We Need YOU to Reach Our Goal! Bonnie Slavitt Moore Fundraising Chair, The Next 50 Building and Endowment Campaign

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1 JANUARY We Need YOU to Reach Our Goal! Bonnie Slavitt Moore Fundraising Chair, The Next 50 Building and Endowment Campaign The excitement around the Next 50 Building and Endowment Project is growing. If you have been to Beth David in the past few days, you have seen the art work has come down and the moving boxes have gone up! We have reached the $6.1m to start construction and are heading toward the next $1m for our Endowment. This is where we need YOU!! Over 250 people have made a gift to the Next 50 Campaign!! We are overwhelmed at the support and generosity of our congregants. So many of you are talking about being embraced by a community, a true Kehillah, when you walk through the doors of our new home. This is your chance to see your footprint and make your mark at Congregation Beth David. MANY of you have not had that opportunity. We are now planning for more Parlor Meetings. These meetings will start again in March. This is YOUR chance to make a difference at CBD. There you can talk about Beth David, what your synagogue means to you, ask questions about this amazing project, think about and then make your pledge. Every gift that is meaningful to you is a meaningful gift. Please gift until you feel great about your donation to your synagogue. Your children and those following them will thank you. In This Issue: From the Rabbi Page 3 President s Perspective Page 5 Construction Logistics Pages 6 & 7 Calendar Pages 18 & 19 January Birthdays Page % CLUB Pages 30 & 31 January Anniversaries Page 32 Contributions Pages

2 Main Office Rabbis Philip R. Ohriner Senior Rabbi Leslie Alexander Rabbi of Community Engagement and Outreach Daniel J. Pressman Rabbi Emeritus Staff Tanya Lorien Dir. of Operations Barbara Biran Dir. of Ritual Monica Hernandez Bookkeeping Associate Jillian Cosgrave Front Office Associate Lynn Crocker Mkt & Comm Associate Iris Bendahan Dir. of Jewish Edu. Program Andrea Ammerman School Admin. Assistant Stay Up-To-Date on All CBD Events Go to: Beth-David.org/calendar Or Facebook.com/BethDavidOnline and like our page! JET (Jewish Experience for Teens) 4

3 From the Rabbi Dear friends, Slih ah v savlanut: Increasing Our Capacity for Pardon and Patience as a Community By Rabbi Ohriner This is an exciting time for our CBD community! Books and offices are being packed in preparation for our move into portables on the parking lot as we begin the construction phase of the Next 50 Project. Our Next 50 team and our staff poured over the plans for our temporary spaces to ensure that our religious services, programs, meetings, classes, and events are impacted as little as possible during our year of construction. We also engaged in careful consideration to ensure ease of accessibility so that everyone will be able to make use of our temporary spaces. In short, we are planning on business as usual to a great extent! Our sanctuary and social hall will remain accessible until after Sukkot, and we will be holding our Shabbat services and Kiddush lunches there until we are ready for their remodel. At that point we will have access to our new, stunning Small Sanctuary that can accommodate close to 300! For a complete diagram of our temporary building plan during Next 50 construction please see pages 6 & 7. Moving into temporary space can be a very jarring experience! Over the course of the coming months we know there will be some inconveniences. In addition, many of us may experience a sense of loss in the changes that will be taking place within our permanent space. Our building is not our community, but it has housed our kehillah admirably for decades. That sense of loss can also add to frustrations over the inadequacies of any temporary dwelling. However, this process also provides each of us with an opportunity to engage in the perfection of two middot, two character traits that our tradition stresses as being vital to our Jewish development. As we watch the vision for our building become a reality we have an opportunity to focus on ( slih ah )סליחה and,( savlanut )סבלנות pardon and patience. In modern Hebrew slih ah has the sense of Pardon me! or Excuse me!, but historically slih ah had a valence of forgiveness. For example, during the High Holy Days we implore God and each other: slah lanu!, Forgive us!. In its traditional sense, slih ah allows us to look beyond the hurt or wrong committed against us and be open to the remorse, regret, and/or restitution of the offending party that might restore our sense of completeness. Savlanut, patience, shares the same Hebrew root as the word סבל (sevel) which can mean burden or with different vowels can refer to a porter. Savlanut can therefore be understood as our ability to carry a burden. The word savlanut is also very similar to the Hebrew word for tolerance. On these interrelated middot (character-traits), Rav Simcha Zissel of Chelm wrote pain and joy are interlaced with one another that is, after pain will come joy and the joy will be much greater than if one hadn t experienced the pain before the joy. I am not sure this is always the case, but regarding our potential collective inconvenience I believe it is true. Over the upcoming year, my hope is that we will all be able to look past the inconveniences that come with construction and instead, envision the exquisiteness of what will follow a more inviting, comfortable, and inspiring 21 st Century building capable of housing our growing kehillah kedoshah (sacred community) for the next 50 years and beyond! L shalom, Rabbi Philip Ohriner 5

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5 Dear Friends, President s Perspective I write this the day after our annual meeting. Some 111 of you attended this important event, and as you have already heard, not only was the slate of officers and directors approved, but you also overwhelmingly approved the referendum vote on the Next 50 building project. Thank you for your support and your devotion to our wonderful community. So, by the time you receive this D var, major changes will have already been happening to our building. Temporary portable offices and classrooms will be installed on our parking lot; and soon offices and classrooms will be on the verge of relocating from our building to these portables. Once construction begins in January, the entrance to our sanctuary and social hall will be through the doors facing Scully. The main entrance to CBD will be a construction zone! As will the courtyard, school wing and administration offices! I ask you all to be patient with our phenomenal staff during this transition, as they are packing; unpacking and getting used to their new quarters. There are sure to be By David Hoffman, CBD Board President some hiccups as phone lines and internet connections are re-routed. Be patient also, as we learn to access our building from a different direction. While our physical building will be undergoing transformation, you can still expect the high level of programing that CBD is known for. In January, we will have an amazing artist-in-residence weekend. In March, our scholar-in-residence is the nationally reknown Dr Ron Wolfson. Your board will be considering new initiatives, including a new dues model that will reduce barriers to joining, or remaining members of, CBD. Finally, on a personal note, I am honored and humbled, to continue serving as your president. However, I stand on the shoulders of our past presidents and boards who had the courage and ambition to form our congregation and invest in a building 50 years ago; of the presidents who had the foresight to plan for an orderly rabbinic transition; of our leaders who understood the importance of establishing an endowment foundation and formed one. I hope to honor and continue their legacy in the next two years. L shalom, Dave 7

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9 Important Membership Update: CBD Considers Sustaining Dues Model By Jeff Warwick Membership Vice President For the past 18 months the Board of Directors, through the Membership and Finance Committees, has been studying different dues models with an eye towards changing CBD s required dues model. We have found that our current dues model creates a barrier for prospective members, and it creates a demeaning experience for current members who must ask to have their dues adjusted due to circumstances beyond their control. A dues model, different than the one we have used for decades, has shown success at other synagogues. When implemented, those synagogues have increased their congregational memberships and income. What sets this other dues model apart from our current model? The set rate of dues to sustain the congregation is suggested, rather than mandated. If one is unable to pay the suggested amount, one does not need to plead for a downward adjustment. Rather, the congregation trusts that congregants are responsible and will contribute as much as they are able, if not the suggested amount. Many congregants now voluntarily pay more than the required dues as donations. We do not expect this to change because, as congregants, we know how important Beth David, and our community here, is to us all. The dues model that we are considering is called the Sustaining Number Dues Model. Each and every spring, congregants/family units will receive a pledge letter, asking how much they will pay in dues for the upcoming fiscal year. There will be guidance for the dues decision the letter will identify both how much the congregant/family unit is currently paying as well as how much the Finance Committee suggests each congregant/family unit contribute, called the Sustaining Number. There will also be a default amount individual to each congregant/family unit, based on both of these numbers, which will be used as the pledge, should a congregant/family unit not reply to the pledge letter. The most significant change that the proposed dues model brings to our congregation is trust. We trust fellow congregants will do the right thing, to continue investing in our community, but in a more dignified, responsible, and sustainable way. We believe that the building of trust and, as a result, a stronger Beth David community, is more consistent with our congregation s long-term goals. Moreover, the tzedaka feeling -- the sense of responsibly contributing toward the congregation and its community, will draw new members. Permitting new members to choose their dues amount, rather than requiring them to disclose personal financial information when filing an aid application, removes a barrier to entry that has been a significant hindrance. Likewise, allowing current congregants to choose the amount they pay each year will help to retain congregants whose income fluctuates or priorities change. Rather than offering a senior s rate, we recognize that there is great range in how much retirees can afford. The ability to choose, in a dignified manner, empowers people of all ages to pay what they can. The Board is still studying this model, and will be soliciting congregational feedback during a series of meetings, with presentations and time to ask questions and discuss all aspects of the proposed dues model. Then, currently scheduled for the March meeting, the Board of Directors will vote on whether to adopt the proposed dues model, to become effective for the next fiscal year, commencing on July 1, As with all of the Congregation s board meetings, congregants are invited to attend that meeting. Continued on page 10 11

10 Sustaining Dues Model Continued from page 9 Meetings: Presentation #1- same at each of the following Sunday, January 11 th 12:30-1:30pm Tuesday, January 20 th 10:00-11:00am Wednesday, January 21 st 5:15-6:15pm Presentation #2- same at each of the following Sunday, February 8 th 10:30-11:15am Tuesday, February 17 th 10:00-11:00 Tuesday, February 17 th 7:30-8:30pm following minyan Toda Raba! Thank You Very Much From congregant Jerry Daniel Thank you to friends and members of Congregation Beth David who sent condolences and contributions in memory of my brother, Michael Daniel, who passed away recently. We will post on the CBD website a letter that will be sent to all congregants in January, a description of the new dues model, a Frequently Asked Questions document, and a sample of a Pledge Letter that would be used in the event that the Board enacts the proposed dues structure at the March board meeting. You can also call or us with questions. Feel free to contact Jeff Warwick at MembershipVP@Beth-David.org, the CBD office, or NewModel@Beth-David.org which will forward to the team: Membership VP, President, VP of Finance and Rabbi Ohriner, with any questions about the proposed dues model. Dr. Ron Wolfson Friday March 20 th Sunday March 22 nd Join us to explore this important and transformational subject. Dr. Ron Wolfson is a Fingerhut Professor of Education at American Jewish University in Los Angeles and a cofounder of Synagogue 3000, an institute whose mission is to catalyze excellence in synagogue life. He is a pioneer in the field of Jewish family education and a member of the Consortium for the Jewish Family. Dr. Wolfson is a frequent scholar-in-residence for synagogues and communities, speaking on a wide range of topics in Jewish life. During his time at CBD, Dr. Wolfson will discuss the meaning and impact of Relational Judaism based on his book Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community, in which he suggests a synagogue is a face-to-face community of relationships that offers meaning and purpose, belonging and blessing. 12

11 Please share our joy as our son, Jared, is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on: Saturday, January 3, 2015 We invite you to join us for a Kiddush luncheon following the service. Ronit and Ryan Weinstock Help Jared Raise Funds to Support PJ Library PJ Library delivers free, award-winning Jewish literature and music to children in our community. Donations can be made through their website: pjlibrary.org or by sending a check to: 67 Hunt Street, Suite 100, Agawam, MA Please share our joy as our son, Derron, is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on: Saturday, January 10, 2015 We invite you to join us for a Kiddush luncheon following the service. David and Holly Mendel Help Derron Raise Money to Fight Ebola For his Bar Mitzvah project, Derron is raising money to fight Ebola through American Jewish World Service. Visit his fundraising page: action.ajws.org/goto/derron Please share our joy as our son, Nadav, is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on: Saturday, January 24, 2015 We invite you to join us for a Kiddush luncheon following the service. Jacob and Renee Ben-David Help Nadav Raise Funds for Magen David Adom MDA is Israel s ambulance, blood service and disaster-relief organization. It is funded through private donations. Use this link to go to Nadav s fundraising page: tinyurl.com/loo6rvy 13

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18 January Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Mordechai Rosenstein January 28 th February 1 st See flyer on page 15 for details Join us for an experience with renowned Jewish artist Mordechai Rosenstein. By utilizing his interest in Judaica and painting, Rosenstein has given a contemporary meaning to the art of Hebrew calligraphy. His vibrant shapes and colors enhance synagogues and homes worldwide. ** Below denotes Artist-in-Resident event Wine and Hors d oeuvres Reception Saturday, January 31 st 7:30pm This is an opportunity to mingle with Mordechai and purchase his art Tevet 9:30am Minyan 10:00am Threads of Tradition (offsite) 5 14 Tevet 10:00am Intermediate Hebrew 11:45am Beginning Hebrew 2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for FSU Émigrés (offsite) 7:00pm Minyan 6 15 Tevet 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Conversations in Jewish Learning 7 16 Tevet 4:00pm JEWEL 4:00pm JCore 7:00pm Musical Minyan Tevet 9:30am Minyan 12:30pm Proposed Dues Model Discussion Tevet 10:00am Intermediate Hebrew 11:45am Beginning Hebrew 2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for FSU Émigrés (offsite) 7:00pm Minyan Tevet 7:00pm Minyan Tevet 4:00pm JEWEL 4:00pm JCore 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Havdalah and History Meeting Tevet 9:00am Haftarah Trope Class 9:30am JCore Sunday School 9:30am Mitzvah Day 9:30am Minyan 10:45am T'Fillah 11:15am Family Education Hour - Parenting Tevet Martin Luther King's Birthday 10:00am Intermediate Hebrew 11:45am Beginning Hebrew 2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for FSU Émigrés (offsite) 7:00pm Minyan Tevet 10:00am Proposed Dues Model Discussion 7:00pm Minyan 21 1 Sh'vat Rosh Chodesh Sh'vat 4:00pm JEWEL 4:00pm JCore 5:15pm Proposed Dues Model Discussion 7:00pm Minyan 25 5 Sh'vat 9:00am Haftarah Trope Class 9:30am JCore Sunday School 9:30am Minyan 10:00am Groundbreaking Ceremony 10:45am T'Fillah 26 6 Sh'vat 10:00am Intermediate Hebrew 11:45am Beginning Hebrew 2:15pm Beginning Hebrew for FSU Émigrés (offsite) 7:00pm Minyan 27 7 Sh'vat 7:00pm Minyan 28 8 Sh'vat 4:00pm JEWEL 4:00pm JCore 6:00pm Teen (JET) Dinner Hands-on Art Experience** 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Board Meeting 20

19 Thursday Friday Saturday 1 10 Tevet Asara B'Tevet New Year's Day 7:00pm Minyan 2 11 Tevet 4:44pm Candle lighting 6:30pm Services 3 12 Tevet 9:30am Services/Jared Weinstock Bar Mitzvah 9:30am Zayin Shabbat School 12:00pm Ruah Rally 12:30pm Kiddush Highlights 10 th 1:30pm Book Discussion Group 17 th 1:30pm CBD Jewish Artists Group 8 17 Tevet 7:00pm Minyan Tevet 6:00pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah Study Group 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class 22 2 Sh'vat 6:00pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah Study Group 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class 9 18 Tevet 8:30am Friday Morning Talmud Study 10:00am Spiritual Ethics Discussion Group 4:50pm Candle lighting 6:30pm Services Tevet 8:30am Friday Morning Talmud Study 10:00am Spiritual Ethics Discussion Group 4:57pm Candle lighting 6:00pm PJ Shabbat 6:30pm Services 23 3 Sh'vat 10:00am Friday Morning Talmud Study: Tractate Megillah 11:15am Spiritual Ethics Discussion Group 5:04pm Candle lighting 6:30pm Services Tevet 9:00am Torah Trope Class 9:30am Services/Derron Mendel Bar Mitzvah 9:30am JCore Shabbat School 9:30am Youth Congregation 9:30am Zayin Shabbat School 11:00am Haverim 11:15am Tot Shabbat 12:00pm Ruah Rally 12:30pm Kiddush 1:30pm Book Discussion Tevet 9:30am Services/Sisterhood Shabbat 12:00pm Ruah Rally 12:30pm Kiddush 1:30pm CBD Jewish Artists Group 7:30pm Ani V'ata A Capella 24 4 Sh'vat 9:30am Services/Nadav Ben-David Bar Mitzvah 9:30am Zayin Shabbat School 10:30am Youth Congregation 11:00am Haverim 11:15am Tot Shabbat 12:00pm Ruah Rally 12:30pm Kiddush 17 th 7:30pm Ani V ata A Capella Group 18 th 9:30am Mitzvah Day 25 th 10:00am Groundbreaking Ceremony Proposed Dues Model Discussions Sunday 1/11 from 12:30-1:30pm Tuesday 1/20 from 10:00-11:00am 29 9 Sh'vat 6:00pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah Study Group 7:00pm Minyan 7:30pm Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class 7:30pm Conversations in Jewish Learning - Creating Jewish Art** Sh'vat 10:00am Friday Morning Talmud Study: Tractate Megillah 11:15am Spiritual Ethics Discussion Group 5:12pm Candle lighting 6:30pm Cantorial Shabbat, Dinner and Lecture** 6:30pm Services Sh'vat 9:30am Services/Torah Talk by Mordechai Rosenstein** 10:30am Youth Congregation 12:00pm Ruah Rally 12:30pm Kiddush 1:30pm My Journey as an Artist** 7:30pm Wine and Hors d oeuvres Reception with the Artist** Wednesay 1/21 from 5:15-6:15pm 21

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21 With a Song in My Heart: Shoshana Levitt Shoshana Levitt is a young woman with an indefatigable reservoir of energy. As a sophomore at New York University majoring in Media, Culture, and Communication focusing on global and transcultural communication as well as technology and society, Shoshana is also minoring in the business of entertainment, media, and technology. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in the fields of marketing, public relations, or communications. Despite the challenges of her academic commitments, Shoshana finds time to sing with an energetic Jewish a capella group known as Ani V Ata, with concerts ranging from A Capella Shabbats at NYU to performing for the oldies legend Frankie Valli of The Four Seasons. She also serves Ani V Ata as its vice president of marketing and publicity. (Ani V Ata earned distinction as a semifinalist group at the International Championship for Collegiate A Capella in 2011.) Shoshana brought to Ani V Ata years of choral experience, singing in ensembles as well as the concert choir and the elite chamber singers of Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley, where she attended high school. At Woodside Priory, she was a section leader in both ensembles and was elected president of the chamber singers in her senior year. With the chamber singers, she performed all over the Bay area as well as traveling to Argentina, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. She credits her supportive parents, Marc and Paula, with encouraging her passion for music, driving me to and from many piano voice lessons, volunteering for my school s choir and theatre programs, and supporting me through all of my personal musical endeavors. While it may be exhausting trying to follow this energetic young lady s academic and extra-curricular activities, singing is for Shoshana the way which allows me to express myself, to explore my mood, to become energized! She delights singing in ensembles, but admits that I enjoy the rush that comes with singing solos. Shoshana also writes songs for voice and piano, acknowledging that it is a dream of mine to professionally record my original songs. Shoshana will be performing with Ani V Ata at CBD on January 17 th from 7:30 9:30pm (see flyer on page 20). Attendees will be able to recognize her as the young woman with talent and energy! Tickets may be purchased at Robin Sabes to receive Janet Berg award At the time of Janet Berg's retirement, the Janet Berg Award was created by Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley as a way to honor her 31 years of service to the local Jewish community, both as a professional and as a volunteer. Robin Sabes will be presented with the Janet Berg award at the Power of Women Dinner Thursday, January 22 nd at 6 pm. For more information about the Power of Women Dinner Visit: jvalley.org/calendar/ power-of-women Robin was chosen by the Community Agency of Executives and Rabbis (CAER) and heartily endorsed by the entire committee for her faithful commitment to our local Jewish Community. Robin embodies the spirit of the award in that she has had a positive effect on so many Jewish agencies in Silicon Valley. Robin has been the President of Women's Philanthropy (then Women's Division); volunteered for Hillel of Silicon Valley; was a Youth group advisor and sat on the Hebrew High Committee at Congregation Beth David; been a board member of the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center (named by her family); and, is the current President of the Jewish Family Services 23

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25 BALK FAMILY MEMORIAL CAMP SCHOLARSHIP Now Accepting Nominations for Summer 2015 Resident Camp Scholarships This fund perpetuates the memory and ideals of Beth David members Sheldon and Melvina Balk and their sons, Richard and David Balk. We seek to capture and light the spirit of Judaism in our youth, especially those who may seem apathetic about Jewish activities. We offer substantial aid, not based on academic results or activities, but, rather, to awaken a student s Jewish identity. We give preference to first time campers. Please Chuck Taubman at nambuat@comcast.net to learn how to submit a nomination (the due date is January 30, 2015). Havdallah and History Planning Meeting Janaury 14 th 7:30 9:00pm Come join us as we begin to plan and implement a wonderful event for November We will work together with History San Jose to create a night of 1800 s-1900 s Jewish history along with San Jose history to go back in time and experience the activities, music, food, careers and Jewish traditions of the Gold Rush and beyond right in the middle of the real buildings of History San Jose outside at Kelley Park. Committee members are needed to help with publicity, food, dance, music, games, history, docenting, check in and more. Come join us and get involved!!! Want more information? Rabbi Alexander at Alexander@Beth-David.org Threads of Tradition January 4 th 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Threads of Tradition is a group of women who sew Tachrichim (Jewish burial garments). Basic sewing skills are appreciated, but not necessary for participation. Bring a sewing machine, if you have one. We also appreciate contributions to the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund to help cover the cost of material for the garments. The sewing session will take place at a private residence, please Beverly Jacobson at Bevjacobson@earthlink.net for the address. CBD Jewish Artists Group This group is open to all artists in the Jewish community, not just members of CBD. Saturday, January 17 th at 1:30 pm Presentation by Ann Tavan on: Kippot Theory and Production Upcoming Meetings: Saturday, February 21 st 1:30 pm Presentation by Corinne Sherman on: Teaching Art Want more information? Contact Jeff Warwick at CBD.Artist@Beth-David.org 27

26 Social Action Feeds the Homeless On December 24 th a group from CBD gathered to help prepare and serve Christmas Eve dinner to the homeless at HomeFirst in San Jose. Thank you to everyone who volunteers that day as well as everyone who made stew ahead of time and donated money. (Left and above) Students Participate in Kristallnacht JEM taught by Morah Daniela Bluastein Kristallnacht is often referred to as the "Night of Broken Glass" and commemorates the wave of violence which took place on November 9 and 10, 1938, throughout Germany, annexed Austria, and in areas of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia recently occupied by German troops. Students peruse artwork and bios presented by Kita Zayin in honor of Kristallnacht. 28

27 Jewish Experience for Teens (JET) Pack Bags of Food for the Needy at JFS JET SATO (Social Action Tikkun Olam) project for December was to assist Lori Cinnamon at Jewish Family Services with packing special Hanukkah gift bags for needy, elderly, and Russian communities. The hard working teens spent three hours sorting, counting out, and packing 200 bags filled with food such as potato pancake mix, gefilte fish, and pickles. Items were provided by JFS. Thank you to Lori for both getting the project organized and giving the teens a talk about what JFS does for the community. Also thank you to Irene Swedroe, our JET coordinator, for getting the project set up, and to Ben Kovar and Davida Adelberg for helping out. KUDOS!!! to all the teens who helped out! CBD Winter Blood Drive Monday, February 2 nd 3:30 7:30 p.m. At Beth David Please give the gift of life by dontating at the CBD Winter Blood Drive. Please Bryan Ferguson at SocialAction@Beth-David.org or call to set up your donation appointment. Your donation can help save a life! 29

28 On the day of the annual meeting, our monthly dance program had to be moved outdoors due to mic-ing issues. The students had a great time in the fresh air (luckily no rain), and we all would like to warmly welcome Donna Frankel as our new teacher this year. Thank you to Stephanie Rothstein for taking photos! Why is Our School Principal Playing in the Pinat HaTaf? Why is Iris, our school principal, playing in the Pinat HaTaf?? Well, actually she s not playing, she s spending her time cleaning up after the kids who every Shabbat transform our charming tot corner into an chaotic mess of toys, food crumbs, and puzzle pieces (kudos to a few other congregants who ve also chipped in to do this every so often). Yet whose job should it be to clean up? You got it! Parents of our young children! Yes, just like in your own living room, it is you who are responsible to help your children who play in the pinat hataf learn to clean up after themselves so that pinat hataf stays charming for all kids! Especially now, as we prepare for a new building, it s a good time to teach our little ones about Kavod (respect), not only for people but for our shared spaces. Todah Rabah! Thanks!! 30

29 We wish the following members a very happy birthday. Be sure to attend the Saturday, January 10th Ruah Rally (following services) for a special birthday blessing. 1 st Anna Kraus Eliot Tenberg Samuel Tramiel Renee Ben-David 2 nd Michael Leitner Heather Harris 3 rd Nehama Beer Jane Gold Elise Schwartz 4 th Dena Acevedo Stephen Schleimer Susan Rosenzweig Evgeny Margolis Bryan Ferguson 5 th Tamara Maltiel David Mendel 7 th Susan Schwerin Frances Wasserman Benjamin Abada 8 th Kamran Zohoori Barbara Bromberg Deborah Shapiro Elior Ohriner 9 th Rama Strod Stephanie Spielvogel Leonard Shen 10 th Alina Korol Alexandra Kass 11 th Sandi Bretz Ida Frenkel Briana Balaban Ilana Eskinazi-Stockdale Sharon Mutchnik Stephen Goldstein Neal Gafter Adrian Feria Nachum Meyers 12 th Reuven Shelef Janet Witkin Yelena Yatskar Ian Kass Ann Tavan 13 th Stanley Farkas Theodore Rosenblume Steven Linder Bren Dorsay 15 th Lory Drukarev 16 th Gloria Rosenblume Alex Fridlib Murray Dolmatch Ian Ferguson 17 th Maureen Schneider Philip Alexander 18 th Richard Parrish Nadav Ben-David Isaac Berezovsky Jake Selincourt Alexander Sherman 19 th Jeannette Zeitman 20 th Jenifer Ohriner Paul Riskin Norman Abramovitz 21 st Ezra Jacobson Alison Field Joy Jamtgaard Debra Fils Inna Sigal Lesley Kuhn 22 nd Barak Tzori Felissa Cagan Rimma Zaraysky 23 rd Irina Tokar Alex Volinsky 24 th Martin Bress 25 th Michael Hamilton 26 th Aaron Schneider Lloyd Dickman Joseph Bendahan Anton Gotlib Beth Kuhn Emilia Shvarts 27 th Jacob Deloumi Elliot Applesmith, David Veksler 28 th Judy Levin Julie Tardos Aaron Fox 29 th Rowin Hughes Rachel Gild 30 th Andrew Green Mindy Berkowitz 31 st Karen Guggenheim Andrew Wolfe Leonid Kats Edward Kiss 31

30 THANK YOU! To the following who have donated to the Next 50 building campaign It our hope to have 100% of CBD members step forward and make a personally meaningful donation to the campaign. Your participation is important, not the amount. See your name here! (List updated as of December 29th) Cookie Addison & Family Davida & Charles Adelberg Marilyn & Allan Ader Yael & Elie Alcheck Monique & Philip Alexander Dr. Kenneth Aitchison & Rabbi Leslie Alexander Rochelle & Barry Alhadeff Anonymous Appleman Family Judy & Michael Applesmith Helen & Max Baer Ginny & Bob Baird Mishy & Jason Balaban Amy & Gary Ball Ruth & Noah Bareket Elizabeth & Jim Batson Betty Becker Mindy & Rabbi Allan Berkowitz Mary Jo & Alan Bernard Cathy & William Beyda Barbara Biran Roberta & Jeremy Bloom The Blumenthal Family Judy & Brett Borah Rhoda & Martin Bress Bayla & Abe Bromberg Linda & Barry Brummer Marlene & Marshall Burak Nestor Cabrales Felissa & Myron Cagan The Checkman Family Lori Kramer Cinnamon Diane & Bert Clement Joanne & Harry Cornbleet Jillian Cosgrave Lynn Crocker Jerry Daniel Karen & Jacob Deloumi Eleanor & Lloyd Dickman Sandra & Morris Dolmatch Lou Dombro Dorothy & Richard Dorsay Galina & Mike Drabkin Herb Dreifuss Susan Greenberg-Englander & Jeffrey Englander Rhonda Farber Hillary & Stanley Farkas Jan & Bryan Ferguson Harriet & Don Fernandez Donald Field Reneé & Howard Fine Ziva & David Fishman Kama Fletcher Julia & Adam Fuks Ricki Lee and Neal Gafter Emily & Howard Gannes Susan & Lee Gavens Ann Graubart Gershanov Lee & Al Ghan Ruth & Edward Gipstein Wendy J. & Lance Glasser Glenda & Harry Glatstein Jane & Michael Gold Sondra & Alex Goldberger Sheila & Howard Goldstein Isaac Goldstein Barbara & Stephen Goldstein & Family Vivian & Sherman Golub Alana & Grant Goodman Janie & Greg Gotlib Rhonda Raider & Donald Gould Joseph Grapa Cheryl & Dave Graubart Barbara & Arye Green Ann Greenspan Karen & Allen Guggenheim Susan & Clifford Gutterman Joyce & Bill Halper Nathan Handelsman Harel Family Continued on page 31 32

31 CBD Hazak Vivian Herman Monica Hernandez Laurie Himelstein Bonnie & Lee Hirsch Debby & David Hoffman Dr. Melinda Reynard & Steve Hoffman Sharon & Amir Horovitz Madelyn & Dov Isaacs Beverly & Fred Jacobson Jane & Len Jacobson Lori & Daniel Kahn Renee & Jeffrey Kanel Ellen & Steven Karel Evan Kass Stephanie & Ian Kass & Family Marlene Kass Shoshana Wolf & Jonathan Katz Rudi & Jeff Katz Doris & Stanley Katz Bonnie Kehl Carol & Roland King Lynne & Stephen Kinsey Morrie Kirschen Eleanor & Ed Kiss Jacqueline & Charles Klein Susan & Thomas Klein Caryn & Ben Kovar Anna Kraus Judith & Israel Krongold Lauren Flato & Steven Labovitz Rachel Schwab & Chet Lanctot Lorna Borenstein & David Lawee Benjamin Leitner Susan & Michael Leitner Jeanette & Stuart Lerner Judy & Gordon Levin Bernard Levine Fay Levinson 100% Club Continued From page 30 Paula Barbarito-Levitt & Marc E. Levitt Gloria & Ken Levy Mimi & Reuben Levy Sheryl & Eric Lewis Andrea & Steven Linder Tanya Lorien Shelley & Ken Luskey Miriam & Charles Marr Dan Maydan Sandy & David Mayer Sylvia & Michael Meltzer Holly & David Mendel Elizabeth & William Menkin Sylvia & Leonard Metz Bonnie Slavitt Moore & Jack Moore Vanina J. Sandel Mutchnik & Sharon Mutchnik Susan & Gary Nankin Ronee & Ike Nassi Nancy & Marty Newman Phyllis & Neil Newman Jenifer & Evan Ohriner Rabbis Shoshana & Philip Ohriner Crystal & Mendy Ouzillou Alice Wald & Paul Overmyer Andrew Passett Lori Passett & Family Evette & David Pennypacker Susannah & Karl Pfalzer Joelle Pluemer Margie & Howard Pomerantz Rabbi Daniel Pressman Judie & Benjamin Ram Thelma Ramm Susan & Ron Remba Robinson Family Bettina & Daniel Rosenberg Alison & Ron Ruebusch Robin Sabes Marina & Michael Salzman Christel Sanders Felicia & Michael Schaffer Cyndi Sherman & Steve Schleimer Natalie M. Schriger Myra & Pete Schwartz Marilyn Sefchovich Yulia Shvarts Lil Silberstein Barbara & David Silverstein Nancy & Dan Skilken Morris and Fannie Skilken Family Foundation Irene & Walter Spector Joan & Henry Stone Bonnie & Lee Stone Rama & Arieh Strod Meryle and Howard Sussman Susan Gould & Rami Tabibian Rochelle & Sander Taboh Barbara & Chuck Taubman Ann & Rick Tavan Evelyn Tavan Irina & Gene Tenberg Support provided by Tides Foundation Helen Tieger Nazgol & Shelley Timmins Aline Usim Marjorie Alpert & Jeff Warwick Barbie & Martin Weinstein Sheila & Marty Weisberg Harriet & Frank Weiss Linda & Joseph Weiss & Family Gayle & Arthur Weissbrodt Pat & Alan Werba Drs. Carol & Terry Winograd Elise & Dennis Wolf Roni & Andy Wolfe Wendy Wu Yanovsky Family Rhoda & Larry Yelowitz Zimberoff Family Trust Beryl Zimberoff Phyllis & Jerry Zis 33

32 Anniversaries We wish the following members a happy anniversary. Be sure to attend the Saturday, January 24 th Ruah Rally (following services) for a special anniversary blessing. 1 st Steve & Rita Schlosser Clifford & Susan Gutterman 3 rd Andrew Pickholtz & Jan Larky 7 th Paul Overmyer & Alice Wald David & Andrea Ammerman 9 th Bill & Cathy Beyda 14 th Martin & Barbara Weinstein Boris & Sara Dashevsky 15 th Michael & Dena Acevedo 17 th Alex & Sondra Goldberger 18 th Alex & Galina Belogolovsky Bill Province & Julie Tardos 19 th Richard & Dorothy Dorsay 21 st Lawrence & Judith Cohn 24 th Nachum & Barbara Meyers 25 th Joseph & Ann Sorger Deon & Dawn Glajchen 28 th Igor & Liliya Yunerman 31 st Marty & Sheila Weisberg Contributions Contributions are vital to the life of our community. We acknowledge the gifts received between November 1 30, 2014, from the following individuals and families Annual Campaign In memory of my mother, Candida de Choudens, from Olga Farber In memory of my sister, Liza Smolyanitsky, from Alexander Lazer Balk Family Camp Scholarship Fund Alexander Balk & Lauren Hyman, in honor of your wedding, from John & Mary Byrnes Congregation Beth David Anniversary & Capital Campaign Dr. Jeffrey Kanel, with respect, appreciation & love, from Sherman & Vivian Golub Gerald Daniel, in memory of your brother, Michael Daniel, from Nat Kallman Nathan Kallman, in memory of your beloved wife, Edie, from Joseph & Iris Bendahan & Family Martin Weisberg, in honor of your birthday, from Joseph Grapa Congregation Beth David Anniversary & Capital Campaign (continued) Martin Weisberg, in honor of your 80th birthday, from Wayne & Tina Levenfeld Congregation Beth David, thank you for High Holy Day services, from Anita Kanel In memory of my sister, Judy Katz, from Sheila Weisberg In memory of my cousin, Tina Berman, from Sheila Weisberg In memory of my boyfriend, David Wieland, from Lisa Kiss In memory of my brother, Lawrence Ehrlich, from Donald Ehrlich In memory of my mother, Pauline Roman, from Susan Ehrlich In memory of my sister-in-law, Florence Nidenberg Kirschen, from Morris Kirschen In memory of my grandmother, Lubov Vulfovna Gilman, from Liliya Yunerman 34

33 Contributions (Continued) Congregation Beth David Anniversary & Capital Campaign (continued) In memory of my brother, Izak Eshaghoff, from Esmail Eshaghoff In memory of my father-in-law, Solomon Lazar Goldstein, from Robert Mehler In memory of my father, Philip Mehler, from Robert Mehler Congregation Beth David Bible and Siddur and Mahzor Fund In memory of my daughter, Debbie Gandel, from Martin Gandel Congregation Beth David Endowment Fund In memory of my father-in-law, Abraham Bischoff, from Marjorie Bischoff In memory of my mother, Dollie Klatzko, from Marjorie Bischoff Congregation Beth David Fund Congregation Beth David, from Liya Freydin Congregation Beth David, for kaddish, from Liya Freydin Congregation Beth David, from Vladimir & Margarita Glezer Congregation Beth David, from Mark & Lynne Snyder Rabbi Philip Ohriner, in honor of your installation, from Jyl Jurman Rabbi Leslie Alexander, in honor of your installation, from Jyl Jurman Jerry Daniel, in memory of your brother, Michael Daniel, from Stephen & Lynne Kinsey In memory of my mother, Esther Penzak, from Cookie Addison In memory of my father, Morris Penzak, from Cookie Addison In memory of my mother-in-law, Pauline Addison, from Cookie Addison In memory of my father, Theodore Wolf, from Dennis Wolf In memory of my mother, Viola Hubka, from Dr. William Hubka In memory of my friend, Anna Vishney, from Dr. William Hubka In memory of my father, Frank Hubka, from Dr. William Hubka In memory of my mother, Thelma Fleck, from Frank & J. Aurelia Fleck In memory of my brother, Arnold Schwartz, from Martin Schwartz Congregation Beth David Fund (continued) In memory of Leslie's mother, Ethel Malkin & Enid's father, Bert F. Goldberg, from Leslie & Enid Malkin In memory of my mother, Lea Seymon, from Jane Jacobson In memory of my father, Albert Kragen, from Michele Balaban JET Director Discretionary Fund Congregation Beth David, from Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Ram Kiddush Lunch Sponsor Kiddush on November 8, 2014, in honor of the naming of our daughters, Daria and Daphne, from Leeor & Tamar Mamou Sandra Mayer, in memory of your mother, Harriette Kirschen, from Arthur & Gayle Weissbrodt David Mayer, in memory of your mother, Yoheved Mayer, from Arthur & Gayle Weissbrodt Gerald Daniel, in memory of your brother, Michael Daniel, from Arthur & Gayle Weissbrodt In honor of Myrtle Schwartz, from Arthur & Gayle Weissbrodt Norman Abramovitz & Family, in memory of your mother, Bernyce Abramovitz, from Arthur & Gayle Weissbrodt Gerald Daniel, in memory of your brother, Michael Daniel, from Vivian Herman Barbara Biran, thank you for making the aufruf for Marni & David sweet, from Robert & Irene Swedroe In memory of my aunt, Sally Simms, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my mother, Ramah Khatoon Isaac, from Myrtle Schwartz In memory of my uncle, Raphael Isaac, from Myrtle Schwartz In memory of my uncle, Gilbert Simms, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my friend, Pauline Levin, from Myrtle Schwartz In memory of my beloved father, Harry Moskowitz, from Natalie Schriger In memory of Sol Liebowitz, from Eric & Sheryl Lewis In memory of Florence Graubart, from Eric & Sheryl Lewis In memory of our parents, Isaac & Alice Ghan and Morris & Erna Frank, from Albert & Lee Ghan In memory of my mother, Freida Miller, from Arthur & Gayle Weissbrodt 35

34 Contributions (Continued) Kiddush Lunch (continued) In memory of my uncle, Herman Leibman, from Joel Schwartz In memory of my cousin, Ikey Isaac, from Myrtle Schwartz In memory of my brother, Robert (Bert) Schwartz, from Joel Schwartz March of the Living Fund In memory of my father, Eugene Wald, from Alice Wald In memory of my wife, Ilene Doppelt, from Phillip Doppelt Rabbi Alexander Discretionary Fund Eric & Ilene Janofsky, in honor of your twin grandchildren's birth, from Mr. & Mrs. Franklyn Weiss Rabbi Ohriner Discretionary Fund Rabbi Philip Ohriner, from Joseph Grapa Rabbi Philip Ohriner, from Joel & Myrtle Schwartz In honor of the Aufruf of Marni Swedroe and David Ovadia, from Robert & Irene Swedroe In memory of my mother, Manya Reyzis, from Alexander Lazer In memory of my mother, Lika Segal, from Kamilla Lif In memory of Esther Green, Herman Teifeld and Norman Teifeld, from Arye & Barbara Green In memory of my mother, Lyuba Plotkina, from Dina Yevelev In memory of my mother, Yenta Gruzman, from Faina Eichis In memory of my father, Max Hoffman, from Helen Baer In memory of my father, Jack Doppelt, from Phillip Doppelt In memory of my uncle, Lazar Gurvech, from Dina Yevelev Rabbi Pressman Discretionary Fund Rabbi Daniel Pressman, in appreciation, from Rhonda Raider In memory of my grandfather, Boris Genuchovich Gilman, from Liliya Yunerman Rama Strod Education Fund Tracy, Mia & Gabe Robinson, in memory of your beloved father & grandfather, Melvyn Rosenstein, from Iris Bendahan In memory of Eleanor's mother, Helen C. Schweitzer, from Edward & Eleanor Kiss Religious School & Hebrew High Scholarship Theodore & Gloria Rosenblume, for refuah sheleimah speedy recovery, from Robert & Joan Garden In memory of my grandfather, Morris N. Pessah, from Cara Vainish In memory of my father, Semyon Yunerman, from Igor Yunerman Religious School Myuchad Fund Mrs. Phyllis Schriger & Family, in memory of Paul Schriger, from Natalie Schriger Iris Bendahan, in memory of your beloved father and grandfather, Abraham Eshel, from Robert & Irene Swedroe Norman Abramovitz & Family, in memory of your mother, from Robert & Irene Swedroe Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library Fund In memory of my brother, Jacky Zeltzer, from Rita Sauvage In memory of my mother, Eva Zeltzer, from Rita Sauvage Silver, Sabes, Frank Youth Fund In memory of my mother, Arlene Greenberg, from Laurie Himelstein In memory of my father, Leonard Greenberg, from Laurie Himelstein Social Action Dinner for the Homeless, from H. James Tellefson Dinner for the Homeless, from Bryan & Jan Ferguson Dinner for the Homeless, from Leonard Shen & Susan Cohen Yizkor Donation Congregation Beth David, from Sima Vishnevsky 36

35 Support CBD Note: This form has been shortened for space needs, for a complete list of designated funds please see the online D var or phone the office. 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 a Beth David member, you may leave address blank) Name Address Street City State Zip Additional Message: I do NOT wish to have my donation acknowledged in the D var Donation Amount: $ or check one of the following: $18 $36 $72 $108 Congregation Beth David Fund Beth David Endowment Kiddush Oneg Annual Campaign Capital Campaign Myuchad Fund (Special Needs Program) March of the Living Scholarship Fund Balk Family Camp Scholarship Fund Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library Fund Discretionary Funds (please specify): Jewish Education Program/JET Scholarship Fund Rabbi Leslie Alexander Rabbi Philip Ohriner Bible and Siddur Fund Jewish Education Principal JET Principal Billing: (Choose One) Check/payment attached, please process directly. Bill my account for the above amount and process immediately. Account # We appreciate your donations! Yiddish Discussion Group Do you know Yiddish? Would you like to chat with others in Yiddish? Mah Jongg Players Would you like to play Mah Jongg at CBD? Games forming soon. Al Ghan at cbd.yiddish@beth-david.org Or call Jillian in the CBD office at cbd.mahjongg@beth-david.org Or call Jillian in the CBD office at

36 Congregation Beth David Prospect Road Saratoga, CA Change service requested Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 94 Cupertino, CA Please if you do not wish to receive this printed newsletter in the future. Upcoming in January At Congregation Beth David Groundbreaking Ceremony Sunday, January 25 th 10:00am 1:00pm Join us Sunday morning rain or shine for a celebration and ceremony taking us into the Next 50 years of Beth David. There will be refreshments and activities in which to participate. RSVP on line: Beth-David.org/RSVP or call the office at for assistance. See flyer inside Artist-in-Residence Mordechai Rosenstein January 28 th February 1 st See flyer inside Wine and Hors d oeuvres Reception Saturday, January 31st 7:30pm This is an opportunity to mingle with Mordechai and purchase his art. 38

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