It is easy to see that no one has a monopoly on extremism any longer, which makes the whole place a pow-der keg. Jerusalem, Ir Shalem, the City of Peace, seems to be the epicenter of its opposite: hatred, oppression, and violence.

Circle back to Rabin, of blessed mem-ory. He knew that a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital and access to the Temple Mount, would be a necessary condition for the survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Though many claim the dream is dead, the facts on the

The month of November is framed by recent tragedy and old time thanksgiving. It begins with the anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination 20 years ago and concludes with our celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. In good Jewish tradition, we begin with tragedy and end with joy.

Much has changed in the world since that sad day when Rabin was felled by a murderer’s bullet. The hopes he held for peace in the Middle East seem shattered. Not only has the whole area blown up in the flames of religious extremism, the very struggle for Israel’s continued existence is now being challenged by turning a political conflict into a religious one. The politics were difficult enough; the religious conflict may prove intractable.

As I write these lines, UNESCO has temporarily erased a clause in yet another anti-Israel resolution declaring the Western Wall (the Kotel) in Jerusalem a Muslim religious symbol, denying a Jewish connection to this site that for generations has been the “go to” place for our longings for a Zion rebuilt. Under that headline, there lies another one: Ateret Cohanim, a Jewish religious-nationalist organization that seeks the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, has purchased yet more homes in the Arab neighborhood of Silwan, denying the Palestinians living there the rights to their deeds, in an attempt to erase the presence of non-Jews around the Temple Mount.

December 2011Kislev / Tevet 5772

November 2015Cheshvan / Kislev 5776

Rabbi Roberto Graetz

From Tragedy to Hope

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ground declare otherwise: the less viable a Palestinian state on the West Bank becomes, the less likely the chance of a demo-cratic state of Israel, and the greater our settlement in all of the land, the less likely the chance of a Jewish state in the long run. We can argue back and forth on every little detail and even agree or disagree on who is at fault and who is to blame, but at the end of the day we are going to see a two state solution or a binational state that eventually will be neither Jewish nor democratic.

Let us not forget to be thankful for Rabin’s legacy. The assas-sin killed the man – one of the last true leaders – and delayed the realization of the dream but not our aspirations for a time of peace and bridge-building yet to come. As we get closer to Thanksgiving – remembering that the pilgrims modeled the festival after our Feast of Booths, Sukkot – we go back to Jewish history. Some say that Chanukah was a delayed celebra-tion of Sukkot, postponed because of the pagans’ presence in the Temple halls. As soon as the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, our eight-day festival began.

It is a time for thanksgiving: for the blessings in our lives, for living at a time when Israel is reborn and prosperous, and for not letting go of the dream of better times when Jerusalem will once again be a City of Peace. Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu … Yes, peace will come one day.

Rabbi Roberto GraetzRabbi Graetz leading the dancing at our Simchat Torah celebra-tion on October 4.

for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org2 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015

TEMPLE ISAIAH

945 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549Temple Isaiah’s mission is to embody, enhance, and perpetuate our Jewish tradition by providing a welcoming spiritual home where the membership gathers to worship God, study Torah, engage in acts of Tikun Olam, participate in Jewish rituals and life cycle events, and experience the joy of being a part of a caring community.

President David Douglas

Executive Vice President Jasmine Tarkoff

Vice President Tony Crea

Vice President Dan Myers

Secretary Karen Goldberg

Treasurer Steve Lipson

Parliamentarian Robert Goldberg Phone Ext

Rabbi Roberto Graetz 308

Rabbi Judy Shanks 308

Associate Rabbi Alissa Miller 308

Rabbi Emeritus Shelley Waldenberg 308

Cantor Leigh Korn 308

Executive Director Debbie Kirsch 301

Education Director Rabbi Nicki Greninger 313

Gan Ilan Director Liz Kaufman 108

Youth Director Jory Gwasdoff 311

Membership Abby Seitelman 306

Facilities Rental Michaela Caughlan 303

Librarian Melissa Gianotti 316

Clergy Secretary Nina Jones 308

Education Asst. Deb Phillips 315

Gan Ilan Asst. Jeanette Woskow 109

Comm. & Dev. Dir. Jen Boxerman 310

Hebrew Tutor Joel Siegel 318

Office Staff Sonia Das 300

Bookkeeper Sherry Tsai 302

Office 925-283-8575

Fax 925-283-8355

Religious School 925-284-9191

Gan Ilan Preschool 925-284-8453

Gift Shop 925-284-4933

Website www.temple-isaiah.org

Ruach Vol. 64, No. 04, November 2015

Ruach is published monthly except in July by Temple Isaiah. Ruach is breath, wind, or spirit. It also means soul. May it be a breeze of fresh Jewish spirit arriving at your home.

Editor Judy Lipsoneditor.ruach@temple-isaiah.org

Photographer Michael Fox

Copy Editor Neal Modelevsky

Goodbye and Thank You to Nathan Bellet

Last month, we said good-bye to Nathan Bellet, our longtime education department assistant, who has taken a new job. Nathan worked at Temple Isaiah for over 11 years during which he sup-ported all our youth and

education programs including JQuest, Noar Night, Camp Kefli, Kulanu, youth groups, and adult education classes, and was a great help to everyone at the temple in IT matters. We honored Nathan at our Sukkot Shabbatarama on October 2 and presented him with a gift from the temple at JQuest on October 11, his last day at Temple Isaiah. We are all grateful to Nathan for his many years of dedicated service to our community and wish him well in his new position.

Please join us in wel-coming back Deb Phillips as our interim education assistant. A lot of you will remember Deb who worked at Temple Isaiah for many years in a variety of roles. You can contact her at debp@temple-isaiah.org or 925-284-9191.

Assistant Rabbi SearchWe are pleased to announce the formation of a committee to search for an assistant rabbi to join our clergy team following Rabbi Graetz’s retirement. Serving on the com-mittee are co-chairs Jill Douglas and David Matz, clergy members Rabbi Judy Shanks and Cantor Leigh Korn, and committee mem-bers Sandy Anderson, Dave Bressler, Kendra Fried, Dan Greenberg, Karen Maas, Neal Modelevsky, and Jeff Rosenthal.

The committee members represent a cross section of Temple Isaiah’s diverse commu-nity and were selected for their unique perspectives and their connections to the temple, as well as their personal and profes-sional backgrounds.

The search committee’s goal is to recom-mend a candidate to the board of directors by March for approval pursuant to the temple’s bylaws. If the board approves the committee’s recommendation, and the can-didate accepts, the new assistant rabbi will start around July 1, 2016.

As the search progresses, we will keep the congregation informed with occasional emails and articles in the Ruach.

Multi-Faith ThanksgivingLet’s gather togeth-er with our neigh-bors in Contra Costa County for a special Thanksgiving cele-bration on Sunday, November 22, at 4 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels

Episcopal Church, located at 2925 Bonifacio Street in Concord. It is an opportunity to give thanks for our blessings and be in commu-nity with others in the Multi Faith ACTION Coalition. Clergy from all over the county will participate, with our own Cantor Leigh Korn leading a multi-faith choir. Find inspi-ration, share gratitude, and commit to con-fronting poverty in an uplifting and informa-tive service. Refreshments will be served.

This event is sponsored by the Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition, Contra Costa County residents working together to address the root causes of poverty through advocacy and public policy change. Our shared values and our experiences as faith groups provid-ing food, shelter and other services make us strong voices for those in need. For more information, email contactmfac@gmail.com.

Deb Phillips

Nathan Bellet

Smiles and s’mores for the Gray family at the Kulanu camping trip in October. What’s Kulanu? See Rabbi Miller’s article on page 9.

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Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 3www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information

NEWS AND INSPIRATION

Hot Topic Shabbat With Rabbi Shanks Friday, November 20

6:30 p.m. Shabbat service followed by dinner and

discussion of

The Road to Character by David Brooks

$12 per person for dinner

catered by Yalla Mediterranean

RSVP at www.temple-isaiah.org/hottopic

Save these dates for our other Hot Topic Shabbats:

Friday, January 19, with Rabbi Graetz

Friday, April 15, with Cantor Korn

Cantor’s Concert Sunday, January 10

At 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Remembering Yitzhak Rabin“Yitzhak Rabin: His Life, Death, and Legacy,” a community-wide sympo-sium marking the 20th anniversary of his assassination, will take place on Sunday, November 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of the East Bay, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. The program is a presentation of the Federation and Lehrhaus Judaica and features panel discussions and work-shops with leading scholars and his-torians, including Amos Guiora, Zohar Avigdori, and Fred Rosenbaum. Temple Isaiah is among the many area Jewish organizations sponsoring the event.

Yitzhak Rabin, the fifth prime minister of Israel, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (with Shimon Peres and Yasir Arafat) in 1994, and signed a peace treaty with Jordan that same year. In 1995, Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish Israeli following an appearance at a peace rally attended by over 100,000 in Tel Aviv.

The event will conclude with Dror Israel’s interactive, multime-dia Rabin exhibit and a reception.

The event is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration is strong-ly recommended. www.lehrhaus.org

Yitzhak Rabin

Welcome New Members September 12 – October 11, 2015

Please see your printed copy of the Ruach for this month’s new member listing.

Jackie Nissim, Beryl Silver, Wendy Holcenberg, and Karen Tarkoff at Women of Isaiah’s kick off dinner on October 12.

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for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org4 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015

Reverse CommuteA long time ago in a land far away lived a little girl who had no idea that Jews were a minority because she was surrounded by a loving nation in which everyone is like mishpacha – family. If you told that little girl that one day she would leave Israel or “descend from the country,” as Israelis call it, she never would have believed you. Why? Because her paternal grandfather sur-vived the Holocaust to make a Jewish home in Israel; because her maternal grandfather escaped the Soviet Union, walking all the way from Bukhara to Israel to make a home in the Promised Land; and because on Passover, we always recite “Next Year in Jerusalem,” and, as Jews, have only one real home in the world. Leaving Israel seemed a betrayal of all that.

You probably guessed it: that little girl was me. And yet, as I sit here in sunny California I am able to write these words “guilt free.” It is not that I have turned my back on Israel or that Israel is not forever my home. It is because I have now found another home where I am no less Jewish, right here in the US.

When I moved here over 20 years ago, I was heartbroken. As a teenage girl I left behind everything I knew to come to a new county with a language I was embar-rassed to speak and a culture that seemed to me nothing short of absurd. I was devastated because, as a high school student, I already knew exactly what I wanted to do in the army and was working towards it. I did not want to leave my country. And so I promised my beloved Israel and myself that I would soon return, that the move to New Jersey was a temporary one.

As time went by, English was no longer a barrier for me, and I was so accustomed to the American culture that going back and visiting Israel made me view Israeli culture in a whole new light – and not always a very flattering one at that. Yet in my heart I still felt guilty to be happy here, comfortable in my new home. I couldn’t even think about one day raising Jewish kids outside of Israel and still had every intention of returning home.

I knew I had assimilated to life here when my friends were not just Israeli, Hebrew speakers, or Jewish; when I visited Israel and yearned to come back to the big roads and air-conditioned hous-es; and when I enjoyed people smiling and greeting each other with “have a good one” in the grocery store, no longer feeling that it was superficial, but rather pleasant and polite. It was then that I met Mr. Smith – my husband, Joshua – and was finally ready to put the fantasy of my eventual return to rest. My husband, who is as American as apple pie, would have a hard time surviving the rough exterior of the Israeli culture (which actually is very sweet on the inside, as the name sabar, cactus fruit, would suggest).

Deciding to stay in the US permanently transformed my think-ing and made me appreciate that I have made a reverse commute. I realized that in the years I have lived here, I have changed from being a complete khilonit (a nonobservant Israeli) to becoming a much more observant Jew. Leaving Israel may have distanced me from the land, but it has brought new meaning into my heart

about being Jewish. I was finally able to admit that I was happy and had a real Jewish home outside of Israel.

Unlike my younger self, our kids are very aware they are a minority. Often they are the only Jewish kids in their class, espe-cially since our move to the Bay Area two years ago. Yet that has not prevented them from developing a Jewish identity that is just as strong as mine. They feel proud of their heritage and connect-ed to the Jewish community and to Israel. They may not breathe the air of Israel or be surrounded by our ancestors’ language, but they don’t fall short of their Israeli counterparts in feeling Jewish or in having a sense of belonging to their community.

As I celebrate the all American holiday of Thanksgiving this year, not with a turkey shawarma “rotisserie-ing” in the streets of Tel-Aviv, but with the whole turkey accompanied by the bright orange colors of pumpkins, I am thankful for living in this country as a Jewish-Israeli-American. I am thankful for finding the community of Temple Isaiah where a bit over a year ago my family was welcomed with open arms and smiling faces to our very newest vibrant Jewish home. And within this new home, I am thankful for finding a treasure – the Israel & World Jewry Committee – where I found many people like me, Israel-lovers with varying opinions and passionate spirits. I invite all of you to come join the committee as we rally for Israel and focus on the positive things she has to offer. If you cannot make it to our meetings, I encourage you this Thanksgiving to invite Israel into your heart.

Keren Smith, Israel & World Jewry Committee Member

Keren Smith

ISRAEL AND WORLD JEWRY

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Yizkor Elohim October 12, 2015

Joanne Lee Blum, mother of Katie Berryhill (Jon), grandmother of Brian and Deanna Berryhill.

October 18, 2015Lawrence Newman, father of Lisa Tucker (Douglas), grandfather of Belinda and Lucas Tucker.

www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 5

COMMUNITY

On October 13, Anshei Isaiah joined the Israel and World Jewry Committee and Women of Isaiah in sponsoring a program on campus anti-Semitism. Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, co-founder of the AMCHA Initiative, presented a compelling picture of what is happening at some colleges that is negatively affecting Jewish students and what AMCHA and other organizations are doing to combat it. Also in October, Anshei Isaiah sponsored Monday Night Football at Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek. While the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens were bashing each other around, we drank, ate, and enjoyed each other’s company – a great guys’ night out!

More great events are on tap. Game Night at Dave Solomon’s house on Saturday, November 21, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. is a guys only event that features grilled burgers and dogs with all the fixings, dessert, beer, wine, and soda. Participate in a pool tournament, play poker, or hang out with old friends and have an opportunity to make new ones. This event is limited to the first 25 men who sign up. www.temple-isaiah.org/ansheievents

We’re making our third annual trip to Oracle Arena for Golden State Warriors Jewish Heritage Night on Wednesday, December 16, at 7:30 p.m. to see the World Champion Warriors take on the Phoenix Suns. Our allotment of 60 tickets is going fast. Go to www.temple-isaiah.org/gowarriors to pur-chase tickets.

Our final event of 2015 will be Moo Shu and a Movie on the evening of Thursday, December 24. Mark your calendar and watch for more information.

And don’t miss our 9th Annual Trivia Night fundraiser for our Temple Youth Fund on Saturday, January 23, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner and a challenging game of Trivia created by Scott Danish, our unrivaled emcee. Start organizing your team of friends, family members, havurah, co-workers … everyone is welcome.

Men, you can see some of the many options available to you as an Anshei Isaiah member, so join now and help us continue our good work. www.temple-isaiah.org/joinai.

Joel Willen, Anshei Isaiah President

Joel Willen

Men, Get Involved!As the New Year for Anshei Isaiah gets underway, there are so many different options for men and their families to get involved in temple life.

This past Sukkot twenty men met on a Sunday morning to build the temple’s new and enlarged sukkah, a great idea from Nadav Rave and Dave Solomon. That evening, the new sukkah was the setting for an intergenerational celebration led by Rabbi Graetz, Rabbi Miller, and Cantor Korn, culminating in a wonderful potluck dinner. Plans are being made to encourage more groups to use the expanded sukkah next year.

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To Steven Wolff, son of Marilyn Wolff Goodman and the late David Wolff, on his engagement to Elizabeth Schreiber of Greenwich, Connecticut.

To Sarah and Danny Shapiro on the birth of son Max Pike Shapiro, born September 21, 2015.

To Sherry and Harvey Rowen on the birth of grand-daughter Charlotte Ivy Ross, born October 3, 2015 to Sarah and Grant Ross.

To Karen and Chuck Fiske on the birth of grand-daughter Miriam Rose Bubb, born October 7, 2015 to Lauren Fiske and Johnny Bubb.

To Nina and Jim Meehan on the birth of daughter Meadow Sarah Meehan, born October 12, 2015. Proud grandparents are Vivian and Dave Auslander and Judy and Jim Meehan.

To Jamie Simon-Harris, daughter of Zina Rosen-Simon and Barry Simon, named the next executive director of Camp Tawonga, succeeding Ken Kramarz in 2017. Camp director for the past eight years, Jamie will serve as associate executive director during the transition.

Mazal Tov■

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for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org6 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015

COMMUNITY

WOI Gift ShopThe largest selection of Judaica

east of the Oakland Hills.

945 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549(925) 284-4933

Hours: 4 - 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday,

9am-1pm on Sunday.Or by appointment.

Rosh Chodesh Kislev Please join us on Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. in the Adult Lounge for our first program of the year, featuring All of the Above: Single, Clergy, Mother a one-hour documentary about the nontraditional paths that two rabbis and a cantor took to become single mothers. Tablet says: “Be sure to have a hanky ready ... the candor and sensitivity with which these women speak about these struggles – not just the emotional hurdles they cleared in choosing to become single parents, but the financial ones they still face and the social ones they encounter in being pioneers professionally and personally – is thoroughly rivet-ing and instructive.”

Rabbi Shanks will lead a ritual for welcoming the new month of Kislev, and all of us will have the opportunity to get to know one another better and discuss issues raised by the film that are important to us as Jewish women. All are welcome!

Questions? Email Karen Marriner at kgmarriner@gmail.com or call her at 925-759-3221.

Mah Jongg: The Art of the GamePlease join Women of Isaiah on Sunday, November 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Social Hall for a fascinating presentation by Gregg Swain, co-author of Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game: A Collector’s Guide to Mah Jongg Tiles and Sets. Gregg will discuss the history of the game, the signifi-cance and artistry of the Chinese images, and the American Jewish connection to this popular pastime. She will illustrate her talk with examples of Mah Jongg sets from various periods.

The cost of the event is $5 for WOI members and $7 for non-WOI members. Gregg will be happy to provide information about your set after her talk for a $5 donation to WOI. Signed books will be available for purchase at $24.95.

We’ll have tables set up for displaying sets if you would like to bring yours along, and the Women of Isaiah Gift Shop will host a pop-up Mah Jongg bookstore. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP at www.temple-isaiah.org/woimahjongg.

Gregg Swain

WOI kick off dinner guests Debbie Weinstein, Arlynn Bloom, and Ellen Whittom.

Linda Peters, Kendra Fried, and Kathryn Fireman at Sole to Soul, WOI’s annual kick off dinner. Kendra was the featured speaker at this year’s event.

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www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 7

Why Angel Network?When people ask me why we continue to be members of Temple Isaiah, there are many answers, but when people ask me why we joined Temple Isaiah in the first place, the answer is easy: Angel Network. When my children were four and six, we decided it was time to join a synagogue. We “tested” out sev-eral, and when I found out that Temple Isaiah had a purposeful and ingrained connection to social action, I was sold.

The opportunity to join Angel Network really spoke to me. I have always had a volunteer spirit deep inside me but had not found the outlet or opportunity to serve. We wanted to connect our children to something service-orient-ed, and Angel Network was that connection. Since 2004, Angel Network has been a focus for me. I have served as a volunteer for meals, cards, and visits and as a meals coordinator and am now the Angel Network publicity chair.

If you have not discovered the opportunities for service through Angel Network, I encourage you to contact Jill Jacobson at jj.angelnet@gmail.com or Ruth Willen at rw.angelnet@gmail.com now. I guarantee it is well worth your time.

Ilana Israel Samuels, Angel Network Publicity Chair

Ilana Israel Samuels

Zina Rosen-Simon and Ruth Pettler at the top of Mt. Diablo on SHELTER Inc.’s annual hike in October. Over $135,000 was raised to help homeless families obtain permanent housing.

Shelter Dinners: November 9-13November: a time to give thanks and to give back. Please help us provide a week of healthy and delicious dinners to the cli-ents of Mountain View Emergency Family Shelter in Martinez on Monday, November 9 through Friday, November 13. Women of Isaiah’s social action chairs, Lynn Harrington-Golde and Gail Walden, coordinate this twice yearly ViA Isaiah project and need volunteers to make meals, shop for staples and supplies, deliver food and supplies to the shelter, and be on the serving and clean-up team.

We thank those of you who have already responded to our call for volunteers, but there are still slots to fill. Go to www.temple-isaiah.org/shelterdinners for detailed information, including menus, shopping lists, and volunteer instructions, and sign up today! Contact Lynn at ptlynn@comcast.net or Gail at gail.walden@gmail.com if you have questions.

ViA ISAIAH –– VALUES IN ACTION

Volunteer Now for Winter NightsIf we could provide a place for the homeless where they can be warm and safe at night, keep families together in dignity, provide good food, play games with the children, give presents to all, and let them know that we care, how could we not do this?

When Maynard Lichterman introduced Winter Nights Shelter to Temple Isaiah with those words in the December 2004 Ruach, he could scarcely dream how deeply it would become woven into the fabric of our congregation.

For 12 years, temple members have been incredible, dedicating time, talent and resources to create a holiday haven in our Social Hall and oneg area for homeless families with children. It’s an awe-inspiring mitzvah. We need you to be part of it.

Winter Nights runs from December 20 to January 4, and now is the time to sign up at www.temple-isaiah.org/wn. We’re grateful that over 150 of you have regis-tered online, but we need many more to shop, set up, cook, wash dishes, do laundry, stay overnight, and host activities. Please visit the website to find a date and job that works for you.

We’re super excited – To see guests enjoy homemade meals and dinner crews work their magic. To feel lifted by musicians, storytellers, LAFTY, Kulanu, and, yes, Santa and his excellent elves. To share the nightly circle and the light of Shabbat. To welcome new volunteers and embrace those who return year after year. To be inspired by our guests’ courage and humbled by their gratitude.

We’ll celebrate both Christmas and New Year’s, delivering presents and cheer, as always. The calendar brings a new gift: guests can stay in the shelter 24/7 on Thursdays and Fridays, which means extra meals and rest, and a chance for more activities and excursions.

If you can’t volunteer, consider donating useful items: new toiletries, sleeping bags, and gift cards for gas, BART, Target, and Walmart.

Please look for more details in temple emails and announce-ments. Winter Nights is an integral part of ViA Isaiah’s social action program and is sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. Please contact us with any questions or suggestions at infowinternights@gmail.com.

Above all, we hope Winter Nights will be a sukkat shalom — a shelter of peace — where our guests will find comfort, healing and renewal. May we all strengthen each other, and together be a blessing: “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel.”

Joanne Peterson and Neal ModelevskyWinter Nights Co-Chairs

Neal Modelevsky

Joanne Peterson

8 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org

SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

November 2015 Cheshvan / Kislev 5776

288:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service

Bat Mitzvah (Leigha Miller)

27Office Closed:

Thanksgiving

5pm Tot Shabbat Snack5:30pm Tot Shabbat

Service Followed by Dinner

8pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg

26Office Closed:

Thanksgiving

252423

12:30pm Mah Jongg

7pm P’tach Libeynu for Family Members

30

22JQuest and Adult

Education

4pm Multi Faith Thanksgiving Service

29

218:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service

(Bat Mitzvah: Daniella Yadegar)

6pm Anshei Isaiah Game Night

209:15am Ganeinu

6pm Happy Half Hour Oneg

6:30pm Shabbat Service with Mizmor Band

7:30pm Hot Topic Shabbat Dinner

1910am Neshamah Yoga

12pm Talmud Study1pm TEXTorah Study

188:30am WOI Hike10am My Jewish Baby

4pm JQuest

6:45pm Noar Night7pm Adult Choir

Rehearsal

1710am Neshamah Yoga

12:30pm Writing Workshop

4pm JQuest

7pm Knitting and Handwork

7:15pm Board Meeting

16

7pm Anshei Isaiah Board Meeting

7pm Rosh Chodesh

15JQuest and Adult

EducationMitzvah Day at the

Cemetery1pm Mighty Kleztones

Rehearsal

3pm Mah Jongg Author Event

148:45am Torah Study9:30am Tot Shabbat10:30am Shabbat Service

(B’nai Mitzvah: Gabe Silberglitt and Carmen Horenstein)

13Shelter Dinner Week

8pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg

12Shelter Dinner Week10am Neshamah Yoga

12pm Talmud Study1pm TEXTorah Study

11Shelter Dinner Week10am My Jewish Baby

4pm JQuest

6:45pm Noar Night

10Shelter Dinner Week10am Neshamah Yoga

4pm JQuest

9Shelter Dinner Week

10:30am Women’s Torah Study

7pm Sacred Hebrew Chant and Healing Circle

8JQuest and Adult

Education

1pm Rabin Symposium

3pm Angel Network Tea

2

7pm WOI Leadership Team Meeting

1JQuest and Adult

Education1pm Mighty Kleztones

Rehearsal3pm HaMakom Grief

Support

3

12:30pm Writing Workshop

4pm JQuest

410am My Jewish Baby

4pm JQuest6:45pm Noar Night

5 69:15am Ganeinu

5:45pm Shabbatarama Dinner

6:30pm Shabbatarama Service

78:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat

Service (Bat Mitzvah: Ilana Rubin)

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YOUTH AND EDUCATION

Rabbi Alissa Miller

In publicity for temple gatherings you may have seen the word, “Kulanu,” and asked yourself, “What is Kulanu?” Kulanu means “all together” in Hebrew. After the success of the first Temple Isaiah family retreat about eight years ago, a number of participating families were excited by their experience and were eager to see similar types of programming throughout the year. In a way, they wanted a “youth group” for families. Through that energy we cre-ated a family-oriented group that is about building community and connecting families through informal Jewish programs and activities geared to all temple families with at least one child in kindergarten through 6th grade. It is Jewish family fun.

I have had the great privilege of working with dedicated com-mittee members to create programs that strengthen Kulanu’s vision. Kulanu enhanced the Tashlich experience after the family Rosh Hashanah service by starting a community picnic and creat-ing a family-oriented ritual. We’ve co-sponsored the annual family Chanukah party with Women of Isaiah and this year joined with Anshei Isaiah for the community Sukkot dinner. We’ve partici-pated in Havdalah after an Iron Chef competition and enjoyed Havdalah and square dancing on Western Night. Last month we celebrated reading the creation story as we spent an evening together in nature and camped under the stars. And nothing beats the annual family retreat at Camp Newman.

Rachel Setton, a Kulanu committee member for several years, shares some reflections about her experience:

We always knew we wanted to raise our children Jewish. The reasons for this differ between my husband Dave and me, but overall we agreed to join a temple so that our children would know where they came from, understand the struggles and triumphs of their ancestors, and have the opportunity to experience Jewish culture. We joined the temple for those three simple reasons, nothing more. Technically, JQuest could have provided this to our children without any involvement from us. So today, as we reflect back on the reasons for join-ing Temple Isaiah, we are both surprised and grateful for the things we didn’t expect or ask for: tradition, community, and purpose.

Tradition. Every year our family hikes to the Star of David at Camp Newman during the family retreat. Our kids climb up the hill, and together we yell “Shalom” with a smile. It is an event that we all look forward to.

Community. Every year my husband flips latkes in the kitchen at Isaiah while I dish out turkey and apple sauce with other volunteers. Meanwhile our kids make candles and menorahs in preparation for Chanukah with their Isaiah friends. Instead of wishing they could celebrate Christmas, they ask to bring their friends to celebrate Chanukah.

Purpose. Kulanu forces the family to prioritize our daily lives, disconnect from technology, have meaningful conversa-tions, and volunteer our time. The kids get what they want from us, our undivided attention. What we get is learning, sat-isfaction, and enjoyment because it feels really good to focus

Kulanu: Being All Togetheron the things that matter most.

These events and many others, like the Tashlich service and the campout, provide us a place and time to be who we are with kind and caring people who support us, embrace us, and inspire us. For the kids, these events tell them that being Jewish can be really, really cool. For the parents, we unknowingly become the benefi-ciaries of all the good that comes from the Kulanu programming. Tradition, community, purpose: for me that is Kulanu.

We hope that you will join us for this year’s great Kulanu events.

Rabbi Alissa Miller

Toasting marshmallows and hanging out at the Kulanu camp-ing trip in October.

Upcoming Family Fun with Kulanu

Chanukah Party – Sunday, December 6

Volunteering at Winter Nights – Thursday, December 24

Bowling and Dinner – Saturday, February 27

Family Retreat – Friday, April 15 to Sunday, April 17

Shavuot with Urban Farmers – Sunday, June 12

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for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org10 Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS

Daniel Baron Feed the Hungry Fund

In honor of:The marriage of Nancy and Marc Loewenthal’s

daughter Emily, from Jane and Mark RabinovitzTemple Isaiah’s clergy, from Marcia Liberson

For the yahrzeit of:Reuben Glick, from Bobbi BaronLois Hilman, from Bobbi Baron

Gan Ilan Preschool Fund

In honor of:Cindy Gershen’s special birthday, from Debra and

Jonathan Kalan

General Fund

Donations from:Debbie Goldberg, Herbert and Debra Kleinberger

In appreciation of:Our outstanding clergy, staff, choir, and musi-

cians from Anonymous

In honor of:Evelyn Graetz’s special birthday, from Ruth and

Marvin Epstein, Linda and Milford WaldroupSloan Kleinberger, from Rachel and Jason Burge

In memory of:Irving Frisch, from Michael Frisch Shirley Nankin, from Nan and Rex Andrews,

Joanne GighliottiValezy, Elka, Haim, Lubov, Suma, Gersh, Semon,

Aster, and Getsh, from Anonymous

For the yahrzeit of:Lionel Comaroff, from Nancy and Norman PriceHarriet Fels Farber, from Betsy Fels PottruckMax Kaufman, from Charlotte StolbackDoris Mason, from Linda and Milford WaldroupJack Price, from Nancy and Norman PriceGail Stolback, from Charlotte Stolback

Ivy Blum Memorial Fund

In honor of:Malcolm and Linda Mendelson’s special anniver-

sary, from Marilyn and Seymore HertzAndrea Wagman’s special birthday, from Norman

Hamilton

For the yahrzeit of:Irving Geldin, from Susan Geldin and familyMilton P. Jacobson, from Barbara Bacher and

family

Jacob M. Tarkoff Scholarship Fund

In honor of:Leah Winchell’s bat mitzvah, from Karen and

Mitchell Tarkoff

Angel Network Fund

In appreciation of:The Angel Network, from Charlotte Stolback

In honor of:Jan Trzesniewski’s special birthday, from Penny

KermitTickets for Yom Kippur, from Cori Puma

In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Ann Katzburg, Beverly Kivel

For the yahrzeit of:Molly Berkowitz, from Lillian Berkowitz

Cantor’s Music Fund

In honor of:Benson Joseph blowing the shofar on Rosh

Hashanah, from Arlene and Yale DownesCantor Korn at our wedding, from Sarah and

Brian LandesMarilyn Robinson’s special birthday, from Nancy

and Larry CrevinHarrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan

and Michael Smith

In memory of:Sia Lassauer, from Linda and Milford Waldroup

For the yahrzeit of:Miriam Crevin, from Nancy and Larry CrevinTed Eder, from Margaret and Herbert EderJohn Goldeen, from Jeanie Goldeen Conneran and

Michael ConneranSheldon Harris, from Mildred HauerMary Hull, from Nancy and Larry CrevinMillie Levene, from Karen Maas and Steven

WeinzimmerWilliam Rolnick, from Leah Rolnick-Brunstein

Cantor Ted Cotler Library Fund

In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Cindy Silver

Carlene Berman Flowers Fund

For the recovery of:Jasmine Tarkoff, from Beryl and Ivor Silver

Charles Emold Fund

In appreciation of:Rabbi Greninger’s Kol Nidre children’s program,

from Ellen Emold

In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Joanne and Phillip Peterson

Memorial Plaque Fund

In memory of:Josephine Butschowitz, from Aliza and Peter

MetznerRichard Butschowitz, from Aliza and Peter MetznerEleanor Director, from Melissa and Larry

JakubowitzEnrico Metzner, from Aliza and Peter MetznerIrma Metzner, from Aliza and Peter MetznerHelene Berowitz Weber, from Roberta, Susan, and

Margo Weber and their familiesHoward Bloom Weber, from Roberta, Susan, and

Margo Weber and their families

Prayer Book Fund

In honor of:Faith and Dan Greenberg, from Elaine HighietLorraine Wolf Gold’s special birthday, from Sali

and Paul JohnsonRobin and Steve Rodman’s marriage, from Judy

and Terry Matzkin

For the yahrzeit of:Hy Karsh, from Barbara Reikes

Project Hearth for the Homeless Fund

In memory of:Nancy Price’s father, Henry Weil, from Carol and

Robert Lowitz, Lynn Gitomer and Daniel Weiner

For the yahrzeit of:Gary M. Green, from Lois GreenLawrence May, from Nora, Ken, Scott, and Julie

Fishbach

Rabbi Graetz’s Discretionary Fund

In appreciation of:Rabbi Graetz, from Anonymous, Frances and

Robert Chan, Sandra and Robert Goldberg

In honor of:The wonderful wedding ceremony for Samee

McDannel and Adar Dembo, from Susan Lieber and Thom McDannel

Our wedding, from Samee Lieber McDannel and Adar Dembo

Raquel Guerstein, from Charlotte Nagel and Raul Poniachik

For the yahrzeit of:Janice Blum, from Kim and Mark Drucker

Special Gifts September 1 – 30, 2015 Jacob M. Tarkoff Scholarship Fund, Cont’d

www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, November 2015 11

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS

In honor of, Cont’d:Jorge Echvarria’s special birthday, from Simone

Wexler-HellerThe naming of Sloan Leah Kleinberger, from Lucy

and Joseph FelcherHarrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan

and Michael Smith

In memory of:Irwin Kroot, from Simone Wexler-HellerShirley Nankin, from Alice and Robert Breakstone,

Elaine Highiet, Joanne and Phillip PetersonHenry B. Weil, from Nancy and Norman Price

For the yahrzeit of:Sylvia Cohen, from Barbara Knibbe Harry Muscat, from Angela and Michael Kurtzman

Religious School & Youth Fund

In memory of:Shirley Nankin, from Joanne and Phillip Peterson

For the yahrzeit of:Isaac Lackner, from Anna and Martin LacknerMina Granierer Lackner, from Anna and Martin

LacknerArnold Kravitz, from Mina and Rick KravitzMax Felsman, from Mina and Rick Kravitz

Rabbi Greninger’s Discretionary Fund

In appreciation of:The honor bestowed upon our family at Rosh

Hashanah family services, from Wendy and Craig Buchman

The honor bestowed upon us, from Naomi and Paul Greenstone

Rabbi Miller’s Discretionary Fund

In appreciation of:Our wedding, from Sarah and Brian LandesRabbi Miller, from Courtney Berman and Daniel

Sandman

In honor of:Harrison Smith’s trip to the mikveh, from Susan

and Michael Smith

Rabbi Shanks’s Discretionary Fund

In appreciation of:Rabbi Shanks, from Anonymous, Phyllis Harford

and Steven HallertRabbi Shanks helping move our son into his new

house, from Regina and Simon Yanovsky

In honor of:Robert Cowin’s special birthday, from Simone

Wexler-Heller

Rabbi Shanks’s Discretionary Fund Cont’d Winter Nights Fund

In appreciation of:Arlynn and Craig Bloom, from Martina Janitz

Women of Isaiah Fund

A donation from:Judy and Steve Carney

In honor of:Judy Carney’s work with Ali, from Shari Simon and

Dave ParkerRabbi Graetz’s wonderful High Holidays services,

from Sandy and Dave AndersonCantor Korn’s fabulous High Holidays music and

spirit, from Sandy and Dave AndersonRabbi Miller’s wonderful High Holidays services

and support for our youth, from Sandy and Dave Anderson

Rabbi Shanks’s wonderful High Holidays ser-vices, from Sandy and Dave Anderson

For the yahrzeit of:Joseph Sheldon Goldberg, from Karen and Larry

GoldbergMarjorie Singer, from Sandy and Dave Anderson

Friday, November 6

5:45pm Shabbatarama Dinner6:30pm Shabbatarama Service

Saturday, November 7

8:45am Torah Study 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Ilana Rubin, Bat Mitzvah

Genesis 23:1-25:18, Chayei Sarah

Friday, November 13

8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg

Saturday, November 14

8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Gabe Silberglitt and Carmen Horenstein, B’nai Mitzvah

Genesis 25:19-28:9, Tol’dot

Friday, November 20

6:00pm Happy Half Hour Oneg6:30pm Shabbat Service with

Mizmor Band7:30pm Hot Topic Shabbat Dinner

Saturday, November 21

8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Daniella Yadegar, Bat Mitzvah

Genesis 28:10-32:3, Vayeitzei

Friday, November 27

5:30pm Tot Shabbat8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed

by Oneg

Saturday, November 28

8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Leigha Miller, Bat Mitzvah

Genesis 32:4-36:43, Vayishlach

SHAbbATWorSHIP SErvIcES

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PaidLafayette, CA

94549 Permit No. 30

Timely informaTion enCloSed: PleaSe deliver by november 1

Address Service Requested

945 Risa RoadLafayette, CA 94549(925) 283-8575

Kulanu, Women of Isaiah and the Gift Shop are teaming up for a Chanukah celebration

Family Chanukah PartySunday, December 6

Food, fun and fond memories! Kulanu and Women of Isaiah invite families with young children to join us for a Chanukah party starting at 11 a.m. in the Social Hall.

JQuest families, please attend after your scheduled class. Preschool and non-JQuest families are welcome any time.

Cost is $5 per person. Please bring a new or gently used book to

donate to the Jewish Coalition for Literacy.

RSVP to guarantee enough food at www.temple-isaiah.org/kulanuchanukah

Shabbat Chanukah ServiceFriday, December 11 7 p.m. Favorite Recipe Latke Potluck8 p.m. Service followed by OnegJoin us for a special Shabbat service with Chanukah celebration, and sing along. Remember to bring your chanukiyah to light!

Celebrate Chanukah at the Rink Sunday, December 13, from 4 - 6 p.m.

Temple Isaiah Chanukah celebration at Walnut Creek on Ice with donuts, candle-lighting, and Your Jewish Neighborhood! FREE to attend. $10 per person to skate. We hope to see you there!