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Jewish Community News

Newsbriefs: September 2006

Shir Hadash to show “An Inconvenient Truth” on October 6

Congregation Shir Hadash will begin Sukkot with a screening of the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” which explores the phenomenon of global warming, its threat to humanity and what we can do about it. The screening will take place on Friday, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m. as part of the Interfaith Power and Light's Focus on Climate Change. A Shabbat service and dinner in the Sukkah will precede the film. For more information, contact the Shir Hadash office at (408) 358-1751. Shir Hadash is at 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos.

Nature Shabbat, On Saturday, October 28

On Saturday, October 28, the Ritual Committee of Temple Emanu-El is hosting the first of this year’s Nature Shabbats at Sanborn Skyline Park in Saratoga. Participants are invited to arrive at 10 a.m. Rabbi Magat will lead minyan at 10:30 a.m. in the Costanoan Group Area, followed by a potluck picnic lunch. The afternoon is open for discussions, hikes or just enjoying the trees. For more information and to RSVP, contact the temple office, (408) 292-0939.

Rabbi Pressman celebrates 25 years at
Beth David

Congregation Beth David plans a celebratory weekend Nov. 17-18 to honor Rabbi Daniel Pressman's 25 years as spiritual leader.
The weekend will include a catered Shabbat dinner and services on Friday night, special guests and presentations at Saturday morning services and a festive Kiddush luncheon.
Oy...What a Night! on Saturday night with a “Borscht Belt Catskills” dinner, music, and entertainment will culminate the weekend-long tribute to Rabbi Pressman's 25th anniversary.
The Shabbat dinner and Saturday evening event will include a charge. For more information on the events contact Angie Jaggers in the Beth David office at (408) 257-3333.

APJCC offers
university classes for ages 50 and up

Calling all 50-year-olds and up! University level classes will be offered this fall at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley (APJCC) through San Jose State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute(OLLI@SJSU). To celebrate this new partnership, a free class and an Osher Information Day will be offered in September.
On Thursday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.,
Democracy’s Challenge, Reclaiming the Public’s Role, will be offered as a free class. On Thursday Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. there will be an Osher Information Day. Learn more about OLLI and how to take advantage of the classes. To register e-mail Susan@svjcc.org or call (408) 357-7438.

Jewish group for parents and young
children at Emanu-El

Parents (or grandparents) are invited to attend eight monthly sessions of Shalom Chaverim with their toddlers, ages 18 months – 3 years. This is a wonderful introduction to Jewish holidays, blessings, songs and craft activities, as well as an opportunity to meet other Jewish families.
Synagogue membership is not required for this class, which will begin on Sunday, September 17, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El For registration information, please call (408) 292-3223.

A Taste of Judaism class for beginners
in September

Congregation Shir Hadash has developed A Taste of Judaism, a free, three-session class, open to Jews and non-Jews alike looking to explore Judaism. Led by Dianne Portnoy, the class is geared towards “beginners,” including non-Jewish friends and relatives as well as those who may have become disconnected from the Jewish community, and interfaith couples exploring their relationship to Judaism. The class begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5, and continues for the following Tuesdays, Sept. 12 and 19. Individual sessions will feature one-hour presentations by Rabbi Aron, Rabbi Fleekop and Cantor Felder-Levy. The program is free and open to the public. To register, please RSVP to Patty Cruz in the Shir Hadash office at (408) 358-1751 x7 or patty@shirhadash.org.

Sinai hires new
religious school and youth director

Congregation Sinai welcomes Jackie Cohen as its religious school and youth program director. Cohen will run the religious school and coordinate the synagogue’s award winning USY and Kadima programs, which will be led by Jacob and Amanda Orrin. Ms. Cohen comes to Sinai from Peninsula Sinai in Foster City, where she has served as religious school director for three years.

Cohen received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University, and a masters in education from the University of Michigan. She has been a teacher and religious school director for more than 16 years, teaching at Peninsula Sinai, Congregation Kol Shofar, Arrowsmith Academy, Casa Grande High School and the University of Michigan. She has also served on the board of directors at Congregation Kol Shofar.
The community can meet Jackie Cohen at a September 10 open house at Congregation Sinai. Please contact Linda Brandt at 264-8542 for more information.

Calling all knitters!

Put your talent to work. Seniors need lap-ghans, chemo patients need hats and babies need to be welcomed with receiving blankets! Join Jewish Family Services’ new Knitzvah Corps. Patterns, yarn, and instructions are waiting to help you turn your hobby into a cozy mitzvah project. For upcoming Knitzvah Corps events contact Marilyn Popper, Project N.O.A.H. volunteer coordinator, at (408) 357-7453 or marilynp@jfssv.org.

Breaking bread together: an interfaith reunion

Local members of various religions will meet at the Circle of Palms Plaza in San Jose on September 21 at 6 p.m. for an interfaith gathering, and reunion of the successful Feasting and Fasting Together event held last year at the same location. The event is designed to share a fundamental human experience—breaking bread, in a context that encourages mutual understanding and respect. It is an opportunity to cross religious boundaries, and gather people of every possible faith represented in the South Bay. The Jewish community is especially encouraged to participate in this gathering during this difficult time in the Middle East.
Current sponsors include Jewish, Protestant, Buddhist, Catholic, Mormon, Muslim and global interfaith religions. For more details see www.southbayinterfaith.org, or contact Diane Fisher at dfisher@jcrcsv.org.

JCRC moves to Levy Campus

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Silicon Valley has moved its office into the Jewish Federation at the Levy Family Campus.
For the last two years, the JCRC was graciously housed in the office of Congregation Beth David. JCRC’s office is staffed by Diane Fisher, executive director. The office is open to address any concerns regarding media, public schools, legislative issues, Israel and interfaith relations. Please contact Diane at 357-7504 or dfisher@jcrcsv.org.?

Donations sought for local people in need

Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley has compiled a High Holy Days Wish List. Please consider giving to people in need, as a way to make the New Year more meaningful. Donations can be dropped at JFS offices at the Levy Family Campus or please call (408) 556-0600.

• Yarn for Knitzva Corps members to knit
or crochet into cozy blankets, booties and
caps and lap blankets for seniors.
•Gift cards to Safeway, Mervyn’s, Target,
Kohl’s for needy members of our commu-
nity to purchase food, clothing and house
hold goods.
• Jars of gefilte fish, matzoh ball soup, honey,
horseradish and kosher grape juice; bags
of dried apples for High Holy Days food
baskets.
• Volunteers to deliver High Holy Days
food baskets.
• Volunteers to lead weekly Shabbat
services in nursing homes and board
and care facilities.
• Computer savvy volunteers to help
our job seekers apply on line. Commit
2 hours at a time to work between 9 a.m.
until 3 p.m. to work one on one with job
seekers in the computer room at JFS.
• A computer desk in good condition ap-
proximately 30”x 60”; apartment-size
furniture and appliances; adult and
child-size bicycles.

Movie screening begins High Holy Days season at Shir Hadash

On Sept. 16 at 7:15 p.m., S'lichot Eve, Congregation Shir Hadash will present a screening of the film “The Thing About My Folks” starring Peter Falk and Paul Reiser. In the movie, an adult son and his aging father are thrown together on a road trip, trying to recapture the joys of boyhood. The trip reconnects the family in new ways as they face the challenge of aging and illness.

A discussion will follow the film, and at 10 p.m. the S'lichot service will begin with Havdalah and include the participation of the High Holy Days choir. The service will conclude with the blowing of the shofar for the first time during the High Holy Days season. For more information contact the Shir Hadash office, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos, by calling (408) 358-1751 or visiting the Web site, www.shirhadash.org.

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