the scroll - mosaic law congregation scroll a publication of mosaic law congregation july 2015 | 14...
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Scroll The
A Publication of Mosaic Law Congregation
July 2015 | 14 Tammuz - 15 Av 5775
Inside this Issue
SEVEN by Judy Abrams Kahler Taff 2
Reflections from the President 5
Women’s Network 9
MLC Events 10
KOH Library 11
Melton School of Jewish Learning 12-13
Community Notes 9
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Donations, Condolences,
Mazel Tov! 17-19
2300 Sierra Boulevard | Sacramento, CA 95825 | (916) 488-1122 | Fax: (916) 488-1165 | www.mosaiclaw.org
A few weeks ago, on Shabbat
morning, I delivered a sermon
and subsequently sent the text to
the entire congregation via our
email list. I asked you to write
letters and email them to the President of the State of Isra-
el. Many of you shared with me that you took action and I
am grateful that you made the effort. Following that public
sermon which I felt important enough to email to all on
our synagogue email list, I received an email from my col-
league Rabbi Joel Zeff, Rabbi at Kenesset Israel Torah
Center. Rabbi Zeff shared with me that he received the
text of the sermon and was upset with some of the content
and what he felt was a misrepresentation of Orthodox Ju-
daism. I suggested to him that we sit and talk together,
which we did last Thursday. I listened to him as he pas-
sionately spoke about Orthodox institutions in Israel which
care deeply about special needs children and adults. Last
Shabbat in my Dvar Torah on Parshat Korach, I shared a
passage from our Talmud:
Our sages in the Mishnah said it best. “Arguments under-
taken for the sake of heaven, such as those between the
schools of Hillel and Shamai are lasting. Arguments un-
dertaken for ulterior motives, such as those of Korach and
his followers, are not lasting.”
I truly believe that the discussion Rabbi Zeff and I had in
my office was undertaken L’shem Shamayim, for the sake
of heaven. I told Rabbi Zeff, for whom I hold a profound
respect, that I would be open to publishing his letter in
response to my sermon. I invite you to read the letter that
he recently sent to me.
I am grateful to Rabbi Zeff for being willing to engage
with me in a discussion on this very important issue and
commend him for his commitment to pluralism. We are
blessed to have such a Mensch as the leader of our com-
munity’s only Orthodox synagogue.
From the Desk of Rabbi Joel Zeff
June 22, 2015
5 Tammuz, 5775
Dear Rabbi Taff,
Our most recent interaction, concerning a painful subject,
has only reinforced my feeling that I have found in you a
trusted colleague and friend. I was concerned over a ser-
mon you gave a few weeks ago, whose text was widely
circulated. I asked if we could talk, and you agreed, with-
out hesitation.
In your sermon, you had protested the pressure from cer-
tain Orthodox parties, which led to the cancelation/delay
of a Bar Mitzvah ceremony for special needs children, un-
der the auspices of a Conservative Rabbi of a congregation
in Rehovot, Israel. The basic narrative of what occurred is
recounted in your sermon and this is not the place to re-
trace the events.
What happened, even according to the most “generous”
version of the narrative is an example of an ideological
battle. There are Orthodox forces which view any depar-
ture from religious orthodoxy as a grave threat to what
they regard as normative Judaism, and they will exert their
power to suppress non-orthodoxy.
I fully understand why you would be outraged over the
lack of true parity for the Reform and Conservative move-
ments in Israel and I have no objection to your protest. I
have no interest whatsoever in defending the actions of the
(Continued on page 4)
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July Services & Festivals
Shabbat Candlelighting
Times
July 3 - 8:15pm
July 10 - 8:13pm
July 17 - 8:09pm
July 24 - 8:04pm
July 31 - 7:58pm
Shabbat Friday Kabbalat Shabbat – 6pm
Friday Night Live - 7:30pm
Shabbat Morning Service -
9:00am
July 4 - Parshat Balak
Havdalah - 9:23pm
July 11 - Parshat Phinhas
Havdalah - 9:21pm
July 18 - Parshat Matot-Masei
Havdalah - 9:17pm
July 25 - Parshat Devarim
Havdalah - 9:12pm
Minyan Schedule Mornings
Sunday – 9:00am
Monday & Thursday - 7:15am
Rosh Chodesh – 7:15am
Federal Holidays – 8:30am
Pesach Morning Minyans
7:15am April 6th - 9th
in the Chapel
Afternoons Monday – Thursday – 5:45pm
The Scroll
Seven is No Insignificant Number
From Judy Abrams Kahler Taff
When I first heard about SEVEN, I only knew that my two dear friends Jan
Adhers and Claire Lipshultz were involved in this theatrical performance,
Jan as the director and Claire as the producer. I later discovered that the
National Council of Jewish Women, Sacramento Section was sponsoring
the event. With that information alone, I decided to attend. I have attended
many of Jan and Claire’s performances over the years. I have never left dis-
appointed and I am constantly impressed with their creativity, professional-
ism and flair. They are each accomplished actresses in their own rights and
to that they have added story-telling and directing. Maybe you have seen
one of their “Story Voices” fund raising presentations in the past. Addition-
ally, they generously use their talents to benefit causes dear to their hearts.
I attended the production of SEVEN last winter at Congregation B'nai Israel
with a sold out audience of 400 others. The play opened with “SEVEN”
striking women of various ethnicities and costumes sitting in a row on the
stage. They began alternating and telling parts of their life experiences as
women in situations where being a woman was a huge disadvantage. Their
stories kept winding together with one finishing the other’s sentence and
then proceeding to tell a part of her story. In short order, I was completely
entranced and connected to each woman and her tale. My emotions went
from sorrow to rage to joy and then around again. Each woman on the stage
was excellent. Some were experienced actresses, but I do know that’ at least
in one case there was a woman telling her own story on a stage for the first
time in her life. She was the frosting on an already beautiful cake.
I am sure that there are many women like me who have had some negative
experiences growing up in a male-dominated society. In my youth, we nev-
er spoke about them and they went on until my daughter’s generation spoke
up. Some still go on. My experience, compared to these women, seems
quite benign but they are more than enough for me to identify with these
women. Mine occurred in a society that was supposed to protect me. Many
of these women came from places where they had no protection. The mira-
cle was their resilience and internal strength. They faced insurmountable
odds and prevailed, each in their own way.
As the play closed, I looked at my friends on both sides and we were each
speechless and tearful. I came home after seeing SEVEN and told Rob that
we needed to encourage that this play come to the Center at 2300. Many
people I know were not able to attend last winter or did not even know
about the play. I am so excited that members of our community have
stepped up to underwrite the performance and I encourage you to join me
and my husband and attend SEVEN Sunday, October 4th at 2pm on and
bring your friends. Men will be transfixed as well. You will not be disap-
pointed.
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The Scroll
mayor of Rehovot, or the President of Israel, or of anyone
else who was a party to this sad affair.
What did profoundly concern me were side issues in your
sermon, immaterial to the legitimate protest against Ortho-
dox monopoly, that seemed to me capable of creating im-
pressions which I believe are incorrect and damaging. The
reality is bad enough as it is. I know that you had no inten-
tion in disseminating erroneous or misleading notions and
I know that you were depending on information which you
were given by others. You stated in your sermon, “You
see, Orthodoxy in Israel, be it Haredi or Zionist Orthodox,
has very few programs for disabled children and many
Orthodox rabbis do not recognize children with intellectu-
al disabilities as suitable halachically to be viewed as full
adults. That also carries over to deaf mutes and to children
with certain other severe physical disabilities. So, for more
than 20 years, the Masorti Movement (Conservative) in
Israel has had Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies for special
needs children and it adapts the service to the needs of
these children. And even some Orthodox families with
special needs children have had their children participate.”
When we met, I expressed my deep personal anguish over
the impression that traditional Judaism disenfranchises the
developmentally disabled from the fullness of Jewish life
and that the Orthodox community in Israel has not created
a significant educational framework to provide inclusion
for the developmentally disabled.
I shared with you the plethora of innovative programs for
special needs children that exist just in my own “back
yard” of the Gush Etzion region of Israel. I showed you
the video of the shul in Gush Etzion that was created to
totally integrate a special needs population into a syna-
gogue. It showed the Gabbai of the shul, a young adult
with Down Syndrome, the Torah reading, and an interview
with the rabbi of the shul and the Gabbai.
I told you about the special needs gap-year program that
exists within Yeshivat Har Etzion, the “Harvard” of yeshi-
vot. This remarkable program was designed to provide the
opportunity for young men and women (at Midreshet Lin-
denbaum in Jerusalem) to spend a year of Jewish growth
in Israel after high school, in a yeshiva setting. These
young people, whose siblings went off to “learn Torah” in
Israel, now can do the same.
I told you about the Reishit School in Gush Etzion, where
there is a total integration of special needs children in each
classroom, together with the non-special needs children.
This experience is a privilege for the non-special needs
kids, who learn the values of acceptance, patience, and
human dignity- along with reading, writing, and arithme-
tic.
I read to you the description of a Bar Mitzvah celebration
of a Lubavitch family whose special needs son could only
use only use a form of sign language to say the blessings
over the Torah. The parents described the joy and pride of
the entire congregation as they hoisted the child aloft on
their shoulders to dance around the synagogue to celebrate
his great day. We were both brought to tears.
And there are more such programs - just in my backyard in
Israel. The Orthodox have large families and a proportion-
ate number of special needs children. There is nothing
more valued in traditional Jewish life than children and
their experience of the full richness of Jewish life.
We studied together, as two students of Torah, the view of
traditional Jewish law on the issue of cognitive impair-
ment. We saw how the Rambam, already in the 12th cen-
tury, explains that cognitive impairment (shoteh, in He-
brew) is a spectrum that cannot be objectively defined, in a
uniform and standardized manner. Only the local rabbi can
make the determination as to which functions are appropri-
ate to the individual’s abilities and needs.
The second impression that hurt me terribly is the notion
that non-Orthodox Jews are not viewed as full Jews by the
Orthodox. You quote in your sermon the statement of a
passionately committed Jew involved in the Conservative
Movement, “I am constantly told that I am less of Jew.”
There is no such thing as “half a Jew.” As in computers, it
is 0 or 1. Every Jew is 100% Jewish. A Jew is a Jew, is a
Jew. This is halachic fact. It is foundational and axiomatic.
There is a debate about what is a “normative” expression
of Jewish practice and belief- but that has no bearing
whatsoever on being less or more of a Jew. There simp-
ly is no such thing. I can readily understand why someone
would feel insulted and angry at having a vision of Juda-
ism which they hold dear challenged and treated disre-
spectfully. Yet we must be clear: we can argue about
whether or not any particular interpretation of Judaism is
full or not, but every single Jew is a full Jew.
Finally, there is an aspect to this whole narrative that I
found troubling. Despite the Orthodox monopoly of the
Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the State is a liberal democracy.
There is nothing that would prevent the Conservative Rab-
bi from Rehovot from holding the Bar Mitzvah ceremony,
in whatever form he deemed appropriate, by simply using
an alternative venue for the ceremony, including any num-
ber of Conservative synagogues found in Israel.
We have known each other for many years, back to our
common Camp Ramah in Ojai backgrounds (for which I
am eternally grateful). You know that I have no interest in
controversy. I do not speak ill of another person, move-
Rabbi (Continued from page 1)
(Continued on page 5)
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ment, or religion in a public setting (and strive not to in private). I push the envelope of the comfort zone of the vast ma-
jority of my Orthodox colleagues in seeking communal unity, fraternity, and collegiality with my Conservative and Re-
form colleagues, whom I respect and consider friends.
There are real issues that can be fairly debated: Should there be total separation of religion and State in Israel? Should
non-traditional interpretations of Judaism have full access to public funds? Does the government have the right to define
the forms of Judaism that have a role to play within an official setting. These legitimate and hotly debated issues will
ultimately be resolved by the citizens of the State. Even among traditional Jews in Israel, there is a wide spectrum of
opinion on these issues. I, a citizen and resident of Israel, and an Orthodox rabbi, do not have clarity on these difficult
questions.
It was only after I received anguished communications from some of your congregants, who view me as a trusted teacher
of Torah, asking me about your sermon, that my sense of responsibility forced me, against my nature, to address these
troubling impressions, which, in any case are not germane to the genuine issue at hand.
Rabbi Taff, you welcomed me into your office to hear me out. You were receptive to a different perspective and new
information. You are committed to working together, to making sure that our community, which we lead together, bene-
fits from the fullest presentation of the issues and that gratuitous tension is mitigated. You are a mensch. You are a Jew-
ish leader of authenticity and moral statue. You might remember that our talk started out a little tense but ended with our
hugging. I cherish that embrace. Fortunate is the flock that has you as its shepherd.
With abiding respect and affection,
Joel Zeff
Rabbi (Continued from page 4)
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The Scroll
Happy New (Board) Year!
Mosaic Law has three different times
the year turns over – Rosh Hashanah
three months from now, our fiscal
year on January 1st, and what we just
celebrated at the annual meeting on
June 10th – the new term for the Board of Trustees and the
boards of our auxiliary organizations. For those of you
who joined us at the annual meeting, we had a lovely din-
ner donated, once again, by Yair Luria, and then got down
to the business of the shul along with some special recog-
nitions.
I want to take this opportunity to thank two people that
were recognized at the annual meeting who have dedicated
countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears toward the better-
ment of Mosaic Law while serving on the board.
Erich Olson just finished his term as second vice presi-
dent, and a seven year run as a member of the Board of
Trustees. During this time, Erich was president of the
Men’s Club, a board member at large, and a member of
the executive committee as secretary, and, as mentioned,
second vice president. Self-motivated and a man of many
talents, Erich’s efforts have impacted all congregants.
A kitchen maven, there are few meals that have been
served at shul that Erich hasn't impacted – particularly the
weekly Kiddush. Erich has been in charge of making sure
the food gets picked up by the designated board member
of the week, as well as put out on the tables. And there are
few times where Erich isn’t actually in the kitchen, sleeves
rolled up, elbow deep in tuna, egg salad, and making sure
everybody has a nice Kiddush lunch.
Beyond the kitchen, Erich has served in many less visible
roles – chief of security, bylaws revisions, nominating
committee, and chair of this year’s successful gala – A Cut
Above - to name a few. Further, his counsel on the execu-
tive committee has been invaluable. We’ll miss him at
meetings, but don’t be surprised to see him slinging cole-
slaw just the same on Saturday afternoons!
The second member of the Board of Trustees who has
been paroled is Dr. Karl Zeff. Karl has actually served as
many consecutive terms on the board as is allowed by our
bylaws – and HE is a psychiatrist! But seriously, in one of
the most challenging roles, Karl has chaired the ritual
committee with distinction and without complaint, but
with enthusiasm and unparalleled patience. In the last year
alone, Karl co-chaired our first Rosh Hashanah Seder with
Bud Miller, and was a key factor in the return of the Sec-
ond Seder for Passover. Both events were very successful
with roughly 200 attendees at both functions. For these
efforts, Karl was recognized as the Key Person of the Year
– a board MVP, if you will, at this year’s annual meeting.
Those close to Karl know him as a light hearted, peaceful,
accommodating man; however, as a member of the Board
of Trustees, Karl took his role very seriously and made
significant contributions on many hard decisions we faced
over the last several years. When appropriate, Karl was all
business, and our congregation is the better for it.
We’ll miss his cheesy Jewish jokes and insightful Divrei
Torah at the onset of board meetings, but look forward to
enjoying his company as a “Jew in the pew” going for-
ward.
On behalf of the congregation, thank you and yasher
koach to Erich and Karl!
Two other awards were given out at this year’s annual
meeting. As mentioned above, the Second Seder made a
roaring return this year. The effort was monumental after a
5 year hiatus. The cleaning and kashering of the kitchen
alone took weeks. Although there were many contributors
to its success, there were two individuals who stood out as
MVP’s. For that, Ricki Lobel was given the Volunteer of
the Year Award, and Reid Milburn was given the Honora-
ble Menschen Award.
Thank you and yasher koach to Ricki and Reid on a very
successful event. Thanks to their effort, we expect to con-
tinue the Second Seder for years to come.
When my term as president began a year ago, my top pri-
ority was improving the financial status of the congrega-
tion. Specifically, increasing revenues to close the gap be-
tween our short and long term expenses and what we bring
in on an annual basis. Our three major revenue categories
are dues, fundraisers, and The Center at 2300. I’m happy
to report that all three areas experienced significant growth
due to an all hands effort by our staff, the board, and an
army of volunteers. We have a long way to go before we
take our collective foot off the gas, but I’m encouraged by
the progress we have made to date. I expect even greater
success in the next 12 months and would love to hear from
congregants who want to make contributions of their time
and/or funds toward the betterment of YOUR congrega-
tion.
Let’s make this 115th year the best yet at Mosaic Law.
See you in shul!
Reflections from the President
David Long
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Weekly Scroll Submission Guidelines
Submission deadline is each Wed at 5pm. All submis-sions must have complete information: Event, Date, Time, Details, Cost, Contact, and be under 100 words. All sub-missions are subject to editing for space considerations. No late submissions will be accepted.
Monthly Scroll Submission Guidelines
All monthly Scroll content is due by 5pm on the 20th of each month. Articles must be fully complete and not more than 400 words. Longer articles will be edited for space. Events must have complete information: Event, Date, Time, Details, Cost, Contact, and be under 100 words. All submissions are subject to editing for space considerations. No late submissions will be accepted.
All submissions must be emailed to JoAnne Evans at [email protected] and Barbara Blue at [email protected]. Thank you.
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The Scroll
By Appointment
A Message from the Wom-
en’s Network about the
2015-2016 Congregation-
al Directory
Dear Fellow Members of Mosaic
Law Congregation,
The Women’s Network is busy preparing the 2015-2016
congregational directory. Alla Gamarnick will be spear-
heading this important project, assisted by Deborah Frost
and Arlene Pearl. A tremendous amount of work goes into
compiling this resource, and ensuring the accuracy of our
membership listings, telephone numbers addresses and
emails and WE NEED YOUR HELP.
By the middle of July, you will receive your directory list-
ing packet, containing forms for both your directory listing
and any New Year greeting you wish to include in the di-
rectory. This year, we are requesting that everyone com-
plete their directory listing form with all relevant infor-
mation and mail it back to the office by the deadline. The
form should be completed regardless of whether or not
you have changes to last year’s listing. This will facilitate
the process of compiling the directory for our dedicated
volunteers.
I am pleased also to announce that the following commit-
ted women were installed as members of the Women’s
Network board at the 2015 Annual Meeting:
President, Sheri Pearl
Vice-President – Membership, Janis Lightman
Vice-President – Events, Sandra Bear
Secretary – Financial – Dawn Maurer
Secretary – Recording – Dale Gaskin
Secretary – Corresponding – Julie Lavine
Treasurer – Melanie Segal
Immediate Past President – Carol Loew
At Large – Goldie Block
Please watch your mail for your Women’s Network and
Men’s Club 2015-2016 Membership Packets – coming
soon.
Best wishes for a wonderful summer!
Lihitraot,
Sheri Pearl
From the Women’s Network
Sheri Pearl
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Bernie Goldberg’s English readings: Maimonides,
Mishna Torah, selections every Shabbat at 8am in the
Chapel.
Shabbat Under the Stars - Fri, Jul 3 at 7:30pm in the
Courtyard. Please join in an amazing outdoor spiritual
prayer experience as we sing together with Cantor Ben,
Rabbi Taff, and the MLC Band and Choir. Ice cream sun-
dae bar following the service.
Mosaic Law Gift Shop summer hours are: Wed 3-6pm;
Fri 1-4pm; Sun by appointment only. Call Carol Loew at
(916) 927-5220.
Chicken Soup Warms the Soul - The meat freezer died
and took the chicken soup with it. If you are interested in
sponsoring the preparation of the soup, please contact
Caren Zorman at [email protected].
Adventures in the Amidah - Come one and all as the
Sunday minyannaires restart their weekly breakfast discus-
sions. Join Jonathan Lightman and guest facilitators in
leading “Adventures in the Amidah,” explaining the bless-
ings of the Amidah one week at a time. Join the Sunday
minyan at 9am and stay for a bagel and a great discussion.
Don’t worry about missing a session; each week will stand
on its own.
Come to MLC for music lessons! Teachers use our facili-
ties to teach more than 20 instruments. This also raises
money for the synagogue! For more information, go to the
Community page at mosaiclaw.org.
November 2015 ATID Life & Legacy Trip to Poland
and Israel. Join Rabbi and Judy on this special trip from
November 8-18, 2015. This special VIP Legacy Tour
leaves on Sunday, November 8th from Sacramento arriv-
ing in Krakow, Poland on Monday morning, November
9th, the anniversary of Kristallnacht. The itinerary is espe-
cially designed to allow us to examine two of the most
significant events of Jewish history - the Shoah (The Holo-
caust) and the birth of the State of Israel. We will be privi-
leged to meet with members and officials of the Jewish
community in Poland as well as in Israel. Do not delay,
register TODAY! Feel free to contact Rabbi Taff at rab-
[email protected] if you have any additional questions.
Loaves & Fishes - MLC volunteers at Loaves & Fishes
every third Monday of each month. You can come at
7:30am to help cook and/or at 10:45 to help serve. For
more info, contact the MLC office at (916) 488-1122.
Mosaic Law Events
If you wish to purchase a memorial plaque before the
High Holydays, please contact Caren Zorman at
[email protected], by the following dates:
Rosh Hashanah (Sep 14) by July 24.
Yom Kippur (Sep 23) by July 31.
Important Notice
Please keep your belongings with you at all times
while you are on campus. Do not leave them unat-
tended at any time!
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KOH Library and Cultural Center
Calendar of Events Summer 2015
Summer is heating up, but we are keeping cool. Be sure to
make KOH Library and Cultural Center a part of your
summer schedule: Visit our bright, air-conditioned facility
for a variety of programming, art, music, reading, learning
and discussing. Our impressive collection includes videos
and books of all genres. Please visit our webpage:
kohlcc.org or call us at 485-4143 for more information.
Friends of KOH Reception
Sunday, August 2nd at 2pm. In honor of our dear group of
“Friends.” We can never have too many Friends!
Contact Joann at [email protected] or call (916) 485-
4143 for more information on becoming a Friend of KOH
and how each friend can bring a friend!
KOH Book Club
All meetings of the KOH Book Club are open to newcom-
ers. Walk-ins are welcome to join the interesting discus-
sions. Tuesday, July 21st at 7pm. This month’s selection is
The Fortune Teller’s Kiss by Brenda Serotte.
Reading Ahead??? The selection for August 18th is The
Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Simone. Copies of all
Book Club selections are available at KOH.
Ongoing Groups
- Rabbi Melamed’s Discussion Group – Meets at 1:30 the
second Monday of each month. This summer’s meetings
will be on July 13th and August 10th.
- Hadassah Discussion Group – The Jessie Yoshpe Hadas-
sah Study Group is on hiatus for the summer. The group
will resume on Sep 16, and will meet the 1st and 3rd
Wednesday of each month from 9:45-11:30 a.m. at the
KOH Library. The new study will be using the guide “The
Jewish Prophets” by Rabbi Dr. Michael J. Shire. For fur-
ther details, please contact Soni Meyer at 916 383-5743.
- NEW Writing Group – Writing as a Spiritual Practice -
with facilitator, Pia Spector. Six Thursday evenings from 7
– 9pm. July 9 & 23; August 6 & 20; September 3 & 17
Suggested donation is $5 per class to cover costs, snacks
and journals. To register contact Pia Spector at (916) 747-
0541 or [email protected]. You are welcome to visit
Pia’s website at www.piaspector.com for more infor-
mation.
The KOH Library and Cultural Center is run solely by vol-
unteers. If you wish to join our volunteer family, please
contact Taliah Berger, KOH President and Program Direc-
tor at [email protected] or 916-541-3720 or call the li-
brary office directly at 916 485-4143.
KOH Hours and Amenities:
Free Wi-Fi is available.
Please continue to visit in person – or check us out on our
webpage: kohlcc.org. You can access our catalog, calen-
dar of events and our Wish List online.
Our hours are:
Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday: 10am to 1pm.
Wednesday: 1pm – 6pm
We are also available as needed – just call ahead to be sure
someone is here to assist you (916) 485-4143.
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There is a saying in our Talmud: “Who shares in the community’s troubles will also share in its consolation” (Ta’anit
11a). Our synagogue offers short-term counseling with a volunteer professional licensed therapist. Rande Zaretsky, a
licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), has offered her services to the members of our congregation.
Counseling is a process of confidential discussions with a trained licensed therapist. With the support of an objective
therapist you can identify and develop alternative coping skills. Appointments are open to children, teens, adults and
couples of all ages. Rande will have private office hours on Tuesdays, hours to be arranged. Alternative arrangements
may also be available.
A fee to the synagogue of $36 is to be paid at each session. No one will be turned away because of inability to afford the
fee, but everyone will be expected to pay something.
To schedule a confidential appointment, please call (916) 488-1166 and upon hearing the recording, leave your message.
Be sure to speak clearly and slowly, leaving your name and phone number.
Rande will be checking for messages twice each day and will return calls within 24 hours, Mondays through Thursdays.
Should you have any questions about this program, please contact Rabbi Taff. Strict confidentiality will be maintained.
Mosaic Law Counseling Center
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The Core Curriculum:
Year 1
Rhythms of Jewish Living
What’s the point of living Jewishly? What ideas, beliefs, and practices are involved? This course examines a wide varie-
ty of Jewish sources to discover the deeper meanings underlying Jewish holidays, lifecycles observances, and Jewish
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Why do Jews believe as they do? What are the big questions of life and how do Jewish thinkers answer these questions?
This course explores sources both ancient and modern in pursuit of answers to many of the major issues of Jewish
thought and theology.
Year 2
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How do Jewish teachings shed light on contemporary issues such as the environment. Inter-personal relationships, end-
of-life decisions, and stem-cell research? This course explores the wisdom of ancient and modern rabbis, scholars, and
thinkers, offering multiple Jewish approaches to conducting our lives in the communal and private spheres.
Crossroads of Jewish History
This class spotlights defining periods in Jewish history and provides an understanding of howthese crossroads have
shaped Judaism as we know it today. The course seeks to reclaim the richness of Jewish history and explore the role that
Jews played - not just as passive victims, but also as shapers of our shared identity and destiny.
Register today and join the great Jewish conversation!
The Florence Melton School of Jewish Learning is the largest pluralistic adult
Jewish education network in th eworld. Founded in 1980, there are now 50 Mel-
ton Schools in 47 cities throughout the US and around the world, attended week-
ly by some 5,500 students. Sacramento is one of Melton’s newest satellite
schools!
What makes the Melton School Unique?
Commitment to Learning - Students enroll in a sequential two-year course devel-
oped specifically for adult learners. They meet one day a week throughout the
academic year. There are no examinations. The only prerequisite is a commit-
ment to learn. The Melton School infuses students with a desire to make Jewish
learning a way of life which often continues beyond the first two years into Mel-
ton School graduate courses.
Quality Teaching & Learning - To preserve the high standards which are the
hallmark of the Melton School, all faculty members - educators within the com-
munity - must participate within the community in ongoing professional enrich-
ment programs. This also contributes to the community’s educational resources.
Questioning and dialogue are encouraged in a pluralistic classroom environment.
Sophisticated Curriculum - Four text-based courses make up the sequential two-
year curriculum written by a team of experts at the Hebrew University’s Centre for Jewish Education - the world’s larg-
est academic center for Jewish Education.
Israel-Diaspora Partnership - Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Centers, Bureaus of Jewish Education and com-
munity coalitions are the Hebrew University’s partners in the Melton School. This ensures a community commitment to
maintaining the high level of quality expected of each Melton School. There are study and enrichment seminars for
alumni, faculty, and directors at the Hebrew University: the Israel Seminar for Graduates, the Faculty Israel Seminar and
the International Directors Conference.
For more information, contact Sara Kahn Shapiro at [email protected], (916) 488-6397, or explore the
website at www.meltonschool.org/
Page 14
The Scroll
California State Fair - July 10th-26th. Online ticket sales
close July 5th! Whether you love the food, the rides, the
midway, the animals or everything else the California
State Fair has to offer, be sure to purchase tickets using
our special promo code: JFSRStateFair. You'll enjoy the
Fair even more knowing you helped your community!
Committee on Inclusion and Disabilities - Sun, Jul 12.
Inclusive Activities for All! The Jewish Federation's Com-
mittee on Inclusion and Disabilities and PJ Library invite
children ages 3-8 of all abilities for a fun-filled day of ac-
tivities that includes swimming (life guard on duty); arts
and crafts, circle time with singing; cooking activity; mak-
ing new friends; and more! Also includes "Living Jewishly
Throughout the Year," a facilitated parent discussion
group, during children's play time. Parent presence re-
quired. Free. 2:00-3:30pm. Congregation B'nai Israel,
3600 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento. For more information,
contact [email protected].
Leisure League at the Albert Einstein Residence Center
on Thu, Jul 23 at 12pm. Vocalist Caitlyn Shannon is a col-
lege student who has been singing and performing since
she was a child. A graduate of Shalom School, she will be
starting her penultimate semester at Sacramento City Col-
lege this autumn. Caitlyn performs with theatre companies
in the Sacramento area. All Leisure League programs are
Noon-2:00pm. $5 includes lunch and entertainment. For
more information about Leisure League or to RSVP, con-
tact 916-486-0906 or [email protected].
Jewish Genealogical Society of Sacramento
Sunday, August 2nd at 10am. "Uncovering Family Secrets
Through Genealogy." Dr. Valerie Jordan will highlight the
theme of family secrets and how genealogy may intention-
ally or accidentally uncover hidden family secrets. She'll
share two examples of these secrets from her paternal
grandfather's story. Valerie is a retired professor of psy-
chology from the University of La Verne. Her interest in
genealogy has evolved partly from teaching courses in
family therapy and using multigenerational genograms
(pictorial displays of a person's family relationships) in
therapy. Valerie currently lives in Lincoln. All are wel-
come to join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Sacra-
mento at the Einstein Center, 1935 Wright Street. For
more information, contact Mort Rumberg at
Shabbat-in-a-Box - Volunteer to make Shabbat-in-a-box
on a Friday afternoon with Jewish residents at local senior
facilities. Federation provides all of the fixings: candle-
sticks, candles, grape juice, challah, etc. You provide com-
panionship and a visit! 3pm - 4pm. For more information,
location, and dates, contact Elissa Provance at 916-486-
0906 ext. 304 or [email protected].
Make a Dream Come True – Host an Exchange
Student - Forte International Exchange Association
(FIEA), a highly respected non-profit public-benefit or-
ganization, is seeking volunteer host families for high
school boys and girls from various countries for the up-
coming school year. The students are excited and are al-
ready awaiting word about their host families. Host fami-
lies provide room, board, and guidance for a foreign teen-
ager living thousands of miles from home. Couples, single
parents, and families with or without children living at
home are all encouraged to apply. The exchange students
arrive from their home countries before the current school
year begins. Each FIEA student is fully insured, brings
his/her own spending money and expects to bear his/her
share of the household responsibilities as well as be in-
cluded in normal activities and lifestyles. If you are inter-
ested in opening your home and sharing your family life
with a young person from abroad, please contact your Lo-
cal Representatives Carol or Susan Berger at 209-502-
7443 or by e-mail [email protected]. Please also
visit our website for more information:
www.forteexchange.org.
Community Notes
Page 17
July Birthdays
1 Philip & Roxanne Stanger
1 Hanoch & Meladee McCarty
2 Alan & Nancy Brodovsky
2 Lester Adelman & Anna Joy
4 Mitch & Teri Ostwald
5 Arkady & Sofia Komsky
5 Bill Blank & Wendy Hoffman-
Blank
6 Fred & Meredith Howe
6 Steven Gregory & Melinda Yaffee
8 Steven & Linda Merksamer
10 Chad & Margot Frost
11 Kenneth & Annette Davis
11 Todd & Jennifer Barth
11 Charles & Barbara Spooner
13 Matthew & Mary Friedman
15 David & Bobbette Morvai
15 Michael & Betsy Singer
22 Bradley & Hellan Dowden
24 Murray & Gail Haberman
24 Lesley & Donald Heller
25 Dan & Melinda Ott
25 Sylvan & Beverly Karfiol
26 Craig & Ezilda Samoville
27 Richard Gould &
Michelle Masoner
28 Eric & Leyne Milstein
July Anniversaries
1 Benjamin Gordon
1 Juliana Weinstein
1 Natalia Cohan
2 Carl Stein
3 Sorelle Berger
3 Leor Thomas
4 Ellen King
4 Enid Malkin
4 Devyn Swift
5 Aaron Ichel
5 Phil Fine
6 Jennifer Klein
6 Robert Spector
6 Ben Rubin
6 Harvey Canter
7 Victor Strasser
7 Rachel Galili
8 Norman Weiner
8 Julie Schweitzer
9 Aaron Zeff
10 Phyllis Needelman
10 Naomi Villanueva
10 Jerry Fogler
10 William Clay
10 Joe Cohan
10 Bella Faierstein
11 Bruce Anapolsky
12 Yair Luria
12 Linda Reitzenstein
12 Miriam Siegel
12 Jonathan Salman
12 Daniel Salman
12 Zoey Wittlake
12 Esti Shapiro
12 Ariel Tenenbaum
12 Arima Claypool
12 Deborah Frost
12 Joshua Heller
13 Loretta Lentzner
13 Debbie Metzger
13 Carole Sussman
13 Linda Yassinger
14 Deanne Meyer
14 Abi Erle
15 Nelson Cohn
15 Robin Berrin
15 Marcy Friedman
16 Bebe Pollack
16 Martin Strasser
16 Henry Sperber
17 Jeffery Morris
17 Sheila Varshawsky
17 Alex Verpukhovsky
18 Sharyl Long
18 David O’Riva
18 William Bombard
19 Sandy Shaffer
19 Marc Sussman
19 Jeremy Futerman
19 Isaac Bar Shahar
19 Annette Davis
19 Irene Green
20 Lisa Breslau
20 Diane Dulberg
20 Cynthia Goldberg
21 Marjorie Swartz
21 Sophia Samuel
21 Devan Varshawsky
21 Ava Miller
21 Rick Cohen
22 Dana Long
22 Samantha Epworth
22 Morgan Haberman
22 Michelle Masoner
23 DeeDee Mozes
23 Casey Vasquez
24 Edward Kobrin
24 Stacy Spector
24 Noa Elliot
24 Carol Scheinberg
24 Susanne Brabec
24 Meg Salasky
25 Aaron Tomiyama
25 Eli Wolf
25 Maxine Richey
25 Anjanette
Grossman
25 Abe Faierstein
26 Philip Reiser
26 Pat Thaler
26 Rachel Miller
26 Adam Davis
26 Josiah Ortego
26 Judah Ortego
26 Hellan Dowden
26 Joy Kanarik
27 Harold Stein
27 Michael Freeman
27 Gus Ballis
28 Linda Merksamer
28 Eliot Reiner
28 Boris Rozenberg
28 Ally Wickham
28 Hannah Poisner
29 Lauren Weil
29 Marilyn Margman
31 Estelle Opper
31 Eva Revesz
31 Janet Solomon
31 Amanda Wolf
The Scroll
Page 18
Generous Gifts From Thoughtful People Donations Made Between 21 May through 20 June
Cantor’s Mitzvah Fund In appreciation of her Aliyah
Joyce Berger
General Synagogue Fund In honor of Elissa Provance
for her dedicated service as
Gabbai Rishon
Mike & Betsy
Singer
In honor of David Fahn’s
graduation with his Master’s
Degree
In honor of Natalie
Rochman’s election to USY
Regional Board
In honor of Orly Fahn’s
Confirmation
Michael & Louise
Caplan
The Torah Place Marker
Stuart Cohen
Helping with the mailings of
the Stone Chumashim to
Texas
David & Delores
Spitzer
Rabbi Taff - thank you for
the Chumash
Dr. Bess Dolmo
Speedy recovery to David
Varshawsky, Dr. Daniel
Khazzoom, & Dr. Bob Zeff.
Thinking of you and a
refuah schlema - back to
perfect health
Harry & Julie
Lavine
In memory of Janet Abrams
White
Suzanne Green
KOH Library & Cultural
Center
In memory of Baryohay
Davidoff’s beloved sister,
Esther bat Sarah
v’Emmanuel
Roz & Lou
Weintraub
Well Wishes to Daniel
Khazzoom
Jolie Baron
Mazal Tov on the birth of
her granddaughter to Jolie
Baron
Harlan Goodson and
Valla Hoffman
Murray Bachman Minyan
Fund
In memory of our sister-in-
law, Shirley Dubnick
Barbara & Davina
Dubnick
In memory of her beloved
grandfather, Ludwig Kraus
Karen Neuwald
Speedy recovery to David
Varshawsky, Marin &
Daniel Khazzoom
Bernie & Molly
Goldberg
Speedy recovery to Daniel
Khazzoon - wishing you a
quick recovery
Robert Velazquez
Other Shipping our Stone Chu-
mash to Houston
Janis & Jonathan
Lightman
Lorraine Katz
Ron & Soni Meyer
Ron & Iris Bachman
In memory of Ruth David
Sharon Jacobson
Oneg for Shabbat Under the
Stars
Joan & Marc
Epstein
Past President’s Youth
Fund Speedy recovery to Dr
Daniel Khazzoom
Elliot & Arlene
Pearl
Rabbi’s Mitzvah Fund In memory of Janet Abrams
White - She’s on her way,
following the bright light to
pure happiness, health, and
accomplishment
Jacqui & Al Toledo
In memory of Janet W@hite,
Judy Kahler Taff’s sister
Elizabeth & Michael
Gurev
In memory of Judy Kahler’s
sister, Janet Abrams White
Linda & Steve
Merksamer
Our small contribution to-
wards the mailing costs of
the Chumashim to the Texas
synagogues in honor of our
54th wedding anniversary
Rita Abbott
In appreciation of your ser-
vices for the unveiling of
Betty Salomon and Shirley
Fahn
Karen Salomon &
James Sugerman
In appreciation of his won-
derous caring and kindness
Andy & Ruth Baron
In memory of Judy Kahler
Taff’s beloved sister, Janet
White
Michael & Louise
Caplan
With heartfelt loss of Judy’s
sister, Janet. May she be re-
membered for her love that
others shared
Sam & Sharon
Anapolsky
In memory of Judy Kahler’s
beloved sister, Janet White
Elliot & Arlene
Pearl
In memory of Judy’s be-
loved sister, Janet White
Roz & Lou
Weintraub
In memory of Janet White
Shirley Cohodes
In memory of Janet Abrams,
sister of Judy Abrams
Kahler - We are sorry for the
loss of your beloved sister
Ron & Iris Bachman
In response to Rabbi’s mes-
sage about the Bar Mitzvah
event in Israel
Irwin A. Herman,
MD
In appreciation of your ser-
vices at the unveiling for
Peter Greenstein’s headstone
Sylvia Greenstein
Yahrzeit
In memory of his beloved
brother, Louis Block (Leybl
ben Tzina Bela)
Dr Charles Block
In memory of his beloved
mother, Simcha Navi (Simha
bat Metukka)
David Navi
In memory of Tessie Stecher
Leonard Stecher
In memory of his beloved
father, Edwin Mozes (Mahel
Meir ben Miriam)
Larry Mozes
In memory of Marilyn
Stecher - with loving memo-
ries of my wife and mother
of our daughters
Leonard Stecher
In memory of his beloved
uncle, Herbert Bergman
(Continued on page 19)
The Scroll
Page 19
Kiddush & Oneg Sponsors, Hosts & Co-Sponsors for June
Bernie & Molly Goldberg in honor of Bernie’s birthday
Joyce & Steve Weinberg in honor of Joyce’s birthday
Sue Sperber in honor of her birthday
Linda & Marvin Kamras in honor of their anniversary
Roz & Lou Weintraub in honor of their anniversary and Roz’s birthday
Tamar & Ian Yellin in honor of their 4th wedding anniversary
Joan Epstein in support of the Friday Oneg
Harold & Karen Goldstein in honor of their anniversary
Michael & Jennifer Klein in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter,
Samantha
Mosaic Law
Congregation
Board of Trustees
2015-2016
Executive Board President - David Long
First Vice Pres - Steve Turtletaub
Second Vice Pres - Dan Ott
Treasurer - Caren Zorman
Secretary - David Tokarski
Immediate Past President
Jonathan Lightman
Board of Trustees
Joel Blank
Stuart Cohen
Mark Cohn
Harvey Edber
Joshua Heller
Michael Levy
Carol Loew
Jolan Rosenthal
Renee Schaffer
Joel Zimmerman
Women’s Network President
Sheri Pearl
Men’s Club President
Victor Strasser
Past Presidents Alan Brodovsky
Mark Cohn
Alan Edelstein
Morton Ehrlich, MD
Deborah Gonzalez
Kenneth Goore
Frank Gumpert
Marvin Kamras, MD
Steven Mopsick
Charles Nadler
Michael Opper
Mitchell Ostwald
Arlene Pearl
Elliott Pearl
Steven Polansky, MD
Sid Rosenberg
Marc Sussman
Robert Zeff, MD
Caren Zorman
The Scroll
(Chenya ben Rashel)
Rick Weisberg
In memory of her beloved husband,
Leonard Salasky (Yonkel Laeb ben
Fromme)
Carol Salasky
In memory of Edythe Rosenberg, his
mother
Lew Rosenberg
In memory of my sister, Fiby Azoulay,
of blessed memory
Elais Azoulay
In memory of Florence Schoichet,
(Faiga Ita), her sister
Molly Goldberg
In memory of her beloved mother,
Clara Deutsch
Shirley Cohodes
In memory of Etta Gilbert, his sister
Gerry Ross
In memory of Norman Kaufman, her
brother
In memory of her beloved husband,
Pete
Sylvia Greenstein
In memory of his beloved father, Max
Stein (Mordecai Mendel ben Yacov)
Harold Stein
In memory of his beloved mother, Bet-
ty Block (Tsina Bela bat Charna)
Charlie Block
In memory of her sister-in-law, Barba-
ra Spitzer
Delores Spitzer
In memory of our beloved grandfather,
Israel Dubnick
Barbara & Davina Dubnick
In memory of Judy Kahler’s sister,
Janet White
In memory of our parents for Shavuot
Gayle & Ed Fishkin
In memory of his beloved father, Max
Haberman
Murray & Gail
Haberman
(Continued from page 18)
In Memoriam…
The congregation extends its condolences to:
Jan Linver on the loss of her dear husband, and our dear member, Gil Linver,
of blessed memory.
Page 20
The Scroll
Mosaic Law Congregation
Rabbi Reuven Taff……………………....ext 113
email: [email protected]
Cantor Ben Rosner……………………….ext 112
Email: [email protected]
Cantor Emeritus George Wald
email: [email protected]
Rabbi’s Secretary Mary Blumenstein………………..ext 119
email: [email protected]
Education & Youth Director Irit S. Winston…….……………..ext 117
Email: [email protected]
Weekly/Monthly Scroll Designer Barbara Blue……………………..ext 118
email: [email protected]
Accountant Lisa Wade………………………..ext 116
email: [email protected]
Office Manager JoAnne Eastus Evans……………ext 115
Email: [email protected]
President David Long
email: [email protected]
Men’s Club President Victor Strasser
email: [email protected]
Women’s Network President Sheri Pearl
email: [email protected]
Published monthly by:
Mosaic Law Congregation
2300 Sierra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95825 A member congregation of United
Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Office Hours: Mon-Thu: 9am - 5pm Fri: 9am - 4pm
Telephone: (916) 488-1122 Fax: (916) 488-1165 Website: mosaiclaw.org
Scroll Deadline
Deadline for submissions to The Scroll is the
20th of the month prior to publication. Please
send your article to:
jevans@mosaiclaw and [email protected].
Submissions received after the deadline will
be held until the next Scroll is published.