happy hanukkah! friendshipcircle · 2016-05-23 · 1301 farmers lane, suite 103 santa rosa, ca...

1301 Farmers Lane, Suite 103 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

(707) 528-4222www.jccsoco.org

Jalena Mays, Program Director707-528-1476, [email protected]

Jacki Newfield, Program Assistant707-528-1182, [email protected]

CircleFriendshipA program for adults 55+

The Friendship Circle is a Program of the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County

November/December 2015

Happy Hanukkah!

Wednesday, Nov. 4 Safari West Tour

Turn to page 5 for details.

Monday, Nov. 16 Luncheon Napa Valley’s Jewish Heritage As the world rushed in to profit from California’s gold strike of 1848, many Jews joined the throng, not necessarily to mine but to sell merchandise to prospectors.

Some settled in Napa Valley, a basin of rich agricultural land nestled between two mountain ridges. Donna Mendelsohn, co-author of The Jewish Historical Society of Napa Valley, will read exerpts and discuss the published Napa Valley’s Jewish Heritage, which will be for sale. RSVP by Wed. Nov 11.

Make your reservation today!

Hanukkah PartyMonday, Nov. 30

Shop, Schmooze, Delight in Latkes, & Light your HanukkiaTurn to page 3 for details.

Monday, January 11 Luncheon Wine Country Brass Enjoy this traditional brass quintet featuring Tom Woodville and Philip Beard on trumpet, John Lounsbury playing the French horn, Bill Welsh on trombone and Nate Riebli playing the tuba. Drawing from a rich repertoire of western music, Wine Country Brass will perform an array of pop/jazz standards, including songs like On the Street Where You Live, Polka Dots and Moonbeams, Laura, Chicago, Puttin’ on the Ritz, and Chelsea Bridge.

RSVP By the Wednesday before the luncheon 528-1182 or [email protected]

Time 12:00–1:30 PM

Location Congregation Shomrei Torah 2600 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa.

Price $12 Friendship Circle members; $15 guests, includes catered lunch and dessert.

Payment is accepted at the door. Please bring currency no higher than $50.

Lunches are ordered according to the number of reservations. If you are unable to attend a luncheon for which you are reserved, please spare us the loss and make a donation for an equal or greater amount. Thank you for your support.

Rides to Friendship Circle events may be available in select areas (now including Petaluma) upon request one week prior to date of event, thanks to a grant from the San Francisco

Jewish Community Federation.

Joyce Revis, Maria Landree & Helen Levy at Woodfour Sebastopol 10/13

Friendship Circle luncheon at Woodfour in Sebastopol prior to the JCC Film Festival 10/13

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Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • November/December 20152

Announcements • Appreciation

Save These Dates! Nov 4 Senior Excursion – Safari West

Tour and LuncheonNov 10 Luncheon in Sebastopol – Woodfour and the JCC Film FestivalNov 16 Luncheon at CST – Napa Valley Jewish HeritageNov 26–27 JCC Closed for ThanksgivingNov 30 FC Hanukkah Party – Shop, Light the Candles, Eat, Win Prizes, and Celebrate! Dec 13 Luncheon in Santa Rosa – Gary Chu’s and OCC’s Winter Concert Dec 16 Senior Excursion – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, SHN Golden Gate TheaterDec 25 JCC Closed for ChristmasJan 1 JCC Closed for New YearsJan 11 Luncheon at CST – Wine Country BrassJan 18 JCC Closed for Martin Luther King’s Day

Thank You Thank You We would like to thank the following members for their generous donations above and beyond regular membership dues: Corlene Van Sluizer, Penny Wolfsohn, & Stuart and Ethel Schy

Generous Donations • Edee Sternfield-Squires in honor of Leslie Bond’s 100th

Birthday• Bill and Pat Thomas in honor of Ruth’s 80th Birthday.

Congratulations!• Ray Kaplan in memory of Sy Berkowitz• Sheila Hirsch in memory of her husband Barry Hirsch • Jalena Mays in memory of Barry Hirsch• Bill & Pat Thomas for your continued contributions

towards luncheon suppliesIf you are remembering someone you hold dear, or would like to celebrate a friend or family member, please consider making a

donation to the Friendship Circle in their honor.

Welcome to New Friendship Circle Members

Gerry BressonSuzi Cohen, Julie Flieger

Jean Ismail, Judy Loyd & John LoydVivian Salmon, Helga Poulsen

Jeane Taylor

Home Care, Care Management, Transportation, and more

Call 707- 571- 8533www.SeniorsAtHome.org

A D I V I S I O N O F J E W I S H F A M I LY A N D C H I L D R E N ’ S S E R V I C E S

Celebrate the spirit of Tzedakahand the Joy of Tikkun Olam withthe Jewish Community Free Clinic

Become a friend of the [email protected]

(707) 585-7780

NOW LOCATED

50 Montgomery Dr.

Santa Rosa, 95404

VOLUNTEERS ARE

ALWAYS NEEDED

Clubs and ClassesModern DanceJoin Elly Cohen and other Friendship Circle Members for a lighthearted and free flowing dance class Location: Congregation Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Rd., SR When: Tuesdays, 10:00-10:45 AM Donations may be made to the JCC Friendship Circle RSVP: 528-1476 or [email protected]

Mahjongg with Carol JarvisPlease make reservations in advance so we have enough supplies for everyone. All levels welcome. Location: Upstairs at the JCC (no evevator) When: 2nd,3rd, & 4th Tuesday of each month, 1:00-3:00 PM Donations: $2 per class paid at the door RSVP: 528-1476 or [email protected]

Exercise Class with Barbara Goodridge Location: Congregation Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Rd., SR When: Wednesdays & Fridays, 10:20-11:30 AM Free, drop-ins welcome, open to all. Sponsored by Friendship Circle, SRJC, & Congregation Shomrei Torah

Autobiographical Creative Writing with Dani Burlison Location: Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., SR, Rm 12&13 When: Every Monday, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Free, drop-ins welcome, open to all. Sponsored by Friendship Circle, SRJC, & Congregation Beth Ami

Watercolor with Susan St. Thomas Location: Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., SR, Rm 12&13 When: Every Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Free, drop-ins welcome, open to all. Sponsored by Friendship Circle, SRJC, & Congregation Beth Ami

Overnight Trip Announcement: Friendship Circle is traveling to

New York City for a week of Broadway shows in June 2016! Please contact Jalena Mays if you are interested: (707) 528-1476 or [email protected].

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • November/December 2015 3

JCC, Sonoma County presents

Friendship Circle Hanukkah PartyMonday, November 30

11 AM – 2 PMLocation: Congregation Shomrei Torah • 2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa

Candlelighting • Shopping • Door Prizes • Entertainment • Latkes...and more

11:00 AM Shopping & Schmoozing

A great opportunity to purchase jewelry, note cards, quilted items, and unique handmade crafts from local artisans as gifts for the holiday season.

12:15 PM Candlelighting with Evelyn Gurevitch

Remember to bring your own menorahs for this bright and sparkling ceremony! We’ll provide the candles.

12:30 PM Lunch is Served

Hanukkah Catered Lunch including Latkes, sour cream, apple sauce, salads and dessert.

1:00 PM Musical Entertainment by Mama LoshnEnjoy traditional Yiddish melodies in English, Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, Spanish and French. Musicians Gale Kissin, Susanne Shanbaum, Rhonda Findling and Mike Margulis will lift our spirits and bring us together through music as we prepare for the festival of lights.

Jewish Community CenterS O N O M A C O U N T Y

Luncheon DetailsThe fee for this special event is $12 for Friendship Circle members and

$15 for guests and includes lunch, the show and dessert.Payment is accepted at the door.Reservations are required no later than Monday, November 23 (so that we shouldn’t run out of latkes).Call Jacki Newfield at the JCC, Friendship Circle office, (707) 528-1182 or [email protected] to reserve.


Ginette’s story is the same as that of her Sephardic ancestors. The pattern has occurred for generations since the Spanish inquisition: setting up

a home for a time, and then having to flee and start over. Ginette Adams was an infant when her family moved from Alexandria Egypt to

Cairo. Her family grew large with 2 sisters and 2 brothers. Although times were difficult because of the depression, Ginette has wonderful childhood memories of summers in Alexandra, where her extended family lived. This was a relatively calm time for the Jews of Egypt. King Fouad I opened doors to the Jews of the Mediterranean area. As a consequence, numerous Jews immigrated to Egypt to enjoy many aspects that freedom of religion allowed. With these protections many of the Jews (including Ginette’s relatives) prospered after the depression. There was much money to be made from Egyptian sugar and cotton. Ginette attended Jewish Schools where she learned 6 languages; her family spoke French at home. She completed 2 years of college and married a well-known journalist. Life was good.

All this came to an end when Nasser, a leader in the Egyptian revolution, became powerful. He made life for “foreigners” very difficult and even dangerous. Most Jews that called Egypt their home (even for generations) were never granted citizenship. Ginette and her husband fled Egypt with only their clothes on their backs. They made it to the Suez Canal where they successfully begged a captain of a tanker ship to allow them passage. The tanker brought their oil cargo to Australia, and so that’s where Ginette and her husband ended up after 50 days at sea. Ginette’s siblings also had to leave Egypt.

Ginette and her husband found themselves in Sydney with no money. The next day they attended a Shabbat service at a local synagogue and were greeted with offers of room and board - even jobs. One congregant, Dr. Alan Savage recognized Ginette after meeting her family in Cairo when she was a young girl. Her parents often invited foreign Jewish soldiers to their Shabbat dinners. Dr. Savage returned his gratitude by helping them get started on a new life. Ginette became a secretary. Her husband finally worked his way up to become a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald. They anglicized their last name from Aboaf to Adams so people could pronounce it.

After 8 years her husband was transferred to be a permanent correspondent in New York City. He was thrilled, but Ginette wanted to stay in Australia. They moved with their young daughter Denise and made a new life for themselves once again. Eric was soon born. Ginette moved to Sonoma County to be close to Eric and his family. Her daughter Denise lives with her family in Atlanta. Ginette loves attending Friendship Circle’s lunches.

—Interviewed and Written by Liz Hagen

Meet Community MemberGinette Adams

The JCC Presents the 2015 Jewish Film FestivalTuesday, November 10

The Film: Melting Away tells the story of a family drawn into crisis after parents discover women’s clothing hidden in their son’s room, and kick him out of the

house. The breach between parents and child lasts for years until another family crisis brings them back together in a surprising way. Guest speaker Reb Irwin Keller will lead a post-film discussion on transgender issues. Cost: If you’ve purchased your film series tickets in advance, you may purchase “Lunch Only” and bring your ticket with you on the day of the event. If you do not already have your ticket, you will need to purchase the “Lunch and Film Ticket,” and we will give you your film ticket on the day of the event. Lunch Only (Ticket Holders)…...$18 FC Members; $23 GuestsLunch and Film Ticket………...$28 FC Members; $33 GuestsReservations: Please email Jacki at [email protected] or call 707-528-1182 to make a reservation. After receiving confirmation from Jacki, you can pay with a credit card or mail in your check payable to JCC Friendship Circle, 1301 Farmers Lane, C103, Santa Rosa, CA 95405. Please write the name of the event and choice of entrée on your check (e.g. 10/13 Film, Chicken). All reservations must be confirmed by Nov 4.The restaurant is located one block from the Rialto Cinemas. Meet at Woodfour Brewing Company, (6780 Depot St. in Sebastopol) at 11:15 AM for an all-inclusive luncheon prior to the show. We recommend parking at the Rialto Cinemas prior to lunch and walking to the restaurant. A Friendship Circle staff member will be at the Rialto Cinemas Parking Lot to direct you to the restaurant. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on your own. Please select your main entrée from the choices below:

� Grilled CHICKEN SANDWICH with harissa aioli, little gem greens, red onion on a brioche bun

� Farmstead CHEESE MELT caramelized onions, stone ground mustard, arugula on a baguette

� American WAGYU BURGER toasted on a brioche bun with red onions, bread & butter pickles, tomato aioli, and smashed fingerling potatoes

Directions to the Rialto Cinemas from Santa Rosa:Take HWY 12 West Towards SebastopolTurn Right onto Morris St. (first traffic light as you enter Sebastopol)Turn Left onto McKinley Street (you are now in the “Barlow”)The Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St, will be on your Right (just beyond Woodfour Brewing Company, which you’ll pass on your left)Rides to and from the bus on the JFCS van may be available upon

request with reservation.


Senior Excursion to

Friendship Circle is gearing up to go on an African adventure in the heart of California wine country at Safari West. Your day with us includes transportation, lunch, tax gratuity, admission, tour, and snacks. To get ready for our day, please make note of the following bus schedule.

Bus Schedule for Nov. 4: • 9:00 AM Bus LEAVES Petaluma Community Center,

320 North McDowell Blvd, Petaluma

• 9:30 AM Bus LEAVES Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave, Santa Rosa

• 1:45 PM Bus Safari West for return

Rides to and from the bus on the JFCS van may be available upon request with reservation.

Please let us know if you need a ride to the bus OR if you are meeting the bus in Petaluma.

This event is sponsored with the generous support of the Senior Excursion Fund of the Jewish Community

Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Friendship Circle OutreachThank You

High Holy Day ProgramCommunities, Lay Leaders and Volunteers

This year the Friendship Circle hosted outreach events for the High Holy Day at many senior living communities throughout Sonoma County. We want to thank the following facilities, volunteer lay leaders, and activity directors for helping to plan, host, bake, lead, and serve our more isolated community:

Brookdale Rohnert Park, Tiffany Tervo, Elisabeth Van Nuys, Harry Wolf, Brookdale Place at Chanate, Maggie Blanchard, Elly Cohen, Spring Lake Village, Rev. Jacquie Robb, Rabbi Meredith Cahn, Brookdale at Paulin Creek, Alice Ugarte, Norman Eisley, Vineyard Commons, Tracy Mease, Villa Capri at Varenna, Roberta Berg, Vicki Kalish, Oakmont Gardens, Bridget Mendoza, Jerry Newman, Myrna Rivkin, Ede Smith, and Ruth Turner.

HanukkahDuring the week of Hanukkah (December 6 to 14), Friendship Circle lay leaders and volunteers will once again offer Hanukkah outreach programs to senior resident communities throughout Sonoma County. A schedule of these programs will be posted on our website, announced at ongoing Friendship Circle events, and will also go out by email as a part of our weekly JCC eNews.

If you are interested in having us provide a program for your community, if you’d enjoy volunteering as a lay leader at one of these events, or if you’d like to attend a program, please contactJacki Newfield at [email protected] or 528-1182.

Wishing you a bright Hanukkah.


Luncheon at Gary Chu’s and the Occidental Community Choir’s Winter ConcertSunday, December 13

The Occidental Community Choir is returning to Santa Rosa for their 2015 Winter Concert! The choir uniquely creates, performs, and promotes music, composed primarily by its members. Watch carefully and discover that the choir is comprised of many JCC community members such as FC Program Director Jalena Mays (soprano) and her mother Janine Bamberger (alto)! The 2015 Winter Concert offers a personal and musical relationship to winter, and builds community connections through harmony. Choir Director, Andy Delmonte is talented, compassionate, and well loved by Sonoma County’s musical community. He is also celebrating 18 years conducting choirs at Analy High School in Sebastopol! Prior to the concert, meet for a family-style luncheon at the Chinese restaurant, Gary Chu’s.

Lunch will include platters of Vegetable Chow Mein, Almond & Cashew Chicken, Lemon Sauce Chicken, Green Beans, egg rolls, fortune cookies, and an option of Hot Tea, Iced Tea or Soda. (Concessions will be for sale at the concert, including a variety of desserts, tea and coffee– don’t forget to bring a little extra cash)

Cost: Friendship Circle Members $18; guests $24 (includes lunch and admission to the concert)

Meet Jacki at 12:15 PM in front of the entrance to the Seventh Street Garage in Santa Rosa, 521 Seventh Street in Santa Rosa. From there we will walk as a group to Gary Chu’s, located at 611 5th Street. The walk is 1/5 of a mile and will take about 5 minutes. After lunch we will walk back to the Glaser Center for the concert.

Parking: We recommend you park in the Seventh Street Garage (75¢ per hour). The parking garage offers a direct passage to and from the Glaser Center. If you’d rather not pay to park, you may find free parking along the nearby streets. Please let Jacki know if you plan to meet us at the restaurant. Rides to the restaurant and the Glaser Center on the JFCS van may be available upon request one week prior to the event.

Reservations are limited to 25 participants. Please call Jacki to reserve your space at (707) 528-1182 or [email protected]. Once your reservation has been confirmed, you can pay using a credit card over the phone or mail in your check made out to:

JCC Friendship Circle 1301 Farmers Lane, C103 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Please include your name and the date of the event on your check (lunch and concert 12/13), or call Jacki and pay using a credit card.

RSVP by: Tuesday, December 8.


Senior ExcursionA Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder!

SHN Golden Gate TheaterWednesday, December 16

WINNER! 2014 Tony Award® for Best Musical

“The best new musical of the year!” – The Wall Street Journal“It will lift the hearts of all those who’ve been pining for what

sometimes seems a lost art form.” – The New York Times

About the Show: Getting away with murder can be so much fun… and there’s no better proof than the knock-‘em-dead hit show that’s earned unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award® for BEST MUSICAL—A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER! As one most gentlemanly NPR critic put it, “I’VE NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD AT A BROADWAY MUSICAL!” GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by—you guessed it—eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way (each played by Tony winner Jefferson Mays (not related to Jalena Mays!) in what The New York Times calls “the year’s greatest musical theater performance”). All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin but who’s keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea!

Boxed lunch is included and will be handed out when you arrive at the bus. Don’t forget to bring your bottle of water! Small bottles of water may be available for sale on the bus. Please select one of the following options and indicate your choice when making your reservation: Smoked Turkey Sandwich

Tuna Salad Sandwich Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich

Cost: $60 Friendship Circle Members; $75 guests (includes: transportation, lunch, show, parking and tolls, tax, gratuity and snacks along the way).

Medical Emergency Contact Form: You must have an updated medical form by date of departure. If we do not have a current medical form for you on file, visit www.jccsoco.org or request a form by mail to complete and return to the Friendship Circle office prior to the day of the trip. Please call Jacki at 528-1182 if you have any questions.

Reservations are limited to 50. Friendship Circle Members and those who have not been able to attend a recent excursion will be given first priority. Please call the Friendship Circle office at (707) 528-1182 to reserve. Once we have approved your reservation, you can pay using a credit card over the phone or mail in a check made payable to the JCC, Friendship Circle, 1301 Farmers Lane, Suite C103, Santa Rosa, CA 95405. This will secure your reservation. Please include the name and date of the event on your check (Gentleman’s Guide, 12/16). Please make your reservation early so you don’t miss out. We strongly encourage those who have never attended one of our excursions to sign up! No one is ever turned away based on ability to pay. (Please speak to Jalena in confidence.) The First 5 participants to register will receive a complimentary 25 oz. Camelback Water Bottle. RSVP by December 7. When making your reservation, please let us know if you are meeting the bus in Petaluma.

Bus Schedule: LEAVES at 11:45 AM from Congregation Beth Ami (4676 Mayette Ave, Santa Rosa). Please park in the overflow parking lot (west). LEAVES at 12:15 PM from Petaluma Community Center (320 N. Mc Dowell Blvd., Pet). LEAVING San Francisco immediately after the show at APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM Rides to and from the bus may be available upon request.

Senior Excursions are sponsored with the generous support of the Senior Excursion Fund of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.


November/December 2015Address service requested

This newsletter is a periodical issued bimonthly. It is published by the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County. All members receive this periodical free.

Non Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 465Santa Rosa, CA

Friendshipnewsletter

1301 Farmers Lane, Suite 103 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Circle

• We Appreciate Your Generosity •You may make a tax-deductible contribution directly to Friendship Circle:

•In honor of an event or someone who is a light in your life• In tribute to the memory of someone you hold dear

We will send a tribute card to the person being acknowledged. I am contributing $ _________________ to Friendship Circle.

Please print all names exactly as you wish them to appear: designate Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss

In Memory of: ____________________________________________________________________________

In Honor of:______________________________________________________________________________

Contribution from:_________________________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________________________________________________

Please send an acknowledgement to:_______________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________________

City:__________________________________State/Zip:__________________________________________

Friendship Circle is a program of the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County which is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation, a beneficiary of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

The mission of the Jewish Community Federation is to foster and enhance Jewish life here at home, in Israel, and around the world by caring for the vulnerable, providing Jewish education for our children, engaging our interfaith families, promoting peoplehood

and Israel and providing aid in times of crises.

Support from the Jewish Community Federation is not enough. We depend on members of the Friendship Circle community for donations and support.

happy hanukkah! friendshipcircle · 2016-05-23 · 1301 farmers lane, suite 103 santa rosa, ca...

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