what does it mean to “know” hebrew? - temple isaiah...2 temple isaiah ruach, february 2016 for...

component by teaching Hebrew sight words, letters and vowel signs, and read-ing skills. Hebrew through Movement is fun, social, and a great way for our students to learn a large Hebrew vocab-ulary.

We also believe that JQuest students should be immersed in an environ-ment where Hebrew words and phrases are part of the culture and an essen-tial ingredient of their Jewish identity. Hebrew is an important part of Jewish life, and we want our students to learn Hebrew in order to be part of a commu-nity for whom the Hebrew language has

Do you know Hebrew? If you “know” Hebrew, what does that mean? Does it mean that you know the letters of the aleph-bet and can sound out words? Does it mean that you feel comfortable with modern, spoken Hebrew? Does it mean that you understand basic Jewish life vocabulary (words like shalom and tzedakah and phrases like tikkun olam or b’tzelem Elohim)? Does it mean that you can recite most of the words of the prayers we say in com-munal worship services, even if you cannot translate the prayers word for word?

Over the last several years, as a result of thinking deeply about questions like these, we have dramatically changed the way we teach Hebrew to students in JQuest (religious school). From 2011 to 2013, our Temple Isaiah Hebrew Task Force laid out clear goals for our Hebrew program and decided that the “old” way of teach-ing and learning Hebrew was not working. We created a brand new approach to synagogue-based Hebrew education, one that is now being copied around the country.

One of the biggest changes we made was shifting to a sound-to-print methodology of language learning. As linguist Lifsa Schachter explains, “reading begins in and is based on oral sounds”; therefore, we should teach Hebrew in a sound-to-print sequence, starting by teaching children Hebrew orally and later adding the print or visual component. This approach is the exact opposite of how most synagogues teach children Hebrew, which is via a print-to-sound sequence: “This is a bet, it sounds like ‘b.’” In our new program we use a curriculum called “Hebrew through Movement,” in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew com-mands through physical movements. Later on we add the visual

December 2011Kislev / Tevet 5772

February 2016Sh’vat / Adar 5776

What Does It Mean to “Know” Hebrew?

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The 10th grade con-firmation class in Washington, DC in January. Highlights of the four-day trip included lobby-ing Congress and celebrating havda-lah at the Jefferson Memorial.

Rabbi Nicki Greninger

value and meaning. Sociolinguist Netta Avineri describes this as a “Hebrew-oriented metalinguistic community,” a community in which there are selected Hebrew words within the primary language of communication. These selected words may include greetings (shalom), closings (l’hitra’ot), expressions (yasher koach), holiday terminology (lulav), and many other terms of importance in American Jewish life. Linguist Sarah Benor calls this particular American Jewish language “Jewish English.” Although Jewish educators and parents sometimes feel frus-trated with our inability to teach Hebrew fluency to our stu-dents, we should note that Jewish English is a valid expression of American Jewish identity and knowledge of key Hebrew words and phrases is an impor- (Continued on page 2)

for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org2 Temple Isaiah Ruach, February 2016

(Rabbi Nicki Greninger continued from pg 1)TEMPLE ISAIAH

945 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549Temple Isaiah’s mission is to embody, enhance, and perpetuate our Jewish tradition by providing a welcoming spiritual home where the membership gathers to worship God, study Torah, engage in acts of Tikun Olam, participate in Jewish rituals and life cycle events, and experience the joy of being a part of a caring community.

President David Douglas

Executive Vice President Jasmine Tarkoff

Vice President Tony Crea

Vice President Dan Myers

Secretary Karen Goldberg

Treasurer Steve Lipson

Parliamentarian Robert Goldberg Phone Ext

Rabbi Roberto Graetz 308

Rabbi Judy Shanks 308

Associate Rabbi Alissa Miller 308

Rabbi Emeritus Shelley Waldenberg 308

Cantor Leigh Korn 308

Executive Director Debbie Kirsch 301

Education Director Rabbi Nicki Greninger 313

Gan Ilan Director Liz Kaufman 108

Youth Director Jory Gwasdoff 311

Membership Abby Seitelman 306

Facilities Rental Michaela Caughlan 303

Librarian Melissa Gianotti 316

Clergy Secretary Nina Jones 308

Education Asst. Daniella Forney 315

Gan Ilan Asst. Jeanette Woskow 109

Comm. & Dev. Dir. Jen Boxerman 310

Office Staff Joanie Zecherle 300

Special Gifts Sonia Das 304

Bookkeeper Sherry Tsai 302

Office 925-283-8575

Fax 925-283-8355

Religious School 925-284-9191

Gan Ilan Preschool 925-284-8453

Gift Shop 925-284-4933

Website www.temple-isaiah.org

Ruach Vol. 64, No. 07, February 2016

Ruach is published monthly except in July by Temple Isaiah. Ruach is breath, wind, or spirit. It also means soul. May it be a breeze of fresh Jewish spirit arriving at your home.

Editor Judy [email protected]

Photographer Michael Fox

Production Wes Carlson

Mussar Worship and StudyOur Mussar and Meditation Shabbat ser-vice creates time for personal reflective prayer, meditative chanting of powerful litur-gical phrases, guided silences, and group dis-cussions of Mussar wisdom. Mussar, a Jewish path toward menschlichkeit, deepens our commitment to ethical behavior and a more compassionate embrace of the unique quali-ties we find in ourselves and others.

At our Shabbat service on Saturday, February 13, at 10:30 a.m. in the Beit Knesset, led by Rabbi Judy Shanks and Jeanette Gross, we will focus our prayers and learning on the middah (character trait) of shtikah (silence). We will explore what the Torah, ancient rab-bis, and Mussar teachers have to say about the importance of quiet moments in our days, holding back unnecessary speech, and finding wisdom when we are able to quiet our own busy minds. (Please note: this service was originally scheduled for February 6.) Upcoming Mussar and Meditation Shabbat morning services will be held on March 5, April 2, and May 7.

The middah of savlanut (patience) will be the topic of our next Mussar Learning with Rabbi Shanks on Sunday, February 21, at 11:15 a.m. in the CCJDS Makom. Gaining some mastery over our impatience can pave the way to more progress in many of the other middot: anger, judgment, humility. Join us as we discuss how to fight reactivity and put more distance “between the match and the flame.”

Josh Nelson Live at TIJosh Nelson, one of the most popular per-formers and composers of modern Jewish music, will bring his message of hope, unity, and spirituality to Temple Isaiah on Sunday, March 6, at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see and hear the gifted singer, musician, and songwriter whose work is part of the repertoire of congregations, camps, and com-munities around the world.

The concert is sponsored by the Mimi Epstein Endowment Fund and is free of charge.

East Bay Jewish Choral FestivalPlease join us on Sunday, February 28, at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary for the annual East Bay Jewish Choral Festival featuring the choirs of Temple Isaiah, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, and Congregation B’nai Shalom. Under the direction of Cantors Leigh Korn, Jennie Chabon, and Risa Wallach (who will also lend their voices to the program), the combined choirs of the three synagogues will perform superb Jewish choral music for all seasons. The concert is free and open to all. A recep-tion will follow.

tant way of sustaining our unique culture through the generations. At Temple Isaiah, we teach Jewish English through “Jewish Life Vocabulary” – a list of Hebrew words and phrases that our teachers use regularly – and we also highlight certain Hebrew letters and Hebrew vocabulary each week of the year.

Through the implementation of Hebrew through Movement and Jewish Life Vocabulary, we are rethinking what it means to “know” Hebrew, and we are serving as a model for many other congregations in North America. For the last three years, we have been conducting research on our new approach to Hebrew education, and I look forward to sharing the results of that research with you in the future. In the meantime, you’re always welcome to stop by JQuest and see what Hebrew learning looks like for our students today.

Rabbi Nicki Greninger,Director of Education

Welcome New Members December 13, 2015 – January 12, 2016

Josh Nelson

Please see your printed copy of the Ruach for this month’s new mem-ber listing.

Temple Isaiah Ruach, February 2016 3www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information

NEWS AND INSPIRATION

Making Things EasierWe are excited to launch our new temple database this month. Soon you’ll be able to register for programs, view your account, make payments, and make donations to your favorite fund with ease. You’ll have all the features you had before, such as the online directory, but now there’s no more entering all your family and payment information each time you sign up for something. I think that bears repeating: No more entering all your family and payment information each time you sign up for something!

As with most things, you get out of it what you put into it. For us best to serve you (because that’s what we’re here for) we need your most current information. Our new system is good, but it can’t correct prior mistakes. Please take just a few minutes to review and update the information in your family’s record and make sure your contact information is accurate. While you’re at it, please upload a photo for each of your family members. Particularly for me as a relative newcomer, it’s a great way to put names and faces together. We would love to capture your work information as well. We often receive calls from people looking for a doctor, a realtor, a flower shop, or other services. We love to pass on this helpful information, but we can only pass on what we know.

We are looking forward to a streamlined system that will afford more accuracy, ease of use, and real time credit card process-ing. An additional feature is complete email integration, so if you update your email in your record, it will automatically be updated in our email system. We’ll also be able to utilize all that useful census and havurah data to help you engage in the things you are interested in. All in all, this system will help us help you get the most you can out of Temple Isaiah.

Please watch for more information, including your new secure log in.

Debbie Kirsch, Executive Director

Debbie Kirsch

Rabbi Search UpdateThe Assistant Rabbi Search Committee is well underway, moving toward potential candidate visits to Temple Isaiah in February or early March. As a member of the Union for Reform Judaism, we are governed by the Rabbinical Placement Commission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) which provides the application form for our rabbi search and posts the applica-tion on its online database of congregations searching for rabbis. Our application describes Temple Isaiah’s shared values, philoso-phy, history, future goals, community, and staff. It also relates the qualities our congregation is looking for in an assistant rabbi, based upon the Isaiah 2020 census and dialogue at our com-mittee meetings. The CCAR forwarded resumes and background information from eligible rabbis interested in the position to our search committee.

To date, we have received 20 resumes. Six are from ordained rabbis with 2-30 years of experience; 14 are from rabbinical students who will be ordained in May. Our committee will first interview ordained rabbis who may be a good fit for our congre-gation. On February 7 to 9, Jill Douglas, David Matz, Rabbi Shanks, and Cantor Korn will conduct interviews with the student rabbis in New York. Based largely on those interviews, the committee will invite two to four candidates to our campus to interview and meet our clergy, staff, board members, and congregants. These visits will take place February 14-18 and March 1-12. If an ideal candidate is identified, he or she will be offered the job on March 15 in accordance with a timeline designed to make the search process fair to all congregations and student rabbis.

Feel free to contact committee co-chairs David Matz ([email protected]) and Jill Douglas ([email protected]) if you have questions or comments about the search.

Interested in a Communal Seder?Members of our community have expressed interest in holding a pot-luck or partly catered seder led by fellow congregants at the temple on the first night of Passover, Friday, April 22. It’s a wonderful opportu-nity to celebrate the holiday with your Temple Isaiah family. Singles, couples, families, havurot: all are welcome. If you would like to attend or help organize a seder,

please contact Membership Coordinator Abby Seitelman at [email protected] or 925-283-8575 by March 1.

Mazel Tov!The WOI Gift Shop

celebrates your happy life cycle eventswith all items for wedding,

baby and b’nai mitzvot20% OFF

through the month of February!Open during JQuest hours

4 - 6 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday9am - 1pm on Sunday. Or by appointment

(925) 284-1404


COMMUNITY

Temple Isaiah’s GalaMay 14, 2016

A Celebration of Leadership, Teaching and Tikkun Olam

In honor of our beloved Rabbi Roberto D. Graetz

Tickets on sale now!www.temple-isaiah.org/gala2016

Individual and business sponsorship opportunities available:www.temple-isaiah.org/gala2016

Or contact sponsorship chairs directly:Individual: Sandy Goldberg [email protected]: Diane Portnoff [email protected]

An Inspirational

Diana MaKieve accepting a certificate of merit on behalf of Temple Isaiah from Beth Zwick of the Ruderman Foundation and URJ President Rick Jacobs at the 2015 URJ Biennial in Orlando. Temple Isaiah is one of 27 Reform Jewish congrega-tions in North America designated an Exemplar Congregation for inclusion in recognition of our efforts to make people of all abilities feel welcome in our Jewish Neighborhood. Find out more at www.disabilitiesinclusion.org.

Ready, Set, Auction!We’re gearing up for our spectacular Temple Isaiah gala honoring Rabbi Graetz on Saturday, May 14, at the San Ramon Marriott, and you can help make it a success by donating or soliciting items for our live and silent auctions.

We’re looking for popular items like these:• Timeshare and vacation home stays and hotel packages.• Restaurants: Gift certificates for area restaurants of all kinds.• Wine: Fine wine, tours and tastings, and wine accessories.• Tickets: Sports events, theater, concerts, TV shows, and special events.• Experiences: Adventures and excursions for all ages.• Tours: Hot tech headquarters like Google, Facebook, and Pixar.• Gift certificates for retail stores, gourmet food shops, jewelers, beauty salons and day spas, golf, and fitness centers.• Special member-hosted dinners and parties.Funds raised at the gala directly support Temple Isaiah and the

many programs and services that enrich the lives of all our mem-bers. Donations are tax deductible, and donors will be acknowl-edged in our gala program and in the Ruach.

Think about all the places you shop, eat out, and play and ask them to donate to our event. Donation letters and forms are available at www.temple-isaiah.org/gala2016 and in the temple office.

If you have an auction item to donate, please print and com-plete the donation form and send it to the office.

Feel free to contact our auction chairs – Kimberly Kline, [email protected]; Leah Felson, [email protected]; and Rachel Burge, [email protected] – with your questions or ideas.

Our Gala 2016 auction chairs (from left) Rachel Burge, Leah Felson, and Kimberly Kline are already hard at work raising funds for Temple Isaiah. Won’t you help by donating or solicit-ing items for our live and silent auctions?

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www.temple-isaiah.org for the latest information Temple Isaiah Ruach, February 2016 5

Sandy Anderson

Judy Carney

COMMUNITY

Women of Isaiah has kept membership dues at $36 for almost two decades. During that time, our Women of Reform Judaism national and district dues have increased; after we pay them, only $11 is left for our local needs. Fortunately, many women choose to join WOI at one of our higher membership levels, and with these dues, donations, gift shop and cookbook sales, and modest fund-raising activities, we are able to provide many important services to Temple Isaiah. Here are some of them:

• Providing major funding for the Avodah program in which teens who assist in JQuest classrooms and the temple library receive an honorarium that may be used for Jewish programs and activities – Jewish camp, confirmation class trip, LAFTY and NFTY events, Israel trips, and more.

• Helping defray the cost of the confirmation class trip to Washington, DC.

• Contributing funds to the temple’s early childhood education programs.

• Giving students 5th grade and confirmation class gifts.• Funding JQuest’s shelter lunch program and organizing din-

ners for the Mountain View Family Shelter two weeks a year.• Hosting a free annual women’s seder for temple women and

friends as well as special onegs and receptions throughout the year.

• Partnering with Kulanu on an annual Chanukah party for all

JQuest families.• Showing appreciation to our wonder-

ful temple staff with an annual luncheon and gifts for Chanukah, birthdays, wed-dings, births, and other happy occasions.

• Making grants for synagogue needs and special projects requested by our clergy, staff, and lay leaders. These have included financial support for innovative JQuest and teen programs, the purchase of new books for the library, and production of Cantor Korn’s Shabbat music CD.

If you have ever asked yourself “Why should I belong to Women of Isaiah?” we think that these are more than enough rea-sons to join. With your membership we can continue to support so many fine programs and activities that benefit our temple and community. It is never too late to be part of this friendly, interesting, challenging, and creative group.

Sandy Anderson and Judy Carney,

Women of Isaiah Co-Presidents

Women of Isaiah Dues at Work


COMMUNITY

The Fund for Our Jewish Future in Honor of Rabbi Roberto D. Graetz

Inspired by Rabbi Graetz’s passion for Torah, for Israel, and for the Jewish people in every corner of the world, we have embarked on a campaign to raise $2.5 million to burn our mortgage and build our endowment. This campaign was launched thanks to a $1 million challenge grant from the Donald and Carole Chaiken Foundation in loving memory of Carole by her family. As of January 15, we have received contributions from the following individuals, bringing the total amount raised to nearly $2.2 million. Please help us to reach our goal!

Anonymous (12) Jeryl and Ronald Abelmann Jill and Sadi Adri Sandy and Dave Anderson* Vivian and David Auslander Barbie Bacher Ellen Baer Linda and Michael Bandler* Julie and Stephen Bell Elinor and Gordon Berke Sherry and Ike Berkman Marilyn and Shalom Blaj Susan Bloch and Igor Khandros** Nancy and Peter Bluford Jen and Jon Boxerman Sue Adler-Bressler and Dave Bressler* Kathy and Mark Bressler Laurie Bronson and Robert Dolinko Yoni and Barry Bushell Laurie and Dan Bushell Julie and Paul Candau* Carole Carluccio and David Millstein Phyllis and Harvey Ceaser Arthur Cherdack Dvora and Eric Citron Linda and Mark Clar Lisa and Dick Cohen Robbie and Len (z”l) Cohn* Cindy and Robert Coleman Jeanie Goldeen Conneran and Michael Conneran Linda Borick-Davidson and Bill Davidson Celia and Leland Douglas* Jill and David Douglas Arlene and Yale Downes Michele and Lawrence Downes Ardeth and Arthur Dreshfield Kim and Mark Drucker Linda and Gilbert Duritz Shoshana and Shalom Eliahu Ellen Emold Deborah and David Enelow Ruth and Marv Epstein Amy Faltz and Tony Crea Lynn and Hank Fanger Frances Feinberg Judy Feins and Rich London Mark Feldman Christine and Andy Firstenberg Nora and Ken Fishbach Karen and Charles Fiske Lorraine Force Debbie Frank and Edward Hanley Nicole and Adam Friedenberg Linda and Daniel Friedman* Brie Gallagher and Derek Cedars Sanna Garcia and Ben Horenstein Laurette and Alan Gennis Eleanor and Ernest Glaser

Elizabeth and Roger Goldberg Karen and Larry Goldberg Sandy and Robert Goldberg Jari Goldstone and Neal Pereira Estelle Gracer Donna and James Green Lois Green Faith and Dan Greenberg Rabbi Nicki and Dan Greninger Julie and Jason Hammerman Phyllis Harford and Steven Hallert Elaine Highiet Marilyn and Carl Hirsch Lisa Hirsch Eva and Allan Hyman Ellen and Jay Israel Melissa and Larry Jakubowitz Sali and Paul Johnson Debra and Jonathan Kalan Bonnie and George Kennedy* Cantor Leigh Korn Terri and Jim Kravetz Angela and Michael Kurtzman Dan Lange Sheryl and Ari Lauer Rachel Lefkowitz and Jay Sherwin Nora and David Levine Rose and Asher Levy Helen Ann and Norman Licht Judy and Maynard Lichterman* Barbara and Michael Liepman Karen Maas and Steve Weinzimmer Shirley Maccabee Carol Mann Jackie and Jeff Mann Sheila and David Matz Judy and Terry Matzkin Susan and Willy Mautner Carol and Howard Melamed* Cynthia and Paul Menaker Linda and Malcolm Mendelson Aliza and Peter Metzner* Rabbi Alissa and Dan Miller Valerie and Mark Milner Marilyn and Mark Morris Melba Muscarolas and Steven Glazer* Dorotea Nathan Jackie Nissim and Phil Groman Carol Olmert and Alan Burckin Irene and Leonard Osias Linda and Nick Padula Laura and Gregg Perloff Ruth and Charles Pettler Mindy Plotkin and Daniel Myers Vivian and Gregory Poettgen Diane Portnoff and Alan Fitzgerald Andrea and Kent Price Marion and Stanley Robboy Linda and Jeff Rosenthal

Dayle and Phillip Ross Sherry and Harvey Rowen Mark and Beth Ruben Jessica and Alex Rudd Shari Salomon Janet Saunders and Roy Kaplan Linda and Nathan Schultz Louise Shalit Rabbi Judy Shanks and James Gracer* Beryl and Ivor Silver** Cindy Silver Marla and Jim Simon Deborah Simon and Jesse Phillips Frances Singer Amy and Brad Skepner Karla and Neil Smith Stephanie and Jay Snyder Deena and Daniel Solwren Bette and Hyron (z”l) Spinrad Marlene and Martin Stein Beth and Robert Sterns Marge Sterns Jill and Steven Student Sandy Sussman Helen and Rodney Sweet Miriam and Michael Swernoff Jasmine and Robert Tarkoff* Karen and Mitchell Tarkoff Marlene and Herb Thier Jan and Alex Trzesniewski Stephen Trzesniewski Marci and Robert Waldman Courtney and Dan Wasserman Debby and Jeremy Weinstein* Nancy and David Weinstein Kim and Stuart Weinstein Deanne and Frank Winer Mary Anne and Hugh Winig Lyssa and Marvin Wittlin Hal Wolf Lise Wollenberg and Adam Zoger Sherri and Mitchell Zack Faith and Steve Zenker * $10,000 to $99,999 ** $100,000 and above Thank you to all of our donors for your generosity and your commitment to the future of Temple Isaiah. Please consider a gift to help us reach our goal today! All amounts are appreciated and pledges over $10,000 can extend to 2017. www.temple-isaiah.org/donate


Winter Nights Helps Many – Then What?Thank you for stepping up and helping Temple Isaiah host families in need of shel-ter during Winter Nights in December. Our guests have moved on to another house of worship and then another. Can you imagine if they could end their transient living situ-ation and obtain permanent housing? The Multi-faith ACTION Coalition asks you to join our efforts so we can help those fami-lies we met during Winter Nights.

There is a shortage of rental units in Contra Costa County, and that’s why many of these families are struggling. Ideas have emerged such as shared housing, secondary dwelling units, and building more affordable housing. All of them are needed. Most take time – time a family with two preschoolers doesn’t have. One of the families sheltered at Temple Isaiah had parents who work different hours so they can each care for their children. They want to find housing, but very little is available for their modest incomes. We need help identifying landlords who might be able to help. Do you know anyone who has apartments or homes for rent?

As we struggle to build affordable and subsidized housing to keep up with demand, finding and recruiting landlords is more important than ever. That’s why Contra Costa County has launched the Landlord Engagement, Access and Placement (LEAP) program with new landlord incentives, including a hous-ing security fund. If every landlord considered modifying their screening criteria in order to rent to just one low-income individ-ual or family with rental barriers, we would be that much closer to making homelessness rare, brief, and a one-time occurrence for thousands of individuals and families like the one mentioned above.

Please contact Jasmine Tarkoff at [email protected] if you can help us find available rental units in our county.

Melody Howe Weintraub, Multi-faith ACTION Coalition

Become an Angel Today!Volunteer opportunities during the winter holidays can be easy to find – participating in Winter Nights, bringing canned food to an event, or volunteering at your child’s school. Now that it’s a new year, how can you continue these mitzvot and make volun-teerism a regular part of your world? It’s easy: Sign up for Angel Network.

Angel Network’s mission is to assemble a group of volunteers who are committed to offering comfort and support to temple members and their families in times of need. Volunteers receive the training necessary to engage in these acts of loving kindness as they reach out to our community with helping hands and car-ing hearts. When a need arises, Angel Network can respond in a number of ways – making supportive phone calls and sending notes, providing meals, offering rides for appointments, errands, and temple events, visiting the sick in the hospital or at home, and ongoing friendly visits.

Become a Temple Isaiah Angel today. It can be as simple as offer-ing one meal, one visit, one ride. To sign up, contact Jill Jacobson at [email protected] or Ruth Willen at [email protected].

ViA ISAIAH – VALUES IN ACTION

Melody Howe Weintraub

Brian Landes in the kitchen at Winter Nights 2015. (More Winter Nights photos on page 10.)

Unsung Hero of the Dishwashing WorldWinter Nights has become more ecologically sustainable in recent years, composting food and recycling plastic, paper, and aluminum. About five years ago, we began a program of using china plates, real silverware, and glasses for dinner meals. This means that in addition to the usual Winter Nights dinner crew, we have a crew of volunteers who stay after din-ner to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen.

Come into the kitchen during Winter Nights, and you’re likely to see the smiling face of Brian Landes, a dishwashing captain par excellence who works at least seven of the 14 nights that we host the shelter. Here’s the scoop on Brian:

Brian was born in Redwood City and grew up in Yorba Linda and Monterey, later moving to the Bay Area to be near family in Walnut Creek and Redwood City. He and his wife, Sarah Magliaro Landes, joined Temple Isaiah in 2012 and were married last June by Rabbi Miller and Cantor Korn. For his daytime gig, Brian is a geographic information systems analyst who works in commercial real estate. He does demography, cartography, and the kind of mapping that brings information and spatial systems together.

Fun fact about Brian: In 1999 he came in seventh in the California Geography Bee.

Sarah reports that Brian does the dishes at home as well as at temple. He is also a terrific cook and his specialty is prepar-ing a fajita feast. According to those who have worked with Brian over the years at Temple Isaiah, this even-tempered, reliable, fun, and brainy guy is a real mensch – a dishwashing mensch. Thank you, Brian!(And thank you, Joani deVries, for this great profile of Brian.)

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8 Temple Isaiah Ruach, February 2016 for the latest information www.temple-isaiah.org

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS

General FundIn support of the annual appeal from:Mary and Elliot Lowen, Kiyo and Jonathan Weiss

Donations from:William Ellis, Guy Schwartz, Melody Howe Weintraub

and Jerry Weintraub

In appreciation of:Sherry Rowen, from Alana and Andrew Kleinberger

In honor of:Helene and Dan Casella’s anniversary, from Ellen

and Jay IsraelKendra Fried’s staff wellness sessions, from

Rabbi Nicki and Dan GreningerNaomi Greenstone’s bat mitzvah, from Carol and

Howard ZollaThe marriage of Roy Kaplan and Janet Saunders,

from Carol and Mark SimonsSusan Levy’s bat mitzvah, from David, Sheila,

Joshua, and Juliana MatzMary Lowen’s bat mitzvah, from Barbara and Rob

MorrisHelen Sweet, from Chavurah Vashti of

Congregation B’Nai Shalom

In memory of:Vicki Rosen Moore, from Michelle and Marc

BurnsteinShirley Nankin, from Joseph and Nedda Katzburg

For the yahrzeit of:Sondra Altman, from Cal PodridBessie Fishman, from William EllisShoshana Maizel Fogel, from Yonina and Barry

BushellStuart Kaufman, from Arlene and Larry KaufmanJudy McConnell, from Diana and David ObrandElsye Morgan, from Margery and Myron BernsteinIrving Morgan, from Margery and Myron BernsteinFrederick Paull, from Arlene and Larry KaufmanBen Petersen, from Susan PetersenAllen Salomon, from Shari SalomonIrma Sundberg Johnson, from Sali and Paul

Johnson

Ivy Blum Memorial Fund

In memory of: Ivy Blum, from C.J., Irwin, Todd, and Leslie Feinberg

(Nash)

Jacob M. Tarkoff Gan Ilan Fund

A donation from:Erma Nering

In memory of:Hy Spinrad, from Karen and Mitchell Tarkoff

Angel Network FundIn appreciation of:The Angel Network, from Carol and Mark SimonsEllen Emold, from Carol Mann Cherri Shiffman, from Carol Mann Jan Trzesniewski, from Carol Mann Cassie Tzur, from Marilyn BlajLinda Waldroup, from Carol Mann

In honor of:The adult b’not mitzvah, from Penny Kermit

For the yahrzeit of:Esther Bach, from Robin Bach Samuel Epstein, from Ruth and Marvin EpsteinVivian Israel, from Ellen and Jay Israel

Cantor’s Music FundIn appreciation of:Cantor Korn, from Mindy Plotkin and Dan Myers

In honor of:The adult b’not mitzvah class, from Shirley

Maccabee, Karen Maas and Steven Weinzimmer Linda Duritz’s bat mitzvah, from the Bacher family Cantor Korn, from Renee and David Bertenthal Susan Levy’s bat mitzvah, from Dorothy

GetzenbergCynthia Menaker’s bat mitzvah, from Peggy and

Howard Menaker My bat mitzvah, from Harriet Harris

For the yahrzeit of:Esther Bach, from Robin Bach Hyman Baerson, from Betty and Hal RedsunWilliam Goldberg, from Karen and Stewart Kupetz Samuel Klash, from Irene and Arthur Korn Sidney Kupetz, from Karen and Stewart Kupetz

Carlene Berman Flowers Fund

In memory of:Beverly Zimmerman, from Celia and Leland

Douglas

Daniel Baron Feed the Hungry Fund

For the yahrzeit of:Dziunia Eichenholz Goop, from Anne Marie GoopSarah Olmert, from Carol Olmert

Endowment FundLinda Duritz’s bat mitzvah, from Alice and Coby

Scherr

Gan Ilan Preschool Fund

A donation from:Linda S. Borick and the board of directors of the

Liatis Foundation

Project Hearth for the Homeless Fund

In honor of:Rabbi Graetz and Evelyn’s new home, from Barbie

Bacher

For the yahrzeit of:Celia May, from Nora, Ken, Scott, and Julie

Fishbach

Rabbi Graetz’s Discretionary FundA donation from:Jean and Sandy Colen

In appreciation of:Officiating at Noah and Fry’s baby naming, from

Michael and Lauren WeisbaumRabbi Graetz, from Linda Carson and family,

Robert Heller and family, Shelley Margolis and family, Carol and Mark Simons

In honor of:Linda Duritz’s bat mitzvah, from the Bacher familyMy bat mitzvah, from Harriet HarrisRabbi Graetz, from Renee and David BertenthalRabbi Graetz’s retirement, from Dana and

Michael GillZelda Trzesniewski’s special birthday, from Carol

Mann

In memory of:Hy Spinrad, from Havurah Neshoma

For the yahrzeit of:Leon Bloomberg, from Marsha and Alexander Van

BroekRhoda Light, from Sondra and David SteinKurt Nathan, from Dorotea NathanClara Osias, from Len and Irene OsiasJacob Schwartz, from Miriam and Michael

Swernoff

Rabbi Greninger’s Discretionary FundA donation from:Claire and Ricci Vaserman

In appreciation of:Officiating at Billy’s baby naming, from Adina and

Sean BlairOfficiating at Elise’s baby naming, from Jenette

and Ben WoskowRabbi Greninger and the b’nai mitzvah tutors,

from Mindy Plotkin and Dan Myers

In memory of:Stanley Maron, from the Maron family

For the yahrzeit of:Erwin Paul “Bud” Maron, from the Maron family

Rabbi Miller’s Discretionary FundIn appreciation of:Rabbi Miller, from Mindy Plotkin and Dan Myers

Special Gifts December 1 – 31, 2015


YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE – SPECIAL GIFTS

Rabbi Millers’s Discretionary Fund Cont’d

In honor of:Linda Duritz’s bat mitzvah, from the Bacher familyThe birth of Jake Levi Miller, from the Bell family,

Susan and Michael Clearfield, Nancy and Larry Crevin, Joani DeVries and Mark Rossi, Wendy and Bill Dorband, Jill and David Douglas, Nora and Ken Fishbach, Greta and Jerry Frantz, Karen and Larry Goldberg, Sandy and Robert Goldberg, Lynn Harrington-Golde, Jill and Alan Jacobson, Sarah and Scott Langbein, the Lauer family, the Lowhurst family, Diana and Michael MaKieve, Ilan and Doug Penson, Joanne and Phillip Peterson, Michele and Ken Quiat, the Rideout family, Gloria and Bob Schiller, the Skepner family, the Snyder family, Debby and Jeremy Weinstein, Karen and Robert Wyle

For the yahrzeit of:Yakov Slavoutski, from Susan Salem and Serge

Merlin

Rabbi Shanks’s Discretionary FundA donation from:Jean and Sandy Colen

In appreciation of:Rabbi Shanks, from Carol and Mark Simons, Arthur

Zimmerman

In honor of:Linda Duritz’s bat mitzvah, from the Bacher familyMy bat mitzvah, from Harriet HarrisRabbi Shanks, from Carole Korb

For the yahrzeit of:Frances Brown, from Ronnie GorelickSam Feldman, from Rose MichaelsArline Feyder, from Carolyn and Jerry HokansonLeonard Jacobs, from Gail and Hank WaldenMuriel Mann, from Carol MannAnita Schneit, from Andrew SchneitPhil Sussman, from Elinor and Gordon Berke

Religious School and Youth FundIn memory of:Hyron Spinrad, from Len and Robbie Cohn and

family

For the yahrzeit of:Sarah Kravitz, from Mina and Rick KravitzWilliam E. Stevens, from Virginia and Michael

Peiser

ViA Isaiah: Values in Action FundFor the yahrzeit of:Jerome Adler, from Sue Adler-Bressler and David

BresslerEdward Bressler, from Sue Adler-Bressler and

David Bressler

Waldenberg-Zwerling Youth Leadership FundIn honor of:The adult b’not mitzvah class, from Lucy and

Anthony DiBianca

Winter Nights FundIn appreciation of:Sandy and Dave Anderson opening their home to

us, from Jen and Jon Boxerman

In honor of:Sandy Anderson, from Donna Kaulkin Marcia Liberson and Herb Salomon’s friendship,

from Susan Lieber and Thom McDannel

For the yahrzeit of:Terry Levich, from Mo Levich

Women of Isaiah FundDonations from:Renee and David Bertenthal, Marjorie Swain

In honor of:The birth of Kim and Mark Drucker’s grand-

daughter Aurora, from Gloria and Bob Schiller

For the yahrzeit of:Joe Singer, from Sandy and Dave Anderson

Yizkor Elohim

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December 20, 2015Rosalie June Kobey, mother of our member Blessing Grace Kobey, grandmother of Nathan, Beth, and Analisa Salomonis, great-grandmoth-er of William Salomonis and Akira and Cylas Gillam.

December 26, 2015Gideon Judah Sorokin, father of our member Samuel Sorokin (Iris), grandfather of Ari and Rona Sorokin.

December 26, 2015Ruth Gould Merin, grandmother of our member Dana Gill (Michael), great-grandmother of Jasper and Maxine Gill.

December 30, 2015Dolores Price, mother of our mem-ber Leslie Singer (Robert).

January 10, 2016Our member and past Temple Isaiah president Len Cohn, hus-band of Robbie, father of Denise, Barry (Debbie), Wendy, and Mark, grandfather of Sarah Trubowitch Cohn, Elana Trubowitch Cohn, Yael Trubowitch Cohn, Jenna Grey Feldman, Kyla Morgan Feldman, Justin Lucas Feldman, Eitan Simon Strauss-Cohn, and Harli Noam Strauss-Cohn, brother of Janet Martin.

The stars of last month’s Cantors’ Cabaret: Cantors Leigh Korn, Shira Ginsburg, Erin Frankel, and Seth Warner.

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Congratulations to the winners of Anshei Isaiah”s 9th annual Trivia Night in January.


SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

February 2016 Sh’vat / Adar 5776

278:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Service

(Bar Mitzvah: Ian Bushell)

269:15am Ganeinu

5pm Tot Shabbat Snack5:30pm Tot Shabbat

Service Followed by Dinner

8pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg

25

10am Neshamah Yoga

249am WOI Hike

4pm JQuest

6:45pm Noar Night7pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

23

10am Neshamah Yoga

4pm JQuest

22

12:30pm Mah Jongg

7pm P’tach Libeynu7pm Sacred Hebrew Chant

and Healing Circle

29

21JQuest and Adult Education

11:15am Mussar and Meditation Study

2pm WOI YES Fund Tea


2pm East Bay Jewish Choral Festival


(B’nai Mitzvah: Leila Stoll and Jakob Weiner)

199:15am Ganeinu

6pm Happy Half Hour Oneg6:30pm Shabbat Service

with Mizmor Band7:30pm Shabbat Dinner

with Rabbi Graetz

1810am Neshamah Yoga

12pm Talmud Study

17

7pm Adult Choir Rehearsal


12:30pm Writing Workshop

6:15pm Board Pizza Schmooze

7pm Knitting and Handiwork

7:15pm Board Meeting

15Office Closed

14

139:15am Torah Study9:30am Tot Shabbat10:30am Mussar and

Meditation Shabbat Service

12

8pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg


12pm Talmud Study1pm TEXTorah Study

10

4pm JQuest


910am Neshamah Yoga

4pm JQuest

810:30am Women’s Torah

Study

7pm Anshei Isaiah Board Meeting


11:15am Clergy Course with Rabbi Graetz

3pm HaMakom Grief Support Group

3pm P’tach Libeynu

1

7pm WOI Leadership Team Meeting

210am Neshamah Yoga

12:30pm Creative Writing Workshop

4pm JQuest

3

4pm JQuest


410am Neshamah Yoga

12pm Talmud Study1pm TEXTorah Study

59:15am Ganeinu

5:45pm Shabbatarama6pm Shabbat at Rossmoor


(B’nai Mitzvah: Zoe and Camille Moss)

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Over 900 Mitzvahs Photographed and Counting.....Go for Experience

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs - Weddings

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Friday, February 5

5:45pm Shabbatarama Dinner6:00pm Shabbat at Rossmoor6:30pm Shabbatarama Service

Saturday, February 6

8:45am Torah Study10:30am Shabbat Morning Service

Zoe and Camille Moss, B’not Mitzvah

Exodus 21:1-24:18, Mishpatim

Friday, February 12

8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed by Oneg


9:15am Torah Study9:30am Tot Shabbat Service10:30am Mussar and Meditation

Shabbat Service

Exodus 25:1-27:19, T’rumah

Friday, February 19

6:00pm Happy Half Hour Oneg6:30pm Shabbat Service with

Mizmor Band7:30pm Hot Topic Shabbat Dinner



Leila Stoll and Jakob Weiner, B’nai Mitzvah

Exodus 27:20-30:10, T’tzaveh

Friday, February 26

5:30pm Tot Shabbat8:00pm Shabbat Service Followed

by Oneg



Ian Bushell, Bar Mitzvah

Exodus 30:11-34:35, Ki Tisa

SHAbbATWorSHIP SErvIcES

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94549 Permit No. 30

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