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Scroll The

A Publication of Mosaic Law Congregation

July 2015 | 14 Tammuz - 15 Av 5775

Inside this Issue

SEVEN by Judy Abrams Kahler Taff 2

Reflections from the President 5

Women’s Network 9

MLC Events 10

KOH Library 11

Melton School of Jewish Learning 12-13

Community Notes 9

Birthdays/Anniversaries

Donations, Condolences,

Mazel Tov! 17-19

2300 Sierra Boulevard | Sacramento, CA 95825 | (916) 488-1122 | Fax: (916) 488-1165 | www.mosaiclaw.org

A few weeks ago, on Shabbat

morning, I delivered a sermon

and subsequently sent the text to

the entire congregation via our

email list. I asked you to write

letters and email them to the President of the State of Isra-

el. Many of you shared with me that you took action and I

am grateful that you made the effort. Following that public

sermon which I felt important enough to email to all on

our synagogue email list, I received an email from my col-

league Rabbi Joel Zeff, Rabbi at Kenesset Israel Torah

Center. Rabbi Zeff shared with me that he received the

text of the sermon and was upset with some of the content

and what he felt was a misrepresentation of Orthodox Ju-

daism. I suggested to him that we sit and talk together,

which we did last Thursday. I listened to him as he pas-

sionately spoke about Orthodox institutions in Israel which

care deeply about special needs children and adults. Last

Shabbat in my Dvar Torah on Parshat Korach, I shared a

passage from our Talmud:

Our sages in the Mishnah said it best. “Arguments under-

taken for the sake of heaven, such as those between the

schools of Hillel and Shamai are lasting. Arguments un-

dertaken for ulterior motives, such as those of Korach and

his followers, are not lasting.”

I truly believe that the discussion Rabbi Zeff and I had in

my office was undertaken L’shem Shamayim, for the sake

of heaven. I told Rabbi Zeff, for whom I hold a profound

respect, that I would be open to publishing his letter in

response to my sermon. I invite you to read the letter that

he recently sent to me.

I am grateful to Rabbi Zeff for being willing to engage

with me in a discussion on this very important issue and

commend him for his commitment to pluralism. We are

blessed to have such a Mensch as the leader of our com-

munity’s only Orthodox synagogue.

From the Desk of Rabbi Joel Zeff

June 22, 2015

5 Tammuz, 5775

Dear Rabbi Taff,

Our most recent interaction, concerning a painful subject,

has only reinforced my feeling that I have found in you a

trusted colleague and friend. I was concerned over a ser-

mon you gave a few weeks ago, whose text was widely

circulated. I asked if we could talk, and you agreed, with-

out hesitation.

In your sermon, you had protested the pressure from cer-

tain Orthodox parties, which led to the cancelation/delay

of a Bar Mitzvah ceremony for special needs children, un-

der the auspices of a Conservative Rabbi of a congregation

in Rehovot, Israel. The basic narrative of what occurred is

recounted in your sermon and this is not the place to re-

trace the events.

What happened, even according to the most “generous”

version of the narrative is an example of an ideological

battle. There are Orthodox forces which view any depar-

ture from religious orthodoxy as a grave threat to what

they regard as normative Judaism, and they will exert their

power to suppress non-orthodoxy.

I fully understand why you would be outraged over the

lack of true parity for the Reform and Conservative move-

ments in Israel and I have no objection to your protest. I

have no interest whatsoever in defending the actions of the

(Continued on page 4)

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July Services & Festivals

Shabbat Candlelighting

Times

July 3 - 8:15pm

July 10 - 8:13pm

July 17 - 8:09pm

July 24 - 8:04pm

July 31 - 7:58pm

Shabbat Friday Kabbalat Shabbat – 6pm

Friday Night Live - 7:30pm

Shabbat Morning Service -

9:00am

July 4 - Parshat Balak

Havdalah - 9:23pm

July 11 - Parshat Phinhas

Havdalah - 9:21pm

July 18 - Parshat Matot-Masei

Havdalah - 9:17pm

July 25 - Parshat Devarim

Havdalah - 9:12pm

Minyan Schedule Mornings

Sunday – 9:00am

Monday & Thursday - 7:15am

Rosh Chodesh – 7:15am

Federal Holidays – 8:30am

Pesach Morning Minyans

7:15am April 6th - 9th

in the Chapel

Afternoons Monday – Thursday – 5:45pm

The Scroll

Seven is No Insignificant Number

From Judy Abrams Kahler Taff

When I first heard about SEVEN, I only knew that my two dear friends Jan

Adhers and Claire Lipshultz were involved in this theatrical performance,

Jan as the director and Claire as the producer. I later discovered that the

National Council of Jewish Women, Sacramento Section was sponsoring

the event. With that information alone, I decided to attend. I have attended

many of Jan and Claire’s performances over the years. I have never left dis-

appointed and I am constantly impressed with their creativity, professional-

ism and flair. They are each accomplished actresses in their own rights and

to that they have added story-telling and directing. Maybe you have seen

one of their “Story Voices” fund raising presentations in the past. Addition-

ally, they generously use their talents to benefit causes dear to their hearts.

I attended the production of SEVEN last winter at Congregation B'nai Israel

with a sold out audience of 400 others. The play opened with “SEVEN”

striking women of various ethnicities and costumes sitting in a row on the

stage. They began alternating and telling parts of their life experiences as

women in situations where being a woman was a huge disadvantage. Their

stories kept winding together with one finishing the other’s sentence and

then proceeding to tell a part of her story. In short order, I was completely

entranced and connected to each woman and her tale. My emotions went

from sorrow to rage to joy and then around again. Each woman on the stage

was excellent. Some were experienced actresses, but I do know that’ at least

in one case there was a woman telling her own story on a stage for the first

time in her life. She was the frosting on an already beautiful cake.

I am sure that there are many women like me who have had some negative

experiences growing up in a male-dominated society. In my youth, we nev-

er spoke about them and they went on until my daughter’s generation spoke

up. Some still go on. My experience, compared to these women, seems

quite benign but they are more than enough for me to identify with these

women. Mine occurred in a society that was supposed to protect me. Many

of these women came from places where they had no protection. The mira-

cle was their resilience and internal strength. They faced insurmountable

odds and prevailed, each in their own way.

As the play closed, I looked at my friends on both sides and we were each

speechless and tearful. I came home after seeing SEVEN and told Rob that

we needed to encourage that this play come to the Center at 2300. Many

people I know were not able to attend last winter or did not even know

about the play. I am so excited that members of our community have

stepped up to underwrite the performance and I encourage you to join me

and my husband and attend SEVEN Sunday, October 4th at 2pm on and

bring your friends. Men will be transfixed as well. You will not be disap-

pointed.

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mayor of Rehovot, or the President of Israel, or of anyone

else who was a party to this sad affair.

What did profoundly concern me were side issues in your

sermon, immaterial to the legitimate protest against Ortho-

dox monopoly, that seemed to me capable of creating im-

pressions which I believe are incorrect and damaging. The

reality is bad enough as it is. I know that you had no inten-

tion in disseminating erroneous or misleading notions and

I know that you were depending on information which you

were given by others. You stated in your sermon, “You

see, Orthodoxy in Israel, be it Haredi or Zionist Orthodox,

has very few programs for disabled children and many

Orthodox rabbis do not recognize children with intellectu-

al disabilities as suitable halachically to be viewed as full

adults. That also carries over to deaf mutes and to children

with certain other severe physical disabilities. So, for more

than 20 years, the Masorti Movement (Conservative) in

Israel has had Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies for special

needs children and it adapts the service to the needs of

these children. And even some Orthodox families with

special needs children have had their children participate.”

When we met, I expressed my deep personal anguish over

the impression that traditional Judaism disenfranchises the

developmentally disabled from the fullness of Jewish life

and that the Orthodox community in Israel has not created

a significant educational framework to provide inclusion

for the developmentally disabled.

I shared with you the plethora of innovative programs for

special needs children that exist just in my own “back

yard” of the Gush Etzion region of Israel. I showed you

the video of the shul in Gush Etzion that was created to

totally integrate a special needs population into a syna-

gogue. It showed the Gabbai of the shul, a young adult

with Down Syndrome, the Torah reading, and an interview

with the rabbi of the shul and the Gabbai.

I told you about the special needs gap-year program that

exists within Yeshivat Har Etzion, the “Harvard” of yeshi-

vot. This remarkable program was designed to provide the

opportunity for young men and women (at Midreshet Lin-

denbaum in Jerusalem) to spend a year of Jewish growth

in Israel after high school, in a yeshiva setting. These

young people, whose siblings went off to “learn Torah” in

Israel, now can do the same.

I told you about the Reishit School in Gush Etzion, where

there is a total integration of special needs children in each

classroom, together with the non-special needs children.

This experience is a privilege for the non-special needs

kids, who learn the values of acceptance, patience, and

human dignity- along with reading, writing, and arithme-

tic.

I read to you the description of a Bar Mitzvah celebration

of a Lubavitch family whose special needs son could only

use only use a form of sign language to say the blessings

over the Torah. The parents described the joy and pride of

the entire congregation as they hoisted the child aloft on

their shoulders to dance around the synagogue to celebrate

his great day. We were both brought to tears.

And there are more such programs - just in my backyard in

Israel. The Orthodox have large families and a proportion-

ate number of special needs children. There is nothing

more valued in traditional Jewish life than children and

their experience of the full richness of Jewish life.

We studied together, as two students of Torah, the view of

traditional Jewish law on the issue of cognitive impair-

ment. We saw how the Rambam, already in the 12th cen-

tury, explains that cognitive impairment (shoteh, in He-

brew) is a spectrum that cannot be objectively defined, in a

uniform and standardized manner. Only the local rabbi can

make the determination as to which functions are appropri-

ate to the individual’s abilities and needs.

The second impression that hurt me terribly is the notion

that non-Orthodox Jews are not viewed as full Jews by the

Orthodox. You quote in your sermon the statement of a

passionately committed Jew involved in the Conservative

Movement, “I am constantly told that I am less of Jew.”

There is no such thing as “half a Jew.” As in computers, it

is 0 or 1. Every Jew is 100% Jewish. A Jew is a Jew, is a

Jew. This is halachic fact. It is foundational and axiomatic.

There is a debate about what is a “normative” expression

of Jewish practice and belief- but that has no bearing

whatsoever on being less or more of a Jew. There simp-

ly is no such thing. I can readily understand why someone

would feel insulted and angry at having a vision of Juda-

ism which they hold dear challenged and treated disre-

spectfully. Yet we must be clear: we can argue about

whether or not any particular interpretation of Judaism is

full or not, but every single Jew is a full Jew.

Finally, there is an aspect to this whole narrative that I

found troubling. Despite the Orthodox monopoly of the

Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the State is a liberal democracy.

There is nothing that would prevent the Conservative Rab-

bi from Rehovot from holding the Bar Mitzvah ceremony,

in whatever form he deemed appropriate, by simply using

an alternative venue for the ceremony, including any num-

ber of Conservative synagogues found in Israel.

We have known each other for many years, back to our

common Camp Ramah in Ojai backgrounds (for which I

am eternally grateful). You know that I have no interest in

controversy. I do not speak ill of another person, move-

Rabbi (Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 5)

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ment, or religion in a public setting (and strive not to in private). I push the envelope of the comfort zone of the vast ma-

jority of my Orthodox colleagues in seeking communal unity, fraternity, and collegiality with my Conservative and Re-

form colleagues, whom I respect and consider friends.

There are real issues that can be fairly debated: Should there be total separation of religion and State in Israel? Should

non-traditional interpretations of Judaism have full access to public funds? Does the government have the right to define

the forms of Judaism that have a role to play within an official setting. These legitimate and hotly debated issues will

ultimately be resolved by the citizens of the State. Even among traditional Jews in Israel, there is a wide spectrum of

opinion on these issues. I, a citizen and resident of Israel, and an Orthodox rabbi, do not have clarity on these difficult

questions.

It was only after I received anguished communications from some of your congregants, who view me as a trusted teacher

of Torah, asking me about your sermon, that my sense of responsibility forced me, against my nature, to address these

troubling impressions, which, in any case are not germane to the genuine issue at hand.

Rabbi Taff, you welcomed me into your office to hear me out. You were receptive to a different perspective and new

information. You are committed to working together, to making sure that our community, which we lead together, bene-

fits from the fullest presentation of the issues and that gratuitous tension is mitigated. You are a mensch. You are a Jew-

ish leader of authenticity and moral statue. You might remember that our talk started out a little tense but ended with our

hugging. I cherish that embrace. Fortunate is the flock that has you as its shepherd.

With abiding respect and affection,

Joel Zeff

Rabbi (Continued from page 4)

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Happy New (Board) Year!

Mosaic Law has three different times

the year turns over – Rosh Hashanah

three months from now, our fiscal

year on January 1st, and what we just

celebrated at the annual meeting on

June 10th – the new term for the Board of Trustees and the

boards of our auxiliary organizations. For those of you

who joined us at the annual meeting, we had a lovely din-

ner donated, once again, by Yair Luria, and then got down

to the business of the shul along with some special recog-

nitions.

I want to take this opportunity to thank two people that

were recognized at the annual meeting who have dedicated

countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears toward the better-

ment of Mosaic Law while serving on the board.

Erich Olson just finished his term as second vice presi-

dent, and a seven year run as a member of the Board of

Trustees. During this time, Erich was president of the

Men’s Club, a board member at large, and a member of

the executive committee as secretary, and, as mentioned,

second vice president. Self-motivated and a man of many

talents, Erich’s efforts have impacted all congregants.

A kitchen maven, there are few meals that have been

served at shul that Erich hasn't impacted – particularly the

weekly Kiddush. Erich has been in charge of making sure

the food gets picked up by the designated board member

of the week, as well as put out on the tables. And there are

few times where Erich isn’t actually in the kitchen, sleeves

rolled up, elbow deep in tuna, egg salad, and making sure

everybody has a nice Kiddush lunch.

Beyond the kitchen, Erich has served in many less visible

roles – chief of security, bylaws revisions, nominating

committee, and chair of this year’s successful gala – A Cut

Above - to name a few. Further, his counsel on the execu-

tive committee has been invaluable. We’ll miss him at

meetings, but don’t be surprised to see him slinging cole-

slaw just the same on Saturday afternoons!

The second member of the Board of Trustees who has

been paroled is Dr. Karl Zeff. Karl has actually served as

many consecutive terms on the board as is allowed by our

bylaws – and HE is a psychiatrist! But seriously, in one of

the most challenging roles, Karl has chaired the ritual

committee with distinction and without complaint, but

with enthusiasm and unparalleled patience. In the last year

alone, Karl co-chaired our first Rosh Hashanah Seder with

Bud Miller, and was a key factor in the return of the Sec-

ond Seder for Passover. Both events were very successful

with roughly 200 attendees at both functions. For these

efforts, Karl was recognized as the Key Person of the Year

– a board MVP, if you will, at this year’s annual meeting.

Those close to Karl know him as a light hearted, peaceful,

accommodating man; however, as a member of the Board

of Trustees, Karl took his role very seriously and made

significant contributions on many hard decisions we faced

over the last several years. When appropriate, Karl was all

business, and our congregation is the better for it.

We’ll miss his cheesy Jewish jokes and insightful Divrei

Torah at the onset of board meetings, but look forward to

enjoying his company as a “Jew in the pew” going for-

ward.

On behalf of the congregation, thank you and yasher

koach to Erich and Karl!

Two other awards were given out at this year’s annual

meeting. As mentioned above, the Second Seder made a

roaring return this year. The effort was monumental after a

5 year hiatus. The cleaning and kashering of the kitchen

alone took weeks. Although there were many contributors

to its success, there were two individuals who stood out as

MVP’s. For that, Ricki Lobel was given the Volunteer of

the Year Award, and Reid Milburn was given the Honora-

ble Menschen Award.

Thank you and yasher koach to Ricki and Reid on a very

successful event. Thanks to their effort, we expect to con-

tinue the Second Seder for years to come.

When my term as president began a year ago, my top pri-

ority was improving the financial status of the congrega-

tion. Specifically, increasing revenues to close the gap be-

tween our short and long term expenses and what we bring

in on an annual basis. Our three major revenue categories

are dues, fundraisers, and The Center at 2300. I’m happy

to report that all three areas experienced significant growth

due to an all hands effort by our staff, the board, and an

army of volunteers. We have a long way to go before we

take our collective foot off the gas, but I’m encouraged by

the progress we have made to date. I expect even greater

success in the next 12 months and would love to hear from

congregants who want to make contributions of their time

and/or funds toward the betterment of YOUR congrega-

tion.

Let’s make this 115th year the best yet at Mosaic Law.

See you in shul!

Reflections from the President

David Long

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Weekly Scroll Submission Guidelines

Submission deadline is each Wed at 5pm. All submis-sions must have complete information: Event, Date, Time, Details, Cost, Contact, and be under 100 words. All sub-missions are subject to editing for space considerations. No late submissions will be accepted.

Monthly Scroll Submission Guidelines

All monthly Scroll content is due by 5pm on the 20th of each month. Articles must be fully complete and not more than 400 words. Longer articles will be edited for space. Events must have complete information: Event, Date, Time, Details, Cost, Contact, and be under 100 words. All submissions are subject to editing for space considerations. No late submissions will be accepted.

All submissions must be emailed to JoAnne Evans at jevans@mosaiclaw.org and Barbara Blue at blue@mosaiclaw.org. Thank you.

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By Appointment

A Message from the Wom-

en’s Network about the

2015-2016 Congregation-

al Directory

Dear Fellow Members of Mosaic

Law Congregation,

The Women’s Network is busy preparing the 2015-2016

congregational directory. Alla Gamarnick will be spear-

heading this important project, assisted by Deborah Frost

and Arlene Pearl. A tremendous amount of work goes into

compiling this resource, and ensuring the accuracy of our

membership listings, telephone numbers addresses and

emails and WE NEED YOUR HELP.

By the middle of July, you will receive your directory list-

ing packet, containing forms for both your directory listing

and any New Year greeting you wish to include in the di-

rectory. This year, we are requesting that everyone com-

plete their directory listing form with all relevant infor-

mation and mail it back to the office by the deadline. The

form should be completed regardless of whether or not

you have changes to last year’s listing. This will facilitate

the process of compiling the directory for our dedicated

volunteers.

I am pleased also to announce that the following commit-

ted women were installed as members of the Women’s

Network board at the 2015 Annual Meeting:

President, Sheri Pearl

Vice-President – Membership, Janis Lightman

Vice-President – Events, Sandra Bear

Secretary – Financial – Dawn Maurer

Secretary – Recording – Dale Gaskin

Secretary – Corresponding – Julie Lavine

Treasurer – Melanie Segal

Immediate Past President – Carol Loew

At Large – Goldie Block

Please watch your mail for your Women’s Network and

Men’s Club 2015-2016 Membership Packets – coming

soon.

Best wishes for a wonderful summer!

Lihitraot,

Sheri Pearl

From the Women’s Network

Sheri Pearl

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Bernie Goldberg’s English readings: Maimonides,

Mishna Torah, selections every Shabbat at 8am in the

Chapel.

Shabbat Under the Stars - Fri, Jul 3 at 7:30pm in the

Courtyard. Please join in an amazing outdoor spiritual

prayer experience as we sing together with Cantor Ben,

Rabbi Taff, and the MLC Band and Choir. Ice cream sun-

dae bar following the service.

Mosaic Law Gift Shop summer hours are: Wed 3-6pm;

Fri 1-4pm; Sun by appointment only. Call Carol Loew at

(916) 927-5220.

Chicken Soup Warms the Soul - The meat freezer died

and took the chicken soup with it. If you are interested in

sponsoring the preparation of the soup, please contact

Caren Zorman at carenzee@gmail.com.

Adventures in the Amidah - Come one and all as the

Sunday minyannaires restart their weekly breakfast discus-

sions. Join Jonathan Lightman and guest facilitators in

leading “Adventures in the Amidah,” explaining the bless-

ings of the Amidah one week at a time. Join the Sunday

minyan at 9am and stay for a bagel and a great discussion.

Don’t worry about missing a session; each week will stand

on its own.

Come to MLC for music lessons! Teachers use our facili-

ties to teach more than 20 instruments. This also raises

money for the synagogue! For more information, go to the

Community page at mosaiclaw.org.

November 2015 ATID Life & Legacy Trip to Poland

and Israel. Join Rabbi and Judy on this special trip from

November 8-18, 2015. This special VIP Legacy Tour

leaves on Sunday, November 8th from Sacramento arriv-

ing in Krakow, Poland on Monday morning, November

9th, the anniversary of Kristallnacht. The itinerary is espe-

cially designed to allow us to examine two of the most

significant events of Jewish history - the Shoah (The Holo-

caust) and the birth of the State of Israel. We will be privi-

leged to meet with members and officials of the Jewish

community in Poland as well as in Israel. Do not delay,

register TODAY! Feel free to contact Rabbi Taff at rab-

bi@mosaiclaw.org if you have any additional questions.

Loaves & Fishes - MLC volunteers at Loaves & Fishes

every third Monday of each month. You can come at

7:30am to help cook and/or at 10:45 to help serve. For

more info, contact the MLC office at (916) 488-1122.

Mosaic Law Events

If you wish to purchase a memorial plaque before the

High Holydays, please contact Caren Zorman at

carenzee@gmail.com, by the following dates:

Rosh Hashanah (Sep 14) by July 24.

Yom Kippur (Sep 23) by July 31.

Important Notice

Please keep your belongings with you at all times

while you are on campus. Do not leave them unat-

tended at any time!

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KOH Library and Cultural Center

Calendar of Events Summer 2015

Summer is heating up, but we are keeping cool. Be sure to

make KOH Library and Cultural Center a part of your

summer schedule: Visit our bright, air-conditioned facility

for a variety of programming, art, music, reading, learning

and discussing. Our impressive collection includes videos

and books of all genres. Please visit our webpage:

kohlcc.org or call us at 485-4143 for more information.

Friends of KOH Reception

Sunday, August 2nd at 2pm. In honor of our dear group of

“Friends.” We can never have too many Friends!

Contact Joann at library@kohlcc.org or call (916) 485-

4143 for more information on becoming a Friend of KOH

and how each friend can bring a friend!

KOH Book Club

All meetings of the KOH Book Club are open to newcom-

ers. Walk-ins are welcome to join the interesting discus-

sions. Tuesday, July 21st at 7pm. This month’s selection is

The Fortune Teller’s Kiss by Brenda Serotte.

Reading Ahead??? The selection for August 18th is The

Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Simone. Copies of all

Book Club selections are available at KOH.

Ongoing Groups

- Rabbi Melamed’s Discussion Group – Meets at 1:30 the

second Monday of each month. This summer’s meetings

will be on July 13th and August 10th.

- Hadassah Discussion Group – The Jessie Yoshpe Hadas-

sah Study Group is on hiatus for the summer. The group

will resume on Sep 16, and will meet the 1st and 3rd

Wednesday of each month from 9:45-11:30 a.m. at the

KOH Library. The new study will be using the guide “The

Jewish Prophets” by Rabbi Dr. Michael J. Shire. For fur-

ther details, please contact Soni Meyer at 916 383-5743.

- NEW Writing Group – Writing as a Spiritual Practice -

with facilitator, Pia Spector. Six Thursday evenings from 7

– 9pm. July 9 & 23; August 6 & 20; September 3 & 17

Suggested donation is $5 per class to cover costs, snacks

and journals. To register contact Pia Spector at (916) 747-

0541 or pspector@gmail.com. You are welcome to visit

Pia’s website at www.piaspector.com for more infor-

mation.

The KOH Library and Cultural Center is run solely by vol-

unteers. If you wish to join our volunteer family, please

contact Taliah Berger, KOH President and Program Direc-

tor at taliah@kohlcc.org or 916-541-3720 or call the li-

brary office directly at 916 485-4143.

KOH Hours and Amenities:

Free Wi-Fi is available.

Please continue to visit in person – or check us out on our

webpage: kohlcc.org. You can access our catalog, calen-

dar of events and our Wish List online.

Our hours are:

Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday: 10am to 1pm.

Wednesday: 1pm – 6pm

We are also available as needed – just call ahead to be sure

someone is here to assist you (916) 485-4143.

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There is a saying in our Talmud: “Who shares in the community’s troubles will also share in its consolation” (Ta’anit

11a). Our synagogue offers short-term counseling with a volunteer professional licensed therapist. Rande Zaretsky, a

licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), has offered her services to the members of our congregation.

Counseling is a process of confidential discussions with a trained licensed therapist. With the support of an objective

therapist you can identify and develop alternative coping skills. Appointments are open to children, teens, adults and

couples of all ages. Rande will have private office hours on Tuesdays, hours to be arranged. Alternative arrangements

may also be available.

A fee to the synagogue of $36 is to be paid at each session. No one will be turned away because of inability to afford the

fee, but everyone will be expected to pay something.

To schedule a confidential appointment, please call (916) 488-1166 and upon hearing the recording, leave your message.

Be sure to speak clearly and slowly, leaving your name and phone number.

Rande will be checking for messages twice each day and will return calls within 24 hours, Mondays through Thursdays.

Should you have any questions about this program, please contact Rabbi Taff. Strict confidentiality will be maintained.

Mosaic Law Counseling Center

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The Core Curriculum:

Year 1

Rhythms of Jewish Living

What’s the point of living Jewishly? What ideas, beliefs, and practices are involved? This course examines a wide varie-

ty of Jewish sources to discover the deeper meanings underlying Jewish holidays, lifecycles observances, and Jewish

Practices.

Purposes of Jewish Living

Why do Jews believe as they do? What are the big questions of life and how do Jewish thinkers answer these questions?

This course explores sources both ancient and modern in pursuit of answers to many of the major issues of Jewish

thought and theology.

Year 2

Ethics of Jewish Living

How do Jewish teachings shed light on contemporary issues such as the environment. Inter-personal relationships, end-

of-life decisions, and stem-cell research? This course explores the wisdom of ancient and modern rabbis, scholars, and

thinkers, offering multiple Jewish approaches to conducting our lives in the communal and private spheres.

Crossroads of Jewish History

This class spotlights defining periods in Jewish history and provides an understanding of howthese crossroads have

shaped Judaism as we know it today. The course seeks to reclaim the richness of Jewish history and explore the role that

Jews played - not just as passive victims, but also as shapers of our shared identity and destiny.

Register today and join the great Jewish conversation!

The Florence Melton School of Jewish Learning is the largest pluralistic adult

Jewish education network in th eworld. Founded in 1980, there are now 50 Mel-

ton Schools in 47 cities throughout the US and around the world, attended week-

ly by some 5,500 students. Sacramento is one of Melton’s newest satellite

schools!

What makes the Melton School Unique?

Commitment to Learning - Students enroll in a sequential two-year course devel-

oped specifically for adult learners. They meet one day a week throughout the

academic year. There are no examinations. The only prerequisite is a commit-

ment to learn. The Melton School infuses students with a desire to make Jewish

learning a way of life which often continues beyond the first two years into Mel-

ton School graduate courses.

Quality Teaching & Learning - To preserve the high standards which are the

hallmark of the Melton School, all faculty members - educators within the com-

munity - must participate within the community in ongoing professional enrich-

ment programs. This also contributes to the community’s educational resources.

Questioning and dialogue are encouraged in a pluralistic classroom environment.

Sophisticated Curriculum - Four text-based courses make up the sequential two-

year curriculum written by a team of experts at the Hebrew University’s Centre for Jewish Education - the world’s larg-

est academic center for Jewish Education.

Israel-Diaspora Partnership - Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Centers, Bureaus of Jewish Education and com-

munity coalitions are the Hebrew University’s partners in the Melton School. This ensures a community commitment to

maintaining the high level of quality expected of each Melton School. There are study and enrichment seminars for

alumni, faculty, and directors at the Hebrew University: the Israel Seminar for Graduates, the Faculty Israel Seminar and

the International Directors Conference.

For more information, contact Sara Kahn Shapiro at sara@meltonschoolsacramento.org, (916) 488-6397, or explore the

website at www.meltonschool.org/

Page 14

The Scroll

California State Fair - July 10th-26th. Online ticket sales

close July 5th! Whether you love the food, the rides, the

midway, the animals or everything else the California

State Fair has to offer, be sure to purchase tickets using

our special promo code: JFSRStateFair. You'll enjoy the

Fair even more knowing you helped your community!

Committee on Inclusion and Disabilities - Sun, Jul 12.

Inclusive Activities for All! The Jewish Federation's Com-

mittee on Inclusion and Disabilities and PJ Library invite

children ages 3-8 of all abilities for a fun-filled day of ac-

tivities that includes swimming (life guard on duty); arts

and crafts, circle time with singing; cooking activity; mak-

ing new friends; and more! Also includes "Living Jewishly

Throughout the Year," a facilitated parent discussion

group, during children's play time. Parent presence re-

quired. Free. 2:00-3:30pm. Congregation B'nai Israel,

3600 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento. For more information,

contact inclusion@jewishsac.org.

Leisure League at the Albert Einstein Residence Center

on Thu, Jul 23 at 12pm. Vocalist Caitlyn Shannon is a col-

lege student who has been singing and performing since

she was a child. A graduate of Shalom School, she will be

starting her penultimate semester at Sacramento City Col-

lege this autumn. Caitlyn performs with theatre companies

in the Sacramento area. All Leisure League programs are

Noon-2:00pm. $5 includes lunch and entertainment. For

more information about Leisure League or to RSVP, con-

tact 916-486-0906 or federation@jewishsac.org.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Sacramento

Sunday, August 2nd at 10am. "Uncovering Family Secrets

Through Genealogy." Dr. Valerie Jordan will highlight the

theme of family secrets and how genealogy may intention-

ally or accidentally uncover hidden family secrets. She'll

share two examples of these secrets from her paternal

grandfather's story. Valerie is a retired professor of psy-

chology from the University of La Verne. Her interest in

genealogy has evolved partly from teaching courses in

family therapy and using multigenerational genograms

(pictorial displays of a person's family relationships) in

therapy. Valerie currently lives in Lincoln. All are wel-

come to join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Sacra-

mento at the Einstein Center, 1935 Wright Street. For

more information, contact Mort Rumberg at

mortrumberg1@earthlink.net.

Shabbat-in-a-Box - Volunteer to make Shabbat-in-a-box

on a Friday afternoon with Jewish residents at local senior

facilities. Federation provides all of the fixings: candle-

sticks, candles, grape juice, challah, etc. You provide com-

panionship and a visit! 3pm - 4pm. For more information,

location, and dates, contact Elissa Provance at 916-486-

0906 ext. 304 or eprovance@jewishsac.org.

Make a Dream Come True – Host an Exchange

Student - Forte International Exchange Association

(FIEA), a highly respected non-profit public-benefit or-

ganization, is seeking volunteer host families for high

school boys and girls from various countries for the up-

coming school year. The students are excited and are al-

ready awaiting word about their host families. Host fami-

lies provide room, board, and guidance for a foreign teen-

ager living thousands of miles from home. Couples, single

parents, and families with or without children living at

home are all encouraged to apply. The exchange students

arrive from their home countries before the current school

year begins. Each FIEA student is fully insured, brings

his/her own spending money and expects to bear his/her

share of the household responsibilities as well as be in-

cluded in normal activities and lifestyles. If you are inter-

ested in opening your home and sharing your family life

with a young person from abroad, please contact your Lo-

cal Representatives Carol or Susan Berger at 209-502-

7443 or by e-mail arielpdog@sbcglobal.net. Please also

visit our website for more information:

www.forteexchange.org.

Community Notes

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The Scroll

Page 16

The Scroll

Page 17

July Birthdays

1 Philip & Roxanne Stanger

1 Hanoch & Meladee McCarty

2 Alan & Nancy Brodovsky

2 Lester Adelman & Anna Joy

4 Mitch & Teri Ostwald

5 Arkady & Sofia Komsky

5 Bill Blank & Wendy Hoffman-

Blank

6 Fred & Meredith Howe

6 Steven Gregory & Melinda Yaffee

8 Steven & Linda Merksamer

10 Chad & Margot Frost

11 Kenneth & Annette Davis

11 Todd & Jennifer Barth

11 Charles & Barbara Spooner

13 Matthew & Mary Friedman

15 David & Bobbette Morvai

15 Michael & Betsy Singer

22 Bradley & Hellan Dowden

24 Murray & Gail Haberman

24 Lesley & Donald Heller

25 Dan & Melinda Ott

25 Sylvan & Beverly Karfiol

26 Craig & Ezilda Samoville

27 Richard Gould &

Michelle Masoner

28 Eric & Leyne Milstein

July Anniversaries

1 Benjamin Gordon

1 Juliana Weinstein

1 Natalia Cohan

2 Carl Stein

3 Sorelle Berger

3 Leor Thomas

4 Ellen King

4 Enid Malkin

4 Devyn Swift

5 Aaron Ichel

5 Phil Fine

6 Jennifer Klein

6 Robert Spector

6 Ben Rubin

6 Harvey Canter

7 Victor Strasser

7 Rachel Galili

8 Norman Weiner

8 Julie Schweitzer

9 Aaron Zeff

10 Phyllis Needelman

10 Naomi Villanueva

10 Jerry Fogler

10 William Clay

10 Joe Cohan

10 Bella Faierstein

11 Bruce Anapolsky

12 Yair Luria

12 Linda Reitzenstein

12 Miriam Siegel

12 Jonathan Salman

12 Daniel Salman

12 Zoey Wittlake

12 Esti Shapiro

12 Ariel Tenenbaum

12 Arima Claypool

12 Deborah Frost

12 Joshua Heller

13 Loretta Lentzner

13 Debbie Metzger

13 Carole Sussman

13 Linda Yassinger

14 Deanne Meyer

14 Abi Erle

15 Nelson Cohn

15 Robin Berrin

15 Marcy Friedman

16 Bebe Pollack

16 Martin Strasser

16 Henry Sperber

17 Jeffery Morris

17 Sheila Varshawsky

17 Alex Verpukhovsky

18 Sharyl Long

18 David O’Riva

18 William Bombard

19 Sandy Shaffer

19 Marc Sussman

19 Jeremy Futerman

19 Isaac Bar Shahar

19 Annette Davis

19 Irene Green

20 Lisa Breslau

20 Diane Dulberg

20 Cynthia Goldberg

21 Marjorie Swartz

21 Sophia Samuel

21 Devan Varshawsky

21 Ava Miller

21 Rick Cohen

22 Dana Long

22 Samantha Epworth

22 Morgan Haberman

22 Michelle Masoner

23 DeeDee Mozes

23 Casey Vasquez

24 Edward Kobrin

24 Stacy Spector

24 Noa Elliot

24 Carol Scheinberg

24 Susanne Brabec

24 Meg Salasky

25 Aaron Tomiyama

25 Eli Wolf

25 Maxine Richey

25 Anjanette

Grossman

25 Abe Faierstein

26 Philip Reiser

26 Pat Thaler

26 Rachel Miller

26 Adam Davis

26 Josiah Ortego

26 Judah Ortego

26 Hellan Dowden

26 Joy Kanarik

27 Harold Stein

27 Michael Freeman

27 Gus Ballis

28 Linda Merksamer

28 Eliot Reiner

28 Boris Rozenberg

28 Ally Wickham

28 Hannah Poisner

29 Lauren Weil

29 Marilyn Margman

31 Estelle Opper

31 Eva Revesz

31 Janet Solomon

31 Amanda Wolf

The Scroll

Page 18

Generous Gifts From Thoughtful People Donations Made Between 21 May through 20 June

Cantor’s Mitzvah Fund In appreciation of her Aliyah

Joyce Berger

General Synagogue Fund In honor of Elissa Provance

for her dedicated service as

Gabbai Rishon

Mike & Betsy

Singer

In honor of David Fahn’s

graduation with his Master’s

Degree

In honor of Natalie

Rochman’s election to USY

Regional Board

In honor of Orly Fahn’s

Confirmation

Michael & Louise

Caplan

The Torah Place Marker

Stuart Cohen

Helping with the mailings of

the Stone Chumashim to

Texas

David & Delores

Spitzer

Rabbi Taff - thank you for

the Chumash

Dr. Bess Dolmo

Speedy recovery to David

Varshawsky, Dr. Daniel

Khazzoom, & Dr. Bob Zeff.

Thinking of you and a

refuah schlema - back to

perfect health

Harry & Julie

Lavine

In memory of Janet Abrams

White

Suzanne Green

KOH Library & Cultural

Center

In memory of Baryohay

Davidoff’s beloved sister,

Esther bat Sarah

v’Emmanuel

Roz & Lou

Weintraub

Well Wishes to Daniel

Khazzoom

Jolie Baron

Mazal Tov on the birth of

her granddaughter to Jolie

Baron

Harlan Goodson and

Valla Hoffman

Murray Bachman Minyan

Fund

In memory of our sister-in-

law, Shirley Dubnick

Barbara & Davina

Dubnick

In memory of her beloved

grandfather, Ludwig Kraus

Karen Neuwald

Speedy recovery to David

Varshawsky, Marin &

Daniel Khazzoom

Bernie & Molly

Goldberg

Speedy recovery to Daniel

Khazzoon - wishing you a

quick recovery

Robert Velazquez

Other Shipping our Stone Chu-

mash to Houston

Janis & Jonathan

Lightman

Lorraine Katz

Ron & Soni Meyer

Ron & Iris Bachman

In memory of Ruth David

Sharon Jacobson

Oneg for Shabbat Under the

Stars

Joan & Marc

Epstein

Past President’s Youth

Fund Speedy recovery to Dr

Daniel Khazzoom

Elliot & Arlene

Pearl

Rabbi’s Mitzvah Fund In memory of Janet Abrams

White - She’s on her way,

following the bright light to

pure happiness, health, and

accomplishment

Jacqui & Al Toledo

In memory of Janet W@hite,

Judy Kahler Taff’s sister

Elizabeth & Michael

Gurev

In memory of Judy Kahler’s

sister, Janet Abrams White

Linda & Steve

Merksamer

Our small contribution to-

wards the mailing costs of

the Chumashim to the Texas

synagogues in honor of our

54th wedding anniversary

Rita Abbott

In appreciation of your ser-

vices for the unveiling of

Betty Salomon and Shirley

Fahn

Karen Salomon &

James Sugerman

In appreciation of his won-

derous caring and kindness

Andy & Ruth Baron

In memory of Judy Kahler

Taff’s beloved sister, Janet

White

Michael & Louise

Caplan

With heartfelt loss of Judy’s

sister, Janet. May she be re-

membered for her love that

others shared

Sam & Sharon

Anapolsky

In memory of Judy Kahler’s

beloved sister, Janet White

Elliot & Arlene

Pearl

In memory of Judy’s be-

loved sister, Janet White

Roz & Lou

Weintraub

In memory of Janet White

Shirley Cohodes

In memory of Janet Abrams,

sister of Judy Abrams

Kahler - We are sorry for the

loss of your beloved sister

Ron & Iris Bachman

In response to Rabbi’s mes-

sage about the Bar Mitzvah

event in Israel

Irwin A. Herman,

MD

In appreciation of your ser-

vices at the unveiling for

Peter Greenstein’s headstone

Sylvia Greenstein

Yahrzeit

In memory of his beloved

brother, Louis Block (Leybl

ben Tzina Bela)

Dr Charles Block

In memory of his beloved

mother, Simcha Navi (Simha

bat Metukka)

David Navi

In memory of Tessie Stecher

Leonard Stecher

In memory of his beloved

father, Edwin Mozes (Mahel

Meir ben Miriam)

Larry Mozes

In memory of Marilyn

Stecher - with loving memo-

ries of my wife and mother

of our daughters

Leonard Stecher

In memory of his beloved

uncle, Herbert Bergman

(Continued on page 19)

The Scroll

Page 19

Kiddush & Oneg Sponsors, Hosts & Co-Sponsors for June

Bernie & Molly Goldberg in honor of Bernie’s birthday

Joyce & Steve Weinberg in honor of Joyce’s birthday

Sue Sperber in honor of her birthday

Linda & Marvin Kamras in honor of their anniversary

Roz & Lou Weintraub in honor of their anniversary and Roz’s birthday

Tamar & Ian Yellin in honor of their 4th wedding anniversary

Joan Epstein in support of the Friday Oneg

Harold & Karen Goldstein in honor of their anniversary

Michael & Jennifer Klein in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter,

Samantha

Mosaic Law

Congregation

Board of Trustees

2015-2016

Executive Board President - David Long

First Vice Pres - Steve Turtletaub

Second Vice Pres - Dan Ott

Treasurer - Caren Zorman

Secretary - David Tokarski

Immediate Past President

Jonathan Lightman

Board of Trustees

Joel Blank

Stuart Cohen

Mark Cohn

Harvey Edber

Joshua Heller

Michael Levy

Carol Loew

Jolan Rosenthal

Renee Schaffer

Joel Zimmerman

Women’s Network President

Sheri Pearl

Men’s Club President

Victor Strasser

Past Presidents Alan Brodovsky

Mark Cohn

Alan Edelstein

Morton Ehrlich, MD

Deborah Gonzalez

Kenneth Goore

Frank Gumpert

Marvin Kamras, MD

Steven Mopsick

Charles Nadler

Michael Opper

Mitchell Ostwald

Arlene Pearl

Elliott Pearl

Steven Polansky, MD

Sid Rosenberg

Marc Sussman

Robert Zeff, MD

Caren Zorman

The Scroll

(Chenya ben Rashel)

Rick Weisberg

In memory of her beloved husband,

Leonard Salasky (Yonkel Laeb ben

Fromme)

Carol Salasky

In memory of Edythe Rosenberg, his

mother

Lew Rosenberg

In memory of my sister, Fiby Azoulay,

of blessed memory

Elais Azoulay

In memory of Florence Schoichet,

(Faiga Ita), her sister

Molly Goldberg

In memory of her beloved mother,

Clara Deutsch

Shirley Cohodes

In memory of Etta Gilbert, his sister

Gerry Ross

In memory of Norman Kaufman, her

brother

In memory of her beloved husband,

Pete

Sylvia Greenstein

In memory of his beloved father, Max

Stein (Mordecai Mendel ben Yacov)

Harold Stein

In memory of his beloved mother, Bet-

ty Block (Tsina Bela bat Charna)

Charlie Block

In memory of her sister-in-law, Barba-

ra Spitzer

Delores Spitzer

In memory of our beloved grandfather,

Israel Dubnick

Barbara & Davina Dubnick

In memory of Judy Kahler’s sister,

Janet White

In memory of our parents for Shavuot

Gayle & Ed Fishkin

In memory of his beloved father, Max

Haberman

Murray & Gail

Haberman

(Continued from page 18)

In Memoriam…

The congregation extends its condolences to:

Jan Linver on the loss of her dear husband, and our dear member, Gil Linver,

of blessed memory.

Page 20

The Scroll

Mosaic Law Congregation

Rabbi Reuven Taff……………………....ext 113

email: rabbi@mosaiclaw.org

Cantor Ben Rosner……………………….ext 112

Email: cantorben@gmail.com

Cantor Emeritus George Wald

email: elge@earthlink.net

Rabbi’s Secretary Mary Blumenstein………………..ext 119

email: mary@mosaiclaw.org

Education & Youth Director Irit S. Winston…….……………..ext 117

Email: iwinston@mosaiclaw.org

Weekly/Monthly Scroll Designer Barbara Blue……………………..ext 118

email: blue@mosaiclaw.org

Accountant Lisa Wade………………………..ext 116

email: lwade@mosaiclaw.org

Office Manager JoAnne Eastus Evans……………ext 115

Email: jevans@mosaiclaw.org

President David Long

email: president@mosaiclaw.org

Men’s Club President Victor Strasser

email: mensclub@mosaiclaw.org

Women’s Network President Sheri Pearl

email: sheripearlmlcsh@gmail.com

Published monthly by:

Mosaic Law Congregation

2300 Sierra Boulevard

Sacramento, CA 95825 A member congregation of United

Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Office Hours: Mon-Thu: 9am - 5pm Fri: 9am - 4pm

Telephone: (916) 488-1122 Fax: (916) 488-1165 Website: mosaiclaw.org

Scroll Deadline

Deadline for submissions to The Scroll is the

20th of the month prior to publication. Please

send your article to:

jevans@mosaiclaw and blue@mosaiclaw.org.

Submissions received after the deadline will

be held until the next Scroll is published.