rabbi yoni regev

INSIDE

Schedule of Services . . . . 3

On-Going Services . . . . . . 3

Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 5

Social Action . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The Story of Yesod . . . . . . 7

WTS and Brotherhood . . . 8

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

Adult Education . . . . . 10 - 11

Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Preschool and Youth . . . 13

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

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

Three Winter Mitzvot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover

www .oaklandsinai .org

We look forward to celebrating this happy occasion together!

Our community gathers in celebration to install our Assistant Rabbi

Rabbi Yoni Regev

Friday, November 20th at 7:30pm

during the Mizmor Shir! Shabbat Service in the sanctuary

with special guests:

Rabbi Uri Regev and Rabbi Stanley M. Davids

Saturday, November 21st at 12:30pm in the Albers Chapel

Join us as Rabbi Yoni Regev will lead a conversation with our guests discussing “The Future of our Jewish Homeland”

Lunch to follow

RSVP at [email protected]

Miracles and Wonders: The Blessing of Giving Thanks

During this past Sukkot holiday, not only did we celebrate the miracles and wonders of the festival, but we also read from the special portion in the Book of Exodus where it describes God’s relationship with Moses. Once again I was struck by

the intimacy of their relationship where it states in Exodus 33:11 “Adonai would speak to Moses face to face, as one person speaks to another.” However, only a few verses later, in Exodus 33:20 it states, “You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live.” And so God passes before Moses, and Moses sees only God’s back instead.

How do we account for this sudden change in the relationship? Perhaps Moses felt that God was there for him one minute, but then the next, withdrew God’s love? If we cannot see God today, we may ask, how can we make God part of our lives? After all, if Moses couldn’t even see God, who are we compared to Moses to expect to communicate with God? How can we bring God into our lives on a daily basis?

The answer, according to the rabbis, is that we can experience God in our lives on a daily basis through blessings. The Talmud states that we should recite 100 blessings a day. According to the Midrash, the day is like a large balloon. A person whose lungs are strong can easily blow it up and fill it completely. A person whose lungs are weak, who does not want to fill the balloon, will allow the balloon to remain small and empty. The same is true with the day. The one who does not wish to fill the day will, in effect, constrict and shorten it. However, a person who wants to fill the day with good, will expand the day and cause it to be very precious. Therefore, by filling the day with blessings, we are adding holiness to our lives and thus, bringing the presence of God into our lives and imbuing the day with meaning.

From the moment we awake, our tradition is filled with blessings we can recite to thank and praise God to help bring holiness into our lives. We recite Modeh/Modah Ani, a blessing which thanks God for returning our soul to our bodies. “I thank you God for You have restored my soul to me in mercy. How great is Your trust.” This is followed by the blessing that thanks God for forming the human body with such divine skill “combining veins, arteries, and vital organs into a finely balanced network…..were one of them to fail, how well we are aware we would lack the strength to stand in life before You.” For all of us who have been ill at one time or another, we know that this is all too true.

However, if we imagined saying only one blessing and having it suffice for our daily spiritual diet, it might as well be the Modim blessing, also known as the elegant yet simple blessing of Thanksgiving from the daily Amidah prayer. This is the essence of thankfulness that is at the heart of the Jewish spiritual essence, and beautifully expresses our gratitude for the daily miracles of our lives, and the divine wonders or blessings with which we are showered at all times. It is this prayer that seals our relationship with God.

The two words that are used in this blessing are miracles and wonders. God’s miracles refer to the extraordinary events that we recognize as the result of God’s divine intervention. God’s wonders are the more familiar things that we do not regard as miracles because we have grown accustomed to them, such as breathing, raining, and growing. We are truly grateful for both these miracles and wonders which add holiness to our lives and bring us blessing and meaning.

As we approach the holiday of Thanksgiving, let this Modim prayer come to remind us of God’s continuing miracles, which we must never take for granted. We may not see God face to face like Moses, but we can renew our sense of awe and wonder every day by reciting blessings which allow holiness to enter our lives.

(continued on next page)

2 n Temple Sinai n November 2015

FROM THE CANTOR’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, Sam SchuchatSteve Shane, Interim Executive DirectorSue Bojdak, Director of EducationEllen Lefkowitz, Preschool DirectorLisa Hanauer, Director of Membership &

Communicationst Cantor Keys, Rabbi Mates-Muchin and Rabbi Regev

WORSHIP

Perhaps this year at your Thanksgiving table, you can offer this creative Modim prayer by Ruth Horowitz entitled A Prayer of Thanksgiving. May your holiday be filled with blessing and holiness.

Adonai Adonai, todah rabah,This is a time of Thanksgiving.We thank You, God, for the gift of life,And for the strength to bear illness and death,

Thank You for the miracle of each new day,The sunrise and sunset, the moon and stars.We thank You for the breathtaking brilliance of the fall leaves,The reds, and golds, and browns,And for the eternal promise of their green return.We thank You for the blessings of family,For parents, for spouses, for children, for siblings, for friends,May we pass on Your Torah and traditions l’dor vador.

~ Cantor Ilene Keys

On-Going ServicesSHABBAT MINYAN Second Shabbat morning of each month, at 10:30am in the Albers ChapelThe Shabbat Minyan is an exuberant and joyful lay-led service. This highly participatory celebration combines traditional elements with professionally led modern music. Volunteers (for chanting, readings, etc.) can contact Dan Fendel at [email protected].

TUESDAY MORNING MINYAN Every Tuesday morning from 7:30am – 8:00am We begin in the Chapel at 7:30am with 10 minutes of learning (presented either by Rabbi Regev or a lay participant), followed by the prayer service itself, ending at 8:00am.

SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY Every Shabbat Morning from 9:00am – 10:15am Join Rabbi Mates-Muchin or Rabbi Regev in a stimulating discussion on the Torah. Discussions end in time for the 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service.

COMMUNITY BRIEFING ON GLOBAL REFUGEE CRISISSunday, November 15, 4:00pm – 6:00pm; Temple SinaiIn partnership with Jewish Family Community Services, the program will feature Mark Hatfield, CEO of HAIS as well as Syrian-born staff of JFCS and a recently resettled Syrian Refugee.

T’FILAH/PRAYER

Schedule of ServicesFriday, November 66:30pm, Erev Shabbat Family Service led by 7th grade religious school class, music led by Junior Choir; Sanctuary

Saturday, November 710:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the B’not Mitzvah of Madison Shulman and Sophie Coutu; Sanctuary

Friday, November 135:30pm, Sababa Shabbat dinner; Stern Hall

6:00pm, Sababa Shabbat, Shabbat for Pre-K through 2nd grade with their families; Albers Chapel

7:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service; Albers Chapel

Saturday, November 1410:30am, Shabbat Morning Minyan; Albers Chapel

10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the Bat Mitzvah of Monique Jonath; Sanctuary

Friday, November 207:30pm, Mizmor Shir! Erev Shabbat with Installation of Rabbi Yoni Regev; Sanctuary

Saturday, November 2110:30am, Shabbat Morning Service

with the B’nei Mitzvah of Maxwell, Hank, Samuel, and Sophia Johnson; Sanctuary

Friday, November 277:30pm, Erev Shabbat; Albers Chapel

Saturday, November 2810:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with the Bar Mitzvah of Sam Magid; Sanctuary

Children holding up the Torah

www.oaklandsinai.org n 3



EVENTS

Sunday Morning Mah JonggSundays, November 1, 8 & 15; 9:30am – 11:00am; 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.

PSI: A Prayer for the Jewish State— Religion or Politics? Thursdays, November 5 and 12, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

The first official version of the Prayer for the State of Israel (PSI) was composed in 1948 by Rabbi Isaac Herzog, the Ashenazi Chief Rabbi at that time. This was instituted, as well, in conjunction with the Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel. Many other versions of the PSI have followed and appear in various prayerbooks including “Mishkan T’filah.”

Each of these prayers is written from a different point of view and often conveys the political view of the author concerning the State of Israel. Some are very traditional and others very liberal. Some convey a right wing point of view and others, the left.

Join Rabbi Chester as we look at these various Prayers for the State of Israel, not only for their religious and political content but also to reflect on which of these prayers best represents your point of view.

The program is presented by our Temple Sinai Israel Education Committee and co-sponsored by The Brotherhood of Temple Sinai, Women of Temple Sinai, the Fine Arts Committee on Culture and Community and the Ritual Committee.

Yitzhak Rabin: Life, Death and LegacyA Symposium Marking the 20th Anniversary of his AssassinationSunday, November 8; 1:00pm – 5:00pm at the Magnes Collection for Jewish Art and Life

For more information and registration: lehrhaus.org

Presented by Lehrhaus Judaica and the Jewish Federation of the East Bay. Co-sponsored by Temple Sinai.

Poetry ReadingWednesday, November 11; 7:30pm; Albers ChapelTemple Sinai’s Fine Arts Committee and the Out and About Committee invite you to a free poetry reading on Wednesday evening, November 11th, at 7:30pm, in Albers Chapel.

Featured will be award-winning journalist and poet, Susan Cohen; activist, author, and teacher, Elana Dykewomon; with master of ceremonies, poet, editor, and translator, Richard Silberg.

These semi-annual poetry readings have been a part of the temple’s cultural community for most of a decade. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Phil Rubin, [email protected].

Families Doing Jewish Workshops: Shabbat Explorations with Rabbi RegevWednesday, November 18; 6:00pm – 7:30pm;Eat together, learn together, talk together about Jewish parenting. Learn how to bring Jewish into your everyday family life and how to tackle challenging Jewish topics. Parents and caregivers of all backgrounds with kids of all ages are welcome. Dinner is $10. Childcare & Dinner are available for $25. Please pre-register at familiesdoingjewish.eventbrite.com. Join us every month for the topic of your choice!

Trivia Night at the New Parkway TheaterThursday, November 19; 7:30pm at the New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street, OaklandJoin the Temple Sinai ‘Matzo Balls’ trivia team! Contact Teri Bleckner: [email protected]

Elana DykewomonSusan Cohen

Richard Silberg

WORSHIP


EVENTS

Gallery Sinai Announces Reception for “Through My Jewish Lens” ExhibitReception Sunday, December 6; 1:30pm; Living Room GalleryOur Living Room Gallery walls (upstairs, across from the Temple’s administrative office) are now graced by the work of Andréa D. Guerra, who shares her unique and very contemporary view of Jewish celebration and iconography in “Through My Jewish Lens”. These images are on display in our Living Room Gallery through December, and are available for purchase. All purchases help support our artists and further the Gallery Sinai mission to provide thought-provoking visual arts concepts relating back to who we are as Jews. Please join us for a special afternoon reception Sunday, December 6th at 1:30pm in the Living Room Gallery. Refreshments will be served.

What is The Next Chapter?We are retirees or soon-to-be retirees who gather when we wish to walk, hike, explore, dine; do community service; visit museums, movies, cultural events, or whatever tickles our fancy in large or small groups during weekdays, evenings, weekends, etc. Care to join us? Watch the temple Weekly eNews & RSVP for outings. Have an idea for a fun event you’d like to help coordinate? Contact us at: [email protected] or call: Lynn Greenberg at (510) 250-9419.

SAVE THE DATES!

Hanukkah Dinner, Services & Celebration!Friday, December 4: Dinner & Activities 5:00pm – 6:30pm; Services at 6:30pmGet ready for Hanukkah with your Temple Sinai community! We’ll gather for dinner and activities at 5:00pm, join together for festive family services at 6:30pm, and conclude our evening with a holiday oneg at 7:30pm. Look for the dinner RSVP link in your Temple Weekly Email or RSVP to Marcy Walsh at [email protected] or (510) 451-3263.

Purim Spiel: The Farce Awakens AuditionsWednesday, December 9; 7:00pm and Sunday, December 13; 1:00pm We need singers, actors and musicians. Join us!



SOCIAL ACTION and THANK YOU

Sinai Social ActionComing in January – Volunteer Opportunities FairDo you work for or volunteer with an organization serving the greater Oakland community that could use more volunteers? Would you like others from Temple Sinai to join with you? There will be an opportunity for temple members to share information about organizations they work with during the Oneg at the Social Action Shabbat on January 15.

To sign up or for more information, contact Helen Smiler, [email protected], (510) 654-2594 or Teri Bleckner, [email protected], (510) 919-1614, by December 15.

Holiday Book Drive for People of the Book Literacy ProjectEmeryville Barnes & Noble; November 1 – December 17thBarnes & Noble Emeryville has selected People of the Book Literacy Project as a recipient of its annual Holiday Book Drive this year. Customers can purchase and donate gift cards or books as a way to pass on the tradition of reading to children in their local community. Check the Weekly eNews for details.

Holiday Dinner DriveThe Turkey envelope is coming your way for the annual Holiday Dinner Drive! The Alameda County Food Bank relies on Temple Sinai as part of its year-end budget to provide food for our neighbors during the Holiday Season. With every dollar you donate, the Food Bank buys $6 worth of food. Since 1999, Temple Sinai members have been generously donating money to the Food Bank as part of this Bay Area-wide fundraising effort, organized by temple members Dan McClosky and Richard Hart. Last year, your contributions helped us pass the $1 million mark (see youtube.com/watch?v=mzHNMWmBGMM.for KCBS story). Please complement our wonderful food donation program on Yom Kippur with a generous gift to the Food Bank. L’hira’ot!

Thank YouA huge todah rabah to Natalie Crouch for coordinating and all who volunteered to help with this year’s Break-the-Fast.

From Natalie: These wonderful people bought, baked, cooked, picked up, schlepped, poured, cut, chopped, spooned, arranged, garnished, wrapped, cleared, bagged, washed and dried — all of which helped to make it a wonderful way to end the Yom Kippur services, begin the new year!

The following people began the year with a mitzvah for Temple Sinai: Annabelle Travis, Erika Wodinsky, Laurie Lieber, Sandy Goldberg, Robin Edwards, Muriel Kaplan, Wendy Pomerantz, Elaine Binger, Betty Ann Lipow, Geoff Piller, Deena Levine, Maggie Lazar, Wendy Simon, Bill Bonnet, Zell Nathanson, Pat Livingston, Barbara Kluger, Helen Smiler, Jane Simon, Debra Kay, Stacy Golding, Robin Flagg, John Braslaw, Barbara Barza, Ilana DeBare, Elaine Bachrach, Frances Rainin, Jen Rainin, Cecille Gunst, Ruth Adar, Sue Bachman, Judy Rosloff, Lisa Braver Moss, Ricki Oleon, Linda Kamby, Estelle Baum, Dawn Kepler, Jackie Berkman, Marilyn Friedman, Shelley Jo Shuford, Hannah Goody, CeCe Langs, Karen Tanner, Randy Perrin, Susan Rosenthal, Howie Perlin, Andrea Daniels, Dan Crouch, Sarah Crouch, Mike Brandell, and Emily Crouch!

Thank you to anyone else who helped who I inadvertently omitted from this list. Thank you also to Mir and Steve Shane for making sure everything was ready for us. And, as always, a special thanks to the custodial staff for EVERYTHING that they do to make things work. Thank you all for your time, talent and generosity and for making Temple Sinai the special community that it is.

Second Floor Lobby area near the Temple Office. All proceeds support Temple programs

Menorahs, Candles, Dreidels, Gelt, Toys, and some new surprises this year!

SALE DATES: FRIDAYS, NOVEMBER 20 & DECEMBER 4 11:00am – 1:30pm

SUNDAYS, NOVEMBER 15 & DECEMBER 6 9:00am – 1:00pm

WTS GIFT SHOP HANUKKAH SALE DAYS

Natalie Crouch

WORSHIP


SPOTLIGHT

The Story of Yesod: One Congregant’s Impact on Generations of Temple Sinai MembersA tree is only as strong as its roots. When we look at the nearby redwoods, we are awed by their stature. But equally awe-inspiring is the underlying root structure, which is equal in size to the tree itself. The same is true of Temple Sinai. Our roots are deep. Stretching all the way back to the very beginnings of the East Bay Jewish community, to the founding of the first Jewish congregation in Oakland, First Hebrew Congregation, known to us today as Temple Sinai.

Throughout Temple Sinai’s history, we have been blessed with many dedicated and inspirational members who have had a lasting impact on our congregation. The Hirshberg family is one such example. Samuel Hirshberg was one of the founders of the Hebrew Benevolent Society, a charitable institution and burial society, and precursor to Temple Sinai. His cousins, Alexander and Leon, both served on the board. David, Samuel’s son, was one of our first temple presidents. Alexander’s wife, Deborah, was a dedicated and well-respected leader of the Sisterhood.

In addition to serving as president, David had a particularly tangible impact on our congregation that endures to this day. The first Temple Sinai was built in 1878 at 14th and Webster. As many buildings were at the time, it was made of wood. In June of 1885, a spark from a nearby mill landed on the roof of the sanctuary. Given the wooden construction and the dry Oakland summers, the entire sanctuary was quickly engulfed in flames. According to one news report at the time, “in a few minutes nothing was left but the walls.”

David acted quickly and decisively. Rushing into the burning building, he managed to retrieve the Torah scrolls and bring them to safety. Because of his actions, these sacred scrolls still sit in our ark today. Indeed, many of us have seen them, touched them, even read from them. Since then, countless among us have had the mitzvah of performing an Aliyah before reading from these precious scrolls, becoming a bar or bat mitzvah, even dancing with the Torah in our arms. Many of our children have sat side by side with the Torah rolled out across their laps at the High Holidays. All of this we have done without realizing the special significance of our Torah in Temple Sinai history.

David probably didn’t realize the impact of his actions at the time. He was simply doing what was needed. He risked his life to save our Torah. In doing so, his legacy has touched the lives of so many over the past 130 years, and given us a very tangible connection to our past, to our very roots at Temple Sinai. David was just one individual and yet he made a remarkable difference to our community. Today, we are a congregation of 947 households – 2375 people. Imagine,

together, what we can do.

We draw from these lessons of the past to build for the future. As David Hirshberg did 130 years ago, we can take decisive action now to ensure the vitality of our community for ourselves and future generations. We all have exciting ideas for the future of Temple Sinai in the coming years. The first step in making them happen is securing our financial stability.

Our 2008 building campaign and subsequent expansion was a great success

by any measure. We now have a modern facility that is more accessible and environmentally-friendly. We have an expanded preschool, a beautiful chapel, more meeting

space, and our lovely sacred garden. This was all made possible through the generosity of our congregation. However, as successful as the campaign was, some necessary unanticipated design changes put us over budget and left us with a larger mortgage than initially planned.

Temple Sinai’s future is bright, but before we can embark on any new endeavors, we must first address our mortgage. We are entering into a new era. With an expanded campus, our dynamic clergy, dedicated staff, and a vibrant, highly-engaged congregation, we are poised to

do great things in our community. We can all play a role in making these things happen.

We must first start with a solid foundation. The deeper the roots, the stronger the tree. As we have learned from the actions of David Hirshberg, every one of us has the power to make a tremendous difference in the future of Temple Sinai. Help us ensure our stability and growth for future generations by giving today to our community campaign, Yesod: Strengthening Our Roots. Just as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wisely said, “Every individual is a pillar on which the future of Judaism rests,” so each of you is a pillar on which the future of Temple Sinai rests.

For information on contributing to the Yesod campaign, please call the Temple Sinai main office.

“TEMPLE SINAI’S FUTURE IS

BRIGHT…WE ARE POISED

TO DO GREAT THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY .”

WTS and BROTHERHOOD


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

25TH WTS SISTERHOOD SHABBAT SERVICE! Friday, February 26We are so grateful to Leona Chester who brought the concept and spirit of a Sisterhood Shabbat Service to us in 1991. At that time our perspectives as American and Jewish women and often as feminists reflected new interpretations of the texts that had previously been read largely through male eyes.

So, you ask, “is an all women-led Shabbat service still relevant 25 years later?”

Yes! This amazing tradition continues to provide an opportunity for women’s minds and voices to come together: to study, discover, create, and reinterpret together and individually the traditional Shabbat prayers. Last year 23 women participated. We invite all women of our Temple Sinai community to join WTS and be a part in this inspirational experience.

Our first planning meeting is Sunday, November 15th. Rabbi Mates-Muchin and our leader, Laurie Earp, will lead us in exploring the essence of the Torah Portion Ki Tisa, so that we may develop a theme, and select prayers for us to reinterpret as we find relevance to them in our lives today as Jewish women.

Please see the weekly e-mail for exact time and location of the planning sessions. Bring a friend or two... THE MORE THE MERRIER! For more information please contact Laurie Earp, WTS Shabbat Chairperson, at [email protected].

UP-COMING EVENTSChallah Baking: Sunday, November 1, 2:00pm – 4:00pm with Joanne Rocklin. Learn how to bake a fabulous Shabbat Challah! Please RSVP by October 27th to [email protected] to guarantee a seat and samplings! Location shared upon confirmed reservation.

Revised date for the WTS film showing: October 29. See Weekly eNews for details.

Hanukkah Sale: Fridays, November 20 and December 4 and Sundays November 15 and December 6. (see page 6)

ON-GOING WITH WTSGIFT SHOPTallitot for your b’nei Mitzvah. Contact Estelle Baum [email protected] or Ricki Oleon [email protected] for help. 10% Discount to B’Nei Mitzvah Families.

DAYTIME BOOK CLUBMeets the 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 1:00pm in the TS Library

The November book is: The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer

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

WTS LUNCH CONNECTIONMeets the first Wednesday of every month from 11:30am – 1:00pm For further information, contact Sabina Cohen at: [email protected].

PARTY BRIDGEWTS Bridge group has moved to Thursday evenings. Both male and female players welcome. If you would like to join us, with or without a regular partner, please call: Lynn Greenberg at (510) 250-9419.

WTS BOARD MEETINGSMonthly Meetings - First Wednesday of each month at the Temple. 7:15pm for coffee and schmoozing; 7:30pm for the meeting.

Everybody is welcome. Please join us and get involved.

BrotherhoodThe 10th Annual Temple Sinai Brotherhood Jack Weinstein Memorial Golf Scramble was a success, thanks to those who participated and contributed. A big thank you to Glenn Oleon and his assistant Barry Dubin for organizing this fun annual event. Don’t miss out next year!

The funds raised will go to scholarships for religious school/ preschool, trips to Israel, camperships to Camp Newman, and other worthy causes, such as the new GaGa Pit for the Religious School, and the sukkah that is now part of our annual Sukkot festival.

The Brotherhood is also co-sponsoring “Prayer for the State of Israel” with Rabbi Chester, presented by the Education Committee, to be held Thursday, November 5 and November 12 in Albers Chapel at 7:30pm. Be sure to attend this enlightening presentation.

The November Brotherhood meeting will be held on Thursday, November 19, at the home of Barry Dubin, 225 El Cerrito Ave., Piedmont, 7:30pm. Please join us for an informal discussion of ways to support Temple Sinai. Everyone is welcome! For more information email Dan Crouch at [email protected]


CONTRIBUTIONS

CANTOR KEYS MUSIC FUNDPat MachollIn memory of Ed Macholl

FINE ARTS FUNDPiedmont GardensIn appreciation of the Tin Pan Alley Singers

The Lake MerrittIn appreciation of the Tin Pan Alley Singers

Lake Park Retirement CommunityIn appreciation of Temple Sinai’s amazing Tin Pan Alley Singers

ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRabbi and Leona ChesterIn memory of Evelyn Solomonov

JOE REMCHO FUND FOR PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

Betsy BlockIn honor of Asher Luskin’s 2nd birthday

Pat MachollIn memory of Ed Macholl

Lisa HanauerIn honor of Betsy Block’s birthday In honor of Sarah Liebman’s birthdayIn honor of the 25th Anniversary of Ilana DeBare and Sam Schuchat

LIONEL BENAS CONFIRMATION FUNDEvelyn BenasIn memory of Lionel Benas

LITERACY PROJECT – PEOPLE OF THE BOOK FUNDJudy Zollman and Marty GlickIn memory of Virginia Friedman

RABBI MATES-MUCHIN DISCRETIONARY FUNDBarbara and Eugene LevyIn honor of Anne Levy becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Talia KurlandIn appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin

Shelley and Stephen ZellIn appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin

RABBI REGEV DISCRETIONARY FUNDKimberly and Mark PressIn celebration of Jaime becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Mab RichmonIn appreciation of Rabbi Regev on the occasion of Barbara Richmon becoming a Bat Mitzvah

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDPat MachollIn memory of Ed Macholl

SOCIAL ACTION ANTI-HUNGER FUNDAudrey AdlerIn memory of David Adler and Etta Rose Sinai

TORAH UNDERWRITINGFred Isaac and Robin Reiner

John Citron and Felicia Liu

WHERE THE NEED IS GREATESTMarshall ZemonIn memory of Harry Goldenberg and Ruth Goldenberg

Jane and Richard CohenIn memory of Sylvan Cohen

AnonymousIn honor of Paul Geduldig

Joanne RocklinIn memory of Hyman and Israel Rocklin

Sharon and Ted GordonIn memory of Reba Ginsburg

Nathan SteinIn loving memory of Ken Stein and Laurence Heyman

Thank you for your support

Todah rabah! Thank you very much for giving generously to Temple Sinai. These donations were recorded between September 1 & September 30, 2015. For corrections or additions to this list, please contact [email protected] (510) 451-3263 x302.

Jon Braslaw n Second year on Boardn Heading up executive director search committee

n Favorite pastime: avid urban farmer, producing over 50 pounds of tomatoes and a bounty of other vegetables this summer for his family and neighbors from his front yard planter.

Helena Weiss-Duman n Fourth year on Boardn Mitzvah Day Chairn Education Committee Membern Adult Education

Co-Chairn Development Committee Membern Favorite Pastimes: This American Life, visiting libraries, hanging out in cafés

CeCe Langs n Has been Member of Sinai for 45 yearsn Fourth year on Boardn Chaired the Volunteerism Task Force

n Co-chaired two Nominating Committeesn Organized committee participation at this year’s Congregational Meetingn Leads the New Member Welcome Committeen Favorite Pastimes: Planning trips and travelingWhat are your gifts? What are your passions? Bring them to Temple Sinai!

To get involved, contact Lisa at [email protected].

Leadership Appreciation Thank you for all you do for our community!



ADULT ED

Sinai Sunday Morning Speaker Series Starts in November!Sundays, 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 ChesterNovember 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

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 lehrhaus.org or by calling (510) 845-6420. Tuition is $36. Advanced registration is requested. Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica

iEngage: Engaging Israel – Foundations for a New RelationshipSunday, November 15, 9:30am – 11:00am, Albers Chapel Religion & Peoplehood with Rabbi Mates-Muchin & Rabbi Regev

Israel as the sovereign expression of Jewish peoplehood matters only to the extent that peoplehood is viewed as essential to Jewish identity. In a world of individualism, can Judaism be redefined as a primarily personal experience? How does a sense of belonging to a Jewish collective affect the meaning of contemporary Jewish life?

iEngage is a monthly learning experience. Come for one session or come for all. There is no fee for this course, but you are invited to register at lehrhaus.org or by calling (510) 845-6420.

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

After the Play: Disgraced with Dr . Farid SenzaiThursday, December 3, 7:30pm – 9:00pm at Temple SinaiYou’ve heard that one should not bring up religion, race or politics in polite company but in Disgraced these are central issues. One reviewer said, “As much as Disgraced is a play about the potential tensions between old faiths and the modern world, it also dramatizes the complexity of identity, the interior tug of war between the culture into which people are born and the culture they claim as their own.” Professor Senzai will respond to these themes, as well as putting the play into a broader context of life for American Muslims. He will reflect on some of the realities and statistics of the American Muslim community and issues of assimilation, discrimination and Islamophobia. Dr. Farid Senzai is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Santa Clara University and is on the advisory board of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. There is no fee for this course, but you are invited to register at lehrhaus.org or by calling (510) 845-6420. Co-sponsored with Lehrhaus Judaica.

Intermediate Adult Bible Hebrew Class with Elaine BachrachWednesday Nights, 7:00pm at Temple Sinai

If 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].

(l to r) Bernard White (Amir), Nisi Sturgis (Emily), Zakiya Young (Jory), and J. Anthony Crane (Isaac) in Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced, an engrossing and combustible drama that probes the complexity of identity, at Berkeley Rep. Photo by Liz Lauren

WORSHIP


Please join us for an Estate Planning WorkshopDo you have a will? Is your will out-of-date? What exactly is estate planning?

We all have questions about estate planning. And while we all know we have a responsibility to plan for the future and our children’s future, it can be a daunting subject, particularly when we may not be sure where to begin. Temple Sinai and the Jewish Federation and Foundation of the East Bay want to help you get started. Two members of our congregation – Wills and Trusts Attorney Bart Schenone and Financial Planner Larry Ginsburg – have graciously volunteered to explain the basics of wills and estate planning on Sunday, November 15 from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the Albers Chapel. In addition, we are pleased to announce that Lisa Tabak, Executive Director of the The Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bay will also be joining us.

• Bart is a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California and a Member, Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and Past Chair (2013-2014) of the Executive Committee for the Trusts and Estates Section of The State Bar.

• Larry is a Certified Financial Planner and the President of Ginsburg Financial Advisors. He is a recognized expert in the field, serving as the Chairman of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of the East Bay and Chairman of the FPA Northern California Presidents Council.

• Lisa Tabak brings 21 years of experience working in the Jewish community to helping people of all walks of life make a bigger difference through creative philanthropy – both during their lifetimes and as part of their estate plans.

This workshop is an easy way to get started in making these important decisions, regardless of your stage of life. Everyone is welcome; childcare will be provided and of course a little nosh. Questions? Please email Geoffrey Piller at [email protected] or call the Temple office at (510) 451-3263.

THE GREAT BAGEL TASTE TESTTemple Sinai members and friends munched through roughly 288 bagels and contributed $1705 to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. (The food bank gets $6 worth of food for each dollar, so our contribution is worth $10,230 in food for hungry people.)

THE RESULTS:Community Tasters (n = 130)1st place - Beauty’s Bagels2nd place - Levy’s Celebrity Tasters1st place - Levy’s2nd place - Noah’s

Thanks to our many volunteers who made it a success

Scorecard

Celebrity judge panelists

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESKTEENS


Oakland Midrasha is in full swing! Join us for the fun. If you have a

teen in the 8th-12th grade who would like to check out what’s happening with our Jewish teen community please feel free to stop by on a Tuesday 7:15pm – 9:15pm at Temple Sinai.

Midrasha is a school for the East Bay’s 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 connect deeply with a peer community, find young adult mentors in their lives who really support them, and 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 information about Tuesday nights or our retreat program check us out at oaklandmidrasha.org or email us at [email protected]. Also, look us up on Facebook and Instagram.

YOUTH DATES TO REMEMBER:

NOVEMBER 3NFTY Israel Info Session, 7:15pm – 8:05pm

NOVEMBER 6 – 8: MIDRASHA RETREATOur teens will spend the weekend at Camp Newman in Santa Rosa along with teens from all over the East Bay.

NOVEMBER 17: LOUNGE NIGHT, 6:00pm – 7:00pmAll teens are welcome to come, eat pizza & ice cream,

and chill schmooze-style.

NOVEMBER 24NO MIDRASHA

Thank you to the teens who helped load the Alameda County Community Food Bank trucks during our High Holy Day Food Drive. And thanks to Mir for his cheerful help making High Holy Days at Sinai another great success! We collected 13,794 lbs. of food this year.

MORE SINAI MOMENTS...

The daughter of Deborah and Adam Miller, was really happy to receive the Shabbat candles as part of the family’s New Member Welcome Gift Bag!

Shara Kaufman and daughter at the New Member Tapas and Sangria in the Sukkah event.

George Anton Emblom, Cantor Keys, Rabbi Mates-Muchin and Rabbi Chester at a September Shabbat service


First Friday Family Service – 7th Grade LeadsFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6; DINNER AT 5:30pm; SERVICE AT 6:30pm

Spend Shabbat in community at our first Friday family services. Connect with other families over an easy Shabbat dinner, then gather for our child-friendly service. Our 7th graders will co-lead the service. Look for an RSVP for dinner in our Weekly Email. Have 7th grader who is in day school? They can participate too! Contact Sue Bojdak at [email protected] and we’ll give them a part.

Parents Night Out SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7; 5:00pm – 8:00pmLeave the babysitting to us, and enjoy an evening out. This event is for children preschool age through 2nd grade.

$30/one child, $50 for 2 or more. Pizza dinner included. Register through Eventbrite novparentnightout.eventbrite.com

Want to learn more about Temple Sinai Preschool?We offer full-time and part-time options at our nurturing, play-based Jewish preschool. Come visit us to see our wonderful school in action!

n Come for a tour. If you would like a tour of the preschool, please contact Preschool Director, Ellen Lefkowitz (see email below). Tours are generally from 9:30am – 11:30am on most mornings. The tour is about 30 minutes.

n Save the date for Prospective Parent Night, Wednesday, January 13th at 7:30pm. This is an evening to learn more about our program and meet some of the teachers and returning parents.

n Like our Facebook page “Temple Sinai Preschool”. See current highlights of school activities, get some parenting resources, and Jewish learning and activities.

Contact us! Visit our website: www.oaklandsinai.org/preschool or to schedule a tour contact Ellen Lefkowitz, Preschool Director at [email protected].

Religious School Dates to RememberFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 154th – 6th Grade Retreat @ Camp Newman

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13Sababa Shabbat Friday Evening Service

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15No Religious School for 4th – 6th Grades: No Hebrew or Art classes

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29No Religious School or Hebrew Classes – Thanksgiving Break

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4Community Hanukkah Dinner, Services and Celebration

PRESCHOOL and YOUTH


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 [email protected] or (510) 451-3263.

Come celebrate with us! Pizza dinner at 5:30pm;

service starts at 6:00pm in Albers Chapel; Oneg following at 6:30pm .

Please RSVP for the pizza dinner through Eventbrite .

https://www .eventbrite .com/e/sababa-shabbat-pizza-dinner-tickets-18966972726

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

Sababa Shabbat!Friday, November 13

5:30pm – 7:00pm

Temple Sinai Preschool Alumni


LIFECYCLES

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

BRUCHIM HABAIM — WELCOME TO THE WORLD!Levi James Hogan born September 5, 2015

Proud Grandparents are Linda Dubins and David Baer

Proud Parents are Hilary Baer Hogan and Christopher Hogan

Wesley Joseph Richmon born October 1, 2015

Proud grandparents are Dr. Joel & Mrs. Barbara Richmon

Proud parents are Ania and Jeremy Richmon

Josephine Maya Zeitlin born October 11, 2015

Proud grandparents are Carol and Jim Zeitlin

Proud parents are Nick and Angie Zeitlin

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES FOR ONEG SPONSORSHIP: 11/7 Shulman and Coutu Families11/14 Jonath Family11/21 Johnson Family11/28 Toro-Magid Family

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSAlicia and James Kalamas, Sophia (age 10),

Nikolas (age 7.5), Timothy (age 7.5)

Orit Vogel, Dana (age 19), Adam (age 15), Ethan (age 10)

Emily Hoffer and Dave Hoffer, Talya (age 6), Dezi (age 3)

Anne Prozan Pierre-Louis and Gilbert Pierre-Louis, Marcel (age 9)

Erica Pan and Stephen Shochet, Jaden (age 9), Alexa (age 6)

Kathleen McCarthy and Randall Strauss, Evan (age 5)

Darrow Samberg and Roy Robles, Razia (age 11), Liris (age 9), Dimas (age 7)

Louise Harm and Steven Tivol, Cora (age 5)

Camille Landau and Bruce Stoffmacher, Benjamin (age 9), Joshua (age 7)

Phoebe Weiss and Hannah Betesh, Ezra (age 4), Leo (age 2)

Lucinda and Lisa Lees

Michelle and Alfio Levy, Lauren Mai (age 4)

Victoria Yelensky and Malcolm Smith, Ethan (age 3)

REMEMBRANCES (THROUGH 10-21-2015)Harry Edward “Butch” Harker, Jr., brother of Jim HarkerJudy Swartz, mother of Scott SugarmanMorton Galison, father of Ben Galison

B’NEI MITZVAHMadison Emma ShulmanDaughter of Brandon & Melanie ShulmanSaturday, 11/7/2015

Sophie Pearl Coutu Daughter of Christopher & Stephanie CoutuSaturday, 11/7/2015

Monique Nadine Tikvah Jonath Daughter of Michael Jonath & Sylvie Mwila JonathSaturday, 11/14/2015

Maxwell Connor JohnsonSon of Trooper & Megan JohnsonSaturday, 11/21/2015

Hank Anthony JohnsonSon of Trooper & Megan JohnsonSaturday, 11/21/2015

Samuel Warren JohnsonSon of Trooper & Megan JohnsonSaturday, 11/21/2015

Sophia Rose JohnsonDaughter of Trooper & Megan JohnsonSaturday, 11/21/2015

Samuel Paul Toro MagidSon of Lawrence Magid & Amy ToroSaturday, 11/28/2015

BIRTHDAYS11/1 Marshall Gordon11/1 Stephen Kass11/3 Kimberley Epstein11/3 Annabelle Travis11/5 Adeline Kahn11/5 Howard Rose11/6 William Shelton11/7 Therese Becker11/7 David Himmelman11/8 William Bachrach11/8 Robert Fulgham11/9 Ruth Ann Binder11/9 Deborah Blackburn11/10 Cheryl Berger11/10 Flora Feldman11/11 Ruth Kass11/11 Steven Leichter11/12 Dale Block11/13 Nir Goldman11/14 Eileen Ingenthron11/14 Ray Lifchez11/16 Marcy Kates11/16 Natalie Stein11/16 Richard Stephenson11/16 John Vest11/17 Julia Walsh11/18 Tali Bray11/19 Annette Lipkin11/20 Gerry Nelson11/21 Jonathan Berlin11/21 Myra Feiger11/21 Gregory Murphy11/21 Sheldon Orloff11/22 Stephen Markowitz11/22 Gilbert Serota11/23 Sofiya Blank11/23 Beatrice Cherry11/24 Sidney Phillips11/27 Linda Benson11/28 Orli Bein11/28 Diane Laub11/28 Monique Navon Schonberger11/29 Rebecca Muller11/30 Martin Aufhauser11/30 Alan Goldhammer11/30 Judith Lubman11/30 Valerie Stoller11/30 Matthew Weisman11/30 Laura Zimmerman

ANNIVERSARIES11/29 Fredric Fink & June Cochran 40


sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturdayYouth Event — 8th - 9th Grade9:30am Adult Education: End of

Life - Ethical Wills with Rabbi Chester

9:30am Sunday Morning Mah Jongg

11:30am Junior Choir2:00pm WTS Challah Baking

w/Joanne Rocklin (Offsite)

7:30am Tuesday Morning Minyan

6:00pm Ritual Committee Meeting

7:00pm Adult Choir7:15pm Midrasha

URJ Biennial11:30am WTS Lunch

Connection (Offsite)12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting 7:00pm Anti-Semitism and

Jewish Identity7:15pm WTS Board Meeting7:30pm Introduction to the

Jewish Experience with Rabbi Ruth Adar

URJ Biennial7:30pm Prayer for the

State of Israel with Rabbi Chester, Part I. presented by the Israel Education Committee

URJ Biennial9:30am Jewish Music

Together5:30pm Erev Shabbat Family

Dinner6:30pm Erev Shabbat

Family Service with Junior Choir (led by 7th graders)

URJ Biennial9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning

Service with B’not Mitzvah of Madison Shulman and Sophie Coutu

5:00pm Parents Night Out

URJ Biennial9:30am Adult Education:

Being a Mourner/ Caring for Mourners

9:30am Sunday Morning Mah Jongg

11:30am Junior Choir


6:00pm Rosh Chodesh - 8th & 9th Grade


No Religious School12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting 7:00pm Anti-Semitism and

Jewish Identity7:30pm Education Committee

Meeting7:30pm Introduction to the


7:30pm Poetry Reading

7:30pm Prayer for the State of Israel with Rabbi Chester, Part II, presented by the Israel Education Committee

4th – 6th Grade Retreat at Camp Newman9:30am Jewish Music

Together5:30pm Sababa Shabbat

Dinner6:00pm Sababa Shabbat6:30pm Sababa Shabbat Oneg7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

4th – 6th Grade Retreat at Camp Newman9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Minyan

Service followed by Potluck Kiddush Lunch

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with Bat Mitzvah of Monique Jonath

4th – 6th Grade Retreat at Camp NewmanNo Junior Choir9:00am WTS Hanukkah Sale9:30am Adult Education:

iEngage9:30am Sunday Morning

Mah Jongg10:00am Help Portrait Project

(Offsite)11:30am Intro to Estate Planning5:00pm Rosh Hodesh -

7th Grade


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

Meeting7:30pm Israel Education

Committee Meeting

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

Meeting6:00pm Families Doing Jewish

Workshop6:00pm Social Action

Committee Meeting7:00pm Anti-Semitism and

Jewish Identity7:00pm Temple Board Meeting7:30pm Introduction to the


7:30pm Brotherhood Board Meeting (Offsite)

7:30pm Trivia Night (Offsite)

9:30am Jewish Music Together

11:00am WTS Hanukkah Sale7:30pm Erev Shabbat –

Mizmor Shir! Service with Installation of Rabbi Regev

9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning

Service with B’nei Mitzvah of Max, Hank, Sam and Sophia Johnson

No Religious SchoolNo Junior Choir

No Adult ChoirNo Midrasha7:30am Tuesday

Morning Minyan11:30am Seniors Lunch

No Religious School12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting

Thanksgiving 7:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning

Service with Bar Mitzvah of Sam Magid

No Religious SchoolNo Junior Choir


6:00pm Ritual Committee Meeting


11:30am WTS Lunch Connection (Offsite)

12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting 2:30pm Omanut/Art Enrichment7:15pm WTS Board Meeting7:30pm Introduction to the


7:30pm After the Play: Disgraced

NFTY Fallinteer9:30am Jewish

Music Together

11:00am WTS Hanukkah Sale 5:00pm (Pre)Hanukkah Dinner6:30pm Erev Shabbat Family

Service with Junior Choir Celebrating Hanukkah

9:00am Torah Study

10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with Bat Mitzvah of Michaela Raiden Wright

2:00pm Help Portrait Project (Offsite)

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Temple Sinai NOVEMBER 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 .

Three Mitzvot for the Winter Holidays 2015HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE FOR GREENLEAF SCHOOL: NOVEMBER 20 – DECEMBER 14 .HELP HUNGRY FAMILIES OVER WINTER BREAK .

Many children at Greenleaf Elementary School in Oakland, one of our Literacy Project’s adopted schools, receive free breakfast and lunch at school every day. Temple Sinai has volunteered

to help fill in the gap during the two-week winter-holiday break. Please help by donating non-perishable items from the suggested list so that these children and their families don’t go hungry. Bring your donations to the marked bins at Temple by Monday, December 14. Questions? Helen Smiler, [email protected] or Teri Bleckner, [email protected].

Greenleaf Food Drive Suggestions: Bags of rice (1-2 pounds), Cans of vegetables (mixed, green beans, corn), Bags of beans (Portuguese and pinto), Cans of fruit/fruit cups, Cup of Noodles, Boxes of cereal, Packages of dried pasta, Cans of soup and tomato sauce, Tuna, Packages of tostadas (nothing perishable), Juice boxes or cans (small), Baby food (no glass

jars), Packages of dried nuts or trail mix, Peanut butter/Jelly (no glass jars), Dried fruit (in packages), Toothpaste, Bar soap, Dishwashing soap, Shampoo (New and full items only)

CELEBRATE THE 5th NIGHT OF HANUKKAH WITH A LITERACY MITZVAH A traditional night for sharing with others by donating a favorite Preschool – 8th grade paperback book (or books) to the Literacy Project. Starting any time in November or December, recycle a beautiful used paperback from your shelves, or make a purchase either from a local indie bookstore or from one of our Amazon Wish Lists (search for “People of the Book” or “Temple Sinai”) Book bin is in Temple living room. We give away 3000 paperback books each year, so your Hanukkah gift will go directly to children in the Oakland community. Monetary donations are also appreciated and are really needed! Questions? Contact Jean Stein at [email protected]

ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM/GREENLEAF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, OAKLANDLast December, Temple Sinai’s families and friends adopted 56 families and 132 children for the holidays. We invite you, once again, to participate in our program, now in its 11th year. As participants, you will be given the names, ages, and wish lists for the children. The last day for adopting a family: Friday, December 4. The last day for delivering wrapped gifts to Greenleaf School: Wednesday, December 16. Gift delivery to the school will begin early in December by contacting Rodolfo Perez. Thank you, we welcome your participation. Contacts: Flora Feldman [email protected] Rodolfo Perez [email protected] (510) 379-6939

rabbi yoni regev

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