TEMPLE SINAI n OAKLAND, CA 10 ELUL – 10 TISHREI n SEPTEMBER 2017 n ISSUE 122

Temple Sinai Celebrates Major Gift and Naming of Preschool: Temple Sinai David Pregerson Preschool By Ilana DeBareAmnon and Katie Rodan’s older daughter was part of the very first class at Temple Sinai’s preschool in 1992. Twenty-five years later, their granddaughter is now in the preschool, and their grandson is heading that way too.

The Rodan family’s Jewish identity was nurtured by Temple Sinai, starting with those important preschool years. Now they in turn are nurturing Temple Sinai — with a $1 million gift to the capital campaign, inspired by the friends they made and the Jewish education their children received.

“What does it mean to be Jewish?” Amnon said. “There are a lot of layers: religion, tradition, social action, tikkun olam. The richness of being Jewish is really what we want to pass on.”

Amnon and Katie — who co-founded and run the successful Proactiv line of skin care products — made a conscious and deliberate decision to join Temple Sinai in the early 90s when they began raising their family.

As a child of secular parents in Israel, Amnon never had to put much thought into being Jewish. Judaism was central to his identity but he absorbed it like air, part of the surrounding culture and daily life. Then he moved to California for college and graduate school, married Katie, and realized they needed to take active steps to ensure that their children would have a strong Jewish identity.

“My friends in Israel are astonished by how much work I put into passing on my Judaism, but you’ve got to do that here,” he said. “It’s very important to figure out how to pass it on. It’s not automatic like in Israel.”

Katie had grown up in a Reform congregation in Los Angeles, so Temple Sinai was a natural choice. Along with robust Jewish education, they found a warm community, starting at the preschool.

“There were a lot of other young families with children the ages of our two daughters,” Katie said. “Their kids went to preschool there, too. These are people we’re still close with today.”

Today their daughters Elana and Danielle are grown. Elana’s three-year-old daughter attends the preschool, and her one-year-old son will follow in her path. Continued on page 2...

Katie and Amnon Rodan

On behalf of the clergy, staff and Board of Trustees of Temple Sinai, Shanah Tova. May 5778 bring health, meaning and purpose to you and all those you love.

May it bring strength to our congregational community as we continue to build connections with tradition and with each other. And may our world come closer to equality and justice through compassion and peace.

In friendship,

Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Cantor Ilene Keys, Rabbi Yoni Regev, Dorian Farrow, Sue Bojdak and Ellen Lefkowitz

Early Shanah Tovah! I hope you have had a good summer!

The High Holy Days are upon us once again. Are you ready?

I don’t mean ready for the special meals and gatherings, though those are important and take work. I mean, are you ready for the spiritual work of the High Holy Day period? This time of year is always much more effective if we spend some time in preparation. When we start the reflections early, the services and days themselves

become that much more meaningful. Consider these ways of preparing:

1. Participate in our Scholar in Residence weekend, Sept 16 and 17. Rabbi Larry Hoffman will lead multiple sessions on themes related to the High Holy Days (see page 3 for more details).

2. Participate in our FaceBook conversation. Every day of the month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah, we have posted a reflective question to foster a communal conversation about Judaism, the High Holy Days and what it all means. See what other people are writing and add your thoughts and ideas.

3. Imagine a time many years from now. Someone shares what your life has been about. What do you want them to say? What are the lessons you want your life to teach? Is that who you are now or who you aspire to be?

4. Imagine that you are that someone telling the story of someone else’s life. Who has been inspirational to you? What are the lessons you learned from them? Have you incorporated them into your life? How might you elevate their memory by the way in which you act in the world?

It can also be helpful to have this conversation with others who are doing the same reflection. Grab a partner and make time to discuss what has been most meaningful to you in the past year, and what aspirations you hope to fulfill in the coming one.

I look forward to celebrating the New Year with all of you. On behalf of the staff and clergy of Temple Sinai, may 5778 be a year of joy, of health and of fulfillment for us all.

~ Rabbi Mates-Muchin

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D’VAR TORAH

TEMPLE SINAI SENIOR STAFFMain Office (510) 451-3263

JACQUELINE MATES-MUCHIN Senior Rabbi: ext. 332 rabbimatesmuchin@oaklandsinai.org

ILENE KEYS Cantor: ext. 331 cantorkeys@oaklandsinai.org

YONI REGEV Rabbi: ext. 333 rabbiregev@oaklandsinai.org

SAMUEL BROUDE Rabbi Emeritus: ext. 301

maureen@oaklandsinai.org

STEVEN A. CHESTER Rabbi Emeritus: ext. 301

maureen@oaklandsinai.org

SAM SCHUCHAT Temple President: ext. 403

president@oaklandsinai.org

DORIAN FARROW Executive Director: ext. 304

dorian@oaklandsinai.org

SUE BOJDAK Education Director: ext. 342 sue@oaklandsinai.org

ELLEN LEFKOWITZ Preschool Director: ext. 313

ellen@oaklandsinai.org

TEMPLE SINAI HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AS A BAY AREA GREEN BUSINESS Our Bulletin is printed on recycled paper at a printer registered as a Green Business and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. We print with earth-friendly soy-based ink.

TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN (USPS 7053) is published monthly except July and August by the First Hebrew Congregation of Oakland, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland, CA 94609. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Temple Sinai Bulletin, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland CA 94609-3605.

When the Rodans learned that Sinai was seeking gifts to help pay off the mortgage for its new building, they immediately thought of their multi-generational experience with the preschool, and how the facility and program had grown over the past two decades.

“A great preschool is a draw,” Katie said. “It’s your first involvement in Jewish life as a young family. To have a really strong preschool like this is a stellar achievement.”

They conferred with their daughters, who supported making a significant gift to Sinai.

“Both Katie and I come from a very strong tradition of giving back,” Amnon said. “We feel we’re put here on the earth to make the world a better place.”

With their gift, the preschool will be known as the Temple Sinai David Pregerson Preschool.

David was the son of Katie’s brother, killed in a hit-and-run accident at age 23. He identified strongly as Jewish on both a spiritual and tikkun olam level. “He was so vivacious but also very spiritual,” Amnon said. “This is part of our family’s healing process, to feel he would have loved having the preschool named for him.”

...Continued from front page

WORSHIP

SCHEDULE OF SERVICESFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 6:30pm Erev Shabbat Family Service Kumzits/Campfire Shabbat, Sacred GardenSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 10:30amShabbat Morning Service with the B’nei Mitzvah of Chloe and Silas Freeling, SanctuaryFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 7:30pmErev Shabbat Service, Albers Chapel SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 10:30am Shabbat Minyan Service, Albers ChapelShabbat Morning Service with the B’nei Mitzvah of Abigail and Charles Wheeler, SanctuaryFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 7:30pmErev Shabbat Mizmor Shir! Service with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Dr. Lawrence Hoffman, SanctuarySATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Dr. Lawrence Hoffman, Albers ChapelSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 6:00pm S’lichot Meditation, Fischer LibrarySATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 7:00pmS’lichot Program, Havdalah, and Service with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Dr. Lawrence Hoffman and the Temple Sinai Adult Choir, Albers ChapelWEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Erev Rosh Hashana Service, (see back page for schedule)THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Rosh Hashana Morning Service, Sanctuary (see back page for schedule)FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 7:30pmErev Shabbat Service, Albers ChapelSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with the Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Schoen, SanctuaryFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Erev Shabbat Kol Nidrei Service, (see back page for schedule)SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Yom Kippur Morning Service, Sanctuary (see back page for schedule)WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 6:30pmErev Sukkot Service, Upper Courtyard Temple Sukkah WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 5:00pmYizkor Service, Albers ChapelWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 6:00pmErev Simchat Torah Service with Consecration, Sanctuary

S’lichot Scholar in Residence Weekend Rabbi Dr. Lawrence HoffmanSeptember 15-16 (including S’lichot)Friday, 7:30pm (during services): Reimagining Judaism for our Time: Judaism as a Conversation

Saturday, 9:00am: Thick Description, Deep Reading, Big Story: How to Appreciate High Holiday Worship; What to Look For and Why.

Saturday, 7:00pm: S’lichot; From God to Freud and Back to God: The Sophisticated Search for God in Oakland California.

Special thanks to Tom and Jill McCleary for making the Scholar in Residence weekend possible through their generous gift.

S’lichot MeditationSaturday, September 16, 6:00pmS’lichot asks us to soften our hearts to acknowledge where we’ve gone astray, and to seek and offer forgiveness. The practice of chanting opens our heart’s doorway into the realm of Spirit. No prior chanting or meditation experience required. We’ll meet from 6:00 –7:00pm in the library, Saturday, September 16.

Facilitated for many years by Miriam Smolover, MFT, Morah L’Hitbodidut/Certified Jewish Meditation Teacher.

Break The Fast Helpers NeededSaturday, September 30, 5778/2017 Wanted: Bakers & Fruit Buyers, Setup & Cleanup People, General Helpers. Please volunteer now to join the great team helping to prepare and set up food for Temple Sinai’s annual Break the Fast at the conclusion of Yom Kippur

Perform a mitzvah, a good deed, a kind act, and start the year guilt-free! There’s a job for everyone—no experience needed! Contact Jackie Raque at (510) 599-9769 or jacqueline.raque@gmail.com. We need your help!

Community Sukkah BuildingSunday, October 1, 2:00 – 5:00pmHelp us build our sukkah! We’ll construct our sukkah, make art to decorate it, then be the first to bless it, sit in it, eat in it and pray in it. All ages can participate. Come for the whole time or drop by for a bit.

Save the Date for Simchat Torah Celebration & New Student ConsecrationWednesday, October 11, 6:00pm

PRAYER and LEARNING

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We are now Streaming Services!If you can’t be here in person but would like to watch at home, go to our Temple Sinai Community Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TempleSinai2808 and you can watch Friday and Saturday services live.

Don’t have Facebook? Let us know and we can arrange to have a member come to your home to help set it up! Email Rabbi Mates-Muchin at rabbimatesmuchin@oaklandsinai.org or call (510) 451-3263 ext. 332 for more information.

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESK

SiTY (Sinai Temple Youth) is Here!We are so excited about Temple Sinai’s new youth program! Check out all that we have in store for Sinai’s teens. SiTY — Sinai Temple Youth — has several components which allows our busy teens to pick and choose the activities that interest them.

At the core is SiTY Tuesdays which look like this:

4:00-5:30pm Youth Lounge TimeTeens can come to Temple and hang out, do homework and chill in the newly created youth lounge.

5:30-6:30pm Mifgash/GatheringWe have dinner, time to connect with old friends and make new ones plus small group teen gatherings and meetings.

6:30-8:00pm Peulot/ActivitiesWe offer six-week interactive learning adventures on everything from drama and art to text and Israel to stress management and relationships

8:00-8:30pm Siyyum/ClosingWe have a camp-style closing circle around the firepit.

This program meets every Tuesday night and is open to ALL 8-12 grade teens. The cost is $875 for the year. The adventure begins on September 12th.

And there’s more!n SiTY events are social and social action events planned through the year by the

SiTY leadership team made up of 9-12 graders. All teens can participate in any of these events.

n Rosh Hodesh has been a wildly successful program for girls to gather monthly for learning and discussion of important topics through a Jewish lens. It is offered on Sundays for 7th graders, and Tuesdays for 8th & 9th grade girls as well as 10th -12th grade girls.

n The Madrich Program gives our teens a chance to give back to the Religious School while building their leadership skills working classroom aides on Sunday mornings or Wednesday afternoons.

n NFTY/the National Federation for Temple Youth regional weekend retreats will introduce SiTY youth to teens from around the Bay Area and Northern California, with opportunities to get away to Camp Newman 4-5 times/year.

At SiTY there is something for every teen and we are still building. Our Youth Committee is bringing adults and teens together to keep growing our youth program in order to serve more teens better. If you know a teen who would be interested in any, or all of these opportunities, have them contact Youth Director Michele Quiat at mquiat@oaklandsinai.org. If you want to get involved, share a resource, or have a great idea to share, contact Director of Education Sue Bojdak at Sue@oaklandsinai.org

DATES TO REMEMBERYOUTH September 10, 5:00 – 6:30pm 7th grade parent cocktail party

September 12 SiTy Tuesday begins!

September 16 NFTY Boat Cruise on the Bay

September 24, 1:00-3:00pm 7th grade Rosh Hodesh

September 24, 3:30-5:30pm 7th grade rock climbing

October 1, 10:00am – 3:30pm 4th-6th Grade QZAR Laser Tag

The youth calendar is full of great events this year. We hope you’ll join us for all or some of them! All upcoming events can be found at http://bit.ly/SinaiYouthCalendar. For more information about ANY of these events, contact Michele at michele@oaklandsinai.org

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Sunday, September 17 & Wednesday, September 27 — Religious School Begins!

Sunday, September 24, 9:30–10:30am Wrestling with Our Times: A Parent Nosh & Talk

Sunday, October 1, 2:00 – 5:00pm Congregational Sukkah Building No Religious School

4 n Temple Sinai n September 2017

OAKLAND SINAISinai Temple Youth

YOUTH

It is not too late for 2017-2018 Religious School Registration Religious School begins September 17. Register today! Visit https://oaklandsinai.org/Religious-School-Registration for instructions. Contact Sue Bojdak sue@oaklandsinai.org to learn more about our dynamic, flexible and fabulous Religious School program.

Mazel Tov to our congregant Elaya Jenkins-Adelberg and her parents Jody Adelberg & Luanne Jenkins on her recent ordination as as a Cantor from the Hebrew Union College — Jewish Institute of Religion. May she be a blessing to her new community of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, NJ.

WORSHIP

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ADULT LEARNING and WTS

Wrestling with Our Times: A Parent Nosh & TalkSunday, September 24, 9:30 – 10:30am in the Living RoomGather once a month for a topical discussion — plus good coffee and snacks — on parenting through critical issues of our day. Tent cities, Muslim bans, gender fluid bathrooms, extreme rhetoric, police shootings, terror attacks. What 2017 realities are you wrestling with as you try and raise emotionally healthy children? We’ll wrestle together with how to make sense of our world for kids and for ourselves

Adult Hebrew Class with Elaine BachrachSundays, 1:00 – 2:15pm, September 24 through December 17Are you interested in improving your prayerbook Hebrew skills? This continuing class for adult Hebrew learners presumes only that you can decode (recognize and sound out) printed Hebrew. We will study the prayers of the Shabbat morning service, including relevant vocabulary, some grammatical structures, and some chanting. New students are welcome. If this fits your limited Hebrew skills, join us now and watch how much fun and how satisfying it will be to progress as a Hebrew learner and speaker. Cost is $160. Contact Rabbi Regev at rabbiregev@oaklandsinai.org to sign up today.

Sunday Morning Mah Jongg Returns!Sunday, September 24, 9:30 – 11:00am in Stern HallFriends, nosh, mahj. All levels welcome (instructors available each week). Learn this Jewish classic while your children study the Jewish classics! Happening nearly every Sunday there is Religious School.

WTS Member SpotlightLaurie Earp is a long-time Temple Sinai member who has led the beautiful and meaningful WTS Shabbat for the past four years.

Why did you join WTS?I tend to not be a joiner. I find things of interest and then move forward from there. Teri Bleckner [on the WTS Board] asked me to lead the WTS Shabbat. She said everyone will help — you just need to lead and teach. I love studying Judaism and teaching so I said YES! Being part of the WTS Shabbat, I became a member of the group.

What do you get out being part of the WTS community?What WTS adds to me personally and to the Temple community is the people. The WTS Shabbat participants offered me unconditional support and kindness while I kept the team moving forward and focused.

Why is the WTS Shabbat important to the group and the temple community?The WTS Shabbat lends itself towards a perspective that is not always heard when you have co-ed groups. I appreciate learning co-ed but also appreciate the value, insights and perspectives of a women’s group. The broader temple community hears and experiences the service through “her-story” as opposed to “his-tory.” I’d like to encourage more women to join us this year! Watch the Temple E-Bulletin for details.

Which Jewish historical figure do you most identify with?Rav Nachman of Breslav, for his spirituality and courageousness. I try to channel a little bit of him to achieve my higher self through Torah and Torah study.

What is your favorite Jewish food?My homemade gefilte fish!

On behalf of the WTS Board and Community, we appreciate Laurie’s commitment and hope to see you at WTS gatherings this year, including our opening event on October 8!

~ Barbara & Natalie, Membership Co-Chairs

VISIT ISRAEL WITH OUR RABBIS!

WALKING THE LAND with Rabbi Mates-Muchin

March 11 – 21, 2018FAMILY ISRAEL TRIP

with Rabbi RegevJune 20 - July 1, 2018

For further information, contact Rabbi Mates-Muchin

rabbimatesmuchin@oaklandsinai.org

or (510) 451-3263 ext. 332For further information,

contact Rabbi Regev rabbiregev@oaklandsinai.org

or (510) 451-3263 ext. 333

Do you love Jewish music? Do you like to sing? Do you want to meet new people?

Join one of our Temple Choirs!Adult Choir and Junior Choirs open for new members.

No auditions necessary.Adult Choir meets Tuesday nights 7:00 – 8:30pmJunior Choir meets Sundays 11:30am – 12:00pm

For more information and schedules, contact Cantor Ilene Keys at

haznkeys@oaklandsinai.org or go to: https://www.oaklandsinai.org/Adult-and-Junior-Choirs

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESK

March with Sinai at Oakland Pride 2017 to Stand Up for LGBTQ Rights!Temple Sinai will take to the streets on Sunday morning, September 10th as an official contingent at the 2017 Oakland Pride Parade. Show support for our values and our community.

Co-sponsored by ATID (Temple Sinai’s Young Adults Group) and Sinai Social Action. The Sinai Pride Mustang Convertible will be riding again with us, serving as both our “rabbi-mobile” and as a vehicle for members with limited mobility. For information, contact co-chairs Emmett Koehler (emmettkoehler@gmail.com) and Robert Berger (oakberger@gmail.com).

The Oakland Pride Parade is a family event, and kids and pets are welcome. There is no cost to participate, but members marching are encouraged to wear Sinai Pride T-shirts that are available for sale again this year at http://www.cafepress.com/oaklandsinai. Register online at https://sinai_pride_2017.eventbrite.com to receive infomation and updates. See you there!

Social Action for 5778 Fall Planning MeetingWednesday, September 13, Dinner at 6:00, Meeting 6:30 – 7:30Looking for ways to practice Tikkun Olam in 5778? Look no further than Sinai Social Action, Temple Sinai’s social action committee. Already on the calendar are Anti-hunger programs, Social Action Shabbat, Reform California, Refugee and Immigrant Support, Drives, Oakland Pride, Muslim Interfaith Activities, Unity Seder, Mitzvah Week. Your idea for a project or activity can be on the calendar too. Join us as we brainstorm and map out the congregation’s Social Action agenda for the year. There’s no obligation to attend meetings but if you join the Social Action email list, we will notify you of meetings as well as opportunities to be involved as the year progresses. For more information or to join the Social Action list, e-mail SinaiSocialAction@oaklandsinai.org or contact co-chairs, Helen Smiler hsmiler@aol.com and Teri Bleckner teri.bleckner@gmail.com. And be sure to like Sinai Social Action on Facebook.

Annual High Holy Day Food DriveOne in five people in Alameda County use the Food Bank every year.

Almost half of all the people served are children and teens. Many children are not sure of their next meal today. We can help to feed these children.

On Yom Kippur Morning, on Saturday, September 30th, trucks from the Alameda County Community Food Bank will be parked in front of Temple Sinai to receive donations.

Our goal is for each Temple family to donate 25 pounds of food. This feeds one person for one week.

Make a difference — bring 25 pounds (or more) of nutritious, non-perishable food to the Temple on Yom Kippur morning.

Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur bags of food can also be brought to Stern Hall, where can they be placed in Food Bank barrels. There will continue to be barrels in Stern Hall for the week following Yom Kippur.

If you are unable to shop, the Temple Office will accept checks made out to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

Below is the list of priority items. All items must be healthy (no carbonated sodas), non-perishable, and in their original package.

Thanks so much for your support of Tikkun Olam.

Food Drive Priority Items

Peanut butterCanned meats and fishCanned vegetables and fruitCanned soupsPowdered milk and fortified Soy milk

Healthy CerealRice and BeansPasta and Tomato sauce100% Fruit juiceCrackers and Granola BarsPackaged raisins and nuts

Save the Date: Sinai Green Harvest ExchangeSunday, October 8, 9:00am – 1:00pmToo many tomatoes? What better way to celebrate Sukkot? Come share your bounty with other Temple members! Bring what you have too much of, take what you need; fruit, veggies, seeds, herbs, jams and honey are all welcome. Anything extra will be donated to the Oakland Elizabeth House.

Save the Date: Sinai Garden Clean-Up Work DaySunday, October 15, 9:00am – 3:00pmBe among the first to help transform Temple Sinai’s sacred garden into something truly inspiring. Help us clear the land on this first garden work day. Bring your work gloves and your enthusiasm as we cut down and pull up the current plantings. Come for an hour or come for the whole day.

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SOCIAL ACTION

WORSHIPPEOPLE OF THE BOOK

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People of the Book Literacy ProjectAs we enter our 20th year of Temple Sinai’s Literacy Project, we appreciate the wonderful support we receive from our Temple community and so many others. Although separate from the Social Action committee’s work, our literacy project also embodies the spirit of social action. We are always so honored to hear that many people in the Oakland community know of Temple Sinai through the People of the Book Literacy Project.

Our model is to partner with individual schools in high-needs areas in the Oakland Unified School District. Our current partners are Greenleaf K-8, Sankofa Academy, International Community School, Think College Now School, and Bella Vista Elementary School. We tutor at two of these schools, and support all of our partners with books — providing grants to put library books on the shelves, holding school-wide book giveaways at each school, giving donated books to libraries and classrooms, and bringing an author to talk to students at each school every year. We provide books to Habitot, St. Mary’s Preschool and a few other schools in need when we can. Thank you to Perachim and Shemesh preschool classes for their book drives last year, which brought in 191 beautiful books, and to Hillcrest and Redwood Day schools, which also donated large numbers of books.

We love helping students choose the perfect book at our book giveaways! Many are receiving their first very own books that they can take home. It is also such a joy to bring authors to our schools. Students are thrilled to meet an author — for many, a first. Our volunteers and the school staff are just as excited about the author presentations.

We also hold an Adopt-A-Family program at Greenleaf School each holiday season. Last year 100 families participated, many teaming up to serve 69 families, which included 152 children (25% of the school’s students). Temple members also participate in Greenleaf School’s Career Day each year.

Temple also hosts food drives for the families at Greenleaf to provide food during winter and spring school breaks. For more information about Adopt a Family, contact Flora Feldman (fpfeldman@gmail.com).

We rely on the generosity of our congregation for the books and funds that we pass on to our partner schools.

*Books and Funds Needed! Please keep donating new or gently used paperbacks (suitable for grades pre-K-8) to our book bins in the Temple living room. We give away more than 3,000 books each year! We cannot use Jewish-themed books or PJ Library books. (Contact Sue Bojdak for these donations.) Please donate only books that you would give as a gift to a child.

*Donated funds allow us to purchase books, bring authors to schools, and provide grants for school libraries.

*We welcome new volunteers. If you’re interested in participating, please contact either Judy Zollman

(readerjz@gmail.com) or Jean Stein (treehouse16@gmail.com) for information. Interested in tutoring? Diane Brett (ddbrett@pacbell.net) and Sylvia Smith (smithkow@aol.com) for Greenleaf School. and Sarah Weisman (sl@weisman1.org) for Sankofa Academy. Thank you!

Grief & Growing™: A Healing Weekend for Bereaved Individuals and Families

Friday – Sunday, September 15 – 17, 2017This unique weekend is designed to help individuals and families attend to their losses and mourning. Away from home, in the natural beauty of a retreat center, Grief and Growing offers families a path through grief in a comforting setting. And taking the dedicated time to focus on their grief buoys participants as they return to their daily schedules. This weekend is the only one of its kind in the Jewish community.

We welcome our diverse community, including families of all kinds, of all gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, class, race, and cultural affinities.

See Jewishhealingcenter.org for a registration form. For financial aid, please call the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center at (415) 750-3436.

FROM THE CANTOR’S DESK

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GIVING

Todah rabah! Thank you very much to the following who provided contributions to Temple Sinai. These donations were recorded between May 12 & August 8, 2017. For corrections or additions to this list, please contact rhonda@oaklandsinai.org (510) 451-3263

ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGNSydney Firestone SchimmelRichard HartSam Schuchat and Ilana DeBare

in memory of Marjorie Isaac

CANTOR KEYS MUSIC FUNDThe Jenkins-Adelberg family

in honor of Stella’s Bat Mitzvahin celebration of the ordination of Cantor Elaya Jenkins-Adelberg

Elaine Bingerin honor of Stella’s Bat Mitzvah

Aviva & Michael Blackon the occasion of Stella Bobrowsky becoming a bat mitzvah

Betsy & Lawrence Blockin celebration of Betsy’s “Bat Mitzvah”

Rabbi Ruth Adar & Linda Burnettin memory of Marjorie Isaac, mother of Fred Isaac (Robin Reiner)

Andrea Danielon the occasion of Stella’s Bat Mitzvah

Thomas Flynn and Sherri Richardsin memory of Marjorie Isaac

Alan Adler’s Familyin appreciation of Alan Adler’s Memorial Service

Michael Lipsett and Deena Levine-Lipsettin memory of Cantor Sarah Lipsett-Allison

Annette Lipkinin memory of Reva and Joseph Zamore

Jason and Tova Moorein honor of Asher’s Bris

Barbara and Bob Morrisonin honor of Stella Bobrowsky’s Bat Mitvah

Deanne Raskinin honor of Ava Raskin’s Bat Mitzvah

Ron and Erica Rubensteinin memory of our good friend Judy Aufhauser

Neil and Karla Smithin memory of Marjorie Isaac, beloved mother of Fred Isaac

Women of Temple Sinaiin honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Stella Ilana Bobrowsky

CARING COMMUNITY FUNDThomas Flynn and Sherri Richards

in memory of Diane Cohen-Alpert

HOME OF ETERNITY CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDGeorge and Maggie Lazar

in memory of Ruth Michaels

IM TIRZU PLEDGERoger and Joan Mann

JOE REMCHO FUND FOR PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPSBarbara and Bob Morrison

in memory of Suzi Friedman, wife of Dr. Howard Friedlmanin memory of Holden Spangler, Diane and Peter Laub’s grandson

LEGACY GIVINGThe Jewish Community Foundation of the

East Bay

LIBRARY FUNDRobbie Cohn

in memory of Marjorie IssacMyra & Jerry Feiger

in memory of Marjorie Isaac, mother of Fred Isaac

LIONEL BENAS CONFIRMATION FUNDAllyson Benas

in celebration of Evelyn Benas’ birthday.Daniel and Lynn Benas

in honor of Evelyn Benas’s BirthdayEvelyn Benas

in memory of Gerald Strauss and Ethel Mayer Benasin honor of the Birthday of Donald Wacksin memory of Felix Cohen

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK – OAKLAND LITERACY PROJECTBarry and Barbara Gross

in memory of Philip UnkelesJack and Sandy Summerfield

in memory of Diane Lichtensteinin memory of Florence Ginsburg

PRESCHOOL FUNDMichael and Leslye Dellar

in honor of Tracy Albers’s birthdayFriends of Rachel Elefant

for the speedy recovery of Rachel Elefant

RABBI CHESTER DISCRETIONARY FUNDAnnette Lipkin and Family

in memory of Paul LipkinFritzi Schoen and family

in memory of Edgar J. Schoen

RABBI GIVING FUNDStella Bobrowsky

in appreciation of Rabbi Steven Chester for the Bat Mitzvah of Stella Bobrowsky

RABBI MATES-MUCHIN DISCRETIONARY FUNDDennis and Tracy Albers

in memory of Marjorie IsaacBetsy & Lawrence Block

in celebration of Betsy’s “Bat Mitzvah”Edward Blum

in memory of Melbourne Blum

Anne and Darrel Brodkein appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin for conducting the wedding ceremony of Sasha Winkler & Dane Brodke and prewedding counseling

Howard and Marvis Brodkein honor of the marriage of our grandson Dane Brodke and Sasha Winkler

Temple Sinai BrotherhoodBarry and Dori Dubin

in memory of Marjorie IsaacJeanne Eber

in memory of Howard BloomFred Fink and June CochranAileen Frankel

in honor of Nancy and Jay Zises on their anniversary

Alan Adler’s Familyin appreciation of Alan Adler’s Memorial Service

Cecille Gunstin appreciation of Rabbi Mates Muchin

Stella Bobrowskyin appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muching on the Bat Mitzvah of Stella Bobrowsky

Mary Mazzoccoin memory of Jonathan Austin

Patricia Mintz & Greg Lieberknechtin appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin and her leadership around the Unity Seder

Jason and Tova Mooreon the occasion of Asher’s Bris

Joanne Rocklin and Gerry Nelsonin memory of Slauva Rocklin

Ronald and Caroline Petersin memory of Herta Peters

Deanne Detmers Raskinin appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin

Noah and Kimberly Rosenthalin memory of Joan Berzon, mother of Noah Rosenthal

Rob and Eileen Ruby Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bay

Maxine Turretin honor of Noah and Nadessa’s marriage and in appreciation of the Rabbis and Cantor

van Tijen Gould FamilyBrooke Zimmerman

in memory of Louise Epstein’s motherBrooke Zimmerman

in honor of Dr. Harvey and Deana Freedman receiving the Ronald McDonald “Our House” award

WORSHIP

oaklandsinai.org n 9

GIVING

RABBI REGEV DISCRETIONARY FUNDStella Bobrowsky

in appreciation of Rabbi Regev for the Bat Mitzvah of Stella Bobrowsky

Joanne Rocklin and Gerry Nelsonin memory of Anna Sandler

The Schoen Familyin memory of Mathilda and Irving Schoen

Robert and Shirley Warwickin honor of Jacob Lichtenstein

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUNDGalen Hoskin and Dina Wolkoff

RETIRING OUR MORTGAGEGerry Nelson and Joanne Rocklin

in memory of Marjorie IsaacLeo Pedersen, Roderick Pedersen,

and Zoe Francescaon the occasion of Leo Pedersen’s Bar Mitzvah

SOCIAL ACTION/ANTI-HUNGER FUNDElaine Bachrach

in honor of the B’not Mitzvah of Maggie Konecky, Stella Bobrowsky, and Miriam Lerner

AnonymousSara and Tom Klein

in honor of Molly Rosen on her birthdayRita Zwerdling

in memory of Brother-in-law Judge Morton I. Riefbergin memory of Fred Isaac’s mom

SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDDr. and Mrs. Gary P. Greenhood

in memory of Leo and Selma GreenhoodBarbara and Larry Kluger

in memory of Myron Blumberg, father of Barbara Kluger

Raidelle Newmanin memory of Leonora and Joseph Hirsch, and Adela, Louis, Marvin, Jerome, Richard, & Alan Newman

Robert Sakoffin memory of Al Dubin, father of Barry Dubin

WHERE THE NEED IS GREATEST FUNDGrace Aberle

in memory of Seymour AberleAudrey Adler

in memory of Lotte IsaacsKaren and Jeff Albert

in memory of Alfred DubinSofiya and Simon Blank

in memory of Moisey KlebanovLorin Blum

in memory of Ivy Blum YahrzeitDana Sheanin and Sue Bojdak

in memory of Marjorie IsaacAnne and Darrel Brodke

in memory of Sadie Braun and in honor of the marriage of Sasha Winkler & Dane Brodke

Joyce and Arnie Brownin memory of Alfred Dubinin memory of Marjorie Isaac

Ruth Adar and Linda Burnettin appreciation of the Clergy and Staff of Temple Sinai

Andrew and Sabina Cohenin appreciation of Temple Sinai providing security for the family’s shiva minyan

Richard and Jane Cohenin memory of Steven Cohen and Elaine Cohen Goldingayin memory of Alfred Dubin

Barry and Dori Dubinin memory of Al Dubin

Robert Einspruch Dan and Nina Fendel

in memory of Marjorie Isaacin memory of Al Dubinin memory of Valere Menefee

Dana Fox and Paul Langliein memory of Craig Fox Lloyd Langlie

Anna Golodovskayain memory of Eoshua Golodovsky

Murray and Janet Gordonin memory of Helen Markus

Marc and Cherie Hallertin memory of Helen Hallert

Susan Norwick Horrocksin memory of Stephen Allen Norwick

Allison and Brian JusticeJan Kessler

in memory of Sy and Skip HarrisJody Linick and Christer Hagghult

in memory of Marjorie IsaacAdele Mendelsohn

in memory of Lotti IsaacsGregory Murphy and Susan MedakJoan Natkin

in appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Rabbi Regev, Cantor Keys, on occasion of our time of grief

Esther and Mark Rubkein memory of Leslie Appleton and Flossie Ginsburg

Rob and Eileen Ruby Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bayin memory of Marjorie Isaac

Fritzi Schoenin memory of Marjorie Isaac

Melanie and John Vest and familyin memory of Marjorie Isaacin memory of Alfred Dubin

Cathee Weissin memory of Marjorie Isaac

Ann Winthropin memory of Marvin Winthrop

Thank you to the following who have made generous gifts and pledges

to ensure our sustainability. Jacob and Louise Epstein ~ in memory of Marjorie Isaac

Rabbi Steven and Leona ChesterNancy Klehr

Katie and Amnon RodanEileen Ruby ~ in memory of Bernice Alpern

Joan Waranoff ~ in memory of Bernice Alpern

LIFECYCLES

10 n Temple Sinai n September 2017

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

B’NEI MITZVAHBIRTHDAYS9/1 Martin Stillman9/1 Michael Nacht9/1 Margaret Reiss9/2 Bruce Horwitz9/2 Gregory Blackburn9/4 Thomas Flynn9/5 Michael Eiselman9/6 Richard Nagler9/8 Sharon Chabon9/8 Elizabeth Epstein9/9 George Epstein9/10 Janet Gordon9/11 Dana Fox9/11 Melissa Laubstein9/12 Jennifer Rainin9/12 Jason Concannon9/12 Thalia Moore9/12 Michele Ellson9/12 Sarah Stickle9/13 Merilyn Weiss9/14 Dana Sheanin9/14 Hannah Healy9/16 Bernard Sideman9/16 Laura Fox9/16 Maxine Eisenberg9/17 Fritzi Schoen9/17 Charles Chapman9/17 Sheryl Gorchow-Stuart9/17 Barry Augus9/17 Harry Patsch9/17 Paul Epstein9/18 Betsy Block9/18 Kerry Becklund9/19 Lois Horwitz9/20 Zachary Berman9/21 Lucia Phillips9/21 Diamond Wayne9/22 Hannah Weisman9/22 Robert Epstein9/23 Robert Warwick9/23 Troy Blanchard9/24 Judith Broude9/24 Lisa Katzman9/24 Robert Simons9/25 Kenna Nicole Welmond9/26 Joanne Elefant9/26 Joyce Brown9/26 Ronald Simenauer9/26 Lesley Bruker-Feiger9/27 Avigdor Bar-Din9/28 Bootie Charon9/30 Herman Lipow9/30 Saul Bromberger

Thank you to the Freeling, Wheeler and Schoen families for sponsoring an oneg this month.

Chloe Freeling Daughter of Nicole & David FreelingSaturday, 9/2/2017

Silas Freeling Son of Nicole & David FreelingSaturday, 9/2/2017

Abigail Wheeler Daughter of Eric & Jennifer WheelerSaturday, 9/4/2017

Charles WheelerSon of Eric & Jennifer WheelerSaturday, 9/4/2017

Joshua SchoenSon of Nick Schoen & Rebecca RisemanSaturday, 9/23/2017

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES10 Rachel Berger and Julie Wilensky 9/210 Tony and Kellie Evon 9/1410 Emily and Dave Hoffer 9/2915 Brian Gassman and Sarah Thomas-Gassman 9/115 Onderwater Family 9/1420 Jason and Heather Meil 9/1320 Samuel Ziegler and Elizabeth Epstein 9/1420 Greg and Natasha Terk 9/2020 Andy and Andrea Tanenbaum 9/2125 Andy and Emily Cohen 9/625 Tom and Jill McCleary 9/1325 Neal Finkelstein and Rebecca Johnson 9/1930 James Godfrey and Debra Newman 9/630 Phillip Rubin and Maurie Leiber 9/1940 Stephen and Emily Mendel 9/1440 Jonathan Leo and Teri Appleby 9/1845 Arnie and Joyce Brown 9/350 William and Gail Berland 9/265 Avigdor and Marion Bar-Din 9/1

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSAlex & Barbara DanemanLisa Regelman & Eric WeingartenNoah Marsh & Nadessa Corea-LevyAlexine HoffmanYenhoa Ching and Yaacov SilbermanKerry BecklundIlana Sherer

REMEMBRANCES We mourn the loss of:

Natalie Weinstein, wife of Jack WeinsteinBeth Karren, wife of Fred Karren and mother of

Leslie KarrenJudith Gurevitch,

mother of Diane Cohen-CarlsonFlossie Ginsburg, mother of Larry Ginsburg

Diane Lichtenstein, wife of Stanley Lichtenstein

Bernie Miller, father of Elizabeth MoyleJeanette Egger, mother of Rebecca Egger

Elliott Fisher, father of Rebecca Peterson-FisherRuth Michaels, our congregant and mother of

Gerald MichaelsJonathan Austin, our congregant, husband of Mary Mazzocco, and father of Alleana Austin

Alfred Dubin, father of Barry DubinLeslie Appleton, mother of Michael AppletonJodie Grossman, aunt of Rabbi Yoni Regev

David Steiner, brother of Donna Steiner Buttlaire

Marjorie Isaac, mother of Fred IsaacDiane Cohen-Alpert, sister of Andrew CohenValere Menefee, mother of Rabbi Ruth Adar

Jackson Wright, father of Bart WrightJohn Tsung-shun Ying, father of Helga Ying

Merna P. Lipsitt, mother of Eric LipsittGerson Bakar, our congregant and husband of

Barbara BakarCantor Sarah Lipsett-Allison,

sister of Michael LipsettKenneth Natkin, father of Jessica Natkin

May their memory be a blessing.

Softball UpdateSinai Red repeated as Kiddush Division Champions in our softball league with a thrilling 4 to 3 victory. Our defense was stellar including a game saving catch in short right field by our 1B Scott Kleinman.

We have two teams Red and Blue so if people would like to play Fall Ball or Spring, contact Mark Drexler, mark49sales@comcast.net or (510) 332-9013.

Gallery Sinai Needs YouGallery Sinai is looking for a creative, dedicated temple member to develop ideas for exhibits that connect to Judaism and bring them to our Stern Hall and Living Room Galleries, starting this fall. If you or someone you know is interested, or would like to learn more about this opportunity to give back to our community, contact: GallerySinai@oaklandsinai.org

oaklandsinai.org n 11

CALENDAR

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16:30pm Erev Shabbat Family Kumzits/Campfire Service

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with B’nei Mitzvah of Chloe and Silas Freeling

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4Labor Day - Temple Office closedTUESDAY SEPTEMBER 57:30am Tuesday Morning Minyan

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 611:30am WTS Lunch Connection (Offsite)12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 77:30pm WTS & Friends Bridge Night (Offsite)

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 87:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 99:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Minyan Service10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with B’nei Mitzvah of Charles and Abigail Wheeler

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 105:00pm 7th Grade Parent Cocktail Party

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 127:30am Tuesday Morning MinyanSiTY (Sinai Temple Youth) Tuesday Begins7:00pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1312:15pm Al-Anon Meeting6:00pm Pre-Committee Meetings Dinner6:00pm Social Action Committee Meeting

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 147:30pm Brotherhood Board Meeting (Offsite)

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 157:30pm Erev Shabbat - Mizmor Shir! Service with Scholar in Residence Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16S’lichot9:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service6:00pm Adult Choir Rehearsal6:00pm S’lichot Meditation7:00pm S’lichot Program, Havdalah and Service

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17Sunday Religious School beginsTUESDAY SEPTEMBER 197:30am Tuesday Morning Minyan

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2012:15pm Al-Anon Meeting1:00pm WTS Book Group Meeting7:30pm Erev Rosh Hashana at the Paramount Theatre

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21Temple Office closed in observance of Rosh Hashana8:30am Rosh Hashana Morning Early Service11:30am Rosh Hashana Morning Late Service2:30pm Rosh Hashana Children’s Service5:15pm Tashlich Service (Diamond Park)

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 227:30pm Erev Shabbat Service

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 239:00am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service with Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Schoen

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 249:30am Sunday Morning Mah Jong1:00pm Adult Hebrew Class

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 267:30am Tuesday Morning Minyan11:30am Seniors Lunch4:00pm SiTY Lounge Time5:30pm SiTY (Sinai Temple Youth) Tuesdays

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27Wednesday Religious School begins12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting7:30pm Israel Education Committee Meeting

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 297:30pm Kol Nidrei at the Paramount Theatre

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 308:30am Yom Kippur Morning Early Service11:30am Yom Kippur Morning Late Service2:30pm Yom Kippur Children’s Service2:30pm Yom Kippur Text Discussion3:45pm Yom Kippur Afternoon, Healing, Memorial and Ne’ila Services

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12:00pm Community Sukkah Building

Please Renew Your Membership Before Rosh Hashanah

We look forward to celebrating the New Year together a communityThe simplest way to renew is via our Member Portal.

Go to https://oaklandsinai.congregationconnect.com and follow the instructions or contact Executive Director, Dorian Farrow, at (510) 451-3263 ext. 304 or dorian@oaklandsinai.org

PERIODICALFirst Hebrew Congregationof Oakland

Temple Sinai2808 Summit StreetOakland, CA 94609

(510) 451-3263oaklandsinai.org

S’LICHOT, SEPTEMBER 166:00pm Meditation, Fischer Library

7:00pm Program and Service, Albers Chapel

EREV ROSH HASHANAH SEPTEMBER 207:30pm Paramount Theatre

ROSH HASHANAH DAY, SEPTEMBER 218:30am Early Service

(formerly “Sanctuary Service”) Sanctuary11:30am Late Service

(formerly “Paramount Service”) Sanctuary 2:30pm Children’s Service, Sanctuary

5:15pm Tashlich, Dimond Park

KOL NIDRE, SEPTEMBER 297:30pm Paramount Theatre

YOM KIPPUR DAY, SEPTEMBER 308:30am Early Service

(formerly “Sanctuary Service”) Sanctuary11:30am Late Service

(formerly “Paramount Service”) Sanctuary2:30pm Children’s service, Sanctuary

2:30pm Discussion, Albers Chapel3:45pm Afternoon Service, Healing Service,

Yizkor and Ne’ilah, Sanctuary

SUKKOT, OCTOBER 46:30pm Erev Sukkot Service,

Upper Courtyard Temple Sukkah

SIMCHAT TORAH, OCTOBER 115:00pm Yizkor Service, Albers Chapel6:00pm Erev Simchat Torah Service

with Consecration, Sanctuary

High Holy Days 5778/2017