april 2017
5777
Special Congregational Meeting Results President’s Perspective
In This Issue:
By Bill Beyda, CBD Board President I am writing this just after our Special Congregational Meeting on April 2. Over 150 congregants attended. To start, Rabbi Ohriner offered perspective. He provided words about thinking with our heads and our hearts, like the two tefillin (see his article inside about this). Then I began the presentation on behalf of the Board. We acknowledged that neither the congregants nor the board wanted to be here today, but we needed to address the problem at hand. We presented detailed information and various options for addressing our current debt. We discussed the process followed thus far, the work of the debt resolution committee and the board, and the options considered. We detailed the lot sale option, including potential valuations and estimates to relocate some of the parking. We presented various financing options, including a traditional mortgage and interest only, with some options for commercial loans and congregant loans. The likely impact on the budget of each of these choices was also explained. We then held a lengthy question and answer session, followed by a vigorous discussion during which congregants voiced their opinions on the right way forward. It took almost two hours to reach the voting stage, at which point the votes were tallied as 149 for Option 1 (Sell the lots) and 39 for Option 2 (Refinance the debt). Perhaps the best part about the day was that congregants with opinions on both sides of the issue left the meeting smiling, talking, and continuing the discussion, even if they didn’t agree. We need to be honest with ourselves: the bankruptcy of our general contractor was a very painful event for all of us. This is the type of event that can divide and destroy congregations. We had invested our money, heart, soul, hopes and dreams into this project, not to mention countless volunteer hours; our past President, Dan Skilken, invested over two years of his life into it. In the end, roughly a year later, we have managed to come together as a community
From the Rabbi
Page 3 President’s Perspective
Cover & Page 5 April Calendar
Pages 16 & 17 april Birthdays
Page 25 april Anniversaries
Page 25 100% club
Pages 26 & 27 contributions
Pages 28 - 30
Continued on page 5 1
Main Office 408-257-3333 info@beth-david.org Rabbis Philip R. Ohriner Senior Rabbi 408-366-9104 ohriner@beth-david.org
Did you know the D’var is available online? Help us save resources and money. Stop receiving a hard copy of D’var. Email dvar@beth-david.org.
Leslie Alexander Rabbi of Community Engagement and Outreach 408-366-9105 alexander@beth-david.org Daniel J. Pressman Rabbi Emeritus pressman@beth-david.org
Staff Sarah Hanuka Director of Lifelong Learning 408-366-9116 hanuka@beth-david.org Tanya Lorien Director of Operations 408-366-9107 lorien@beth-david.org Barbara Biran Director of Ritual 408-366-9106 biran@beth-david.org Monica Hernandez Member Account Associate 408-366-9108 hernandez@beth-david.org Jillian Cosgrave Front Office Associate 408-366-9110 cosgrave@beth-david.org Lynn Crocker Mkt & Comm Associate 408-366-9102 crocker@beth-david.org Andrea Ammerman Admin. Rabbi Alexander & Sarah Hanuka 408-366-9101 rsadmin@beth-david.org Jewish Experience for Teens (JET) JET@beth-david.org
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From the Rabbi By Philip Ohriner Below is a combination of my thoughts on the happenings at the April 2nd Special Congregational Meeting along with some excerpts from the D’var Torah with which I opened the meeting. Hag Kasher v’sameach, a happy and proper Pesach to you all! When I was interviewing to become a rabbi at CBD I asked as many members as possible the following question: What makes Congregation Beth David a community of excellence? The most meaningful response I received was from a sage voice in our community who told me the following: “Throughout CBD’s history there have been moments of difficult communal decisionmaking: staffing, building projects, economic downturns, and financial obligations. In every instance our community has come together, made a decision together, and worked together to actualize that decision.” Even then, this sage congregant’s description of CBD evoked for me images of tefillin. While we call them tefillin collectively, the truth is that the two pieces that make up tefillin are quite different from one another. Rabbis and scholars over the millennia have often remarked that the differences in the shel rosh (the head tefillin) and the shel yad (the arm and hand tefillin) reflect the difference aspects of our humanity. The shel rosh (head tefillin) has sections of Torah written on separate pieces of parchment, stored in multiple compartments while the shel yad has only one piece of parchment with all the passages, housed in one compartment. Together, they remind us that our lives are governed by thought, the shel rosh and action, the shel yad. The shel rosh draws us to intellect— varying, different, and separate ways of thinking. The shel yad, with its one section and one piece of parchment reminds us that thought must coalesce into a conclusion in order for us to act. And often, our actions are the product of thought filtered through our emotions, represented by the placement of the shel yad next to our hearts (if we happen to be right-handed). For more than five decades, Congregation Beth David has recognized when we should lead with our collective shel rosh and when it is time to act together with our shel yad. Members of a sacred community can have very different ways of thinking but must, at times, act as one. For millennia, when faced with difficult decisions, Jews have turned to prayer and consequently our tefillin to guide us. On April 2nd, Over 150 members of our community gathered together to make a difficult decision (see Bill’s article on p.1 for the details and outcome). The truth is that no one wanted to be at CBD that morning to decide between two very difficult choices—to sell some of our property or take some kind of mortgage. After all, CBD is our makom kadosh, our sacred place. Those in attendance could feel it. CBD is the place we pray and play, celebrate and grieve. And yet, fulfilling our financial obligations is also a communal obligation that all attendees recognized. The decision we reached, to sell property, was made together as a community, just as we have done with every difficult decision over our congregation’s 54 year history. What I am compelled to share with our entire community is not details about the outcome. That is not my role. However, I must share with the world the way we made the decision, for it is perhaps even more important than the decision itself. To a member, every single speaker held themselves up to the tenets of civil discourse and sacred speech. Each congregant led with their shel rosh, acknowledging its varied compartments, the multiple ways in which members of our community might be thinking about this decision. Members truly listened to one another, speaking with as much compassion as passion. Collectively, we recognized the countless volunteer hours contributed on our collective behalf to prepare us for this meeting, particularly the time and energy our president, Bill Beyda, exerted to lead us with such clarity, integrity, and dedication. Before the meeting, I asked that we collectively lead with the shel rosh of our tefillin so that we could all take in the differing approaches valued by fellow members. I asked that we all allow the image of the shel rosh of our tefillin to remind us that it is not just acceptable, but even laudable for Jews to approach a difficult decision from different vantage points while respecting the value and worth of those with whom we disagree. At the end of the meeting we had collectively chosen a path to walk down by selling property. And in that moment, I watched as our communal focus moved from our shel rosh to our shel yad, our arm tefillin calling us to act together united. Yes, many congregants present at the meeting and many of you reading this article may disagree with the outcome. However, what lifts us up as a community of excellence is our ability to stand with one another and move forward with our collective decision together. As members left the meeting, most did so with great pride. And as they were leaving, I shared that there isn’t a rabbi anywhere in the country more proud to serve their congregation than I. I know Congregation Beth David is moving from strength to strength together, ready to act as one as a sacred community. It is this aspect of our congregation that makes CBD a community of excellence. May it be as true tomorrow as it is true today.
Rabbi Philip Ohriner 3
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This is our community’s small way of helping those in need in a big way!
April’s Kollection: We are looking for items for “blessing bags” for the homeless which will be assembled as part of Tikkun Olam Action Day on April 30th
Hot For Shabbat Older adults are encouraged to join the CBD community for a hot, Shabbat lunch, and opportunity to schmooze and learn with friends old and new! Stay after lunch and join one of our rotating learning sessions. You’re also welcome to attend Shabbat services starting at 9:30. Hot for Shabbat is brought to you in part by a generator grant from the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.
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Soap or body wash Shampoo Lip balm Dental picks or floss Tissues Wet wipes Bandages Hand sanitizer Cotton swabs Comb Fruit leather or raisins Instant oatmeal Beef jerky
Watch for a sign-up link in upcoming Shabbat bulletins. Because of limited storage space, please plan to bring these items to the Synagogue the week of April 24th.
Looking ahead: May’s Kehillah Kollection will be: new and gently used children’s clothes.
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President’s perspective By Bill Beyda
Continued from front cover and find a way forward. We don’t all agree on the approach, but the love for Beth David was evident in the room and it conquered our differences of opinion. The passion that people spoke with was heartwarming. For those of you who couldn’t attend, if you could take one thing away from what happened today, we really do have something special going on here in our community, and no contractor, no amount of money, nobody, can take that away from us. Everyone wanted what was best for Beth David, and had many ideas on how we could achieve that. One pleasant outcome was that several people actually stood up and offered to contribute significant funds if we could avoid selling the lots. Several ideas were discussed and floated, in the hopes that funds can be raised before the June 30 deadline. One congregant suggested that all we need is 10 righteous individuals to donate $250K each and we can be out of this situation. I am excited to hear about these efforts and hope they succeed, as nothing would give me more pleasure than to call the whole thing off and declare us debt-free without selling property. Others said they would offer to extend loans, which is an excellent fallback position for us, should we not succeed in obtaining the value we want for the lots. If you want to increase your pledge by any amount, please contact Monica in the office. For those of you that weren’t at the meeting, the board will now finish off the many steps required to make our property marketable. There are still approval steps in the various planning organizations in the City of Saratoga, and other consents required to get us to the point of two sellable, single family lots. Once we have those, we will launch a marketing process to yield the most money possible for Beth David. The timing of these steps is uncertain, but we will keep you informed as things progress. There is no certainty that we will be able to close a satisfactory transaction. If we get stuck along the way and are unable to proceed, or we don’t like the terms available, you will hear from us about alternate options. Before the meeting, I received calls and emails from many congregants with questions in the prior weeks, and those interactions helped me modify the slides to ensure a more productive meeting. To those of you who contacted me -- thank you, I am grateful. Frankly, I was both mentally and physically exhausted leading up to this meeting, as the slide deck was on version 18 when I finalized it on Friday. After the meeting, I am reinvigorated to serve as your President. You have shown me that our common goal of doing the best we can for Beth David is far more important than any tactical differences we may have. Years ago when David Hoffman held congregational meetings to envision our future, we couldn’t have predicted the path we would take. When Dan Skilken inspired us all to build our magnificent building, I don’t think any of us realized how marvelous it would really be. In the days after the general contractor declared bankruptcy, many of us were shell-shocked. Dan pulled us back up off the ground and led us to an open building four months later for Rosh Hashanah. Now we will do our part to finish paying for it, so all of us can enjoy it for generations to come. Let’s mark this as the day we look forward to our future with optimism again. We have a path forward, and Congregation Beth David will thrive. Good Pesach!
Bill Beyda, CBD Board President 5
Despite Cold Winds, Exposure is the Way to Go! Reflections on 2 AAi Gatherings By Iris Bendahan These days, worries about the recent erosion of the hard won values of tolerance and acceptance sends chills up my spine. Can an individual do anything to counter these biting winds? One important thing we can do is expose ourselves to different religions and cultures. According to Aaron Nankin, a young adult attendee at the event, “Freedom and empowerment can be found through exposure, in realizing that we are all connected, and that our common humanity is plain to see when we dare to look.” To help us gain exposure, the organization Abrahamic Alliance International (AAi) matches up interested Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups to use social action as a means to get acquainted. Congregation Beth David hosted two AAi events in February in conjunction with SFC (Saratoga Federated Church) and WVMA (West Valley Muslim Association). The first, on February 25th after Shabbat services, brought about 100 people to a Trialogue during which a leader from each of these Abrahamic faith communities spoke about their faith’s views on feeding the hungry, which was the focus of the “Meal Cook & Serve” event the next day.
Understandably, all minds were contemplative about the new climate, and so the speakers included thoughts about tolerance and acceptance in their addresses. Prior to the clergys’ remarks, quotes from the faiths’ scriptures, to which the leaders would refer, were shared out loud. When read in proximity, it was impossible not to notice similarities between them, and notice that all the leaders included quotes which alluded to tolerance and acceptance as well as feeding the hungry. For instance, Rabbi Ohriner, of Beth David, included, “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him,” from Leviticus 19, and, “Rabbi Akiva taught: beloved is all humanity, created in the Divine image,” from Mishna Avot. Reverend Arvin Engelson from SFC included “…‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” from Mark 12; and Imam Musab Abdalla from WVMA included “…and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess.” from the Koran, 4:36. One Beth David attendee told me, “It was informative to hear the perspectives of the three religions as espoused by their local clergy, especially their similar approaches to dealing with non-members of their faiths.” Taj Noori from WVMA expressed, “It was heartening to see how similar the three faiths are in regards to the urgency and importance of service to humanity and environment.” The event concluded with a Q&A session, followed by an opportunity to schmooze over refreshments. For Aaron Nankin, and I think for many others, “The highlight of the event was sitting down over refreshments to connect with Christian and Muslim members of my community. I got the pleasure of getting to know a lovely Christian woman (Continued on page 7) 6
Reflections on 2 AAi Gatherings (Continued from page 6)
and a lovely Muslim woman and to discuss faith, work, insecurities, growing up in different backgrounds, similarities and differences of our religions, and even music.” Andrea Ammerman, of CBD expressed, “One of things I loved about talking to people from other faiths is our commonalities; for instance, we are all bemoaning our respective college children for not following and affirming their faith while at school.” Another attendee voiced that, “It was nice to meet some Muslim people and see first-hand that they are not represented by those that are associated with the events we hear about in news reports.” The next day, Sunday, February 26th, the three faith groups met again to cook up a meal to serve to the homeless. The “Meal Cook & Serve” event afforded a more intimate exposure forum with 10-15 people from each community gathering together. The first activity is always the formation of buddy groups with 1-2 members of each community who spend about 30 minutes just talking. Taj remarked, “It was a pleasure to cook and serve alongside our sisters and brothers from the Abrahamic faith. We loved getting to know them better.” Listening to the lively, social chatter around the room, everyone seemed so happy to be together, you’d think everyone already knew each other! Personally, I loved walking around the kitchen and social hall and seeing all these clumps of fellow CBD members cooking and chatting in their multicultural buddy groups. There was simply not a frown to be seen! During the Muslim afternoon CBD member Dafna Mizrahi preps fruits salad along with prayer session, everyone regrouped in the Beit Midrash to participate/observe and then it was off to members of SFC and WVMA serve at CityTeam shelter in San Jose. This Meal Cook & Serve experience was the 4th such event that Beth David has participated in the last 2 years, and already SFC has requested we meet again (we’re working on Oct. 22 as a possibility). The Trialogue, however, was first. One member wished that it could be “something that should be continued on a regular basis. Perhaps it could rotate through each religion’s house of worship.” What are your thoughts about that idea? Aaron’s new Muslim friend, mentioned above, lamented that “her home country's policies [were] of isolating one population from another, or blocking them from resources to educate themselves and how much freedom and access we as US citizens have to expose ourselves to diversity and differing viewpoints compared to most countries in the Rabbi Philip Ohriner gives the opening welcome as the AAi world.” Indeed, we do have the freedom to expose Meal Cook & Serve begins. ourselves despite the new chill, and the enthusiasm that this Trialogue garnered shows how well a simple gathering of cultures can open minds, and help us focus on not what we see and hear in the media but rather, the idea expressed in Genesis 9:6: “In the image of God, God made all humanity.” One of our Muslim guests believes that “having been raised in an oppressive country in the Middle East, that exposure is the key to overcoming the fears, the unknown, the hatred that divides people.” So, would you like to warm those chilly winds, overcome fears of the unknown, and change that divisive hate by increasing exposure with more regular encounters? Email me your thoughts and suggestions at irisbendahan@beth-david.org. For more information about AAi, check out their website at www.abrahamicalliance.org.
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Dames Who Dine
Upcoming Thursdays 4/27 & 5/25 @ 7:00pm Dames Who Dine meets monthly for sharing a meal and casual socializing at a local restaurant. This is an opportunity to get to know new people and to catch up with old friends.
Ladies Who Lunch
Upcoming: Thursday 5/11 @ 11:00am Ladies Who Lunch meets monthly. Attendees bring dishes to match the month’s theme. We share stories, recipes and memories. This is a casual, fun opportunity to socialize with women of all ages.
Email Cathy Beyda at cbd.women@beth-david.org
Monthly Meeting Sunday, April 23th, 9:30am Come join us at our next meeting at CBD. Email cbd.mensclub@beth-david.org for more information.
Beer with the Boys Tuesday, April 25th 7pm to 9pm Stop by to schmooze over pizza and beer after Pesach at the Garret Station, 14101 Winchester Blvd. Los Gatos.
Want more information about CBD Men’s club? Email cbd.mensclub@beth-david.org
Saturday, April 22nd after lunch, approx. 1:00 p.m. Presentations and Discussions on Judaica. In April join us for The Art of Edith Kallman (z"l). Presented by Nat Kallman, Melanie Carlston, Morgan Carlston and Audrey Daniel Edith, her husband Nat, and three other families founded Beth David in 1963. Edith was also a renowned modern artist, whose work is found in museums and many private collections. According to the website thepassdoor.net, Edith was unique in her approach, using the repetition of words in a calligraphic style to create intricate patterns. Her spirals and grids offer us personal and social messages that vanish into graphic images. Everyone is welcome, whether member of CBD or visitor, including non-artists, too! Email coordinator Jeff Warwick at cbd.artists@beth-david.org for more information. 8
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Tikkun Leil Shavuot Shavuot Mini Courses A Lay Led Learning Experience Tuesday, May 30th 9:00 - Midnight
Share learning and discussion with Congregation Beth David teachers and Rabbis as they present mini courses on Jewish texts that have influenced, challenged and inspired them in their lives. In each case there will be time for discussion for participants to express reactions to and ideas about the texts presented. Have a text you have learned that you would like to share? Email Rabbi Alexander to become a presenter that night—Alexander@beth-david.org
From Kindertransport to the Refugees of 2017 @ Shir Hadash 20 Cherry Blossom Ln, Los Gatos Sunday April 23rd 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
The evening begins with presentations by Eric Kay who, as a child, was rescued by the Kindertransport. In addition, there will be a slide show of art work and poetry by students from Fisher Middle School, the Harker School, St. Andrews, St. Marys, Yavneh and the Congregational Religious Schools. Finally there will a presentation by Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Vice President of HIAS and a viewing of segments of their film "Refugee Children". A Yom HaShoah memorial service will follow with the lighting of candles by survivors and Second and Third Generation families and the participation of the community's rabbis. This program will be especially meaningful to adults and children in middle school and high school. The entire community is welcome so please invite your friends and neighbors. 10
Insights from an Israel Koffee Klatch by Iris Bendahan Of course you can brew a nice cup of coffee, or steep some tea from a variety of Israeli teas, and nibble on some fresh baked goods at Congregation Beth David’s monthly Israel Koffee Klatch. But, mostly you can get some great insight into the state of our Jewish State. Whereas Alex Drukarev usually prefaces the topic of discussion with some introductory material, February’s klatch, devoted to Israel’s environmental concerns, was introduced by Norman Rosenberg. We really got an insider’s perspective from Norman, an American soil scientist who lived and worked with Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture back in the 1950’s. Norman and his wife Sarah are new members of Beth David, having moved to this area in July of last year. Due to Israel’s remarkable range of climates and complex topography—from the Mediterranean and Red Seas, to the mountains of Galilee and Judea to the Dead Sea in the great Rift Valley, Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture must concern itself with a very wide variety of soil types. These include terra rossa which forms from limestone in the Galilee, heavy clay soils that form from basalt in the lower Galilee and Golan, and windborne “loess”, the powdery silt of the Negev. Each of these and Israel’s other soil types require different management such as irrigation, fertilization and tillage in order to achieve conservation and optimum productivity. In the early 50’s when Norman and Sarah lived in Israel, a remarkable American agriculturalist, Walter Clay Lowdermilk, was an advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. He had been, among other positions, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Lowdermilk urged that the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture undertake a comprehensive survey of all of Israel’s soils. The Israelis listened carefully to Professor Lowdermilk, who was to them a hero. Why so? In the 1930s, in response to Arab pressure, the British Mandate government issued its infamous ‘White Paper’, which sharply limited Jewish immigration to Palestine. This decision was based in part on reports that declared Palestine incapable of sustaining a large population. Unlike the British assessments Lowdermilk reported Palestine to be a ‘Land of Promise’ (so titling his 1944 book on the topic), capable of supporting a much larger
population than it had at that time. Lowdermilk’s findings greatly helped the Zionist cause. Lowdermilk was also instrumental in the creation of a department of agricultural engineering at the Technion in Haifa. At the time he was unenthusiastic about the creation of HaMovil HaArtzi (the National Water Carrier completed in 1964). which removes fresh water from the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, and transports it down to the Negev desert. He believed this transfer of water would ultimately harm the ecology of the Kinneret and the Dead Sea, as well. Subsequent events have shown that Lowdermilk was right. By 2007, although Israel was recycling 86% of the water that goes down the drain, the Sea of Galilee was so drained that it was in danger of becoming another dead sea. Desperation led Israel to become a leader in water desalinization and now has 5 plants which produce a surplus of fresh water; the Sea of Galilee is fuller, and there is much less stress on the ground water table, which can be used to help relations with the Palestinians who would like to manage the area beneath them. However, there is a yet unknown toll in water desalinization, Norman cautions. Fifty percent of the water that goes through the desalinization process comes out fresh; the other 50% becomes a brine that is dumped back into the sea which can lead to areas of higher salt content. Current water worries are focused on the decline of the Dead Sea and how to stop and hopefully reverse its decline. During the short hour of the Israel Koffee Klatch, Norman was only able to touch on a few of the many fascinating environmental challenges that Israel faces, and in future Klatches we can bring up this subject again. We have daytime and evening sessions to fit everyone’s schedule. Join us Thursday April 20th and May 18th at 7:30 p.m. or Tuesday April 25th and May 23rd at 10:30 a.m. The Israel Koffee Klatch is open to anyone interested in discussing Israel issues! Contact irisbendahan@beth-david.org if you have questions or comments. Many thanks to Alex and Norman for their insights.
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Shushan County Fair was a Hit with All Ages! The sun came out in full force for your Shushan Fair on Purim. As promised, the fair had something for everyone, including a warm Queen Esther (Kira Hoffman) welcome! There was so much to do and see that one couldn’t do it all! For example, beautiful table settings for every holiday, an amazing Purim info display, 30+ carnival games and 5 inflatables, entertainment (thank you to Hot Kugel, Mindy Music / CBD choir, & Richard Timmins for playing), animals, a White Elephant Bazaar and Silent Auction and so much more! Kudos and thanks to the so many, many volunteers who helped make this great community event a success!
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Thank you to our Purim Volunteers Davida Adelberg Ken Aitchison Shira Aitchison Marjorie Alpert David Ammerman Ben Aronson Ora Avidan-Antonir Bob Baird Ginny Baird Rabbi Ilana Baird Bob Bankirer Elizabeth Batson Joel Bauman Hemy Beer Ron Belman Iris Bendahan Rafi Bendahan Alan Bernard Mary Jo Bernard Bill Beyda Cathy Beyda Laurie Bierman Michael Bierman Barbara Biran Rahav BoussiGross Rhoda Bress Debbie Bressel Hana Bressel Ken Bretz Sandi Bretz Marlene Burak Carol Cassell Chris Cassell Ina Checkman Seema Cicerone Chris Clayton Jessica Clayton Sandy Coplon Joanne Cornbleet Marla Deutsch Eleanor Dickman Aurianne Dorsay Dorothy Dorsay Alisa Drabkin Galina Drabkin Jessica Drabkin Mike Drabkin Leslie Drori Alex Drukarev Deborah Estreicher Paul Fahn Rhonda Farber Stan Farkas Hillary Farkas Daniel Fihn Karen Fihn Howard Fine Renee Fine
David Fishman Roni Fishman Ziva Fishman Mindy Flato-Dickens Kate Fox Paul Freudenthal Hindy Ganeles Emily Gannes Howard Gannes Lee Gavens Talya Gilboa Lance Glasser Wendy Glasser Barbara Goldstein Vivian Golub Marilyn Goodman Cheryl Graubart Dave Graubart Arye Green Barb Green Daniel Green Helaine Green Jhasmin Grosskopf Amir Guy Bill Halper Joyce Halper Nathan Handelsman Zoe Handelsman Jonathan Hanuka Noa Harel Bonnie Hirsch Lee Hirsch Hanna Hittleman David Hoffman Debby Hoffman Kira Hoffman Judy Holtzman Rebecca Holtzman Danielle Horovitz Morayah Horovitz Sharon Horovitz Patty Hughes Marcia Hunter Madelyn Isaacs Jane Jacobson Len Jacobson Dori Jaroslow Ben Kahn Daniel Kahn Lori Kahn Ian Kass Doris Katz Lynn Kinsey Stephen Kinsey Adam Kovar David Kravitz Lisa Kravitz Judith Krongold Jan Krum
Jan Larky Max Leitner Roz Levin Sheryl Lewis Vered Maoz Susan Marcus Charlie Marr Miriam Marr Bill Menkin Dr. Elizabeth Menkin Sylvia Metz Abi Moyal Marty Newman Nancy Newman Rabbi Shoshana Ohriner Carol Osofsky David Osofsky Lia Pickholtz Abigail Proktor Thelma Ramm Susan Rojo Jill Rosenberg Minda Schwartz Myrtle Schwartz Neil Shapiro Sandy Shapiro Carmel Shenhav Marty Sherman Sima Shore Art Singer Blanka Singer Irene Spector Walter Spector Evan Spielvogel Peter Spielvogel Alison Stein Edy Stein Seth Steingraph Irene Swedroe Julie Tardos Barbara Taubman Chuck Taubman Ann Tavan Rick Tavan Ilana Tenberg Irina Tenberg Richard Timmins Susan Toth Dorit Tzori Merav Tzori Nimrod Tzori Aline Usim Tal Volinsky Jeff Warwick Maya Warwick Scott Weinstein
Samantha Wigon Yonatan Winetraub Elise Wolf
Yael Wolf Franklin Woolfson
Thank You to Hamentashen Contest Entrants Iris Bendahan Rhoda Bress Wendy Glasser Bill Halper
Debby Hoffman Carol Osofsky Rabbi Alexander
First prize winner - Bill Halper Second prize winner- Wendy Glasser
See winning recipes on page 18
Thank you to the Purim Shpiel Cast The Wizard of Oy! was created, produced and directed by Shannon and Scott Guggenheim Marjorie Alpert David Baird Ginny Baird Iris Bendahan Allan Berkowitz Mindy Berkowitz Alana Goodman Lily Guggenheim David Paktor Sheryl Rattner Orit Riskin
Jenessa Schwartz Deb Shapiro Neil Shapiro Sandy Shapiro Samuel Shultz Maya Warwick Bailey Weinstock Susie Weitzman Rabbi Leslie Alexander Rabbi Philip Ohriner
Thank you to Michael Wigon for recording the Purim Shpiel
Thank you to those who funded this year's Purim Spiel Marjorie Alpert and Jeffrey Warwick Mindy and Rabbi Allan Berkowitz Dorothy and Richard Dorsay Rhonda Farber Renee and Howard Fine Madelyn and Dov Isaacs Susan and Ron Maltiel Rhonda Raider and Donald Gould Elise and Dennis Wolf The discretionary funds of Rabbis Pressman, Ohriner and Alexander 14
Beautiful table settings for every holiday were featured in the exhibition hall section of the Fair.
Young Adults Mixed it up at the Shushan Saloon in Honor of Purim Shushan Saloon thank yous from Jews’ Next Dor 2.0: Cabaret San Jose (shown below) for an awesome performance; Mayer Adelberg for running a snazzy photo booth; Judy Holtzman for being bartender extraordinaire; Or Gozal for being our DJ; Rhoda Bress, Carol Osofsky, Wendy Glasser, and Iris Bendahan for baking Hamentashen; Rick Tavan for great scotch; Adrianna Gould for advertising; Ella Gotesman for heading the planning committee, and, of course, the CBD staff for all the behind the scenes!
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April Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
2 6 Nisan 3 8 Nisan 5 7 Nisan 4 9:30am Minyan 10:30am Israel Koffee Klatch 10:00am Intermediate 10:00am Congregational 3:00pm Yiddish Conversation Hebrew Meeting 11:45am Beginning Hebrew 7:00pm Minyan 7:00pm Silicon Valley Intro. 6:00pm SULAM to Judaism (Offsite) 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Seder Surprise 7:00pm Minyan 9 13 Nisan 9:30am Men’s Club Coffee and Schmooze at Peets 9:30am Minyan 1:00pm Cub Scouts Pack 504 Meetings 3:00pm Barracudas Hockey at the Shark Tank 5:30pm CBD Adult Choir 16 20 Nisan 5th day of the Omer Pesach VI (CH''M) 9:30am Minyan - includes Torah Service 7:25pm Candle lighting 23 27 Nisan 12th day of the Omer Yom HaShoah 9:00am Haftarah Trope 9:30am Men’s Club Meeting 9:30am JCORE 9:30am JET - Session 1 9:30am Minyan 11:00am JET - Session 2 1:00pm Cub Scouts Meetings 5:30pm CBD Adult Choir 6:30pm Yom HaShoah (offsite)
10 Erev Pesach Ta'anit Bechorot
14 Nisan 11 15 Nisan Administration Office Closed Pesach I 9:30am Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch 7:00am Siyum Bechorot – Fast of First Born 7:00pm No Minyan 7:20pm Candle lighting 7:00pm No Minyan 17 21 Nisan Holocaust Museum 6th day of the Omer Administration Office Closed Pesach VII 9:30am Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch 7:00pm No Minyan
9 Nisan
12 16 Nisan 1st day of the Omer Administration Office Closed Pesach II 9:30am Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch 7:00pm No Minyan
18 22 Nisan 19 23 Nisan 7th day of the Omer 8th day of the Omer Administration Office Closed Pesach VIII 9:30am Services 4:00pm JEWEL 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch 7:00pm No Minyan
7:00pm Minyan
24 28 Nisan 25 29 Nisan 26 30 Nisan 13th day of the Omer 14th day of the Omer 15th day of the Omer 10:00am Intermediate 10:30am Israel Coffee Klatch Rosh Chodesh Iyyar Hebrew 11:45am Beginning Hebrew
7:00pm Minyan
7:00pm Beer w/the Boys 7:00pm Minyan 7:00pm Silicon Valley Intro. to Judaism (Offsite) 7:30pm Program Committee
4:00pm Jewel
7:00pm Minyan
30 4 Iyyar 19th day of the Omer 9:00am Haftarah Trope 9:30am JCORE 9:30am JET - Session 1 9:30am Minyan 11:00am JET - Session 2 11:00am Tikkun Olam Action 1:00pm Cub Scouts Mtg 16
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 1 5 Nisan 9:30am Services 10:30am Torah Takes The Stage 12:30pm Kiddush 1:00pm Experiencing the Zohar
6 10 Nisan 7 11:00am Ladies Who Lunch
7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Ritual Committee Meeting
11 Nisan 8 12 Nisan Shabbat HaGadol 9:30am Services 10:30am For Russian Speakers 10:30am Makom Yoga 6:30pm Services 11:15am Tot Shabbat 7:17pm Candle lighting 12:30pm Kiddush 1:30pm Jewish Book Discussion
13 17 Nisan 14 18 Nisan 15 19 Nisan 2nd day of the Omer 3rd day of the Omer 4th day of the Omer Pesach III (CH''M) Pesach IV (CH''M) Pesach V (CH''M) 9:30am A Learning Minyan 9:30am Services/Joanne Cornbleet Birthday 10:30am Mindfulness & Meditation 6:30pm Services 12:30pm Passover Kiddush 7:24pm Candle 1:00pm Exploring “The 7:00pm Minyan lighting Other Talmud” 20 24 Nisan 21 25 Nisan 9th day of the Omer 10th day of the Omer 10:00am Talmud Study 11:15am Jewish Ethics 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Evening Israel Koffee Klatch
6:30pm Services 7:30pm Candle lighting
27 1 Iyyar 28 2 Iyyar 16th day of the Omer 17th day of the Omer Rosh Chodesh Iyyar 10:00am Talmud Study 11:15am Jewish Ethics
7:00pm Dames who Dine 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Board Meeting
6:30pm End Of Year Teen Shabbat 6:30pm Services 7:36pm Candle lighting
22 26 Nisan 11th day of the Omer 9:30am Services 10:30am Approachable Torah 10:30am Youth Congregation 11:15am Tot Shabbat 12:30pm Kiddush 1:00pm Jewish Artists Group 29 3 Iyyar 18th day of the Omer 9:30am Services 10:30am Haverim 10:30am Youth Congregation 12:00pm Hot for Shabbat 12:00pm Ruah Rally 12:30pm Kiddush 1:30pm Shabbat Schmooze
Upcoming Holocaust Museum April 17th May 3rd
Passover Services Schedule Monday, April 10th Erev Pesaḥ 7:00 a.m. Siyum Bechorot – Fast of the First Born Tuesday, April 11th Pesaḥ Day 1 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch Wednesday, April 12th Pesaḥ Day 2 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch Monday, April 17th Pesaḥ Day 7 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch Tuesday, April 18th Pesaḥ Day 8 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch
Sunday, April 30th 11:00 a.m. Tikkun Olam Action Day
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Award Winning Hamentashen Recipes By Bill Halper Dough * 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature,
cut into small pieces * 2/3 cup sugar * 1 egg, room temperature * * * * *
* * * *
1 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 tsp grated lemon zest 2 1/4 cups flour 1/4 tsp salt
Using a stand mixed, cream the butter together with the sugar; add egg, vanilla and lemon zest and beat again until combined Sift flour and salt together and add to mixer bowl Mix at low speed just until a crumbly dough forms Remove from bowl, form into two balls and wrap each with plastic wrap Place into refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight
Apple Filling: * * * * * *
1 Granny Smith Apple 1 tbsp. lemon juice ¼ tsp. cinnamon (or more if desired) 1 tbsp. flour 2 tbsp. sugar 1 can Dulce de Leche
* To make the Dulce de Leche: Take one can of organic sweetened condensed milk (Note: check the ingredients listed on the label. The one I used listed only milk and sugar. Most others have additional ingredients.) * Remove the label and place the can, on its side, in a deep saucepan; cover with sufficient water so that the can has several inches of water above it. * Bring to a slow simmer and cook for 3 hours; Add additional boiling water as necessary to keep the can submerged. ** Unless you plan on remodeling your kitchen, NEVER LET THE CAN BE EXPOSED ABOVE THE WATER. * After cooking, remove from the water and allow to cool; DO NOT open the can until it is near room temperature. (There’s an alternate technique…open the can and pour into a double boiler. Heat above gently boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it turns a deep brown color. It’ll take a couple of hours.) * Peel and slice the apple into 1/8” slices and then cross cut into small cubes; place in mixing bowl * Add the lemon juice, cinnamon, flour and sugar; mix well. * Preheat the oven to 350° * Remove one of the balls of dough from the refrigerator * Working quickly, roll into a sheet 3/16” (roughly) thick * Hint: to avoid getting the dough too warm, place a thin towel on the countertop for insulation; place plastic wrap on top of that, and then the dough. Flour the rolling pin and sprinkle some on the dough. The idea is to avoid the butter from softening too much. If that happens, the dough should be placed back into the fridge to firm. * Using a 3-1/2” diameter glass as a cookie cutter, cut out as many rounds as possible * Place the rounds on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Gather the scraps and roll out the extra. Repeat. * Place a small amount of Dulce de Leche in the middle of each round along with approximately 1 teaspoon of the apple mixture * Fold in the sides to shape the hamentashen * Bake at 350° for 25 minutes; start checking at 20 minutes to avoid overcooking…they’re done when the bottom is browning Transfer to a rack to cool * Warm some of the left-over Dulce del Leche and place into a plastic bag * Cut off the corner and squeeze into the center of the cooled hamentaschen * Place an apple piece or two on top. Note: Adapted from Tori Avey’s cooking blog 18
Award Winning Hamentashen Recipes By Wendy Glasser Dough
* * * * * *
* 1 cup margarine * 2 cups sugar * 4 egg whites and 2 whole eggs
reserve egg yolks for coating the cookies before baking
½ cup orange juice Grated orange peel from one orange 3 tsp vanilla 1tablespoon baking powder 1 ½ tsp salt 7 cups flour
Beat together margarine and sugar Add eggs, orange peel, orange juice and vanilla - mix well Add salt, and baking powder, and flour - mix well Put in refrigerator at least one hour Roll out on well-floured waxed paper Cut into circles, put 1 teaspoon of filling into center of circle and fold up sides to make a triangle around the filling * Mix egg yolks with a little water in a small bowl - coat cookies with egg yolk mixture * Bake in 350 oven for 18 -20 minutes until golden brown. * * * * * *
Apricot Filling (Can be used for Cherry too) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
2 cups dried pitted apricots (or cherries) 1 cup water 1/4 cup orange juice 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice pinch of salt
Lekvar Prune Filling * * * * *
1/2 cup prunes 2/3 cup water 1 /3 cup orange juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/3 cup brown sugar
Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan – stir and bring to a boil for one minute. Reduce heat to medium /low so the mixture simmers slowly and constantly. Cover the pot. Let the mixture simmer covered for 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Remove the lid from the pan. Let the apricots continue to simmer for 2-3 more minutes stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated/absorbed. Keep a close eye on the pan to make sure the apricots don’t burn. When there are about 3 tbsp. of liquid left in the pan remove from heat and mash with a potato masher till a smooth puree forms. Run a fork through he mixture to break up any pieces the potato masher missed. You can also use an immersion blender for a smoother puree, if desired. Store in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator. Refrigerating the filling to chill completely will make it easier to work with when filling the Hamentashen.
Poppy Seed Filling * ¾ cup poppy seeds * 2 tbsp. butter (coconut oil or
margarine, for pareve) * ½ cup coconut milk or almond milk * 2 tbsp. honey
* * * *
6 tbsp. sugar 1 egg 1 ½ Tsp Vanillaf 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice
Beat the egg in a bowl and set aside Melt the butter/margarine in a small saucepan Whisk in the coconut milk, sugar and honey and simmer over a low flame until the sugar is melted Pour half the mixture into a cup Very slowly drizzle the hot mixture into the beaten egg, whisking constantly Slowly pour the egg mixture back into hot mixture in the saucepan, whisking constantly. Simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it thickens * Remove from heat * Whisk in the poppy seeds * Store in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator. Refrigerating the filling to chill completely will make it easier to work with when filling the Hamentashen. Note: Very closely based on Tori Avey's recipe 19 * * * * * *
March Tea Time with a Maven Thank you Dori Jaroslow for being our March maven. Dori shared some exciting new titles including fiction, non- fiction, cookbooks and Passover books.
Educational and Fun Weekly Program
Come see our Teens at
Teen Shabbat Service
Begins September 7th
April 28th @ 6:30 p.m. Thursdays 9:30am - 10:30am for ages 4 - 12 months 10:30am - Noon for ages 13 - 24 months @ Congregation Beth David
Structured Program
Learn parenting techniques to use at home Learning Centers Include: · Sensory Table · Cognitive Toys · Music and Art Centers · Gross Motor Area · Building Zone R EGISTRATION O PEN APRIL 20 TH G ET M ORE D ETAILS ! Call Sarah Hanuka 408-257-3333 or email hanuka@beth-david.org
Please join us as we honor our teens during Friday Night Shabbat Service.
· · ·
Services (6:30) Oneg (7:30) Teen Program & Dinner (7:30)
Our 7th - 12 students will lead the Friday Shabbat Service, and our graduating seniors will give a speech/drash about what CBD means to them. Following the service there will be an oneg for the parents and congregation and a special teen only program and dinner.
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Combining Mitzvah Day and Earth Day Activities will include: * Making blessing (supply) bags for the homeless * A penny drive supporting Mazon and an opportunity to learn more about the work they do * Making sandwiches for the hungry * Decorate a potted plant and deliver it to a CBD homebound senior * Participate in a guided discussion on “greening� our shul and our homes * Meal mapping activity * Make a first aid kit for yourself. A $5 donation is requested * Donate boxes and cans of food and build a sculpture in the Mercaz with the contributions. * Sew blankets for the homeless * Guest speakers from Mazon and local water district! Look for special sign ups in bulletin! * Learn about and sign up for Peninsula Food Runners If you have any other suggestions for Tikkun Olam Action Day or would like to lead an activity please contact Carol Cassell or Iris Bendahan at cbd.socialaction@beth-david.org 21
Celebrate Yom HaAzmout Israel Independence Day with a walk around CBD’s neighborhood.
Sunday, May 7th 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Route options include: * 1/2 mile walk for young children and their parents * 1.5 mile walk for older children and adults * 2 mile bike loop
CBD
The multi-generational celebration begins at 10:30am with visor decorating followed by the neighborhood walk/ride. All will meet back at the Synagogue for snacks, music, and a festive fire pit. Falafel will be available for purchase. RSVP by May 2nd at www.beth-david.org/RSVP or call the office at 408-257-3333.
Congregation Beth David 19700 Prospect Road ● Saratoga ● CA ● 95070 ● 408.257.3333 ● www.Beth–David.org
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cbd.hazak@beth-david.org
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April Birthdays 1st Barbara Silverstein Nancy Skilken Michael Riskin Ben Kovar Ida Gourevitch 3rd Jacob Timmins Marilyn Goodman 4th Omid Khakshoor 5th Shy Adelman Judith Varadi Zoe Handelsman Pavel Smolyanitsky 6th Jacob Singer Rhonda Farber Wenchi Fahn David Bress Joshua Bress Eli Gild Joanne Cornbleet Aviv Lavian 7th Cheryl Graubart Izak Bencuya Dan Weltsch 8th Jussi Rajna Ria Friedman 9th Debbie Cohen Mark Levine Daniel Gavens 10th Frank Yashar 11th Allen Rosenzweig Lee Stone Tal Lavian 12th Wendy Harris Max Katz
13th Daniel Leitner Susannah Pfalzer 14th Michael Slain 15th Arielle Bendahan Arissa Balaban Alexander Drukarev Alison Ruebusch 16th Ann Greenspan Eli Goodman Heath Winer Myrna Gluck 17th Natalie Spielvogel Abigail Prokter Ravital Prokter Stephen Rock 18th Marcia Kaplan Noa Harel Michael Schaffer Donald Field Nimrod Tzori Daniel Skilken 19th Sharon Abada Jhasmin Grosskopf David Pennypacker Michael Gold David Abada 20th Christel Sanders Stanley Katz Anna Tseitlin Arthur Singer 21st Susan Feinberg 22nd Elliana Pogrebinsky Rhonda Raider Riva Rubnitz Eli Harari Herman Stern
23rd Lynne Kinsey Judy Applesmith Howard May Joe Vela Kirby Tardos 24th Donna Frankel 25th Michael Rock 26th Sherman Golub Paul Freudenthal Anna Drabovskaya Ari Friedman Leonid Veksler David Kravitz Sivan Spieler Audrey Timmins
27th Nicole Grosskopf Gaelle Glickfield Rebecca Holtzman Larisa Vainberg 28th Linda Brummer Don Fernandez 29th Howard Sussman Irwin Bakin Benjamin Clement 30th Sydnie Davis Richard Dorsay Sarah Gild Howard Blumstein Ian Katz
April Anniversaries 1st Robert & Janice Torczyner Michael & Sylvia Meltzer
15th Ron & Susan Maltiel
3rd Gil & Vered Katzir
20th Mikhail & Zhanna Movshovich Jacob & Karen Deloumi
4th Joe & Elizabeth Lichy
21st Karate & Deborah Vick
6th Joel & Myrtle Schwartz
28th Joel & Andrea Rubnitz Bryan & Jan Ferguson
10th Michael & Jeanette Parmett 14th Herzel & Bonnie Ashkenazi
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THANK YOU! To the following who have donated to the Next 50 building campaign
Your participation is important, not the amount. See your name here! (List updated as of April 28, 2017)
Laura and David Abada Cookie Addison & Family Davida & Charles Adelberg Marilyn & Allan Ader Yael & Elie Alcheck Monique & Philip Alexander Dr. Kenneth Aitchison & Rabbi Leslie Alexander Rochelle & Barry Alhadeff Andrea and David Ammerman Appleman Family Judy & Michael Applesmith Diane & Doron Aronson Wendy Askenas James Attar Helen & Max Baer Ginny & Bob Baird David & Rabbi Ilana Baird Mishy & Jason Balaban Amy & Gary Ball Ruth & Noah Bareket Muriel & David Barnett Elizabeth & Jim Batson Betty Becker Galina & Alex Belogolovsky Iris & Joseph Bendahan Renee & Jacob Ben-David Mindy & Rabbi Allan Berkowitz Mary Jo & Alan Bernard Marlene & Phil Bernstein Cathy & William Beyda Barbara Biran Marjorie Bischoff Roberta & Jeremy Bloom Ellyn & Kenneth Bloomfield The Blumenthal Family Judy & Brett Borah Rhoda & Martin Bress Sandi & Kenneth Bretz Ruth & Victor Brill Bayla & Abe Bromberg Douglas Brook Linda & Barry Brummer Marlene & Marshall Burak Nestor Cabrales Felissa & Myron Cagan Carol & Chris Cassell The Checkman Family Seema Cicerone Lori Kramer Cinnamon Diane & Bert Clement Judith & Lawrence Cohn Joanne & Harry Cornbleet Jillian Cosgrave Lynn Crocker Jerry Daniel Barbara (Babs) J. W. Davis
Karen & Jacob Deloumi Eleanor & Lloyd Dickman Sandra & Morris Dolmatch Lou Dombro Phillip Doppelt Aurianne & Adam Dorsay Dorothy & Richard Dorsay Galina & Mike Drabkin Herb Dreifuss Danielle & Hank Drew Lory & Alexander Drukarev Susan Greenberg-Englander & Jeffrey Englander Miriam Engel Deborah Estreicher Rhonda Farber Hillary & Stanley Farkas Dina Fayngold Jan & Bryan Ferguson Cary & Adrian Feria Harriet & Don Fernandez Donald Field Karen & Melvin Fihn Debbie & Bob Fils Sofia Filshtinsky ReneĂŠ & Howard Fine Ziva & David Fishman Aurelia & Frank Fleck Kama Fletcher Kate & Jeffrey Fox Donna & Steven Frankel Liya Freydin Rosemary & Stephen Frieden Ria & Stuart Friedman Julia & Adam Fuks Sandi & David Gaertner Ricki Lee & Neal Gafter Emily & Howard Gannes Hindy and Jerome Ganeles Susan & Lee Gavens Daisy Gelb Ann Graubart Gershanov Lee & Al Ghan Rachel & Eli Gild Judy & David Gilford Ruth & Edward Gipstein Rakhil Karasik & Viktor Gitis Wendy J. & Lance Glasser Glenda & Harry Glatstein Gaelle Glickfield Jane & Robert Glicksman Myrna Gluck Genya & Yakov Glukhovsky Ellen & Harvey Gold Jane & Michael Gold Denise & Martin Goldberg Sondra & Alex Goldberger
Hava Goldman Sheila & Howard Goldstein Isaac Goldstein Barbara & Stephen Goldstein & Family Vivian & Sherman Golub Alana & Grant Goodman Norma & David Goorvitch Janie & Greg Gotlib Rhonda Raider & Donald Gould Joseph Grapa Cheryl Graubart Dave Graubart Barbara & Arye Green Helaine & Stephen Green Ann Greenspan Karen & Allen Guggenheim Susan & Clifford Gutterman Maxine and Robert Halem Joyce & Bill Halper Nathan Handelsman Sarah & Yonothan Hanuka Harel Family Wendy & David Harris CBD Hazak Vivian Herman Monica Hernandez Laurie Himelstein Bonnie & Lee Hirsch Debby & David Hoffman Dr. Melinda Reynard & Steve Hoffman Sharon & Amir Horovitz Marcia Hunter Janet & David Hurwitz Lorraine & Eli Isaac Madelyn & Dov Isaacs Beverly & Fred Jacobson Jane & Len Jacobson Carol Jeans, The Sereno Group Lori & Daniel Kahn Renee & Jeffrey Kanel Marcia Kaplan Ellen & Steven Karel Evan Kass Stephanie & Ian Kass & Family Marlene Kass Rudi & Jeff Katz Shoshana Wolf & Jonathan Katz Doris & Stanley Katz Bonnie Kehl Carol & Roland King Lynne & Stephen Kinsey Morrie Kirschen Eleanor & Ed Kiss Jacqueline & Charles Klein Susan & Thomas Klein Barbara & Scott Knaster 26 Ruth A. Kohan
Caryn & Ben Kovar Anna Kraus Judith & Israel Krongold Jan Krum Raisa and Vladimir Kukuyev Marina and Maels Kuperman Lauren Flato & Steven Labovitz Al Lampell Rachel Schwab & Chet Lanctot Suzanne & Dave Larky Judith & Allan Lavetter Lorna Borenstein & David Lawee Tracy Lee Benjamin Leitner Susan & Michael Leitner Jeanette & Stuart Lerner Loretta & Edward Levin Judy & Gordon Levin Bernard Levine Susan & Mark Levine Fay Levinson Paula Barbarito-Levitt & Marc E. Levitt Gloria & Ken Levy Mimi & Reuben Levy Sheryl & Eric Lewis Elizabeth and Joe Lichy Andrea & Steven Linder Lisa & Oleg Lipkind Van Lipson Family Tanya Lorien Shelley & Ken Luskey Enid Malkin Sue & Ron Maltiel Tamar & Leeor Mamou Vered Marash Doysa Markova Miriam & Charles Marr Natalie & William Mauskopf Howard May, DDS Dan Maydan Sandy & David Mayer Tamar & George Mednick Lydia Mednick Sylvia & Michael Meltzer Holly & David Mendel Aileen Menkin Elizabeth & William Menkin Sylvia & Leonard Metz Elena & Alex Mikhlin Dalia & Alvin Milgram Ruth Miller Dafna & Joseph Mizrahi Bonnie Slavitt Moore & Jack Moore Janine & Austin Moore Cohava & Jacob (Kobi) Mor Vanina J. Sandel Mutchnik & Sharon Mutchnik Susan & Gary Nankin Ronee & Ike Nassi Josephine & Scott Nelson Nancy & Marty Newman
Phyllis & Neil Newman Jenifer & Evan Ohriner Rabbis Shoshana & Philip Ohriner Crystal & Mendy Ouzillou Alice Wald & Paul Overmyer Judy & David Paktor Minda & Richard Parrish Andrew Passett Lori Passett & Family Robin D. Penn Evette & David Pennypacker Susannah & Karl Pfalzer Joelle Pluemer Margie & Howard Pomerantz Marilyn Popper Rabbi Daniel Pressman Emma & Gregory Prokter Julie Tardos & William Province Susan Murai Raider & Andrew Raider Lena & Jussi Rajna Judie & Benjamin Ram Thelma Ramm Sheryl & Martin Rattner Robin & Martin Rauchwerk Susan & Ron Remba Svetlana and Alexander Ring Orit & Paul Riskin Robinson Family Bettina & Daniel Rosenberg Jill & Josh Rosenberg Gloria & Theodore Rosenblume Susan & Allen Rosenzweig Rothstein Family Riva Rubnitz Alison & Ron Ruebusch Susan and Mike Sabes Robin Sabes Marina & Michael Salzman Christel Sanders Felicia & Michael Schaffer Cyndi Sherman & Steve Schleimer Rita & Steve Schlosser Maureen and Andrew Schneider Natalie M. Schriger Myrtle & Joel Schwartz Myra & Pete Schwartz Roberta & Martin Schwartz Marilyn Sefchovich Jerome Shapiro Tzvia & Reuven Shelef Susan Cohen & Leonard Shen Corinne & Martin Sherman Inna Sigal & Alexander Shlifshteyn Sima Shore Haya & Shmuel Shottan Shmuel Shultz Yulia Shvarts Lil Silberstein Ken Silver Sandra Silver Barbara & David Silverstein
Michal Strutin & Michael Sinensky Blanka & Art Singer Nancy & Dan Skilken Morris and Fannie Skilken Family Foundation Liza & Ilya Slain Anna & Mikhail Slutsky Kenneth Solnit Ann & Joseph Sorger Irene & Walter Spector Stephanie & Peter Spielvogel Kitty Steinborn Lisa & Nathan Stein Cheryl Zatkin-Steres & George Steres Penina & Herman Stern Joan & Henry Stone Bonnie & Lee Stone Rama & Arieh Strod Meryle & Howard Sussman Irene & Bob Swedroe & Family Susan Gould & Rami Tabibian Rochelle & Sander Taboh Georgette & Alan Tanenbaum Barbara & Chuck Taubman Ann & Rick Tavan Evelyn Tavan Irina & Gene Tenberg Support provided by Tides Foundation Helen Tieger Timmins Family Janice & Robert Torczyner Jane Troflianin Aline Usim Cara & Ronen Vainish Sima Vishnevsky Tal Volinsky Reenie Wagner Marjorie Alpert & Jeff Warwick Barbie & Martin Weinstein Sheila & Marty Weisberg Carol & Jeffrey Weiss Harriet & Frank Weiss Linda & Joseph Weiss & Family Gayle & Arthur Weissbrodt Pat & Alan Werba Nancy & Kenneth Wiener Drs. Carol & Terry Winograd Marsha & John Witkin Elise & Dennis Wolf Roni & Andy Wolfe Wendy Wu Patty Yalowich Yanovsky Family Lourdes & Frank Yashar Rhoda & Larry Yelowitz Liliya & Igor Yunerman Rimma Zaraysky Zimberoff Family Trust Beryl Zimberoff Phyllis & Jerry Zis 27
Contributions Contributions are vital to the life of our community. We acknowledge the gifts received between Donations February 1 – 28, 2017 from the following individuals and families.
Annual Campaign In memory of my mother, Ida Meltzer, from Michael Meltzer
Congregation Beth David Bible and Siddur and Mahzor Fund In memory of my father, Peter Baron, from Ruth Miller In memory of my father, Sigmund Strauss, from Michael Meltzer In memory of my beloved husband, Hy, from Thelma Ramm In memory of my mother, Bess Gandel, from Martin Gandel In memory of my aunt, Manya Plotkina, from Dina Yevelev In memory of my father, Isaac Kowalski, from Ruth Bareket In memory of my father, Joshua Bareket, from Noah Bareket
Congregation Beth David Capital Campaign David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Marcia Kaplan David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Joel & Myrtle Schwartz David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Martin & Rhoda Bress David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Dr. Howard & Judith Levin David Mayer & Family, in fond memory of Sandy Mayer, from Doris & Stan Katz David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Nimrod & Dorit Tzori David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Allen & Olga Barnett David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Howard & Meryle Sussman David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Natalie Schriger David Mayer, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from David & Alyse Kirschen David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Kirschen Mayer, from Michael & Linda Kirschen David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Paul Overmyer & Alice Wald David Mayer & Family, in loving memory of Sandy Mayer, from Michael & Elaine Harris In memory of Bonnie's mother, Ruth Melnick, from Lee & Bonnie Stone In memory of Lee's father, Benjamin Stone, from Lee & Bonnie Stone In memory of my brother, Viktor Nisenzon, from Zoya Lazer
In memory of my mother, Ann Daniel, from Gerald Daniel In memory of my father, Robert Seymon, from Jane Jacobson In memory of my grandfather-in-law, Abraham Schriger, from Natalie Schriger In memory of my mother, Bernice Betensky, from Miriam Marr In memory of my father, Alfred F. Marr, from Charles Marr In memory of my father, Semyon Nisenzon, from Zoya Lazer In memory of my mother, Hanna Taylor, from Paul Taylor In memory of my grandmother, Esther Schneider, from Natalie Mauskopf In memory of William's aunt, Ann Wiener, from Natalie Mauskopf In memory of William's mother, Edith Mauskopf, from Natalie Mauskopf
Congregation Beth David Endowment Fund In memory of my sister, Charlotte Faneuil, from Michael Meltzer
Congregation Beth David Fund Congregation Beth David, for Eileen Ruden, from John & Barrie Cress In honor of Susie Weitzman, from Suzanne Felson David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Kenneth & Nancy Wiener Joseph Sorger, in memory of your sister, Adele, from Rhonda Farber David Mayer, in loving memory of your wife, Sandy, from Rhonda Farber Yael Alcheck, in memory of Raffi Reiser, from David & Barbara Silverstein David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Evelyn Sherman David Mayer & Family, in loving memory of Sandy Mayer, a dear friend and remarkable lady, from Arthur & Sheila Braufman David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Sarah Joelson David Mayer & Family, in memory of my cousin Sandy Mayer, from Howard & Nina Rush, Iris Bendahan, in appreciation of your work for the Abrahamic Alliance Trialogue, from David & Ziva Fishman Eidell Wasserman, in memory of your mother, Fran Wasserman, from Harry & Joanne Cornbleet Rabbi Daniel Pressman, mazal tov on your birthday, from Howard & Renee Fine In memory of my father, Henry Gage, from Ruth Brill In memory of my mother, Ilona Klein, from Thomas Klein 28
Contributions (Continued) Congregation Beth David Fund (continued) In memory of my father, Andrew Rauchwerk, from Martin Rauchwerk In memory of my husband, Monroe Postman, from Frederica Postman In memory of my father, Joseph Mednick, from George Mednick In memory of my mother, Gretel Barkai-Baram, from Tamar Mednick In memory of my husband, Martin Levitt, from Sandra Levitt In memory of my father, Edward Meltzer, from Michael Meltzer In memory of my mother, Doris Steffen, from Marilyn Goodman In memory of my father-in-law, Jacob Malkin, from Enid Malkin In memory of my husband, Leslie Malkin, from Enid Malkin In memory of my husband, Morris Dolmatch, from Sandra Dolmatch In memory of my father, John Mendel, from David Mendel David Mayer, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Rabbi Allan & Mindy Berkowitz
Director of Lifelong Learning Disc. Fund In memory of my grandmother, Yaffa (Ibi) Reich, from Nimrod & Dorit Tzori
Kiddush Lunch Sponsor Kiddush on February 4, 2017 in honor of Rabbi Pressman's birthday, from Rabbi Daniel Pressman and Helen Tieger Congregation Beth David, from Henry Stone Congregation Beth David, from Jack & Marilyn Goodman David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Vivian Herman David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Arye & Barbara Green Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in honor of your birthday, from Howard & Margie Pomerantz Dr. Ike Nassi, in honor of your birthday, from Rhonda Farber Frances Greenberg, in honor of your birthday, from Rhonda Farber Marshall & Marlene Burak, in honor of your anniversary, from Rhonda Farber Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in honor of your very special birthday, from Marshall & Marlene Burak Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in celebration of your birthday, from Robin D. Penn David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Robin D. Penn
Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in honor of your birthday, from Norman & Rachel Abramovitz David Mayer & Family, in memory of Sandy Mayer, from Ike & Ronee Nassi Jeremy Bloom, in memory of your father, Harold Bloom, from Paul Overmyer & Alice Wald Rabbi Daniel Pressman, mazal tov on your 70th birthday, from Arye & Barbara Green In memory of Elias Green, from Arye & Barbara Green In memory of my mother, Dorothy Fihn, from Melvin Fihn In memory of my father, Oscar Saslaff, from Seema Cicerone In memory of my mother, Sylvia Saslaff, from Seema Cicerone In memory of my sister, Sharon Herko, from Jacqueline Klein In memory of my father, Elmer Lill, from Jacqueline Klein In memory of my mother, Mary Lill, from Jacqueline Klein In memory of our father, Aron Guberman, from Dina Fayngold & Anatoly Guberman In memory of my husband, Bill Usim, from Aline Usim In memory of my father, Joseph Meyer Isaac, from Myrtle Schwartz In memory of my aunt, Rose Leibman, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my father, Henry Schwartz, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my aunt, Saydie Abraham, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my brother-in-law, Gary Taylor, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my mother-in-law, Jane Herman, from Vivian Herman
March of the Living Fund In memory of my big brother, Herbert, from Thelma Ramm In memory of my sweet brother-in-law, Norm, from Thelma Ramm In memory of my father, George Sanders, from Christel Sanders
Rabbi Alexander Discretionary Fund Rabbi Leslie Alexander, our sincere appreciation for your ongoing support, comfort and leading prayer service at the shiva for William Mauskopf, from Natalie Mauskopf & Family
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Contributions (Continued) Rabbi Alexander Discretionary Fund (continued) Ruth Brill, best wishes on your special birthday, from Ann Greenspan Rabbi Leslie Alexander, thank you for comfort during the loss of my brother Les, from Sharon Golembo In memory of my mother, Amalia Dreifuss, from Herbert Dreifuss
Rabbi Ohriner Discretionary Fund Rabbi Philip Ohriner, our sincere appreciation for your support, guidance and officiating at graveside services for William Mauskopf, from Natalie Mauskopf & Family David Mayer & Family, in loving memory of Sandy Mayer, from Daniel & Lori Kahn Rabbi Philip Ohriner, in memory of Lt. Col Jonathan Andrew Bergmann, from Sianya Espinoza Frances Greenberg, in honor of your 96th birthday, from Ruth Miller Eidell Wasserman, in memory of your mother, Frances Wasserman, from Igor & Dina Yevelev Solomon & Ekaterina Moshkevich, mazal tov on the birth of your son, David, from Martin & Rhoda Bress Rabbi Philip Ohriner, thank you for comfort during the loss of my brother Les, from Sharon Golembo In memory of my grandmother, Lili Epstein, from Bettina Rosenberg In memory of my mother, Alice (Elsie) Zlotkin, from Donald Fernandez In memory of my mother, Sofi Rafael, from Lydia Polidi In memory of my mother, Amalia Dreifuss, from Herbert Dreifuss In memory of my father, Robert Cooper, from Bettina Rosenberg In memory of my grandmother, Rachel Rosenberg, from Daniel Rosenberg In memory of my mother, Rebekka Rubinovich, from Liya Freydin In memory of my father, Alexander Rubinovich, from Liya Freydin In memory of my mother-in-law, Mussa Freydin, from Liya Freydin In memory of my father-in-law, Aizik Freydin, from Liya Freydin In memory of my mother, Katie Doppelt, from Phillip Doppelt In memory of my grandmother, Sarah Martin, from Susan Rosenzweig In memory of my grandmother, Rose Cadiff, from Susan Rosenzweig In memory of my mother, Ruth Marcus, from Susan Marcus
Rabbi Pressman Discretionary Fund Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in honor of your birthday, from Jack & Marilyn Goodman
Rama Strod Education Fund Rabbi Daniel Pressman, mazal tov on your 70th birthday, from Joseph & Iris Bendahan In memory of my father, Lova Zeltzer, from Rita Sauvage In memory of my father, Yoel Zelig Strod, from Arieh Strod
Religious School Myuchad Fund Martin Rattner, in memory of your father, Harold Rattner, from Jeffrey & Carol Weiss In memory of my aunt, Grete Leidner, from Alice Wald
Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library Fund Marty Weisberg, for refuah sheleimah , from Edward & Eleanor Kiss In memory of my father, Manuel Schnitzer, from Fay Levinson In memory of my mother, Ruth Schnitzer, from Fay Levinson In memory of my mother-in-law, Mae Usim, from Aline Usim
Social Action Faith In Action: Rotating Shelter, from Norman & Barbara Schoenfeld
Stone Scholarship Fund In memory of my wife, Joan Stone, from Henry Stone In memory of my mother, Bernice Helen Kussoy, from Melissa Taylor
Varadi Youth Education Fund Congregation Beth David, thank you for all the kind expressions of sympathy on my mother's passing, from Judith Varadi Congregation Beth David, thank you to the staff of Beth David for the memorial service for my mother, from Judith Varadi
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Donor(s): (If donor is a Beth David member, you may leave address blank) Name__________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip In honor/memory of_________________________________________________________________________________ Acknowledge this donation to: (If acknowledgement goes to Beth David members, you may leave address blank) Name__________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip Donation Amount $_________ or check one of the following:________$18 ________$36 ________ $72 _______$108
_____ The Next 50
_____ Annual
Capital Campaign
Campaign
_____ Area of Greatest Need
Billing: (Choose One) ______ Check/Payment attached, please process directly ______ Bill my account for the above amount and process immediately. Account # _____________ Note: For a complete list of designated funds, please call the office at 408-257-3333
Officers President Executive VP Administration VP Education VP Finance VP Membership VP Ritual VP Recording Secretary Treasurer Financial Secretary
Bill Beyda Ian Kass Ron Ruebusch Lori Kahn Andrew Passett Jill Rosenberg David Fishman Madelyn Isaacs Michael Schaffer Michael Leitner
president@beth-david.org executivevp@beth-david.org adminvp@beth-david.org educationvp@beth-david.org financevp@beth-david.org membershipvp@beth-david.org ritualvp@beth-david.org recsecretary@beth-david.org treasurer@beth-david.org finsecretary@beth-david.org
General Board Immed. Past President Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large
Dan Skilken Elizabeth Batson Opher Harel Bonnie Slavitt Moore Alison Ruebusch Thelma Ramm Alex Drukarev
Dir. at Large Social Action Chair Dir. at Large Youth Chair Dir. at Large Facilities Chair Dir. at Large Finance Rep Dir. at Large Adult Education Rep Dir. at Large Program Chair Dir. at Large Sisterhood Rep Dir. at Large Men’s Club Rep
Carol Cassell Sharon Horovitz Lee Hirsch Bill Halper Susan Rojo Barbara Green Cathy Beyda Art Singer 31
Congregation Beth David
Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 94 Cupertino, CA
19700 Prospect Road Saratoga, CA 95070-3352 Change service requested
Did you know the D’var is available online? Help us save resources and money. Stop receiving a hard copy of D’var. Email dvar@beth-david.org.
Monday, April 10th Erev Pesaḥ 7:00 a.m. Siyum Bechorot Fast of the First Born
Monday, April 17th Pesaḥ Day 7 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch
Tuesday, April 11th Pesaḥ Day 1 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch
Tuesday, April 18th Pesaḥ Day 8 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch
Wednesday, April 12th Pesaḥ Day 2 9:30 a.m. Services 12:30 Passover Kiddush Lunch
Tikkun Olam Action Day Sunday, April 30th 11:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Combining Mitzvah Day and Earth Day Everyone is welcome; we will have meaningful projects to help those in need and green learning for all ages and abilities. See flyer on page 20 32