Community

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JEWISH COMMUNITY

RELATIONS COUNCIL

East Bay Update – Winter, 2008

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community. Throughout the Bay Area, the JCRC represents upwards of 80 synagogues and Jewish agencies. Here in the East Bay, fourteen synagogue and agency representatives serve on our regional Council, along with twelve members of the Jewish community at-large. These members reside in both Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.  The JCRC seeks to provide service to the Jewish community, build Jewish community identity and engage the Jewish community in activism.   

Over the past several months, the East Bay JCRC has continued to meet with school administrators and elected officials. Our recent meetings with administrators at the Livermore and Acalanes School Districts provided an opportunity to discuss issues relating to Israel curriculum, Jewish history and our holiday calendar.  An upcoming meeting with the West Contra Costa Unified School District will include discussions of graduation ceremonies scheduled for a Saturday Shabbat brought to our attention by a concerned parent. 

We have also formed a committee to reach out to U.S. Congressman Pete Stark (his district includes Fremont, Hayward and Alameda). Our first meeting with the Congressman’s District Director proved very fruitful in learning more about the Congressman’s healthcare agenda which is very important to the JCRC, our sister agency, Jewish Family and Children’s Services and our national umbrella organization, United Jewish Communities. We will continue to monitor healthcare issues and funding for healthcare services on a national, state and local level. 

This fall we sponsored a three-part “Common Ground” speaker series with our Muslim coalition partners. The series was a pilot-test to determine if this kind of forum would attract an audience.  Topics included the “December Dilemma”, perspectives on the environment and convergence of our holidays. After successfully completing the series at the East Bay Federation in Oakland, our hope is to enlarge the locations and topics and hold more programs in the coming months. 

Several East Bay JCRC members joined in solidarity with many interfaith partners and community members when an Islamic Center in Antioch was the target of an arson fire. This included a community march and participation in educational programs about tolerance and understanding of our neighbors of all faiths.  

We continue to be hold programs in churches to educate the Christian community about Israel, especially as we enter into this milestone year (Israel @ 60). We have learned that resolutions to divest from companies doing business with Israel have been discussed by some of the mainline Christian church hierarchy. Our work includes outreach to clergy in order to rebuild Jewish-Christian relations and to inform them of our serious concerns about the divestment issue. 

We are planning an Israel advocacy program in March to be held at Berkeley Hillel. The program will include a guest speaker and break-out sessions. More information will be available soon. 

We have recently developed position statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and on the subject of Armenian genocide. You can find those statements on our website, www.jcrc.org. 

If you want to learn more about the programs/projects described in this article, feel free to contact me.  If you have concerns regarding anti-Semitism or anti-Israel activity in your schools or neighborhood, you can also reach JCRC East Bay Regional Director, Myrna David at (510) 839-2900, X217 or by email at myrna@jfed.org.  The East Bay JCRC is here to serve and be a resource for you. Let us know your thoughts.        

Felice Zensius 

The East Bay JCRC is a beneficiary of the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay.

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THANK YOU FROM THE ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

Dear Rabbi Bennett and the Temple Israel Congregation, 

You have given the gift of food for a low-income child or adult this holiday season. 

You contributed $1,293.00 to the Holiday Dinner Drive!  This support helps the Alameda County Community Food Bank purchase much-needed food for families and individuals during the holiday season. 

Every year, the East Bay Jewish Community comes together to make a difference for those in need.  Your participation in the Holiday Dinner Drive is truly appreciated. 

For many of us, the holiday season is a time to reflect on good fortune.  This is nor so for the 40,000 individuals the Food Bank serves each week.  Many must make difficult choices between housing costs, food, and other basic necessities. 

For those who need food assistance—children, adults, and seniors on fixed incomes—this support gives them food for today and hope for tomorrow. 

Thank you,

Suzan Bateson

Executive Director

Donors to the Annual Food Drive

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Gift Card Program

Do You Want to “Take Back Our Temple?”  

Dear Members and Friends, 

As President Reva mentioned in her remarks during the High Holy Days, we have all been challenged to generate a net profit of $300 by each Temple Family via gift card orders placed now through the end of our fiscal year (May 2008).  If each family meets this fundraising challenge and supports this effort, we will together generate $39,000!  Yes, Thirty-Nine Thousand Dollars!!  We can do this!  

When you purchase gift cards through this program, the Temple instantly receives a percentage of your order (see attached form).  You are not short-changed for your purchase.  You order $300 worth of cards, you get $300 worth of cards, and the company sends the Temple your contribution which we will carefully track for the challenge.  This really is a win-win situation for you and the Temple, but only if you participate.   

This is a monthly ordering program so feel free to make copies of the form for future orders or download the form from our website to place orders electronically to the office.  Consider this a simple way to order gifts for those on your holiday shopping list. 

Here's the drill: 

1)  Complete the attached order form or download it from the homepage of our website.  (Store a version of the form on your computer to send to the Temple each month electronically or print and mail.) 

2)  Return your order ( by mail or in person) with a check, payable to Temple Israel, by the first Thursday of every month.  If received after the first Thursday, it will be included in the next month's order (checks will not be cashed until an order is placed).   

3) When the cards arrive (about a week after the deadline), you will be notified to either pick them up during Temple office hours or let us know if you would like them delivered to your Alameda home or business.  If you want the cards mailed, keep in mind that since these are like cash, should we mail them, it will be at your own risk.  We prefer to not mail for your security. 

4)  Repeat steps 1 - 3 each month.   

Should you wish to order using your credit or debit card, mail or e-mail your order form to our office manager, Cecily Medved (510-522-9355 or office@templeisraelalameda.org), asking for her to call you for the card number.  Please note that similar to all payments and contributions you wish to make to the Temple using a credit or debit card, there is a 3% processing fee involved. 

To meet or surpass the $300 challenge, consider ordering enough cards for purchases you normally make during the month.  For example, if your average grocery bill at Safeway's is $500, order $500 worth of cards.  They do not expire!  But you do want to treat them like cash.   

In the coming year, as birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions approach, buy gift cards for those on your gift-giving list!  Think of all those "Peetniks" you know and give them a Peet's Coffee gift card!  What avid book reader wouldn’t welcome a Barnes & Noble gift card!  Order your See’s Candy gift cards here too (that is a 25% net rebate to Temple)! 

Should you have any questions or would like more order forms (after completing the attached one of course!), feel free to contact either Jen Whately (510-523-4915, jenwhatley@comcast.net) or me (510-299-0450, demodiva@yahoo.com ).  We look forward to your orders!  

We truly appreciate your support in kicking off the New Year on a positive and generous note.  Money raised enables us to support the Hazon goals and programs you have deemed as important to you and to Take Back Our Temple.  Just imagine, with everyone’s participation we could once again have full-time clergy or no longer need to lease our Temple out to other organizations for our survival.  We can do this! 

We truly appreciate your involvement and thank you. 

Kimberlee [Garfinkle] MacVicar

Temple Member

Order form   Check it out!

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Temple Israel T-Shirts for sale!

Overstocked! Must go!
Get your red-hot Temple Israel blue T-Shirt NOW!
Only $10. each for 1, $8. each for 2, $5. each for 3!
Sizes: Youth Large and small. Adult X-L
Ask the Cantor. Don't delay!

Getting To Know You!

Meet the Kruglikov Family!

Andre and Silvia Kruglikov and their children Aaron, 14, Gabriel, 12, and twins Hannah and Ellie, age 8 joined the TI community in October 2006 after relocating to Alameda from Atherton. Their busy household also includes a variety of outdoor animals: 6 chickens, 3 bunnies, 2 parakeets, and an indoor nameless Madagascar hissing cockroach!  The menagerie not only provides wonderful and unusual pets, it enriches the backyard compost which nourishes the soil for their tomatoes and fruit trees. And the chickens produce plenty of eggs! The Kruglikovs are happy to be back in the East Bay and particularly Alameda, closer to extended family and in a welcoming community with good schools. 

Andre grew up in Russia and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1980, at the age of 17.  Growing up with a Russian name, he was not aware of his Jewish heritage until age 13 when fellow students discovered records at school and confronted him.  It was then that his parents disclosed his Jewish lineage. As one of the few Jewish families in their community, it was much safer to maintain a low profile.  In 1980, with only 90 rubles (about $120) per person, his family was able to leave Russia, stating their intent as fleeing to Israel due to religious persecution.  Upon crossing the border into Austria, they could reveal their true destination as the United States.  Once here, Andre attended UC Berkeley, and now writes software for Oracle in Redwood Shores. 

Andre and Silvia met on a blind date and celebrated their 20th anniversary last year. Mazel tov! Silvia grew up in Berkeley, attended Berkeley High School and UC Berkeley.  She’s surprised by the number of Berkeley High School connections at Temple Israel.  Silvia is a busy mom who loves to bake and make candy, garden, and volunteers in the schools and on the Temple Israel Religious School Committee.  She has a teaching credential and is an experienced pastry chef.  Right now her family benefits from her baking!  Silvia plans to return to school to pursue a master’s degree in school psychology. 

The Kruglikov kids are all swimmers and enjoy playing piano. Oldest son Aaron is a Religious School teaching assistant for 4th/5th grade and Amitim classes and he attends ACLC.  Gabriel, a student at Lincoln Middle School, is looking forward to becoming a Bar Mitzvah in November 2008.  Hannah and Ellie love Hebrew school and attend Edison school. They are happy to be in Alameda and are enjoying meeting the TI community. Welcome Silvia, Andre, Aaron, Gabriel, Hannah and Ellie!

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More Mentoring Volunteers Needed!

Thanks to all who have volunteered to be buddies & mentors in 2006/07 & to all potential volunteers who could help our newest Temple Israel members become part of our community sooner & learn about our synagogue’s customs & activities.

 In addition to thanking the mentors who have volunteered and become acquainted with some of our newest Temple Israel members, we should report that the January NEW MEMBER POTLUCK was a lot of fun!  The March 16th Italian Potluck was also a huge success!  Thanks to all who participated!! 

Don’t forget....MORE MENTORS NEEDED for Temple Israel’s newest members!!!

PLEASE VOLUNTEER!!!!
We need people with kids & people who don’t have kids to match with our newest members.   We need people with kids from really young to 4-5 years as well as people with elementary school kids & people with middle school & teen age kids.  We need single people & married people of all ages & neighborhoods, also people of various Jewish AND Interfaith backgrounds, because we have members of many types & we all can learn from each other....

Interested??   It would be a wonderful MITZVAH!!  

  Please contact Dorie Guess Behrstock at 510 864-9005 or at dorie@behrstock.com

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Kol Truah Need You!

Temple Israel’s own Kol Truah choir is expanding. We need lower voices to fill out our sound. We meet Monday nights at 7:15. We have sung all kinds of music and are looking forward to our spring concert, which will feature Ladino and Yiddish music. 

Making Your Shopping Count

A year ago we started running monthly articles in the Bulletin promoting our various shopping fundraising programs.  Many of you are now participating.  Thank you!  If you have not registered in any of the following programs, please do so now.  Contributions raised will support the areas you and your fellow members identified as important for the survivability of Temple Israel during the Hazon process. 

Please take this opportunity to "back up" your opinions during Hazon by becoming a Temple Israel supporter through these grocery shopping programs:

: register your Safeway Club card, and optionally any other debit or credit cards, at www .escrip.com.  Our account number is 137117041 and we are listed as "First Hebrew Congregation of Alameda."  Follow the prompts to register.

Gift Card/Paper Scrip: check out your next monthly mailer from the Temple for an order form and information to order "gift cards" from Temple Israel for such merchants at Safeway, Peet's, Long's, Old Navy, and Home Depot.  Buying these cards from Temple Israel will generate a commission of various percentages based on the dollar amount of the card you purchase.  This will be a HUGE money maker for us, but only if you participate.  Stay tuned!

: Nob Hill's program is called the "Quality of Life Card."  You were previously mailed a card to register online and begin using.  If you have not done this yet, please visit www.nobhill.com, click on "Neighborhood" and follow the prompts to register or ask Customer Service at the store to assist you.  Then every time you shop there, scan your card during each checkout (no scan means no Temple contribution).

Should you have any questions, e-mail or call me at demodiva@yahoo.com or 510-299-0450.  We can't succeed without your involvement.  Thank you.

Kimberlee  MacVicar

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF ALAMEDA FOUNDATION

The Foundation is happy to report that its contribution to the 2006-2007 Temple budget will be $12,000.  The total contributed to the General Fund since 2002 is $38,500. 

The Foundation was established 10 years ago with a $10,000 bequest from the estate of Diana Garfinkle, one of the original founding members of our congregation.  Our assets have grown from bequests, donations of appreciated stock, and transfers from the disbanded Investment Chavurah. 

Continued growth of the Foundation's assets are the crucial to the financial stability of the congregation.  We need more congregants to include the Temple Foundation in their estate planning.  Many of you will say that your means are not great enough for estate planning, but that may not be true.  If you own a house in northern California, your estate is a minimum $350,0000.  If every congregant left the Foundation 1% of their estates, the Temple would become financially stable.  1% should not adversely affect your heirs.  If your heirs are financially self-sufficient, more of your assets might easily be used for philanthropy.  If your assets are more substantial, you might want to consider other estate planning choices which will have positive tax benefits for you now, eg, gifts of appreciated stocks or property, charitable lead trust, or charitable remainder trusts.  You can also name the Temple Foundation as full or partial beneficiary on life insurance policies or retirement accounts.

Explore Temple Israel Services

The Minyan & Bagel Breakfast has also been known as the Last Sunday of the Month Morning Minyan and Bagel Breakfast (AKA LSMMMBB). The name was changed from the ‘Tefillin Breakfast’ when Tefillin was no longer the primary reason for the service. It is a short regular weekday service of Hebrew and English that begins at 9:30 AM where Tefillin may be worn. The Torah is not read as during a Shabbat service and there is no sermon. Frank Weinberg usually leads the service, but our clergy and members of the congregation have led the service when Frank is visiting his grandchildren. During the religious school year, one class attends the service and the breakfast that follows and students lead in English responsive readings.  The Rabbi’s adult classes also attend.  

The service is approximately ½ hour long after which breakfast of bagels, lox, cream cheese, coffee and juice is served in the Social Hall.  The breakfast is over at around 10:30 when the students go back to their class. The adults frequently visit a bit longer.. When Leo Samuels organized the service around 35 years ago his sister Helen Irving and ‘the women’; Irmgard Greenebaum, Irmgard Alba, Rosel Schlachter, Miriam Renfro, Paula Klein and a few others prepared the ‘breakfast’ while ‘the men’ put on Tefillin in the sanctuary. The women spread cream cheese on the bagels and distributed the lox evenly on each. At the end of the service everyone sat down and enjoyed the breakfast in the social hall. Leo always managed to get sponsors who were observing a Yahrzeit or a simchah..