April 2011 Temple Israel Bulletin

Adar II—Nisan 5771 PAGE 1APRIL 2011

Temple Israel Bulletin

Religious School “Disco Seder” - page 3

Jewish Humor and Healing—page 5

Tot Shabbat—page 5

Temple Israel Community Seder—page 6

Bruchas and Bagels—page 7

Women’s Seder—page 8

Get your new Temple Israel Cookbook—page 9

Youth Group News—page 9

Gunther Gates Memorial Concert—page 12

Temple Israel now on Facebook and Twitter—page 14

Wanna dance? - page 18

IN THIS ISSUE

SCHEDULE OF

SHABBAT SERVICES

EREV SHABBAT, April 1:

6:30 PM: Family Shabbat evening ser-vice led by Religious School students.Torah Portion: Tazria– Lev. 12:1-13:59,Ex. 12:1-20; Haftarah—Ezek. 45:16-46:18


7:30 PM: Friday Night Chai Shabbatevening serviceTorah Portion: Metzora—Lev. 14:1-15:33; Haftarah—II Kings 7:3-20


7:30 PM: Shabbat evening service.Torah Portion: Achare Mot—Lev. 16:1-18:30; Haftarah—Mal. 3:4-24


7:30 PM: Shabbat evening service withTorah reading and presentation of aplaque in memory of Frank Weinberg.

Torah Portion: Chol Hamoed

EREV SHABBAT, April 29

7:30 PM: Shabbat evening service.

Torah portion: Kedoshim—Lev. 16:1-20:27; Haftarah—Amos 9:7-15

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.

Rabbi Gunther Gates Social Hall

Join your Temple family in our traditional second night seder. We willread the haggadah as we dine together “family style.” The meal willinclude honey-glazed chicken, matzo ball soup, salad, roast potatoes,vegetables, chopped liver and dessert. (A vegetarian entree & vegetar-ian matzo ball soup are also available by advance reservation only.)Grape juice will be provided.

Bring your own seder plate and kosher-for-Passover wine. We willprovide all the other ritual items (including bitter herbs, matzo, cha-roset, roasted egg etc.)

Return the reservation form on page 6 with your check made payableto “Temple Israel” before April 12th. Reservations will be acceptedonly with payment prior to the deadline. No money will be acceptedat the door. Seating is limited. Please reserve early. If you have ques-tions, call Carol Parker at 510-523-8506 or Lois Blumsack at 382-9522.

PASSOVER YIZKOR SERVICEJoin us on Monday, April 25, at 10:00 AM for a festival Yizkor ser-vice.

PAGE 2 TEMPLE ISRAEL BULLETIN

FROM THE RABBI’S STUDY

With Purim just behind usand Pesach just ahead of uswe find ourselves rushingheadlong into the Spring Jew-ish holiday season. It is, per-haps, worth noting that al-though Purim and Pesach aretwo separate and distinct holi-

days with two very different modes of observance andcelebration, they have at least one theme in common: inboth cases our ancestors were delivered from terrible cir-cumstances not of their own making and as a result, livedto see better days.

Another way to view this common theme is in terms oftoday’s global events. In the case of the early Hebrews ofthe Passover story, liberation came after four hundred yearsof slavery in a (neighboring) foreign land. In the case of thePersian Jews of the Esther story, liberation/salvation/redemption came after a brief, but terrifying, period in life-threatening crisis. Those elements of the stories are well-known to us. Perhaps as well-known, but less rememberedare what happened afterwards in both cases.

For the newly-liberated ancient Hebrews, what followedtheir liberation was a period of forty years of wandering ina desert wilderness while they learned enough to becomecapable of being a cohesive, self-governing people. Afterfour hundred years of having to live within someone else’sboundaries, the Hebrews now had to learn to live withintheir own. Many historians are not sure that forty years ofpreparation was quite long enough! In the case of the Per-sian Jews who escaped death at the hands of Haman’shenchmen, what we often fail to read is at the end of Bookof Esther, where Ahashuerus grants the Jews permission totake revenge on their would-be killers – and the Jews effecta massacre. This is not a moment of Jewish history ofwhich we should be proud.

Another common theme in these stories is that apparentlyno one knew what they were supposed to do or how theywere supposed to behave immediately after their escapefrom tyranny or slavery. That lack of awareness, sophisti-cation, knowledge or political savvy seems to be the modeof the day in North Africa and the Middle East. With Tuni-sia and Egypt having toppled their leaders, with Libya inthe throes of a popular uprising (a.k.a. revolution), andwith similar events spreading all over the area from Yemento Syria and Saudi Arabia, the one thing that we hear overand over again is that no one knows who will replace orsucceed these tyrannical, despotic, autocratic, egomaniacal

leaders (many of whom the United States has supported fordecades). And because there doesn’t seem to be any politi-cal infrastructure in most of these countries to support eventhe most basic tenets of the kind of democracy we in theWest would like to see, we are understandably worriedabout who will emerge as leaders in these places and whatrelationships they will seek with the West.

The serious difference between the ancient stories that weread on Purim and Pesach and those that are unfolding nowis that in the intervening years many, if not most, of thecountries of the world have seen models of infrastructureand governance that are based on democratic or similarprinciples and values that don’t require repression or mili-tary force to succeed. Right from the beginning, the ancientHebrews received and/or created a system of civilizationthat became the bedrock value system of Western civiliza-tion. Even the ancient Persians evolved a system that wasan improvement over the tyranny of the King.

In other words this is not about starting completely fromscratch. And just as the earth awakes each spring from theseeming death of winter, and as Jews and Christians cele-brate spring holidays that have roots in the ideas of rebirth,starting over, rising from the dead, etc., so, too, those statesthat are emerging from long periods of repression, suffer-ing, and isolation, can learn from the countries that havesucceeded in growing in healthy ways, spreading the ideasof cooperation and peace, rather than of competition andwar.

The road may not be smooth or easy, but the route is clear,and there are millions of people around the world whowould be only too glad to help others in the global commu-nity find their way in what historians may come to call the“spring of national rebirth” in North Africa and the MiddleEast. May their transitions be peaceful and their futures bebright.

Shalom,Rabbi Allen B. Bennett

Adar II—Nisan 5771 PAGE 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As you may know, Women of Temple Israel (WTI) hasbeen on hiatus this year. This break was supposed to giveus a chance to regroup and redefine ourselves. But thething that has been the most obvious is that the women ofour congregation do not seem to have a need for a women'sgroup at this time. Perhaps it is because there are enoughother social, cultural, educational, and spiritual opportuni-ties already happening at Temple Israel. Perhaps it is be-cause with the economy and society in the shape they arenow, we do not have the energy to add another activity toour lives. Whatever the reason, we cannot plan and put onevents with the very few women who did express interestin having a women's group.

Maybe in another couple of years, we can try again to havea women's chavurah, sisterhood, activity group, or what-ever we'd like to call it. In the meantime, we plan to con-tinue cooking for the Midway Shelter until those funds runout, and stay involved with other Temple Israel activities.We thank you all for your support in the past, and look for-ward to continuing to work with you in congregationalevents, committees, and services.

B’Shalom,

The Board of the Women of Temple Israel

The Temple Israel Religious School presents:

Disco Passover Seder

Sunday, April 17, at 10:30 – 12 NoonParodies to hits from:

The Bee Gees

Donna Summers

Gloria Gaynor

KC and the Sunshine Band…. And more!

The day’s Religious School classes will be held as usual until 10:30 then we will convene in the social

hall for a special all-school seder.

Parents and siblings are most welcome. See you there!

Cindy’s article will return next month

MESSAGE FROM THE WOMEN OF TEMPLE ISRAEL


EDUCATION NEWS

Dear Temple Israel Commu-nity:

As part of the ReligiousSchool curriculum, the fifth

grade covers Middle East current events. Mostly arti-cles are selected from the Jerusalem Post and contentis discussed in class. As the Egyptian revolution domi-nated the news, this was the topic covered during onerecent class.

Discussion focused on whether the revolution wasgood for the Jews. Comments spanned from the im-portance of change in a government that was oppres-sive to its people, to support for a dictator who wastyrannical to its people but kept peace with Israel.

Some students voiced concern about the suffering ofthe Egyptian people under the rule of a dictator; otherswondered whether making the Egyptian people sufferwas the price to pay for peace in Israel.

One student asked, “Is it right for anyone to suffer?”Another student responded, “Haven’t the Arabs madethe Jews suffer for years? Maybe it’s payback time.”

I am of the teaching principle that it is never paybacktime. The Temple Israel Religious School is dedicatedto teaching lessons of peace between different culturesand races, despite history, despite prejudged notions. Iam eager for students to think for themselves; to con-sider new paths to getting along; and to think about“the Egyptian enemy” as Arab children, just likethemselves.

I found a new website called www.draw-peace.comwhere children from all over the world contribute artthat exemplifies paths for peace. I am hoping thatsome of our classes will make a contribution to thissite.

But fostering peace actually begins in the classroom.When children who are not the greatest of friends can

find common ground and get along despite differ-ences, then those lessons have a chance to extend be-yond the classroom, even world-wide.

B’Shalom,

Mindy Myers, Director of Congregational Learning

510-593-5285; [email protected]

Note: There will be no Religious School during Pass-

over week: April 20 and April 24th

TOT SHABBAT SERVICES ATTEMPLE ISRAEL

Friday, April 15,from 6:30 – 7 pm

followed by a Tot Shabbat Oneg Shabbatfrom 7 – 7:20pm

Welcome Shabbat with music, singing, prayer, andjoy! Introduce your child to Shabbat through prayerservices designed especially for children ages 2 – 8Older children are invited to help lead the service.

Services are led by Rachel Herrmann

Mark your calendars for last Tot Shabbat of thisschool year:May 20

All Tot Shabbats begin promptly at 6:30 pm in theTemple Israel sanctuary. Doors open at 6:15. Newfamilies and friends welcome!

Temple Israel is located at 3183 Mecartney Road inAlameda. See www.templeisraelalameda.org for di-rections. For further information call Mindy Myers at510-593-5285.


Jewish Humor and Healing

A one hour seminar that looks at the healing powers

of laughter!

Sunday, April 3, from 11 – 12 NoonTemple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda

Admission is free!

Jack Benny, Woody Allen, Jerry Seinfeld. These comedians personify Jewish people's ability to laugh aboutour own oppression and suffering. Aside from chicken soup, it’s become a healing ingredient in our culturalmedical bag!

Seminar presenter, Ralph Beren, considers humor the greatestelixir of all time! He will talk about healing and stress, how hu-mor can boost the immune system, and increase blood flow. Us-ing video clips, and jokes, he will illustrate how Jews have usedhumor throughout history to heal themselves and endure suffer-ing.

“Humor is the greatest tonic for whatever ails you!”

MANY THANKS TO OUR HAMANTASCHEN BAKERS!

On Sunday, March 13, a posse of Purim participants prepared hamentaschenin the Temple kitchen. These delicious cookies were distributed to the con-gregation in the traditional mishloach manot bags (gifts of goodies for Pu-rim!) as well as served to the attendees at the Purimshpiel/Megillah read-ing/potluck dinner on March 19. The Religious School kids enjoyed someat their Purim carnival on Sunday morning, March 13, as well. All told, wemade about 900 hamentaschen!!

Todah rabah to our heimish hamentaschen bakers:

Stella Campbell, Heather Dutton, Kathy Garfinkle, Mary Gold, Alison Harris, Lauren Helfand, CJKingsley, Silvia Grasseti-Kruglikov and Ellie and Hannah, Karen Mitchell, Frances Montell and Lily,Suzi Scher, Skip Soskin, Sophia Sussman, Pamela Wain, Jen andEliana Whatley, and Lenora Yee, and to the people who generouslysupplied dough even though they weren't able to help with the assemblyand baking: Maya Goehring-Harris, Kimi MacVicar, and CarolParker.

For those of you who missed out on this fun-filled frenzy of hamentsa-chen baking, and for those of you who can't wait for a repeat perform-ance, we'll be doing it again next year!


TEMPLE ISRAEL SEDER

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.

Rabbi Gunther Gates Social Hall Temple Israel 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda, CA 94502

Join your Temple family in our traditional second night seder. We will read the haggadah as we dine together“family style.” The meal will include honey-glazed chicken, matzo ball soup, salad, roast potatoes, vegetables,chopped liver and dessert. (A vegetarian entree & vegetarian matzo ball soup are also available by advancereservation only.) Grape juice will be provided.

Bring your own seder plate and kosher-for-Passover wine. We will provide all the other ritual items (includingbitter herbs, matzo, charoset, roasted egg etc.)

Return the portion below with your check made payable to “Temple Israel” before April 12th. Reservationswill be accepted only with payment prior to the deadline. No money will be accepted at the door. Seatingis limited. Please reserve early. If you have questions, call Carol Parker at 510-523-8506 or Lois Blumsack at382-9522.

---------------------------Please cut this portion and return with your check-------------------

# of Adult Temple Israel Members attending (age 13 and above) ________ (Tickets $30 each)

# of Adult Non-members attending (age 13 & over) ________ (Tickets $40 each)

# of Children attending (age 5-12) __________ (Tickets $10 each)

# of Children attending (age 0-4) _____________ (No charge)

Important: Indicate number of VEGETARIAN entrées ______________ (You must indicate in advance ifyou require a vegetarian entrée. No substitutions at the door.)

YOUR NAME: ________________________________________________

Your Phone: (_____) ___________________

Your e-mail: ______________________________________________________________

Total amount of your check: $____________

Send check to arrive by 4/12/11 to: Temple Israel 3183 Mecartney Road Alameda, CA 94502.


MARCH 2011

ISRAEL “GOOD NEWS” BULLETIN

Israel offers a hand to Japan

As Japan reels from a deadly earthquake and tsunami, Is-rael's government and trained volunteers are already on theway to help victims. While superpowers like the UnitedStates are stepping in to provide immediate relief, it's tooearly to say what Israel's role will be in helping Japan. Is-raeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Israel'sassistance immediately. The "people of Israel express theirdeep sorrow over the tragedy in Japan, and will work toprovide any help that will be required.” Japan recognizedIsrael as a state in 1952 and since 1963, Japan and Israelhave maintained an embassy level relationship.

Chilean miners put their faith in Israel

It was dubbed a "Pilgrimage of Thanks," as 25 of the 31Chilean miners rescued from a collapsed mine last Octobertraveled to Israel for an eight-day tour of the Holy Land.Along with their spouses or girlfriends, and a four-month-old infant who was baptized in the Jordan River, the minersenjoyed an all-expenses paid trip to Israel at the invitationof the Israeli government. The miners expressed extremegratitude for the Israeli show of generosity. In Israel, theminers were treated to a holy pilgrim's dream tour. JoséEnriquez, who acted as a spiritual guide and spokesman forthe group said; "It is amazing to be here, in this place, to beable to thank God for what he did for us." The eight-daytrip was marked by daily prayer sessions and meetings withreligious officials from the Christian and Jewish faiths andmeetings with government officials. Israel's Western Wallrabbi, Shmuel Rabinowitz, told them that the Jews in Israeland across the world had been praying for them.

It takes many arms to reach kids in need

Children at the Jaffa Institute's after school activity centersdon't have to go home to an empty house. They receivenutritious food, homework help and loads of activities. Ifyou drive around the area where Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Bat Yamand Holon meet up, you will likely pass a few of the socialwelfare projects going on under the auspices of the Insti-tute for the Advancement of Education in Jaffa, or the JaffaInstitute for short. Established in 1982 this private non-profit agency started out with after-school activity centers

to keep severely disadvantaged children off the streets andbrighten their educational forecast."We've grown to a $7.5million budget and from 25 kids to 4,000 kids. And if wecan do 4,000, we can do 20,000" says the director. "Therewould no longer be a high dropout rate -- 53 percent ofteens drop out before 12th grade in these areas -- or kidsturning to drugs. It's all a question of funding."

Israeli Invention: Germ-Free Food Packaging

An Israeli invention could revolutionize the way perish-ables are packaged, extending shelf life by banishing bacte-ria. Graduate student Ronen Gottesman developed a silvernanoparticle-coated paper that could be used as a new foodpackaging material. It could provide an easy alternative topreservation methods such as radiation, heat treatment andlow temperature storage. The coated paper showed potentantibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, twocauses of bacterial food poisoning. It killed all of the mi-crobes in just three hours. “In the future, people could coatany packing material, like plastic bags, paper and cartons,to keep the food fresh for a longer time,” said Gedanken.“It is bacteria that causes food to rot.” A large number ofcompanies have contacted him about it, mostly from theUnited States and one from the United Kingdom.

On the road again for old tires

Israel's formula for getting green mileage from old tirescould be a boon for countries with similar raw materialsand climates. Old, used tires are an environmental nui-sance. But now a new "green" project in Israel intends torecycle the rubber from old tires, and use as many as 1,400tires per kilometer of new paved highway. In a pilot trial, a1.1 kilometer section of road was paved using an experi-mental mixture that included hundreds of recycled tires anda blend of asphalt. At no greater cost than paving a regularroad, this new product can increase the life of the pave-ment by one-third without compromising safety. De-velopers anticipate that their technology can be ap-plied in countries in the Middle East and elsewherewith similar climates and conditions as Israel.

“ISRAEL GOOD NEWS BULLETIN” is distributed by theEast Bay Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). Itis intended to help you learn more about the positive contribu-tions taking place in the state of Israel. Adapted from “Israel21C and news from the Weizmann Institute, stories in this issuewere provided by the “Temple Isaiah Israel and World JewryCommittee” and East Bay JCRC member Sheila Yudenfreund. Ifyou are interested in learning more about the Jewish CommunityRelations Council, please contact your JCRC representative Fe-lice Zensius ([email protected]).


The Women of Temple Sinai and Women of Temple Israel invite you to the

WOMEN’S SEDER and PASSOVER

POTLUCK DINNER

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 5:45 – 9 p.m.

Rabbi William Stern Hall, Temple Sinai

28th St. & Webster St., Oakland

Join women of all ages as we honor the heroines of Jewish history and rejoice in our personal liberation. Rabbi JaquelineMates-Muchin and Sherri Richards officiate at this joyous Passover event. Share in an inspiring service using our ownWTS Haggadah (bring your previous copy or place order). Bring your favorite kosher for Passover dish** for a sumptu-ous buffet.

Suggested minimum donation:

$15 per member, Women of Temple Sinai

$20 per non-member; girls 7-12 free

RSVP: By FRIDAY, APRIL 4. Pre-paid Reservations only.

Reserve early as space is limited.

Late registration, space permitting to April 8 only: $25 per person.

For further information, call Estelle Baum at 510 482-2315.

Temple Israel members: We are planning to carpool to Temple Sinai. Please contact Alison Harris at [email protected] or phone at 521-3375 to arrange transportation.

**Dishes containing wheat, barley, spelt, rye and oats (chametz) must be specifically labeled “kosher for Passover”. Dishes containing rice, millet,

corn and legumes (kitniyot) will be placed on a special table, as some refrain from these grains.

- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -----

Name(s) (List all ____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone # ________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________

I will bring the following Pesach dish for 10 people: ________________________________________________________

I will help with setup from 4:30 PM _____________________ or cleanup __________________________________

Please reserve PLACES for member(s) $15 ________ non-member(s) $ 20________ girl (s) 7-12 yrs. N/C __________

WTS Haggadot available for purchase @ $3 each. Please reserve ____________@ $3.00. Total: $________________

I wish to contribute to the WTS Seder Fund for more sisters at our table: $________________

Enclosed is a check payable to WOMEN OF TEMPLE SINAI totaling $________________

Please mail this form and check to:

PAT MACHOLL, 1141 Camino del Valle, Alameda, CA 94502


TEM PLE ISRAEL’S

90TH ANNIVERSARY

COOKBOOK

2010

THE MIDWAY SHELTER

COOKING PROJECTThe Temple Israel Dinner Cooks are proud to have been preparing dinner once a month for the residents of the MidwayShelter for the past several years. Many religious and community organizations in Alameda take part in this activity, sothat the women and children who are putting their lives back together at the Shelter get a nourishing, healthy dinner eachday.

In February, Bev Blatt, Nancy Freed, Alison Harris, and Doris Weiner-Gluckman prepared and delivered chicken stew,green salad, rolls, brownies, and juice. We always have a good time visiting with each other and catching up on eachothers’ lives while we cook! And, as Mary Gold frequently says, “Many hands make work light”!

We cook on the third Wednesday of each month. Four or five volunteers are needed, and if you’d like to help, pleasecontact Alison Harris at 521-3375 or [email protected].

The 90th Anniversary Cookbook is available in theTemple office, or, you can contact

Alison Harris at

[email protected] or

510-521-3375

and we will arrange to get you your copy at a mutuallyconvenient time.

YOUTH GROUP WORKS AT THEFOOD BANK

On Saturday, 5 March, our youth group, kids from our5th, 6th, and 7th grades, went to the Alameda Food Bankout Alameda Point to help sort and distribute food.

We had Aleeza Zinn, Carl Penney, Maya Berkowitz,Isabelle Cohn, Anna Goldberg and her friends Emilyand Hadley, helping out.

Some of the kids sorted food that the Food Bank had col-lected from the community, so it could be distributed tocustomers in the future. Others helped give food to thepeople who came to collect their monthly allotment. TheSaturday program is unique in that the people who cometo the Food Bank actually get so select the food theywant for that week.

In all, we served over 200 families between 10:00 and12:30 Saturday morning.

When you see these kids next, be sure to thank them forthe mitzvah of Tikun Olam they performed to help‘repair the world’.


APRIL 2011

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNES-DAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

18:45 AM Jazzer-cise

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:30 PM Student-led Shabbat service

2

39:00 AM HebrewSchool

10:15 AM Reli-gious School

11:00 AM JewishHumor & Healing

3:00 PM I ni C


5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

8:00 PM Bandrehearsal


4:00 PM HebrewSchool

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

7:00 PM RitualCommittee meet-ing

7

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:30 PM Bruchasand Bagels

7:30 PM FridayNight Chai Shab-bat service

9



3:00 PM I ni C


5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

7:00 PM RabbiSearch Committeemeeting


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise


13

8:45 AM Jazzer-cise


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:30 PM Educa-tion committeemeeting

7:00 PM Board ofDirectors meeting

14

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:15 PM Tot Shab-bat

7:30 PM Shabbatevening service

16



3:00 PM I ni C

18First Night ofPesach

8:45 AM Jazzer-cise

5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

19First day ofPesach

8:45 AM Jazzer-cise

6:00 PM Commu-nity seder

20N o H e b r e wSchool

8:45 AM Jazzer-cise

10:00 AM Mid-way Shelter Cook-ing

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

2110:00 AM LittleLatkes

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

7:30 PM Shabbatevening servicewith Torah reading

& presentation inmemory of FrankWeinberg

237:00 PM GuntherGates MemorialConcert

24No Hebrew orReligious School

9:30 AM Minyan& Bagel Breakfast

3:00 PM I ni C


10:00 AM Festi-val moprningservice with Yiz-kor

5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise



5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

8:00 PM Bandr e h e a r s a lw/dancing

28

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise


30


MAY 2011

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNES-DAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY



3:00 PM I ni C


5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise




5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

7:00 PM RitualCommittee meet-ing

5

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:30 PM Student-led Shabbat service

7

8

Mothers’ Day

No Hebrew School

Or Rel i g io u sSchool

3:00 PM I ni C


5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise




5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

7:00 PM Board ofDirectors meeting

12

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:30 PM Bruchasand Bagels

7:30 PM FridayNight Chai Shab-bat service

147:00 PM FamilyGame Night



12:00 Noon Endo f R e l i g i o u sSchool Commu-nity Picnic

3:00 PM I ni C


5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

7:00 PM RabbiSearch Committeemeeting


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise



10:00 AM Mid-way Shelter Cook-ing

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:30 PM Educa-tion committeemeeting

19

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

6:15 PM Tot Shab-bat


214:00 PM Privateevent

22

3:00 PM I ni C


5:15 PM AAmeeting

5:15 PM Jazzer-cise




5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

26

10:30 AM LittleLatkes

5:30 PM I ni C


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise

7:30 PM Shabbatevening servicewith Torah read-ing.

Noah Berk be-comes a bar mitz-vah

2810:00 AM NoahBerk is called tothe Torah as a barmitzvah

299:30 AM Minyan& Bagel Breakfast

3:00 PM I ni C

30Memorial Day

Temple office closed

8:45 AM Jazzercise

5:15 PM AA meet-ing

5:15 PM Jazzercise


5:15 PM Jazzer-cise




APRIL 22, 2011

SPECIAL ONEG AFTER

SERVICES

to honor the memory of

Frank Weinberg.

A leaf for the 'Tree of Life’ in the lobby will bepresented to Irene Weinberg, Frank’s widow.

The Oneg will be Kosher for Passover.

JORDAN LEVY REPORTS ON THE NFTY CONVENTION

A few weeks ago, I journeyed my way down to Dallas, Texas for the NFTY (National Federation of TempleYouth) Convention. This event was for any and all NFTY members around the country (and Canada) to cometo Dallas and meet one another, learn about Judaism and the like, and have fun. Convention is held every twoyears and moves location. Last time, it was in DC, and this year it was in Dallas. I went to meet new peopleand have a good time, and I sure did.

NFTY events always have a large amount of diversity, especially in the activities. At one point a woman andher fiancé came and spoke about a car accident, spreading awareness about the dangers of cell phone usagewhile driving. An organization, Invisible Children, came and spoke about kids in Africa experiencing oppres-sion. We got to see the Dallas Cowboy Stadium, and we even went to a Texas dance club/bar called Gilley’s.

We also got to pick activities to do in smaller groups. One I picked was to play in a drum circle, which wasvery interesting and a lot of fun. I also did a program about Jewish humor in which we were split up and did aspoof of a popular movie; my group did Bat-mensch. There were also a couple of Jewish musicians, includingDan Nichols, who came to perform for us and just hang out. There was even a stand-up comedian who did hisshtick. The entire time I was meeting tons of new people, engaging with my inner Jew, and having a fantastictime.

This was a one-of-a-kind experience, which is the standard for NFTY events like this one. It was a greatchance for me to meet other teens just like me from around the country. Overall, I had a great time and wouldrecommend this experience to anyone.

BRUCHAS AND BAGELS IS BACK

Our monthly pre-service gathering, Bruchas & Ba-gels, takes place the 2nd Friday of the month, at 6:30p.m., in the Social Hall, prior to that evening's Shab-bat service. This is a casual way to come together todo the candle, wine and challah blessings (aka"Bruchas") while noshing on bagels and meeting yourfellow congregants. So the right amount of fresh ba-gels and challah are ordered, please e-mail memberMel Waldorf at [email protected] or call theTemple office with your RSVP.


DISCO BINGO: THANKS TO YOU THE HOUSE WAS JUMPING!

The house was jumping on March 5 with the return of our hilarious Disco Bingo. The room was filled withwell over 100 people, the bingo and raffle prizes were aplenty, a wide array of food was onhand along withtwo bars! Even better, we reached our two goals: to give folks a fabulous night out at an affordable price andreach our monetary fundraising goal. Clearly we wouldn't have had nearly as much fun, as pretty of a room orall the bases covered without the following group of awesome people:

Rob & Jerri Kaplan for hosting the bar Jake Lustig for the tequila tasting bar DJ Jon Goldstein & First Place Entertainment for the music and lighting Curt Mandell and Tom Miller for being our Bingo Callers and Entertainment Our wonderful event volunteers that helped with either set-up or clean-up, sold raffle tickets, worked the

front desk, kept the food tables stocked, or provided supplies: Joyce August, Bev Blatt, Ronnie Blumen-thal, Ritz Cohen, Josh & Genevieve Cohen (plus hosting a table), Brian Harris, Daniel Levy, HarveyStoller, Eric Strimling, Wayne & Felice Zensius.

Mitchelle Tanner, Charley Weiland & Frances Montell, The Millers, The Gubers, and Bladium forhosting tables.

The Gubers, Kaplans, Elaine Kofman, MacVicars, Mike & Betty Riback, and Barbara Sayre for be-ing event sponsors.

our members that donated food, bingo or raffle prizes (many names are listed elsewhere). We truly thankyou all because these donations really kept our expenses at bay. Special nod to our gift certificate donorsChabot Space & Science Center, Jean-Pierre Chelouche, Jazzercise, Barbara Paley for the GiantsTickets and the Behrstocks for the symphony tickets.

St. Philip Neri Church for the loan of bingo equipment and cards. our members who attended, brought friends and came in costumes (at least we think they were costumes!).

A huge shout out of thanks to our amazing Disco Bingo Committee: Samantha Chelouche, Mavis Guber,Reva Kopel, Laura Levy, Kimberlee MacVicar, Lori Mandell, Marlene Miller, Carol Parker, & JenWhatley. This crew did an amazing job bringing it all together. A special thank you to our office man-ager, Sherry Griffin, for all your help.

Thank you to all of you! Together, you really created a memorable event

TEMPLE ISRAEL—NOW GET TWEETS!

We now have an administrator to manage Facebook and Twitter for the Temple. The goal is to reach out tomore people in our community of Alameda as well as to people around the Bay Area who are interested inwhat we have to offer. There is a lot going on in Temple Israel and we need to keep up with the fast andchanging pace of communication. This is a great way to keep up with upcoming events and to RSVP to thoseevents. Please ‘Like’ us on Facebook, ‘Follow’ us on Twitter @templeisraelala, and spread the word to thosearound you! If you have any questions about our Facebook or Twitter accounts, please send an emailto [email protected].


CONTRIBUTIONS

Donations listed were received between 1/15/11—3/10/11

GENERAL FUND

Wilma Garfinkle In memory of Annette Carlow & David Garfinkle

JD & Gloria Shuster In memory of Linda Peterson

Margie Gates In memory of Louis Gassenheimer

Josie Schwartz In memory of Dr. Melvin Schwartz

Elaine Kofman In memory of Marty Gold

Evelyn Mabee In memory of Aenni Gumpert

Elaine Kofman In honor of Genevieve Pastor-Cohen’s birthday

Lee & Alison Harris In honor of Genevieve Pastor-Cohen’s birthday

Jim Cooper In memory of Liz Cooper

Doris Weiner-Gluckman In memory of Frank Weinberg

Beverly Blatt In memory of Marta Hankin & Mel Schwartz

Barbara Sayre In memory of Jack Mihalovich

Terri Lutz In memory of Irving & Dorothy Lutz

Mark & Kimberlee MacVicar In honor of Kira MacVicar

Mike & Betty Riback In memory of Kathy Kwasman

Stella Campbell In memory of Del Campbell

George Lozovik In memory of Iakov Lozovik

Sylvia Blumberg In honor of Miles Asher Geller

Dan Kapler In memory of Art & Rose Kapler

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

CJ Kingsley In memory of Ruth Lee Rabinowitz Kingsley & Johannah RabinowitzTenenbaum


YAHRZEITS

April 1Iakov Lozovik 3/26Isaac F. Greenberg 3/27Gertrude Silton 3/27Arkady Gringauz 3/28Ellen Sue Barnett 3/30George Cohen 3/30Bertram Goodstone 3/30Ella Barr 4/1Gordon Barr 4/1Sydney J. Files 4/1Sam Glasser 4/1Shelley Kaplan 4/1Clara Kouff 4/1Max Schlachter 4/1April 8David Kouff 4/2Charles Bork 4/4Beatrice Crane 4/4Sally Gallagher 4/5 Nisan 1Antonio Manno 4/5Ben Feldman 4/6Sylvia Goodstone 4/6David Grassetti 4/6Phyllis Singer 4/6Tsjetska Moorhouse 4/7Jacob Silver 4/7Jay Schaff 4/8April 15Arnold W. Behrstock 4/9Charlotte Hankin 4/9 Nisan 5Harry Markowitz 4/9 Nisan 5John Benson 4/10Leo Birenbaum 4/10 Nisan 6Ethel Greenbaum 4/10Sidney Wolfe 4/11 Nisan 7Lily Benisty-Kent 4/13 Nisan 9Brian Magidson 4/13Margaret Stark 4/13Rose Gottesman 4/14Scott Broh 4/15Kamin Davis 4/15Erwin Hamburger 4/15Anne Levy 4/15 Nisan 11Jacob Teller 4/15

April 22Harold Page, Sr. 4/16Rosemary Abate 4/17Gunther Gates 4/17 Nisan 13Arlene Mandeltort 4/17 Nisan 13Rabbi Gunther Gates 4/19 Nisan 15Rita Grunin 4/19 Nisan 15Polina Rybak 4/19Alexander DeHaan 4/21Phyllis Green 4/21Beatrice Schiffman 4/21 Nisan 17Anne Schindler 4/21April 29Alice "Lisl" Beran 4/22Jeanette Gluckman 4/22 Nisan 18Rose Weiss 4/22Jacob Eis 4/23 Nisan 19Ruthine Hepburn 4/24Morris Karsh 4/24Ben Mandel 4/24David Montoya 4/24Hilde Haas 4/25Harry Schiffman 4/28 Nisan 24Rachel Seltzer 4/28Fred Bardoff 4/29Mary O'Donnell 4/29May 6James Barnett 4/30Evelin Glasser 4/30Rose Kalmon 4/30David Lesch 4/30


CELEBRATIONS

BIRTHDAYS

ANNIVERSARIES

Tom & Marlene Miller April 2 22nd anniversaryCharley Weiland & Frances Montell April 2 16th anniversarySteven Harris & Maya Goehring-Harris April 24 7th anniversaryJim & Patti Stein April 26 24th anniversary

Margaret Rowland April 3Aleeza Zinn April 3 12thDaniel Hakim April 6Cynthia Schaff April 7Wyatt Ellson April 10 8thJudy Jacobs April 10Frances Montell April 10Caradwen Brasket April 12Michelle Toth April 15Maya Cardenas-Berkowitz April 16 12thJoshua Cohen April 16Maggie Spiegel April 16 7thAaron Kruglikov April 19 18thJacob Charney April 21 16thBetty Riback April 24Cruz Arellanes April 25Ryan Graham April 26 3rdShaun Reid April 27Elliana Miriam Forshaw April 29 1st

GRADUATION!!

If you have a child or grandchild who is graduating from high school, college, or grad school this May orJune, please let us know at [email protected] by May 10. We like to acknowledge this accomplishment inthe June Bulletin!


TEMPLE ISRAEL BULLETIN

The Temple Israel Bulletin is a monthly periodical.Deadline for articles is the 10th of the month for the fol-lowing month’s issue. Comments can be directed to theTemple office: 3183 Mecartney Rd., Alameda, CA94502-6912, Phone 510-522-9355, Fax 510-522-9356,email: [email protected].

RABBI: Allen B. Bennett,

[email protected]

DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING:

Mindy Myers

[email protected]

ADMINISTRATOR:

[email protected]

PRESIDENT: Cindy Berk

[email protected]

The TI Times is a weekly email publication sent to theTemple Israel membership with email addresses. If youwould like to receive the TI Times please contact the Tem-ple office at: [email protected]

OFFICE HOURSRabbi Allen B. Bennett is generally in the office:

10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays,

9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays,

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays,

and Sundays during Hebrew and ReligiousSchool hours.

The office is open from 9:00—Noon on Monday and Tues-day and 9:00 AM– 12:00 PM Thursday through Friday.

Because the Rabbi may be involved in meetings, other ap-pointments, tutoring students, etc., during the times he is inthe building, it is best to make an appointment before com-ing in.

YOUR TEMPLE ISRAEL BOARDOF DIRECTORS

President - Cindy BerkTreasurer—Jacob Lustig

Secretary—Beth Magidson

Fundraising— Kimberlee MacVicar & Jen Whatley

Personnel—Betty Riback

Public Information- Carol Parker

Operations – Eric StrimlingEducation—Mike Riback

Ritual— Suzi Scher

Membership—Charley Weiland

Big Band Concert/Dance

in Alameda Every Last Wednesday of the Month

Come and listen/dance to Dave’s Swingtime Big Band playing the hits from the 30’s to the

60’s.

18 piece big band plus a female vocalist performs east and west coast swing, rumbas,

waltzes, cha chas, tangos, night club two-step and a few surprises!

Every last Wednesday of the Month

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm Temple Israel 3183 Mecartney Road

$5.00 donation

For further details call Dave at 510-521-1349 or Email: [email protected]



UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

BRUCHAS AND BAGELSApril 8, 6:30 PM: Join us for the recitation of the traditional Shabbat blessings over the candles, wine, and challah,and enjoy a light bagel snack! See page 7 for more information.

WOMEN’S SEDERApril 12, 5:45 PM: See page 8 for information and sign up. MUST make reservations in advance.

TOT SHABBATApril 15, 6:30 PM: A short service for young children. See page 7.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DISCO SEDERApril 17, 10:30—Noon: See page 5 for information.

COMMUNITY SEDERApril 19, 6:00 PM: See pages 1 and 6 for sign up. MUST make reservations in advance.

GUNTHER GATES MEMORIAL CONCERTApril 23, 7:00 PM: See page 12 for information.

FESTIVAL YIZKOR SERVICEApril 25, 10:00 AM: This is one of 4 yizkor services during the year.

MINYAN AND BAGEL BREAKFASTApril 24, 9:30 AM: Join us for davening followed by a delicious Passover brunch

April 27, 8:00 PM: Dance to the Big Band sound of Dave Altschuler’s Swingtime Band. A $5.00 donation at the dooris requested. See page 18 for information.

GIFT CARDSSales Table open during all Temple Israel committee meetings and during Religious School!

Documents

April 2011 Temple Israel Bulletin