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Jewish Community News
Newsbriefs: June 2004
Wayne Greene speaks at JFS South Bay Full Employment Group
Wayne Greene, manager at HP (Hewlett-Packard) Services, spoke on “Re-inventing Your Career” at the April 28 meeting of the South Bay Full Employment Group. During his 15 years of experience at HP, Mr. Greene has worked in the areas of IC manufacturing; analog, digital, and memory IC design; digital photography; high end server chipsets; and recently software design for management and automation platforms for HP Services. He has had ample experience in re-inventing himself in the workplace, and emphasized that to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing market, job seekers must be flexible in their job goals and committed to upgrading their skills.
Participants in the group, an employment and networking group of Jewish professionals, had the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session, followed by light snacks and time for networking. The group meets each month at Congregation Beth David.
More than 1,200 Jewish students and teachers celebrate Lag B’Omer
The Kehillah athletic fields were transformed into a sea of yellow, orange, turquoise, and green Monday, May 10, as Jewish day schools students gathered together to celebrate Lag B’Omer. As the traditional Lag B’Omer bonfire was lit, two children from each school circled around the group holding their school’s banner. Afterward, the children divided by grade and t-shirt color, no longer identified by school, but simply as Jewish students.
“This day is really about empowering the children and showing them that they are part of something larger than their individual schools. It’s a first opportunity for them to establish relationships with children from other schools which, hopefully, will be fostered through continued activities of this type,” said Susan Ellenberg, president of Yavneh Day School in San Jose.
The event was spearheaded by Linda Kalinowski of the Jewish Day School Funders’ Consortium.
JFS receives $15K from the Valley Foundation
Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley was the recent recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Valley Foundation toward its “To Life! A Wellness Program for Seniors and Refugees.” This contribution will allow JFS to improve access to health care and medical services for lower income, limited English speaking refugees and seniors in our community. According to Mindy Berkowitz, executive director of Jewish Family Service, “We are grateful for the support from Valley Foundation and are pleased to be able to expand our work serving needy seniors and refugees in the greater San Jose area. JFS is the right agency to be providing these much needed services, and we are proud to be supported by Valley Foundation for our work.”
JCC “head over heels” for new Camp Shalom director
Cheryl Taylor, who owned and operated a circus camp in San Jose for 15 years, will be the APJCC’s new Camp Shalom director this summer.
Taylor, who also worked as the artistic director of the Cirque San Jose, will bring hands-on camp experience and the exuberance of a performer to her new position. The bubbly, energetic former performer will be responsible for programming daily activities, hiring counselors, planning field trips and organizing incoming events.
Taylor’s exposure to the performing arts began as a child. Her mom owned a dance studio in San Jose, and at age 20, Taylor moved to Las Vegas to sing, dance and perform acrobatics. She has performed on The Merv Griffin Show, “Sunkist Superkids,” and appeared in the movie “World’s Greatest Lover” with Gene Wilder. Other experiences include directing and performing half-time shows for professional basketball and football games, including the NFL Championship for the San Francisco 49ers and World Cup Soccer 1994.
Taylor has an effervescent energy and is eager to share it with Camp Shalom campers.
Hatikvah House holds annual performance
The Hatikvah (Hope) House, a residential community for developmentally disabled Jewish adults in Campbell, recently held its annual performance. Led by drama therapist Janna Mitchell, residents collaboratively create new skits each year, including Jewish-themed as well as imaginative pieces. This year’s performance included a modern day story of Noah. The performance brought laughter as well as tears to the audience – some skits were intensely personal, based on the life stories of the actors and actresses. “The drama program not only provides a creative outlet for residents, but builds confidence, self-esteem and group camaraderie,” said Sally Weider, mother of one of the actors and founder of the original Hatikvah social group – the precursor of the Hatikvah House. Hatikvah House is the only Jewish live-in facility for developmentally disabled adults in Northern California.
Drop-in group for senior support
Jewish Family Service offers an ongoing drop-in group for
those needing assistance with life choices for seniors. This group is
for adult children, spouses, family members, or seniors themselves who
need information. JFS’ trained staff will help you begin to make
the right decisions. Free; reservations required. Call for dates and times:
Avital Agam, 556-0600, ext. 17, or email avitala@
jfssv.org.
Day school kids learn Genesis of Zionism
To enrich their understanding about the beginnings of the
Zionist Movement, students at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School recently
held a debate about where a Jewish homeland should be located.
The debate was modeled after the 1903 Sixth Zionist Congress where Theodore
Herzl proposed that a Jewish homeland should be in Uganda. While the majority
of the representatives wanted to accept the plan, Herzl decided it was
a temporary solution and it was eventually defeated at the Seventh Zionist
Congress.
The Middle School debaters split into four groups, representing Palestine, America, Eastern Europe and Uganda. They rejected Uganda outright. The proponents for Palestine spoke about it being the Promised Land, insisting a homeland needed Jerusalem and the Kotel. Those who supported the United States said there were new opportunities for the Jews who would be free and could live without pogroms. The students who favored staying in Eastern Europe said the people knew the language, their families were there and they did want to leave them behind.
Students not in the debate asked probing questions as audience participants. With the Uganda plan dismissed the remaining three alternatives were accepted.
Class for new and expectant Jewish parents
Congregation Shir Hadash will host a new class this June
called “Baby is a Blessing.” This three-part workshop, facilitated
by Rabbi Lisa Rosenberg, will teach new and expectant parents about babies
within the Jewish tradition. Participants will learn customs and rituals
to celebrate the miracle of their new baby or baby-to-be. Jewish and interfaith
couples and single parents are welcome. Call (415) 382-7080, ext. 16,
for more information.
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