News
2010 Rosh Hashanah Gift Bag Fundraiser
Shalom! Congregation B’nai Shalom is offering you a wonderful opportunity to send chag sameach greetings to your fellow congregants, friends and family by continuing our tradition of the Rosh Hashanah Gift Bag Fundraiser!
For the same cost as previous years, a wonderful gift bag filled with fun and tasty holiday treats is prepared with your name on the greeting card and delivered to your honorees. In fact, every CBS household receives a Rosh Hashanah Gift Bag. Extra gift bags are also available for purchase.
Rosh Hashanah Gift Bags are a beautiful way to send New Year’s greetings to those special to you and to support our shul. Order forms will be mailed this summer to your address on file with the CBS office. Please send a note to the office if your address changed this last year.
The order form lets you select who you want to honor or you can honor the entire congregation. My family plans to honor the entire congregation and I hope you join me in doing so as well!
Everyone on the Rosh Hashanah Gift Bag committee looks forward to your participation in our congregation holiday mitzvah and fundraiser.
Do you like to volunteer and experience the action behind the scene?
The Rosh Hashanah Gift Bag committee is looking for a few good women and men to help make this project the success it always is. We need committee members to help ensure that all the important tasks for this project occur on time. If you like to shop, drive, organize and be part of our community, then we can use your help. Please contact Steve Unger to volunteer.
L’shanah tovah,
Steve Unger, V.P. Membership,
the Rosh Hashanah Gift Bag Committee,
and the Membership Committee
Thank You
The Religious Committee on behalf of the congregation would like to thank the Torah Fund for their very generous donation towards the cost of repairing our Torah scrolls. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Dorothy Blint
Religious Vice President
The Tree of Ed-Jew-Cation
If you walk the halls of Congregation B’nai Shalom, you’ll come across a giant tree. This isn’t just any tree. It’s the “TREE OF ED-JEW-CATION.” With a giant Magen David at its roots and bright green leaves on its branches, this tree is a fundraising tool for all areas of education at CBS. To contribute, please contact the office at 925-934-9446. A leaf will be placed in your honor with your family’s name and cause. This tree will be up throughout the summer and our goal is to get the tree full of leaves by the time High Holy Days arrives. We plan to “go green” and recycle the tree for other fundraising projects at CBS.
We recognize these families with leaves who have chosen to help “ED-JEW-CATE”…
Michael Tejeda and Ellen Geisler, Syd Landman and Margalit Ir, Martin Shmagin and Cynthia Fassler, Larry Rosenthal and Liz Ng, Bob and Cindy Levine, Aimee and Anton Ennik, Zaki Jacob, Rabbi Elon Sunshine, Gittiy and David Altman, Jason Schwartz, Jill and Craig Judson, Channah and Larry Katz, Susan and Jay Jaffe and Irv Solomon.
If you have not yet donated choose a category and donate today!
- EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP - $180.
- EDUCATION ART SUPPLIES - $54, $36, and $18.
- MEDIA: Music Program/Jewish books/Educational media - $54, $36, and $18
- YOUTH GROUP - $54, $36, and $18
- FAMILY PROGRAM - $54, $36, and $18
- ADULT EDUCATION - $54, $36, and $18
- DONOR’S CHOICE - Any part(s) of CBS education for “Fill in Your Own Amount”
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Jennifer Flam
Director of Congregational Learning
Help!!! Your Library Needs You!
Before the library was packed up and put in storage for a few years, the folks in charge started computerizing the catalog. Great idea! The problem is, where is the computer with the database, or where are the disks with the information? We can’t find them. We have the program itself, but no data.
If you know anyone who was involved with the library who might have information for us, please get in touch with Anne Flato or David Miller. Even if the people involved are no longer members of the congregation, or have moved from the area, any information would be appreciated. We don’t know if what we are looking for is hiding in the synagogue, or in someone’s garage.
Not only do we need information, but we need volunteers. Even one hour a month would be much appreciated.
The library is also looking for some used (or new) equipment. We need rolling a cart to use when sorting and shelving books. If you know of a library, bookstore, or office that is getting rid of one, please contact the synagogue. We can also use one or two three-shelf bookcases. How many we need depends on how wide they are. We need about 6 feet of shelving. Other items on our wish list are two file cabinets, one with two drawers, and the second with shallower drawers. They must be the same height because they will be used to hold up the library desk.
The library is full of interesting reading, both fiction and non-fiction. Come down and see what we have. There are some novels that would make great summer reading. Starting in July, the library will be open on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.
Anne Flato
Religious Committee
This committee works in conjunction with the clergy to recommend and implement standards and practices for halakhic and non-halakhic religious matters. Starting in the fall we will be introducing a subcommittee of the Religious Committee whose charter will be to source out and suggest alternative Shabbat services to complement our traditional services. These services will run concurrently with the traditional services. Our goal is to fulfill the needs of congregants who do not attend the traditional service. We’d love to hear your ideas and suggestions, so if you would be interested in becoming involved with either of these committees please contact Dorothy Blint, Religious VP.
New Bylaws Changes
By Michael Tejeda
CBS is in the midst of significant change. In an effort to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Board leadership, the Congregation approved Bylaws reforms this past February. We are now implementing these changes.
Two new positions were created – an Executive VP Financial and an Executive VP Operations. These officers were given overall responsibility for all financial and operational aspects at CBS. The former positions of Financial VP and Administrative VP were eliminated.
As Executive VP Financial, Stan Goldman will create a new Finance Committee. Headed by Treasurer Sarah Liron and Budget Manager Ellen Geisler, this committee will be an advocate for our fiscal health. This new committee will provide the Board and Congregation with current financial statements and assist committees in maintaining budgetary controls. Both Stan and Sarah are CPAs; Ellen has an MBA.
As Executive VP Operations, Evan Nakisher will create a committee to ensure the smooth operation of CBS. It will be in charge of all office procedures, employee matters and internal controls. Key goals will be the promotion of inter-committee cooperation and volunteerism.
Our new Bylaws provide for additional leadership positions: a Committee of the Board, a Parliamentarian, a Professional Review Committee and a Professional Contract Negotiation Committee. Your new Board will fill these positions as soon as is practical.
The most significant change is the shortened terms of office. Your new Board members will only serve until April 1, 2011. And so, new elections will be held in 8 months. Thus we are forced to hit the ground running. But with your help and patience, we can make a difference.
What’s Next For Lev Eisha?
Lev Eisha (Heart of a Woman) is our popular woman-focused Shabbat morning service. It took B’nai Shalom by storm last October when our inaugural service attracted more than 80 people. Featuring meaningful and relevant Torah reflections by Southern California-based Rabbi Toba August, along with joyful and uplifting music and singing led by cantorial soloist and professional children’s singer Cindy Paley, the service was a powerful spiritual experience that left everyone clamoring for a repeat performance! Through the hard work of a dedicated committee led by Shelli Kushins, Lev Eisha returned to CBS in April. This was an even more successful event which attracted over 100 attendees from all over the community!
We are pleased to announce that Lev Eisha will once again be making a return appearance at B’nai Shalom on Saturday, October 30, so mark your calendars now! The committee is making some changes to the event, which will make it even more enjoyable and accessible to everyone who wishes to take part. Most importantly, the venue for the service will be moved to the Unitarian sanctuary across the street. This will not only comfortably accommodate increased attendance, but will also allow for a longer, more relaxed service without the pressure of having to rush out to quickly set up for Kiddush lunch! We are also looking into the possibility of having on-site child care so that parents of young children can fully participate in and enjoy the service without distraction.
If you are interested in helping Lev Eisha continue to grow at B’nai Shalom, the committee is always looking for people to assist with ideas, coordination and logistics – please contact Shelli Kushins (sdkushins@aol.com) to offer your services.
However, our primary need at the moment is funding! Lev Eisha is funded almost entirely through donations. Our plans for the future include additional services and possibly even a weekend retreat and scholar-in-residence program. To make these things possible, and to build on our momentum and success, we need to ensure that funding will be available. Please consider honoring a special and important woman in your life by making a donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, and note that you want it earmarked for Lev Eisha.
Thank you all for your continued support of Lev Eisha, and we look forward to seeing you in October!
Aimee Ennik
High Holy Day Child Care
By Dorothy Blint
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar – a time when Jewish people of all ages gather together at synagogue to pray and reflect. At B’nai Shalom, our goal is to make the High Holy Day services accessible to anyone who wants to attend, by eliminating any barriers that may prevent them from doing so.
For many young families, these barriers are financial. Participating fully in the High Holy Days involves spending many hours in services over the course of several days – and for families of young children, this means finding childcare coverage for most of those hours. B’nai Shalom offers a quality childcare program at a reasonable cost, but when all the hours are added up, and the costs of multiple children are factored in, the expense becomes quite prohibitive. Unfortunately, this means that many families simply cannot afford to spend the High Holy Day services together with their community.
We at B’nai Shalom would like to make it possible for all young families to celebrate the High Holy Days by providing childcare services at reduced or no cost. Our ability to do this depends on you!
Please help us to welcome young families by making a donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – earmarked for High Holy Day Childcare. You will be doing a great mitzvah as well as helping B’nai Shalom to grow and thrive by providing opportunities for the next generation to connect to our wonderful community.
Membership Committee News!
CBS President Michael Tejeda has appointed Michael Bloom and Emily Nakisher to be Membership Co-Chairs for the July 2010-June 2011 term. Emily and Michael have already started working closely with Steve Unger (Membership VP) to coordinate timing, event planning, and budgeting.
The first meeting of this year’s committee will be July 13 at the Blooms’ home. If you would like to attend but have not yet been contacted, please call or email Michael or Emily to reserve your seat.
The committee will be working on three core activities this year:
- Strengthening the existing campaign to raise awareness of B’nai Shalom, especially in the “unaffiliated” community;
- Broadening the committee membership to address the social, spiritual, and educational needs of our members and prospective members; and
- Implementing a “buddy system” to mentor new members.
We are also engaging with other committees to broaden the exposure for individual committee members who are interested in leadership opportunities. You can look forward to participation in the annual Labor Day Picnic/Open House and to several interfaith community-wide events, coordinated with the JCC or the JCRC.
At this point, we would like to broaden the makeup of the Membership Committee. We would like to include representation from members of the LGBT community, from families with young children, from single parents (with children of any age!), and from families in which one spouse is not Jewish.
Finally, stay tuned for a “Newcomers’ Shabbat” in August. Spread the word to anyone who is “shul shopping,” interested in our pre-school, moving to the area, etc. We’ll show them what our community is all about.
Michael Bloom & Emily Nakisher
CBS Preschool: A Transition of Incredible Opportunity
According to Merriam-Webster, the word transition refers to “a passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another.” The term is also defined as a type of “change or movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another.” In Judaism, there are numerous transitions that we experience. The transition of a covenant with God through the Brit Milah. The transition of childhood to adulthood through B’nai Mitzvah. The transition of singlehood to covenantal commitment through the signing of a Ketubah.
Here at the Congregation B’nai Shalom Preschool, we are in transition, as we say goodbye to our existing director Liz Kaufman while searching for a new director. We express our deepest gratitude towards Liz for all the absolutely amazing work that she has done in her years at CBS. It’s hard to believe that only five years ago, Liz took a little, fledgling program and took it to the soaring heights where it is today. And in those five years, she put all of her heart and soul into every hour of her work, every classroom, every kid, every teacher, and every parent. We wish Liz the best of luck in her future endeavors and will always remember the lasting impact she made in her time here at CBS…
Liz has paved the way, and now we must move forward and follow in her footsteps. As Director of Congregation Learning, I am committed 128% –That’s 110% + Chai% – toward continuing Liz’s vision of providing all of our youngest with a program filled with a developmental play-based Jewish experience, a supportive family environment, and only the highest levels of educational excellence.
In finding a new preschool director who meets and exceeds these standards.
Although transition can be scary it is also a time of incredible opportunity. A time to honor the past and a time to embrace the future…
Thank you Liz for all you have done for our community and may you go from strength to strength.
With blessings,
Rabbi Jen Flam and all of Congregation B’nai Shalom
Contra Costa Midrasha
By Devra C. Aarons, CCM Executive Director
Contra Costa Midrasha begins its 2010-11 year on September 1st!!!!
Now that I’ve gotten that very important piece of information out of the way, I can share a few more highlights with you. To say the least, I am VERY excited about this year. Many of you may have heard me talk this last year about a matching grant from Legacy Heritage Fund and Brandeis University. We worked very hard this last year to make this grant happen. This next year we have funding through this grant and matching funds from many of you to create NEW and INNOVATIVE programming. Many of my colleagues in the non-profit world don’t get to say that, but we do!
Our new programming includes the creation of a Teen Advisory Council. This group will learn concepts of leadership, the values found in today’s Jewish leaders and look at models of well-known, historical and local Jewish leaders. The Council will also get a chance to exercise their leadership skills during a Shabbaton that they will lead.
Additionally, we’re creating a programming model with Midrasha on an alternate day of the week other than Wednesday nights. Many teens tell us that they LOVE Midrasha, but it’s hard for them to escape sports practice, rehearsal or homework on Wednesday nights. So, we are experimenting with workshops once a month (probably on Sunday, at a time yet to be determined) that will allow for the great time our teens need to connect combined with Midrasha’s engaging Jewish programming.
We’re also continuing the Havdalah Outreach Program. This last year of piloting this program (through a smaller grant from the Legacy Heritage Fund) was a great success! We ran over 6 events for over 100 6th and 7th graders and their parents during 2009-10 and we look forward to doing it again next year.
That’s not all! Contra Costa Midrasha continues to be the place for Jewish teens in our community to create connections – to themselves, to each other, to other Jewish adults and to their inner Jewish identity. We’re working on making Wednesday nights more fun and engaging, with great teachers, topics and programs.
We’re around most of the summer. Feel free to drop us a line, check out our website or come hang out in the office! Phone 925-944-4701 or e-mail office@ccmidrasha.com or online at www.ccmidrasha.com.
Enjoy the summer!
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