1301 Farmers Lane, Suite C103 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

(707) 528-4222www.jccsoco.org

Jalena Mays, Program Director(707) 528-1476, jalenam@jccsoco.org

Carol King, Program Assistant(707) 528-1182, friendshipcircle@jccsoco.orgCircleFriendship

A program for adults 55+

Friendship Circle is a Program of the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County

Luncheon DetailsRSVP By the Wednesday before the luncheon (707) 528–1182 or friendshipcircle@jccsoco.orgTime Noon – 1:30 PMLocation Congregation Shomrei Torah 2600 Bennett Valley Road, SRPrice $15 Friendship Circle Members; $18 guests; includes lunch & dessert

Payment appreciated in advance in the form of cash, check, Visa® & MasterCard®. Please bring currency no higher than $50.

Lunches are ordered according to the number of reservations. If you are unable to attend a luncheon and have a reservation, please cancel one week in advance,

or consider donating the cost of the luncheon. Thank you!

Rides to Friendship Circle events may be available in select areas (now including Petaluma) upon request at least one week prior to date of event, thanks to a grant from the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation.

Monday, February 27Reawakening the Indigenous Roots of Judaism

Wilderness Torah is a center for earth-based Judaism that aims to reawaken and celebrate earth-based traditions of Judaism as a way to nourish the connections between self, community, earth and spirit. Since 2007, Wilderness Torah has done this through multi-generational community festivals, mentorship programs for youth and teens, meaningful rites of passage for B’nai Mitzvah, and leadership training

programs. Meet Maggid Zelig Golden, Wilderness Torah founding director and learn about ancient, cutting edge philosophy and how Wilderness Torah is revolutionizing Jewish life with some of the most ancient technologies known to humans.

Monday LuncheonsMonday, January 23Celebrate the Chinese New Year

Enjoy the transcending sound of the Chinese harp and witness the art of Tai Chi! The “Gu-Zheng” Chinese harp has twenty-five strings, and an amazing capacity to convey a wide range

January & February 2017Happy New Year!

Celebrate!Monday, February 13“A 90’s Birthday Party”

To Life! L’Chaim! Join Friendship Circle as we celebrate our beloved members who are in their 90’s!

We will shower our distinguished guests with special gifts and lots of love! Following the delicious catered vegetarian lunch, we will enjoy Italian and European cafe music by Caffe Liscio.

of emotions, giving voice to the Chinese heart. Harpist Mary Parker studied extensively with Chinese Gu-Zheng masters for many years, and eventually earned several prestigious awards throughout China. Her experience and love for the Gu-Zheng helps create harmony within the East and West cultural exchange. As a complement to her great talent, we have invited special guest and teacher Steve Rose to demonstrate the art of Tai Chi. Join us and celebrate the Chinese New Year!

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • January/February 20172

Announcements • Appreciation Generous Donations

• Sylvia Sendar in memory of Neil Sendar

• Edee Sternfield-Squires & Ethel Snarski in gratitude to Earl & Binese Goldberg, and in appreciation of the overnight excursion to Ashland

• Ray Kaplan in memory of his brother Morton Kaplan

• Ray Kaplan in memory of Evelyn Breger

• Liz Hagen in gratitude of day excursions

• Shelley Bauer sends get well wishes to Ruth Turner

• Birdie Lane in honor of the Friendship Circle staff & volunteers for the 2016 Ashland trip

• Marilyn Swire in memory of John A. (Jack) Swire

• Marcia Matlin in memory of Peter Matlin and Ned Berke

• Elisabeth Van Nuys towards the scholarship fund

Thank you to Earl & Binese Goldberg, Jill & Rick Permutt, Marge & Lawrence Solomon, and Barbara & Larry Scharf for making a generous donation above and beyond your membership dues

Mark Your Calendar &Call to Reserve: (707) 528-1182

Jan 16 JCC Closed for Martin Luther King Day Jan 23 Celebrate Chinese New Year, Luncheon at CST Jan 29 Day Excursion: Red Hot Mamma, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma Feb 9 Day Excursion: Tour the New San Francisco

Museum of Modern Art Feb 12 JCC Presents Day of Jewish Learning, Person

Senior Wing at the Finley Complex. Free. Feb 13 A 90’s Birthday Party, Luncheon at CST Feb 20 JCC Closed for President’s Day Feb 27 Wilderness Torah, Luncheon at CST Mar 13 Miles Ahead Barbershop Quartet, Luncheon

at CST Mar 19 Day Excursion: Roe at Berkeley Rep and lunch at

Revival, Berkeley Mar 25-Apr 1 Overnight Excursion: California Coastal Cruise Mar 27 All About Yiddish with Dr. Jim Kohn,

Luncheon at CST May 31 Day Excursion: Hamilton. FC Members Only;

$200 per ticket. (More information will be available in the Mar/Apr 2017 Newsletter).

If you are remembering someone you hold dear, or would like to celebrate a friend or family member,

please consider making a donation to the Friendship Circle in their honor.

New: Jewish Book Discussion with Fran DanoffWe will read fiction by Jewish authors, non-fiction with Jewish themes, and will not focus on Holocaust literature. Location: Upstairs at the JCC (no elevator) When: First Tuesday of each month from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Donations: $5 per class, paid at the door Contact Fran to RSVP: (707) 539-7394 or franndanoff@aol.com

Mahjongg with Carol Jarvis Location: Upstairs at the JCC (no elevator) When: 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Tuesday of each month, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Donations: $2 per class, paid at the door RSVP Required: (707) 528-1476 or jalenam@jccsoco.org All levels welcome

Jewish Wisdom for Aging Well with Meredith Cahn Location: Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., SR When: The first Thursday of each month from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Fee: $20/session, or $240/year RSVP: (707) 528-4222 or office@jccsoco.org Feel free to bring a lunch

Autobiographical Creative Writing with Dani Burlison Location: Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., SR, Rm 12 &13 When: Mondays, 9:30 AM –12:30 PM (No class Dec. 26 & Jan. 16) Free, drop-ins welcome, open to all Sponsored by Friendship Circle, Santa Rosa Junior College, & Congregation Beth Ami

Exercise Class with Barbara Goodridge Location: Santa Rosa Seventh Day Adventist Church,

840 Sonoma Ave, SR When: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 11:00 AM –12:15 PM (No class Jan. 16) Free, drop-ins welcome, open to all Sponsored by Friendship Circle & Santa Rosa Junior College

Monoprinting & Mixed Media Painting & Collage with Susan St. Thomas Location: South West SRJC campus at 950 S Wright Rd., SR, room 107 When: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM –3:30 PM Free, registration required, contact sstmandala@telis.org Sponsored by Friendship Circle & Santa Rosa Junior College

Clubs and Classes

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • January/February 20173

Although both born and raised in England, Margaret and Shirley didn’t meet until the late l980’s in San Francisco, through Congregation Sha’ar Zahav.

Margaret arrived in the USA as a GI bride. She left behind her parents and two sisters. Her father was George Bernard Shaw’s bibliographer and founded the Shaw Society. Margaret was privileged to meet Mr. Shaw several times. While in California she went to UC Berkeley to study pre-law and then settled in San Diego to raise her three children. She lived in San Diego for 24 years and was very active in B’nai B’rith Women and Women’s American Ort. She left San Diego in 1982 and moved to San Francisco.

Shirley came to the States in 1961, spent a year working in advertising on Madison Avenue (just like “Mad Men!”). Then, alone, took the plunge and had an incredible three-week experience crossing the country via Greyhound. When she landed in San Francisco in 1962, it was a “purely magical city” and she lived there for the next 30 years. She found a career in hotel and travel group sales and was given the opportunity to travel throughout the 50 states as a group tour guide. (Many of us were lucky to have Shirley give us a “tour” of SF on the way to the theater during a recent FC outing). Although the travel business was exciting and incredibly educational, after ten years she wanted to stay home, so she opened a small restaurant/bakery (Noble Pies). However, she felt too confined and later closed it. She then obtained a real estate license and worked in this field for 10 years in S.F.

Meet Friendship Circle MembersMargaret Livingston & Shirley Liberman

Since they moved to Sonoma County, they have been consistent volunteers with many non-profits and, for many years, at Congregation Shomrei Torah. Shirley originated the annual West Sonoma County Spring Home and Garden tour as a fundraiser for the Food for Thought AIDS food bank and ran it for 18 years. Margaret volunteered for some years with Canine Companions for Independence and now volunteers with the Assistance League at their thrift shop downtown.

Margaret and Shirley have enjoyed many years of worldwide traveling, as well as many trips to New York for theater. They both love reading, music, travel, theater and sports and Shirley enjoys playing tennis, pickleball and bridge. They both enjoy Friendship Circle day trips and look forward to many more in the coming years. Although they have been a couple for 26 years, they only married a year ago and Shirley says it now means she legally acquired 8 grandchildren!!! Friendship Circle is proud to announce and welcomes Shirley Lieberman as one of our newest Advisory Committee members.

Please Make a Donation to Friendship CircleHonor someone special, or give in memory of someone you hold dear

I am contributing $ _________ Contribution from :____________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________City/State/Zip:________________________________

Credit Card Number: ___________________________________________Exp. Date:_______________________

We will send a tribute card to the person being acknowledged. Please print all names exactly as you wish them to appear.

In Memory/Honor of: ________________________________________________________________________

Please send an acknowledgement to:_______________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________City/State/Zip:________________________________

We depend on members of our Friendship Circle community for generous donations to support our programs.Your donation is tax-deductible. Thank you for your generosity.

Friendship Circle is a program of the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County, which is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation, a beneficiary of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • January/February 20174

Home Care, Care Management, Transportation, and more

Call 707- 303-1530www.SeniorsAtHome.org

A D I V I S I O N O F J E W I S H F A M I LY A N D C H I L D R E N ’ S S E R V I C E S

Many thanks to the hardworking Hanukkah Party Volunteers who helped make this year’s

celebration such a great success!

You bring the meaning of community to life!

Celebrate the spirit of Tzedakahand the Joy of Tikkun Olam withthe Jewish Community Free Clinic

Become a friend of the JCFCwww.jewishfreeclinic.orginfo@jewishfreeclinic.org

(707) 585-7780

NOW LOCATED

50 Montgomery Dr.

Santa Rosa, 95404

VOLUNTEERS ARE

ALWAYS NEEDED

Thank you to our Hanukkah Party Raffle Donors

Acre Coffee, Artesa Winery, Shelley Bauer,

Nina Bonos, Anne Brisgel, Cape Fear Café, Congregation Shomrei Torah, DiRosa Art

Preserve, Hedda Gold, Geyserville Inn, Hagafen Cellars, Kathleen Higgs, Carol Jarvis, Ray Kaplan,

Susanna Kaplan, Joy Lovinger, Magnolia Salon, Laura Margolis, Oakland Art Museum, Old Chicago Pizza,

Oliver’s Market, Park Avenue Catering, Natasha & Gregorio Pehrson, Roxy Cinemas,

SF Boudin, Renee Shipley, Edythe Smith, Taylor Maid Coffee, Barbara Tobin,

and Kathleen Walker.

Alice Ugarte, Marcia Singer, Liz Hagen & Shelley Bauer (Brookdale

Paulin Creek); Maggie Blanchard & Marcia Gladstone (Brookdale Chanate); Heather Lagerwey & Jerry Newman (Vineyard Commons); Julie Agee

& Marcia Gladstone (Healdsburg Senior Living); Marc Johnson & Norman Eisley (Brush Creek Senior Living); John Gifillan & Bridget Mendoza (Oakmont Gardens), Anastasia

Mestuzzi, Elisabeth Van Nuys, & Harry Wolf (Brookdale Rohnert Park); Rabbi Meredith Cahn (Spring Lake Village); and Natasha Perhson (Russian River JCC).

Your help has brought comfort to so many of our community members, and we greatly

appreciate your support – THANK YOU!

Thank you to all our Hanukkah Outreach Lay Leaders & Volunteers

JCC PresentsContact (707) 528-4222 or

office@jccsoco.org for more information

A Day of Jewish Learning Sunday, February 12

Person Senior Wing at the Finley Community Center Three 1-Hour teaching sessions followed

by a reception. Free

Israeli Film FestivalTuesdays, March 7, 14 and 21

Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol 1:00 & 7:30 PM

Tickets on sale in February

The Annual County-Wide Yom Hashoah Commemoration

Sunday, April 30 Congregation Beth Ami 2:00–4:00 PM

Jewish Cultural Festival Simcha Sunday

Sunday, May 21 Sonoma Mountain Village 12:00–4:00 PM

Welcome to Our New Friendship Circle Members!

Howard Balfour Marlene Glieb Eileen Hammer

Lorrie Hawkins Juli Scherer

Lorie Silver Marge SolomonRuth Thomas

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • January/February 20175

Senior Sojourn: California Coastal CruiseRoundtrip from San Francisco on the Grand Princess

March 25 – April 1, 2017Sail away with the Friendship Circle for 8 days/7 nights on a cruise down our magnificent California coast! Enjoy the camaraderie of long-time and new friends on a beautiful round trip cruise from San Francisco with stops in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles (Long Beach), San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico….plus two days at sea! Escorted by Jalena Mays, JCC Friendship Circle Program Director, and Danielle Vierra of the Osher Marin JCC, who will offer exclusive on-board activities and optional port excursions. The Grand Princess® features deluxe staterooms, multiple dining options,

cozy bars, a piano lounge, relaxing Lotus Spa, swimming pools, fitness center, casino and entertaining shows. Join us and book your cruise by contacting Gale Stanley at Dimensions in Travel: (415) 475-5532 or gale@dimensionsintravel.com.

Fares are per person, cruise-only, based on double occupancy. Cabin Category Rates From Inside $907.00 Outside/Obstructed View $1007.00 Balcony $1307.00 Plus $155.00 for Government Fees and Taxes

More information about this cruise is available on our website www.jccsoco.org. Please contact Jalena with questions: (707) 528-1476 or jalenam@jccsoco.org.

DON’T MISS THE BOAT!Enjoy fun and friends on this close-to-home, no-flying cruise!

Description: Meet Friendship Circle in Las Vegas, for 4 days/3 nights! Get away! Be entertained! Explore many of the city’s cultural, historical, and delectable extravagancies! Enjoy the company of long-time and new friends over a welcome dinner at the Bellagio Resort, tour the Mob Museum, see vistas of the Red Rocks from the top of the High Roller, take in a Cirque du Soleil show, enjoy a three course dinner prior to an additional show at the world class Smith Center for the performing arts, and more! Your stay at the Bellagio Resort features a selection of quality restaurants, fabulous entertainment, a casino, a luxurious pool, the famous Bellagio Fountains, the Gallery of Fine Art, and is home to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden – a must see!

reserve By: Reserve now; space is limited.

cost: Pricing is per person and based on double occupancy. $975 Friendship Circle Member; $1035 Public; $285 Single Supplement

GettinG there: Transportation to and from Las Vegas is not included and must be arranged by each participant independently.

reservation: To request an application, or for more information about this trip, please contact Jalena Mays: (707) 528-1476 or jalenam@jccsoco.org.

More information is available on our website www.jccsoco.org

Oy Vey! Las Vegas 2017!Wed, May 3 – Sat, May 6

Bellagio Resort

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • January/February 20176

Red Hot Mama, The Sophie Tucker Story

Sunday, January 29

Description: Red Hot Mama is the story of the first lady of show businessand contains the music and history of burlesque, vaudeville, Broadway, and Las Vegas. This critically acclaimed one-woman musical biography of the entertainment legend was written by and stars Sharon McNight. It features over two dozen songs made famous by Sophie Tucker, including music by composers Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Henderson, DeSylva, & Brown, and her 1928 million record seller, Jack Yellen’s “My Yiddishe Mama”.

Lunch: We’ll meet for lunch in a private room at the theater. All lunches come with a sandwich, potato chips, a pickle and a cookie. Please choose one of the following options when making your reservation:

Smoked Turkey SandwichTuna Salad Sandwich

Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich

cost: Members $45; Guests $60 (includes boxed lunch, tax, gratuity, and admission to the show).

GettinG there: Drive on your own or request to carpool.Meet us at Cinnabar Theater at 12:30 PM, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N. Parking is limited; please do your best to carpool. From HWY 101 heading south: take the Petaluma Blvd N. / Penngrove exit, turn right onto Petaluma Blvd. N., continue 2 stoplights. Cinnabar Theatre is on the right, immediately after the 2nd stoplight (Skillman Ln.) If you reach Gossage Ave. you’ve gone too far.

Remember to bring your water bottle!

How to Reserve: Reservations for each excursion are limited. Priority is given to Friendship Circle Members and those who have not been able to attend a recent excursion. Please contact Carol at the Friendship Circle office to reserve: (707) 528-1182. As soon as we have confirmed receipt of your reservation via phone, you may pay with your credit card over the phone or mail in your check made out to the JCC, Friendship Circle, 1301 Farmers Lane, Suite C103, Santa Rosa, CA 95405. This will secure your reservation. Please include the name and date of the event on your check. No one is ever turned away based on ability to pay. (Please speak to Jalena in confidence.)

Cancellations result in a $5.00 administration fee. A full refund (less the $5.00) will be given if the cancellation is made two weeks prior to trip date. No refund will be given for cancellations made thereafter.

Medical Emergency Contact Form: We must have an updated medical form on file by the date of departure. When necessary, we will send you a new form to complete and return to the Friendship Circle office prior to the day of the trip. Please call Jalena at (707) 528-1476 if you have any questions.

Rides to and from the bus on the JFCS van may be available upon request at least one week in advance of the trip. Please let us know if you are meeting the bus in Petaluma or if you need a ride to the bus.

Senior Excursions are sponsored with the generous support of the Senior Excursion Fund of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Make your reservation early so you don’t miss out! We strongly encourage those who have

never attended one of our excursions to sign up!

DAY EXCURSIONRegistration Information

Sophie Tucker. Photo by Maurice Seymour.

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • January/February 20177

Join Friendship Circle for Lunch and Theater in Berkeley

Revival & RoeSunday, March 19

Berkeley is an epicenter of endless culinary delights! Join us for a delicious two course lunch at Revival Bar+Kitchen, located just down the street from the Berkeley Repertoire Theater. After lunch we’ll walk as a group to the show!

Description: ROE. Roe v. Wade—the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion is still fiercely debated over 40 years later. In her newest play, acclaimed writer Lisa Loomer cuts through the headlines and rhetoric to reveal the divergent personal journeys of lawyer Sarah Weddington and plaintiff Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”) in the years following the fateful decision. Shocking, humorous, and poignant, Roe reflects the polarization in America today, while illuminating the heart and passion each person has for their cause. This world-premiere production was recently featured in Ashland, Oregon at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and received outstanding reviews.

reserve By: March 1. Limited space available.

Lunch: Please let us know if you are vegetarian when making the reservation.

cost: Members $75; Guests $95 (includes round-trip transportation to the theater, admission to the show, lunch, tax, gratuity, parking, tolls, and snacks along the way). Please bring a recommended $2-4 per person as contribution towards the group bus driver tip.

GettinG there:Bus LEAVES at 10:45 AM from Congregation Beth Ami (4676 Mayette Ave., SR) Bus LEAVES at 11:15 PM from:

Petaluma Community Center (320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma) LEAVING the Berkeley Repertory Theater at APPROXIMATELY 4:45 PM

Lisa Loomer, playwright of Roe. Photo by Jenny Graham

Tour the SF Museum of Modern Art with us!

Thursday, February 9

Description: SFMOMA is dedicated to making the art for our time a vital and meaningful part of public life. For that reason the museum has assembled unparalleled collections, created exhilarating exhibitions, and has developed engaging public programs. Join Friendship Circle and witness the museums recent transformation and expansion after being closed for renovation for three years! The museum now has much more gallery space and is itself a work of art designed by the renowned architecture firm Snøhetta. This trip includes a one-hour, private docent-guided tour featuring highlights of the SFMOMA collection. You will have time to explore and enjoy a no host lunch. There are plenty of places to take a rest, have a bite, and enjoy the view.

Lunch: No host lunch at one of the enticing dining options at the museum

reserve By: January 26. Limited space available

cost: Members $60; Guests $85 (includes round-trip transportation to the museum, admission, private guided tour, parking, tolls, and snacks along the way). Please bring a recommended $2-4 per person as contribution towards the group bus driver tip.

GettinG there:Bus LEAVES at 9:30 AM from Congregation Beth Ami (4676 Mayette Ave., SR) Bus LEAVES at 10 AM from: Petaluma Community Center (320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma) LEAVING the Museum at 2:30 PM

Museum of Modern Art

Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County • Friendship Circle • January/February 2017 8

January/February 2017aDDress service requesteD

This newsletter is a periodical issued bimonthly. It is published by the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County.

Non Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 465Santa Rosa, CA

Friendshipnewsletter

1301 Farmers Lane, Suite C103 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Circle

Friendship Circle is a program of the Jewish Community Center, Sonoma County which is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation, a beneficiary of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Join us on these exciting day trips!Jan 29: Red Hot Mama, CinnabarFeb 9: SF Museum of Modern Art

Mar 19: Revival & RoeSee inside for details

California Coastal Discoveries

Wednesday – SaturdayJune 21 – June 24, 2017

neW overniGht excursion!Don’t miss this opportunity for a 4 day/3 night get-away with Friendship Circle as we discover the gems of California’s central coast! This trip includes: •Round-trip Transportation to San Luis Obispo from Santa Rosa • Three nights at the La Cuesta Inn in San Luis Obispo, (continental breakfast included) • Hearst Castle “Grand Rooms” Tour • Tour of SLO’s Museum of Art, History Center, and Mission de Tolosa • Local Olive Oil and Walnut tasting and farm tours • Performance of Oliver! at the SLO Little Theatre • Two Group Dinners • Four Group Lunches • Visits to Cayucos, Cambria and Morro Bay

cost: Pricing is per person and based on double occupancy.

$1,145 Friendship Circle Member; $1,295 Public; $325 Single Supplement Travel with

Friendship Circle!

Jalena Mays with Jim & Ethel Snarski and Lois & Robin Abramson at the Golden Gate Theatre, SF on 12/4