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INSIDE

Yesod: Strengthening Our Roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Family Service and Picnic in the Sukkah . . . . . . . . . . 3

New Student Consecration . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Annual Meeting and Great Bagel Taste Test . . . 3

Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Board Nominations . . . . . 5

Thank you from Mike Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Spotlight on Debra Schoenberg and Sam Schuchat . . . . . . . . . . 7

WTS and Brotherhood . . . 8

Technology Update . . . . . . 8

Contributions . . . . . . . . . . 9

Adult Education . . . . . . . . 10

Art at Temple Sinai . . . . . 11

Midrasha and Youth Workshops . . . . . . 12

Youth and Social Action . 13

Lifecycles . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Adopt-A-Family . . . . . . back

www .oaklandsinai .org

Rabbi Dr. Lawrence HoffmanStern Memorial Scholar in ResidenceBeyond Ethnicity: Synagogues, Spirituality, and the Jewish FutureFriday, October 16, 7:30pmMIZMOR SHIR! WITH BOARD INSTALLATION AND DR . HOFFMAN, SANCTUARYBuilders, Baby-Boomers and Beyond: This Your Life, American JudaismSynagogues change and so do we. But before looking at where we go from here, we take a retrospective look at how we got here from there: a nostalgic revisiting of baby-boomers growing up, suburbia and Dr. Spock, marching for Israel and freedom for Refuseniks – and what is left of all that now. This is indeed your life, American Judaism.

Saturday, October 17SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY, 8:30am – 9:30am, ALBERS CHAPELJewish Spirituality Even For the SkepticalYes, Virginia, there is Jewish Spirituality, but it is deep, it is profound, and it comes in the most remarkable places. It constitutes our very core, our deepest sense of self, the “moral space” we know we need to be distinctively human. Here is a short run-through of some forms of Jewish spirituality – in ways that will surprise you.SHABBAT MINYAN 10:00am, ALBERS CHAPELDR . HOFFMAN AT 11:30am (AFTER THE MINYAN), ALBERS CHAPELSpirituality and the Anxious Search for MeaningA bold treatment of the way people think today and why Judaism is going through only its third internal revolution in all of Jewish history. An engaging consideration of such things as modern art and science; how we think anew in the twenty-first century; and how Judaism is changing with us.

Dr. Lawrence A. Hoffman was ordained as a rabbi in 1969, received his Ph.D. in 1973, and has taught since then at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, in New York. Dr. Hoffman co-founded “Synagogue 2000,” a trans-denominational project to envision the ideal synagogue “as moral and spiritual center” for the 21st century. As Synagogue 3000, it has launched Next Dor, a national initiative to engage the next generation through a relational approach featuring strong communities with transformed synagogues at their center.

Rabbi Dr. Lawrence Hoffman

The High Holy Days are just ending, and I hope that all the promise and potential of a new Jewish year still fill our hearts. I truly cherish the special times of personal reflection and communal gathering that culminate with the sound of so many Shofar-blowers of all ages that fill our sanctuary at the conclusion of our N’eliah

service on Yom Kippur. With that triumphant sound, we trust that God has heard our prayers and inscribed us in the Book of Life, and we seal our commitment to change ourselves for the better.

We are not the only ones who transform and change at this time. In fact, the Jewish calendar is fundamentally tied to the agricultural cycles of the Land of Israel, and the changing of the seasons. In ancient times, the People of Israel were expected to make their way back from their places of worship and prepare to go out into the fields for the fall harvest. This is the time of Sukkot, when we are commanded to dwell in our temporary booths just like our ancestors when they camped in the fields.

Growing up in Israel, it was easy to see the link between these holidays and festivals and the seasons of the year. It simply does not rain in Israel between May and September, and it is fitting and necessary for us to add the special prayer for rain soon after the conclusion of the Sukkot festival. The land was often parched by this time, and our prayers naturally reflected the sense of urgency and yearning in a land so often gripped by drought.

Now in California, for the first time in many years, I feel that familiar urgency and yearning. Severe drought and water scarcity have already changed the landscape around us, and threaten many of the comforts we have taken for granted. This is time for radical conservation efforts (many of which were pioneered and designed in Israel), and a time for prayer. In Israel, these two have always gone hand in hand – equal parts of covenant between God and us. We pray that God “bring the rain in its proper season,” but we cannot ignore

our responsibility to cherish and conserve that water when it finally arrives.

In all the years I lived in the East Coast and Midwest before moving to California, I felt far removed from this natural urgency in prayers for water and rain, when neither were ever scarce. It was similarly difficult to teach my religious school students about the meaning behind this prayer, since it invariably meant that I was trying to explain how we were praying for it to rain in Israel – halfway across the world – where thunderstorms have never darkened a summer sky.

And so this year, we have the opportunity to renew our reciprocal covenant with God. We pray that our lands may be blessed with plentiful rain – and commit ourselves to do our part in by conserving and saving whatever we can.

May this be a year of plenty for us all.

Shana Tova!

2 n Temple Sinai n October 2015

FROM THE RABBI’S DESK

TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN (USPS 7053) is published monthly except July and August by the First Hebrew Congregation of Oakland, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland, CA 94609. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA and at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Temple Sinai Bulletin, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland CA 94609-3605.

Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, Senior RabbiIlene Keys, CantorYoni Regev, RabbiSamuel Broude, Rabbi EmeritusSteven A. Chester, Rabbi Emeritus

Mike Baker, PresidentSteve Shane, Interim Executive DirectorSue Bojdak, Director of EducationEllen Lefkowitz, Preschool DirectorLisa Hanauer, Director of Membership &

Communicationst Cantor Keys, Rabbi Mates-Muchin and Rabbi Regev

Yesod: Strengthening Our Roots Temple Sinai is pleased to announce the official name of the capital campaign, Yesod: Strengthening Our Roots, previously referred to as the Centennial Campaign. “Yesod” translates to “foundation,” and it is by stabilizing our foundation that we are able to build a more sustainable future for Temple Sinai. This is an exciting time for all of us as we take decisive action to ensure the vitality of our community for ourselves and future generations by first strengthening our roots.

Thank you to the generous donors who have already given to this campaign during it’s early stages. It is through your support that Yesod has gotten off to such a wonderful start.

WORSHIP

Erev Shabbat Family Picnic and Service in the SukkahFriday, October 2, Picnic at 5:30pm, Service at 6:30pmBring a picnic dinner and blanket, enjoy sukkot arts & crafts, music, and stories. Pray, shake the lulav a little, and wrap it all up with ice cream!

New Student Consecration and Simchat Torah Celebration Sunday, October 4, Pizza dinner at 5:00pm, Service at 5:30pmAs we begin our annual Torah cycle anew at Simchat Torah, we consecrate (make holy!) our new Religious School students as they start their formal Jewish educational journeys. Look for dinner sign-up directions in your Weekly eNews. Have a child entering day school? Contact Sue Bojdak at [email protected] or (510) 451-3263 so we can be sure to include them in our celebration.

Yizkor Service Sunday, October 4, 5:00pm, Albers ChapelJoin us in the chapel for our Simchat Torah Memorial Service.

T’FILAH /PRAYER

Schedule of ServicesFriday, October 26:30pm, Erev Shabbat Family Service in the Sukkah; Upper Courtyard

Saturday, October 310:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the Bar Mitzvah of Albert Countryman; Sanctuary

Sunday, October 45:00pm, Yizkor Service; Albers Chapel

5:00pm, Pizza Dinner; Stern Hall

5:30pm, Erev Simchat Torah Service with Consecration; Sanctuary

Friday, October 97:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service; Albers Chapel

Saturday, October 1010:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the B’Nei Mitzvah of Max and Jaden Laubstein; Sanctuary

Friday, October 167:30pm, Mizmor Shir! Erev Shabbat with Board Installation and Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Ph.D; Sanctuary

Saturday, October 1710:30am, Shabbat Minyan service with guest speaker Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, PhD; Albers Chapel

10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the Bat Mitzvah of Sofia Loucks; Sanctuary

Friday, October 237:30pm, Erev Shabbat; Albers Chapel

Saturday, October 249:15am, Sababa Shabbat, Shabbat for Pre-K – 2nd grade with their families; Albers Chapel

10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the Bat Mitzvah of Ella Herz; Sanctuary

Friday, October 307:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service; Albers Chapel

Saturday, October 3110:30am, Shabbat Morning Service; Albers Chapel

Please join us for the Temple Sinai

Annual MeetingSunday, October 11; Stern Hall

9:00am Coffee and Schmoozing9:30am –11:30am Annual Meeting11:30am The Great Bagel Taste Test

Who makes the best bagel in the East Bay?

THE GREAT BAGEL TASTE TESTSunday, October 11, 11:30am – 1:00pm

(immediately following the annual meeting)

Taste six locally produced bagels (with optional schmears), test your bagel knowledge with Quizmaster Jacob Rubin, thrill to bagel tales with traveling story-teller and author Joel ben Izzy, cheer our celebrity panel as they taste and judge, and enter a raffle to win a bagel making workshop.

Suggested donation is $10 adults, $5 children under 13. All proceeds benefit the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

Underwritten by the Fine Arts Committee on Culture and Community, the Brotherhood of Temple Sinai, and the Women of Temple Sinai.

www.oaklandsinai.org n 3

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESK


EVENTS

Wilderness Torah’s 9th Annual Sukkot on the FarmThursday, October 1 – Sunday, October 4, True Grass Farms in Marin CountyJoin for one, two, or three nights. The main festival will include a multi-generational village, incredible organic kosher food from Hearth Nourishing Foods, Shabbat and Sukkot celebrations, bonfires, movement, meditation, live music from Shamati, special programs for kids and teens, and an ancient Simchat Beit HaShoevah (water-drawing) ritual to honor the waters and call in the rains.

Limited Avodah (work exchange) available. See their website for info on programming, logistics, and more. Other questions? Contact them at [email protected].

Intermediate Adult Bible Hebrew Class with Elaine BachrachWednesday Nights beginning October 7, 7:00pm at Temple SinaiIf you can decode Hebrew and would like to increase your reading fluency and understanding, come join our continuing class of adult learners and recent B’not Mitzvah. This class with Elaine Bachrach will continue exploring prayerbook Hebrew, increasing your vocabulary and introducing you to some elementary grammar chosen to help you decipher the meanings of the prayers we say and sing. Cost for ten sessions is $120 and includes the book. To register, send check to the Education Office marked Adult Hebrew/Bachrach or contact Marcy Walsh at [email protected].

Trivia Night at the New Parkway TheatreThursday, October 15; 7:30pmJoin the Temple Sinai ‘Matzo Balls’ trivia team! Contact Teri Bleckner: [email protected]

Havdallah Hikes Continue in the FallSaturday, October 17; 5:30pmWe meet in Redwood Park, in the last parking lot inside the Redwood Gate. Please join us as we hike the paved path through the trees then return to a picnic area for a short service followed by wine/cheese/snacks (please bring something, if you are able). Please contact Richard Hart at [email protected] for more information. Sponsored by Temple Sinai’s Green Committee.

Sunday Morning Mah Jongg is BACK!Sunday, October 18 & 25, 9:30am – 11:00am in Stern HallFriends, nosh, mahj. All levels welcome (instructors available each week). Learn this Jewish classic while your children study the Jewish classics! Happening nearly every Sunday there is Religious School.

OUT AND ABOUT LGBTQ POTLUCK: Eat, Drink & Schmooze!Friday, October 30th; 6:00pm in Stern HallJoin us for the Out and About LGBTQ potluck ! Store-bought items are fine (except NO Shellfish or Pork). We’ll provide chicken, challah and juice. We need side dishes and dessert.

RSVP with what you can bring to Susan Krauss at [email protected]. Please RSVP even if you don’t know what you’re bringing so we can be sure to have enough tables and chairs set up.

This will be our last potluck until 2016. Bring a guest and double the fun!

The Next ChapterThe Next Chapter is a social group for Temple members who are thinking about retiring or have retired. Two or more members plan a variety of outings, events, gatherings, dinners, lunches, walks, etc. and then invite any other interested members to join in. If you want to think of fun things to do with new and old friends; in small or large groups; inside or out, this is the place for you.

To join, send an email to The Next Chapter at [email protected] or call Lynn Greenberg at (510) 250-9419.

Looking forward to having you join us.

October 3rd, Marines Memorial Theatre, 7:00pm (609 Sutter St., San Francisco)

Followed by interfaith panel discussionTickets range from $50-$125, with $35 discounts (Balcony) & $60 discounts (selected orchestra sections) for groups of 10+

Tickets on sale mid-August through cityboxoffice .com or (415)392-4400

For more information on group discounts, contact Deena Levine, Outreach and Community Manager

(925 451-3556; [email protected])


WORSHIPSPOTLIGHT

Board NominationsThe following congregants have been nominated by the Temple Sinai Nominating Committee to serve their first term on the Temple Sinai Board of Trustees:

Richard Hart has been a member at Sinai since 2000 and has somehow attended over 600 Torah Study mornings. Aside from wrestling with our texts, Richard is also the chair of Sinai Green, the group which brings you Havdallah Hikes, Tu b’shvat seders, clearly marked waste bins, and the

Temple’s Green Business certification. Richard also co-chairs the annual Holiday Dinner Drive with Dan McClosky, which has raised over $1 million for local food banks. Richard is married with one daughter.

Neil Jacobson and his wife Denise have been members of Temple Sinai since 1992. Neil chairs the Access Committee and represents them on the Board of Trustees. He was on the Midrasha Board when their son David attended that program. Neil has presented at several national URJ

conferences as well as at Hebrew University in New York. After 29 years of working for Wells Fargo as a disabled IT professional, he retired as a Sr. Vice President to start a disability-focused employment company that specializes in consulting on staffing and placement issues.

Adrienne Kirschner and her husband Jeff have been members of Temple Sinai since 2011. They have two children, both graduates of the preschool and currently enrolled in religious school. Adrienne served as the chair of the Communications Task Force, and is a past President of the

Preschool Parent Committee. She is currently serving an unexpired term on the board and is volunteering on Temple Sinai’s Capital Campaign/Yesod and Life & Legacy Campaign.

Tom McCleary and his wife Jill have been members of the Temple since 2002. Tom currently serves on the Finance Committee (4 years) as well as the Technology Task Force for the past year. Both of Tom’s daughters received their religious education at Temple Sinai. Tom’s relationship with

Judaism continues to be a journey – starting with meeting Jill, formalizing with his conversion during his second year of Business School in Evanston, IL, and continuing to grow with his commitment to the Sinai community. Tom and his family actively support the Alameda County Community Foodbank. Tom is an executive with Salesforce.com in the Products and Technology group.

Susan Rosenthal has been a member of Temple Sinai with her husband Howie Perlin since 2000. She has served on the Education Committee, Adult Education Committee and Personnel Committee. Her son David became Bar Mitzvah in 2006 and she was part of the Adult B’Not

Mitzvah Group of 2015. Susan went to Israel with Rabbi Chester in 2008 and has taken many classes at Temple Sinai. Professionally she is a union representative for public sector employees and is actively engaged in local progressive political work. The great joy in her life is her year old granddaughter, Lilia.

Joan Waranoff has been a member of Temple Sinai since 1987 where her two children Katherine and Andy attended Religious School. Joan currently serves as Chair of the Technology Task Force and is on the Capital Campaign/Yesod leadership team. She is also a member of

the Development Committee, the Finance Committee and the Administrative Planning Committee. Prior to retirement, Joan worked in the health insurance industry in medical informatics. In her free time she enjoys painting and yoga.

Philip Witte and his family have been members of Temple Sinai since 2003. Phil served on the fund-raising committee for Midrasha, and is a member of both the Temple Brotherhood and a Temple Sinai men’s group. Phil has presented programs featuring his religious-themed cartoons

at Temple Sinai and other synagogues, and has assisted the Temple’s Fine Arts Committee. Daughter Margot graduated from the Temple’s religious school and Midrasha, and served as a student representative on the Midrasha board. Phil’s wife, Rebecca Schnier, is an architect. Phil is also on the Alumni Committee for Princeton University and volunteers for Princeton-in-Asia. In addition to his career as a cartoonist and humor writer, he is a partner at the law firm of Morison & Prough, LLP in Walnut Creek, and has received awards for his pro bono legal work.

In addition, we are pleased to announce that Robert Einspruch and Helena Weiss-Duman are seeking a second term.

Special thanks to the Nominating Committee: Lucy Harris, John Citron, Amy Jo Goldfarb, Estelle Baum, and Larry Magid.



LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Message from our Outgoing President

When I began my Temple presidency three years ago, a veteran congregant told me, “You’ll learn that synagogues are quite unlike other non-profits; almost every member believes he or she is a part-owner.” I’ve thought of that observation often during my term. Unlike contributing to a Jewish museum or social welfare agency, where donors are generally content

to let others chart policy, synagogue donors (remember, through our membership, we’re all donors) regularly weigh in on all matters, large and small – ritual, personnel, operations, programs, kitchens, sound systems, and about everything else you can think of. And that’s how it should be; we’re all part owners. That’s what makes synagogue life, and participating in synagogue life, stimulating and rewarding.

I announced on Erev Rosh HaShana that we are embarking on a new challenge of ownership – a community campaign to complete a plan begun three years ago to retire the mortgage remaining from the dedication of our new campus in 2010. This is part of a larger capital campaign, Yesod: Strengthening Our Roots (previously known as the Centennial Campaign). Our goal is to raise $4 million and we’re already more than half way there. Once our goal is reached, our periodic balloon obligations will be satisfied and we will be positioned to gradually retire the remainder of our mortgage through our annual operating budget. I cannot overstate the importance of this campaign to the long-term financial stability of our Temple.

Over the last three years, many have said with a smile, “Boy, you sure picked the wrong time to be president.” It’s true we’ve had interesting challenges – two senior rabbi transitions, searching for a new assistant rabbi, a significant mortgage to tackle, the departure of our long-time executive director – but the Temple is as strong and vibrant as ever. It’s been an exciting and rewarding time to be involved in Temple life. I have thoroughly enjoyed my term; it’s been a true honor. We are fortunate Sam Schuchat has agreed to contribute his considerable talents and dedication to carry us forward as the Temple’s next president.

As owners, many members donate not only their dollars, but also their time. Over Temple Sinai’s long history, a great many have done so. A synagogue needs the dedication, expertise, time and creative energy of its members to flourish. Over the past three years, the dedication of some has been exceptional and deserves special mention.

Our technology upgrade is in full swing, and none of this ambitious project would have been possible without the leadership of Joan Waranoff. She has literally worked full-time, and overtime, for several months to form and lead a committee of hi-tech gurus to envision a new plan, interface with vendors, and oversee implementation, modifications and testing. Joan’s contribution of time, expertise and sound judgment has been extraordinary.

Louise Epstein has led an initiative to transform charitable giving at Temple Sinai by introducing a culture that properly views philanthropy, not as simply an obligation, but also as a privilege, a mitzvah, that draws us together as a community. Financial support for the Temple is as strong as ever– through annual donations, year-end gifts, the technology appeal, legacy giving, and now the new capital campaign. An essential lifeblood of any synagogue is, of course, member donations. Louise has brought Temple Sinai into the 21st century.

Others also stand out for the time and talent they have devoted to the Temple during my term. Adrienne Kirschner has taken on the challenge of modernizing how we communicate with our members and promote our services and is devoting countless hours to the effort. Seth Rosen and Robin Reiner led an invaluable, top-to-bottom examination of our cemetery. Sara Klein and Sam Schuchat ably guided the senior rabbi search, and Jon Braslaw is now leading the executive director search. Debra Schoenberg is chairing Yesod, the community capital campaign. Janine Block, Anne Schmitz and Matti Fromson addressed important personnel issues. Board Secretary Jenny Ettinger and Treasurer Lucy Harris kept us organized and on task. Year after year, Geoff Piller skillfully manages problems others fear to tackle. Laurie Leiber and Phil Rubin continue to marshal volunteers and enthusiasm to welcome us to Shabbat services and other events. Fred Isaac and Robin Reiner give so much to the Temple in time, creative thinking, hard work and donor support. The community owes them enormous thanks. Rabbi Chester is supposedly “retired,” but his devotion to our community endures as shown by his quiet, but incredibly effective, efforts in support of our new capital campaign.

I also thank all who have served on the Temple Board during my term, and owe special appreciation to the officers on my Executive Committees – at various times, Aviva Black, John Citron, Barry Dubin, Louise Epstein, Jenny Ettinger, Dan Fendel, Matti Fromson, Lucy Harris, Geoff Piller and Seth Rosen.

Finally, thank you to the clergy, education directors and the rest of our outstanding staff for making the Temple the warm, welcoming and stimulating place it is.

Shana Tova, a happy and healthy new year to everyone. ~Mike Baker

Mike Baker

WORSHIP


Interview with Debra Schoenberg, Chair of the Community Phase of the Yesod Campaign

What first brought you to Temple Sinai?The first time I walked in to Temple Sinai was to say Kaddish for my father who had passed away the week we moved to California from the East Coast. It was the summer of 2008 and I had just come from sitting shiva in Cleveland. I was exhausted and grief-stricken. As I sat

through Shabbat morning services, I instantly recognized that Temple Sinai was a very special place. Rabbi Mates-Muchin and Cantor Keys were on the bimah that morning, and before services concluded, I knew that Temple Sinai would become our spiritual home. It was the combination of the feeling of ruach (spirit) and the clergy’s warm embrace that I instantly connected with.

What does Temple Sinai mean to you?In the years since that first visit, Temple Sinai has become central to my family. Our daughter, Mira, attended Preschool and has continued in the Religious School ever since; and our son, Benjamin, became a bar mitzvah a year ago. To us, a part of raising our children in a Jewish home and with a strong Jewish identity includes a strong connection to temple life. Our children are very comfortable at temple and can participate in services in a meaningful way. Some of our closest relationships have been formed with other Temple Sinai families. Occasionally, Cantor Keys even allows me to join her on the bimah in song. TS is quite simply an extension of our home and our family.

You were recently asked to chair the community phase of the capital campaign, Yesod: Strengthening Our Roots. Tell us a little about that decision.

When I was approached about chairing the community phase of the campaign, I didn’t hesitate. As member of the Board and other smaller task forces and committees, I am intimately familiar with the finances of the synagogue, and while overall the level of fiscal responsibility is quite high, like every large synagogue we are carrying a mortgage that heavily impacts our cash flow.

I am deeply committed to the financial well-being of Temple Sinai. It impacts my immediate family as well as the larger community around us. I can think of no greater way to give back than to chair this campaign which at its conclusion will raise enough money to substantially reduce the outstanding mortgage, which can then be managed out of our operating budget.

In your own words, why is this capital campaign so important?I am excited about what lies ahead for Temple Sinai. While it has always been a very special place with a long history and deep roots in the community, we are on the precipice of something great and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. This campaign lays the foundation to make that future possible.

Introducing the new President of the Congregation, Sam Schuchat

Sam Schuchat and his wife Ilana DeBare have been members of the Temple since 1993, where their daughter Rebecca was Bat Mitzvah in 2007. Sam grew up in Washington DC, where his parents founded Temple Micah, a Reform synagogue. Sam has served two terms on the Board, including stints as chair of the Personnel Committee and as

Treasurer. After leaving the board he continued to serve on the Finance Committee, and he has served on Lech L’Cha, the Organizational Review Task Force, Im Tirzu, the recently concluded Senior Rabbi Search, and is currently involved in the search for a new Executive Director. Sam has been part of the Mizmor Shir! band for years, and plays harmonica and saxophone occasionally at other services as well. When not volunteering at Temple Sinai, Sam is the Executive Officer of the California State Coastal Conservancy. He has held this post for 15 years, and has worked in the environmental movement in California and nationally for over 25 years.

If you have not yet met Sam, be sure to introduce yourself to him at the Annual Meeting. We have also scheduled an additional opportunity for you to get acquainted with Sam. We will hold a ‘coffee chat’ on October 25 at 11:00am. Both Sam and Mike will be there as Sam transitions into his new role.

Congratulations!

Sam Schuchat

Debra Schoenberg

Mazel Tov to the Adult B’Nei Mitzvah Class.

WTS and BROTHERHOOD


Women of Temple Sinai “The heart of WTS lies in our incredible sense of community.”

Your Sisterhood dues payment supports all of the programs and projects listed below and more. Additionally, a portion of your dues goes to the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) which serves Jewish and humanitarian causes throughout the world ($18 to WRJ and $2 to our regional district). $5 per member is also donated to the WRJ YES FUND (Youth, Education, and Special Projects).

FOR OUR SYNAGOGUEJudaica Gift Shop

B’eii Mitzvah Kiddush CupsConfirmation Bibles

Donations to Preschool, Religious School, Midrasha,

J.Fed Trip to IsraelCamp Newman camperships

Collaborative programs with Temple committees

and schoolsWTS Shabbat

WTS Women’s Seder

FOR OUR COMMUNITY NEAR & FAR

WRJ Yes Fund Jewish World Watch

WRJ - Israel Twinning Partner

URJ Relief FundWorld Union for

Progressive Judaism

WTS NEEDS YOU!If you want to get involved, a dynamic and warm group of women look forward to welcoming you! No free time? Please support our important work through your Women of Temple Sinai membership dues. For membership information please contact the membership chairs: Barbara Barza at [email protected] or Natalie Crouch at [email protected].

ON-GOING WITH WTSGIFT SHOPWTS Gift Shop Tallitot-10% Discount to B’Nei Mitzvah Families. Estelle Baum [email protected], Ricki Oleon [email protected].

DAYTIME BOOK CLUBWTS Daytime Book Club October 21st – “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce

MAH JONGG ON SUNDAYSMost Sunday mornings on which there is religious school, 9:30am in Stern Hall. All levels are welcome.

BrotherhoodTHANK YOU to Temple Sinai Brotherhood for purchasing this Gaga pit for the Education Department and to Gaga Guys Erik Zwerling, Aaron Goldfarb, Don Falk, JT Mates-Muchin and Larry Kluger for assembling it.

Erik Zweling, Aaron Goldfarb, Don Falk, JT Mates-Muchin

and Larry Kluger u

Technology Update – Progress ReportIn the first week of September we reached a key milestone for the Technology Up grade . The new Congregation Connect database was rolled out for the staff. Rabbi Mates-Muchin’s response? “I have been introduced to the new tool for just a few hours and already I’m in love. It will revolutionize how I interact with congregants....(W)hat took me three hours yesterday took me less than an hour today.” There is more work to be done harnessing this new tool to support Temple operations, but we are thrilled that we are off to a good start!

What’s next? Religious School parents will be piloting the member portal which will allow them to update their contact information, submit enrollment information, make donations , and chat with other parents on-line. Once the pilot is completed, we will be rolling it out to the entire congregation. Look for your invitation to join the portal in October! Thanks so much for all your support.

Mah Jongg

pTemple Sinai at Oakland A’s Jewish Heritage Night

Bill Bachrach, Glenn Oleon and

Jack Weinstein Jr. at the Brotherhood Golf Tournament u


CONTRIBUTIONS

ANNUAL GIVING FUNDRabbi Samuel and Judith Broude

CANTOR KEYS MUSIC FUNDBruce and Jacquelyn HorwitzIn honor of Ed Schoen’s Birthday

Maureen LoganIn memory of Toby Berger

Raymond ModlinIn memory of Susan Modlin

Tillie MolhoIn memory of Rene Molho

Barbara RichmonIn appreciation of Cantor Keys

Stanley and Matha RossIn memory of Gladys Inlander

Annabelle TravisIn appreciation of Cantor Keys

Pearl WolffsIn memory of J. Levin

CARING COMMUNITY FUNDMathilde AlbersIn honor of Dr. Ed Schoen’s Birthday

CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDGary Greenhood In memory of Leo and Selma Greenhood

FINE ARTS FUNDPacifica Senior Living OaklandIn appreciation of the Tin Pan Alley Singers

LIONEL BENAS CONFIRMATION FUNDEvelyn BenasIn memory of Lucile Koplan Steen and Ida Kramer BarberIn memory of Sigmund Simon Barber and Morris Benas

RABBI MATES-MUCHIN DISCRETIONARY FUNDRachel BaylsonIn memory of Rainier Caleb Gross

Isobel Dvorsky In appreciation Rabbi Mates-Muchin on the occasion of Harry Stone’s unveiling

Clayton Englar and Elizabeth SymondsIn honor of the B’Nei Mitzvah project in which Annabelle Travis and her adult B’Nei Mitzvah class members are participating

Aileen FrankelIn honor of the 55th anniversary of Leland and Celia Douglas

Sima KhantsinIn appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin

Barbara Kluger and Larry KlugerIn appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin

Steven LeibmanIn honor of Ilene Levinson and Rem Van Tijen becoming B’Nei Mitzvah

Maureen LoganIn memory of Toby Berger

Mel Miller and Nancy MillerIn honor of the naming of Quinn and Elias Miller

Howie PerlinIn honor of Susan Rosenthal becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Ronald and Caroline PetersIn honor of Jane Cohen’s Birthday

Jan RaymondIn honor of Susan Rosenthal

Barbara RichmonIn appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin

Edgar and Fritzi SchoenIn memory of Mathilda and Irving Schoen

Annabelle TravisIn appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin on the occasion of my Bat Mitzvah

Jill Tregor and Julian MontgomeryIn appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin

RABBI REGEV DISCRETIONARY FUNDHowie PerlinIn honor of Susan Rosenthal’s Bat Mitzvah

Seth and Molly Rosen Annabelle TravisIn appreciation of Rabbi Regev

RABBIS GIVING FUNDAnita and Vincent FongRuben GomezPat KurzmanSheldon SchafferJill Tregor and Julian MontgomeryIn memory of Toby Berger

RETIRING OUR MORTGAGERandi Brenowitz and Marty KleinIn honor of Ilene Levinson and Rem Van Tijen becoming B’Nei Mitzvah

SOCIAL ACTION ANTI-HUNGER FUNDBarbara HanflingIn celebration of Susan Rosenthal becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Patsy and Elliott KapchanIn honor of Bob Rubenstein’s Birthday

Herbert Salomon and Marcia LibersonIn memory of Toby Berger

Maxine TurretIn memory of Toby Berger

Women of Temple SinaiIn honor of Peggy Martin

TEMPLE SINAI TECHNOLOGY UPGRADESRichard and Joanna Tucker PhilipsIn memory of Allen Tucker

URJ CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDSue and Ron BachmanIn honor of Ed Schoen’s Birthday

Bob and Barbara MorrisonIn honor of Ed Schoen’s Birthday

Arthur and Elizabeth SpanderIn honor of Ed Schoen’s Birthday

Merilyn WeissIn memory of Joellyn Weiss

WHERE THE NEED IS GREATESTRonald and Sue BachmanIn honor of Barbara Richmon becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Elaine BachrachIn honor of Ed Schoen’s BirthdayIn honor of the B’Nei Mitzvah classes

Rose CohenIn hopes of a speedy recovery for Barbara RenickIn hopes of a speedy recovery for Barbara Loebel

Jeanne EberIn memory of Howard Bloom

Richard FoxallIn memory of Bernard Levine

Allen GardnerIn memory of Jessie GardnerIn memory of Joan Gardner

Frances GreenbergIn memory of Toby Berger In memory of Barbara Engel

Marc and Cherie HallertIn memory of Todd Merydith

Barbara and Larry KlugerIn memory of Myron Blumberg

Bernie and Ruthie NortonIn honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Ilene Levinson and the Bar Mitzvah of Rem Van Tijen

Yevgeniya PinskaiaIn memory of Rabinovich Stolova

Fred Isaac and Robin ReinerIn memory of Toby Berger

Arlene and Larry SaidmanIn honor of Rabbi Chester for his wise counsel

David and Hilary SilverIn honor of the Friday night service on August 14, 2015 and the lovely ‘havdallah’ hike in the Redwoods the following day

Bernard Stein and Marla BroudeIn memory of Sam BraslawIn memory of Alan Carr

Ann WinthropIn memory of Toby Berger

Todah rabah! Thank you very much for giving generously to Temple Sinai. These donations were recorded between July 16 & August 31, 2015. For corrections or additions to this list, please contact [email protected] (510) 451-3263 x302.



ADULT ED

GETTING TO KNOW HOLIDAY TEXTS WITH RABBI MATES-MUCHIN & RABBI REGEVDid you know that it’s traditional to study the biblical erotic love poem Song of Songs at Passover or the philosophical musings of King Solomon found in Ecclesiastes during Sukkot? Each of our major holidays has an accompanying text designed to enhance our experience of the season and to challenge us spiritually and intellectually. Come and study our holiday texts for the first time or for the 100th time and elevate your holiday experience.

Saturday, October 3, 9:00am at Torah Study – Ecclesiastes/Sukkot

Sunday, December 6, 9:30am – Book of the Maccabees/Hanukkah

Sunday, January 31, 9:30am – Tu B’Shevat Texts

Sunday, March 6, 9:30am – Book of Esther/Purim

Sunday, April 17, 9:30am – Song of Songs/Passover

iENGAGE: ENGAGING ISRAEL – FOUNDATIONS FOR A NEW RELATIONSHIP – A NEW SERIES!A HARTMAN INSTITUTE STUDY SERIES WITH RABBI MATES-MUCHIN & RABBI REGEVSundays, 9:30am – 11:00am, once a month starting on October 25, in the Albers ChapelGoing deeper than politics or advocacy, iEngage reframes the discussion about the enduring significance of the State of Israel for contemporary Jews worldwide. iEngage elevates the conversation about Israel by rooting it in Jewish values and ideas, exploring key questions such as What are the benefits of Jewish sovereignty? How should a Jewish state exercise military power ethically? How can Israel create and maintain a Jewish democracy? Why should American Jews care about Israel, and what should be the nature of our relationship with the Jewish state?

On seven Sunday mornings we’ll be exploring these questions with video lectures and interviews from leading Israeli scholars, engaging study texts, our own rabbis, and one another. Come for one session or come for all. There is no fee for this course, but you are invited to register at http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/course/2015/fall/H500-TS/ or by calling (510) 845-6420.

Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica and the Israel Education Committee & funded by the Koret Foundation

INTRODUCTION TO THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE WITH RABBI RUTH ADARWednesdays, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, starting on October 14 at Temple Sinai Introduction to the Jewish Experience is a three-part series of classes to introduce students to Jewish culture and practice. Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds: Jews who did not receive a Jewish education, Jews who wish to resume their education as adults, persons interested in conversion to Judaism, and others who wish to learn more about Judaism. The three parts of the series may be taken in any order. Learn more and register at http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/series/2015/fall/I125-TS/ or by calling (510) 845-6420. This course will be available to registered students via Adobe Connect distance learning software at no extra charge, both live and via full video recording. Students may attend live in the classroom, live online, or anytime via recording. Tuition is $225 for members, $270 for the public or $90/$105 for one section of the class. Advanced registration is required.

Fall: Oct 14 – December 9 (no class 11/25)

Winter: Jan 13 – March 2

Spring: March 30 – May 25 (no class 4/13)

Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica and Congregation Beth-El

DO YOU HAVE ONE JEWISH PARENT? WITH RABBI MATES-MUCHIN AND DAWN KEPLER Thursday, October 22, 7:30pm – 9:00pm at Temple SinaiDo you see yourself as Jewish, half-Jewish, part Jewish, Jew-ish? Were you raised as a Jew, a Christian, a Hindu, some of this and that? We are looking for people who have one Jewish parent and would like to talk about their experience, share their stories, their questions, their wisdom. What was good? What was not so good? Will you try to duplicate your parents’ path? What would you like to ask of or tell to the “organized” Jewish community? We will come together to discuss our shared experiences as well as our differences – what we want from life now and how we are going about making that happen. This class is free for members and $10 for the public. Please pre-register at http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/course/2015/fall/P100-TS/ or by calling (510) 845-6420.

Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica & Building Jewish Bridges

WORSHIP


SPEAKER SERIES and ART AT TEMPLE SINAI

SINAI SUNDAY MORNING SPEAKER SERIESSundays, 9:30am – 11:00am in the Albers ChapelCome out on Sunday mornings for learning, conversation, and community.

November 1 – End of Life: Ethical Wills with Rabbi Chester

November 8 – End of Life: Being a Mourner/Caring for Mourners with Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Dan Fendel & Robin Reiner

December 13 – American Jews & Christmas with Dr. Shaina Hammerman

More Topics Coming for Winter/Spring 2016!

ANTI-SEMITISM AND JEWISH IDENTITYWednesdays, November 4, 11, and 18, 7:00pm – 8:30pm at Temple Sinai3 experts on 3 aspects of contemporary anti-Semitism & Jewish community relations

November 4 – Anti-Semitism in Europe: What Makes the European Landscape Different From Ours and What Should We Learn From It? with Rabbi Douglas Kahn

November 11 – The Movement to Delegitimize Israel in the Bay Area with Abby Michelson Porth

November 18 – Jewish Identity and The Role of Race and Ethnicity in Jewish Community Relations with Ilana Kaufman

Learn more and register at http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/course/2015/fall/H550-TS/ or by calling (510) 845-6420. Tuition is $36. Advanced registration is requested.

Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica

Gallery Sinai is Pleased to Announce Two New Exhibits:In our Stern Hall Gallery . . . We are featuring Jews and Cartooning, an exhibition highlighting the comical works of:Yaakov Kirschen, a.k.a “Dry Bones”, an award-winning Israeli cartoonist;Mort Gerberg, cartoonist, New Yorker magazine and author of two books of Jewish cartoons;Michael Capozzola, cartoonist and comedian;Miriam Libicki, graphic novelist and artist; andPhil Witte, cartoonist, lawyer and member of our Temple Sinai community.This exhibit was inspired by Jews and Cartooning developed by Judi Leff, Walt Anthony, and Michael Capozzola for the Elizabeth S. and Alvin I. Fine Museum of Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco, and kindly shared with our congregation. Temple Sinai member and cartoonist, Phil Witte co-curated the original body of work with Moss Kardener, Chair of the Gallery Sinai Visual Arts Committee, into the abridged exhibition on display now through November. Oneg Opening, Friday, October 9 following Erev Shabbat Services.

Upstairs, in our Living Room Gallery . . . We are delighted to host Through My Jewish Lens, which showcases the photographic works of San Francisco artist Andréa Guerra. Andréa’s compositions feature keenly observed Jewish scenes, icons and themes that demonstrate a fresh perspective through

both color and black and white compositions. She describes this body of her work as “a window into the Jewish landscape of my life over the last decade and the preceding time when I moved closer to making distant familial Jewish

roots my own.” This exhibit will be on display through December, and images will be available for purchase.

Abstract Artists Call The Gallery Sinai Visual Arts Committee welcomes artistic adult congregants and Jewish community members with a flair for creating abstract 2-dimensional art (painting, drawing,

multi-media) to participate in a curated show of work for a future exhibit. Please contact Moss Kardener by email at [email protected] no later than Sunday, November 1st to express interest. Be sure to attach images of your work for review.

Cartoons by Phill Witte (top) and Yaakov Kirschen (lower) featured in Stern Hall Gallery

Photographer Andréa Guerra (above) and her work.

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESKTEENS


Oakland Midrasha is Gearing Up for an Excellent Year!Midrasha is a school for the East Bay Jewish community’s 8th-12th graders. Students in the Oakland Midrasha community describe it as “the one place during the week where I can just slow down for a minute and really get to be myself.” Midrasha is designed to help Jewish teens to connect deeply to a peer community, to find young adult mentors in their lives who really support them, and to understand more about who they are: what they believe, what they value, and how they treat themselves and others. Oakland Midrasha meets on Tuesday nights from 7:15pm – 9:15pm, at Temple Sinai, and is sponsored by a number of synagogues: Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, Kehilla Community Synagogue, Temple Beth Abraham, Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Israel, and Temple Sinai. We also serve teens not affiliated with a Jewish organization or congregation.

For more informations, contact Mark Deutsch or Debra Marx, Co-Directors at [email protected] or friend us on Facebook or Instagram.

Families Doing Jewish Workshops with Sinai’s Clergy & EducatorsWEDNESDAYS, 6:00pm – 7:30pm, ALMOST ONCE A MONTH STARTING OCTOBER 28Eat together, learn together, talk together about Jewish parenting on topics ranging from Talking to Your Kids about God to Every Day Jewish Ethics. Learn how to bring Jewish into your everyday family life and how to tackle challenging Jewish topics. Parents of all backgrounds, all experiences and parenting, mentoring or grandparenting kids of all ages are welcome. Dinner is $10. Childcare & Dinner are available for $25. Please pre-register at http://bit.ly/FamiliesDoingJewish

October 28 – Talking with Your Children about God with Rabbi Mates-Muchin

November 18 – Shabbat Explorations with Rabbi RegevJanuary 27 – Talking with Your Children about Death with

Ellen LefkowitzFebruary 24 – Count Your Blessings! with Cantor Ilene KeysApril 20 – At Home with Jewish Ethics with Sue BojdakMay 25 – Parenting Through Divorce with Sue Bojdak &

Rachel Fenyves

Looking For A Different Way To Do Your Children’s Jewish Education? Consider Temple Sinai’s Family SchoolWhat if Religious School were family time? What if your family had support to do Jewish together at home on Shabbat, at the dinner table, and in the car on the way to soccer? What if your child’s Jewish learning was an opportunity to deepen your family’s Jewish experience? That’s Temple Sinai’s Family School.

Temple Sinai Family School…• Meets once a month on Sunday afternoons • Is open to kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade and

their parents• Is kids and adults learning together and separately, in

community and at home• Makes Jewish learning meaningful, flexible and happening in

real time• Is for families who are looking for an out-of-the-box Jewish

learning experience exploring the role of Judaism in their family together

• Might be the perfect fit for YOU

Contact Sue Bojdak at [email protected]

Midrasha Dates To Remember:OCTOBER 6: *OPENING NIGHT*

Did you know you can try out Midrasha before you enroll? Why not come on our first Tuesday Night?

NOVEMBER 6-8: FALL RETREATOur teens will spend the weekend at

Camp Newman in Santa Rosa

Back to Midrasha Night!


A New Year of Social Action at Temple SinaiThis coming new year, the preschool, religious school, and social action committee of the congregation are working in partnership to implement family Tikkun Olam projects. These projects will involve some combination of classroom learning, community action and events, and information on ways to integrate social action into your family life. We’ve identified three themes to focus on in the upcoming year. This fall we will focus on issues of “Food Security”. Our first project, in addition to our annual High Holiday food drive, will be on Sunday, October 18th from 12:30pm – 2:30pm. Volunteers ages 4 and up are invited to help out at the San Francisco Food Bank. We will also be collecting food for the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

“Environment” is our Winter theme. You’ll be invited to a Family Tu B’Shevat Celebration. We will explore and learn about the Jewish tradition of recognizing the earth as being on loan to us, for safekeeping and for nurturing. We show our appreciation for the earth by choosing to act as responsible stewards of this amazing place in which we are blessed to live.

The final theme this Spring will be “Honoring our Elders.” We will visit the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living and connect with elderly members of Temple Sinai. The Jewish value of honoring parents and teachers derives, originally, from the Ten Commandments. Honoring parents, however, extends beyond those who gave us life or raised us. It extends to all who act as parents toward us, teaching us about how to live a meaningful, moral, productive, and compassionate life. We recognize that each of them has something to teach, if only we provide the opportunity for that teaching to occur. We hope this will be a robust experience for our whole Temple Sinai community and a model that can be duplicated for years to come. Please join us. Stay tuned for more information.

~ Yves Saville, Preschool Social Action Chair

Jewish Music TogetherFIRST CLASS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9Temple Sinai is excited and proud to be partnering with East Bay Music Together to offer the first Jewish Music Together class. Sign up now for one of the most respected music programs in the East Bay for babies and children and introduce some Jewish music into your lives too! Registration is open now. Here is the link for more information and to register: http://eastbaymusictogether.yourvirtuoso.com/

Religious School Dates to RememberFRIDAY, OCTOBER 2Erev Shabbat Family Picnic & Service in the Sukkah

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4No Religious School

New Student Consecration & Simchat Torah Celebration

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24Sababa Shabbat

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6First Friday Family Service – 7th Grade Leads

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 THRU SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 94th-6th Grade Retreat @ Camp Newman

Religious School

Registration is Still Open!Still considering starting your child in Religious School this year? Have friends who are looking to join? It’s not too late to join our learning community this year.

Contact Sue Bojdak at sue@oaklandsinai .org or (510) 451-3263 .

YOUTH


Go to oaklandsinai .org for program descriptions and RSVP info . Contact: rachel@oaklandsinai .org

Please join us for a Shabbat morning service geared towards families with children in PreK – 2nd grade, followed by a family Torah study and a nosh .

9:15am – 10:00am Service in the chapel; 10:00am – 10:30am Family Torah study10:30am – 1:00am Oneg in the sacred garden

Our First Sababa Shabbat of the New Year!Saturday, October 24; 9:15am – 11:00am

Rosh HaShana Children’s Service


LIFECYCLES

Birthdays and Anniversaries are listed in multiples of 5 as well as birthdays age 69 andover. Mazel Tov!

ANNIVERSARIES10/1 Fred & Wendy Pomerantz 2010/6 Samuel Schuchat & Ilana DeBare 2510/7 Josh & Allison Bernstein 2510/7 Arthur & Jody Hoffman 2510/12 David Theis and Sarah Royce 3010/15 Brian and Allison Justice 1510/15 Jonathan & Tiffany Klein 2010/16 Eric & Jennifer Wheeler 1510/16 Ari and Anne Marie Levy 510/17 Jonathan Schainker & Amber Doyle 1010/20 Eliot & Philippa Jubelirer 3010/21 Stanley & Margi Brill 2510/21 Martin Stone and Jan Leuin 2510/21 Tobin & Jill Broadhurst 1510/21 Al & Barbara Barza 2510/22 Dan Sawislak and Sally Hindman 1510/28 Soren Konecky and Marci Nettles 1510/29 Dan & Barbara Brodnitz 20

BRUCHIM HABAIM — WELCOME TO THE WORLD!Asa Matthew Luo July 7, 2015Proud Grandparents: Mickey and Mrs. Susie NeuweltProud Parents:Caesar Luo and Melissa Neuwelt

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES FOR ONEG SPONSORSHIP: 10/3 Kettler-Countryman Family10/10 Laubstein-Lunt Family10/17 Sandler-Loucks Family10/24 Gross-Herz Family

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSSarah Sanford-Smith and Rudy Gonzalez,

Zoe Rabinowitz (age 6), Jules Rabinowitz (age 4)Kim Blumberg, Lila (age 2.5), Oliver (age 2.5)Lisa Spielman Polston and Joshua Polston,

Sid (age 12), Bayla (age 10), Jorja (age 7)Batya and David Forsyth, Hanna (age 6)Michele Magidoff and Casey Sullivan, Hannah (age 8),

Sarah (age 8)Cheo and Adam Tobin, Hannah (age 2)Sharon Walchak and John Melvin, Tobais (age 2.5)Juanita and Michael Osborn, Dylan (age 10),

Zachary (age 6)Marni and Darren Kottle, Lindsay (age 9), Nami (age 8)Sophia and Adam Schwartz, Adrian (age 2)Ruth and Matt Schrager, Tobin (age 8), Maya (age 6)Jeanette Weisman and Mark Dieter, Wren (age 7),

Levi (age 4)Erin Bernstein and David Jorgensen, Judah (age 4),

Erin (3 mos.)Shara Kaufman and Matthew Frances, Greta (age 8),

Alexandra (age 5)Rona Brooks Morris and Ryan Morris, Kaela (age 6.5),

Colin (age 2.5)Sara and David Gottfried, Gemma (age 15), Maya (age 10)Deborah and Andrew Cohen, Josh (age 5)Martha Lackritz and Eric PeltierRebecca and Jason Fitch, Mila (age 1)

REMEMBRANCES (THROUGH 9-16-2015)

Dr. Sol Miller, congregant, partner of Virginia Jorgenson

Dr. Alan B. Carr, father of Carolyn Hutton

Jeanette DeCuir, sister of Catherine DeCuir

Henry Weil, grandfather of Shana Olson

Dr. Edward Tamler, uncle of Geoff Kotin

Marilyn Friedman, aunt of Danielle Vidal

Gloria Holm, sister of Peggy Sparber

B’NEI MITZVAHAlbert Ketler Countryman Son of Peter Countryman & Allison KetlerSaturday, 10/3/2015

Max Gabriel Laubstein Son of Melissa Laubstein & Laura LuntSaturday, 10/10/2015

Jaden Stuart LaubsteinSon of Melissa Laubstein & Laura LuntSaturday, 10/10/2015

Sofia Paulette LoucksDaughter of Eric Loucks & Ilene SandlerSaturday, 10/17/2015

Ella Rebecca HerzDaughter of Steve Herz & Andrea GrossSaturday, 10/24/2015

BIRTHDAYS10/1 John Dresslar

10/2 Suzan Kramer

10/2 Audrey Wagman

10/3 John Citron

10/4 Susan Krauss

10/5 David Hardy

10/5 Seymour Singer

10/6 James Eisen

10/6 Mary Triest

10/7 Richard Persoff

10/8 Lois Clauson

10/9 Sheldon Brown

10/10 David Arpi

10/10 Simon Blank

10/10 Robyn Lerner Thomas

10/13 Erin O’Donohue

10/14 Anthony Reed

10/15 Kathy Knoll

10/15 Sarah Liebman

10/15 Jocelyn Weiss

10/16 Beth Goldberg

10/17 Fred Karren

10/19 Jacob Epstein

10/20 Holly Gardner

10/20 Philip Stein

10/21 Jewel Strom

10/22 Ellen Ansel

10/22 Ellen Salomon

10/22 Elena Sobel

10/23 Teri Bleckner

10/23 Shelley Zell

10/24 Jacquelyn Horwitz

10/24 Noam Ragins

10/25 Layne Martin

10/26 Isobel Dvorsky

10/28 Sandra Balot

10/28 Michael Jenzeh

10/29 Robert Belzer

10/30 Daniel Newbrun

10/30 Yefim Pinsky

10/31 Jennifer Esteen

10/31 Suzanne Weiss

10/31 Pearl Wolffs


sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturdayNFTY Retreat at Camp Newman (9th-12th Graders) Religious School - First Sunday11:15am Next Chapter Planning

Meeting11:30am Sukkah Building2:00pm Fine Arts Committee –

Tin Pan Alley Singers (Lake Park)

5:00pm Rosh Hodesh (7th Grade)

6:00pm Erev Sukkot Service and New Member Welcome

First Day SukkotPreschool and Temple Offices Closed

7:30am Tuesday Morning Minyan

11:30am Seniors Lunch

Religious School First Wednesday 12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting7:00pm Preschool

Back-to-School Night

5:30pm Erev Shabbat Family Picnic in the Sukkah

6:30pm Erev Shabbat Family Service in the Sukkah

9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning

Service with Bar Mitzvah of Albert Countryman

ConsecrationNo Religious School5:00pm Simchat Torah Dinner5:00pm Yizkor Service5:30pm Simchat Torah Service

with Consecration

Simchat Torah 7:30am Tuesday Morning Minyan

6:00pm NFTY Welcome Night! 7:15pm Midrasha

11:30am WTS Lunch Connection (offsite)

12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting 7:15pm WTS Board Meeting

7:30pm Brotherhood Board Meeting

9:30am Jewish Music Together

7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

9:00pm “Oneg Opening” of the Jewish Cartoon Art Exhibition

9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Shabbat

Morning Service with B’Nei Mitzvah of Max and Jaden Laubstein

Youth Event 4th-6th grade9:30am Annual Meeting11:30am Junior Choir11:30am Tech Tutoring –

Member Portal Support11:30am The Great Bagel

Taste Test


7:30pm Green Committee Meeting

6:00pm Rosh Chodesh 8th & 9th grades

7:00pm Adult Choir7:15pm Midrasha

12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting 7:30pm Education Committee

Meeting7:30pm Introduction to the

Jewish Experience with Rabbi Ruth Adar

7:30pm Trivia Night New Parkway Theatre

Scholar in Residence Weekend9:30am Jewish Music Together7:30pm Erev Shabbat -

Mizmor Shir! Service, Board Installation and Scholar in Residence Weekend

Scholar in Residence Weekend8:30am Torah Study10:00am Shabbat Minyan

Service followed by guest speaker Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, PhD

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with Bat Mitzvah of Sofia Loucks

5:30pm Havdallah Hike

Scholar in Residence Weekend9:30am Sunday Morning

Mah Jongg11:30am Junior Choir12:00pm Arts Committee –

Tin Pan Alley Singers (Lake Park)

5:00pm Rosh Hodesh – 7th Grade


7:00pm Adult Choir7:15pm Midrasha7:30pm Green Committee

Meeting

12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting 1:00pm WTS Book

Group Meeting6:00pm Cantor’s Intro Family

B’Nei Mitzvah Meeting6:00pm Social Action

Committee Meeting7:00pm Temple Board Meeting7:30pm Introduction to the

Jewish Experience with Rabbi Ruth Adar

7:30pm Do You Have One Jewish Parent?


7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

9:00am Torah Study9:15am Sababa Shabbat10:30am Shabbat Morning

Service with Bat Mitzvah of Ella Herz

9:00am Tech Tutoring – Member Portal Support

9:30am Adult Education: iEngage

9:30am Sunday Morning Mah Jongg

11:00am Coffee & Schmooze with Sinai’s Presidents

11:30am Junior Choir2:30pm Chinatown Scavenger

Hunt – 7th Grade11:00am Coffee Chat with old

and new Presidents of the Congregation


11:30am Seniors Lunch 7:00pm Adult Choir7:15pm Midrasha

12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting6:00pm Families

Doing Jewish: Adult Ed. Workshop

7:30pm Introduction to the Jewish Experience with Rabbi Ruth Adar

7:30pm Israel Education Committee Meeting

7:00pm Midrasha Partnership Huddle

7:00pm WTS Film Series


6:00pm Out and About Potluck7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning

Service

9/27 9/28 9/29 9/30 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Albert Ketler Countryman Son of Peter Countryman & Allison KetlerSaturday, 10/3/2015

Max Gabriel Laubstein Son of Melissa Laubstein & Laura LuntSaturday, 10/10/2015

Jaden Stuart LaubsteinSon of Melissa Laubstein & Laura LuntSaturday, 10/10/2015

Sofia Paulette LoucksDaughter of Eric Loucks & Ilene SandlerSaturday, 10/17/2015

Ella Rebecca HerzDaughter of Steve Herz & Andrea GrossSaturday, 10/24/2015

Temple Sinai OCTOBER 20

15

PERIODICALFirst Hebrew Congregationof Oakland

Temple Sinai2808 Summit StreetOakland, CA 94609

(510) 451-3263www .oaklandsinai .org

TEMPLE SINAI HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AS A BAY AREA GREEN BUSINESS Our Bulletin is printed on recycled paper at a printer registered as a Green Business and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council . We print with earth-friendly soy-based ink .

Help Us Help YouTemple Sinai seeks to be a sukkat shalom, a shelter of peace, and a kehilat chesed, a community of loving-kindness, for those in need of support during transitional or difficult times in life. Our Clergy and Caring Community teams are here for you. Please let us know how we can help, by contacting [email protected] or the temple office.

Adopt-a-Family Program 2015Greenleaf Elementary School, Oakland, CALast December, Temple Sinai’s families and friends adopted 138 school children for the holidays. We invite you, once again, to participate in our program, now in its 12th year.

As participants, you will be given the names, ages, and wish lists for the children.

The last day for adopting a family is Friday, December 4.

The last day for delivering wrapped gifts to Greenleaf School is Friday, December 18.

Gift delivery to the school will begin early in December by contacting Rodolfo Perez (see below).

Contacts: Flora Feldman at [email protected] or Rodolfo Perez at [email protected] or (510) 379-6939.

Thank you for brightening the holiday season for Oakland families.

Save the date!FOR

RABBI REGEV’S INSTALLATION

November 20th, 2015, 7:30pm, at Mizmor Shir! Shabbat Services

We Welcome Guests Rabbi Uri Regev

Rabbi Stanley Davids

inside rabbi dr. lawrence hoffman stern memorial scholar ... · music from shamati, special...

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