1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

Creative Shabbat . . . . . . . . 3
2015 Confirmation . . . . . . . 3
Outdoor Shabbat . . . . . . . . 4
9
9
INSIDE
Hebrew Free Loan Gala . . . 4
WTS and Brotherhood . . . . 5
Our community gathers
Contributions . . . . . . . . 6 - 7
in celebration
Thank you from
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Spotlight on
Terrry McGlynn . . . . . . . . . 8
Preschool, Youth Programs
and Midrasha . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Michelle Quiat . . . . . . . . . . 9
Midrasha Graduation. . . . . 9
to install
our new Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin
Friday, May 8th at 7:30pm
during the Shabbat Service
in the sanctuary
Lifecycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
People of the Book. . . . . . 11
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Community Outreach . . . . 11
Tikkun Leyl Shavuot. . . back
www.oaklandsinai.org
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This is a momentous occasion
in our Temple’s history and
we look forward to celebrating together.
FROM THE rabbi’s
CANTOR’S
DESK
DESK
What is Confirmation?
If you have ever walked down the
hall toward the clergy wing in our
new building, or hung around the
elevator outside the administrative
offices in the old one, you have
seen the pictures of the many
Confirmation classes we have
celebrated here at Temple Sinai
since 1924. It is a claim to fame around here, as it is in many
Reform synagogues, to say that your Confirmation picture
hangs on the wall.
For those unfamiliar with the tradition, Confirmation is
one of the younger life cycle ceremonies that we celebrate
in the Jewish community. It started around 200 years ago
in Germany when the founders of Reform Judaism felt that
the bar mitzvah ceremony, with its focus on rote ritual,
was outdated. Confirmation, by contrast, expressed a clear
commitment to Jewish tradition. Soon after its inception,
both boys and girls celebrated Confirmation together, and
it became associated with the holiday of Shavuot, when we
celebrate the giving of the Ten Commandments and the
Israelites’ original acceptance of Torah.
As the title suggests, Confirmation was heavily influenced
by its Christian counterpart wherein devotees would profess
their faith in religious tenants, thus, it gained much criticism
from many within the Jewish community. Yet, it gained
momentum and spread in practice to wherever progressive
Jews established themselves. By 1927, the ceremony acquired
such popularity that the Central Conference of American
Rabbis, the Reform Rabbis’ professional organization,
made an official recommendation that it be a part of official
Reform Jewish practice in the United States.
In many communities, Confirmation replaced b’nei mitzvah
entirely. Today, in Reform communities, as well as within
other liberal Jewish branches, we celebrate both because they
recognize different milestones. B’nei mitzvah are celebrated
at the classic Jewish coming of age, 13 and Confirmation,
when we are older, usually around 16. The b’nei mitzvah
process is individual. Confirmation is communal. In
addition, we retain the initial distinction between the two;
b’nei mitzvah is about the ability to take part in the ritual,
and Confirmation is about understanding it.
You may know of the Jewish terms that represent two
different aspects of Jewish ritual: keva and kavannah. Keva
is that which is fixed, the standard liturgy and traditions we
find in the prayerbook. Keva is the V’ahavta, Avot v’Imahot,
and the blessings before the reading of Torah. Kavanah is the
intention, the emotion that we bring to the ritual. Kavanah
is our state of mind and our individuality. Within a Jewish
context, we believe that we need both.
Thus, the b’nei mitzvah process is the process of learning
keva. We ask our thirteen year olds to practice every night
for months so they learn the basics of the service, so that
they gain the tools to participate in the ritual now and
throughout the rest of their lives. Of course we explore what
Jewish tradition means, yet the primary focus is learning
a relatively standard set of blessings and skills in order to
lead the congregation in prayer. Confirmation is about
kavannah. We ask our students to study the meaning of the
service, the themes, the flow, the ideas. From there, we ask
them to create their own prayers and to explore their own
relationship to the tradition and to the community. The
two together are essential components of building a Jewish
identity. Keva, the tradition that has been handed down, and
Kavanah, the individuality that we add to it.
Please join us this year on May 29th for our yearly
Confirmation celebration. Learn from our Confirmands
what prayer truly means to them, and allow it to inspire you
to better understand what it means, or could mean, to you.
Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, Rabbi
Ilene Keys, Cantor
Yoni Regev, Rabbi
Samuel Broude, Rabbi Emeritus
Steven A. Chester, Rabbi Emeritus
t
Cantor Keys, Rabbi Mates-Muchin and Rabbi Regev
Mike Baker, President
Paul Geduldig, Executive Director
Sue Bojdak, Director of Education
Ellen Lefkowitz, Preschool Director
Lisa Hanauer, Director of Membership &
Communications
TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN (USPS 7053) is published monthly except July and August by the First Hebrew Congregation of Oakland,
2808 Summit Street, Oakland, CA 94609. Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, CA and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Temple Sinai Bulletin, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland CA 94609-3605.
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May 2015
T’filah /prayer
SHABBAT MINYAN
Second Shabbat morning of each month, at 10:30am in the Albers Chapel
The Shabbat Minyan is an exuberant and joyful lay-led service. This highly participatory
celebration combines traditional elements with professionally led modern music.
Volunteers (for chanting, readings, etc.) can contact Dan Fendel at dfendel@sfsu.edu.
TUESDAY MORNING MINYAN
Every Tuesday morning from 7:30am – 8:00am
We begin in the Chapel at 7:30am with 10 minutes of learning (presented either by
Rabbi Regev or a lay participant), followed by the prayer service itself, ending at 8:00am.
SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY
Every Shabbat Morning from 9:00am – 10:15am
Join Rabbi Mates-Muchin or Rabbi Regev in a stimulating discussion on the Torah.
Discussions end in time for the 10:30am Shabbat Morning Service.
Erev Shabbat – Mizmor Shir! Service
Friday, May 15, 7:30pm
A musical Shabbat service featuring Cantor Keys and the Mizmor Shir! musicians.
Walking the Path
Temple Sinai’s Community Creative Shabbat
Friday, May 15, 7:30pm
Temple Sinai has a longstanding tradition of writing its own original services. Join us
in the sanctuary for another opportunity to pray “outside the box” at a Friday evening
service written by Temple Sinai congregants. Featuring original interpretations of our
Friday evening liturgy, music by the adult choir, and a delicious oneg, this is sure to be a
meaningful and rich celebration of Shabbat.
2015 Confirmation Friday, May 29, 7:30pm
Please join us for our annual Confirmation service during Shabbat services. Together we
will celebrate this group of dedicated, bright and engaging young Jews and their families.
Ruthie Bloch DeWit, daughter of
Ms. Janine Bloch and Mr. Thomas DeWit
Claire Eccles, daughter of Ms. Cheryl Eccles
and Mr. Matt Eccles
Sophia Gallagher, daughter of
Ms. Lori Gallagher and Mr. Bill Gallagher
Joanna Gold, daughter of Ms. Lucy Harris
and Mr. Thomas Gold
Jacob Lettieri, son of Ms. Judith Stern and
Mr. Robert Lettieri
Liat Levin, daughter of Dr. Rona Bar-Din
and Dr. Theodore Levin
Ilan Menahemy, son of Mrs. Anne
Menahemy and Mr. Kobi Menahemy
Lucy Onderwyzer Gold, daughter of
Ms. Lori Onderwyzer and Mr. David Gold
Josef Presberg, son of Ms. Kathleen Crombie
and Dr. Burton Presberg
Samuel Shear, son of Dr. Lynne Lazarus and
Mr. Andrew Shear
Michael Straus, son of Ms. Karen Straus and
Rabbi Andrew Straus
Leah Stuart, daughter of Ms. Sheryl
Gorchow-Stuart and Mr. Marc Stuart
Leah Treidler, daughter of Ms. Jamie Woolf
and Mr. Burke Treidler
Nahla Sturm-Wang, daughter of
Ms. Ilona Sturm
Temple Sinai is committed to accessibility. All programs taking place at Temple Sinai
are wheelchair accessible. Accessibility of programs taking place offsite is noted by
the wheelchair accessibility symbol. If you have concerns about an offsite location,
please check with the contact person provided for that program.
Schedule
of Services
Friday, May 1
6:30pm, Erev Shabbat Family Service
with music led by Junior Choir; Sanctuary
Saturday, May 2
10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service
“Outdoor Shabbat” Sponsored by
the Green Committee; Roberts Park
Huckleberry Picnic Area (see page 4.
Please RSVP) This will be the only
Shabbat service this morning, there will
be no service at the Temple location.
Friday, May 8
7:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service with
Installation of Senior Rabbi Jacqueline
Mates-Muchin with Guests Rabbi Martin
Weiner and Cantor David Goldstein;
Sanctuary
Saturday, May 9
10:30am, Shabbat Minyan Service;
Albers Chapel
10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service
with the Bar Mitzvah of Ben Forsberg;
Sanctuary
Friday, May 15
7:30pm, Community Shabbat and
Mizmor Shir! Erev Shabbat Service
featuring the Temple Sinai Adult Choir
and Mizmor Shir! musicians and soulful
music; Sanctuary
Saturday, May 16
9:15am, Sababa Shabbat, Shabbat
Service and Program for Pre-K through
2nd grade children with their families;
Albers Chapel
10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with
the Bar Mitzvah of Matthew Justice;
Sanctuary
Friday, May 22
7:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service; Albers
Chapel
Saturday, May 23
10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service with
Yizkor and the Bat Mitzvah of
Clara Feldman; Sanctuary
6pm, Erev Shavuot and Tikkun Leyl
Shavuot Community Event; JCC East Bay
Berkeley Branch (off site)
Friday, May 29
7:30pm, Erev Shabbat Service with
Confirmation; Sanctuary
Saturday, May 30
10:30am, Shabbat Morning Service;
Albers Chapel
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TO
PROGRAMS
FROM
COME
THE CANTOR’S
and EVENTS
DESK
Outdoor Shabbat
Saturday, May 2, 10:30am, Roberts Regional Park
Temple Sinai’s first outdoor Shabbat on May 2 promises
to be a delightful occasion for the whole community. We’ll
be in the Huckleberry picnic area (by the Park Entrance
on Skyline), where the sights, sounds, and smells of the
redwood forest will help us enjoy the Shabbat morning
service. If you’ve never heard the Torah chanted against the
background rustle of the woods, this event is for you! Bring a
picnic blanket, a picnic lunch, and the whole family. Kids of
all ages are welcome. This is a fully accessible location.
Carpooling is encouraged! We need to tell the park how many
cars to expect, so please rsvp at templesinaioutdoorshabbat.
eventbrite.com. Temple Sinai will cover the parking fees.
If you’ve got questions about the event, please contact
Richard Hart at richard.p.hart@gmail.com.
Community Clean Up
Sunday, May 3, 10:00am – 1:00pm
We will meet at the KONO office (2633 Telegraph Ave).
Breakfast will be provided. Supplies are being rented
through the City’s adopt-a-spot program. The event is
sponsored by Summit Hospital, and co-hosted by KONO
and Temple Sinai.
The theme is around Oakland’s 163rd Birthday which is
May 4th. Let’s gather to show our love for the town!
We have 10 projects identified so we need as many
volunteers as we can get!
Join the Temple Sinai Trivia Team!
Thursday, May 14, meet at 7:00pm to get a table, trivia starts
at 7:30pm at the New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street
Join us on the second Thursday of each month. We took
third place in February! But with the addition of YOU,
we will surely rise in the ranks. Questions? Please contact
Carolyn Hutton, batgirlctc@comcast.net.
Havdalah Hikes Are Back!
Saturday, May 17, 5:30pm
We meet in Redwood Park, in
the last parking lot inside the
Redwood Gate. Please join
us for as we hike the paved
path through the trees then
return to a picnic area for a
short service followed by wine/cheese/snacks (please bring
something if you are able). Please contact Richard Hart at
richard.p.hart@gmail.com for more information.
Sponsored by Temple Sinai’s Green Committee
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May 2015
ADL Panel Discussion on Anti-Semitism
and Extremism in Europe
Thursday, May 28
Participating on the panel will be: Stefan Schluter, Consul
General of Germany; Pauline Carmona, Consul General of
France; Oleksandr Krotenko, Consul of Ukraine.
More information to follow.
Kumzits Shabbat*
First Shabbat, June – September, starting June 5
Temple Sinai Upper Courtyard
Join us for a family service around
the fire. There will be lots of singing
and s’mores. Come in campfire
attire and bring a picnic blanket.
*Kumzits is Yiddish for “come sit”. It
is the tradition of singing, praying,
socializing and building community around the campfire.
TO COME
WTS and BROTHERHOOD
WORSHIP
Women of Temple Sinai
Membership in WTS helps support various programs of
interest to our members, and helps support wonderful
events for the entire Temple Sinai community. Through our
membership in the international organization, Women of
Reform Judaism, we support social and educational issues of
importance to the global community of Jewish women.
On-Going With WTS
WTS Gift Shop
Tallitot for your B’nei Mitzvah. Contact Susan Levy at
skahnlevy@aol.com or Office Staff for help. 10% discount
to B’nei Mitzvah Families.
WTS Daytime Book Club
Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 1:00pm in the
TS Library.
May 20, 2015 – All the Light We Can Not See by
Anthony Doerr
WTS evening Book Club
The WTS evening book club meets every 6 weeks on
Thursday evenings from 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the home
of Lynn Greenberg & Michael Rothschild in Oakland.
For further information please contact Zell Nathanson at
(925) 247-0132.
WTS Party Bridge
We play two Wednesday evenings each month from
7:00pm – 9:00pm-ish. To join (with or without a regular
partner) call Lynn Greenberg at (510) 250-9419.
WTS Lunch Connection
Meets the first Wednesday of every month to enable
members to strengthen bonds of friendship while enjoying
a no-host lunch at local restaurants. This year we will be
gathering from 11:30am to about 1:00pm to allow for a
more leisurely time to visit. Please contact Sabina Cohen at
sabinacohen@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
WTS Membership
Please join WTS and renew your WTS dues now! For
further membership information please contact Beth
Eiselman at: jusbeth@aol.com
WTS Board Meetings
Monthly Meetings: Second Wednesday of each month at
the Temple. 7:15pm for coffee and schmoozing; 7:30pm for
the meeting. Everybody is welcome.
Please join us and get involved. Please contact Sue Bachman
at memasue@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Brotherhood
The Temple Brotherhood is planning ahead for the coming
months. Mark your calendars for two fun events:
Thursday, June 11, 7 pm, the Brotherhood Annual Dinner,
held at Monaghan’s, 2820 Mountain Blvd. near Joaquin
Miller Drive in Oakland. An informal social gathering, the
annual dinner is a chance to relax and kibbitz with fellow
Sinai-ites. New members are always welcome.
Sunday, Sept. 20, the Annual Jack Weinstein Memorial Golf
Tournament, Tilden Park Golf Course. This is the main
fundraising event organized by the Brotherhood each year
and has become a popular way to support good causes such
as scholarships for religious school, preschool, trips to Israel,
and camperships to Camp Newman. Join us for a fun way
to fundraise. For more information contact Glenn Oleon at
gpoleon@aol.com.
Brotherhood meetings are usually, but not always, held on
the second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm. We discuss
additional ways we can provide financial and volunteer
support to activities and events at the Temple. Meetings and
membership are open to all. For more information contact
Dan Crouch at dlcrouch@comcast.net.
Save The Dates!
SF Pride Parade Sunday, June 28, 10:30am
This will be Temple Sinai’s 15th year marching in the San Francisco Pride Parade to show our
support for LGBT rights and liberation. This year we will join a contingent organized by the
URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) and will march with over 25 Bay Area Congregations. The
Parade kicks off at Market & Beale and ends at Market & 8th Street in downtown San Francisco.
For more information or to be involved in Pride celebration please contact Emmett Koehler at
emmettkoehler@gmail.com or (510) 910-0288.
Grief and Growing Weekend Friday – Sunday, August 21 – 23
Save the date for Grief and Growing weekend at Camp Newman. This weekend program is
professionally guided by grief care specialists providing a supportive Jewish environment
where people of all ages and backgrounds can meet and work with those who have experienced
similar losses.
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CONTRIBUTIONS
FROM THE CANTOR’S DESK
Todah rabah! Thank you very much to the following who provided contributions to Temple Sinai. These donations were recorded between
March 1 & March 31, 2015. For corrections or additions to this list, please contact lisa@oaklandsinai.org (510) 451-3263 x302.
Annual Giving Campaign
Dana and Adam Blankman
Barry and Dori Dubin
In memory of Jonathan Obadia
Jacob and Louise Epstein
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Cantor Ilene Keys and David Bobrowsky
In appreciation of the Temple Sinai community
Cantor Keys Music Fund
Rubi and Elliott Abrams
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Rabbi Ruth Adar and Linda Burnett
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Elaine Binger
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Joan Fierer
In appreciation of Seth Bobrowsky and Cantor
Keys for making Seth’s Bar Mitzvah so
meaningful and moving
Sandy and Bud Goldberg
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Neil and Denise Jacobson
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Joseph and Reva Kent
In honor of Chloe Momet becoming a
Bat Mitzvah
T. R. Levin and Rona Bar-Din
Maureen Logan
In appreciation of the clergy dance interlude at
the Purim Spiel
Sherri Richards and Tom Flynn
In appreciation of Stan Klezmer
Monique Schonberger
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Valerie Sopher
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Rita Zwerdling
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky’s stellar
Bar Mitzvah
Endowment Fund
Cantor Ilene Keys and David Bobrowsky
In appreciation of Rabbi Chester’s participation
in the passing of the Torah ceremony
Joe Remcho Fund for Preschool
Scholarships
John and Megan Bacigalupi
Zachary Berman and
Catherine Markman-Berman
Bryan Cantrill and Brigid Gaffikin
Lisa Hanauer and Gemma Baumer
In memory of Andrew Baumer
John and Samantha Harnett
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Jacques and Sara Kerrest
Alexy Khrabrov and Olga Bashlacheva
Ari and Anne Marie Levy
Lionel Benas Confirmation Fund
Evelyn Benas
In memory of Aimee Cohen, Bella Benas, and
Hesper Benas
Literacy Project People of the Book Fund
Charmian Cohen
In memory of Harold Cohen
Sherri Richards and Tom Flynn
In memory of Dr. Stanley Schonberger
In memory of Margie Siegan
Preschool Fund
Matt and Colleen Orfuss
Rabbi Chester Discretionary Fund
Michael and Holly Gardner
In memory of Courtney Seeple
Maureen Logan
In appreciation of Esther Chester wherever she
might be at Purim
Rabbi Mates-Muchin
Discretionary Fund
Ronnie Caplane
In appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin
Bud and Sandy Goldberg
In honor of Teddy Mates-Muchin becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Grand Lake Gardens - Oakland
In appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin on the
occasion of the Vesper Service
Herb Holman and Leslie Paine
In memory of Abe Holman
In honor of Rabbi Mates-Muchin on her
appointment as Senior Rabbi
Neil and Denise Jacobson
In honor of Sara and Tom Klein’s anniversary
Joseph and Reva Kent
In honor of Chloe Momet becoming a
Bat Mitzvah
Cantor Ilene Keys and David Bobrowsky
In appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin
T. R. Levin and Rona Bar-Din
Carol Loewith
In honor of Matthew Justice becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Maureen Logan
In appreciation of the clergy dance interlude at
the Purim Spiel
Sherri Richards and Tom Flynn
In appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin
In honor of Teddy Mates-Muchin
Dick and Peg Roisman
In memory of Margie Siegan
Ruth Schneider
In memory of Dr. Edward Krug
Sam Schuchat and Ilana DeBare
In support of Wrestling Jerusalem
Stuart and Abby Zangwill
In honor of Reuben Gould’s Brit Milah
In honor of Brandon Goldberg’s Brit Milah
In honor of Marcel Evon’s Brit Milah
Rabbi Regev Discretionary Fund
Cantor Ilene Keys and David Bobrowsky
In appreciation of Rabbi Regev
Maureen Logan
In appreciation of the clergy dance interlude at
the Purim Spiel
Vera Obermeyer
In memory of Walter Obermeyer
Reducing Our Debt Fund
Elaine Binger
In honor of Barbara Morrison
Katie Frank and Dan Psomas
In appreciation of Barbara Morrison for her work
at the gift shop
Joseph and Reva Kent
In memory of Jennifer Momet
Rabbinic Search Committee
In honor of Sara Klein, for her leadership
In honor of Sam Schuchat, for his leadership
Social Action/Anti-Hunger Fund
Frederic Walker
Special Education Fund
Rai Newman
In memory of Richard Harmon Newman, Jerome
Harold Newman, and Alan Mark Newman
Temple Sinai Technology Upgrades
Anonymous (2)
Rabbi Ruth Adar and Linda Burnett
David Alexander and Pauline Fox
Martin and Judith Aufhauser
Wayne and Melissa Batavia
In appreciation of Joan Waranoff and
Louise Epstein for everything they do!
Michael and Aviva Black
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Dale and Stephen Block
In memory of Diane Maas
Jon Braslaw and Robin Flagg
David and Carole Brodsly
Charles Chapman and Annette Smith
Andrew and Sabina Cohen
In memory of Bertha Alpert
Charles Cole
Robin and Rich Edwards
In appreciation of Mike Baker’s Temple leadership
Eric and Rosanne Eigenfeld
In honor of Mike Baker for his wonderful work as
Temple President
Robert and Catherine Einspruch
Stephen and Cheryl Eiselman
Mark and Maxine Eisenberg
Jacob and Louise Epstein
In appreciation of Joan Waranoff
CONTRIBUTIONS and THEATER
WORSHIP
REVIEW
Jon and Jenny Ettinger
Donald Falk and Sarah Weinstein
Jerry and Myra Feiger
Dan and Nina Fendel
Karen Fierer and Debra Schoenberg
Harold Friedman and Jennifer London
Aaron and Amy Jo Goldfarb
Sandy and Bud Goldberg
Mark and Annie Goldsmith
Tom Gold and Lucy Harris
Murray and Janet Gordon
Shelley Gordon and Richard Burge
In honor of Murray Gordon’s Birthday
Leah Greenblat
Lynn Greenberg and Michael Rothschild
Arnold Gutlaizer and Lisa Norris
Marc and Cherie Hallert
Herb Holman and Leslie Paine
In appreciation of the entire clergy staff
Lois Horwitz
In memory of Armin Horwitz, Barbara Savitt,
and Marilyn Werner
Mark Jacobson and Ilona Frieden
Linda Kamby and Paul Weir
In memory of Alice and Michael Kamby
Linda Katz
Michael Kent and Becky Rozen
Tom and Sara Klein
Susan Krauss and Linda Benson
Ted and Carole Krumland
Richard and CeCe Langs
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
In appreciation of Lucy Harris and
Jackie Berkman for their many years of Purim
Spiel writing and directing
Greg Lieberknecht and Patricia Mintz
In honor of Rabbi Mates-Muchin on her recent
appointment as Senior Rabbi
Ray Lifchez
Ward and Elaine Lindenmayer
Sam Lopez
Ken Mahru
Roger and Joan Mann
Ralph and Susan McKinnon
Barbara and Bob Morrison
Shawn and Elizabeth Moyle
Cy Musiker and Andrea Duncan
Matt and Colleen Orfuss
Neal Parish and Carla Koren
Peter and Carol Parker
Ronald and Caroline Peters
In appreciation of Rabbi Mates-Muchin
becoming Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai
Paul Robbins
Mark Rosen and Fonda Karelitz
Matt Rossiter and Ruth Ann Binder
Stanley and Martha Ross
Larry and Arlene Saidman
Jon and Marlene Sakol
Joel Sanders and Carol Bieri
Sydney Firestone Schimmel
Edgar and Fritzi Schoen
Robert Schoen and Sharon Chabon
Michael Semler
Jeff Simon and Dana Cohen
Helen Smiler and Marlene Johnson
Peggy Sparber
Joel and Judith Stettner
Andy and Andrea Tanenbaum
David Theis and Sarah Royce
David Thorne and Esther Saidman
Stephanie and Eti Valdez-Kaminsky
Claire Wahrhaftig
In appreciation of Phil Rubin’s faithful
service to Temple Sinai
Joshua and Lori Waltzer
Robert and Shirley Warwick
Beth Wolinsky
Shari and Bing Yu
URJ Camp Scholarships Fund
Elaine Binger
In honor of Susan Levy
Seth Bobrowsky
Women of Temple Sinai
Where The Need Is Greatest Fund
Audrey Adler
In memory of David Adler
Dick and Jane Cohen
In memory of Yetta Papae
Barry and Dori Dubin
In appreciation of the leadership of
Mike Baker as Temple President
Doris Goldman
In memory of Robert Fischer and
Martha Stone
Anna Golodovskaya
In memory of Arkadiy Golodovsky
Ted and Sharon Gordon
In memory of Morris I. Ginsburg
Marc and Cherie Hallert
In memory of Jess Hallert
Howard-Charles Harpham
In memory of Howard C. Harpham and
Meriel C. Harpham
Randy and Jan Kessler
In memory of Norman Davis
Gary and Joanne Neuman
In memory of Melody Kepler
Monique Schonberger
In honor of Paul Kadden’s Birthday
Temple Sinai Board of Trustees
In support of Rabbi Mates-Muchin’s
Installation Service
Maxine Turret
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Jack and Lila Wahrhaftig
In memory of Shirley Blumberg
Pearl Wolffs
In honor of Seth Bobrowsky becoming a
Bar Mitzvah
Beth Wolinsky
In memory of Dr. Stanley Schonberger
Wrestling Jerusalem
Performance at Temple
Sinai March 28, 2015
Performer Aaron Davidman’s first
words on Temple Sinai’s bimah were,
“It’s complicated.” Over the next 90
minutes and with barely a pause, Aaron
embodied 17 different roles, depicting
Israeli, Palestinian, “The play was a very
American Jewish,
emotional experience
religious, secular,
left-wing and right- for me. I thought
wing characters.
Aaron’s performance
Each character
was incredible and it
flowed seamlessly
into the next, as
touched me in many
he performed
ways.”
monologues,
dialogues, songs and both Hebrew and
Arabic prayers.
The performance had some beautifully
eerie moments when Aaron chanted the
most sacred Jewish and Muslim prayers:
“Sh’ma Yisrael…” and “Allah HuAkbar…”
Weaving together scores of references to
history, politics, and culture, he gave voice
to the complexity of narratives about
Israel and the Palestinians. Through his
own intellectual and emotional journey to
understand these complexities, he brought
to life issues of identity, social justice and
diverse relationships to Israel.
Following the performance, Rabbi MatesMuchin facilitated a discussion with
Aaron, eliciting many thoughtful reactions
from the audience. Wrestling Jerusalem
inspired people to reflect on others’
narratives as well as their own.
Approximately 380 people attended the
performance. The Wrestling Jerusalem
Planning Committee is delighted to
report that the event brought in $3500
after expenses. This is, in large part, due
to contributions from several temple
committees, individual congregants and
the New Israel Fund. The Committee
has asked that these funds be directed to
support scholarships to Israel.
Deena Levine-Lipsett, Chair,
Wrestling Jerusalem Committee
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YOUTH
FROM THE CANTOR’S DESK
Thanks for your support!
Temple Sinai Preschool, Religious School and many other
Temple Sinai family and educational events are made
possible by a great many contributors.
Thank you to our community partners: Exploring the World
of Judaism/Jewish LearningWorks, G-dcast, the Jewish
Federation of the East Bay, KlezCalifornia, Lehrhaus Judaica,
Shalom Bayit, Urban Adamah, Wilderness Torah, the Jewish
Early Childhood Initiative, and Melita.
Thank you to our wonderful Preschool Parent Committee
President Linsey Morrison and all of the members of the
Preschool Parent Committee.
Thank you to this year’s fabulous Education Committee
chairs Jen Alderman & Eti Valdez-Kaminsky and all of the
members of the Education Committee.
Thank you to the Brotherhood and Women of Temple Sinai
for supporting a variety of projects and providing scholarship
money to kids and families.
Thank you to our great education staff, including teachers,
enrichment specialists, support staff, and madrichim/teen
teaching assistants, plus our wonderful clergy.
Thank you to the many volunteers who do everything from
hosting community building events to feeding our teachers
to stuffing envelopes.
Thank you to everyone who donates to our Education Funds.
Finally, thank you to our whole community of learners,
parents and children and community members, who
collaborate all year long to make Temple Sinai a dynamic
learning community.
Todah rabah!
Celebrating Her Bat Mitzvah Year as
an Early Childhood Educator at TSP
— Terry McGlynn
Often when you enter into Terry’s classroom she is engaged
in deep conversation with her students, whether individually
or in a group. Terry is a master teacher and storyteller.
She shares many stories from her own childhood or the
childhood of one of her own children – Kate and Sam. The
children are always captured by these conversations and
ask for more. Through these conversations and stories, she
embodies a core value of Jewish early childhood education –
the value of Kavod (respect). She sees children as competent
people who deserve the kavod that all people deserve. And
the many, many children who have had the opportunity to
converse, learn and play with Terry know this to be true.
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In her thirteen years of teaching at Temple Sinai Preschool,
Terry has taught all of our age-groups and is currently
teaching in our 4s program. She has a deep love of learning,
Judaism, social justice, and baseball. Just recently, she
completed a three-year program, along with two of our
other teachers, to receive a certificate in Jewish early
childhood education through Gratz College. She takes every
opportunity to continue her learning through workshops,
communities of practice and other professional development
opportunities. As a colleague, she challenges us to think
more deeply about the Jewish experience we offer our
children and families, the ways we can share the children’s
learning with each other and our families, and be an
inclusive community for all kinds of learners. She shares her
passion for social justice with her students and as a result her
students are inspired to develop their own projects and make
their own contributions whether through the Alameda Food
Bank or the SPCA.
Terry is a thoughtful and inspiring educator and colleague.
We are blessed to have her as a part of this community. We
wish her a Mazel Tov on her Bat Mitzvah year. May she go
from strength to strength.
PRESCHOOL, YOUTH PROGRAMS & MIDRASHA
WORSHIP
Religious School End-of-Year
Celebration of Learning
Wednesday, April 29 & Sunday, May 3
Let’s celebrate a great year of
Jewish learning! Parents please
join us for a fun and festive
final day of Religious School
this year. We’ll be visiting
core classes, participating in
explore activities, doing great
art, and appreciating our teachers. On Sunday we’ll hear
Shamati (featuring Nathaniel Markman & Isaac Zones) in
concert plus enjoy a festive on-site picnic with food, ga-ga,
jumpy house, art and community. All Hebrew classes WILL
meet on our last days except the Sunday 11:45am class.
Parent Night Out
Saturday, May 2; 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Enjoy a night out and support Temple Sinai Preschool. Drop
your child(ren) ages PreK – 2nd grade off at Temple Sinai
Preschool for a an evening of fun. Children will enjoy a pizza
party and various activities with their friends, while you
enjoy a night out on the town.
This is a fundraiser for TSP. Prices are: $40/1 child, $70/2
children, $90/3 children.
Contact Rachel to find out how to sign up Rachel@
oaklandsinai.org
sababa shabbat
Saturday, May 16
Rise & Shine and gather for Shabbat
with friends at this sweet family
friendly morning service geared
towards children in PreK-2nd grade.
9:15am – 10:00am Service in the chapel
25 Years of Fun & Games with Michele Quiat
How is it possible that those children
running in circles in the courtyard are
learning Hebrew when they do that?
Oh but they are! They are catching,
throwing, running, competing,
laughing and reading words from
the ve’ahavta. And slowly but surely,
not by repetitive chanting and
correction and struggle at their desks
but through fun and frolic, they will
master the ve’ahavta and be able to chant it from the pews
and lead it from the bima. More than anything else, what it’s
like to be in Michele Quiat’s classroom is FUN!
For 25 years Michele, a Hebrew School class cutter, has been
working diligently to bring a quality of fun and community
to Temple Sinai’s Religious School that she wanted in her
own Jewish education. A professionally trained teacher and
a long-time Swig (now Newman) camper & enthusiast,
Michele’s love of teaching, kids and Judaism combine to
make her one amazing Religious School teacher. During her
long tenure at Temple Sinai, Michele has taught just about
every grade and every Hebrew level, provided administrative
support to the Education Department, and now also
serves as our Youth Director. She is both willing and able
to open kids’ minds and hearts to new ideas and to ride
a rollercoaster with them at Great America all the while
working on helping them connect with Judaism and with
each other.
While her own three teenagers may be mystified by this,
there is no doubt that Michele is the most fun grown-up at
Temple Sinai. She is a teacher, a mentor, a friend, a wonderful
colleague, and a blessing and a gift to our community. May we
continue to grow together from strength to strength.
10:00am – 10:30am Family Torah study
10:30am – 11:00am Oneg
Oakland Midrasha
Graduation
Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30pm,
in the Sanctuary
Community members are invited to join
for a very special evening of reflection,
with a reception to follow.
This is always a meaningful night.
*Temple Sinai members
The graduates this year are:
Ariel King*
Elana Straus*
Eli DeVries
Gelly Miller*
Margot Witte*
Max DeWit*
Meredith McCleary*
Will Klein*
Zachary Presberg*
2015 – 2016 Religious School
Registration Time is HERE
It’s time to register for Religious School
for the fall. Registration materials are
available on-line. Visit oaklandsinai.org for
the link or contact Marcy Walsh at
mwalsh@oaklandsinai.org for instructions.
Questions about our Religious School program?
Contact Sue Bojdak today!
Our Priority Registration Deadline is May 22.
oaklandsinai.org
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LIFECYCLES
BIRTHDAYS
wedding ANNIVERSARIES
5/2 Ellen Switkes
5/3 Janice Miller
5/3 Janet Taksa
5/4 Sue Bachman
5/4 Richard Kulka
5/4 Joel Richmon
5/5 Charles Goldberg
5/5 Alex Gunst
5/6 Brenda Eskenazi
5/8 Kurt Fleischer
5/8 Shelley Samuels
5/9 Howard Ruiz-Harrison
5/10 Anna Golodovskaya
5/10 Karen Tiedemann
5/12 Gerry Eiselman
5/12 Arlene Rosen
5/13 Nadyne Epstein
5/13 Amnon Rodan
5/14 Judy Aufhauser
5/14 Matthew Kreeger
5/14 Ellen Sirbu
5/16 Kari Barnes
5/16 Doris Goldman
5/16 Douglas Schwab
5/17 Christina Greenberg
5/18 Randall Berger
5/18 Richard Roisman
5/19 Howard Brodke
5/20 Lawrence Rosenberg
5/21 Amelia Lemmon
5/21 Eric Rubin
5/22 Audrey Adler
5/22 Selma Riskin
5/23 Maxine Drexler
5/25 Howie Perlin
5/25 Mark Rosen
5/26 Daniel Rubinfeld
5/26 Ruth Schneider
5/26 Sandra R. Summerfield
5/27 Joan F. Coleman
5/28 Shirley R. Warwick
5/28 Ronald Weiss
5/29 Jennifer Bomze
5/30 Deborah Gilmore
5/30 Norman Robinow
5/30 Idele Saul
5/31 Victor Felson
5/31 Prentice Starkey
5/5 Michael Greenberg & Valerie Ackerman 30
5/7 Keith Savell & Karen Katz 20
5/7 Robert & Ellen Ansel 55
5/13 Shari Unitan & Pamela Horenstein 20
5/15 Ed & Fritzi Schoen 55
5/22 Zachary Berman &
Catherine Markman-Berman 5
5/25 Stephen & Barbara Whitgob 40
5/26 Andrew Fisher & Lynda Kravitz 30
5/26 Bruce Burtner & Jennifer Miller 30
5/27 Robert Fulgham & Heidi Lustig 25
5/28 Julie & Chris Bell 15
5/28 Ben & Marissa Harrison 20
5/29 Rebecca Egger & Bill Weinberg 20
b’nEi Mitzvah
Ben Max Forsberg
Son of Larry Forsberg
and Kelly Forsberg
Saturday, 5/9/2015
Matthew Stephen
Justice
Son of Brian and
Allison Justice
Saturday, 5/16/2015
5/31 David Durham & Marcy Bergman 35
Clara Feldman Daughter of
Josh Feldman and
Nancy Brahm
Saturday, 5/23/2015
mazel tov!
Mazel Tov to Dale Block who has been honored
as the recipient of the Bay Area Tumor Institute’s
Living Example award.
It’s a Girl!
Jacqueline Charlotte Guzman-Woldrich was born
April 12, 2015
Proud Dads are Louis Guzman-Woldrich and
Jeffrey Woldrich
REmemberances
Robert Caplow, grandfather of Jessica Eiselman
Kenneth Rothman, congregant and husband of
Laurie Rothman
Ty Joines, grandson of Susan & Michael Levy
Hillel Benjamin Levine, father of Deena Levine
Lipsett
Miriam Ogren, aunt of Michelle Quiat
Donald Green, father of Tracy Green-Hoffman
Susan Daar, congregant, wife to Randall,
mother to Alan & Violet
Christian Ayala, godson of Elisa Dumesnil
welcome new members!
Membership Renewal Time
It’s the time of year to consider making
a commitment to this year’s Annual
Giving Campaign. Please donate today.
Your generous financial support is
necessary to sustain our distinguished
tradition of inclusiveness and ensure
that the programs we value continue to
thrive. We thank you for your loyalty
and ongoing commitment to the mitzvah
of Tzedakah, a sacred obligation to our
Temple Sinai family.
Weekly eNews
Are you receiving the
Weekly eNews each
Thank you to the following
march B’nei Mitzvah Families for Oneg Sponsorship:
Emily and Limor Margalit, Yonatan (age 15),
Mika (age 10)
Tuesday? It’s a great
Kristin Baker Spohn and Benjamin Spohn,
Calvin Baker Spohn (age 1.5)
upcoming events at
5/8 Forsberg Family and
Hospitality Committee
Annie and Troy Sauro, Mabel (5 months)
5/15 Justice Family
Jacques Frederic Kerrest and Sara Johnson
Kerrest, Jacques Nicolas (age 1.5)
5/22 Brahm and Feldman Family
5/29 Ashla and Cramer Family
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way to keep track of
Temple Sinai. To ensure that you aren’t
missing anything,
email Lisa@oaklandsinai.org
Birthdays and Anniversaries are listed in
multiples of 5 as well as birthdays age 69 and
over. Mazel Tov!
with Weekly eNews in the subject title.
WORSHIP
Temple Sinai
sunday
monday
4/26
MAY 2015
tuesday
wednesday
4/27
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
11:30am Seniors Lunch
7:00pm Adult Choir
7:15pm Midrasha
7th Grade Retreat
Religious School - Last Day
10:00am Preschool Spring
Age-group gathering
(offsite)
11:30am End of Year RS
Celebration
12:00pm Adult B’nei Mitzvah
Class
12:00pm Junior Choir Party
(offsite)
3
4
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
6:00pm Lounge Night
6:00pm Ritual Committee
Meeting
7:00pm Adult Choir
7:15pm Midrasha
10
11
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
7:00pm Adult Choir
7:15pm Midrasha Graduation
18
9:30am EWJ Speaker
Series:
Susan Lubeck on
Economic Justice –
the Jewish Angle
9:30am Sunday Morning
Mah Jongg
11:30am Jr. Choir last Sunday
rehearsal
Parent/Teacher
Conferences –
No student day
4/28
Religious School –
Last Wednesday
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
7:00pm WTS Film Series
7:15pm Adult Hebrew Class
7:30pm Education Committee
Meeting
5
11:30am WTS Lunch
Connection (offsite)
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
7:00pm Executive Committee
Meeting (offsite)
12
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
6:00pm Calendar and
Program Meeting
7:15pm WTS Board Meeting
7:30pm Education Committee
Meeting
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
7:00pm Adult Choir Party
(offsite)
7:30pm Green Committee
Meeting
19
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
1:00pm WTS Book Group
Meeting
6:00pm Social Action
Committee Meeting
7:00pm Temple Board Meeting
25
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
11:30am Seniors Lunch
26
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
7:30pm Israel Education
Committee Meeting
6/1
7:30am Tuesday
Morning Minyan
6:00pm Ritual Committee
Meeting
6/2
11:30am WTS Lunch
Connection
(offsite)
12:15pm Al-Anon Meeting
7:00pm Executive Committee
Meeting (offsite)
17
6:00pm Meeting with
the Oakland
Police Chief
7:30pm Finance Committee
Meeting
Shavuot
24
Memorial Day Preschool and Offices
Closed
5:30pm Hebrew Free
Loan Gala
(co-sponsored by
Temple Sinai)
31
10:00am Preschool
Spring Age-group
gathering (offsite)
1:00pm Caring Community
Meeting
Yasher Koach to the Community!
4/29
6
7:30pm Brotherhood
Speaker Series
7:30pm Preschool Parent
Committee Meeting
13
7:00pm Last Adult Choir
Rehearsal
7:30pm Brotherhood Board
Meeting (offsite)
20
6:00pm MGO Meeting
27
Over 60 food bags were delivered to our literacy partner
school, Greenleaf, to help replace school breakfasts and lunches
over the spring break. Thanks to all who donated food and
to Fonda Karelitz, Barbara Kluger, Judy Zollman, Ari Glick,
Teri Bleckner, and Helen Smiler for sorting and bagging the
food and loading it into Teri’s truck for delivery to the school.
The barrels will remain at the temple on an ongoing basis for
donations to organizations that help the needy. Another food
related project is underway – we are organizing teams to other
cook dinners for a women’s shelter. If you are interested in
being on the Social Action e-mail list, helping with the dinner
project, finding out more about volunteer opportunities, or
joining the committee, contact Teri Bleckner teri.bleckner@
gmail.com or Helen Smiler hsmiler@aol.com.
thursday
7:30pm Israel
Education
Committee Speaker
6/3
friday
4/30
7
saturday
7th Grade Retreat
6:30pm Erev Shabbat
Family Service
with Junior Choir &
with baby naming
1
7th Grade Retreat
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service – Green
Committee Sponsored
(offsite)
2
7:30pm Erev Shabbat
Service with the
Installation
of Senior Rabbi
Mates-Muchin
8
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Minyan
Service followed by
Potluck Kiddush Lunch
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service with the
Bar Mitzvah of
Ben Forsberg
15
Midrasha Retreat
9:00am Torah Study
9:15am Sababa Shabbat
Morning Service
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service with
Bar Mitzvah of
Matthew Justice
4:00pm Religious School and
Preschool Teacher Staff
Appreciation (offsite)
5:30pm Havdalah Hike
9
14
Midrasha Retreat
7:30pm Erev Shabbat –
Mizmor Shir!
Service and
Community Shabbat
21
7:30pm Erev Shabbat
Service
22
Erev Shavuot
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service with
Bat Mitzvah of
Clara Feldman
with Yizkor
6:00pm Tikkun Leil Shavuot
(offsite)
28
5:30pm Erev Shabbat
Family Service
with Confirmation
29
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service
6/4
6:30pm Erev Shabbat
Family Service
Kumzits in
Upper Courtyard
6/5
9:00am Torah Study
10:30am Shabbat Morning
Service with
Bat Mitzvah of
Naomi Binger
7:30pm Preschool
Parent
Committee Meeting
16
23
30
6/6
Let’s Keep Filling Those Bins!
May through July we’ll be collecting
TOWELS: any size, any condition,
from new to worn – as long as they
are clean! The two agencies in focus
are Lava Mae which convert old
Muni buses into showers driving
them to various locations in SF. They
are redesigned for wheelchair access
or for privacy for families living in
their cars and for disabled individuals living on the street.
Worn towels will go to the surgery unit at Oakland SPCA.
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First Hebrew
Congregation
of Oakland
PERIODICAL
Temple Sinai
2808 Summit Street
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 451-3263
www.oaklandsinai.org
Temple Sinai has been certified as a Bay Area Green Business
Our Bulletin is printed on recycled paper at a printer registered as a Green Business and certified by the
Forest Stewardship Council. We print with earth-friendly soy-based ink.