Jewish Community News

News: December 2006

Janet Berg to be honored at Federation Annual Dinner January 20

Janet Berg, a 30-year-long employee of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, will be honored at the Federation's Annual Dinner, to be held on Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Levy Family Campus. Berg has been a longtime mainstay, resource, historian and friendly face throughout the local Jewish community. More

Temple Emanu-El Preschool honored for supporting children with special needs

On Tuesday morning at Temple Emanu-El Preschool, 11 four-year-old voices belt out Hamotzi from the carpet, where they sit in a circle before their teacher, Dawn Escobedo. After the song, all of the children but one walk to the sink to wash their hands for snack. Four-year-old Lola is lifted to her feet by a young woman, and helped over to the sink; she is then helped to a chair alongside her classmates. More

Hillel of Silicon Valley seeks professionals for mentor program

Hillel of Silicon Valley is launching a mentorship and internship program pairing Jewish college students with Jewish professionals in the community. JMentor and JIntern are intended to provide students with advice and experience toward beginning their professional
careers. Local community members are vital for the success of this program. More

Elizabeth Edwards speaks in Los Gatos

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former vice-presidential candidate John Edwards, spoke at the Levy FamilyCampus on Tuesday, Oct. 24, about her new memoir “Saving Graces”— a forthright account of her pain following the death of her son in 1996 and her 2004 battle with breast cancer. More

“Paper Clips” principal to speak at Fed Annual Dinner

The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley will hold its Annual Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007 at 6 p.m. at the Levy Family Campus. The dinner is for Federation donors who make a minimum $1,000 family gift to the Annual Campaign. Young adults affiliated with the Silicon Valley Young Adults Division must give a minimum $500 gift to attend. Linda Hooper, the middle school principal who inspired the famous “Paper Clips Project” will be the keynote speaker. Longtime Federation employee Janet Berg will be honored; and Karen and Al Guggenheim are co-chairing the event. More

MeshugaNutcracker comes to San Jose December 23-25

The MeshugaNutcracker is a family outing during the otherwise commercial Christmas season. Instead of Scrooge and Tiny Tim, the Mouse King or Santa Claus, guests will enjoy a new cast of characters to celebrate the season each year. The production is appropriate for adults and children age 5 and up and is performed with an intermission. The performances will be at the Montgomery Theatre, 271 South Market St. in San Jose on Dec. 23 – 25. More

The Wines of Winter


As the weather cools and the nights become longer, our tastes for food and wine change. Instead of lighter whites (Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio) and less tannic reds (Beaujolais and Merlot), we now desire full-bodied wines that warm the soul and stand up to hearty winter dishes. We trade in summer salads and lightly grilled foods for stews, hearty pasta and thick saucy fish and chicken dishes. As you light your fireplaces and fire up your stovetops this winter, consider uncorking some of the winter wines suggested below. More

Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Hanukkah Wish List

Each year, JFSSV distributes Hanukkah baskets to members of the community in-need. Below is a list of donation items needed to make this program a success. Please drop off donation items at JFS (located in the Levy Family Campus) or call for more information. $18 covers the cost of one Hanukkah basket sent to an isolated senior and may be given in someone’s honor or memory. More

Year End Giving

It is hard for me to believe that 2006 is almost over. If you are like me this year-end provides an opportunity to evaluate my Rosh Hashannah resolutions and get ready for (those dreaded) taxes. I am certain that you too begin to account for your finances and philanthropic choices. Oddly, I feel fortunate to be able to make these decisions. More

Taking stock at year’s end

Considering an end-of-the year charitable donation? Instead of cash, think about donating stock held for more than one year in your investment portfolio. This may result in enhanced income tax benefits.
Generally, the deduction for a donation of property equals the fair market value of the property. However, a special rule exists for certain gifts of stock. More

My High Holy Days in Africa

Lee Gerston is a junior at the University of California, San Diego. He spent his fall semester studying at the University of Ghana in Legon. Lee grew up in Los Gatos and attanded Yavneh Day School.

Buried in the lush trees of the Western Region of Ghana, near bordering Côte D’Ivoire, is the small town of Sefwi Wiawso (pronounced sef-SHWEE wee-OH-so). Sefwi Wiawso is not a typical Ghanaian town. Sure, the village is filled with dirt roads and brick houses, shaky electricity and honking taxis–all typically Ghanaian. But it also has something that no other village in Ghana has: a synagogue. More

150th anniversary of Sigmund Freud,
a Jew of profound impact

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sigmund Freud. After being blocked from progressing in his career as a neurologist because he was a Jew, Freud authored the first draft of “Psychoanalysis,” which continues to be rewritten today. Freud stands as a seminal thinker who opened doors.

His method was to observe, integrate ideas from others, then theorize, then observe again and modify or add to theory. In his consulting room, Freud could not study the human mind with laboratory controls, yet he dedicatedly sought to be as objective as he could. More