coexistence and mutual respect, and called upon the Secretary General to do everything in his power to protest and speak out against extremist rhetoric and incitement.” Still, Lakin’s family said he would have been less impressed by the world leader’s visit than that of his fellow teachers, who brought a handwritten poster in Hebrew and Arabic praying for his speedy recovery by children (some his students) from Hand In Hand, Jerusalem’s joint Arab-Jewish school. That’s how Richard was. He worked with Israeli and Palestinian school children from the time he arrived in Israel in 1984 until he died. He lived with a dream to use education to improve lives of both Jews and Palestinians in the Holy Land. “Dad was a kind, gentle loving person whose legacy is ‘acts of kindness,’” Lakin’s children wrote in a Facebook post. Many believe that the Facebook and other social media posts that encourage and teach violence contributed to his death and they are suing Facebook, not for money. They are seeking an injunction to force Facebook to block posts that incite violence against Jews, sometimes with directions of where to efficiently place the knife to stab Jews to death. Micah Avni (Hebraized Lakin) is a plaintiff in the case. Speaking directly to her grandfather’s body wrapped in a tallit (Jewish prayer shawl), 16-year-old Shachar said: “I know you would want me to always try to be a better person and do the right thing, you would want me to spread love and happiness everywhere I go. I think you wouldn’t want me to have not even one ounce of hate in my body, even though what has been done to you.” At home Shachar said, “My grandfather was a loving person. Even from the smallest conversation, I always learned.” At our lunch, Richard was enthusiastic about a film project he was working on and got us excited, too. If he could see how his family is reacting and behaving, he wouldn’t be surprised, but he would be pleased. Their response, despite the tragedy, is to continue to work for peace, to treat “human beings as human beings” and to be kind. *Richard was stabbed multiple times in his head and abdomen--slashing his veins, pancreas, stomach and liver; and shot in the head. This was done by two Palestinian youths who had boarded the bus, killing two immediately and injuring twenty. Richard contacted Karen, saying he was protecting himself by taking the bus instead of walking home from his doctor’s appointment. He survived in a coma for two weeks, dying on October 27.
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c mmunity photos
SVJFF Closing Night with Lloyd and Sue Ecker, producers of The Outrageous Sophie Tucher.
Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival
JCRC board members Harold Goldberg, Marina Gafni and Marci Gerston joined with JCRC Director Diane Fisher in Washington DC at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs Town Hall.
SVJFF Closing Night Super Volunteers Honored: Mika Korakin, Fagie Rosen and Ellen Weingard.
Children gathered to hear stories at PJ Library’s Hanukkah at Hicklebee’s celebration on November 12. Congregation Sinai’s Jamie Zimmer (far right) played the guitar.
24th Annual Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival Closing Night Reception: Sandy Epstein with Festival founders Burt Epstein and Fagie Rosen.
Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival Closing Night Reception: Festival Executive Director Tzvia Shelef Screenwriter and Guest Speaker Bruce Vilanch with SVJFF Program Director Margalit Raviv.
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Celebrate
THE 3RD NIGHT OF CHANUKAH WITH CONGREGATION SINAI TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 AT 6 PM
Shadow puppetry and music with master puppeteer Daniel Barash "The Smell of Latkes"
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For More Info:
becka@jvalley.org 408-357-7502
SING-A-LONG FESTIVE CHANUKAH DINNER DREIDELS! LATKES! SUFGANYOT! BRING YOUR OWN MENORAH
RSVP by Thursday, December 3 to the Sinai office at (408) 264 - 8542 or email to office@sinai-sj.org or online at www.sinai-sj.org
$12 per adult $6 for children 5-12 Free for kids under 5
1532 Willowbrae Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 | (408) 264 - 8542 | office@sinai-sj.org | w w w.sinai-sj.org
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rabbinical wisdom
Rabbi’s Column By Rabbi Debbie Israel, Congregation Emeth
About ten years ago, while studying in Jerusalem, I attended a Rosh Chodesh (new moon) service, arranged by an organization called Women of the Wall (WOW). The service is held at the Kotel, known as the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. For more than 25 years, WOW’s central mission has been to achieve the social and legal recognition of women’s right to wear prayer shawls, pray and read from the Torah collectively and out loud at the Western Wall. I will never forget that experience: obscenities were shouted at us and chairs were thrown at us, with the intention to do bodily harm, to scare us away. Since 1972, I have prayed wearing my tallit and tefillin (phylacteries worn on the arm and forehead) in synagogues around the world, including Orthodox ones, and never had I faced that kind of wrath, before or since. Yet, at the Western Wall, the rabbinical authority in charge of the plaza, denied me and other women the right to read Torah, even though Israel’s Supreme Court permitted it. When my family decided to travel to Israel, my adult daughter, Rena Dubin, requested that we be in Jerusalem for Rosh Chodesh so that her daughter Aliya Glatt could read Torah with WOW. Aliya celebrated her 12th birthday in July, and she will celebrate her formal Bat Mitzvah with our temple, Congregation Emeth, after her 13th birthday, as is our temple’s custom. But this was an opportunity she didn’t want to miss, so she began learning to chant the Torah portions for Rosh Chodesh. We considered it the beginning of her Bat Mitzvah journey, not her Bat Mitzvah. Little did we know that in the days just before we were to leave for Israel, the “lone wolf” stabbing attacks by Palestinian terrorists would be taking place in Israel. On the very day of Rosh Hodesh, the Palestinians declared that day would be a “day of defiance.” Several family members and friends who had planned to be with us cancelled. The thought never entered our minds. As her rabbi and teacher as well as her grandmother, I knew Aliya had worked hard and was well prepared. We had trust and faith. Anat Hoffman, chairperson of WOW, had sent a letter to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, administrator of the Western Wall, to let him know that the leadership of WOW decided not to attempt to smuggle a Torah scroll in to the Kotel. They did not want to challenge the security forces during the time of high threat levels. Hoffman repeated a request she has made many times before: “Allow women to use one of the hundreds of Torah scrolls at your (Rabbi Rabinowitz’s) disposal, for Rosh Chodesh and these important bat mitzvah ceremonies.” So that the police would not be diverted from their tasks, WOW chose to have the two b’not mitzvah girls – my granddaughter and a girl who traveled from Brazil – read from the chumash rather than insist on reading from a Torah. Hoffman wrote, “Rabbi Rabinowitz runs a lucrative bar mitzvah trade on the men’s side of the Western Wall while denying women this right, despite the guarantee of equal rights to worship made by the Sobel Decision in April 2013.” No response was received from Rabinowitz. Nonetheless, even though only 48 women attended the service due to the heightened security concerns, the experience was spiritually uplifting. Aliya said that we came to the service as an expression of women’s right to read Torah but once we were there it became very personal. It was indeed – the small group gave us a feeling of intimacy, of praying with sisters. Aliya insisted on reading her three Torah portions from the paper she had used to practice – written in Torah script without vowels or musical notations. My daughter and I stood next to her. Aliya was wearing my paternal grandfather’s tallit – her great-great-grandfather. Rabbi Yitzchak Israel was a Torah scribe in Jerusalem in the 1920s and 30s, living only a few blocks from where we stood at that moment. I was wearing my maternal grandfather’s tallit. Rena was wearing the tallit knitted for her by her own grandmother. Each of us was linked to our ancestors in that moment. During the service, an amazing thing happened. One of the men began shouting obscenities to us in an attempt to silence us, something he did every month. A young man, a religious Jew attending Yeshiva, stopped him, saying this wasn’t the time for that; this was the time for solidarity. Then most of the people on the men’s side of the Kotel began singing “Am Yisrael Chai” (The People Israel Lives, a song of unity) as they danced in a circle. We heard them on the women’s side, and we too formed a circle and danced and sang. It was at that moment that all of us felt the power of the morning: facing our fears and being present, hearing these two young women taking their places as adult Jews, standing in solidarity together. As we approach the holiday of Hannukah we remember that the Maccabees fought for religious freedom. That’s what Women of the Wall are doing, too. I am proud to stand with them. www.jvalley.org
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hanukkah
8 ways to celebrate
Feeding our souls
By Becka Ross
By Arielle Hendel Hanukkah is the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. We spell it so many different ways but we all celebrate Hanukkah with eating delicious latkes, spinning driedels and lighting menorahs. All of these celebrations bring light to the darkest time of the year, brightening us both physically and mentally. We celebrate the miracle of the one cruse of oil lasting for eight days. We literally acknowledge that one small amount of energy multitasked to a whole week. There are often times where we do not know how we pushed through from the little time or energy we have. This is a good time to not rely on miracles but to double down and remind ourselves of the importance of replenishing ourselves. When we fill ourselves, we can lighten our own load and others as well. One way we can replenish this Hanukkah is to bring light to each of our personal strengths. In Kabballah, there are seven basic character traits or middot. They are love, restraint, harmony, ambition, devotion, bonding and receptiveness. In Midrash Avot de Rav Nathan, he suggests another seven middot which are wisdom, justice, the law, grace, mercy, truth and peace. In a most modern interpretation of middot, "The Making of a Mensch" by Tiffany Schlain, several rabbis (including my brother Rabbi Avi Katz Orlow) have organized the full 48 desirable character traits into six categories: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance and transcendence. This Hanukkah, when we light our candles, let's focus on these character traits, think about what we can do to investigate and invest in ourselves. Let's bring our inner spiritual light to the surface by focusing on being our best selves through any of these models of middot. We can feed the fire of our soul throughout the week of Hanukkah by starting with rededicating to replenishing of our selves and rekindling our best traits.
1. Put a new twist on an old favorite: bit.ly/LatkesWP 2. Shop—for someone in need by joining WP as they support Embrace-A-Family on December 6 3. Create your own rules for an epic dreidel tournament 4. Come to the community candle lighting at Santana Row on December 13 (see back page for details) 5. Check out Pinterest for the latest DIY Hanukkah Crafts and share Facebook and Instagram 6. Volunteer with your favorite non-profit during their busiest season 7. Invite over family and friends to light the Hanukkiot together 8. 8 nights of Hanukkah not enough? Join NextGen as they extend the light for an 11th night at their Hanukkah celebration on December 17
GIVE A ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFT THIS HANUKKAH: A FREE HADASSAH ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP. Your name will appear on the new member’s welcome card. Gift online @ hadassah.org/gift or call 800.664.5646. Offer valid until December 31, 2015. Only Life Members/Associates can gift annual memberships to women 17 years or older. New members only, not valid for re-enrollment.
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Addison-Penzak JCC Levy Family Campus JCC Addison-Penzak Levy Family Campus 14855 Oka Road Los14855 Gatos, CARoad 95032 Oka www.apjcc.org Los Gatos, CA 95032
A CDM cultural celebration in partnership with Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley
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Hooray for Hanukkah! Sunday, December 6, 2015, 12:00–5:00 p.m. Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110
Music! Food! Crafts! Celebrate your own culture or learn about the cultural traditions of your neighbors. Adults and Children 1–59 years old: $13; Seniors 60+ years old: $12 Museum Members and infants under 1: Free; Bring a canned good for $1 off general admission
Thank you to our partners ® OF SILICON VALLEY
All Community Engagement: Beyond the Walls of APJCC programs are made possible, in part, by Supporting Sponsor gifts from Doris & Rick Davis and Carol Jeans/Sereno Group.
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l cal news
From Rabbi to Rabbi: Jewish learning at the APJCC
By Eleanor Weber Dickman If you are looking for the “J” in the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community, you’ll find it most clearly in its “Center for Jewish Life and Learning.” This is the program that is “committed to raising the level of literacy, Jewish involvement and identification among the Silicon Valley Jewish Community.” And, if you are looking for one of the strongest proponents of this commitment, you will find it in the CJLL’s director. First led by Rabbi Joshua Fenton (2007-2011), who was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at UCLA, the program offered classes in Rabbinic Writings, Parshanut (the study of chapters of the Torah), and Musar (an educational and cultural movement founded by Rabbi Israel Salanter in nineteenth-century Lithuania with the aim of promoting greater inwardness, religious piety, and ethical conduct among traditionally minded Jews). Rabbi Fenton was succeeded in January 2012 by Rabbi James Greene, who had previously been the rabbi and education director at Temple Beth Shalom in Salem, Oregon. Rabbi James, as he prefers to be known, was educated at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (a progressive rabbinical school affiliated with Reconstructionist Judaism, which views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization). In addition, he assumed several leadership tasks, such as working on strategic goals for the JCC, writing programming grants, and supervising JCC department directors and staff members. As a senior program professional for the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, he oversaw new program development and implementation, including the introduction of an awardwinning series of free daily drop-in classes, a readers’ theatre program, and a series of community engagement initiatives. He also chaired the Reconstructionist Educators of North America for two years, and chaired the Cantors and Rabbis Association of Greater San José. An outdoors buff, he also initiated Jewish Wilderness Programs and developed safety protocols for outdoor programming. Outside of the JCC, Rabbi James also volunteered as a wilderness instructor for Bay Area Wilderness Training, a local nonprofit that trains youth workers and educators to take their youth outdoors. Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia was most recently responsible for developing programs and workshops for hospice care services to educate Jewish professionals, as well as collaborating with synagogues, JCCs and others to promote and conduct advanceplanning conversation. He supported Jewish life in independent living, assisted living, and memory care facilities by conducting programs and workshops on dealing with ethical dilemmas in extending life and Jewish approaches to mourning and grieving. During his ten years as an instructor and curriculum director for Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto, he focused on the “Jewish wisdom” that “helps us live our lives more skillfully and mindfully so that we can live more deeply.” Rabbi Greene agrees, and believes that the “cultural connections” that Judaism inspires helps him to be a “more inspirational” rabbi and teacher. “Judaism is a cultural civilization that we create for ourselves in each generation,” he believes, “and thus becomes something that we can own, rather than something that was handed down from the mountain and
can’t be changed.” Both rabbis have musical talents and experience, and enjoy teaching, programming and the organizational work that benefit Jewish agencies and schools. Rabbi Hugh always wanted “to be a teacher in a Jewish context; it was more valuable for my students and more inspirational for me. Becoming a Reconstructionist Rabbi seemed to be to be the best way to become the kind of rabbi/teacher I wanted to be.” Rabbi James added that he wanted to “respond to, welcome, and embrace interfaith families (especially the non-Jewish partner) in a way that was essential to strengthen their identity and viability as Jews. It is important to know how to fully welcome interfaith families into the Jewish community.” Rabbi Hugh believes living Jewishly becomes “an issue of ‘relevance’ ― how does Jewish wisdom apply to a life cycle? Any transition includes a struggle to master new roles and challenges to help us face our new roles more skillfully and mindfully.” He believes that this “helps me live my life more meaningfully and powerfully.” Being able to argue and disagree can be a positive way to learn how to “embrace difference and welcome debate,” says Rabbi Hugh. And, Rabbi James agrees, “It’s about radical inclusion, developing amazement at the simple but sacred experiences with a community where everyone is welcomed and accepted.” A dialogue with both of these rabbis is a warm, delightful, and illuminating experience. Just as the APJCC enjoyed the innovations and skills Rabbi James brought to his role as the leader of the Center for Jewish Life and Learning, and just as Kehillah High School profited from the insights and perspectives shared by Rabbi Hugh, so too can we enjoy a lively, meaningful, and intelligent way of coming closer to the exciting stories, values, and truths which can be found at the JCC’s “CJLL.” Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia will succeed Rabbi Greene as the new director of Community Engagement when he begins working at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in mid-November. Rabbi James has accepted a position on the staff of the Springfield Jewish Community Center in Western Massachusetts as the assistant executive director, and will start there in the middle of December. We look forward to an exciting intellectual journey with Rabbi Hugh, even as we know we will miss the friendly and intimate teaching style of Rabbi James. We warmly wish each of them much success and joy in their new endeavors, and we have appreciated and will continue to appreciate the gifts such compassionate educators have to share with us. See you in class!
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Nominate a Teen $36,000 TIKKUN OLAM L E A D E R S H I P AWA R D S The 2016 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards will recognize up to ďŹ ve Jewish teens from California and ten from across the United States for exceptional community service and leadership repairing the world. Help us identify and celebrate great Jewish teens in our community. Deadline: December 13, 2015 www.dillerteenawards.org
The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards are funded by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
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c mmunity photos Women’s Philanthropy Mah Jongg Tournament
Gail Ouchi, Susan Nachshen, and Nancy Newman tied for 1st Place.
Karen Guggenheim poses with granddaughter Lily Guggenheim.
Mission to Mars Nearly 200 people gathered to hear Dr. Pascal Lee discuss his book, Mission to Mars, on November 12 at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara. Pictured left: Event Chair Dr. Steve Jackson with Dr. Pascal Lee.
“German Prisons, Mass Incarceration, and Bergen-Belsen - How I Spent My Summer Vacation”’ with DA Jeff Rosen
Marci Gerston, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) co-chair, kicked off table discussions.
Co-chairs Sylvia Metz (left) and Ginny Baird (right) welcome speaker District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
JCRC board members Genevieve Platt and Einat Bauman
Answers to Hanukkah Word Scramble: 1. LATKES; 2. CANDLES; 3. HOLIDAY; 4. REDEDICATION; 5. DECEMBER; 6. MENORAH; 7. SUFGANIYOT; 8. DREIDEL; 9. MACCABEES; 10. FAMILY www.jvalley.org
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SIMCHAS By Andrea Cohen Greyber
BIRTHS Joshua David LeMay was born on September 13 to Matthew & Tiffany LeMay who are now living in Fayetteville, NC near Fort Bragg; where Matthew is serving in the United States Army. The baby weighed seven pounds one ounce and was twenty-two inches long. Joshua is the grandson of Laurie LeMay who was raised at Temple Emanu-El and Gerry LeMay of Paradise, CA. He is the great-grandson of Bobbi Barko a long time member of Temple Emanu-El.
CALLED TO THE TORAH Elijah Levinson, son of Randy & Jackie Levinson, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El on August 22. Elijah is an 8th grade student at John Muir Middle School where he has been involved in student leadership and been on the basketball team. Elijah is the younger brother of Noah Levinson (16) and the grandson of Manny & Shelley Marquis and Jon & Diane Levinson. Elijah enjoys bike riding and dressing like a boss. As a tzedaka project Elijah grew his hair long for 3 years so that he could donate 13 inches of hair to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for children who suffer from conditions that cause them to lose their hair, like alopecia. Elijah has a great sense of humor and likes to make people laugh. He is delighted to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah with his friends and family. Amanda Danielle Pohland, daughter of Elena Klaw & Oliver Pohland was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on August 29 at Temple Emanu-El in San Jose. Amanda is an eighth grader at Yavneh Day School in Los Gatos. Amanda is a devoted big sister to her little brother, 3. She loves creating art and is a voracious reader. She is passionate about social justice issues including the rights of women, children and animals. She is a firm believer that love wins. For her service project this year, she conducted a regularly scheduled crafts and story hour at InnVision Villa San Jose, a shelter dedicated to helping homeless families return to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Other service projects Amanda conducted this year include participating in a Code-a-Palooza design challenge for the nonprofit organization My New Red Shoes, supporting micro-financing through a Yavneh fundraiser for Kiva, and serving as a volunteer for the JCC Preschool. Amanda is actively involved in the Jewish Community and treasures her summers at Camp Newman. Jordan Klapper, son of Sheri & Alan Klapper, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Sinai on August 29.
Jordan is in the eighth grade at Castilerro Middle School and is the big brother of Alysa, 9, who attends the Los Alamitos School in San Jose. He enjoys video games, plays soccer and basketball and plays the violin in a chamber orchestra. His grandparents, Hazel & Bob Raskowitz of Saratoga and Penny Goldman of Montreal were happy to be on hand for this special occasion. Max Westerman, son of William & Ilana Westerman, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on September 5 at Congregation Sinai. He is the younger brother of Samuel Westerman, 17. Max began his Jewish education at Sinai Nursery and now attends South Peninsula Hebrew Day School. He plays video games and soccer and sometimes draws. Benjamin Aronson, son of Gaelle Glickfield and Doron & Diane Aronson, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on October 10 at Congregation Beth David. He is the older brother of Lev Aronson, 4, and is the grandson of Yair & Sara Aronson of Toronto, Canada and John Glickfield of Colorado and Marsha Wolland of Florida. Benjamin was a student at Yavneh Day School and is now in the 8th grade at Ida Price Middle School. He swims for Valley Splash and his favorite strokes are butterfly and breast. He plays the trumpet in the marching band at Ida Price. He plans to donate money to the Jewish National Fund to plant trees in Israel; he will also be delivering meals for the Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley to the elderly and less fortunate during upcoming holidays. Sarah Hofheimer, daughter of George & Carol Hofheimer, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El on Saturday, October 17. Sarah is an 8th grader at Union Middle School in San Jose. Sarah plays competitive soccer on the Los Gatos United Soccer Team. Her strengths are left defense and midfield. Sarah has been a dedicated and passionate participant in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for 6 years. For Sarah’s Mitzvah project, she was team captain for her 2015 Relay team. She organized numerous fund raisers and personally brought in over $8,500 in donations towards the fight against cancer. Sarah is excited to be celebrating this wonderful occasion with her friends and family. Rebecca (Becky) Guglin, daughter of Ted Guglin and Karen White, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on October 31 at Temple Emanu-El. She is an eighth grader at Old Orchard School in Campbell, which she attends with her younger sister Leah. Becky enjoys reading, creative writing, swimming, horseback riding, listening to music, and traveling to foreign countries, including trips to Ecuador and Costa Rica with Old Orchard. She is passionate about environmental
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conservation, especially the protection of endangered species, and is an avid supporter of the National Wildlife Federation, where her sister Libby works. For her Mitzvah project, Becky is volunteering at Veggielution, a 6-acre non-profit community farm dedicated to creating a more sustainable food system in San Jose.
ENGAGEMENTS Steven & Donna Frankel of Saratoga are delighted to announce the engagement of their son, Kevin Barnett Frankel, to Marisa Tai Nicolupoulos, daughter of Peter & the late Ellen Barbara Nicolopoulos nee Frisch. Tai, 32, is director of marketing programs at JW Player, a NYCbased online video start-up. She holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in psychology from Stanford University. While there, she grew active in the Jewish community, studied modern Hebrew and became a b’nei mitzvah at Stanford Hillel. Kevin, 33, is an associate specializing in white collar criminal defense and government enforcement at the NYC law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. After graduating from UC Davis with a B.A. in philosophy and a B.S. in neurobiology, physiology and behavior, he received his Juris Doctorate from Columbia University School of Law where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. A graduate of Congregation Beth David Hebrew High and South Bay Area Diller Jewish Teen Leadership Group, Kevin served as president of Hillel and Jewish Student Union at UC Davis. There, he was also active with Aggies for Israel and he participated in a political advocacy trip to Israel mission where he met with members of the Knesset. Kevin served on boards of the SF and NYC Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where he was a top fundraiser throughout his years of marathon and triathlon competitions. He currently serves of the boards of the San Francisco Health and Environmental Resource Center, the Black Coalition on AIDS and the Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness. The couple met on JDate in San Francisco in 2011. A fall wedding in California is planned though the couple will make their home in NYC where they both work. Talia Salzman and Frank Schiff announced their engagement on October 30. They met at Yavneh Day School and were active together in USY as teenagers. They rekindled their friendship during college and fell in love. Frank graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD where he majored in political science and English; Talia graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada; she also earned a Masters in public health at the University of Illinois. Talia is working as a technology health consultant at Intrepid Ascent. Frank is an account executive at DemandForce, a division of Intuit. Talia is the daughter of Marina & Michael Salzman of Saratoga; the Salzman family belongs to Congregation Beth David. Her grandmother, Zinaida Kharag
lives in San Francisco. Frank’s parents, Amy & Daniel Schiff, are long time members of Congregation Sinai as are his maternal grandparents, Alfred & Ruth Sporer. His paternal grandfather, Edward Schiff, lives in Boca Raton, FL. A wedding date has not been set. Eli Reinhard and Jeanette Garretty of Congregation Sinai have announced their engagement to be married on a date in the near future.
WEDDINGS Candice Solomon & Ben Tilles were married on May 17 at the Meadowood in Napa. She is the daughter of Lauren & Trevor Solomon of Irvine, CA and he is the son of April & Steve Tilles of Saratoga. The couple will be living in Los Angeles.
Ari Joshua Fine, son of Renee & Howard Fine of Beth David in Saratoga, married Elizabeth Katja Kate Edelman, daughter of Debbie Sosland Edelman & Alan Seth Edelman, on June 14 at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts in Kansas City. Ari is the grandson of Shirley Fine of Brentwood, and William Fine of Carlsbad, CA, Peggy & Lawrence Giraudo of San Jose and Don Halstead of San Carlos. He is a graduate of Yavneh Day School and Lynbrook High School. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at Columbia University. He now works at Google in Mountain View. The bride is the granddaughter of the Neil Soslands of Leawood, KS and Dr. & Mrs. William Edelman and the late Doris Edelman of Overland Park, KS. She is a graduate of Hyman Brand Hebrew School, served in the Israeli Defense Forces and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at Columbia University. The couple will be living in San Francisco. Sameya Helen Gewirtz & Nicholas Graydon Pasquale were married on August 2 in Woodside, CA. They were married by Rabbi Janet Marder, senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Am. Rabbi Lisa Levenberg of Congregation Shir Hadash, a friend of the couple offered them a special blessing during the ceremony. The couple was married under the chupah made from the tallis of the bride from her Bat Mitzvah. The ceremony and reception were held in the backyard of a dear friend and the couple was surrounded by their closest friends and family. The best man was their 3-year-old son Johnny. The family resides in San Jose. Please send announcements and photos to Andrea Greyber at andrea.greyber@gmail.com or phone her at (408) 377-6224.
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l cal news
Anna Budman named to PJ Our Way’s Design Team By Arielle Hendel and Jenny Green
You might have heard of PJ Library, the Jewish literacy program which sends free books (or music CDs) monthly to children ages 6 months through 8 years old, but have you heard about PJ Our Way? PJ Our Way is the ‘next chapter’ of PJ Library, providing a thoughtful choice of free chapters books monthly for kids aged 9 through 11 years old. The PJ Our Way program also offers an online platform for children and their parents to learn about the books and review the books. These reviews are most often done by the National Design Team (NDT) members. Last year, as one of the 10 pilot communities for the project launched and funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, we had a NDT member. This year, with the expansion of the program to over 24 communities in North America, we were not guaranteed a position on the NDT. We are so pleased to be able to announce that PJ Our Way in Silicon Valley will be represented this year by Anna Budman. This was a very competitive process this year and we are thrilled to have Anna ‘repping’ us!
Embrace-A-Family this Hanukkah Jewish Family Services invites you to be a part of our eighth annual Embrace-A-Family program, which brings hope and smiles to those in need. Your gifts will help ease holiday pressures and stress for needy families, senior citizens, and adults. Frail, isolated seniors are often overlooked at this time of year. Providing gifts for them is a special mitzvah that will make a huge positive difference in their lives. What you can do to help Look for JFS SV dreidel boards in the community from now through December 18. The boards are at these locations: Levy Family Campus (main and Yavneh/APJCC Preschool lobbies, upstairs at Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley), synagogues (Congregations Beth David, Emeth, Shir Hadash, Sinai; and Temples Emanu-El and Beth Torah), Pars Kosher Market, South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, and Israeli preschools (Gan Ronit and Liat’s Family Home). Purchase the gift on the tag and bring your unwrapped gift to the JFS SV office at the Levy Family Campus, 14855 Oka Rd, Suite 202, Los Gatos. Your gift will bring a smile – and be a blessing - to someone in need. Generosity restores hope for gift recipients Embrace-a-Family restores hope to people in need, and the generosity of our community over the years has been astounding. There are many beautiful and heartwarming stories from this program. Here are a few: Last year, a family seeking asylum from Ukraine was given bikes, Knitzvah caps and blankets, and toys; Several seniors received diabetic socks, warm blankets, comfortable shoes and portable heaters which made them feel much more comfortable during winter; Children who received gifts with their favorite characters and nice outfits felt special and loved. It brought joy to their unpredictable lives; Job seeking refugees received bicycles that were a tremendous help in looking for work and ultimately commuting to work. Embrace-A-Family brings the community together
Anna Budman is 11 years old and in the sixth grade at Union Middle School where she is on the wrestling team. She likes performing in musical theater with Stage Kids California. She is a member of Congregation Sinai and the APJCC. Her favorite book is “Dark Tide” by Jennifer Donnelly.
It’s a wonderful way for people who have much to be thankful for to give to those in need. Parents of preschoolers find that it is an easy way to help young kids understand about tzedakah and tikkun olam. Members of havurot get together and buy gifts or pool their resources for larger requests. Some families incorporate Embrace-A-Family into their family Hanukkah celebrations.
Anna and the other 9 kids in the NDT will meet monthly via Google chat with Saskia Swenson Moss, PJ Our Way program coordinator. They will be talking about the books, making selections for future books in the program, and sharing their book recommendations. Saskia Swenson Moss coordinates this program from Israel. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and their three PJ Library children.
New this year
If you want to see the book reviews, check out the website at www.pjourway.org. You can also use the website to sign up for the program. Need more information, please contact Arielle Hendel, Director of Community Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley at arielle@jvalley.org or (408) 3757501.
Embrace-A-Family now has a Target Gift Registry for those who like to shop online. Wish requests can be found at http://tinyurl.com/JFS-SV2015-EAF. Please pass along information about the Embrace-A-Family Target Registry to family and friends who live out of Silicon Valley. Dreidels to support refugee transportation needs will purchase bus passes and reconditioned bicycles for job seekers who are new to the United States. More ways to help Gift cards (gas station, supermarket and discount department store) for struggling families and isolated seniors help them throughout the year. Embrace-A-Family is a program of JFS’ Project NOAH. For additional information visit www.jfssv.org or contact Lori Cinnamon, Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement at (408) 357-7467 or loric@jfssv.org.
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l cal news Hunger banquet continued from page 25
sandwich, and the largest of the three, the low-income group, has to help themselves to small portions of rice and water. The older students guide the participants through the banquet while teaching them about world hunger issues. “By giving each student an identity with someone in another part of the world, the students personalize what they learn about world hunger,” says Rabbi Melanie Aron. “It is great to see the students get into their roles so deeply. Being served food appropriate to their life condition in their Oxfam identity really helped.” Let us pray that this year’s L’Taken seminar is successful, that our teens will lobby eloquently, knowledgeably, and convincingly, such that our lawmakers on Capitol Hill are inspired to work for an end to hunger in the world. You can learn more about Oxfam America’s Hunger Banquets and how you can get involved at http:// www.oxfamamerica.org/take-action/events/hungerbanquet/. To find out more about L’Taken and these life changing Reform Jewish teen seminars go to http://www.rac.org/what-ltaken.
Yiddish instruction: evoking a rich cultural heritage At Congregation Emeth, Morgan Hill, adult students in the Yiddish class are finding themselves recalling many Yiddish phrases from their childhood, especially when their parents and grandparents did not want them to know what was being said: “Shtil, di kinder.” (“Quiet, the children!”) As adult learners, they are discovering Yiddish is much more than funny phrases or the language our parents used when they did not want us to know what they were talking about to each other. It encompasses an enormously rich history of literature, theater and music. Students are learning the Yiddish vowels, alphabet, grammar and syntax in addition to reading and conversation. The Yiddish classes are part of Congregation Emeth’s innovative and varied adult education programming for 2015-2016, available to members and non-members at the 80-family congregation in South County. Other offerings include an ongoing Mussar class, now in its second year, and “Emeth Reads,” a long standing book club, and more. Later in the year, adult beginning Hebrew and Ancient Jewish civilizations will be offered as well. “We offered this class in response to requests from members,” said Donna Weisblatt, coordinator. “We were pleased with the number of adults who registered, including a freshman college student!” The resurgence of Yiddish is evident on college campuses, such as Stanford and UC-Santa Cruz where the class instructor, Jon Lewtow--aka Rev Yankl--also teaches with knowledge, levity and flexibility. For more information about Congregation Emeth and its schedule of adult education offerings, go to www.Emeth.net, or call the temple at (408) 778-8200.
Experience it all at the JCC! Join us for Jewish education, enrichment classes, fitness, aquatics, camp, preschool,cultural programs, and much more.
Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley Levy Family Campus
14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 408.358.3636 | info@apjcc.org www.apjcc.org
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Diane Fisher receives Mahatma Gandhi Award By Arielle Hendel On September 12, 2015, Diane Fisher was awarded the 2015 Hindu American Foundation (HAF) Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism at the HAF Annual Northern California Gala Dinner. Diane Fisher is the Director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. In this role, Diane works with many of the faith based communities in the valley including The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) presented the the Hindu community. This award 2015 Mahatma Gandhi Award for the advancement of is given to individuals who have religious pluralism to Diane Fisher, Director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation demonstrated a commitment to of Silicon Valley (third from left), and to Yogacharya furthering the cause of religious Ellen Grace O’Brien, Spiritual Director of the Center for pluralism and respect.
and supporting interfaith dialogue. Mihir Meghani, M.D., HAF Co-Founder and Board Member shared that "Diane has been instrumental in strengthening interfaith relations and increasing interreligious understanding between the Jewish and Hindu communities."
Diane is held in high regard by those with whom she forges lasting bonds in our Silicon Valley community. Samir Kalra, Esq., Senior Director and Human Rights Fellow at HAF shared, "we were honored to bestow this award for Diane's unselfish dedicated work for bringing communities of different faiths together. " Marcie Gerston, JCRC Co-Chair, stated, " I cannot think of anyone who is better Spiritual Enlightenment (second from left). The Pride of suited to get this award than Diane. the Community Award was given to San Jose City Council Diane's work with the HAF is illustrative This award was given to Diane member Ash Kalra. The awards were presented at the of the tremendous work with other faith for her understanding of the HAF Gala at the Indian Community Center on September communities and the relationships she challenges and unyielding support 12, 2015, with 500 participants present. builds." Adding to her accolades, Jyl of the Hindu American community particularly around the issue of Jurman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley stated, "Diane works tirelessly for the betterment textbook bias and other issues at the local, state, and national of our local community and understanding for all its citizens." level. It also recognizes her work in the Silicon Valley Interfaith Religious Council and her commitment to religious pluralism
YOUNG READERS’ FORUM with author Erica Perl!
MEN’S NIGHT OUT
texas hold ‘em tournament saturday, january 30, 2016 6:30-10 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 will be available. Prizes to all who make the final table and the top three places plus an engraved bracelet for the winner! CHAIR: RICK TAVAN
Sunday, January 10 from 3-4 pm Location: Wherever you want to be since this will be live online!
Levy Family Campus 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos Contact: MichelleN@jvalley.org or 408-357.7508
Register at jvalley.org ®
Join us for our first forum with Erica Perl, author of When Life Gives You OJ and Aces Wild! Host your neighbors for hot chocolate and a skype chat with this PJ Our Way Special Author. Others in the series Join the kids in your area who have been will include: Steven Spielman, Karen Goldman and Hilary Price. RSVP enjoying PJ Our Way, the newest chapter of required to ensure tech compatibility prior to the discussion. FREE! PJ Library for kids ages 9-11! Arielle Hendel arielle@jvalley.org or 408.357.7501 Jvalley.org/PJLibrary
®
Sign up at pjourway.org 26
Choose a free book each month
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LILLIAN SILBERSTEIN June 6, 1927 – July 20, 2015
Lillian Tinter Silberstein of Los Gatos was born in Washington, D.C. to Harry Tinter and Anna Weintraub Tinter. She attended George Washington University before moving west with her family. Lillian moved to Los Angeles in 1947, where she met Harold (Hal) Silberstein. They were married in 1948 and moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1958 while Hal attended graduate school at San Francisco State. They raised their three children in Cupertino. Lil was a talented artist who studied art and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Jose State University in the early 1970s. After completing her degree, Lil volunteered with the Anti-Defamation League before taking a job with The National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ) in 1971. NCCJ’s mission – fighting bias, bigotry and racism and promoting understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures – was a good fit with Lil’s values and interests. She was deeply affected by the loss of her grandparents and extended family, victims of the Holocaust, and committed herself to doing everything she could to fight the ignorance and hatred that motivated the Nazi atrocities. Over the next 30 years, she took the Silicon Valley Chapter of NCCJ from an office of a single part-time person to a dedicated staff of over 40 people and a distinguished Board. With her colleagues at NCCJ and religious leaders from throughout the region, she developed programs that reached thousands of young people and community members, bridging divides between diverse groups and increasing tolerance and understanding. She is known for her dedication and passion to promote dialog among the diverse faiths of this Valley. Lil was the daughter of immigrants. She had a deeply ingrained sense of justice and a fierce determination to right the wrongs she saw when people were treated unfairly or when discrimination reared its head. Lil received many honors and accolades over her career, all of which she took in stride. Among the honors: an Honorary Doctorate in Community Service from Santa Clara University; the Distinguished Achievement Citation from the County Bar Association; the Legacy Medal of Honor from the San Jose Medical Center; the Urban League’s Whitney Young Award; the Baha’i Community Service Award; and the Antioch Baptist Church Outstanding Service Award. She was honored by the NAACP with a lifetime membership. She served on the Parole Board and the Civilian Review Board for the San Jose Police Department, and many other volunteer boards. Lil leaves her three children, Mark, Pam and Kurt; their spouses, Jane, Steve and Robyn; and her beloved 6 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Hal Silberstein. Contributions in her memory can be directed to the successor to NCCJ – Silicon Valley FACES, www.svfaces.org.
obituaries ROSALIE SOGOLOW
August 25, 1939 – October 30, 2015 Rosalie Sogolow was born and raised in Chicago. She and her husband, Sid Sogolow, met when they were 13. She became a teacher; he became a physician and served in the military. After they married, they moved to the Bay Area in 1969 where they lived until 2011 when they moved to Irvine to be closer to their children and grandchildren. She died in southern California following a long illness. Rosalie “Cookie” had a beautiful singing voice and was part of a musical group “Side by Side”; not only did she sing, she also wrote music for the group. During the 1980s the gates of the Soviet Union swung open and Jews were allowed to leave. The infrastructure for their assimilation into American life was just beginning in San Jose through the newly formed Jewish Family Services. Cookie volunteered to teach a six-week ESL summer program in San Jose for elderly Russian Jewish émigrés. That program became a year-round program which is still going strong today. She gathered memories of favorite foods from her students and published “Memories of a Russian Kitchen.” This book was sold and all proceeds went to JFS. She went on to write her own memoir “Empty the Ocean with a Spoon.” She was an active JFS board member and served two terms as president. She is mourned by her daughter Wendi (Barry) Fast, her son Larry (Debbie) Sogolow and grandchildren Joey, Jacob, Becca, Ben and Sarah. A funeral was held on November 15 in Irvine and a memorial will be held in the Bay Area in 2016. Donations may be made to the Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley in her memory. Please send obituaries and photos to Andrea Greyber at andrea. greyber@gmail.com or phone her at (408) 377-6224.
Home of Peace Cemetery and Mausoleum Founded 1853
Owned and operated by Temple Emanu-El South Bay Area’s only Jewish-owned Cemetery, Mausoleum, and Columbarium. Pre-Need Terms Wayne Rose, Administrator
(408) 266-4184 cemetery@templesanjose.org
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l cal news Teens tackle hunger
“Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” “Justice, justice you will pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). Sitting on the floor and eating beans and rice for dinner, while your friends enjoy better food, at a nicely set table, is the kind of experience that students remember. That is why the 11th and 12th grade L’taken class will be hosting a Hunger Banquet for Congregation Shir Hadash’s 5th and 6th graders, who study Mitzvot Bein Adam LeChavero, mitzvot that are about how we treat one another as human beings, as part of their curriculum. The educational program for teens in 11th and 12th grades at Shir Hadash this year is focused on Jewish Social Teachings. Called L’taken , it gives students the opportunity to attend a program in Washington, DC this winter with 350 other Reform Jewish teens from around the country. In partnership with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), these teens will have the opportunity to impact the political process as they share their views on social justice topics with decision-makers on Capitol Hill. The L’taken program alternates with a program called “Jews Around the World” which includes a service trip to communities outside the US. Past trips visited San Jose, Costa Rica, Panama City, Panama, and Guadalajara, Mexico. In addition to visiting with the local Progressive congregations the teens also do a service project in the community.
WINTER COAT DRIVE GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH
One of the social justice issues the class will focus on this year is hunger and food insufficiency. The United Nation’s World Food Program estimates that there are 795 million undernourished people in the world today, about one in nine people. Hunger and malnutrition is in fact the number one risk to worldwide health. Solving hunger can lead to increased productivity, more educational opportunities, a stronger global economy, peace and stability. The irony of this issue is that there is enough food in the world to feed everyone. The issue is one of international politics and action on better food distribution. Since learning also comes from teaching, they, the 11th and 12th graders, will be teaching the Shir Hadash 5th and 6th graders about this issue through a Hunger Banquet on Sunday, November 22, just prior to Thanksgiving. Hunger Banquets are a model Oxfam America uses to teach about the issue of hunger on a global scale. Oxfam America is a global organization that partners with 16 other member countries to work in over 90 countries around the world. Its mission is to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice. Each younger student at the Hunger Banquet is randomly given an identity, and is assigned to be a high-, medium-, or lowincome person based on poverty data from around the world. The smaller hi-income group is served a plentiful meal, the larger medium-income group is served a simple meal, like a continued on page 25
Netivot Haneshamah:
COLLECTION DATES: NOVEMBER 9 – DECEMBER 9 One of the highest levels of tzedakah is giving when neither party knows the other’s identity. Even a 2-degree drop in body temperature results in reduced heart rate and loss of coordination. Children find it difficult to learn. You can make a difference. New or gently used coats in adult and children’s sizes, along with socks, scarves and hats, are appreciated. Donations can be placed in the bins at the Levy Family Campus or other sponsoring organizations. Questions: diane@jvalley.org, (408)357-7504
CO-SPONSORS: Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Congregation Beth David Congregation Emeth 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 This drive is a collaborative effort of all the sponsoring Jewish organizations, together with Emmanuel Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church, City Team Ministries, NAACP, SiVIC, and One Warm Coat.
Select Shabbat Mornings
At Congregation Beth David Join us for personal exploration of Jewish prayer and learning occurring in tandem with our traditional Shabbat morning service. Info@Beth-David.org
Upcoming Sessions Mindfulness and Meditation Through the Hassidic Lens with Rabbi Greene NEXT: 12/5 10:30am
Know Before Whom You Stand* with Rabbi Baird NEXT: 12/12 9:30am *In Russian
21st Century Torah with Doug Brook NEXT: 12/12 10:30am
Approachable Torah with Rabbi Berkowitz NEXT: 12/19 10:30am
A Learning Minyan: Shabbat Prayer Beyond Standing, Sitting and Bowing with Rabbi Alexander NEXT: 1/23 10:30am OF SILICON VALLEY
Community Relations Council
Congregation Beth David
19700 Prospect Road ● Saratoga ● 408.257.3333 ● Beth–David.org
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Temple Emanu-El
www.jvalley.org for everything Jewish in Silicon Valley
Los Gatos Memorial Park Shalom Garden
Serving the Bay Area Jewish community since 1889 Peaceful, park-like setting overlooking Santa Cruz Mountains
*Pre Plan and receive a discount *Graveside Ceremonies in a serene setting *Upright monuments available *Trained funeral professionals *Traditional caskets and ritual services
Schedule a tour of Shalom Garden and receive a
$25
Viva Restaurant Gift Card!
2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., San Jose, CA 95124
www.losgatosmemorialpark.com
(408) 356-4151 Darling-Fischer Mortuaries Chapel of the Hills 615 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354-7740 FD940
Garden Chapel 471 E. Santa Clara St. San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 998-2226 FD557
Campbell Memorial Chapel 231 E. Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 379-5010 FD898
www.darlingandfischer.com www.jvalley.org
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Creating Sweet Memories in Our Homes. . .
Happy Hannukah
Serving Buyers and Sellers in Diverse Communities of Silicon Valley
Rosa Bencuya
RealtorÂŽ APR-Saratoga Office 408.499.2077 rbencuya@apr.com HomeByRosa.com
The Future of American Diplomatic Leadership in Israel and the Middle East: An Evening With New York Times Columnist Roger Cohen MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 Please join us for an evening with award-
winning New York Times columnist, Roger Cohen, as he explores the ever changing landscape of the Middle East, Israel’s role within it, and what the United States can do to broker a lasting peace in the region.
|
7:30 PM
HOSTED BY
J Street SF / Bay Area Congregation Beth Am 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills, CA
WELCOMING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Martha Amram | Rabbi Melanie Aron | Judy Bloom | Ellen Bob | Shirley Bob | Karen Braverman | Diane Brayman & Rabbi Howie Schneider Molly Freeman | Marci & Joel Gerston | Gordon Gladstone | Yonkel Goldstein | Stephanie Grossman | Lorri Holzberg Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann | Len Lehmann | Margot Parker & Joel Spolin | Teri Perl | Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit | Eric Rosenblum Ceevah Sobel | Carol & Terry Winograd | Laura Yecies
RSVP jstreet.org/rogercohensf
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Jewish Professional Directory Attorneys Christl Denecke
“Helping you plan for your family’s tomorrow at every stage of your life.” 1743 Pilgrim Avenue Mountain View, CA 94040 (650) 336-5185 Christl@DeneckePlanning.com www.DeneckePlanning.com Family Wealth Planning • Living Trusts • Special Needs Trusts • Estate Planning for Young Families Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families
Judith Navi Douglass
Douglas P. Barnes, APLC 210 Almendra Avenue Los Gatos, CA 95030 408.395.4800 judy@dougbarneslaw.com www.dougbarneslaw.com Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate & Medi-Cal Planning
Audiology
Marriage and Family Therapy
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 drnovick@siliconvalleyhearing.com siliconvalleyhearing.com Our Doctor of Audiology’s own experience with hearing loss led her to help others improve their hearing and well-being. Our services include comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid consultations, balance assessments, and tinnitus evaluations and management.
Commercial Real Estate
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 3880 S.3880 Bascom Ave., Suite 216 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 216 San Jose, 95124 SanCA Jose, CA 95124 408 596-4810 408 596-4810 Web: janiceleeshapiro.com Web: janiceleeshapiro.com Welcomes individuals, couples and families Welcomes individuals, couples and families No. LMFT86051 LicenseLicense No. LMFT86051 j
Real Estate & Financial Services
Miri Bialik BRE:01164715
Real Estate Broker Associate at Intero Real Estate Services A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate Eco Broker,*Senior Residents Specialist* Zillow Premier Agent* Top Producer. Office: 650-947-4672 Cell: 408-315-6555 Always at your service
Guggenheim Group
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.
595 Millich Drive, Suite 200, Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 871-8722 www.guggenheimrgi.com Commercial Real Estate Property Management, Investments, Sales and Leasing. Allen Guggenheim & Stephen Guggenheim
Financial Services
Shannon Stein
Law Offices of Shannon Stein 438 South Murphy Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 774-9097 shannon@shannonsteinlaw.com www.shannonsteinlaw.com Family Law Attorney, specializing in dissolutions, child custody, child support, mediation, restraining orders, limited scope representation, postjudgement issues.
Carol Elias Zolla
Janice L. Shapiro Janice L. Shapiro
888-360-3337 Orna@ORNA.com www.ORNA.com Full Service Discount Commission Realty Broker/Owner BS, MS, MIS, Finance www.aDiscountRealty.com • 1% Listing Broker Commission • I pay all my Buyer’s Closing Costs* • Free Appraisal & Home Warranty • JCC Donation per Transaction 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
Senior Services 10 Almaden Blvd., 15th Floor, San Jose, CA 95113
16450 Los Gatos Boulevard, Suite 209, 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.
Orna & Ruben Yomtoubian
www.werbarubin.com
Buying or Selling a Home shouldn't be like finding your way through a Maze
Let the Urban Team show YOU the way! Call today 650.305.1111 &/or join Avi’s real estate seminar
650and408homes.com
Avi Urban | CalBRE# 01485729 | EE, Real Estate Consultant
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 Leonard W. Williams, CPA
A Professional Corporation 1307 S. Mary Ave., Suite 250; Sunnyvale (408) 736-1566 www.LWWilliamsCPA.com Leonard W. Williams, CPA, Bruce Pajak, CPA, Brenda L. George, EA, T. Patricia Cohen, 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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COME LIGHT THE CANDLES WITH US
Celebrate Hanukkah with the Silicon Valley Jewish community at Santana Row.
LIVE MUSIC WITH LIOR BEN-HUR, HANUKKAH CANDLE LIGHTING & MORE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015
3:00-5:00 pm • Park Valencia (near Starbucks)
FREE! Info: www.jvalley.org ® OF SILICON VALLEY