1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

THE BETH AM
M A R C H 20 1 5
ADAR / NISAN 5775
BETH AM WELCOMES
Rabbi Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, PhD
IN THIS ISSUE:
This Year’s Saxe Family Scholar-in-Residence
F R I D A Y, M A R C H 1 3 T O S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 1 4
Film Series:
Tw o F i l m s i n M a rc h
PAGE 3
This year’s Saxe Family Scholar-in-Residence is Rabbi Tamara
Cohn Eskenazi, PhD, Professor of Bible at Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Dr. Eskenazi is a
beloved teacher, an engaging speaker and the author or editor
of many award-winning books including The Torah: A Women’s
Commentary. We’ll have several opportunities to learn with
Dr. Eskenazi over Shabbat:
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
„
„
6:15 p.m., Sanctuary (during the Shabbat service): Prophetic Spirituality: Reclaiming Our Roots
7:30 p.m., Social Hall (dinner and presentation): Love, Learning and Laughter: Biblical
Texts for the Seasons of Our Lives. Dinner will be prepared by the Poltava Committee and
all proceeds support our sister synagogue, Beth Am of Poltava, Ukraine. Reservations are
required for the dinner. To sign up for the dinner by Wednesday, March 11, please visit the
Poltava Dinner page at www.betham.org/saxe2015poltavadinner.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
C e l e b ra t e Pa ss o v e r
with Beth Am
PAGE 8
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„
9:00 a.m., Beit Kehillah (during Torah Study): Rebuilding Community in an Uncertain World
3:30 p.m., Beit Kehillah: Grandeur and Audacity: Why and How the Prophets Matter Today
This event is part of Beth Am’s 60th birthday programming. Learn more at
www.betham.org/60th.
BETH AM WELCOMES
Singing
Jewish Cowboy
PAGE 8
Elana Stein Hain
“Self-Preservation and Compromise:
Navigating Identities in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”
T H U R S D A Y, M A R C H 1 9 , 7 P. M . , B E I T K E H I L L A H
Dr. Elana Stein Hain is the Director of Leadership Education for the
Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, where she serves as a lead faculty member and
oversees the content of lay and professional leadership programs. A nationally-known teacher
and scholar, Dr. Stein Hain was recognized by The Jewish Week as an emerging Jewish leader in
its first “36 under 36” listing.
CONTACT US AT (650) 493-4661
From Rabbi Heath Watenmaker
Engaging with Israel Beyond the Headlines
The WZO election is
our opportunity —
as American Reform
Jews — to have a
direct influence on
the landscape of
some of the major
social issues being
discussed in Israel
in the coming years.
PAGE 2
It’s been far too long since I was last in Israel. When
I was there for my first year of rabbinical school at the
Hebrew Union College (HUC) in Jerusalem, I had a
20-ish minute walk from my little apartment to the
HUC campus every day. As I wound my way from
the Jerusalem suburb of Rechavia, whose streets are
all named for famous Hebrew poets, towards HUC
in the city center, I walked past nineteenth-century
windmills, parks with ancient ruins, and what seemed
like endless construction sites. All over the city,
massive cranes reached towards the sky, slowly raising
up modern, luxury condominiums and new shopping
centers all in the middle stages of construction. Every
day, walking by those sites, nestled between the other
sites of Jerusalem, both ancient and modern, I couldn’t
help but imagine what these new buildings would look
like, towering over this ancient city, with shiny, new
facades of perfectly white Jerusalem stone. All of those
buildings have since reached completion, and I’ve
heard that these new condos and shopping centers
(which aren’t so new anymore) are beautiful. But the
landscape of the city must be completely different
from how I remember it.
This is the nature of Israel — the ancient and old
constantly intersecting with the modern and new. It is
the case not just with architecture, but with religion,
values and politics, too. Beyond the headlines of
external, existential threats, there is a complexity and
nuance in the society and landscape of Israel that can
go unnoticed from far away. This is the Israel that I
remember most fondly from my year there. It is a place
of many tensions: between Israel and her neighbors,
between secular and religious Jews, between the
left and the right. And right now, there are major
decisions to be made that will impact the future of
Israel’s handling of issues around gender equality,
religious tolerance and pluralism.
Right now, and continuing through April 15,
members of our community can cast their votes
in support of ARZA (Association of Reform Jews of
America) in the World Zionist Organization (WZO)
election. This election is our opportunity, as American
Reform Jews, to have a direct influence on some of
the major social issues being discussed in Israel in the
coming years. We might feel at times as if Israel is too
distant, and too complex, for us to have a voice there.
But this election allows us to have an impact on the
future direction of the Jewish State.
The World Zionist Congress is the decision-making
body for the World Zionist Organization, which was
founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897, as a way to bring
the voices (and funds) of world Jewry together as the
“Parliament of the Jewish People.” The WZO utilizes
the Zionist Congress to establish its policies and
elect leadership to the bodies which define executive
policy, departmental direction, and budget decisions
— all of which impact life inside Israel. The World
Zionist Congress remains the only forum in Jewish life
comprised of delegates reflecting a broad spectrum
of ideological and political perspectives chosen in
democratic elections throughout the world. As such,
it commands the attention of Israel’s decision-makers
and serves as world Jewry’s voice in Israel. Imagine an
Israel in which:
„ Women can pray alongside men at the Kotel (the
Western Wall) — the holiest site in Israel — with
no harassment;
„ Orthodox, Reform and Conservative Jewish
institutions receive equal treatment from the
Israeli government;
„ Israel lives in peace with her neighbors, without
the threat of rocket barrages or terrorist attacks.
These are the core issues that ARZA is advocating
in the World Zionist Congress, which distributes vital
funds to the institutions of the Progressive (Reform)
movement in Israel — synagogues, schools, the Israel
Religious Action Center, the Israel Movement for
Progressive Judaism and the Hebrew Union College
in Jerusalem. As Reform Jews, we strive to create a
world in which gender equality is the rule — where
men and women can pray, work and live together as
equals. We envision and work for a society in which all
denominations are treated fairly and with respect —
and all of us are seen as Jews, regardless of our level of
observance. And we believe that there must be efforts
made to achieve lasting peace, security and stability
for Israel, the Palestinians and the Middle East.
Because of ARZA, the WZO passed three resolutions
supporting egalitarianism, equality and peace.
These elections directly impact key decisions
of how funds are distributed, which organizations
receive funding, and how much. The allocations the
WZO makes to the several Jewish religious streams in
Israel are determined by the number of its delegates
elected to the World Zionist Congress. Because of
the significant representation of Reform Judaism,
gained through tremendous support of ARZA in
the last WZO elections, the Reform Movement in
Israel earned an allocation of $4 million per year for
five years (amounting to $20 million, total). That is a
significant achievement, but needs are expanding
and our movement is growing, so this time, we
need even more Reform Jews to vote the ARZA slate,
representing Reform Judaism, if we want to continue
to impact Israeli society. This is why it is so important
that we vote, and that we encourage our friends to do
so as well.
Voting is simple: as long as you are 18 or older (or
will be by June 2015), identify as Jewish and are willing
to part with $10 (which is just an administrative fee),
you are eligible to vote in this election. It only takes
a few minutes — vote today for ARZA: Representing
Reform Judaism at www.reformjews4israel.org.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE BETH AM
Israel Pre-Tour Course
Taught by Jehon Grist, PhD
T U E S D AY S , M A R C H 1 0 A N D 1 7 , 7 : 3 0 T O 9 P. M .
BEIT KEHILLAH
Experience a virtual journey through Israel’s ancient
and modern history, following the itinerary of the
upcoming Congregation Beth Am trip. Our course will
begin by exploring key sites and events of ancient Israel,
connecting students with both the biblical text and the
lifeways of our ancestors. We’ll move on to the story of
modern Israel, from the beginnings of the Zionist movement to current headlines.
Whether you’re going on this summer’s Beth Am Israel tour, or are just
thinking about visiting Israel, this course offers a comprehensive introduction
to the land of our people. It also includes an expanded, fully-narrated version of
the course available online, illustrated with hundreds of images, video clips and
recommended readings.
Register online at http://bitly.com/pretourcourse. Tuition: $35 for the
public; free for Beth Am tour participants.
SAVE THE DATES FOR THIS YEAR’S
Asilomar
Adult Study Retreat
F R I D AY, J U LY 1 7 T O S U N D AY, J U LY 1 9
A S I LO M A R C O N F E R E N C E G R O U N D S ,
PA C I F I C G R O V E
Mark your calendars for this year’s adult
study retreat at Asilomar! Information
about the education theme and schedule
for the weekend will be coming soon.
JEWISH FILM SERIES PRESENTS
TWO FILMS IN MARCH
These programs are free of charge;
the community is welcome and refreshments will be served.
400 Miles to Freedom
Co-presented with the Beth Am Tzedek Council
Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa
S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 7 , 3 : 3 0 P. M . , B E I T K E H I L L A H
Soft Vengeance offers a moving portrayal of the story of Albie
Sachs, a Jewish attorney, writer, human rights activist and former
judge, set against the dramatic events leading to the overthrow
of the apartheid regime in South Africa. A powerful testament to
the search for truth and reconciliation that marked post-apartheid
South Africa, Abby Ginzburg’s portrait of Sachs distills the nation’s
turbulent history in the story of one courageous man.
In 1984, the Beta Israel, a secluded 2,500-year-old community
of observant Jews in the northern Ethiopian mountains, fled a
dictatorship and began a secret and dangerous journey of escape.
Co-director Avishai Mekonen, then a 10-year-old boy, was among
them. 400 Miles to Freedom follows his story as he breaks the 20-year
silence around the brutal kidnapping he endured as a child in Sudan
during his community’s exodus out of Africa, and in so doing, explores
issues of immigration and racial diversity in Judaism as well as the
issue of modern-day slavery. Following the screening, members of
the Tzedek Council will lead a discussion about human trafficking.
S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 2 8 , 3 : 3 0 P. M . , B E I T K E H I L L A H
PAGE 3
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11:00
11:45
Sunday Hebrew
Sunday Program
Achieving Work-Life
Balance Through Mussar
Purim Carnival
Ancient Voices Seminar
5:00
Building Bridges
11:30
2:00
Jewish Lit. Class
Sunday Hebrew
Sunday Program
Sunday Program Dads
Meeting
Hebrew Tutoring
29
Concert with Scott Gerber,
the Singing Jewish Cowboy
PM
11:00 Adult Hebrew Level E
5:00
5:30
5:30
6:00
6:15
7:30
31
Teen Salsa Bar
Chocolate Seder for
Middle Schoolers
Tuesday Night Program (TNP)
Confirmation
Adult Hebrew Level A2
Adult Hebrew Level C
AM
Teen Salsa Bar
Tuesday Night Program (TNP)
Adult Hebrew Level A2
Adult Hebrew Level C
PM
5:00
5:30
6:15
7:30
24
AM
Salsa Bar
Avodah
Tuesday Night Program
Confirmation
Adult Hebrew Level A2
Adult Hebrew Level C
Israel Pre-Tour Course
3:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
5:00
4:00
5:45
5:45
6:30
7:00
7:30
9:00 Organizin
PM
5:00
5:30
5:30
6:00
6:15
7:30
7:30
9:00 Organizi
3:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
4:45
5:45
6:30
7:00
7:00
AM
PM
AM
17
11:00 Adult Hebrew Level E
AM
PM
Teen Salsa Bar
Development Committee
Meeting
Tuesday Night Program (TNP)
Adult Hebrew Level A2
Adult Hebrew Level C
Israel Pre-Tour Course
PM
AM
PM
30
5:30
6:15
7:30
7:30
10
9:00 Organizin
PM
AM
9:30 SPARE Meeting
11:00 Adult Hebrew Level E
8:00 BAM Breakfast
11:00 Adult Hebrew Level E
AM
AM
PM
AM
9:00
9:00
9:00
9:00
23
PM
22
Jr. Congregation
Rehearsal
9:00 Sunday Hebrew
9:00 Sunday Program
9:15
Achieving Work-Life
Balance Through Mussar
10:00 Chicken Soupers
11:30 Hebrew Tutoring
11:45 Ancient Voices Seminar
2:00 Avodah!
3:00 BAM Speaker
3:30 Torah Circle
3:45 Connections
AM
Class for Parents of Teens
Beth Am Men Book Group
16
PM
1:00
4:00
AM
Jr. Congregation Rehearsal
Sunday Hebrew
Sunday Program
Camp Beth Am
Hebrew Tutoring
Teen Study with Rabbi Sarah
9:00
PM
15
9:00
9:00
9:00
11:30
11:30
11:30
Teen Salsa Bar
Tuesday Night Program (TNP)
Confirmation
PM
PM
9
5:00
5:30
PM
PM
AM
BETH AM MEN SLALOM RAV WEEKEND
9:00 Organizi
7:00 Adult Pu
AM
9:00
9:00
9:15
3
5:00
5:30
6:00
PM
4:00
2
WEDNESDAY
AM
M
1
TUESDAY
AM
M
BAW Purim Baking
2nd Grade Family Day
Jr. Congregation Rehearsal
Sunday Hebrew
Sunday Program
Hebrew Tutoring
Madrichim Training
NFTY Leadership Training
Equal Start Meeting
Jewish Baby Network
Purim Event
Performance:
The Return & Redemption
of Jerome Robbins
8:30
9:00
9:00
9:00
9:00
11:30
11:30
1:45
2:00
3:30
AM
M
MONDAY
PM
AM
PM
AM
SUNDAY
3:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
5:45
6:30
7:00
7:00
7:30
Hebrew T
Hagigah
Hebrew
Hebrew T
Jr. Congr
T’filah
Beit R’fu
Prayerbo
Ballroom
Adult He
BAM Pho
Hebrew T
Hagigah
Hebrew P
Hebrew T
Jr. Congre
T’filah
Hebrew T
Prayerbo
Ballroom
Adult B’n
Adult He
Hebrew T
Hagigah
Hebrew P
Hebrew T
Jr. Congre
T’filah
Prayerbo
Ballroom
Adult He
Mah Jong
Re-Imagi
Calendar
26
8:00 Thursday Morning
Minyan
9:30 Émigré Torah Study (in Russian)
10:30 Adult Hebrew Level A3
12:00 Talmud
1:30 Jewish Spirituality Class
4:00 Hebrew Program
4:00 Jr. Congregation Rehearsal
4:00 T’filah
6:15 Adult Hebrew Level D
7:00 Knitzvah Circle
7:30 Advanced Conv. Hebrew
7:30 Executive Committee
7:30
AM
20
AM
Lay-Led Gates of Prayer
5:15
Tot Shabbat
6:15
Shabbat Service in the Round
NFTY SPRING CONCLAVE
PM
5:00
5:00
6:15
27
Lay-Led Gates of Prayer
Shabbat Service
12:15
3:30
Friendship Minyan Lunch
Tzedek Council Film:
400 Miles to Freedom
14
AM
Lay-Led Gates of Prayer
Shabbat Sha-Boogie
Shabbat Service:
Scholar-in-Residence
Rabbi Tamara Cohn
Eskenazi, PhD
Poltava Dinner with
Dr. Tamara Eskenazi
Bagels and Coffee
Torah Study with
Rabbi Uri Regev
9:30 Tot Shabbat
10:15 Torah Minyan
10:30 B’nei Mitzvah Service:
Denebeim/Danitz
10:30 Friendship Minyan
BETH AM MEN SLALOM RAV WEEKEND
SAXE SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE WEEKEND
PM
PM
5:00
5:30
6:15
AM
19
AM
PM
PM
Program
Tutoring
egation Rehearsal
8:00 Thursday Morning
Minyan
10:30 Adult Hebrew Level A3
12:00 Talmud
1:30 Jewish Spirituality Class
4:00 Hebrew Program
4:00 Jr. Congregation Rehearsal
4:00 T’filah
4:45 Hebrew Through Movement
6:15 Adult Hebrew Level D
7:00 Dr. Elana Stein Hain Lecture
7:30 Advanced Conv. Hebrew
7:30 Atid Class
7:30 BAW Rosh Chodesh
13
BETH AM MEN SLALOM RAV WEEKEND
SAXE SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE WEEKEND
AM
Tutoring
12
8:00 Thursday Morning
Minyan
9:30 Émigré Torah Study (in Russian)
10:30 Adult Hebrew Level A3
12:00 Talmud
1:30 Jewish Spirituality Class
4:00 Hebrew Program
4:00 Jr. Congregation Rehearsal
4:00 T’filah
6:15 Adult Hebrew Level D
6:45 Tinnitus Support Group
7:30 Advanced Conv. Hebrew
7:30 Board Meeting
7
8:30
9:00
PM
25
AM
Through Movement
ok Hebrew
Dancing
ei Mitzvah
brew Level B
PM
Program
Tutoring
egation Rehearsal
ok Hebrew
Dancing
brew Level B
gg
ne Meeting
Lay-Led Gates of Prayer
Tizmoret Service
PM
Tutoring
ng Meeting
5:00
6:15
Talmud
Jewish Spirituality Class
Hebrew Program
BAW Board Meeting
AM
18
AM
ah
ook Hebrew
m Dancing
ebrew Level B
otography Group
PM
Program
Tutoring
regation Rehearsal
ng Meeting
12:00
1:30
4:00
7:00
6
PM
11
Tutoring
AM
ng Meeting
PM
rim
5
PURIM
8:00 Thursday Morning
Minyan
S AT U R DAY
PM
4
ng Meeting
FRIDAY
AM
M
THURSDAY
AM
M
Y
8:30
9:00
Bagels and Coffee
Torah Study with
Dr. Tamara Eskenazi
10:15 Torah Minyan
10:30 Bar Mitzvah Service:
Anderson
10:30 Friendship Minyan
12:15 Friendship Minyan Lunch
12:30 Anderson Kiddush Lunch
3:30 Connections
3:30 Dr. Tamara Eskenazi Talk
6:30 Jewish History (in Russian)
21
8:30
9:00
10:15
10:30
Bagels and Coffee
Torah Study
Torah Minyan
Bar Mitzvah Service:
Kirschenbaum
10:30 Friendship Minyan
12:15 Friendship Minyan Lunch
3:00 Grandparents Group
3:30 Connections
3:30 My Jewish Discovery (in Russian)
5:30 BAJY Cupcake Wars
6:00 Teen Open Mic Night
6:30 Biblical Characters in World
Art (in Russian)
28
8:30
9:00
10:15
10:15
10:30
Bagels and Coffee
Torah Study
6th Grade Jr. Congregation
Torah Minyan
Friendship Minyan
12:15
3:30
Friendship Minyan Lunch
Jewish Film Series:
Soft Vengeance
Connections
3:45
CONGREGATION BETH AM
MARCH 2015
For a more detailed calendar, visit www. betham.org
CELEBRATE A SWEET PASSOVER TRADITION
AMONG BETH AM WOMEN:
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dessert Seder
Paris Terror Attacks, Free Speech
and Anti-Semitism
Led by Rabbi Marder, Featuring Friendship and
Delicious Treats
W E D N E S D A Y, A P R I L 8 , 6 P. M . , S O C I A L H A L L
Beth Am Women invite you and the women you love to celebrate a sweet
Passover among friends at the fabulous Women’s Dessert Seder. Join us for
a festive evening of wine, women and song — and awesome desserts —
with a seder led by Rabbi Janet Marder. Women of all ages welcome!
Cost of advance registration, no later than Monday, March 30, is $10 per
person. After March 30 (or at the door), cost is $15 per person. Bring food/
drink to share,* based on your birthday month:
„
„
„
January - April: Fresh fruit, or fruit and cheese platter for 12 on serving plate
May - August: Passover dessert for 12 on serving plate
September - December: One bottle of kosher for Passover wine AND
one bottle of kosher for Passover grape juice
*Please label the ingredients in your items to identify gluten-free, nutfree, dairy-free and/or kosher, if applicable.
Register and pay for the seder using the electronic form or downloadable
form available online at www.betham.org/bawseder5775. For more
information or to volunteer, call Viviane at (650) 941-4145 or email
BAWevents@betham.org.
SIGN UP FOR THE 8TH ANNUAL MEN’S
RETREAT WEEKEND:
Slalom Rav
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 15, STANFORD
ALPINE CHALET AT ALPINE MEADOWS, LAKE TAHOE
PAGE 6
In the aftermath of the January terror attacks
in Paris, the blogosphere was flooded with
discussions of limits on free speech — legislated
or culturally “assumed” — and different
standards of self-editing that journalists and
others apply before publishing. When does
satire cross the line from free speech to hate
speech? Just under the surface lurked age-old
discussions of preferential treatment of certain
minorities, and what is really taboo.
In my online column (www.betham.org/
challenges) I review some of the challenges
these discussions provide us as American Jews,
and some of the considerations we should
make in our response to those challenges.
L’Shalom,
Ben Lloyd
President@Betham.org
Slalom Rav is the men’s winter retreat weekend hosted by Beth Am
Men. For the past seven years, we have gathered together — as fathers,
brothers, sons and friends — for a weekend of winter sports and Jewish
community. Enjoy great downhill skiing and snowboarding at Alpine/
Squaw, or explore snowshoeing trails and cross-country skiing at Royal
Gorge. This event is open to all adult male congregants of Beth Am
(BAM membership not required). Teenage sons are welcome to attend
with an adult. Note: Space is limited; this year’s trip may fill up faster
than in recent years.
The total cost (including tax) for two nights lodging, two dinners and
two made-to-order breakfasts is $369. To reserve your space, please call
the Stanford Alpine Chalet at (530) 583-1550 any day between 8 a.m.
and 4 p.m. and provide a credit card for a $155-per-person deposit.
Please sign up for the trip at www.betham.org/slalomrav2015.
EVER CONSIDER BECOMING A BETH AM
HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE BETH AM’S
CONGREGANT-TEACHER?
60th Birthday?
There’s so much to choose from!
Connections
Now’s Your Chance
We are looking for creative, dynamic individuals to become parttime mentors for Connections, Beth Am’s chavurah-style family
education program.
Connections is an innovative Beth Am education program for
families who want to make friends, have fun and learn about Judaism.
It is designed to help participants develop confidence in their ability to
live a meaningful, informed, authentic Jewish life and pass this
heritage on to the next generation. The program is one of the key
Judaica choices for all member families.
Connections mentors teach, run events, communicate with
families, facilitate relationship-building among participants, and act
as all-around cheerleaders for their groups. Ideally, a Connections
mentor will stay with his or her group for many years, watching
children grow and become part of the group members’ families.
For further information, or to express interest in becoming a
Connections mentor, please contact Rabbi Jennifer Clayman at
rabbi_clayman@betham.org or (650) 493-4661, x401.
JOIN BETH AM TO
Celebrate Purim!
B E G I N N I N G W E D N E S D A Y, M A R C H 4
Come shake your groggers! It’s time to celebrate Purim the Beth
Am way. Come in costume and be ready for a raucous time. Purim,
on the 14th of Adar, is the highlight of this joyful month, when Jews
everywhere celebrate the courage of Esther and Mordechai.
Learn more about celebrating Purim with Congregation Beth Am
at www.betham.org/purim2015.
„
„
For Adults Age 21 and Over — Wednesday, March 4, 7 p.m.,
Social Hall
For Families — Sunday, March 8, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sanctuary
F R I D A Y, M A Y 2 9 T O S U N D A Y, M A Y 3 1
How about coming to an extraordinary, musical
Shabbat evening service on Friday, May 29, as we
welcome special guest Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President
of the Union for Reform Judaism? There will be
music, birthday cake and a room full of your Beth
Am friends!
Plan to bring your littlest ones to the Beth Am
birthday party for children on Saturday, May 30,
featuring lots of good old-fashioned fun for the
under-12 set. Bouncy houses, crafts, games and
more cake!
We’ll also be honoring the leaders who have built
Beth Am over the past 60 years, as we pay tribute
to our 32 past presidents at a gala dinner at the
Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel on Sunday, May 31.
Please don’t forget to share your messages of
congratulations, memories and photos in the
60th birthday tribute journal and congregational
directory. Recently, you received information on
how to participate in the journal; send in your
reservation today and mark it off your “To Do”
list! Then watch for your 60th birthday weekend
invitations, coming later this month, to RSVP for
the May 29, 30 and 31 festivities.
Proceeds from the journal and gala dinner
benefit Beth Am’s Fund for the Future endowment
– to help secure the next 60 years of our wonderful
Beth Am community.
For more information, please contact Mandy Eisner
at meisner@betham.org or (650) 493-4661, ext. 504.
PAGE 7
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Passover
Celebrate the Season of Our Freedom with Beth Am
E V E N T S B E G I N S U N D A Y, M A R C H 2 9
H O L I D A Y B E G I N S F R I D A Y, A P R I L 3
Each year, Passover calls us to remember
the exodus from Egypt as if we, personally,
had journeyed from slavery to freedom. As
we retell this story, we pray that one day, all
people who are still enslaved will be free.
Learn more about celebrating Passover
with the Beth Am community at
www.betham.org/passover2015.
„
Passover Program for Families with Young Children
Presented by Jewish Baby Network
Sunday, March 29, 10-11:30 a.m., Congregation Etz Chayim
Program with songs, crafts, recipes and activities for young children.
„ First Night of Passover Seder Match
Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat
Friday, April 3, Congregants’ Homes
„ Beth Am’s Annual 2nd Night Community Seder
Led by Rabbi Heath Watenmaker
Saturday, April 4, 6:45 p.m., Social Hall
„ Beth Am Women’s Annual Dessert Seder (see pg. 6 for details)
Led by Rabbi Marder, Featuring Friendship and Delicious Treats
Wednesday, April 8, 6 p.m., Social Hall
„ Passover Festival and Yizkor Service
Led by Rabbi Marder and Rabbi Weissman
We gather as a community to create a peaceful time of prayer,
song and remembrance.
Friday, April 10, 9:30 a.m., Beit Kehillah, Followed by Brunch
Singing
Jewish
Cowboy
Free and Open to the
Entire Community
S U N D A Y, M A R C H 2 9 , 2 P. M . , S A N C T U A R Y
Scott Gerber is the real thing: a working Jewish
cowboy who plays guitar and sings Yiddish folksongs
and the left-wing ballads his bubbe and mom taught
him while growing up on a Petaluma chicken ranch.
Today, Gerber herds cattle in Sonoma, writes
original songs and performs traditional Yiddish
melodies such as Partizaner Lid, Bulbes and Bin Ich Mir
a Shnayder (I’m a Little Tailor).
The program includes a performance by Scott
Gerber and violinist Gus Garelick as well as a short
film about Gerber entitled Song of a Jewish Cowboy,
produced and directed by Bay Area filmmaker
Bonnie Burt (whose brother is a Beth Am member).
This delightful film was a favorite at the San Francisco
Jewish Film Festival several years ago.
Sponsored by Mike Morganstern in memory of his
sister, Jacqui Morgan, a pioneering female illustrator.
This event is part of Beth Am’s 60th
birthday programming. Learn more
at www.betham.org/60th.
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