Havurah Participation Strengthens Our Community Being part of a havurah can meaningfully deepen your experience of our community. Havurah comes from the Hebrew word chaver, meaning friend. Havurot (pl.) provide temple members with an opportunity to develop and strengthen friendships. The Shir Hadash board has set the goal of increasing havurah membership over the next two years to 50% of the households. We are now at around 210 active households the goal is to increase to 300. Our community will be stronger having accomplished this! WHAT S INSIDE From Rabbi Aron 2 Shir Kids Family Shabbat 3 New Member Shabbat 3 Ari Shavit 6 Sisterhood Dinner & Bake Event 6 Jewish-Muslim Dinner 7 My havurah was formed almost 25 years ago. There s a wonderful sense of love and family that we share. This past year a special Passover seder was written for our group with everyone joining in to prepare the meal. Ron Victor Yiddish in American Culture 7 Each havurah is made up of eight to twelve households, some havurot with children, some without, some age-based, some interest-based. Whether you re a new member looking to meet other congregants or an existing member seeking new friendships, a havurah is a wonderful way to create your extended family. Sustainability Discussion 7 Youth Groups 8 With the New Year almost upon us, consider joining a havurah. Contact Nadine Toby at nadine@shirhash.org, or call the office, and be a part of the fun! www.shirhadash.org 408 358 1751 volume 38, ISSUE 3 NOvEMbER 2016 TISHREI CHESHvAN 5777
FROM RABBI MELANIE ARON What is Judaism? You might say Judaism is a religion, and you would not be wrong, but what about all those who insist that they are Jewish but not religious? If you say instead that Judaism is a peoplehood or ethnicity, how is it that you can convert into an ethnicity? we know that our members express their Jewish identity in a variety of ways. I find it useful to reach back to Mordechai Kaplan s definition of Judaism as a civilization, which means there is a place for religion and ethnicity, as well as values, language, and culture. Shir Hadash is a religious congregation where providing opportunities for Jewish prayer is core to our mission, but we know that our members express their Jewish identity in a variety of ways. The slogan of the Reform movement in Israel is, there s more than one way to be Jewish. In Israel that s a reminder that Orthodoxy is not the only way to practice Judaism, but here in Silicon Valley, the same phrase recognizes that doing Jewish could mean learning, or social action, or even just hanging out with other Jews. For those interested in Jewish study, in addition to our weekly Saturday morning Torah study, this month the Men s Club is co-sponsoring a talk on Judaism and Science, while our Exploring Jewish Culture series offers insight into the role of Yiddish in American Culture. Our monthly women s study class is focusing on literature to gain insight into contemporary Jewish life in Europe. Consider attending Silicon Valley s Jewish Film Festival this month, or reading our next Book group selection, Seven Good Years, by Israeli writer Etgar Keret. Ethics and values are central to Jewish life. Opportunities abound to do the work of gemilut chasadim with our Caring Committee, whether that s bringing meals to those who are ill or providing transportation to our older members. We live out our commitment to tikkun olam in the work of our Shir Hadash Organizing Committee (SHOC), striving to make our communities safer places, and in our annual Health Fair. Along with the gastronomical Jews, many of us are social Jews, and want to find Jewish friends at Temple. Perhaps you d consider joining a havurah it s a great way to build friendships and feel more comfortable in the congregation. At our first Confirmation class, I asked the students to name the last three Jewish things they had done. They responded with rituals like lighting Shabbat candles or a Bar Mitzvah they had attended. Only after some conversation did they realize they had done other Jewish things, like visiting their great-grandmother, speaking out when someone was bullied, or contributing to tzedakah. The new year has just begun. What a great time to expand your Jewish repertoire and pick a new way to do Jewish in the months ahead. 2 CONGREGATION SHIR HADASH
SHIR KIDS Family Shabbat Dinner Friday, November 4, 6:00 pm Followed by Family Shabbat Service, 7:00 pm Shir Kids first event (Zootopia movie) for families with children in kindergarten through second grade was a smashing success! The kids enjoyed the movie and playtime, and the adults had a very nice time socializing on the patio afterwards. Join us for this second social event a casual Shabbat dinner with a make-your-own burrito bar, followed by a Fall/Thanksgiving-themed craft activity for the kids. A lively service follows the dinner. We look forward to seeing you there! RSVP on the website. It s open to all. Adults, $12; kids under 10, free. Services at a Glance New Member Shabbat Dinner and Service Friday, November 18 Dinner, 6:00 pm Fri., Nov. 4 7:00 pm Family Shabbat Service Sat., Nov. 5 9:30 am Torah Study Fri., Nov. 11 7:30 pm Shabbat 2.0 Service Sat., Nov. 12 9:30 am Torah Study Service (with Choir), 7:30 pm In Ecclesiastes 4:9, the wise King Solomon tells us, two are better than one. New members are critical to the ongoing life and vibrancy of our community. You each bring new ideas and energy to share. Our leadership wants to welcome you and your family to the congregation and also give you an opportunity to meet other new members. If you joined Shir Hadash anytime since last January, then you are cordially invited to be the guests of the Membership Committee and the Board of Directors for a family style Shabbat dinner. So that we can have food for everyone, please RSVP on the website or contact the office. 10:30 am Bat Mitzvah Service: Ellis Goldman Fri., Nov. 18 7:30 pm New Member Shabbat Service with the Choir Sat., Nov. 19 9:30 am Torah Study 10:30 am Bat Mitzvah Service: Kelsey Doerner Fri., Nov. 25 Sat., Nov. 26 7:30 pm Shabbat Service Note: From Simchat Torah through December, non-family Friday night services will begin at 7:30 pm. NOvEMbER 2016 NOTES 3
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 ROSH CHODESH CHESHVAN 2 3 4 Shabbat Noach 5 9:30a Caring Committee Meeting 9:00a Free Range Torah 9:00 B nai Mitzvah Family Group Retreat Jan. June 2017 9:30 Torah Study 10:30 Shir Shabbat Service NOVEMBER Please visit www.shirhadash.org for the full calendar. 7:00 Intro to Judaism (at JCC) 7:00 Rosh Chodesh Group 7:00p Insight from the Outside: Space Exploration and Mars 7:00 Ritual Committee Meeting 6:00p Shir Kids Family Shabbat Dinner 7:00 Family Shabbat Service 6 9:30a Religious School 9:30 Adult B nai Mitzvah Class 10:00 Shop til You Drop 10:00 Men s Club Board Meeting 11:00 Confirmation Class 7 8 9 10 10:30a Dictionary Day Training 11:30 Retirees Lunch n Learn 11 10:00a Alzheimer s Caregivers Support Group Shabbat Lech L cha 12 9:30a Torah Study 10:30 Shir Shabbat Service 10:30 Bat Mitzvah Service: Ellis Goldman 7:00p Grandparents Circle Reunion 7:00 Secular Jewish Salon 7:15 Choir Rehearsal 7:00p Sisterhood Meeting 7:30 An Evening with Ari Shavit 5:30p Dinner at Viva with the Sisterhood 7:30p Shabbat 2.0 Service 4:00p Jewish-Muslim Pre- Thanksgiving Celebration 13 9:30a Yiddish in American Culture 9:30 Religious School 11:00 Confirmation Class 14 15 6:30 Jews Around the World (Grades 11 & 12) 7:00 Finance Committee Mtg. 7:15 Choir Rehearsal 7:30p Board Meeting 16 17 10:30a Women s Study Group 6:00p New Member Shabbat Dinner 7:30 New Member Shabbat Service with the Choir 18 Shabbat Vayeira 19 9:30a Torah Study 10:30 Shir Shabbat Service 10:30 Bat Mitzvah Service: Kelsey Doerner 4:00p Sustainability Discussion & Movie 20 9:30a Religious School 9:30 Adult B nai Mitzvah Group 10:00 SHOC Meeting 21 No Hebrew School 22 23 THANKSGIVING 24 Office & ECC Closed Office & ECC Closed 25 Shabbat Chayei Sarah 26 No Torah Study 10:30a Shir Shabbat Service 12:00p Confirmation Class 7:30p Thanksgiving Service at LG United Methodist Church 7:30p Shabbat Service No Religious School 27 28 29 30 Grandparents Circle Reunion Sun., Nov. 6, 7:00 pm Reunion for grandparents of interfaith grandchildren, discussing difficult topics. RSVP to Patty Cruz at patty@shirhadash.org, or the Temple office. 4 CONGREGATION SHIR HADASH NOVEMBER 2016 NOTES 5
An Evening with Ari Shavit Wednesday, November 9, 7:30 pm Congregation Beth Am 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills Facing unprecedented internal and external pressures, Israel today is at a moment of existential crisis. It s been quite some time since a book has captured the essence and the beating heart of the Middle East as keenly and dynamically as My Promised Land. Author Ari Shavit draws on interviews, historical documents, private diaries, and letters, as well as his own family s story, illuminating the pivotal moments of the Zionist century. He tells a riveting narrative that is larger than the sum of its parts personal and national, deeply human and of profound historical dimension. Mr. Shavit will speak to the community about his book and experiences at this community-wide event that is sure to be interesting and engaging. In addition to being an author, Mr. Shavit is a Senior Correspondent at the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. This program, hosted by Congregation Beth Am, is co-sponsored by AIPAC and several South Bay and Peninsula synagogues, including Congregation Shir Hadash. Sisterhood Dinner & Challah Making Thursday, November 10 Dinner, 5:30 pm, at Viva Restaurant, 15970 Los Gatos Blvd. Let s Twist Again Bake Event, 7:00 pm, at the APJCC, 14855 Oka Rd. It s a pre-partay! Come enjoy the happiest Happy Hour and dinner with the Sisterhood. We ll start the evening wining and dining at local favorite Viva Restaurant. Following dinner we ll be joining up with women from all over the community for Let s Twist Again, a challah bake event sponsored by Women s Philanthropy. Women s Philanthropy is a division of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, and works to strengthen, repair and promote the vibrancy of the Jewish community in Silicon 6 C O N G R E G AT I O N S H I R H A DA S H Valley, Israel and around the world. Come bake challah, have fun, and make a difference! Register to let us know you are coming to our nohost dinner via the Temple website, or by contacting board-sisterhood@shirhadash.org. To sign up for Let s Twist Again, visit www.jvalley.org. You do not need to register for Let s Twist Again to enjoy Viva with us all are welcome!
FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP A Jewish-Muslim Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration Saturday, November 12, 4:00 pm The road to peace is paved with understanding. Shir Hadash has a long tradition of dialogue with other faith groups, believing that listening and learning are key to breaking down the barriers to seeing the other as ourselves. Join us and our Muslim neighbors for an afternoon of food and conversation. We will begin with some reflections on the role of food and food rules in both traditions. Seated at mixed tables, we will discuss the personal relationship we have with the foods of our faith and ethnic heritage. For both Jews and Muslims, there are different traditional foods depending on what country your family comes from. Bring a Jewish food for everyone to taste our Muslim neighbors from the Islamic Network Group will do the same. This is the first of a series of three Jewish-Muslim food- related events being planned. This first event will be hosted by Shir Hadash. Please sign up on the website to insure an equal number of attendees from each faith tradition. EXPLORING THE WORLD OF JUDAISM Yiddish in American Culture with Jon Levitow Sunday, November 13, 9:30 am Do you carry or do you shlep? Do you aspire to be a kind, responsible person, or a mensch? Do you kvetch or do you complain? Explore how and why so many Yiddish words have become part of everyday English usage, and why the study of Yiddish has become so popular in recent years. Jon Levitow currently teaches Yiddish at Stanford and at UC Santa Cruz. He received a Ph.D. in English literature from Princeton and a B.A. from Stanford. Exploring the World of Judaism and Exploring Jewish Culture are programs of Congregation Shir Hadash and Jewish LearningWorks, and are supported in part by the Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable Trust and the Myra Reinhard Family Foundation. Sustainability Discussion & Movie Saturday, November 19 Film at 4:00 pm, followed by discussion and Havdalah The Shir Hadash Sustainability Subcommittee (SHSS) is hosting a showing of the highly acclaimed 2008 animated film WALL-E, about a robot designed to clean up an abandoned, waste-covered future earth. This film is a critique on larger societal issues, addressing topics such as consumerism, environmental problems, waste management, human impact on the environment, and risks to human civilization and the planet. This film is very accessible, and a wonderful way to engage in important conversation across the generations. The animation is stunning, the WALL-E character adorable, and as is the Pixar/Disney style, light humor is inserted throughout the film. Attendees are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles to this event! Healthy snacks provided. N o v em b er 2 0 1 6 N O T E S 7
Congregation Shir Hadash 20 Cherry Blossom Lane Los Gatos, CA 95032 4637 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED GET INVOLVED Youth Groups Change Lives What do Jewish parents want most for their children? The responses are varied, but there are strong themes i ncluding Jewish friends and a positive Jewish identity. One sure-fire way to accomplish this is to get your kids involved in youth groups. Third through fifth graders can get started in Club 345. JSHAGY welcomes sixth through eighth graders. And older teens can get involved in the NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) Senior Youth Group. Yes, it may be difficult to convince them to branch out of their comfort zone. After all, they are well beyond the ages where they first became involved in sports and other activities. Tell them they will develop lifelong friendships once they take this first step. If they won t believe you, maybe they ll believe these young voices: I like getting a chance to hang out with my friends and have fun. Melissa Burstein We do cool things like laser tag with our friends. T. J. Levenberg Keep an eye out for these and other upcoming events: laser tag, Sukkot sleepover, movie nights, Sky High, and miniature golf. Contact Cady Burstein at board-youthgroups@shirhadash.org with questions or to sign up.