new prayerbooks! sound of the shofarkolshofar.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ks-newsletter...leslie...

18

Laughter at the Board Level

By Joan Levison, Incoming Board President 2016—2018

Call me crazy but I’m really looking forward to being the Board president, come July 1.

I’ve served on my fair share of non-profit boards and committees—well run and otherwise—so I’m not saying this from naiveté. Rather, I say this from a true respect for what boards of directors strive for in their work.

My inspiration comes from my father. When I was looking for a job after graduate school, I attended several board meetings with my father, who served on many non-profit boards. I was struck by the deep enjoyment the people around the table derived from their board work. They believed in the organizations they were serving, they clearly respected their fellow board members, and they were having a good time.

I was surprised by the laughter in these meetings. But after several meetings of different non-profits, I realized that the laughter was an important indication that these people knew each other well enough to try new ideas that might or might not be feasible, to let down their guard to tease and be teased, and to really hear each other. These boards were communities in which the members found the work enjoyable and fulfilling.

Successful boards are successful communities. They need to represent their larger community, but they also need to be cohesive communities in and of themselves. The members must enjoy and respect each other and have shared goals. And laughter is a good gauge of how comfortable this unique community is with itself.

One of my goals as incoming president is to increase the involvement on the board of congregants 35- to 50-years of age and to create a strong community of future leaders. The practice of Judaism is evolving and those who will be driving this evolution must be leaders in Kol Shofar’s strategic planning and governance. For me, the Board’s success will be defined by creating a board community in which the next generation of leaders is excited to participate and to join those of us who have been around the block a few times. I’m looking forward to creating a board community that is filled with laughter and purpose, with a clear eye on making sure that Kol Shofar remains vibrant and relevant as Judaism evolves.

Just as I saw the enjoyment and satisfaction my father got from his board service, I find that same sense for myself. And my children are now coming to the age where they are showing signs of community involvement. I have no doubt that they are following the lead of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. I want to nurture this wonderful, fulfilling aspect of being Jewish for the generations that will follow us. And have the laughter continue.

A Farewell from Our Outgoing President

by Steven Tulsky

Everything they told me was true. That a faith community is the sum of many more parts and individual efforts than I ever appreciated. That the Presidency would be more work than I ever imagined. That I would learn fascinating, unexpected, and deeply inspiring things about people—and sometimes disappointing things as well. That rabbis have one of the toughest jobs in the world, few aspects of which are known to their congregants. That I would discover new leadership talents in myself, and also new areas where necessary skills elude me. That it would be far and away the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.

From the beginning of her time with us, Rabbi Leider has made it a top priority to see us chart a path of lay leadership looking many years into the future. This emphasis allowed me plenty of time to prepare for my future responsibilities under the tutelage of my masterful predecessor Scott Waxman. It also has made it much easier to draw my term to a close, having the comfort of knowing that my dear and exceedingly qualified colleague Joan Levison is ready to seamlessly take our gavel. L’Dor va Dor—from generation to generation….

As I step down, I would like to share two things that I have learned with certainty. First, that Kol Shofar is truly a welcoming congregation—every strand of our DNA desires to see new visitors find their own personal connections to the Judaism that we share as an institution. And second—that even for a person whose own personal Judaism included an indifference to faith, serving a synagogue community edges one ineffably closer to the Devine.

Sacred Chant and Shavuot with Rabbi Shefa Gold

featuring Syliva Boorstein

Followed by Shavuot celebrations:

9:00 p.m. Maariv Service

9:30 p.m. Cheesecake Break

10:00 p.m. Study Sessions with Rabbis Leider. Levy, Friedman, and Lezak

Shavuot Services:

Sun, June 12, 9:15 a.m.

Mon June 13, 9:15 a.m. (Yizkor)

Sat, June 11

Rabbi Shefa Gold develops and leads Hebrew chants based on Jewish sacred texts for transformative spiritual growth.

10:00 a.m. to noon Rabbi Shefa Gold leads Kol Neshama Minyan

1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Rabbi Shefa Gold Study Session: The Magic of Hebrew Chant

7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Rabbi Shefa Gold and Sylvia Boorstein at Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Reimagining Sinai: Opening to Revelation in Each Moment

Congregation Kol Shofar | 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920 | 415.388.1818 | www.kolshofar.org

Congregation Kol Shofar

215 Blackfield Drive Tiburon, CA 94920

Mailing label

Sound of the ShofarJune / July / august 2016

Rabbi Shefa Gold develops and leads Hebrew chants based on Jewish sacred texts for transformative spiritual growth.

For more information, contact Rabbi Chai at [email protected] or (415) 388-1818, ext. 119

GO GREEN: In order to stay eco-friendly, we ask that you opt-into future newsletters like this via email. To confirm your email and opt-in to email-only, please contact

Valerie Bishop at [email protected] or (415) 388-1818, ext. 130.

Join us on Wednesday, June 1 for our Annual Meeting and Community Gathering! 5:30 p.m. buffet dinner

and 6:15 p.m. meeting.

New Prayerbooks!Our new Siddur Lev Shalem Prayerbooks were recently introduced at services in April. The response to them has been amazing and wee look forward to many more meaningful spiritual experiences with these beautiful prayerbooks in hand. The first printing was over 38,000 copies and Kol Shofar is fortunate to be amongst the first communities in the U.S. to integrate Siddur Lev Shalem into our prayer experience.

Please consider making a tribute donation to help defray the cost of these wonderful prayerbooks. You may purchase and personalize a beautifully designed book plate that will be placed in one of the new books for only $75. This gift is a meaningful way to honor or memorialize someone—for the memory of a loved one on a yahrzeit; in honor of someone special; or on a birthday, wedding, or special celebration.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 in order to help cover the cost of these beautiful new siddurim. If just 1 out of every 5 families contributed, we’d meet our goal!

You can complete the form, found at shul, or you can also donate online at www.kolshofar.org/give.

We are most grateful for your support of our wonderful Jewish community.

72

A Reflection on Teen Programming

By Jordan Hopstone, Teen Leadership Coordinator

As summer approaches and we head for the beach, it is important to take time to reflect on what has been a wonderful year. Here at Congregation Kol Shofar, I have had a very special year with our wonderful teens, and I think of it fondly as I look forward to making more memories.

A highlight of this year was my elective class at Tichon: Dr. Seuss and Jewish Values. The Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, and the Lorax have provided generations of children with colorful stories and healthy ideas. In this class we explored their likeness to the stories in the Torah, Mishnah, and Pirkei Avot! It was a fun class for the students because let’s be honest…Dr. Seuss is brilliant! But it was a truly special experience for me because of the insights of our teens. These young people bring critical minds and unique perspectives to my class, and I leave each Wednesday feeling inspired.

About us Phone: (415) 388-1818 Email: [email protected]

Rabbi Susan leider: ext. 110

Rabbi Chai levy: ext. 119

executive Director: Kaia burkett [email protected], ext. 103

Director of Youth education & Family engagement: Jonathan emanuel [email protected], ext. 105

bookkeeper/accountant: brian Cilley [email protected], ext. 102

Marketing & Communications Manager: Valerie bishop [email protected], ext. 130

executive assistant, Ritual & education: leslie gaber [email protected], ext. 100

Membership & Operations Coordinator: allison Pemerl [email protected], ext. 106

Teen leadership Coordinator: Jordan Hopstone [email protected], ext. 101

Facilities Manager: Kirk Kim [email protected], ext. 107

Facilities Team: Jack Klassen, John Mason

Volunteer Spotlight: Our CKS Librarian, Ellen BarrFrom an interview with Valerie Bishop, Marketing & Communications Manager

You’ve seen her around in the building for nearly 35 years, as she’s spent decades serving as our Kol Shofar Librarian. Ellen Barr is a vital volunteer that dedicates her time to the management and organization of our beloved library.

Some of Ellen’s earliest memories hail from her days on the Upper West Side, New York, visiting her local library, the St. Agnes Branch, when she would visit weekly to procure entertainment through the magic of the written word. Before the days of television, Ellen calls the library her “saving grace.” She loved books and reading while growing up, and her passion only grew. She is extremely interested in Judaica.

With her husband, Al, she lived in West Africa, Hong Kong, Korea, and Greece. All the while, Ellen was a teacher. She spent time as a teacher of English as a second language, an Italian tutor, and 15 years as an elementary school aide. Her Masters of the Arts is in Italian Language and Literature. She also attended a Reconstructionist program, Society for the Advancement of Judaism, started by Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan. Her family includes 3 children, born in New York, who came long for the ride to California. Two of them even went through our Beit Binah and Hebrew Study programs!

Ellen found herself volunteering on the committee for the Congregation Kol Shofar library, and over the years has worked with others to make sure our library is always manned. She implemented our organization protocol and can be found in the library each Monday.

Ellen’s favorite part of volunteering in the library is seeing the arrival of new books and hearing how borrowers enjoy them. Keeping up on the latest trends, Ellen leans toward the fascinating Holocaust and biography sections. She notes that our library is filled with options for

every taste. One day, she hopes to move us to a computer-based system, but lovingly keeps track of everything by hand for now.

We encourage you to visit CKS and check out an armful of books. Over the years, we’ve had numerous donations that keep our sections thriving. Just remember—check out a good read, and make sure to return it and thank Ellen after your 3 weeks are up!

S u n d a y M o n d a y Tu e s d a y W e d n e s d a y T h u r s d a y F r i d a y S a t u r d a y

A U G U S T 2 0 1 6

For more program information, please visit

www.kolshofar.org.

1 27:15 a.m. Morning Minyan, followed by Talmud Study

1:30 p.m. Green Team Meeting

310:00 a.m. Chai Lights Weeky Walk

47:00 a.m. Morning Minyan

9:00 a.m. Midrash on the Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Leider

12:15 p.m. Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Chai

1:30 p.m. Philosophy of Judaism

5Rosh Hodesh Av

6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat at Drake Terrace

7:54 p.m. Candle Lighting

69:15 a.m. Shabbat Services, followed by kiddush

11:30 a.m. Shabbat Sit

7 8 97:15 a.m. Morning Minyan, followed by Talmud Study




128:30 a.m. Breakfast with Attitude


13Erev Tisha B’Av

Shabbat Hazon



9:00 p.m.Erev Tisha B’Av Services

148:00 a.m. Tisha B’av Services

11:00 a.m. Southern Marin Hot Meal Program

7:00 p.m. Women’s Rosh Hodesh







196:30 p.m. Musical Kabbalat Shabbat at Congregant Home








12:15 a.m. Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Chai





28 297:00 p.m. SF Giants Jewish Heritage Night

307:15 a.m. Morning Minyan, followed by Talmud Study


3:00 p.m. CKS Free Technical Support for Members, from Eugene Los

36

A Reflection on Beit BinahBy Jonathan Emanuel, Director of Youth Education & Family Engagement

Shalom friends! It is at this time of the year that I tend to reflect on journeys. As we complete the Pesah and Shavuot holidays, the journey of the Jewish people becomes central in how we think of ourselves as individuals and as a nation. It is also a time

for us at Congregation Kol Shofar to reflect on the journey of the past year and get us revved up for the year that lies ahead.

For our educational programs, this has been an amazing year of growth and learning, and of milestones and new beginnings. A highlight of the journey for me has been the incredible growth in numbers and involvement of our

young families in our programs. Sunday morning T’fillah service at Beit Binah has never been bigger and more spirited! Our youngest grades at Beit Binah, Kindergarten through 2nd grade, are bursting with lively young learners, and our holiday celebrations and Yamei Kehillah (community days) have brought in many families with preschool children, singing, and dancing their way through our halls.

What makes me so thrilled for the future is imagining the journeys that lie ahead for these young children and their families, and all the rich Jewish experiences they will have in our community. I am looking forward to being part of the journey with them! We can’t wait to share it!


J U L Y 2 0 1 6

For more program information,

please visit www.kolshofar.org.






3 4Administrative Office Closed



6Rosh Hodesh Tamuz


76:50 a.m. Rosh Hodesh Morning Minyan






1011:00 a.m. Southern Marin Hot Meal Program

2:00 p.m. Bay Area Torah Softball Playoffs TBD



1310:00 a.m. Chai Lights Weekly Walk















24

31











Tikkun Olam: Living in a God-Centered WorldBy Rabbi Chai Levy

At its essence, Judaism is about training us to live in a God-centered world, rather than a self-centered world. The Torah is filled with mitzvot that compel us in a variety of ways to care for the stranger, to leave the corner of our field for the poor, to give an offering from the abundance we are blessed to receive. In sum, to live and act with the awareness that whatever we have is a Divine gift to be shared.

It is this awareness that inspires our tikkun olam work at Congregation Kol Shofar. Our community is involved in holy acts of giving and sharing throughout Marin County. I want to make sure you know about how you can take part and get involved. Each month, Kol Shofar volunteers prepare and serve meals to people in need in our community in multiple venues. On the 2nd Sunday of every month, we host the Southern Marin Hot Meal program here at Kol Shofar; on the 4th Wednesday we prepare food for the Mill Street Homeless Shelter; in winter months we prepare

food and eat with homeless individuals seeking dinner, companionship, and a place to sleep through the REST emergency shelter. We are involved in county-wide efforts to establish a permanent shelter through the Marin Organizing Committee, as well as working on issues of immigration, healthcare, and human trafficking.

You can read below about Kol Shofar’s adopting Laurel Dell elementary school through the Marin County School Volunteers program–and winning an award for our volunteers’ great contributions! We also have a community garden, where we grow healthy food that can be used in the meals we serve to those in need. We’ve done park clean ups and are working to fight climate change. And every time there is a death or an illness in our community, Gemilut Hesed volunteers show up to bring a meal or lend a helping hand. Each of these projects happens only with the initiative and leadership of people like you–see below for their contact information; and when you see them, thank them for all they are doing on behalf of Kol Shofar! Think about how you want to live your Judaism by being a giver, by making an offering–whether by joining one of these ongoing efforts or taking the initiative to create your own new project.

Kol Shofar’s Adopted SchoolBy Ron Brown

Under the auspices of the Marin County School Volunteers, Kol Shofar this year “adopted” a school, Laurel Dell Elementary in San Rafael. 14 Kol Shofar members have served as tutors at this school. Speaking strictly for myself, the experience has been frustrating, difficult, illuminating, rewarding, and fun, often all at the same time. I would not give it up for anything.

MCSV has coordinated volunteers in the schools for 20 years. The volunteers serve to supplement the efforts of teachers, who have trouble giving one-on-one attention in classes with over 25 students. After Kol Shofar agreed to adopt Laurel Dell, 20 people came to an introductory program at the synagogue run by MCSV staff and those who wished to volunteer came to a subsequent 2 hour training session. There is no minimum time requirement, and our experience has been that every teacher is most flexible in accommodating trips out of town, vacations, or the like.

My most precious memory is of the time that my teacher decided to give his class the assignment of writing thank you letters to me. The letters were delightful. I began to notice a pattern in the structure of the letters and the words that they used, and the teacher admitted that he had used the project to work on adjectives. My favorite letter was the 3rd grader who wrote, “You are cool, awesome, amazing, patient, nice, calm, and incomprehensible.” I hope that he did not know what that last word meant.

On May 20, Kol Shofar received the Community Advocate Award from the school system in a ceremony with presenter Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

If you would like information about becoming a volunteer for the next school year, contact Ron Brown or Newt Harband. An orientation program will be scheduled towards the end of the summer. If you want to be sure that you get information about that program, email us so that we know of your interest.

Mission Statement of the Kol Shofar Green TeamBy Louise Lipsey

The mission statement of the new Kol Shofar Green Team: “Affirms Jewish environmental values by involving our congregation in education and awareness of the climate crisis facing our world. We support clean and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and sustainability. We also join with other faith communities in Marin to protect the environment and become part of the climate solution.”

P r o g r a m C o n t a c t I n f o

Southern Marin Hot Meal Program Mark Kaplan: [email protected] Lee: [email protected]

Mill Street Shelter Esther Rosha-Stadtler: (415) 460-5464

ReST shelter Shana Margolis: [email protected]

Marin Organizing Committee Ruth Jaeger: [email protected] Dorph: [email protected]

Marin County School Volunteers Ron Brown: [email protected] Newt Harband: [email protected]

P r o g r a m C o n t a c t I n f o

Kol Shofar Community garden Wendy Dalia: [email protected]

Climate Change action Louise Lipsey: [email protected]

gemilut Hesed Committee Rhea Brown: [email protected]

Chevra Kaddisha Rabbi Chai Levy: [email protected]

To initiate a new Kol Shofar project Rabbi Chai Levy: [email protected]

tikkun olam

Tikkun Olam: Stay Connected!

Our MCSV volunteer honorees with Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom on May 20.

54

Hebrew at Kol Shofar

By Pat Carlone

Hebrew class is designed for those of us who want to be able to read and speak correctly the Hebrew words of our siddur, and by extension, the words of Torah; and secondly, be able to understand these words, and to make them meaningful to ourselves.

We come to class with various levels of skill and experience. Some of us only know the alphabet, others know the symbols for the vowel sounds as well, and still others have some fluency reading and speaking from some years of childhood Hebrew school. We come together as a group.

Along the way, while we are learning how to read and speak the words, our instructor Tikva Farber teaches us the prefix-based and suffix-based Hebrew grammar of the words that appears in the text, and we begin to recognize how Hebrew sentences are made and how meaning is

constructed. Meaning, of course, is a lot more than grammatical syntax. What about vocabulary? How do we learn vocabulary? For me, this is the best part of Tikva’s teaching, and what makes her classes so special for me. We don’t simply learn the meaning of the words we are reading. Instead, we learn to identify the (mostly) three-letter roots that make up the Hebrew words, and then Tikva introduces us to other words that may be based on the same root. In doing so, we discover what appears to be intrinsic to finding meaning in prayerbook (and Torah) Hebrew: Meaning ultimately emerges out of deep and patient engagement with text, so that what results is not a translation, but a commentary.

We see that any translation is essentially a commentary. Tikva’s class, then, is not just about learning prayerbook Hebrew; it is also about a journey into one’s own Judaism, of discovering more deeply how we each connect to Judaism, and what possibilities for meaning we can find for ourselves in our daily practice with our prayerbook Hebrew, and, by extension, with our reading of Torah.

Why Prayerbook Hebrew is Unique

By Tikva Farber

Finding value and meaning through prayer is a lifelong journey. Why do we need the Hebrew language to guide us on this path? Imbedded in the Hebrew words—and all languages—is the culture, history and values of a people.

When we study a Jewish prayer in its original Hebrew text, we can use the Hebrew roots of words and other related vocabulary stemming from the same root, and discover a whole new meaning for us individually, thereby creating our own personal interpretation of the text.

Another highlight of this year was the growth of our young USY chapter. I had an opportunity to attend 4 regional conventions with 11 of our bright young people, and that time is special. From San Jose to Santa Rosa, we joined Jewish teens from all over Northern California and Reno in embracing our community and celebrating our heritage. It is one thing to know that we are part of a greater community, but it is something else altogether to experience the passion and energy of 120 teen leaders.

Memories like these help shape my identity. I cherish them and look forward to the opportunity to create more… especially in the community we have at Kol Shofar.

Mazal Tov to Congregation Kol Shofar Hebrew Class and Beit Binah teacher Tikva Farber for receiving the 2016 Diller Educator Award! We are so thrilled and proud of you and all you do for our congregation and the Marin Jewish Community.

Established in January 2001, the Diller awards recognize and honor educators offering pre-collegiate programs in Jewish education who have made an extraordinary impact on the youth of our community. Tikva was honored at a celebration at the JCCSF.

Congregation Kol Shofar’s Legacy Circle

Thank you to our Legacy Circle members for their vision in ensuring future generations will have the benefit of a conservative Jewish experience in Marin.

If you have made a provision in your will or estate plan for Kol Shofar, we would love to hear from you. By informing us of your intentions, you allow us to properly thank you and, with your permission, recognize you in

“Kol Shofar’s Legacy Circle,” a group of committed congregants and friends who have planned a legacy gift for Kol Shofar.

If you have designated a legacy gift for Kol Shofar and have not yet notified us, please contact Kaia Burkett, Interim Executive Director at (415) 388-1818, ext. 103. If you have questions about how to designate Congregation Kol Shofar in your estate plan, please contact Michelle C. Lerman, Legacy Committee Chair, at [email protected].


J U N E 2 0 1 6


5:30 p.m. Annual Meeting






6:30 p.m. CJS Home-Hosted Shabbat Dinners




9:30 a.m. Kol Shabbat: Family Shabbat Experience


1:15 p.m. Pirkei Avot: Ethics of Our Ancestors (Rabbi Shelly Dorph)

52:00 p.m. Bay Area Torah Softball (Emanu-El Mentsches vs. CKS Macabees)

7:00 p.m. MADRE: Interpretive Dance featuring Qadim ensemble and dancer Miriam Peretz

6 7Rosh Hodesh Sivan

6:50 a.m. Rosh Hodesh Morning Minyan, followed by Talmud Study

12:00 p.m. Prayer Book Hebrew Class







11Erev Shavuot9:15 a.m. Shabbat Services, followed by kiddush9:15 a.m. Shabbat Sit 10:00 a.m.Kol Neshama Minyan, Guest Leader Rabbi Shefa Gold1:00 p.m. Rabbi Shefa Gold Study Session: The Magic of Hebrew Chant7:30 p.m. Rabbi Shefa Gold and Sylvia Boorstein at Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Reimagining Siniai: Opening to Revelation in Each Moment 9:00 p.m. Maariv Service9:30 p.m. Cheesecake Break10:00 p.m. Study Sessions with Rabbis Leider Levy, Friedman, and Lezak

12Shavuot I

9:15 a.m. Shavuot Services

11:00 a.m. Southern Marin Hot Meal Program (Mt. Tam Methodist Church)

2:00 p.m. Bay Area Torah Softball (Rodef Sholom Rebels vs. CKS Macabees)

13Shavuot II

9:15 a.m. Shavuot Services (Yizkor)





















262:00 p.m. Bay Area Torah Softball (CKS Macabees vs. Beth Sholom Avenues)






For more program information,

please visit www.kolshofar.org.

Congregation Kol Shofar | 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920 | 415.388.1818 | www.kolshofar.org

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