inside this month’s voice congregation sinai presents ... · evil, and speak no evil.” i have...

FEBRUARY 2016 SH’VAT/ADAR I 5776

The Voice of Sinai 1

For Members and Friends of Congregation Sinai1532 Willowbrae Ave. San Jose, CA 95125 www.sinai-sj.org

Inside This Month’s Voice

RABBI’S MESSAGE 2The Tribes of Israel

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 3

NURSERY SCHOOL 4

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 5

YOUTH EDUCATION 6

YOUTH ACTIVITIES 6

TEEN EVENTS 7

UPCOMING EVENTS 8iEngage 2.0, Jewish Medical Ethics, Music, Magic & Mirth, Sinai Super Bowl 50 Party, Committee Invigoration Workshop

PLUS:CALENDAR 11TODAH RABAH 15TRIBUTE FUNDS 16-17YAHRZEITS 18

Reserve your ticket:

Music, Magic and MirthFebruary 6

Congregation Sinai connects people to Judaism, each other, Israel, and the world

CONGREGATION SINAI PRESENTS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016, 7:30 PM

FEATURING

DAN ST.PAULAcclaimed Stand-up Comic

MAGIC GALOREAstonishing onstage and walk-about acts

MUSICSinai's Jazz Trio

SILENT AUCTIONGourmet dinners, Jewelry, Theater, Vacation homes,

Tequila tasting, and so much more!

COCKTAILS, HORS D'OEUVRES AND DESSERT RECEPTIONFrom Royal Liquors and Deliciously Yours Catering.

Make your reservations TODAY!

Call the Sinai office at 408-264-8542 or register online: www.sinai-sj.org/MMM2016

$40 per person in advance$50 at the door

One drink included

1532 Willowbrae Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 | (408) 264 - 8542 | o�[email protected] | www.sinai-sj.org

MUSIC, MAGIC & MIRTHTHE ROARING 20’S



RabbiJosh Berkenwald

[email protected] DirectorJoelle Pluemer

[email protected] DirectorJamie Zimmer

[email protected] School DirectorIfat Kantorovich

[email protected] AssistantAndrew Tubbs

[email protected]

PresidentJoseph KulakofskyFirst Vice PresidentJosh RozaTreasurerTed MarksFinancial SecretaryMartin SnitowRecording SecretaryCindy LevinsonImmediate Past PresidentJerry Lopatin

Directors

Congregation Sinai1532 Willowbrae AvenueSan Jose, CA 95125Email: [email protected]: 408-264-8542Fax: 408-264-4316Website: www.sinai-sj.org

Rina AmirJanet Dombro

David FernandezSheri Klapper

Yuval MinkowskiDanice Picraux

Adam PluemerJeff Salowe

Ilana WestermanEllen Tobin

Miriam Leiseroff - SisterhoodGary Richman - Men’s Club

Jonathan Dombro - USY

Rabbi’s MessageThe Tribes of Israel

Following the news from Israel can be an emo-tional roller coast-er for us: random attacks against Israeli civilians; Palestinians killed while protesting; expansion of settlements in the West Bank; fights over women’s access to the Western Wall; strug-gles by liberal denominations to gain more recognition against ultra-orthodox hegemony; high tech innovation; the threat from Iran…

Binary explanations of these issues that depict the various conflicts as Jews vs. Muslims, Israelis vs. Palestinians, Secular vs. Religious, etc. cause us to oversimplify issues and make the prospects for peace even more distant. To truly begin to under-stand current events, we must have a deeper appreciation of the diverse makeup of Israeli society.

Starting Thursday, February 4, I will be facilitating a class called The Tribes of Israel: A Shared Homeland for a Divided People. Utilizing a combination of video lectures, text studies, and conversations, participants will learn about the diverse “tribes” that constitute Israel: their origins, their concerns, and their struggles. Among Israeli Jews, we will explore the ultra-Orthodox, religious Zionist, “traditional,” secular, and non-

Rabbi Josh Berkenwald

Jewish tribes. (Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Come find out why.) We will learn about the Arab Palestinian communities, as well as the North American Jewish communities. How these various “tribes” interact (or fail to interact) in the Israeli public sphere will then be the topic for the second half of the course.

The course is part of the iEngage series sponsored by the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Last year, I taught the iEngage 1.0 course before I left for my sabbatical, and I found the material to be informative, insightful, and provocative. Its premise was that Zionism needs to be rooted in positive Jewish values in order to address the core issues facing Israel today. Participants and I gained tremen-dous insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Israel today. I have had numerous additional opportunities to learn with Hartman scholars over the past several years, including par-ticipating in the ten day Hartman Rabbinic Seminar in Jerusalem this past summer. I am excited to facilitate the iEngage 2.0 course this year.

The twelve session course will take place weekly on Thurs-day nights from 7:30 to 9:30 pm beginning on February 4. Please register by contacting the office or through the Sinai website.

I look forward to deepening my own understanding of Israel along with you. I hope you will join me.



President’s MessageJoseph Kulakofsky

This article finds me bang-ing away on New Year’s day as the Winter Classic skates to conclusion. While Rosh Hashanah gives us time to reflect on the new year, so too can we do it again at the time of the secu-lar calendar roll-over. As you know, I have deep connections with the ori-ent, and so I look to the land of the rising sun for inspiration. The year of 2016 is the year of the Monkey. Monkeys are cute rascally creatures found everywhere. In Japan there is a series of shrines located in Nikko a couple hours north of Tokyo. The Edogawa Shoguns made this a retreat during the heat of the summer. One of the most famous wood carvings in the world is on one of these national treasures. It is the Sanzaru, or “three

monkeys.” One covers his ears, one covers his eyes, and the third covers his mouth. These are THE original monkeys who “see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.” I have vis-ited Nikko several times and never ceased to wonder at the beauty of the place. You can find a picture of the carvings on Wikipedia.

What can these monkeys teach us for the year? I like to think they remind us to be of good association in mind, speech, and action. This is not so different from sayings from Pirkei Avot and other references in our litur-gy. For example, we often say “Guard our tongues from speaking guile,” or that we should cleave to a “generous eye” and avoid a “begrudging eye.” The continuing success of our shul requires that all of us keep these mon-keys in mind. First, we do not want anyone to have a chance to “see evil.”

Let us continue to treat everyone with respect and as equals. People are connected to Sinai for many reasons; they like the services, or the schools, or the programming, or their friends are here, or their kids’ friends are here. Let’s make sure everyone is welcome at all of our events.

The teachings from the orient and

the occident are both active, not pas-sive. It is not enough to simply sit around and not hear or say anything bad. We should strive to speak well of others. We should strive to prevent gossip from spreading around in our community. We even had some train-ing on this on the board of directors. Every month we make decisions and pass motions. They are not always unanimous. But once a decision is made and a motion moves forward, it is time to close ranks and support the idea or project, even if you may per-sonally disagree with it. Our board must lead the way like the Sanzaru. Over the next year, we will have diffi-cult decisions regarding our strategic vision. I guarantee we will not agree on all of them. But, once the vote is in, we need to support the decisions and move forward. That is how our shul will grow in the future. Finally, there is an interesting Midrash on this week’s Torah portion, Shimot. It is said that when Pharaoh’s daughter’s handmaid stretched out to reach the basket with Moses inside, her arm was not long enough, but it miracu-lously lengthened to reach the tiny ark. She knew her arm was not long enough but extended it anyways. When we do mitzvot, we should not always coolly calculate and think logically. If we do the right thing with the right purpose, a miracle will happen. I wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Welcome New Members!Bruchim Haba’im - ברוכם הבאם

Jacob and Tamar Meir, Maya, Noga and Ruth

Kiddush Luncheonin Honor of

Joelle Pluemer Saturday, March 12

following Shabbat Services

For more information, contact Rina Amir



Nursery SchoolWinter break is over and it was

so much fun to get together again and listen to all the stories about the chil-dren’s adventures. After our break, we returned to school for some fun winter activities: a snowball fight, the building of a snowman and a castle made of ice cubes, and painting with ice cubes (a little food coloring and some popsicles sticks in an ice cube tray made the day!). These activities helped the children learn about the water cycle.

Tu B’Shevat Activities was next. As cold as it can get here, this is the time of year that trees are planted in Israel. The holiday of Tu B’Shevat celebrates trees and all they do for us:

create oxygen, provide shade, pro-vide shelter to animals, and give us lumber, medicine, fruit, and beautiful blossoms. We had a “birthday party” for the trees and celebrated by plant-ing one in our yard. The kids learned about how trees get energy from the sun and need nutrients just like we do. They ate lots of fruit, sang songs, made tree art, and worked on indi-vidual plant projects.

The Artist of the Month is Roy Lichtenstein. Our amazing Art Instructor, Dina Solnit, introduced the kids to the Jewish artist. His dis-tinct comic book-style art uses dots to create unforgettable pictures. The kids learned that dots viewed from

afar create a solid picture. They then used pencil erasers dipped in paint to create artwork of their own. Lichten-stein also uses a lot of onomatopoe-ias, like “Pow!” and “Smash!”, so the kids incorporated those words into their pictures.

Picture Day was such a joy! It captures the special time spent at Sinai Nursery School with all the images of the kids’ beautiful smiles. We are happy to be a part of the mem-ories our families will long treasure.

Warmest wishes,Ifat KantorovichSinai Nursery School Director

The PJ Library®

14855 Oka Road,

Los Gatos, CA 95032

408.357.7501

[email protected]

www.jvalley.org/pjlibrary

Congregation Sinai

1532 Willowbrae Avenue,

San Jose, CA 95125

(408) 264 - 8542

[email protected]

www.sinai-sj.org

Congregation Sinai

1532 Willowbrae Avenue, San Jose

A fun, musical service with Rabbi Berkenwald and Morah Jamie. Welcome Shabbat with songs and laughter

& join us afterward for a delicious spaghetti dinner!

Families with young children (6 and under), older siblings are welcome too.

Open to members and non-members.

CONGREGATION SINAI & PJ LIBRARY PRESENT

RSVP by Tuesday, March 8and receive the Early Bird Special: $7 for adults, $5 for children 2-12

Regular Price: $10 per adult, $8 for children 2-12

Call (408) 264 - 8542 | Email [email protected] | or register online at www.sinai-sj.org

Friday, March 11, 2016 at 5:00 pm.

Come play with us!MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY WITH CHILDREN THREE AND UNDER ARE INVITED TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS AND THEIR INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

Where: SINAI NURSERY SCHOOL

When: WEDNESDAYS 9:00 - 10:00 A.M.

Ima and Me

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US:[email protected]

1532 WILLOWBRAE AVE | SAN JOSE, CA 95125(408) 264-8542 | WWW.SINAI-SJ.ORG



Religious SchoolOne of the most commonly

uttered phrases in our liturgy, the concept of “L’dor V’dor”, most nota-bly appearing the Shabbat Kedusha, is a really humbling, really inspiring line. It reminds us not only of the longevity of this thing we’re doing ’round here, but it also suggests that the strength of our continued survival and success rests in the hands of our natural successors – our youth.

On that note, it’s been such a privilege to watch this concept come alive in the past few weeks of Reli-gious School – from parents and students eagerly working together on social action projects in honor of MLK Jr. day, to our teachers actively engaging with students of all ages at our school Tu Bishvat seder, Shab-bat Mishpacha, our B’nei Mitzvah family learning, youth services,

Shabbat is Awesome and more.In many synagogues around the

world you may find the line “Da lif-nei mi ata omed” – “Know before whom you stand.” (Brachot 28b). The idea is usually concerned with our conduct in places of worship. Fair enough. But I think, as I write this on the eve of our Social Action Day, MLK Jr. Day, that Dr. King’s good Jewish friend, Rabbi A.J. Hes-chel, who marched alongside him in Selma, defined this concept more precisely in his book Between God and Man when he said, “that wher-ever we go we must cultivate the art of awareness of God. We learn this in worship, but not only in worship.”

From generation to generation, when we worship and beyond, we have the responsibility of cultivat-ing that art. In our teaching, in our

interactions with one another, in our everyday tasks. We must think about what it is that we are passing down, and how to truly connect with that audience. Knowing before whom we stand. That’s the message I share with my teachers. That’s the vision with which they plan and teach. That’s who we are as a community here at Sinai.

In the wise words of Dr. King, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.”

Nilmad V’Na’aseh – we will learn and we will do.

Jamie Zimmer,Education Director

Religious School students celebrating Tu B’Shvat



Youth Education and Youth ActivitiesReligious SchoolTuesdays 4:15 – 6:15 pm

Sundays 9:00 am – 12:00 pmNot in session February 14.

World Wide Wrap & Tefillin workshop with Rabbi BerkenwaldSunday, February 7 10:00 am – 12:00 pmTefillin workshop for all 7th graders led by Rabbi Berkenwald. Everyone who want to join is welcome to par-ticipate.

Shabbat Mishpacha: K-2nd Family ServiceSaturday, February 20 10:30 am – 12:00 pmParents are invited to join their chil-dren for a family oriented, age appro-priate service, including songs, sto-ries and games.

Shabbat Noar: Junior CongregationSaturday, February 20 10:30 am – 12:00 pmA learner’s minyan for students in grades 3-6. Students will have oppor-tunity to practice leading prayers they learned in class and learn some new melodies. Led by Doug Brook in the Mirkin Chapel.

Shabbat Mitzvah: 7th Grade B’nei Mitzvah Shabbat ProgramSaturday, February 20 9:30 am – 12:00 pmOur 7th grade program lets explore a variety of topics with their Religious School teacher in a different setting. They also learn new service skills and have the opportunity to lead them in Junior Congregation.

Ima and MeWednesdays 9:00 am-10:15 amMeets every Wednesday morning in the Nursery School. Children three and under are invited to come and play.

Shabbat is Awesome!Saturday, February 13 12:00-5:36 pmAfter services, enjoy Shabbat at Sinai as a community with board and party games, singing, and lots of joy and laughter.

USY Winter ShabbatonFebruary 19-21Hosted by Congregation Sinai. This weekend is for 8th-12th graders and begins the initiation of current 8th graders into USY. This is a chance for the 8th graders to learn about and experience New Frontier conven-tions in a new way.

Yavneh Kiddush LevanahSunday, February 28 6:00 pmMilestone ceremony at Sinai for Yavneh Day School 4th grade students.

Thank you Rozita Refa for organizing the 4th annual Teen Shabbat. It was a beautiful Shabbat led by teens.

Mazal Tov to:Maria BudmanDan CohenRonnie CohenElysa DombroJonathan DombroNathan FernandezJacob Fernandez

David GreeneShaina GreenbergJonathan HochbergNatan LeibovitchNathan LevinsonRayna LevinsonYan LosSam Mazo

Sonia MazoAnna PiskunNoah SasoDalia Tabibian Daniel TabibianShauna TalmoudSam Westerman



Kadima and Teen Events

Kadima EventSunday, February 73:00 - 5:00 pmFor 6th-8th graders.

Lounge NightSaturday, February 277:00 - 9:30 pmWe will have a relaxing evening for 8th-12th graders at Congregation Sinai, with food and fun!

Save the Dates:

April 1-3: Kadima Konvention (6-7 graders)Kad Kon is the only regional convention for our 6th-7th Grad-ers, and is a special time to learn about what Shabbat in New Fro looks like. Kadimanicks are introduced to “all things USY”.This is a home hospitality con-vention taking place at Beth Shalom in Modesto from April 1st-3rd. (We hope to be busing there and back!)

Feb. 19-21: Winter/8th Shabbaton for 8-12th graders

Sinai is proud to be hosting Winter Shabbaton! It is the second of our three main USY conventions. This weekend is for 8th- 12th graders and begins the initiation of current 8th graders into USY. This is a chance for the 8th graders to learn about and experience New Frontier conventions in a new way. During Winter Shabbaton, 8th graders are assigned a “big” (a USYer in 10th-11th grade), who will help introduce them to other USYers and assist in their transition. Like all New Fro events, there will be a theme for educational and social programming, and will include many opportunities for teens to explore and connect. There will be special social programming on both Friday and Saturday night of this convention.

This year at Winter Shabbaton, Sinai will be the regional host synagogue and will provide home hospitality to approximately 120 teens from the New Frontier Region. Convention begins on Friday afternoon, February 19th and concludes on Sunday afternoon, February 21st. Don’t miss it!

Thank you to all the families who have volunteered to host! If you are still interested in hosting teens this weekend, please email Terrah Yevilov at [email protected].

May 27-30: May Convention (8-12 graders)For all 8th-12th Graders. May Convention 2016 will be held at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa.



Adult Activities and Upcoming Events

iEngage 2.0 “The Tribes of Israel: A Shared Homeland for a Divided People”Beginning Thursday, February 4 7:30-9:30 pmScholars grapple with the challenge of creating a Jewish and democratic public space in the modern State of Israel. See Limmud La-ad page for more info.

Jewish Medical EthicsTuesday, February 9 7:00-9:00 pmJoin Maimonides Society and Car-dozo Society members at Congrega-tion Shir Hadash as we hear about the intersection between Jewish, legal, and medical ethics. Hosted by Congregation Shir Hadash. Sinai is co-sponsoring this important and informative event. Rabbi Berkenwald is one of three speakers on the panel.

Don’t miss it - reserve your seat!Music, Magic & MirthSaturday, February 6 7:30 pmIt’s a Roaring Twenties Night at Sinai! A dazzling evening featur-ing highly accomplished Bay Area standup comedian Dan St.Paul, a full complement of magicians who will entertain and astonish you through-out the evening and the Sinaites jazz trio. Fabulous hors d’oeuvres and decadent dessert, and amazing auc-tion items! RSVP online or the Sinai office. Standard tickets are $40 per person in advance (one drink includ-ed); $50 at the door. Reserved seats are $100 per person (advance sales only).

Sinai Super Bowl 50 PartySaturday, February 7 3:00 pmJoin us to celebrate the big game coming to the Bay Area. Come cheer your team at Sinai. Fun for everyone! Games and activities for children. Light snacks and beverages provided.

Committee Invigoration WorkshopSunday, February 28 10:00 am-2:00 pmOne of the goals of our board this year is to strengthen our committees. So much of our good progress, pro-gramming and synagogue life flows through our committees that we want them to learn how to be strong and well-functioning. This training work-shop is designed for all chairs of one of our standing committees, ad-hoc committees, and members of the Board of directors who sit on a com-mittee.

MAKE THE RIGHT CALL…

COME TO THE SINAI

SUPER BOWL PARTY! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 AT 3 PM

CONGREGATION SINAI SOCIAL HALL 1532 WILLOWBRAE AVENUE SAN JOSE, CA 95125 LIGHT SNACKS AND BEVERAGES PROVIDED;

FUN FOR EVERYONE! TOUCH FOOTBALL GAME AT HALF TIME! BETTING POOL BASED ON RANDOM SQUARES FOR EACH QUARTER.

RSVP to Gary at MensClub @sinai-sj.org or call 408-264-8542



$40 per person in advance, $50 at the door.Reserved seating: $100 per person (advance sales only)

Sponsorship opportunities available.

Comedian Dan St.Paul

An evening featuring live music, comedy, magic performances on stage & up close,fabulous hors d'oeuvres and decadent dessert, and amazing auction items!

FESTIVE ATTIRE. ADMISSION INCLUDES HORS D'OEUVRES, DESSERTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. ONE DRINK INCLUDED.

1532 Willowbrae Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 | (408) 264 - 8542 | [email protected] | www.sinai-sj.org

Get your tickets now!Call Sinai at 408-264-8542

or register online: www.sinai-sj.org

MUSIC, MAGIC & MIRTHTHE ROARING 20’S

YOU ARE INVITED!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 20167:30 PM

AT CONGREGATION SINAI



!

& LIMMUD LA-ADלימוד לעדLIFELONG JEWISH LEARNING AT SINAI

Ongoing Silicon Valley Beit MidrashThursdays, February 4, 11, 18. 25 9:30 - 11:00 am Join Rabbi Josh Berkenwald for in-depth study of Jewish thought, belief, and practice. Learners are currently studying tractate Avodah Zarah from the Babylonian Talmud, which explores issues related to idol worship in the ancient world. In so doing, it addresses the contemporary challenges of being a Jewish minority living within a non-Jewish society. No fee; drop-ins are welcome; no experience necessary.

Beginners’ Siddur Hebrew Reading Class Tuesdays, February 2, 9, 16, 26 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm Join Alisa Israel Goldberg and develop your siddur (prayer book) Hebrew reading skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. This adult beginner's class is designed for those with little or no experience reading Hebrew. It will provide an introduction to the letters and vowels of the Hebrew alphabet, with an emphasis on decoding the Hebrew texts of prayer and ritual practiced at Congregation Sinai . Required text: Alef Isn’t Tough (available for purchase in class). Optional, but recommended: bring your own copy of Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals.

Torah Trope Class Mondays, February 1, 8, 22, 29 7:30 - 9:00 pm If you can read Hebrew and can carry a simple tune, you can learn to chant Torah. Join Alisa Israel Goldberg for this six session class and learn (or re-learn) the basics of Torah cantillation. Class graduates will be encouraged to read Torah at Sinai on Shabbat and holidays, and will receive ongoing, personalized support as they strengthen their skills over time. Materials Fee: $15. Open to all Sinai members. Class size limited. To sign up, contact the office or Limmud La-ad.

SiliconValleyIntroductiontoJudaismClassLocations for this month’s classes:

February2 CongregationSinai

February9 CongregationShirHadash

February23 CongregationShirHadash

iEngage: The Tribes of Israel A Shared Homeland for a

Divided People A10-sessionseriesofvideo

lectures,textstudyanddiscussionsledbyRabbiJoshBerkenwald

Thursdayevenings7:30-9:30pmatCongregationSinai

ThisMonth’sDates:February4,11,18,25

Scholars grapple with the challenge ofcreatingaJewishanddemocraticpublicspaceinthemodernStateofIsrael.Canthe relationship between the collectiveand the individual tribes that compriseIsrael be restructured? Join us for thisthought-provokingseries.

Materialsfee:$50perpersonforSinaimembers,$75general

ThisprogramispresentedthroughthegeneroussupportoftheKoretFoundation

Spacesstillavailable.

Signuptoday!

[email protected]



February 2016 22 Sh’vat 5776 – 20 Adar-I 5776

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 22 Sh’vat 2 23 Sh’vat 3 24 Sh’vat 4 25 Sh’vat 5 26 Sh’vat 6 27 Sh’vat

7:30pm Torah Trope 4:15pm Religious School 4:30pm Beginner’s Siddur Hebrew 7:00pm Intro to Judaism

9:00am Ima & Me 9:30am Beit Midrash 7:00pm iEngage 2.0

Nursery School Parent Conferences

5:18pm

9:00am Shabbat Service 6:19pm Shabbat Ends 7:30pm Music, Magic & Mirth

7 28 Sh’vat 8 29 Sh’vat 9 30 Sh’vat 10 1 Adar-I 11 2 Adar-I 12 3 Adar-I 13 4 Adar-I

9:00am Morning Minyan 9:00am Religious School 10:00am World Wide Wrap & Tefillin Workshop 3:00pm Super Bowl XLX Party at Sinai

7:30pm Torah Trope 4:15pm Religious School 4:30pm Beginner’s Siddur Hebrew 7:00pm Intro to Judaism 7:00pm Jewish Medical Ethics

9:00am Ima & Me 9:30am Beit Midrash 7:00pm iEngage 2.0

5:26pm 9:00am Shabbat Service 12:00pm Shabbat is Awesome! 6:27pm Shabbat Ends

14 5 Adar-I 15 6 Adar-I 16 7 Adar-I 17 8 Adar-I 18 9 Adar-I 19 10 Adar-I 20 11 Adar-I

RS Not in Session 9:00am Morning Minyan

Presidents’ Day Office Closed Nursery School Closed Torah Trope Not in Session

4:15pm Religious School 4:30pm Beginner’s Siddur Hebrew

9:00am Ima & Me

9:30am Beit Midrash 7:00pm iEngage 2.0

ISS Winter Shabbaton

5:33pm

9:00am Shabbat Service 9:30 and 10:30am Youth Services 6:34pm Shabbat Ends

21 12 Adar-I 22 13 Adar-I 23 14 Adar-I 24 15 Adar-I 25 16 Adar-I 26 17 Adar-I 27 18 Adar-I

9:00am Morning Minyan 9:00am Religious School

7:30pm Torah Trope 4:15pm Religious School 4:30pm Beginner’s Siddur Hebrew 7:00pm Intro to Judaism

9:00am Ima & Me 9:30am Beit Midrash 7:00pm iEngage 2.0 5:40pm

9:00am Shabbat Service 6:41pm Shabbat Ends

28 19 Adar-I 29 20 Adar-I

9:00am Morning Minyan 9:00am Religious School 10:00am Committee Invigoration Workshop

7:30pm Torah Trope



Have You Participated In Our Mishloach Manot Fundraiser?

Show your love and friendship to Sinai families, teachers, and staff by sending MishloachManot, special Purim gift baskets. As is customary at Sinai, all members, Religious School, Nursery School families, and staff received a lovely reusable Sinai bag filled with hamantashen and gourmet treats. Here is your opportunity to wish again “Happy Purim” or “Chag Purim Sameach” to the Sinai community. Your name and personalized greeting will be included in the lovely gift bag of all recipients whom you select.

How to order online? An email is being sent to all our members with a USERNAME and PASSWORD. An order form and a list of Sinai Members, office staff, teachers and Nursery School families are being mailed if you would rather place your order through the office. You can also use the order form on the following page of this month’s Voice.

We invite you to participate in this wonderful mitzvah and Sinai tradition. All orders must be received by Tuesday, March 15 at noon. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 408-264-8542.

Save the Dates for Purim 2016

Purim Puppet Show and Costume ParadeSunday, March 2011:00 amKids of all ages will enjoy this silly Purim tale. A grand costume parade for kids and adults will follow. The Puppet Show will be followed by Sinai’s Purim Carnival from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Purim CarnivalSunday, March 2011:30 am – 2:00 pmPurim Carnival and lunch. Carnival games, Arts and Crafts, inflatables, prizes, and fun for all. Kosher hot dogs and hamburgers will be available for purchase.

Purim CelebrationWednesday, March 237:00 pmSinai’s 5776/2016 Purim Extravaganza features live music performance and a complete Megillah reading in the Sanctuary. Free.



CONGREGATION SINAI

2016 MISHLOACH MANOT ORDER FORM

SELECT THE CATEGORIES YOU WOULD LIKE US TO PREPARE MISHLOACH MANOT FOR:

Share the joy of Purim with all of your Sinai friends, family members and teachers by ordering Mishloach Manot !

Everyone will receive a reusable Sinai tote bag filled with hamentaschen, gourmet treats, and more. For $180, We

will prepare a gift bag for the entire Sinai community, including all Sinai Members, Nursery School Families, as well

as Office, Religious School and Nursery School staff. OY, SUCH A DEAL!

Return this order form and payment by Wednesday, March 15 at 12 pm.

Congregation Sinai, 1532 Willowbrae Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125

For additional information or with questions, please contact the office at 408-264-8542 or Julie at [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING AND CHAG PURIM SAMEACH

Best Value! All Sinai Community which includes all Sinai Members, Nursery School Families,

as well as Office, Religious School and Nursery School Staff for only $180.00 $

All Nursery School Families for only $75.00 $

All Nursery School Staff for only $25.00 $

All Office Staff for only $25.00 $

All Religious School Staff for only $25.00 $

One gift box to the individual recipients selected Quantity ______ $8.00 $

Sinai will mail boxes of Mischloah Manot to all of Sinai's

college-age young adults for an extra $36.00. $

Please note that this is not included in the $180 package above. TOTAL: $

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________ City: _________________ Zip: ______________________

Phone: ________________________________ Cell Phone: ____________________________________________

Email Address: _________________________________________________________________________________

from our Sinai community list

Your Purim Greeting:

Name to appear on Gift Card:

Return this order form and payment by Tuesday, March 15 at 12 pm.



Social Action

Seventy teens from New Frontier USY and Kadima including our Sinai teens participated in the annual Mini-Mission Mitzvah, a day dedicated to USY teens making a difference for local community service organizations. Here the group poses on MLK day for a photo at the SF-Marin Food Bank. Kol Hakavod to all the participants! You made quite an impact.

On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Sinai Religious School students learnt about MLK, Social Justice in Judaism and had a chance to make blankets for the homeless.



Todah Rabah, Thank You תודה רבהTodah rabah to...• Rita Jacobson for her help with multiple office mailings• Tess Citron-Pousty for volunteering in the office• Miriam Leiseroff for office filing and update of Aliyot Cards • Jeff Salowe and Joseph Kulakofsky for performing our annual gutter cleaning• Susan Rojo for updating the Purim Project database for Purim Mishloach Manot • Teri Baron, Renee Jacowitz and Yuko Friedman for helping with the Religious School social action project on

MLK Jr. Day• Denise Chazin, chair of Chesed, for coordinating the January Chesed Cooking Day at Sinai with Chesed caring volunteers

Teri Baron, Susan Broockman, Ellen Tobin, Leslie Steinberg, Rita Jacobson, and Stephanie Leven • Lorraine for her help in setting up the Shabbat Mishpacha dinner• Arielle Hendel of PJ Library for co-sponsoring Shabbat Mishpacha• Gary Richman for organizing Men’s Club Movie Night• Dana Berkenwald for organizing “Shabbat is Awesome”• Isak Tenenboym and Irina Krugolets for hosting the January session of Living Room Torah on “Idolatry”• Rita Jacobson for being a greeter on Shabbat mornings• Alan and Leslie Steinberg for sponsoring the Shabbat Kiddush in memory of Alan’s father, Henry Steinberg, and Leslie’s

father, Robert Gottesman, on their yahrzeits• Bert and Suzanne Peters for co-sponsoring the Shabbat Kiddush in memory of Suze’s father, Gary Katz• Roger and Cindy Levinson for co-sponsoring the Shabbat Kiddush in memory of Cindy’s father, Basil Stevens, and

Roger’s grandparents, Leah Parnes and Louis Levinson• Eli Reinhard and Jeanette Garretty for sponsoring the Shabbat Kiddush in honor of Eli’s 70th anniversary of his

Bar Mitzvah• Gary Richman, Janet Dombro, Sheri Klapper and Ted Mark for being greeters during the Scholar-in-Residence weekend• Kyra Hubis for doing the shopping for Kiddush luncheons and Scholar-in-Residence weekend• Cindy Levinson, Chair of the B’teavon Committee, for organizing and preparing the Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat

dinner, assisted by Teri Baron, Ellen Tobin, Naomi Salowe, and Susan Silver• Scholar-in-Residence David Golinkin for offering his insights and perspectives on the state of Judaism in Israel, the

reason to observe Jewish Law, the status of women in Jewish law, and Jewish sources on Ecology• Alisa Israel Goldberg, Chair of Limmud La-ad Committee, and Hal and Kyra Hubis for organizing the Scholar-in-

Residence weekend with Rabbi Professor David Golinkin• Joseph and Beth Green for sponsoring the Friday night dessert reception, Shabbat Kiddush and Seudah Shishit in honor

of Scholar-in -Residence David Golinkin

A special thank you to Joseph & Beth Green for generously sponsoring Sinai’s Scholar-in-Residence weekend.

TODAH RABAH!

Hal & Kyra Hubis, Joseph Green, Rabbi Berkenwald, Joelle Pluemer, and Alisa Israel Goldberg with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Golinkin



Tribute FundsWe gratefully acknowledge donations to the following funds:

General Fund• Michael and Evelyn Berliner in memory of Barbara Goldbetter• Zinaida Brisker in memory of Masha S. Smirina• Eric and Susan Broockman in appreciation of the efforts of Sheri Frumkin to raise sponsorship funds for Music,

Magic, and Mirth• Maureen Ellenberg in memory of Bronia Bronkesh• David and Beverly Hirsch in honor of the marriage of Shaina Fried to Rita Turner• David and Beverly Hirsch in honor of the engagement of Frank Schiff and Talia Salzman• David and Beverly Hirsch in memory of Roslyn Firestone• David and Beverly Hirsch in memory of Bettie Hirsch• Ted and Ilene Marks in memory of Marla Osband• Tom and Danice Picraux in memory of Sam Picraux• Eli Reinhard and Jeanette Garretty in appreciation of Sy and Lorraine Hoff for hosting an engagement party• Judith Skopicki in memory of Paul Skopicki• Judith Skopicki in memory of Szmul Majer Zelten• Bob and Ellen Tobin in memory of Jeanette Tobin• Bob and Ellen Tobin in memory of Mitchel Tobin• Bob and Ellen Tobin in memory of Harry Jacobs• Bob and Ellen Tobin in honor of Rita Jacobson receiving the Janet Berg Award

Kiddush Fund• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of Julie Krigel• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of Sy and Lorraine Hoff• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of Alisa Israel Goldberg• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of Doug Brook• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of Rita Jacobson• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of Barbara Frank• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of MJ Lopatin• James and Teri Baron in appreciation of the hard work of Andy and Joelle Pluemer• Cole and Rita Buxbaum in appreciation of Congregation Sinai• Stella Dushats in memory of Abraham Dushets-Kogan• Andrea and Howard Greyber in memory of Arthur Goldgraber• Andrea and Howard Greyber in memory of Beatrice Goldgraber• Jerry and Rita Jacobson in honor of the engagement of Eli Reinhard and Jeanette Garretty• Jerry and Rita Jacobson in hopes of a speedy and complete recovery for Isaac Bahbout• Eli Reinhard and Jeanette Garretty in appreciation of the warm wishes in honor of their engagement• Ann and Henry Sager in memory of Elaine Sager• Ann and Henry Sager in memory of Shirley Landsman• Ann and Henry Sager in memory of Louis Landsman• Louis Silver and Roberta Greenberg in appreciation of receiving an aliyah• Marian Sloan in support of Congregation Sinai• Elena Weinberg in memory of Chaim Halabe• Elena Weinberg in memory of Victoria Levy Halabe



Tribute FundsWe gratefully acknowledge donations to the following funds:

Chesed Fund• Leona Black in appreciation of Rita Jacobson delivering a Chesed meal• Howard and Andrea Greyber in memory of Lillian Cohen• Jerry and Rita Jacobson in memory of Bronia Bronkesh• Jerry and Rita Jacobson in hopes of a speedy and complete recovery for Steve Dick• Jerry and Rita Jacobson in appreciation of Sy and Lorraine Hoff• Jerry Jacobson in memory of Molly Jacobson• Rita Jacobson in memory of Charlotte Berger• Rita Pearl in memory of Rose Kalichstein• Danice and Tom Picraux in memory of Irene Kent

Prayerbook Fund• Stella Dushats in memory of Abraham Dushets-Kogan

Religious School Fund• Stan and Evelyn Goldstein in memory of Bronia Bronkesh• Allen and Deborah Leibovitch in honor of the birth of a son to Rich and Kate Goldman

Building Fund• Barry Mirkin in memory of Vera Baram Mirkin

Synagogue Beautification Fund• Abe and Elizabeth Seiden in honor of the engagement of Frank Schiff and Talia Salzman• Abe and Elizabeth Seiden in memory of Bronia Bronkesh

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund• Fran and Rob Dordick in memory of Lillian Dordick• Fran and Rob Dordick in memory of Sara Rolnick• Stella Dushats in memory of Abraham Dushets-Kogan• Edward and Renee Fields in memory of Bernard Fields• Deborah Ann Kohn in appreciation of her meeting with and the support of Rabbi Berkenwald• Cilly Meyberg and the Meyberg family in memory of Karl Meyberg• Cilly Meyberg and the Meyberg family in memory of Harold Meyberg• Florence Silverman in appreciation of Rabbi Berkenwald

Todah rabah to the newest contributors to

Congregation Sinai’s 5776 Annual Campaign

Leonard & Larisa DorfmanDavid & Beverly HirschBoris & Rosa Levit

Matching companies:GoogleWells Fargo Bank



Yahrzeits - FebruarySh’vatAdrian Artur Kowalski 22Sara Rolnick 22Lillian Marchick 23Zelda Olshanetsky 23Samuel Besvinick 24Solomon A. Ellner 24Sofia Serebrysky 24Shoshana Elter 26Samuel Picraux 26Samuel M.M. Greitzer 27Beverly Botnik Slater 28Ed Cogan 29Eugenia Dorfman 29Charlotte Feuer 29Gerald Jaffe 29Harry Katzen 29Werner Thonicke 29Maria Tseytlin-Kroshner 29Louis Mencher 30Joseph Polissar 30Dr. Garson Romalis 30

Adar IAbraham Dushets-Kogan 1Neal Robinson 1Martin Frederic Stein 2Sholom Verkhovsky 2H. Isaac Fritz 3Yisrael Klapper 3Larisa Latkina 3Lillian Mosler 3Boris Drabkin 4Sam Figman 4Mordechai Shebby 5Rabbi Salo H. Hyman 6Jacob Rosenbleeth 6Mordko Tenenboym 7Irving Black 8Samuel Ellner 8William Panick 8Earle E. Rosenblum 8Paulyn B. Yampol 9Shirley Landsman 10Peter Langer 10Meyer Levine 10

James Gordon 11Emanuel Kretz 12Capt. Norman Weiner 12Lydia Dombro 13Naum Friedman 13Louis Landsman 14Iosif Leyb Tseytlin 14Bonnie Judkowitz 15Donald Posthumus 15Lee Ben Mayor Rinsky 15Olga Lubeckis 16Israel Mosler 16Samuel Ospovat 16Sylvia Teitelbaum 16Mendel Izsak 17Harry Rinsky 17Dr. Alexander H. Ellenberg 18Margaret Kasser 18Myron Solin 18Genya Rosenblatt 19

In Memoriam יהי זכרו ברוך

May his memory be a blessing

Bronia BronkeshMother of Annette (Richard) Jaffe

Check out Rabbi Berkenwald’s blog for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Sermons at http://rebyehoshua.org. Sermons and MP3

recordings have been posted on his blog, as well as musings about life, Torah, and the world in which we live. Follow his posts.

The Sinai office will be closed on Monday, February 15 in

observance of Presidents’ Day.



Community and ConnectivityAdult Education at the Jewish Community Center

Looking for Jewish education for adults? Here’s some of what’s coming up at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley. For more, visit www.apjcc.org/jplace.

• Dinner with Author Bruce Kaplan. Thursday, February 25th, at 7:00pm. Bruce Kaplan, cartoonist for the New Yorker and writer for Girls, speaks about his new, darkly humorous memoir, I Was a Child. Cost is $25 (just $18 for APJCC members), and includes dinner with the author and a copy of the book. RSVP to [email protected].

• Rambam Roundtable. Every Wednesday, 9:00-10:30am. This is a free, drop-in class, no need to register. Study Ram-bam (Maimonides) with Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia. No experience necessary. This is a free, drop-in class. You can attend anytime, even if you haven’t attended this class before.

• Hasidic Havurah. Every Thursday, 11:00am-12:00 noon. This is a free, drop-in class, no need to register. Take a look at some of the great works of past Hasidic teachers and strive toward deepening our contemporary Jewish spirituality, with Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia. No experience necessary. This is a free, drop-in class. You can attend anytime, even if you haven’t attended this class before.

The Addison-Penzak JCC is located at 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. For more information or to register for classes, contact the JCC’s Center for Jewish Life and Learning at (408) 357-7411 or visit the website at www.apjcc.org/JPlace.

14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032408.358.3636 | [email protected]

www.apjcc.org

Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon ValleyLevy Family Campus

Experience it all at the JCC!Join us for Jewish education, enrichment classes, fitness, aquatics, camp, preschool,cultural programs, and much more.



Save The Dates:March 11 - Shabbat Mishpacha Spaghetti Dinner

March 12 - Sponsored Kiddush in honor of Joelle Pluemer

March 12 - Annual Men’s Club Poker Tournament

March 15 - Last day to order Mishloach Manot

March 20 - Purim Carnival

March 23 - Purim Celebration: Live Music and Megillah Reading

inside this month’s voice congregation sinai presents ... · evil, and speak no evil.” i have...

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