ConnectionsTemple Emanu-El

Tishrei – Cheshvan,5780 • V. 84 No. 2 October 2019

October Service ScheduleFriday, October 4

7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Shuvah Family Service and Board Installation

Sunday, October 6

1:00 PM Kever Avot at Oak Hill Chapel of the Roses

Tuesday, October 8

7:30 PM Kol Nidre

Wednesday, October 9

9:00 AM Yom Kippur Children’s Service

10:00 AM Yom Kippur Congregational Service

12:30 PM Sermon Discussion with Rabbi Magat

1:00 PM Teen Discussion with Randy Levinson

1:00 PM Social Action/Tikkun Olam Program

2:15 PM Tai Chi

3:15 PM Afternoon Healing Service with Haftarah, led by Ritual Committee

4:00 PM Musical Interlude

4:45 PM Yizkor, Neilah and Havdalah Service

6:30 PM Break The Fast

Friday, October 11

7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Service

Saturday, October 12

9:00 AM Baby Shabbat

Sunday, October 13

5:00 PM Erev Sukkot First Night Fiesta

Tuesday, October 15

6:30 PM Scotch in the Sukkah

Wednesday, October 16

6:30 PM Sangria in the Sukkah

Thursday, October 17

6:30 PM Sushi in the Sukkah

Friday, October 18

6:00 PM Tot Shabbat with Free Dinner

7:00 PM Erev Shabbat Service

Sunday, October 20

5:00 PM Erev Simchat Torah & Consecration

Monday, October 21

9:00 AM Simchat Torah Morning and Yizkor Service

Tuesday, October 25

6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service

L’Shanah Tovah from your

Temple family

1010 University Ave., San Jose, CA 95126 • 408-292-0939 • www.templesanjose.org

facebook.com/templesanjose • twitter.com/templesanjose * admin@templesanjose.org

Mort Berlant and Family

Allan and Judith Bernstein and Family

Dr. Ed and Margie Cahn and Family

Dr. Mike and Ruth Cahn

Barry and Mary Cohen

The Feinman-Marino Family

Marvin and Joan Fox and Family

Michelle and Joe Gabriel

The Gorenberg Family

Beryl and Herm Greenberg

Steve and Arlene Greenberg

Robert and Jo Anne Hersch

Lorie Kaplan

Dan and Shirley Lee

Mort and Marilyn Leiter

Bobi Levine and Family

Marsha and Larry Matheny and Family

Neil and Beverly Mendel

Yvonne Nemec

Sheri Prizant and Family

Fagie Rosen and Family

Jeffrey and Ellen Rudy

Jane Schwartz and Sons

JoAnn Shank and Family

Ginny and Manny Siegler

The Takacs Family

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It is amazing to think that we are in the midst of the High Holy days and we have started the last quarter of this year. Time does go by fast! Thankfully our High Holy Days afford us a wonderful opportunity to pause linear time and to reflect on our lives, our past, our deeds, our accomplishments.

We reflect on where we have been and where we are going. And with time moving so fast, if we do not take these opportunities during the days of awe then there is a good chance time will move right on by and we will have missed our opportunity. So, I encourage all of us to take a deep breath and pause, meditate and contemplate our own lives and the impact our lives has on others.

As I reflect, it feels only like yesterday that our family came to Temple Emanu-El. Filled with hope and excitement we came to this holy congregation never realizing how much at home we would really feel. The year was 1999 and Cheriel and I came with our nearly 9 year old daughter Shira and our little boy, Raya who was not one year.

And that little boy who used to run around the sanctuary turned 21 this summer and Shira is now married and expecting her first child in early November! This is mind blowing!!! Where did all the time go?

We are so proud that we are part of the Temple Emanu-El family. As much as I enjoyed being mostly away this summer, I missed you and our beloved congregation. I guess that is the true test that after being away I was excited to come back!

There is so much happening in our Synagogue and I look forward to sharing more with you and our holy community during these High Holy Days.

May we be inspired to create greater connection with our Synagogue, our community and our families. May 5780 be a year of good health, happiness and love for you and your family.

L’shana Tova,Rabbi Dana L. Magat

Words From the Rabbi

Sukkot celebrations

First Night FiestaSunday, October 13 – 5:00 PM

Bring your dinner, and join together in decorating the sukkah with your Temple family followed by a special Sukkot festival experience.

Scotch in the SukkahTuesday, October 15 – 6:30 PM

Join Brotherhood to sample a variety of scotch and have a delicious steak dinner in our sukkah. Purchase tickets online.

Sangria in the SukkahWednesday, October 16 – 6:30 PM

Join Rabbi Magat and Cantor Edmondson for socializing in the sukkah with festie beverages. (non-alcoholic included)

Sushi in the Sukkah for 20s and 30sThursday, October 17 – 6:30 PM

20s and 30s are welcome to join Cantor Edmondson for a night of free sushi and schmoozing in the sukkah. Please RSVP.

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When I sat down to write this column, I was thinking about how most of you will be reading it between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, because the holidays this year straddle the end of September and the first week of October. That is a very special and vulnerable time for the Jewish people. The Book of Life for the coming year is open. We are examining our past and planning for the future. Are we are the right course? Or does our navigation need some correction?

So I turned to the Machzorim (High Holiday prayer books) for inspiration. And both of them opened to the same part of the liturgy: Kedushat HaShem: Sanctification of God’s name.

What is it that God wants of us? From the Book of Isaiah: “I am sated with the burnt offerings … Cease to do evil; learn to do good. Devote yourselves to justice; defend the oppressed. Uphold the rights of the orphan; plead the cause of the widow.” And the final blessing for that text is: “Source of blessing, Holy God: we exalt You through our righteous deeds.” (page 193, Mishkan HaNefesh, Rosh Hashanah)

From the Yom Kippur machzor, page 371 in the afternoon service, there is a selection originally published in a newspaper from the Warsaw ghetto, as an ethical will: “Judaism, my child, is the struggle to bring God down to earth, a struggle for the sanctification of the human heart. This struggle your people wages not with physical force but with spirit, with sincere, heartfelt prayers, and by constant striving for peace and justice.”

I believe that is what originally brought me back to Judaism — our faith demands of us that we do good in the world. It’s not the words we speak that matter. (Words are cheap, right?) It is our actions that count — it’s how we live our lives.

So let’s take advantage of this precious time to look back on the year past and make plans for the future.

There’s another part of every service about L’dor v’dor — from generation to generation. I want to mention briefly something that happened here on September 8th, which was both the first day of Religious School, and the Temple Emanu-El Preschool (TEPS) back-to-school picnic at the Rose Garden. There were parents waiting for their kindergarteners to come out of the Religious School Building — and, for the most part, these were students who had known each other in our preschool, had graduated in June and were now at different schools. They were excited to see each other and reconnect and the parents were talking about their excitement. How nice to be a place where our young ones stay connected, and hopefully will be part of our b’nai mitzvah class in 8 years.

That’s one. The other is that we are living proof of L’dor v’dor in another way. I’ve been a member of our congregation for 25 years now. At the TEPS picnic, there were adults who grew up at Temple Emanu-El. I remember when they were in Religious School. It is so amazing and gratifying to see that they are now parents of students in the preschool. How wonderful is that?

Liz and I join in wishing you and your families a joyous 5780!

Deborah Zimmer, Temple Emanu-El President

From the President

Members and Friends of Temple Emanu-El

I am so proud of the variety of services, programs, and events that we are able to offer at Temple Emanu-El each year. Just as Rosh Hashanah starts a new year, the holiday also kicks off our 2019 Annual Campaign which we depend on to continue to provide these wonderful programs which help strengthen our sense of identity and community. Once again our goal is $75,000 and it is because of your annual commitment and dedication to this campaign that we are able to remain interesting, relevant, and supportive for all.

As President, I am honored to make the first contribution to the campaign and I hope you’ll help me and the rest of your Board of Trustees achieve or exceed the $75,000 goal! Donation envelopes will be available at all services beginning on Erev Rosh Hashanah, in the Temple administrative office, as well as in the Connections issues through December 31. Every contribution is deeply appreciated and of course tax deductible. Thank you in advance for your support of Temple Emanu-El, and please feel free to call or email the Temple’s administrative staff should you have questions or concerns.

To learn more about the Annual Campaign and donate online, visit: www.templesanjose.org/annualcampaign

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Be A Part Of History……Originally established in 1861, Temple Emanu-El is proud to be the longest continuous operating Reform synagogue in Santa Clara County and one of the oldest on the West Coast. We continue to honor the tradition and heritage of our past while striving to be a dynamic and relevant Jewish presence for our 21st century lives. With the 20/20 Vision Project we are excited to now be building on our synagogue’s rich history with facility enhancements for our generation and those to come!

Temple Emanu-El was and will continue to be at the center of the Reform Jewish community here in Santa Clara County and the West Coast. Join us and be a part of history in the making by supporting our 20/20 Vision project today!

To be a part of this wonderful and exciting project:

• Make a gift online here

• Mail in the pledge card that was included with the letter last week.

For more information on the campaign:

• Click here to visit our 20/20 Vision Website page

• Email the 20/20 Committee or call (408-292-0939)

One of our 20/20 Vision Committee Co-Chairs will get back to you: Larry Fox, Andrew Weinberg, Steve Krandel

Join with your fellow congregants who have already made a gift and be a part of our history today!

Did you know that…• Temple Emanu-El was originally called the San Jose Bickur

Cholim Society (“visiting the sick”). Founders worked to “assist the needy and sick and for the burial of the furtherance of our Holy Religion and Language.”

• Original founders and members met at Old City Hall.

• Masonic Hall served as an acting synagogue building for a time.

• The current synagogue and buildings were constructed between 1948 and 1954.

• The buildings were considered very modern for the times and the synagogue’s concrete dome structure was the first in the area.

• The sanctuary’s beautiful stained glass windows donated in 1996 by Syd Levin in loving memory of his wife Virginia depict the 12 tribes of Israel.

Did you know that the 20/20 project will…• Incorporate Jewish holidays and themes throughout,

including a Sukkot Garden, Crossing Sea of Reeds, and a Palm Garden with olive trees.

• Use Jerusalem Stone and other biblical materials of meaning.

• Create naturally integrated ADA accessibility into the synagogue from both the front and Myrtle Street entrances.

• Provide much needed security and safely updates bringing the facility up to date with current needs.

• Create a beautiful outdoor setting for life cycle event photos in front of the sanctuary stained glass windows.

• Incorporate many “green” features, supporting our belief in environmental responsibility.

• Provide new and comfortable sanctuary seating that offers flexible configurations for multiple service and event layouts.

• Allow Temple Emanu-El to capitalize on its location as companies including Google and Adobe expand in the area bringing with them new families to the Willow Glen, College Park and Rose Garden neighborhoods.

• Help attract young Jewish families to our renowned pre-school and Temple religious school.

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Jason Grant Lissak is thrilled to be called to the Torah on October 19, 2019 as a Bar Mitzvah. His parents, Keith and Michelle Lissak, couldn’t be prouder of the effort he’s put into this joyous occasion. Jason is now in the eighth grade at St. Christopher School in San Jose. He’s an avid soccer player currently on Los Gatos United, and he hopes to play for his high school team and beyond one

day. Jason also loves camping, music and, of course, video games. His latest passion is skateboarding. For his mitzvah project he’s donated time to helping feed and clothe the homeless. Jason and his family can’t wait for the big day!

Eleanor Rose Weinstein, daughter of Judee Weinstein, and granddaughter of the late Sol Weinstein, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, October 26th,2019. Ellie is in 8th grade at Dartmouth Middle School where she is very active in the community. Ellie is a WEB leader, and also as a STEM Girl (Science,Technology, Education and Math). She is president of the

community service organization, CJSF. Ellie works on the school news network, DNN, where she is both in front of, and behind the camera. She enjoys running cross country, and doing track and field. At Temple, Ellie is a Madrichah in Religious School, and also is tutoring Hebrew. She is part of the Beit Noar class. Ellie joined with Graycie Dedering for their joint Mitzvah project in raising over $400 dollars for the Silicon Valley Breast Cancer Society through a bake sale. She is also doing a new project to collect needed items and money for the cat shelter, Town Cats of Morgan Hill. At home Ellie likes reading, baking, sleeping, and has recently started classes in American Sign Language. Ellie adores her cats Boo Boo and Moo Moo, and would love for them to attend her Bat Mitzvah in their bow ties. She has worked hard leading up to this important day, and is excited to celebrate with family and friends, including her Uncle David and Aunt Rose who are coming from as far away as New Zealand.

B’nai MitzvahBrotherhoodFor the Brotherhood of Temple Emanu-El, Fall is probably the busiest season of all. We have just completed our annual membership mailing, so if you haven’t seen it already, gentlemen, be on the lookout for it. Then sign up and come join us, because we have a great combination of activities coming up: Mitzvot for our Temple and ourselves!

As I write this, we Brothers have just completed our annual back-to-school pancake breakfast followed shortly by the back-to-school lunch for the first day of the new Religious School year. It’s always good fun to see all the families showing up at Temple again, and a pleasure to serve everyone those nutritious chocolate chip pancakes to power you through the school day. It was especially good to be able to meet several new families in the school this year. Special thanks to David Wiesner for once again doing the lion’s share of the food preparation for lunch, as well as to all the other Brotherhood members who helped out. We couldn’t do it without you!

Next up for Brotherhood, we’ll be doing our annual move of the “Mobile Bimah” to and from the Campbell Community Center for the High Holy Days. This is a significant effort every year, and this year we are still in need of volunteers, especially on the day after Yom Kippur, when we need to move the Bimah back to the Temple. If any of you have been looking for an opportunity to help us, this would be a great one.

After that, we’ll be doing our annual Sukkah construction in the courtyard on Sunday 10/13, followed by the Sukkah de-construction on Monday 10/21. The good news on this one is that we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor – as well as a steak dinner and the fermented fruits of Scottish barley fields – when we host Scotch in the Sukkah on Tuesday, October 15. Look for details on the event in the Temple calendar and in upcoming email newsletters.

And last, but not least, we are beginning to plan an outing to the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival in late October or early November. We typically plan a dinner and movie together on one weeknight during the festival, so be on the lookout for those details, too.

That’s all for now! Have a great month, and if you want to get in touch with us for more information on any of the above, feel free to email me at brotherhood@templesanjose.org.

Shannon BrownBrotherhood President 2019-2020

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SisterhoodI would first like to wish everyone a very healthy and happy New Year. Hopefully, it has been a very good new year so far, with lots of family, friends and good food. I have a story to share with all of you about a recent trip I took to New York.

My husband, Neil, and I just came back from a trip to the East Coast, the last 2 weeks of August. We were there to attend a wedding of our good friend’s younger son in Frederick, Maryland. Neil, being a New Yorker, feels that no trip to the East Coast is complete without spending some time in the old neighborhood so he can get his “deli” and “pizza” fix. So, after the wedding, we went to New York to help satisfy his food cravings. What we discovered there was extraordinary (and I’m not talking about food now but something more serious). We

last visited New York in 2017, so not that much time had passed, but the changes we saw in that short period were extremely obvious. You would generally only see a large police presence in Time Square. Now it is everywhere!! Given the times we live in, with all of the mass shootings that are in the news on a weekly or sometimes daily basis, this was a shocking, frightening and sobering reality of what our country has become. I felt very safe there but it was almost like living in a police state. I’ve visited other countries where you would see soldiers walking around with machine guns, and I would always think how sad it was that they had to live that way. Now it has literally hit home!

This New Year, more than ever before, I pray that we may live in peace. I also pray for the safety of our

country, as well as all of the countries around the world that have known violence. From my family to yours, I would like to wish everyone a Shana Tova, a very healthy, happy and sweet New Year.

The picture below is from Katz’s Deli in New York City. (Corned Beef on Rye, dill pickles, Chocolate Egg Cream and a potato Knish). It was delicious, by the way!!!

Beverly Mendel, Sisterhood President

Religious School is in full swing now and the “Chaggim” – the High Holiday season which concludes with Simchat Torah, is also in full swing. There will be holiday disruptions and the calendar flow will make things a bit choppy, but the energy and enthusiasm from the students is always awesome!

Besides having the students engaged in learning about Israel, Torah, prayer, Hebrew, holidays, history, and Am Yisrael (the Jewish peoplehood), our school really tries to teach the students in these areas through different modalities. Art and music are very prevalent on Sunday mornings and add depth to what is being covered in the classroom. If a student is learning about the Creation story, he/she is not only looking at the Torah text or a Torah story (depending age level), but they are also kinesthetically engaged with the material through art and music. The holistic approach towards learning, along with the fun and exciting atmosphere in and around the building, is what helps the students at TEE know they are not at their

“parent’s religious school”. We also integrate camp into the curriculum by having our URJ Camp Directors come and “take over” the Religious School in November, as well as having our teachers offer Chuggim (choices/electives) as another portal into Jewish learning. Studies have shown that the best way to ensure a vibrant life-long Jewish involvement is to expose young people to camp/youth group activities. My quest as a Jewish educator has always been to break the cycle of suffering at religious school and to ensure that the Jewish youth of today know that it is “cool” to be Jewish and to have a positive relationship with learning and with synagogue. I am positive that this is being achieved at TEE.

All of this work is helped with a terrific teaching staff, a wonderful cadre of volunteer parents who help in the classrooms, the halls, the Temple House, and during our monthly Education Committee meetings, and having a strong team of teen Madrichim is a huge bonus. Come by and check out what we do on a Sunday morning. I am positive you will agree that TEE is the place to be!

Phil Hankin, MAJE, Director of Education phil@templesanjose.org

Religious School

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PreschoolWhat a wonderful start we have had to our school year. We are filled with old and new friends and everyone has settled into their new classes. For many of our friends, starting preschool is the

first time that the children have been cared for someone other than family. It is a huge adjustment for both the child and the parents, but fortunately we have an amazing community and everyone is getting the encouragement that they need. As we roll into October we are excited

to celebrate the High Holy Days, especially blowing the shofar with Rabbi and decorating the Sukkah. In addition we are looking forward to our Round Table Pizza night. Please consider joining us or ordering takeout and support our art program. The world of preschool is definitely the best place to be!

Barbara Smead,

Director of Early Childhood Education

Barbara@templesanjose.org

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2019

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A  Ritual Committee AI thought that I might write this article describing the upcoming holidays this month and especially encouraging everyone to attend all the joyous celebrations that are available. I am particularly fond of Simchat Torah, when we see the entire Torah scroll open and surrounding the Sanctuary. However, I realized that there will probably be many articles describing upcoming events, and I decided to share a more personal story.

I am, as you may know, a Jew by Choice. I was raised in a secular home without any formal religious education. My mother was raised in the Church of England, but stepped a bit back from that faith by coming to the conclusion that Jesus’ teachings would be just as inspirational if one considered him a mortal man and she felt that the Church may have gone too far in deifying him. She would pray to the Father, but never the “Son.” My father was a scientist and steadfastly denied any belief in God, although he did believe in an Order to the Universe (capitalizations mine…) I grew up thinking of myself as some sort of a “generic Christian,” but if I ever went to Church with school friends, I would come away thinking, “That was way too ‘Jesus-y’ for me.”

Now after the education that I have experienced at Temple Emanu-El to complete my conversion, and as we approach Yom Kippur, I am reminded of my earliest concept of God, which came to me even though I lacked formal religious training in my youth. While in college and living in the dorms, a friend had fallen on sad times and was not thinking well of herself. I took her into my room, lit a candle and explained my philosophy:

“Look at the small flame of this candle and compare its essence with that of the sun. Now imagine that this candle is your soul and the sun is God. In reality, God is

even greater than the sun and so vast and magnificent that we are not able to comprehend all that God is, but thinking of this candle in comparison to the sun gives a glimmer of perspective. This candle is small and the light that it casts is dim in comparison, but its essence and that of the sun are basically the same. And so it is with us. Our soul is like a spark of God and so is the soul of everyone we meet. I believe it is our task in life to remember this and recognize the lights that are the souls of our fellows, and do what we can to make them shine brighter. I know that times are difficult for you right now, but I want you to know that I see the spark that is a reflection of God in you and it is beautiful.”

It is interesting to note that at the time I originated this candle ceremony in response to the need of a friend, I had never heard anyone describe a person’s soul as a spark of divinity. However, roughly a year later, when I came to consider Judaism, I intuitively knew that this was a Jewish concept. My mother originally said to me, “Melenie, you’re doing Love thy Neighbor with a candle!” although now I would say that it is more accurately B’tzelem Elohim with a candle.

As we look back over the last year and review our dealings with our fellows, it is time to ask ourselves if we have treated each of them as one whose core essence is a spark of the Divine. Have we ourselves acted according to our divine spark, or have we let mundane issues and human frailty get in the way?

I leave you with that thought to ponder and wish that we all find merit to be inscribed in the Book of Life. Shana Tovah!

Melenie Noble Pearson, Ritual Committee

Mazel TovTemple Emanu-El would like to recognize Hannah Blitchok and Sarah Vogler for participating in the Teen Interfaith Program. The Teen Interfaith Leadership Council seeks to engage and inform teenagers about issues of social justice through acts of charity and advocacy.

Kever AvotOctober 6 at 1:00 PM

Chapel of Roses at the Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose.

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On a warm summer evening, almost 100 temple members and guests gathered in four different homes throughout Santa Clara Valley to celebrate Havdalah, the ending of Shabbat.

Thanks to Bruce Frederick, Robin Feinman-Marino, Kelley and Eric Snider, and Dan and Shirley Lee for hosting. Highlights: Robin treated her guests to pizza from her very own outdoor pizza oven. The Sniders had the most people, with 30 attending. Bruce had the biggest age range—10 months to 92 years. One of the Lees’ guests expressed the feelings of many when he said “This is my favorite temple event. I look forward to it every year!”

In fact, our Summer Havdalah is such a successful event, we will be having a Winter Havdalah on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Neighborhood Havdalah Recap

The High Holy Days aren’t done yet! We’ve got Simchat Torah coming up soon! Join us as we celebrate reading through the entire Torah and starting anew! We’re also recognizing students who are brand new to our Religious school.

October 20

5:00 PM Pizza dinner for Congregation

5:30 PM Erev Simchat Torah Service, Consecration of students new to our Religious School and Israeli Dancing

October 21

9:00 AM Simchat Torah Morning and Yizkor Service

Simchat Torah

Who has the authority to speak on behalf of God? This week’s parsha, Shof’tim, addresses this timeless issue. God declares, through his prophet Moses, that the Eternal will “raise up” another like Moses and put words in their mouth. Those words are commands, and anyone who fails to heed them will be held accountable. But how can you tell a true prophet from false? The immediate answer in the text is superficially circular: if the prophet’s oracles did not come true, then they were a false prophet.

Joseph Heller, in the 1950s, wrote a story based on politics of the time and his experiences as a bombardier in World War II. The novel’s name has since become synonymous with this type of circular reasoning, summed up with this quote: “Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can’t stop them from doing.”

So, who has the authority to speak on behalf of God? Those who speak on behalf of God. While this portion of Deuteronomy may leave us with this Catch-22, we only have to look further through our Holy Texts to find clear, unambiguous examples of prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and dozens others. These prophets threaten the status quo, speaking up with opinions righteous but unpopular to those in power, and suffer as a consequence. Jeremiah is thrown into a dungeon, Uriah is killed by the king, and Zechariah is stoned to death. But their status as true prophets of God is sanctioned by our holiest of texts.

Did the age of prophecy end with the completion of the Torah? Or do modern prophets still exist? Just yesterday we observed Labor Day -- honoring the labor movement

in our country. Growing out of poor working conditions of the Industrial Revolution, the labor movement has closer connections to trade unions and socialism than it does Judaism.

But the Jewish connection is not as far away as it might at first appear. The Torah itself speakers directly on behalf of the workers in Deuteronomy 24:14: “You must not withhold the wages of a poor or struggling hired worker. … You must give him his wages on the day they are due, and not let the sun set upon him, for he is poor, and he endangers his life [to work for you].” And Zionism’s origins were solidly intermixed with the same ideas espoused in Labor Day. Joseph Trumpledor, a Russian Jew whose ideas set in motion the first Kibbutz, said, “The dream of Zionism, rebuilding the Jewish national home, could only be implemented through the agency of the Jewish working class, a working class that would be reconstructed in the land of Israel.”

When the words of the Torah were first written, and it was said that another “like Moses” would rise up, socialism and the labor movement was still over 2000 years coming. But it is obvious that the values found in our earliest Jewish texts continue to be relevant, if not always popular with those in power, and prophets, no matter what we call them, are still needed to speak out on behalf of those who cannot. Do those in power have the right to do anything we cannot stop them from doing? The Torah, delivered through the mouths of prophets, ancient and otherwise,

Branden Frederick, d’var for Board

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My Take on Torah

Green Team volunteers and our Temple staff worked closely with the County’s Green Business coordinator to complete an extensive checklist of tasks that took over a year to complete.

The list focused on our use of energy, water, and chemicals. As well as how we manage our trash. The process started with a series of audits. We then proceeded to address the issues identified during the audits.

We replaced all the incandescent and florescent bulbs with LEDs in the

Temple House, BFR, and Religious school building. We installed low flow aerators in our faucets. We switched to environmentally sensitive soaps and paper goods. Finally, we added additional recycling bins to separate dry paper from the

rest of the waste stream.

I would like to thank the members of the Green Team and Stephanie

for their tenacity in completing this process. There were definitely a few bumps in the road but we persevered. We can now display our certification with pride.

We, of course, cannot rest on our laurels. The environmental challenges we face are tremendous. If you have any other thoughts on how the Temple or its congregants can reduce their environmental footprint, please email me at robertlouislevy@msn.com.

Robert Levy

Green TeamCongratulations to our Temple Emanu-El Green Team. Last month, Temple Emanu-El was officially certified as a Green Business by the State of California.

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Cohort Taught by TEE Clergy and Dir of Education, Phil Hankin

Our two year Adult B’nai Mitzvah program (concluding in May 2021) provides a chance for adults who have never had a Bar/Bat Mitzvah to participate in group study that will culminate in being called to the Torah and leading Shabbat Services for the entire congregation.

This program is designed only for those members of Temple Emanu-El who want to broaden their Judaic knowledge and experience. Past participants have commented that the B’nai Mitzvah experience has helped strengthen their Jewish identity and enhanced their connections to our Jewish community in ways they never imagined. It is a moving and emotional experience and one that you will always cherish. (Enrolling in Beginning Adult Hebrew a Pre-requisite – see below). Cost: TBD

Beginning Adult Hebrew Taught by TEE Dir of Education, Phil Hankin, on either Sunday afternoons (12:45 PM-1:45 PM) or Wednesday evenings (5:00 PM-6:00 PM). Classes begin Sunday, October 13 and Wednesday, October 16.

Study God in Search of Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel. With Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia. Free! No experience necessary, and new students are welcome. You don’t need to register, just drop in. Cost: $36 for supplies

Fasts, Feasts, and Festivals: The Jewish Year Taught by TEE congregant and Chair of the Ritual Committee, Branden Frederick (10:15 AM-11:15 AM, Sundays; October 6)

Some festivals we celebrate together as a community, some we observe quietly at home, and some we don’t even acknowledge. Join our discussion as we delve into the Hebrew Calendar, de-mystifying the minor holidays, and deepening our understanding of the major ones. We’ll look at the prayers central to each of the festivals, talk about their historic roots, match the holidays up with the agricultural cycle, and seek to understand Reform Judaism’s unique approach towards these ancient (and not-so-ancient) observances. Cost: $18 for TEE members; $25 for non-TEE members

November: Fasts, Feasts, and Festivals:

The Jewish YearFinding GodHillel and Shammai

December:Finding GodHillel and ShammaiThe Maccabees: Heroes or

Villains

UPCOMING CLASSES

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Campership FundBrian & Mira Karp

in memory of Sara Gordon

Facilities For Aged FundWanda Pollack

in memory of Rose Steinberg

General FundElizabeth & Joseph Bottero

in memory of Ray Levine

Herm & Beryl Greenberg in memory of Sam Penner

Herm & Beryl Greenberg in memory of Mildred Penner

Flowers by Janet

Mr. Gordon Schneiderman in memory of Israel Schneiderman

Harold Cahn Prayerbook FundDr. Michael & Ruth Cahn

in memory of Gail Cahn

Judith Jurman Omens Cemetery Beautification FundHerm & Beryl Greenberg

in memory of Al Greenberg

Herm & Beryl Greenberg in memory of Mickey Penner

Phyllis Matzner Campership FundETC group friends

in loving memory of Paul Bender

Fagie and family in memory of Paul Bender

Rabbi’s Discretionary FundDr. Allan & Judith Bernstein

in memory of Ruth Bernstein

Dr. Allan & Judith Bernstein in memory of Nathan Primack

Dr. Michael & Ruth Cahn in memory of Gail Cahn

Robert & Rhonda Hansen in appreciation of Rabbi Dana Magat

Religious School Bagel FundDeanne Ball

Robin Feinman-Marino & Fabio Marino

Jessica & Christopher Lee-Messer

Amy Miller & Ashley Wagner

Adan & Denise Moreno

Nathan & Maia Perez

Karen White & Paula Folawn

Scholar in Residence FundRobert and Margaret Cant

in memory of Naomi Mayer

Robert and Margaret Cant in memory of Thomas Ivy

Susan C. Blickman Arts and Crafts FundMargie Blickman

in honor of the special birthday of Sandy Epstein

Thank You for Your Generous Contributions

This list includes contributions made on or between 08/15/2019–09/09/2019.

If you would like to make a contribution, visit www.templesanjose.org

Adult Education at the Temple Emanu-ElLooking for Jewish education for adults? Here’s what’s coming up at TEE in October.

Connections

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Those who have died recently

Jackie Fazzio, wife of Joe Fazzio

Jill Wernick, wife of Stephen Wernick

And those we have lost in years past

October 4 | Charlotte Axelrod, Rose Berg, Harvey Berger, Anna Block, Max Bloom, Benjamin Bochner, Ann Brecker, Genia Cintz, Bertha Doblin, Dee Erlichman, Benjamin J. Fadem, Henry Ferguson, Eva Fredkin, Murray Hirsch, David Jackel, Robert Kass, Gerald Kotlier, Florence Kristal, Jack Levine, Jules Loventhal, E. Kenneth Miller, Alfred Morris, Henry Mowry, Mary Pintoff, Esther Reiser, Mary Rosenberg, Bessie Rosenberg, Harry Rosenthal, Harry Rubenstein, Charles Rubin, Irwin Rusnak, Alexandra Sargent, Ahron Segal, Joseph Silverman, Lena Kasner Silverman, Annie May Simerly, Dorie Smolen, Sylvia Sokol, Judy Wachs, Helen Wallach, Joseph Wasserman, Kurt Weinberg, Marvin Weissman, Virginia Williams, Sheila Wills

October 11 | Jean Barsky, Sharon Chastain, Bernard Delman, Kenneth Douglas, Dorothy Edinson, Samuel Fishelberg, Eugene Foxman, Henry Frank, Ellen Sue Freiberg, Robert Friedman, George Friedman, Katherine Gold, Isaac Goldstein, Jack Graff, Rick Hoffman, Fanny Katz, Grace Hirsch Laevsky, Jacob Levin, Jonathan Lotman, Sol Manning, Jack Markus, Jacob S. Mehlman, Ruth Mendel, Abram Merzlyak, Abe Ofsaiof, Edna Schaar, Perla Sciupac, Vivian Sessions, Ronald Sherman, Lily Shulman, Loren Siegel, Jonathan Sievers, Louis Silverman, Anita Sommer, Edna Taber, Florence Weiss, Bill Winter, Marilyn Zelinsky, Cathy Zimmer

October 18 | Abraham Abelson, Fanny Elka Abelson, Benjamin Aronowitz, Ben Avrech, Ben Avrech, Charles Broder, Bayla Bryman, Lee Chandler, Harold Chusid, Paul Davis, Lena Fink, Milton Fox, Sydney Friedman, Paul Greebler, Louis Harkavy, Mollie Herman, Irving Jacobs, Henny Just, Mollie Kadish, Marian I Kaplan, Maggie Larsen, Lee Levine, Leon Livchitz, Joel Loren, Alan Loth, Herbert Matties, Meta Mendel, Ralph Muslin, John Reznikov, Reva Rothenberg, Jack Rubenstein, Nellie Schier, Frances Schulman, David Silen, Besse Slonaker, Jennie Solomon, Arthur Spector, Marc G. Terziev, Bernice Testa, Franciska Weinberg, Cecil Weintraub, Ruth Zenver

October 26 | Rose W. Aronoff, Anna Berman, Carol Chusid, Celia Edelstein, David A. Feldman, Max Feldman, Jim Fenner, Andrea Gabbert, Sharon Gold, Charles Gold, Pearl Goldstein, Frieda Gordon, Monroe J. Hartfield, Jerald W. Hunter, Max Kivetz, Myer Kramer, Louis Landman, Virginia Lee, Bernice Lehman, Lionel Leiter, Sadye Lewis, Shulamith Lubin, Joe Marchick, Sidney Marsh, Lillie Mehr, Paulette Michel, Anna Myerfeld, Morris Myers, Gussie Panikoff, Max Polsky, Bernard Richman, Gertrude Rott, Moritz Golden Roy, Dr. David G. Roy, Stanley Shine, Sophie Silverstein, Bernard Smulyan, Rosalie Sogolow, Sam Spinner, Albert Tidwell

We Remember

September 20, 2019 | Debra & Donald Wannamaker in memory of David Goldberg

September 27, 2019 | The Frederick Family, in loving memory of John Heldt; Ann Lee in honor of baby naming

Sponsor an OnegSpecial Occasions: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Graduations

Memorials: In memory of a loved one’s Yahrzeit

There are two ways to sponsor: Bring 3 platters of food OR donate, and food platters will be prepared on your behalf.

Sign up by contacting admin@templesanjose.org.

Oneg Sponsors

Connections

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svjff.orgO C T 2 7– N OV 1 72 8 T H A N N U A L

OCT 27–NOV 17 NEW VENUE: In addition to AMC Saratoga 14 and

the OFJCC in Palo Alto, we are pleased to add CinéArts in Palo Alto for the 2019 Festival.

2019 SCHEDULE 2019 SPECIAL EVENTSOPENING NIGHT: OCT 27 | 6:30PM | OFJCCFeaturing The Picture of His Life and special guests Amos Nachoum, the subject of the film; director Dani Menkin, and executive producer Uri Eisen. Discussion and reception to follow.

ASK DR. RUTH: OCT 28 | 7:15PM | CINÉARTSFeaturing Ask Dr. Ruth and invited guests Miriam Westheimer and Joel Westheimer, children of Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

CENTERPIECE EVENT: NOV 6 | 7:15PM | CINÉARTS& NOV 7 | 4:30PM | AMC 14Featuring Working Woman and special guests Illana Shoshan-Diamant, co-founder of Women’s Empowerment Foundation; and Ann Ravel, CA State Senate candidate. Discussion and reception to follow.

CLOSING NIGHT: NOV 17 | 6:30PM | OFJCCFeaturing Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles and special guests director Max Lewkowicz and actor and Michael BernardiDiscussion and reception to follow.

TICKETS & INFO:SVJFF.ORG800-838-3006

OFJCC OCT 27, 6:30 PM Picture of His Life CINÉARTS OCT 28, 5:00 PM Abe* CINÉARTS OCT 28, 7:15 PM Ask Dr. Ruth CINÉARTS OCT 29, 4:30 PM Carl Laemmle* CINÉARTS OCT 29, 6:45 PM Simon and Théodore* CINÉARTS OCT 30, 4:30 PM Redemption*CINÉARTS OCT 30, 7:00 PM The Passengers CINÉARTS OCT 31, 4:30 PM King Bibi* CINÉARTS OCT 31, 6:30 PM Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People* CINÉARTS OCT 31, 8:30 PM Echo CINÉARTS NOV 2, 6:30 PM Marianne and Leonard: Words of Love* CINÉARTS NOV 2, 8:45 PM Leona* CINÉARTS NOV 3, 2:00 PM The Tobacconist* CINÉARTS NOV 3, 4:30 PM Golda* CINÉARTS NOV 3, 6:30 PM My Polish Honeymoon* CINÉARTS NOV 3, 8:30 PM Shai K. CINÉARTS NOV 4, 4:30 PM The Accountant of Auschwitz* CINÉARTS NOV 4, 6:30 PM 93 Queen* CINÉARTS NOV 4, 8:45 PM Family In Transition CINÉARTS NOV 5, 4:30 PM You Only Die Twice*CINÉARTS NOV 5, 6:30 PM The Day After I’m Gone* CINÉARTS NOV 5, 8:45 PM Amos Oz: The Nature of Dreams CINÉARTS NOV 6, 4:30 PM The Jewish Underground* CINÉARTS NOV 6, 7:15 PM Working Woman* AMC14 NOV 7, 4:30 PM Working Woman* AMC14 NOV 7, 7:15 PM The Jewish Underground* AMC14 NOV 8, 1:30 PM A Fortunate Man AMC14 NOV 9, 6:00 PM Marianne and Leonard: Words of Love* AMC14 NOV 9, 8:15 PM Abe* AMC14 NOV 10, 2:00 PM My Polish Honeymoon* AMC14 NOV 10, 4:00 PM Simon and Théodore* AMC14 NOV 10, 6:00 PM Standing Up, Falling Down AMC14 NOV 10, 8:30 PM Golda* AMC14 NOV 11, 4:00 PM 93 Queen* AMC14 NOV 11, 6:00 PM Carl Laemmle* AMC14 NOV 11, 8:15 PM The Unorthodox AMC14 NOV 12, 4:30 PM The Accountant of Auschwitz* AMC14 NOV 12, 6:30 PM King Bibi* AMC14 NOV 12, 8:30 PM Redemption* AMC14 NOV 13, 4:00 PM The Tobacconist* AMC14 NOV 13, 6:30 PM You Only Die Twice* AMC14 NOV 13, 8:30 PM Shoelaces AMC14 NOV 14, 4:00 PM The Spy Behind Home Plate AMC14 NOV 14, 6:30 PM Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People* AMC14 NOV 14, 8:30 PM The Day After I’m Gone* AMC14 NOV 16, 6:00 PM The Other Story AMC14 NOV 16, 8:30 PM Leona* OFJCC NOV 17, 6:30 PM Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles

*Indicates two screenings during the Festival

If you would like to advertise in Temple Emanu-El’s Connectionscontact Oliver Housman at oliver@templesanjose.org.

Connections

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14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032

Jewish education, enrichment classes, tness, aquatics, camp, after-school activities, cultural programs, eventrentals, and more.

www.apjcc.org

Connections

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Clergy____________________________________________________________Dana Magat | Senior Rabbi – rabbimagat@templesanjose.orgAmanda Edmondson | Cantor – cantoramanda@templesanjose.orgJoseph Gitin, D.D. (z”l) | Rabbi Emeritus

Committee Chairs__________________________________________________Bobi Levine/Rebecca Frederick | Havurot Coordinatorsr – havurah@templesanjose.orgDan Lee | Membership Commitment – dues@templesanjose.orgUri Gottfeld | Facilities – facilities@templesanjose.orgJamie Gold | Marketing – marketing@templesanjose.orgBranden Frederick | Ritual – ritual@templesanjose.orgRobert Levy | Tikkun Olam – to@templesanjose.orgTBD | Membership – membership@templesanjose.orgTBD | Leadership Development – leadership@templesanjose.orgMira Karp | Religious School – rscommittee@templesanjose.orgFagie Rosen and Harriet Saltzman | Caring Committee – caring@templesanjose.orgTBD | Endowment Committee – endowment@templesanjose.orgDenise Moreno | Preschool Committee – pscommittee@templesanjose.org

Staff_____________________________________________________________Stephanie Pollock | Executive Director – stephanie@templesanjose.org | 408-292-0939 ext. 233Barbara Smead | Director, Early Childhood Education – barbara@templesanjose.org | 408-293-8660 | #434404443Phil Hankin | Director of Education – phil@templesanjose.org | 408-292-3223Shantha Smith | Bookkeeper – shantha@templesanjose.org | 408-292-0939 x235Iris Bendahan | Administrative Assistant & Clergy Support – iris@templesanjose.org | 408-292-0939 x 231Oliver Housman | Marketing & Communications Coordinator – oliver@templesanjose.org | 408-292-0939 x234Cherie Ravel | Cemetery Administrator – cherie@templesanjose.org | 408-674-5867

Board of Trustees__________________________________________________Deborah Zimmer | President – president@templesanjose.orgEric Snider | Secretary – secretary@templesanjose.orgJamie Gold | VP Membership – vpmembership@templesanjose.orgLarry Fox | VP Development – vpdevelopment@templesanjose.orgDavid Heiman | Treasurer – treasurer@templesanjose.orgIlene Tucker | VP Administration – vpadmin@templesanjose.orgSherri Wiesner | VP Education and Youth – vprey@templesanjose.orgAndrew Weinberg | Immediate Past President

Auxiliaries________________________________________________________Shannon Brown | Brotherhood President – brotherhood@templesanjose.orgBeverly Mendel | Sisterhood President – sisterhood@templesanjose.orgSamuel Messinger | EESY President – youthgroup@templesanjose.org

CONNECTIONS is published 10 times a year by Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose, CA 95126.

Award/Operating and Tribute FundsGeneral FundRabbi’s Discretionary FundCantor’s Discretionary FundAlvin Ravel Garden FundBeverly Jordan Temple Beautification FundJudith Jurman Omens Cemetery

Beautification FundLou and Clara Juren Library FundRalph Goldeen Library FundEndowment Fund

Religious FundsHarold Cahn Prayerbook FundKenneth Gordon Children’s Prayerbook FundSusanne & Maurice Tucker High Holy Days

Music FundIda F. Kragen Consecration and Caring Fund

Youth FundsReligious School FundReligious School Enrichment FundBetty Rinsler Religious SchoolEndowment FundWeintraub Religious School Scholarship FundYouth Enrichment FundLeonard and Bernice Gaon Campership FundMichael Elman Campership FundMilton Fox Campership FundPhyllis Matzner Campership FundIsrael Scholarship FundSusanne C. Blickman Arts and Crafts FundSid Rosenberg Religious School Senior Trip

Fund

Cultural FundsChoir FundPhyllis Omel Junior Choir FundBertram Berns Music FundShank-Rockman Family Sound System FundScholar in Residence Fund

Community FundsAccompaniment Fund Facilities for the Aged Fund (Chai House)JoAnne Salman-Tehrani Homeless Fund

Other Tribute Opportunities$36 - Prayerbook Tribute$218/$500/$750 - Tree of LifeLeaf/small/large rock$500 - Sanctuary Chair Plaque$750 - Memorial Plaque (in sanctuary foyer)

Opportunities in Levin Learning Center$5,000 - Stair Plaque$10,000 - Library Column Dedication$25,000 - Room Dedication

Contact the Admin team for additional opportunities.

Making a contribution to one of Temple Emanu-El’s many funds is a wonderful way to honor your friends and family. You may make contributions in honor of a birth, a birthday, brit milah, baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, graduation, engagement, wedding, anniversary, promotion, new home, special occasion or just because. You may also make contributions for get-well wishes, condolences, remembrances and yahrzeits.

Non-Profit Org.US POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No. 542San Jose, CA

1010 University Ave.San Jose, CA 95126

Jessica Blitchok Christina BlueDr. Nathaniel Cohen

Branden Frederick Kim Jackman Mira Karp

Steve KrandelShirley LeeDenise Moreno

Fagie RosenRichard RusnakSteve Wernick