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March/april 2011 adar i • adar ii • NisaN 5771

MEGILLAHMIA!

CO

NGREG

ATION BETH AMI PRESENTS

Join Esther and Mordecai, Vashtitita and Hamando, as the story of Purim

unfolds to the catchy beat of ABBA, the 1970’s Swedish rock group. Tap your toes, swirl your groggers and join in

the fun as Esther & the Bail Outs (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) take us on

a journey from a Persian Orphanage and implore us to, “See that Girl, Watch that Scene, Diggin’ the future Queen!”

8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, and 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2011

Congregation Beth Ami4676 Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA

For Reservations, call 707-360-3000 or visit www.bethamisr.org or return this form.

Tickets also available at the door.

Saturday, March 12, 8 p.m. $24/person. Join us following the performance to meet Purim-spielers; continue the fun with music by the Megillah Band, dancing and refreshments.

# tickets _______ @ $24 = $__________

Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m. $12/Adults; Children 12 and under free.

# tickets _______ @ $12 = $__________

We want to say,”Thank You” for your creative spirit! Here is our donation in honor of the Beth Ami Purim Spielers, “Megillah Mia.”

$__________

Enclosed is my Check for amount due.

Please bill my credit card for amount due.

Name:_____________________________________________

Credit Card #________________________________Exp__________

Tickets on Sale Now!

Watch that Scene, Diggin’ the

Dancing Queen!

Religious School students holding their handmade mezuzot.

Tickets on sale now!

See order form on page 23.

Take a look inside:

Purim Carnival

Sale of Hametz Form

Model Religious School Seder

Community Passover Seder

Unwaste Event

News & Announcements

March/April 2011 • Congregation Beth ami Shofar • page 2 • www.bethamisr.org

Congregation Beth Ami4676 Mayette AvenueSanta Rosa, CA 95405Telephone: (707) 360-3000Fax: (707) 360-3003 Email: [email protected] Website: www.BethAmiSR.org

We’re on Facebook! Please join our online community at www.facebook.com then search for Congregation Beth Ami, Santa Rosa

Personnel

Rabbi George Schlesinger [email protected] Metz, Executive Director [email protected] [email protected] Calvert & Robyn Fisher-TachouetNursery School Co-Directors [email protected] Rick Concoff, Director, JCC Teen Programs [email protected] Gould, Newsletter [email protected] Loeb, Religious School DirectorJennifer Hayes, Religious School Assistant [email protected] Jarlsberg, Administrative Support [email protected] Gabor Por, Librarian [email protected] Boren, Gift Shop 360-3022Sarah Stein, USY Advisor, [email protected] Nett, Friedman Center Director [email protected]

Call the office at 360-3000 to leave a message for: Leanne Schy, Torah/Haftarah Readings `Andrea Nett, Catering Director `

Hours of Operation

Beth Ami Main OfficeMonday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 am-4 pm

Library Sundays from 9 am-12 noon Tuesdays from 4-6 pm

Gift Shop Sundays from 10 am-12 noonThursdays from 11 am-1 pmTuesdays from 4-6 pm

Officers and Board of Directors 2010-11

Deadline for May/June Shofar: April 15All editorial submissions must be received in the Shofar box in the Beth Ami office or via email on or before the deadline. All submissions are subject to editing for clarity, brevity and content. Please submit articles as Microsoft Word documents via email attachments. Contact Karen Gould, 360-3000 or [email protected] with corrections, concerns or questions.

The Shofar is a periodical issued monthly except for a combined June & July issue. It is published by Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Avenue, SR, CA 95405. All members in good standing receive the periodical free. Yearly subscriptions are $25.00.

This month’s issue is: Volume 16, Issue 7Issue Date: March 1, 2011

Congregation Beth Ami Mission StatementThrough celebration, learning, prayer and community, we seek to enrich our lives, transform our hearts,help heal the world and sustain our Jewish heritage.

Congregation Beth Ami VisionA vibrant, growing campus for Jewish living wherethe joys of Jewish values and rituals are made accessible and relevant to the everyday lives of our members. A flourishing, prospering congregation enjoying the wholehearted support, commitment and involvement of all our members.

David Ballo, Co-President, [email protected] Boren, Co-President, [email protected] Cohn, Treasurer, [email protected] Barb McGee, Secretary, [email protected] Richard Kahn, Membership Committee, [email protected] Por, Library Committee, [email protected] Boyd, Religious Practices Committee, [email protected] Drake, Member-at-Large, [email protected] Highland, Member-at-Large, [email protected] Sherman, Member-at-Large, [email protected] Slayen, Member-at-Large, [email protected] Sutter, Member-at-Large, [email protected] Uriate, Member-at-Large, [email protected] Winer, Member-at-Large, [email protected] George Schlesinger, Member Ex Officio, [email protected] Metz Member Ex Officio, [email protected]


Rabbi’s RemaRksRabbi George Schlesinger

It is a gross understatement to say that I have much to say in this column. Please let me address the easiest of the items…those matters which are dictated by our Jewish calendar, and then I will proceed to the more difficult and (perhaps) more pressing matters for Beth Ami at this time.

Within a matter of a couple weeks, we will celebrate Purim with all the joy and frivolity that accompanies that holiday. We will have the opportunity to laugh and enjoy our Purim Players’ presentation of Megillah Mia, our 5th annual. Having performed the Megillah according to the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Motown, and Broadway, it’s now our turn to approach the story of Esther, Mordechai, Haman, and Ahashverosh via the music of ABBA. All the past per-formances have been SRO smashes receiving rave reviews and you, our congregants have obviously responded well since our congregational survey of last summer indicated that the Purim Spiel is one of the best things we do. The Purim Spiel will take place Saturday night, March 12 and Sunday, March 13.

Of course, the true date of Purim is Saturday night, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 and once again we have the good fortune of hearing the traditional Megillah read by Asher Nathan both Saturday night and Sunday morning. As usual, we will have costume judging Saturday night with gifts for the best adult male and female costumes and the best teenage male and female costumes.

Purim is one of two days in Jewish life when there is unbridled joy and celebration and since it is a Mitzvah (a Divine commandment) to hear the reading of the Megillah, I hope that we will have an overflow congregation this year. Please check the schedule of services for the correct times of these services.

If Purim is here, Pesach cannot be far behind, and so on Monday evening, April 18, we will once again recount our ex-odus from Egyptian bondage and our journey to freedom.

Of course, almost everyone knows that when Moses faced Pharaoh, God instructed him to say: “Let my people go!” Surely, those words (four in English and only three in Hebrew) are among the most important words ever spoken, and we have both the right and the obligation to repeat them often and to be imbued with their significance. Yet, we of-ten tend to forget the rest of the sentence: “…that they may serve Me.” In Judaism, it’s not enough to merely throw off the yoke of slavery; we must also bind ourselves to God in a covenantal relationship. This was the true meaning and pur-pose of the Exodus. It is, however, a meaning and purpose which is most often forgotten or ignored. As Jews, we are bound in this relationship and are in some measure obligated to our side of the covenant.

Jewish life has survived more than 3000 years because of this covenant; it has been the glue which has bound us to each other, to our traditions, and to our faith. And because this covenant knows no boundaries of land or space, we’ve been able to survive the Diaspora like no other dispersed people in history. Yet, the more personal freedom Jews have, the easier it seems to ignore the covenant, to view Mitzvot as personal choice, and to relegate God to an occasional visit.

Certainly, within the Conservative Movement, there are more Jews who want to have a synagogue than wish to attend the synagogue.

And of course, this brings me to the most pressing matter for this issue of the Shofar.

As all of you know by now, my relationship with the Board —I’m afraid I am forced to consider it as a monolith in my writ-ing while I know it is not. There are members of the Board who have supported me, who have offered me great solace during the last three months and who have also been greatly troubled by recent events—has led us to an impasse that necessitates my moving on in life away from serving the Jewish community as a congregational rabbi, and as of this writing I have absolutely no idea what the next chapter will bring.

A congregation has every right to seek different leadership; I fully understand and appreciate that. But I firmly believe that mistakes were made. From 34 years in the rabbinate, I also know, however, that in every “breakup” there are mistakes made on both sides. I must have made my own in how I have responded to these events. Nevertheless, it is time to move on…both for the congregation and me.

By listening to Prof. Fred Luskin of Stanford University (founder of the Stanford Forgiveness Project) I learned that holding on to anger and refusing to forgive even the most egregious wrongs causes every measure of physical health to deteriorate. I cannot allow myself to fall into that “trap.” I refuse to hold on to anger and hurt. I would encourage all of you to do the same. Many of you are angry because of what was done to me, how you perceive I was treated. I appreciate every kind word, every expression of your support. Some of you may now even be angry with me for leaving the congrega-tion. I understand that as well. Still, I want to assure you and remind you that I have loved Beth Ami from the moment I first interviewed here 10 years ago (to the day). The congregation has a long and proud history and I wish only the very best for its future, its success, and its growth. But that depends on each of you. No rabbi, no synagogue president, and no Board of Trustees can do this alone without the commitment of all its members. Beth Ami needs to think about vision, mission and values and it needs each of you to participate actively in the life of the synagogue. Beth Ami needs you to attend synagogue as eagerly as you wish to have a synagogue.

continued on page 5


schedule of seRvices foR maRch

Friday Evening, March 4(Candle Lighting: 5:48 pm)Shabbat Across America 6:00 pm Family Shabbat Dinner7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, March 5 • 29 Adar I9:30 Torah Study10:00 am Shabbat Pekudei/Shekalim ServicesPotluck lunch following services(Havdalah: 6:49 pm)

Friday Evening, March 11(Candle Lighting: 5:55 pm) Lay Shabbat7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services.

Saturday, March 12 • 6 Adar II9:30 am Torah Study10:00 am Shabbat Vayikra Services Potluck lunch following services(Havdalah: 6:56 pm)

Friday Evening, March 18 (Candle Lighting:7:02 pm)7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, March 19 • 13 Adar II 9:30 am Torah Study10:00 Tot Shabbat with Lauren10:00 am Shabbat Tzav/Zachor ServicesPotluck lunch following services(Havdalah: 8:03 pm)8:15 pm Purim Megillah Reading

Sunday, March 208:30 am Purim Megillah Reading

Friday Evening, March 25(Candle Lighting:7:09 pm)7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, March 26 • 20 Adar II9:30 am Torah Study10:00 am Shabbat Shemini/Parah ServicesPotluck lunch following services

schedule of seRvices foR apRil Friday Evening, April 1(Candle Lighting: 7:15 pm)6:00 pm Family Shabbat Dinner7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, April 2 • 27 Adar II9:30 Torah Study10:00 am Shabbat Tazria/HaChodesh ServicesPotluck lunch following services(Havdalah: 8:16 pm)

Friday Evening, April 8(Candle Lighting: 7:22 pm) Lay Shabbat7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services.

Saturday, April 9 • 5 Nisan9:30 am Torah Study10:00 am Shabbat Metzora Services Potluck lunch following services(Havdalah: 8:23 pm)

Friday Evening, April 15 (Candle Lighting: 7:28 pm)7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, April 16 • 12 Nisan 9:30 am Torah Study10:00 am Tot Shabbat with Lauren10:00 am Shabbat Acharei Mot/HaGadol ServicesPotluck lunch following services(Havdalah: 8:29 pm)

Monday Evening, April 18 (Candle Lighting: 7:31 pm)

Tuesday, April 19 • 15 Nisan 10:00 am First Day Pesach Services(Candle Lighting for Second Day Pesach: 8:32 pm)

Wednesday, April 20 • 16 Nisan 10:00 am Second Day Pesach Services(Havdalah: 8:33 pm)

Friday Evening, April 22(Candle Lighting: 7:35 pm)7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, April 23 • 19 Nisan9:30 am Torah Study10:00 am Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach ServicesPotluck lunch following services

Sunday Morning MinyanMarch 6 & 20April 3 & 17

8:30 am


continued from page 3

I implore you not to become disillusioned about Beth Ami, not to abandon the congregation in anger, and not to use my departure as an excuse to leave Beth Ami, but rather to see this as an opportunity to respond to the call of your congregation…to offer your time, your commit-ment and your resources to the best of your ability. If the synagogue is to be here in the future, it will take all three.

There is much talk about “change and growth” at Beth Ami, and I would assert that if there is spiritual growth (as opposed to merely growth in membership numbers) an unbelievable change will occur. It will be a change in your life, a change in your relationship with God and a change in your relationship with the synagogue.

When Rabbi Naomi Levy was here last October, she taught us how to write our own prayers. At this moment, my prayer is that God will look favorably on Congrega-tion Beth Ami and upon each of you.

I want to wish all of you a very Happy Purim and a Sweet and Kosher Pesach.

February 25, 2011

Dear Fellow Congregants, I have been a committed member of this synagogue for over thirty years, including a turn as synagogue president. I know this past week has been a rough time for our con-gregation, and I understand the emotional turmoil many of you feel right now. I want to let you know that Board Pres-ident, Patty Bernstein, and Al Batzdorff, Administrative Vice President, have resigned from the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Patty and Al are both dedicated, sincere people who have given untold amounts of time and energy in leading our synagogue over many years. I ask that you treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. Bonnie Boren, Vice President of Youth Activities, and I are now interim Co-Presidents for the remaining four months of this board term. The Board of Directors met this week and we reconfirmed our commitment to the continu-ation of the work of the Task Force for the Future com-mittees, which will present their results in April. As Rabbi Schlesinger has recently announced that he will be leaving the congregation after his contract expires at the end of July, we are also going to initiate a rabbinic search com-mittee, which will start work in parallel with the activities of Barb McGee's rabbinic duties committee. At this crucial juncture, your participation and positive energy is vital if our congregation is to continue. We need dedicated people at all levels of the synagogue willing to give their time, guidance, and money. We need volunteers, committee members, and members of the board. If you are willing to help us move forward, please contact me, Bon-nie, or Carolyn Metz, our Executive Director. If asked to volunteer, be on a committee, or serve on the board, please give it serious consideration. If there was ever a time to "ask not what Beth Ami can do for you; ask what you can do for Beth Ami", this is it. Sincerely, Dave Ballo David Ballo, [email protected] Bonnie Boren, [email protected] Carolyn Metz, [email protected]

Dear Friends, Many of you have expressed your support and your con-cern to me regarding all that has transpired over the last three months and my decision to leave Beth Ami (although not necessarily Santa Rosa). Paula and I have truly appre-ciated every note, email, letter, phone call and conversa-tion. My love for each of you remains undiminished and my concern for the future of Beth Ami remains very dear to my heart. Beth Ami has been a wonderful "home" for nearly 10 years and I have loved nearly every minute of my tenure here. Now it seems to be time to move on, yet my "story" need not be your story and while my formal relationship with the congregation will end, yours need not. In fact, I encourage you to remain with the congregation as vital and vibrant members concerned about Beth Ami and the future of Conservative Judaism in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County. Beth Ami needs you now perhaps more than ever. Each of you has an opportunity to help create a dynamic and exciting Jewish presence, and I urge you to become more involved and more dedicated to Beth Ami. With your help, I believe Beth Ami has a bright future and will continue to offer a warm, caring spiritual home for the many who seek it. With blessings and prayers, Rabbi George Schlesinger

leadeRship, commitment and pRayeRs foR the futuRe


Welcome to our new member Warren Levin

Misheberach Bless those in need of healing with refu'ah sh'laymaThe renewal of body, the renewal of spirit Art & Helen Margolese, Lydia Ross

We offer sincere condolences toEvelyn Gurevitch, Russ Gurevitch, Elly Cohen, and their families upon Leo Gurevitch’s passing.

The family of Rosalind Herritt on her recent death.

Ongoing programs at Beth Ami

Contemporary Jewish Issues with Rabbi Schlesinger, Sundays, 11 am

HebrewPrivate lessons or small classes tailored to the traveler, scholar, or Hebrew school dropout. All faiths, all levels, all ages welcome. Esther Baruch, 528-2265 or [email protected].

ALEF isn't enough; BET isn't tough!Study Modern Hebrew from the source with a native Israeli. All levels, the easy way, including prayers and chanting Torah tropes. Call Ahuva Simon-Sa'ar, 545-2454.

Israeli Folk DancingTuesdays, 6:30 pm, Friedman Center. For more info contact Leanne Schy, 528-4874 or [email protected].

Midrash Study with Rabbi Schlesinger 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 10 am

Torah & Talmud Study with Rabbi Schlesinger Thursdays, 7 pm, Friedman Center Board Room.

Rosh Chodesh gatheringNissaN: Pre-Passover sPecial eveNt

Sunday, April 3 at 12 noon

events & announcements

Celebrate Tot Shabbat with Lauren Kalmanson

Saturdays, March 19 & April 1610 am

The 28th Annual BookDiscussion Series 2010-2011

Our next meeting will be on March 2 when we will discuss Ten Green Bottles by Vivian J. Kaplan.

6) When a Crocodile Eats the Sun, by Peter Godwin Apr. 67) Prophet’s Wife, by Milton Steinberg May 48) The Help, by Kathryn Stockett June 19) Crossing Mandelbaum Gate, by Kai Bird July 6

New members are always welcome. Any questions? Call Susanne Batzdorff at 538-9731

or email her at [email protected].

Yom Hashoah CommemorationThe 2011 observance of Yom Hashoah will take place on Sunday, May 1 at 2:00 pm at the Friedman Center. Forms are available at the Beth Ami office for congregants (and others) who have lost relatives or friends in the Shoah and wish to memorialize them at that occasion by listing their names in this year’s Memorial Book. The deadline for insertions of names is March 28.

"The Dragon of Wantley," concert "L" from the A-Zed con-cert series, February 19 in the Social Hall.


events & announcements

impoRtant dates

Now through April 10 Study Groups conduct research and investigation,

compile findings, write reports.

Tuesday, April 12 at 7 pm: Town Hall Meeting Study Groups will make presentations of findings to

Board of Directors and congregants. Half of the meeting will be devoted to Q & A. Friedman Center

Sunday, April 24 at 9:30 am 2nd opportunity to review Study Group reports, ask questions, discuss options. A survey will be made

available to all congregants (online and hard copy.) Board members and Study Group members will be

present for discussion.Social Hall and Multipurpose Room

Tuesday, May 10 at 7 pm: Special Board MeetingSurvey results and discussion. Multipurpose Room

Tuesday, May 17 at 7 pm: Board MeetingVote on direction. Multipurpose Room

Thursday, June 2: Annual Meeting

eScrip updateThanks to all eScrip supporters!Welcome to our newest participants: Judy Dzik, Natalie Friedman, Jeanne Levin, Patti Gregg, and Ira Koren.Attention Oliver’s Markets shoppers! Sign up for your Oli-ver’s Community Card now and start donating a portion of your purchases directly to Beth Ami. Just contact Nancy Sherman to get your card.

For the year 2010, eScrip supporters have collectively contributed $1763! This is the third highest annual contribu-tion total in the last six years.

If you are not yet on eScrip, here’s how to sign up go to www.eScrip.com and designate Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa, ID#136921119 to receive contributions. To sign up offline, there is a form in the office as well as on our website. Just fill it out and return it to the office and we will sign you up.

If you need help to sign up or have any eScrip questions, contact Nancy Sherman at 538-9388 or [email protected] or call Lauren Newman at 525-9029.

Scusy newsSarah SteinSCUSY would like to thank every-one who participated in our Lox Box Fundraiser! We succeeded in raising over five hundred dollars for our Social

Action and Tikkun Olam projects including our local Kid Street Learning Center.

Come join SCUSY and families on March 4 at CBA’s Shabbat dinner where USYers will be serving the food and hosting the oneg!

Don’t forget, on April 10, USY will be having our annual Fire and Ice event where USYers will be davening Havdalah before ice skating on Saturday night!

If you would like to receive the SCUSY newsletter, please contact Sarah Stein at [email protected].

Make your reservations now for Shabbat Across America: March 4, 6 pm Join us for dinner, Israeli dancing to mu-sic by Zim Zum, Shabbat services, and a dessert oneg sponsored by USY at 6 pm

on Friday, March 4. Congregation Beth Ami will join with hundreds of Jewish congregations across America and Canada as part of the “Shabbat Across America” program, designed by the National Jewish Outreach Program. We particularly wel-come Jews who are not currently affiliated with a congregation and want a taste of a Shabbat evening of food, worship, and community. So, in addition to bringing yourself to the Shabbat Family Dinner that night, please let your unaffiliated Jewish friends know about this event.

Dinner will start at 6 pm followed by Shabbat services at 7:30 pm. Reservation form is on page 23.

Kosher wine at Trader Joe's Terrenal Cabernet Sauvignon - $3.99Terrenal Tempranillo -$3.99Terrenal Chardonnay - $4.99Sara Bee Moscato (sweet wine) - $5.99Banero – Prosecco (Champagne from Italy) - $6.99.

All these wines are kosher for Passover and all year round under the OU supervision.

For more information, go to www.welnerwines.com.


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Join us foR these exciting Religious school events and activities

Pnina Loeb, Director

Check the online CBA calendar for other upcoming events.

maRchMarch 4 ..............Family Shabbat Dinner. Please sign up early!March 6 &13 ......All classes will be making Purim masks. Parents help is needed. This is a fun, annual event which all the kids remember for years to come.March 20 ............Purim Carnival 9 am-2 pm at Congregation Ner Shalom (see flier). It is a fund-raising commu-nity event that supports the JCC’s Teen Program.There will be lots of programming for all children.

apRil April 1 ..................Family Shabbat Dinner. Please sign up early!April 12 ................Upper grades will make three different recipes of Charoset for the Model Seder on April 17. We will focus on Jewish food and cultures from around the world.April 17 ................Sonoma County Community Model Seder at CBA (see flier).So far, Congregation Ner Shalom, Congregation Shir Shalom, the Russian River Jewish Community, and the Sebas-topol Jewish Community have shown tremendous interest! We may have over 70 in attendance.

mayMay 14 & 15 ........Neighborhood Flea Market and Unwaste Event – This will be our big fund-raising event for the year! Universal Waste Management, Inc. will be collecting all electronics, clothing, textiles, books, small and large appliances, and mattresses/box springs. On Sunday, we will also have flea market spaces for rent. The space can be used to sell art, music, and second hand items in good condition. Our kosher BBQ will offer lunch and snacks. Please start saving your good quality merchandise for the Religious School booths. We hope to have a bouncy house for the younger kids.

All proceeds will benefit the Religious School and Beth Ami operating budgets.


Dear Beth Ami members, On Sunday, May 15, the Religious School is holding a large fundraiser from 9 am to 3 pm to benefit the Re-ligious School and Beth Ami operating budgets. The big draw to Congregation Beth Ami on that day will be an electronics recycling event. As cars from the larger Santa Rosa community arrive, they will also find a flea market, a synagogue rummage sale, a BBQ and bake sale, fun activities for children and more. We could re-ally use your help preparing for and during the event that will help support Beth Ami. Can you help with anything listed below? Can you donate or lend:

BBQ: ` 1 bag of charcoal and lighter fluid (we have two BBQs) Food`` : commit to purchase kosher hot dogs, buns, small bags of chips, drinks—regular and diet cola, Sprite/7-Up, water bottles Supplies: `` napkins, plates, condiments for hot dogsJump house: either`` free; at greatly discounted rate; or perhaps sponsored/underwritten by congregantRummage sale items`` : items in good condition Bake sale:`` commit to making/bringing bake sale items

Can you volunteer for:Bake sale `BBQing `Rummage sale `Jump house `Helping with flea market setup and pricing `

Can you help plan one of the following:Flea market spaces`` in the west parking lot. Each space will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis. We’ll charge $10 in advance per space and $20 on the day of the event. We need someone to be the lead contact person to keep track of the assigned space rentals, and to arrange advanced collection for the space in coordination with the synagogue office. Bake sale`` : Someone to keep track of who will bring what and the volunteersBBQ`` : Someone to organize getting the food, and

who will be cooking during the various shifts. Others are needed to sell the food at a space in the flea market area.

Rummage sale:`` Sepa-rate from the flea market, we need someone to organize the collection and sale of rum-mage sale items donated by

congregants for this part of the fundraiser. Unsold items will be donated to charity.Jump house:`` Arrange for the jump house. Someone to schedule volunteers to run it.Signage`` : Someone to contact property/store owners near event. Universal Waste requires us to ask for per-mission from property owners at busy intersections. Banners can be posted three weeks prior to the event, and sidewalk signs can be placed in and around the event area one week prior to the event. Some good intersections include: Hoen/Yolanda, Mayette/Yolan-da, Farmers Lane/Hoen, Mayette/Summerfield, etc. (these can be decided later depending on the number of banners provided by Universal Waste). Community contact:`` Communicate with local groups (church, school, organizations, etc.) and invite them to set up at our flea market, as a fundraiser for their group.Organizing volunteers`` : Someone who is good at getting volunteers can work with the individual plan-ners to make sure they have the volunteers needed throughout the day. We should try to get volunteers from the school as well as the general membership.Advertising`` : Everyone can help with this. We have a list of suggested contacts where newsletters originate. Joelle will be putting out press releases to local media, but anyone who has contacts in various government agencies and organizations (city/county government, schools, real estate agencies, Rotary, home owners associations, Education Foundation, 20-30 club, work newsletters, etc.) can help get the word out.

Extra fundraising items to be considered, but only if we have enough volunteers for everything else:

Games ``Car wash ``

This can be a successful fundraiser if we get enough people involved to help CBA and the Religious School.

For more information and to volunteer contact Joelle Burnette, 707/696-2475 or [email protected].

Thank you so very much for reading this and helping our community!

Pnina Loeb, Religious School Director


nuRseRy school notesCaroline Calvert & Robyn Fisher-TachouetNursery School Co-Directors

Greetings!By the time you read this, our annual casino night fundraiser will be over and no doubt it was a fantastic success. Thank you to our dedicated Parent Committee for their continued, tireless support of our wonderful Nursery School. We’d also like to take a moment to thank the many congregation members who attended the event, donated items for the auc-tion, dropped off fabric for us to use (casino themed I might add!) and also sent in monetary donations. We appreciate the support so very much!

Come one, come all! We will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, March 3. Our doors will be open from 6:00 to 7:30. It’s a great opportunity for family members to see all of our classrooms and meet all members of our incredible Nursery School staff. Anyone interested in learning more about our program is welcome to attend. Fall enrollment is now open to the public.

Our annual Purim carnival is fast approaching. March 18 from 9:30-12:00 will be filled with face painted, costumed, smiling happy children. Many thanks to Andrea Shmitz (Nolan’s mom), for taking on the organizing details of this event. Anyone with young children is invited to attend this event. If you are not a Nursery School current family member, please RSVP in our office and let us know you will be attending. We can be reached at 360-3030.

Our Passover Seder is fast approaching as well. This year, it will take place in the social hall. Lauren Kalmanson (one of our fantastic three’s teachers) works closely with the Rabbi and parent volunteers to make this event such a suc-cess. Thanks to everyone for putting this event together. It takes many hands to make things go so smoothly. The date has yet to be finalized, so please call our office (360-3030) for details.

Thank you again to everyone for the support of our Nursery School.

We could not do it without such tremendous community support.

isRael fRom the left coastBob Raful

The understatement of the month—Since early January, the Middle East has been the major world news story! Among all the breaking news stories, most Israel watchers may have overlooked a meeting which should interest all Jews who long for a more pluralistic Judaism in Israel:

From a press release by New York Masorti Movement office:

“Over three hundred delegates—chairs of kehillot from all over the country, rabbis, leaders of NOAM and MAROM and many volunteers — participated in the Masorti movement convention, held last week in Jerusalem.

It was a convention of a vibrant and growing move-ment. Five new congregations started up this year. The NOAM youth movement has grown impressively and is a source of great pride. The Masorti movement became an im-portant factor in public discourse in Israel over the past year. Three key political leaders greeted conference participants: Minister of Education Gideon Saar (Likud), Social Services Minister Isaac Herzog (Labor) and opposition leader MK Tz-ipi Livni (Kadima). (Herzog is among the Labor Party MKs who have since left the government.)

The presence of political leaders did not happen by ac-cident. During the last year Masorti leadership has played a major role in issues of religion and state. Almost daily refer-ences to Masorti in the media have established the Masorti movement as a real presence. Politicians understand what this means. They are well aware of the many meetings held by the movement’s leadership with members of Knesset and ministers over the past year. They know the role Masorti, along with the Reform movement and JFNA, played in the battles against the Conversion Bill. They now see Masorti as a force in the public arena.

Minister Isaac Herzog used the stage offered to him to present a statement against racism in Israel (“The Safed of today reminds me of the Alabama of the forties!”), a statement quoted in the media within a short time; Minister Gideon Saar spoke about the challenges of education in Israel; emphasized that he strongly opposed the conversion law proposed by MK Rotem; that he will continue to insist that Orthodox institu-tions without core curriculum should not get governmental funding; and, answering a question, he said for the first time that he assumes that in the future not only Orthodox mar-riages will be recognized in Israel. This statement was also reported in the media. All the political leaders called upon the members of the Masorti movement to become more involved in political life.

‘This was a conference like no other,’ concluded one of the participants. ‘You could feel that something good hap-pened to the Masorti movement. There was electricity in the air. There is a great awakening, a desire to join the activity, and there is hope. I wish we succeed. We can!’”


mitzvah momentsTish Levee

A double issue of the Shofar means two featured mitz-vahs that save you money you can donate to Beth Ami. Performing them saves paper and trees, and reduces global warming, while helping Beth Ami with our budget deficit. If 100 members of Beth Ami did them both we could generate nearly $7,000 a year for the synagogue, about one-third of our newly forecasted deficit.

Pay bills online. ` PGE estimates that every 38,500 bills paid online saves one ton of paper and 3.4 tons of trees (nearly 60 trees), while reducing greenhouse gases by 5,700 lb. If 100 Beth Ami members just paid their PGE bill online, it would save the equivalent of more than 1/6th of a tree a year. If those 100 members paid five bills a month online, they’d save $2,640 a year on the cost of postage alone. Send eCard Greetings. ` Sending ecards for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other occasions helps save the environment and saves you money. Greeting cards cost at least $1.00 each plus postage. If 100 members of Beth Ami send two ecards a month, instead of buying and mailing cards, they’d save $3,456 a year.

By using free sites that contribute to worthy causes, you’re doing another mitzvah. My favorite sites include http://www.care2.com/ecards/, which has 25,000 cards for every occasion you could possibly think of. Sending a Care2 ecard earns credits that generate donations to different charitable organi-zations. Go to http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/ for lots of other free ecards. Sending certain ones generates dona-tions to specific causes. The Hunger Site and Greater Good Network’s five other sites have raised and donated more than $20 million to non-profit charities worldwide since 1999.

Remember Shabbat Shekilim on March 5. ` Donate $5 (the equivalent of the Biblical half-shekel) to Beth Ami for maintaining the synagogue. See February’s Shofar for more about this mitzvah, commanded in the Torah.Misloach Manot––sending gifts ` . On Purim, March 20, we’re supposed to send two different items of ready-to-eat food to at least one person. Subscribe to Beth Ami’s Shlach Manos project, and also support our fellow Jews in Israel by going to http://pizzaidf.org and ordering Mishloach Manot baskets, delivered to active duty IDF soldiers. Biur Chametz––Getting rid of Chametz. ` Donate un-opened packages of chametz to the JFCS Food Pantry––there’s a barrel in the social hall, or donate at barrels for the Redwood Empire Food Bank in local stores.

© Copyright Tish Levee, 2011. All rights reserved

Dear Congregants, On February 4, Tot Shabbat had a special Shabbat evening experience for young children and their families together. The program consisted of a Shabbat mini service and sing-a-long with our Rabbi and storytelling by Lauren. Families were invited to join the rest of the community for the monthly Beth Ami Shabbat Dinner. We heard good feedback from attendees. A bunch of people collaborated to make this event possible. My heartfelt thanks to:

Our beloved ` Rabbi whose wonderful rapport with our children and their families filled our hearts and souls with warmth and Shabbat spirit and great tunes too. Carolyn Metz and Andrea Nett ` for their terrific support in planning and organizing this event and Andrea for her culinary excellence. Mark Rosen ` who generously helped with last minute event set-up. Lizzie Jarlsberg ` for her many gifts and skills with flyer making, computer saviness and being RSVP person and all her fabulous support. Patty Bernstein ` for her support and enthusiastic par-ticipation. Last but not least our fabulous Nursery School directors `Caroline & Robyn and the Nursery School staff for their terrific support of our Tot Shabbat program in general and of this event. Thank you to all who attended. Although we had a smaller

event in numbers the many good vibes and the spirit of com-munity collaborating and sharing was strongly present. Thank you Beth Ami congregants for your welcoming and warmth to our Tot Shabbat families. It does not go unoticed.

My blessings and love to all.

tot shabbat lauRenLauren Kalmanson


The Promise Haggadah Passover Fundraiser for Beth Ami Religious School

Personalized Here!

Family or first names are printed on the front of EACH Passover Haggadah!

Introducing the Promise Haggadah. It is a unique gift idea for your family and friends. Imagine your family and friends completing an entire Seder without skipping essential Passover elements. The Promise Haggadah is a beautiful, complete and concise Haggadah the entire family will enjoy and absorb.

• It is a forever keepsake for family and friends

• The Seder service is complete & meaningful • Each page of the Haggadah is beautifully illustrated - 7" x 8½" • Support the Religious School • 18% of all sales are donated directly back to Beth Ami Religious

School • Haggadot are $11/each

• Orders can be made from December thru April • Haggadot will be produced with personalization and returned to Beth Ami two weeks

prior to Passover. • All checks are made payable to Beth Ami.

For more information check out the website: http://www.promisehaggadah.com/index.html

Also contact: Laura Alexander [email protected] or 837-8695

To place your order fill out the following information and attach your check made payable to BETH AMI:

Name: Address: Method of Payment:

Phone Number: Name to be printed on Haggadah: Quantity: X $11.00=


COMMUNITY MODEL SEDER 2011

Please join us as Congregation Beth Ami hosts the

1st Annual Community Wide Model Seder!

Sunday, April 17, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

*FREE*

Open to ALL students Kindergarten through B’nai Mitzvah!

Parents, please feel free to carpool or stay and enjoy.

Please R.S.V.P. to your Religious School Director or directly to Beth Ami at 707-360-3000 x116 or

[email protected] by April 8th

FUN MUSIC COMMUNITY NOSH

Sebastopol Jewish Community


leaRning to wRap tefillinwith Rabbinic pastoR Judith goleman Sunday, April 10 2 - 3:30 pm Congregation Beth Ami

Wrapping tefillin in the morning can be a powerful spiritual practice. For many of us, putting on tefillin is the last frontier in Judaism... a distant land that we may know about but have never visited. This one and a half hour class will prepare us to be able to actually wrap tefillin. We will study the traditional prayers and intentions that accompany wrapping tefillin, including how to prepare ourselves spiritually for this act. We will practice the practical “how to” of actually wrap-ping our arm, hand and head with tefillin. As we do so we will look at some of the spiritual meanings of the various parts of the wrapping itself.

Although this class is particularly aimed at wom-en who would like to take on this practice, men who would like to start laying tefillin are welcome too. We’ll have a few pairs of tefillin available for learn-ers, but if you can, it would be very helpful to borrow a pair to bring with you. Judith Goleman MFT is ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor in the Jewish Renewal movement. She has been laying tefillin for six years. Open to the entire Jewish community. $25—no one turned away for lack of funds. Please RSVP to [email protected] so we can get an idea of numbers, but dropping in is okay; entrance fee will be taken at the door

March Birthdays3 Melissa Bloom3 David Butler3 Kyle Marsh5 Rose Batzdorff6 Nancy Sherman7 Debbie Bernstein15 Raynore Paule16 Miriam Rubinstein16 Dora Taubinsky17 William Cordell17 Ruth Mazner17 Alan Shotkin17 Adolf Tyutinman20 Jacqueline Sutter23 Kim Cordell23 Olga Pekker28 Adolph Rivkin29 Warren Davis31 Judith Dzik

March Anniversaries 2 Karen & Jeff Gould3 Ivan Barta9 Gussie Levine & Harry Hankin12 Al & Sue Batzdorff19 George & Paula Schlesinger21 Alan & Shari Kafton21 John & Barbara Whitaker21 Brian & Ruth Wilson24 Ed & Nancy Sherman27 Jeff & Karen Sommers

April Birthdays1 Asher Nathan1 John Rosenbach2 Eleanor Bergman3 Howard Glickman4 Miriam Wald6 Alan Krubiner7 Joe Graff7 Sylvia Marlin10 Joan Schloss13 Elizabeth Jarlsberg16 Heath Winer18 Barbara Tomin19 Barbara Whitaker21 Phyllis Shapiro22 Karen Gould23 Jeff Richman27 Ross Jones27 Birgit Sacher28 Betty Franks28 Jeffrey Stein Larson29 Carol Swanson30 Jonathan Batzdorff

No Anniversaries in April

Beth Ami JudAicA Gift ShopA great place to shop for passover

HOURS Sundays 10 am-12:00 pm

Tuesdays 4-6 pmThursdays 11 am-1pm

Appointments, 360-3000


ALEF isn't enough BET isn't toughStudy Modern Hebrew fromthe source with a native Israeli. All levels. The easy way. Prayers, Chanting Torah Tropescall: Ahuva Simon-Sa'ar545-2454

dieRk’s paRkside cafe404 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95404

707/573-5955Mark Dierkhising and Karen Brodsky, Owners

www.dierksparkside.comOpen daily, 7am - 2 pm

Dierk’s Parkside Café is a unique local eatery serving amazingly delicious and satisfying breakfast and lunch at moderate prices seven days per week. Dierk’s Executive Chef Mark A. Dierkhising believes that food prepared honestly with care nourishes, satisfi es and adds vitality to life. He also believes that enjoying well-prepared food is most satisfying in a shared experience – shared with those growing it, those preparing it, those serving it, and those eating it.

Dierk’s offers Santa Rosa a casual breakfast and lunch establishment that places emphasis on high quality, fresh food offered at a quick pace from friendly and helpful personnel, at affordable prices.

You are invited to share and participate in this unique and delicious vision – it is all about taste!

"...the best breakfast & lunch joint around."Jeff Cox, Santa Rosa Magazine

earthinupheavalautorepair.com

an unusual name with unusual excellence

1970-2008Thirty Eight Years of Quality Service

198 S. HigH Street • SebaStopol, Ca 95472Open Monday-Saturday • rental cars available

Richard Kahn (707)823-3777

especially qualified inFuel InjectionDriveabilityElectricalDiagnosticEmissionsAir ConditioningSmog PretestChassis Dynamometer

specializing in Mercedes Benz BMW Volvo SAAB Japanese S.U.V.s

אבגדהזחו

Carolyn MetzEcogreen Certified AgentDRE # 01488014707-537-2369 - Direct707-481-3390 - [email protected]

460 Mission Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95409

Jewish Community Contacts

Hadassah/Trees for Israel Rose Ann Premi, 537-9208

Hillel of Sonoma County Lindsay Folkerth, 795-5464, www.sonomahillel.org

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County Beth Goodman, 528-4222, www.jccsoco.org

Jewish Community Federation Barbara Levinson, 568-6207, www.sfjcf.org

Jewish Community Free Clinic Donna Waldman, 585-7780, www.jewishfreeclinic.org

Jewish Community Relations Council Suzan Berns, 415/957-1551, www.jcrc.org

Jewish Family & Children’s Services Diana Klein, 571-8131, www.jfcs.org/sonoma-county


maRch & apRil yahRzeits Secular dates correspond to Hebrew date of death. Observance of yahrzeit begins at sundown the previous day. All yahrzeits observed at Beth Ami.

Announced on March 4th and 5th

March 5 Ester Gutman-Markman Aunt of Ahuva Simon-SaarMarch 6 Nichama Rivkina Mother of Adolph Rivkin

Announced on March 11th and 12th March 13 Edward Susnow Father of Nancy FlemingMarch 15 Josephine Goldstein Mother of Elaine GolembMarch 16 Stan Diamond Husband of Marilyn Diamond Father of Lauren NewmanMarch 17 Morris Bernstein Grandfather of Marc BernsteinMarch 17 Frieda Goldman Mother of Ethel Schy

Announced on March18th and 19th March 19 Barbara Garam Mother of Rose BatzdorffMarch 20 Merwin Weinberg Brother-in-law of Shirley RosalerMarch 23 Tillie Streitfeld Mother-in-law of Ricki StreitfeldMarch 24 Adele Zoger Mother of Abigail Zoger

Announced on April 1st & 2nd April 2 Lottie Hankin Mother of Harry HankinApril 5 Helen Goldman Sister of Lillian JuddApril 6 Rae Abrams Mother of Patty BernsteinApril 7 Rachel Jones Grandmother of Ross JonesApril 8 Yvonne Abrams Sister-in-Law of Patty Bernstein

Announced on April 8th & 9th April 9 Shai Ben Zalman Father of Leo GurevitchApril 12 Joan Lubar Mother of Harvey LubarApril 12 Benjamin Miller Father of Susan MillerApril 14 Ben Glass Father of Gussie LevineApril 15 Sylvia Kupperberg Mother of Michael KupperbergApril 15 Justin Sommers Son of Karen & Jeff SommersApril 15 Jacqueline Rubin Wife of Dave Rubin

Announced on April 15th & 16th April 17 Steven Mazner Father of Martin MaznerApril 17 Maklouf Oiknine Father of Therese BecraftApril 18 Sydney Garson Father of Andrea NettApril 20 Elizavetya Gaiger Mother of Marina VoulfsonApril 20 Max Newman Father-in-Law of Edith NewmanApril 22 Harry Rubin Brother of Dave Rubin

Announced on April 22nd & 23rd April 23 Harry Drake Father of Arnold DrakeApril 24 Morris Abrams Grandfather of Patty BernsteinApril 24 Betty Katz Mother of Audrey DarbyApril 25 Edward Kahn Father of Richard KahnApril 27 Esther Miller Aunt of Susan MillerApril 27 Tema Zygielbaum Aunt of Paul ZygielbaumApril 28 Alvert Sisenwein Father of Shirley RosalerApril 29 Chena Penkovich Aunt of Sarah TyutinmanApril 29 Abraham Schy Father of Stuart Schy

Announced on April 29th & 30th April 30 Yefim Friedland Brother of Sheyna BakmanApril 30 Simon Weil Father of Phil WeilMay 1 Margret Close Mother of Signe MinuskinMay 1 Jennifer Hoffman Sister of Howard GlickmanMay 2 Bea Goldstein Mother of Marilyn Diamond Grandmother of Lauren NewmanMay 2 Lillian Magnus Grandmother of Howard GlickmanMay 2 Rose Pinsky Mother of Dorothy GersteinMay 2 Sophie Shapiro Mother of Michael ShapiroMay 2 Mildred Stromer Mother of Marilyn SommerMay 4 Rosemary Friedman Mother of Bill Friedman and Debra ChapmanMay 6 Joseph Zygielbaum Father of Paul Zygielbaum

Announced on March 25th and 26th March 25 Boruch Zelichenok Father of Rimma RivkinMarch 27 Mary Hahan Mother of Edith NewmanMarch 28 Joseph Meyer Father of Jane MeyerMarch 29 Mannie Goldstein Father of Elaine Golemb


geneRous contRibutions to ouR congRegationThe next time you are looking for a meaningful way to celebrate a joyous occasion, remember a loved one,or comfort a mourner, please consider a donation to Congregation Beth Ami. When you make a gift, a card is send to the honoree or the family and your donation is proudly acknowledged in the Shofar. The minimum donation for each occasion is $7.50. Congregation Beth Ami truly appreciates your support.

simcha boaRdLeaf $360

Small Stone $1000 Large Stone $2500

We also provide the opportunity for you to memorialize loved ones

yahRzeit boaRdA plaque is $450

GeNeral FuNd

In honor of Betty Kale’s 90th birthday Sylvia SucherIn honor of being called for an Aliyah Ivan BartaIn honor of Betty Kale’s 90th birthday, what a great lady!In honor of Sylvia Sucher, such a good friend!In honor of Bob Raful, on his 88th birthday, such a mensch!In honor of Susy Raful, such a sweet lovely lady!In honor of Pat & Bill Thomas, what a great couple! Pat hope you feel better soon.In honor of Rabbi and Paula, thanks for your dedication and spirit to all of usIn honor of Carloyn Metz, thanks for your dedication and spirit and help to all of usIn honor of Natalie Friedman for your years of dedication to the gift shop and CBAIn memory of Rad Sommer’s sister, Carol Sommer SkewisIn honor of Elizabeth Jarlsberg, your dedication and sweet way of helping us at CBA Susan MillerIn memory of my husband, Harold Kale Betty KaleIn honor of the sacrifices made by the Beth Ami staff members for the sake of the congregation Leanne SchyIn honor of Rachel Simkovitz for calling to sell me a lox box! Melissa BloomA thoughtful donation Patti & Larry GreggIn memory of Michael C. Brust Barbara McGeeIn honor of Rabbi, Carolyn, Elizabeth, Jennifer, and the Board of Directors who are all working hard to find ways to help our synagogue Jeffrey & Janet Stein-LarsonIn memory of Andor Taubner, my father Susy RafulIn memory of Phillip & Sylvia Feingold Stan FeingoldIn memory of Polly Boyd Eli Cohen & Betty Boyd

In memory of Verne’s cousin, Ilse CohenIn honor of Betty Kale’s birthday Raynore PauleThank you to Judy Gunnar for getting the Shabbat dinner table fabric donated to Beth Ami Pat ThomasA generous donation Darrell Watkins

GiFt oF israel FuNd

In memory of Nomi Lev-Yahm Vivian KleinIn memory of Aaron Ramsey Mazie Miller

library FuNd

In honor of Stan Feingold’s health and rapid recovery Alan & Jane KrubinerIn memory of Celia GurevitchIn memory of Hershel Ben Yacov, Evelyn’s fatherIn memory of Mark Gurevitch, Leo’s brother Evelyn & Leo Gurevitch

Malk FuNd

Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Davis upon their son Mark’s weddingIn memory of Casey Opper Phyllis ShapiroIn memory of my father, Harry Goldblatt Dee Trichter

rabbi’s discretioNary FuNd

In memory of our parents Gayle & Abe FarkasIn memory of my father, Hatskel Pipkin Sheyna BakmanIn memory of Gorge Tyutinman, Adolf’s father Sarah & Adolf TyutinmanIn memory of my brother, Raymond Lewis Lachman Vivian SalmonIn memory of my father, Hillel Shiffman Elsie Rich


Jcc teen pRogRam update

Rick Concoff, Director

Gratitude is an antidote of entitlement: Let's have nachas!As we reach mid-year in our programing, we remain grateful for the unique blessing of having Jewish teens involved in our Jewish com-munity. Across the county and throughout the world, this is not a given. It is unusual for a small community such as Sonoma County to have such a large showing of active Jewish teens (close to 120).

Throughout our synagogues and JCC, as well as other venues in the county, one can find groups of Jewish teens learning, socializing, frolicking and enjoying each other's company on a weekly basis.

This is the result of hard work and dedication as our profession-als, lay members, parents, rabbis, educators, committee volunteers, and students collaborate to make a great program happen. Our many financial supporters including the Jewish Community Federation and the Bureau of Jewish Eduction's Jewish Teen Alliance help to sustain and support us as well.

Sonoma County can be proud of having one of the highest pro-portional retention rates of Jewish teens anywhere in country. In fact over 80 percent of our Bnai Mitzvah members from five years ago are still active in Jewish eduction and programing. That trend continues across the grades.

We have enjoyed many great dinner discussions on a variety of engaging issues, social events, Shabbatons and trips, as well as the inception of our Teen Advisory Committee (TAG) in which student and parent leaders are currently planning our Second Annual Purim Carnival Fundraiser at Ner Shalom on Sunday March 20, our upcom-ing Shabbatons, Teen Talent Night, as well as next years' program.

This year we have also been joined by over 25 parents who at-tended Parenting Your Jewish Teen at the JCC. Our final session featured a panel of teens who answered critical questions for curious and concerned parents in the class.

Many of our JCC teens serve as counselors and counselors-in-training at Camp Chai during the summer, bringing our heritage and ruach to the children of our community. Others visit and study in Israel, go on national Jewish conferences, and have become formidable lead-ers in their student communities. Our seniors are contacting us every day with news from colleges and programs they will be attending.

Our rabbis are supportive of this program and come in periodi-cally to answer questions for the teens. They also guide me in guid-ing the teens. Our older teens will experience a special session when we bring in an expert Jewish teen educator to present a program on relationships called "Love Shouldn't Hurt".

So, next time you are surprised to hear Jewish teens frolicking about in your synagogue or at a community event, as they celebrate each other during a break or in a class, please remember that this is not a given, but a great gift and exception that we are graced by this sometimes over-exhuberant energy. We can only have nachas and gratitude for the blessing of the presence of teens celebrating in our midst. Let's kvell, be grateful and embrace them! They are our future!

Camp is at Finley Community Park! Session I: June 20-24Session II: June 27-July 1

For campers entering K - 9th gradeCamp is Monday - Friday, 9 am - 3 pmCamp meets at the large gazebo area

This 22-acre park, located in northwest Santa Rosa, is adjacent to the Finley Community Center and Aquatic Complex where we’ll swim twice each week. Finley Community Park is lo-cated at 2060 West College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.

3 night/4 day Overnight Adventure at Hendy Woods State ParkSession III: July 6 - July 9

For campers entering 2nd - 9th gradeCamp is Wednesday morning - Saturday mid-day

Join us as we enjoy 3 nights/4 days of camping, hiking, swimming, Junior Ranger nature walks, campfire programs and arts and crafts. Experience Shabbat under the stars. This is a great opportunity to help your camper transition to a Jewish residential camp in the future. Tuition includes all meals and snacks and round-trip transportation.

Hendy Woods State Park is located in southwestern Mendocino County just off State Highway 128.

Need More iNForMatioN?call beth GoodMaN at 707/528-2549

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County 1301 Farmers Lane, Suite 103,

Santa Rosa, CA 95405 www.jccsoco.org

707/528-4222 [email protected]

Jcc's camp chai summeR day camp 2011


Sunday March 2011 am-2 pm

Congregation Ner Shalom85 La Plaza, Cotati

Tickets are $10 per child; free for adults. Admission includes all game booths

and bouncy house.

For more information, 707/528-4222, [email protected] or www.jccsoco.orgJCC, Sonoma County, 1301 Farmers Lane, Suite 103, Santa Rosa, CA 95405

A fundraiser for the JCC’s Teen Program

The Sonoma County Jewish Teen Program is a program of the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County and is supported by B’nai Israel Jewish Center; Bureau of Jewish Education’s Jewish Teen Alliance; Congregations Beth Ami, Ner Shalom, Shir Shalom and Shomrei Torah. The Teen Program and the JCC, Sonoma County are beneficiaries of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the

Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

COME IN COSTUME

Bouncy House Cupcake Walk Face Painting

Games & Prizes Music • Food Arts & Crafts

activities

Fun for the Whole Family!

Purim Carnival

2011purim carnival.indd 1 1/28/2011 7:44:34 PM


Dear Friends,If you wish to sell your Hametz for the duration of Pesach, please do one of the following:

Fax this form (with the names and addresses) to the synagogue at 707/360-3003.Print out this form and bring it to the synagogue office.

We must have your form by 10:00 am on Monday, April 18, 2011 in order to be included in the sale for this year.

sale oF haMetz For PesachaGeNcy aPPoiNtMeNt

I hereby appoint Rabbi George Schlesinger, the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, to be my agent for the purpose of selling my Hametz. I understand that Rabbi Schlesinger will select a purchaser of his choice for this sale. I understand that the sale will be conditionally consummated at 10:00 am on Monday, April 18, 2011. I understand that Rabbi Schlesinger will demand a deposit from the purchaser to be transmitted to him by 10:00 am on Monday, April 18, 2011, with the balance of payment to be received by 8:45 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. I understand that if the balance due for my sale of Hametz has not been remitted to Rabbi Schlesinger by 8:45 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 that the sale will be cancelled by virtue of the condition of full payment not being met, and that the Hametz then will automatically revert to my ownership at that time. I accept the definition of Hametz as set by Jewish law and tradition (i.e., leavening, leav-ened products, and leavening processes). I understand that under no circumstances may I use, or benefit from, Hametz from 10:00 am Monday, April 18, 2011 until 8:45 pm on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

Name_____________________________________________________________________________________

Address(es)________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

This form must be signed and returned (or faxed) no later than Monday, April 18, 2011 at 10:00 amfax: 707/360-3003

*With the sale of Hametz, it is customary to make a donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund for the purpose of Ma’ot Hittin…providing the wherewithal for the needy to make a proper Seder.


shabbat dinneR Rsvp foRm

Friday, March 4, 6 pm - Shabbat Across America Friday, April 1, 6 pm# of Beth Ami MemberAdults______@$14=______

# of Non-member Adults__________@$18=______

# of Youth: (ages 5-12) ____________@$7=______

Children ages 1-4 are free!

Names of all attendees:______________________________________________

Phone:___________________________________________________________

I will pay by credit card

I will pay by check

Total enclosed or to charge: $_________________

Credit Card Information:

Circle one: Visa MasterCard Acct # _____________________________________________________________

Expiration date: _____/_____ Billing Zipcode: __________

Congregation Beth Ami 4676 Mayette AvenueSanta Rosa, CA 95405 Phone: 360-3000 • Fax: [email protected] • www.bethamisr.org

puRim spiel ticket oRdeR foRm

live music by zim zum

isRaeli dancingdesseRt oneg

Mail, fax or bring your reservations

with payment to:

MEGILLAHMIA!

CO

NGREG

ATION BETH AMI PRESENTS

Join Esther and Mordecai, Vashtitita and Hamando, as the story of Purim

unfolds to the catchy beat of ABBA, the 1970’s Swedish rock group. Tap your toes, swirl your groggers and join in

the fun as Esther & the Bail Outs (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) take us on

a journey from a Persian Orphanage and implore us to, “See that Girl, Watch that Scene, Diggin’ the future Queen!”

8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, and 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2011

Congregation Beth Ami4676 Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA

For Reservations, call 707-360-3000 or visit www.bethamisr.org or return this form.

Tickets also available at the door.

Saturday, March 12, 8 p.m. $24/person. Join us following the performance to meet Purim-spielers; continue the fun with music by the Megillah Band, dancing and refreshments.

# tickets _______ @ $24 = $__________

Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m. $12/Adults; Children 12 and under free.

# tickets _______ @ $12 = $__________

We want to say,”Thank You” for your creative spirit! Here is our donation in honor of the Beth Ami Purim Spielers, “Megillah Mia.”

$__________

Enclosed is my Check for amount due.

Please bill my credit card for amount due.

Name:_____________________________________________

Credit Card #________________________________Exp__________

Tickets on Sale Now!

Watch that Scene, Diggin’ the

Dancing Queen!

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Please join Congregation Beth Ami for our Community Passover Seder

April 19, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. 4676 Mayette Ave.

Catered by Wine Country Kosher RSVP with payment by April 12

Please indicate choice of chicken, brisket, or vegetarian. Questions? Call (707) 360-3000

Name(s):_______________________________________Phone/E-mail_________________________

Member Adult: $48 #______@ $48= ______ Non Member Adult: $54 #____ @$54=______ Member Adult Children: $24 #____ @$24 = ___ Non Member Adult Children: $30 #___ @$30= ____ Adult children in same household (13+) Adult Children in same household (13+) Member Youth (age 6-12): $18 # _____@ $18 = ______ Non Member Youth (age 6-12): $18 # ____@ $18 = ____ Maximum per family unit: $144 Maximum per family unit $168 ___ Chicken (Adult) ___ Brisket (Adult) ___ Vegetarian (Adult) ___ Chicken (Youth) ___ Brisket (Youth) ___ Vegetarian (Youth)

Children 5 and under are free Reservations after April 12 will be charged an additional $5 per person.

tickets on tickets g a t i o n tb e h a on sale p now! g r...

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