THE TEMPLE
CHRONICLE
Volume CLXIII, No. 4 | December, 2015 | Kislev / Tevet 5776
Pop-Up
Chanukah!
Upcoming Events
Pop-Up Chanukah Events
December 4, 6:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 pm
Installation of Cantor Luck
With Special Guest,
Cantor Jack Mendelson
Laurel Village
Books Inc.
3515 California Street
December 13, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Dr. Laurie Pearce: By The Rivers
Of Babylon - The First Judeans
In The Babylonian Exile
Thursday, Dec. 10, 5:30 pm
Noe Valley
Meet in front of Just For Fun (3982 24th street at the West parklet) and
Marin County
Corte Madera Town Center
(Inside the mall, adjacent to the
Container store)
December Service Schedule
Dr. Laurie Pearce: By The
Rivers Of Babylon - The
First Judeans In The
Babylonian Exile
Sunday, December 13,
9:30 - 11:00 am, Rinder Chapel
Dr. Laurie Pearce presents dramatic new evidence about
the Judeans exiled to Babylonia after Nebuchadnezzar
destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. She will explore
their successful integration into Babylonian life, and
offers insights into ways that it was possible for Judeans
to maintain their unique identity in their host land and
among other foreign populations.
Sponsored by The Arthur G. Weiser Lecture for Interfaith
Understanding.
December 2015
Friday, December 4:
6:00 pm: ONE Shabbat Service and
Installation of Cantor Luck – Main Sanctuary
Saturday, December 5:
9:15 am Torah Study – Library
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service – Main Sanctuary
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Minyan –
Martin Meyer Sanctuary
Friday, December 11:
6:00 pm Chanukah Celebration followed by dinner
and Magic Show
8:30 pm Young Adult Chanukah Candlelight
Late Shabbat
Saturday, December 12:
9:15 am Torah Study – Library
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service – Main Sanctuary
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Minyan –
Martin Meyer Sanctuary
Friday, December 18:
6:00 pm: ONE Shabbat Service
Saturday, December 19:
9:15 am Torah Study – Library
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service –
Martin Meyer Sanctuary
Friday, December 25:
6:00 pm: ONE Shabbat Service
Saturday, December 26:
9:15 am Torah Study – Library
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service – Main Sanctuary
Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat:
Sponsoring an oneg Shabbat for Friday evening is a lovely way to honor
or remember a loved one or to celebrate a simcha. When you sponsor
an oneg Shabbat, you help us welcome Shabbat with the warmth and
community that are characteristic of our congregation.
For more details please contact Svetlana Leykin at
sleykin@emanuelsf.org or (415) 751-2541 x123.
Thank you to the following for co-sponsoring recent oneg Shabbat
receptions:
Preston and Ellie Lewis in honor of Chloe Alexandra Rose Lewis’ Baby Naming.
Milo and Susanna Miller Benningfield in honor of Jonah Benningfield and
Benjamin Slaughter becoming B’nei Mitzvah.
Jamie and Staci Slaughter in honor of Jonah Benningfield and Benjamin
Slaughter becoming B’nei Mitzvah.
Jill Einstein and Peter Yolles in honor of Sam’s Bar Mitzvah.
Glenn Hartman and Elizabeth Crabtree-Hartman in honor Riley’s Bar Mitzvah.
The Hartman family in honor of Riley Hartman’s Bar Mitzvah.
Helen Manber and Bradley Solomon in honor of Teddy’s Bar Mitzvah.
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Friday, January 1:
6:00 pm: ONE Shabbat Service
Saturday, January 2:
9:15 am Torah Study – Library
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service –
Main Sanctuary
WEEKLY TORAH STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
AT THE TEMPLE
Weekly Torah Study with
Emanu-El Clergy
Saturdays, 9:15 am, Library
Drop-ins welcome, no registration necessary!
Weekly Torah Study with
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
Saturdays, 9:15 am, Room 55
Drop-ins welcome, no registration necessary!
Message from the Rabbi
Chanukah
A Message from Rabbi Beth Singer
A few weeks before Chanukah during my first months of
wedded bliss, my handsome groom casually mentioned,
“In my family we get presents all eight nights.” This was a
shocker to me as my family of origin subscribed to the one
‘small,” one ‘medium’ and one ‘big’ (big might be a board
game or new pajamas) theory of Chanukah gift giving.
But, young and in love, I recklessly went out and purchased
eight great gifts for our first married Chanukah. By the
third night, the man of my dreams clarified, “You did not
have to buy me such great gifts for every night. In my
house we got something small each night of Chanukah.”
This is proof, in my experience, that every marriage is truly
a “mixed marriage.”
However you celebrate Chanukah, I hope it increases the
light and joy in your home and in our world. At its root,
Chanukah is a celebration of freedom to be a minority
religion, to not be swallowed up into the sameness of the
majority. There is a beautiful tradition from the Talmud
that tells us to place our Chanukah menorah in the
window of our home in order to “proclaim the miracle.”
Some American Jews are still haunted by memories
of having been persecuted for being Jewish and
understandably feel hesitant to be so public in our display
of our holiday. Others worry that when we put Chanukah
on public display we are merely either trying to keep up
with the public display of Christmas or we are trying to
demonstrate that Chanukah is the Jewish equivalent of
Christmas, which it is not.
Chanukah Events
Join your Emanu-El clergy and neighbors as we gather for
Emanu-El’s third year of public Chanukah lightings! Enjoy
music, singing, treats, and help us bring this memorable
tradition to the wider community!
Pop-Up Chanukah Candlelight Events
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 pm
Location: Laurel Village
Address: Books Inc.
3515 California Street
Thursday, Dec. 10, 5:30 pm
Location: Noe Valley
Address: Meet in front of Just For
Fun (3982 24th street at the West
parklet) and
Location: Marin County
Address: Corte Madera Town Center
(Inside the mall, adjacent to the Container store)
Our First Year in Marin County!
I used to be very uncomfortable by
public Chanukah candle lightings.
To me, they felt competitive
with Christmas and unnecessary
because Chanukah is a homebased holiday. Over the years,
I have had a change of heart. While I stand against any
religious displays on government property, I realize there
are multiple good reasons to take Chanukah out to public
places. One of the best reasons is that the majority of Jews
in the Bay Area are not connected to any synagogue. We
will have a beautiful Emanu-El Chanukah celebration Friday
night, December 11th. Bring your Chanukah menorah to
temple and stay for the magic! But the vast majority of Bay
Area Jews will not have access to our gorgeous temple
celebration. So, bringing Chanukah candle lighting to
public places makes it more accessible to the larger Jewish
community. Also, each time we go to a public place and
Jewish children show up, it is hard to describe the palpable
excitement and joy we see in their faces when they see
“their” holiday being celebrated in the public square. For
many Jews of all ages, lighting Chanukah candles in public
strengthens their Jewish identity and pride in Judaism’s vast
contributions to our broader civilization.This year, EmanuEl’s “Pop-Up Chanukah” will visit a few fun places. See
below for details. May your Chanukah be filled with joy as
we celebrate the light that our minority religion adds to the
world, especially during times of darkness.
ONE Shabbat Chanukah Service, Dinner & Magic Show!
Shabbat Service
Friday, December 11, 6:00 pm
Location: Martin Meyer Sanctuary
Dinner and will follow services.
Reservations for dinner are
required. Please register by noon on
Thursday, December 10, at https://www.
emanuelsf.org/registration-december11-chanukah-shabbat-dinner-.
Please join us for a delicious dinner and
the lighting of the chanukias! Stay for
the magic show to follow dinner. Festive
art projects and magic tricks will be
performed for your entertainment!
Chanukah Candlelight Service
Young Adult Late Shabbat
Friday, December 11, 8:30 pm
Location: Martin Meyer Sanctuary
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Q&A with Dr. Laurie Pearce
Our Communications Professional Byron Gordon got the
opportunity to meet with Dr. Laurie Pearce, UC Berkeley
Assyriologist who was able preview her upcoming lecture
on the subject of the first Judeans exiled to Babylonia at
Emanu-El on December 13.
of the history of the Babylonian civilization. Another newly
published text is an astronomical almanac that dates to 80 CE,
which means that Babylonian scientific scholarship continues
(in a very limited way) into the Roman period. The long history
of Mesopotamia has many surprises yet to reveal to us.
Byron Gordon: What does the new evidence you will be
presenting at Emanu-El suggest about how Jews practice
Judaism today?
BG: As an Assyriologist, you study the earliest forms of writing
in human history. You study onomastics (names and naming
practices) and prosopography (social and contexts) to identify
individuals from among many similar names. What are some
examples you can share about Judeans who shared similar
names, their meanings and the digital tools you’re currently
using to help further your understanding of this culture?
Dr. Laurie Pearce: We have to be very cautious in trying
to suggest direct lines of connection between ancient and
modern practice. We need only think of the changes that
have taken place in ritual in American Jewish life, even at
Congregation Emanu-El over the last fifty years. That said, the
new textual evidence is a group of records that come from a
very specific administrative sector of life, and they contain no
evidence for ritual practice or cultic organization. However,
by understanding the nature of the economic conditions and
the sectors of Babylonian society with which the Judeans
interacted, we may postulate about the conditions that
fostered religious life.
BG: Give us an example or two of why Judeans were so
successful at integrating into Babylonian life.
LP: The Babylonians deported defeated populations and
resettled them in the southern portions of Babylonia as
part of their plan to revitalize agricultural lands that had
once been productive. Babylonian policy, continued by the
Persians who ruled the area after them, recognized the value
of maintaining as intact units the various population groups
they deported. By keeping Judeans, Tyrians, Lydians, and
others together in small settlements, and by appointing
members of those communities to administrative positions,
the Babylonians fostered a sense of community. Babylonians
laid the groundwork for the integration of foreign populations,
including the Judeans into the social fabric. There are several
examples of Judeans who were appointed to positions such as
tax collector, and as manager of royal estates.
LP: Almost all of the personal names in the new texts are
Babylonian renderings of names we know from the biblical
books of Ezra and Nehemiah, showing that the biblical
text preserved the contemporary cultural environment. The
patterns of name-giving in the texts, which are typical of
Babylonian patterns, make it possible to reconstruct a number
of family trees, including that of one Judean family that
extends for at least five generations. The digital tools I am
working to develop help the scholar to assess the likelihood
that two or more instances of the same name refer to the
same individual, and help generate visualizations of the
relationships preserved in the texts.
BG: What do you hope people who come and see your
presentation take away from it?
BG: The Sylaymaniyah Museum in Iraq has discovered 20 new
lines to the ancient Babylonian poem, Epic of Gilgamesh.
Thoughts and/or reaction?
LP: The fragment of the Gilgamesh Epic that has recently been
published reminds us that we have recovered only a fraction
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LP: The greatest surprise for me in working on these
documents was the realization of just how ordinary and
unexceptional was the experience of the Judean population
in Babylonia. As the texts are considered in the light of the
larger documentary record, it is clear that the Judeans were
treated by the Babylonians in just the same way that they
treated other populations. We thus realize that these Judeans
lived in a multicultural environment, one that may even have
provided the support necessary for the Judeans to maintain
their own cultural identity.
Social Justice Update!
Thank you to everyone who donated to help bring relief to
Syrian refugees in Lesbos, Greece. Because of your generosity,
we received more than 7,000 pounds of clothes and blankets!
It was beyond our expectations to be slightly overwhelmed
with tzedakah (what a blessing!).
On November 10, our congregant, Alex Scotta departed
for Lesbos and brought with him 600 pounds worth of your
contributions. He is distributing your donations as you read
this now.
We are currently seeking a method of shipping our donations
for humanitarian aid that is not cost-prohibitive.
While we don’t have the
bandwidth to accept
further donated goods
we are welcoming
donations to the Rabbis
fund to help pay for the
shipping of the materials.
The gift can be made
online at www.emanuelsf.
org/donate.
Social Justice Corner: Launching
the Tzedek Council to Activate our
Community
You might be wondering, what was that “Tzedek Council”
that Rabbi Beth Singer and Rabbi Ryan Bauer referenced at
High Holidays? “Tzedek” or “Justice” is part of the Jewish
responsibility to repair the world. The Tzedek Council is a new
congregant, board, staff, and clergy run group charged with
raising our participation and impact in the social justice arena.
The Council was formed as a result of a 2015, congregant
led, Social Action task force recommendation for how a
congregation of our size should proceed to make a greater
impact in the community. The task force researched social
justice actions and structures at congregations across the
country, discussed various options, and concluded that an
ongoing council exercising community-based organizing
principles is the best path forward.
The Tzedek Council launched in August and is made of 24
members representing congregants across all demographics
and is tasked with the following main priorities:
a) Define, prioritize, and focus all Social Justice/Social Action
(SJ/SA) activity for Congregation Emanu-El (CEE).
b) Ensure that Social Justice/Social Action is a pillar of
Congregation Emanu-El on par with Education and
Worship and seamlessly integrate SJ/SA with ongoing
education and worship activities.
Please choose the
Rabbis’ Fund as the
designated fund and
then in the “in honor of”
selection - please write
‘Syrian refugees’ so that
we will know where to
direct it.
On November 15, Emanu-El’s Tzedek Council hosted a
brunch with Mark Hetfield, CEO of HIAS that was filled with
congregants who had reached out after Rabbi Bauer’s Yom
Kippur sermon wanting to play an active role in helping with
the refugee crisis. If you are interested in helping with this holy
work, please visit our webpage for more information.
Emanu-El Engagement Team
at URJ Biennial
Jennifer Goldstein,
Community Engagement
Professional,
Sandy Rechtschaffen,
Community Engagement
Director, and
Monica Pevzner,
Young Adult Community
Engagement Professional
c) Formalize a SJ/SA mechanism that allows for multiple
methods of engagement (e.g., direct service, education,
advocacy efforts, financial contributions, short term, long
term, etc.) to ensure congregants have many options to
participate in SJ/SA activities and also have a way to bring
ideas to CEE for consideration.
d) Increase meaningful participation for all Congregants.
e) Maximize the impact of these efforts, to make a
significant, positive, and hopefully lasting difference in the
lives of others, and in the healing of the world.
The Council is currently in the process of developing its
subcommittee structure and action plan for the next year.
The initial structure includes four subcommittees focusing on
(1) education, (2) environment, (3) human rights (e.g., racial
injustice, LGBT, refugees), and (4) homelessness, poverty, and
hunger. Please visit http://www.emanuelsf.org/volunteer to
see a list of the Tzedek Council Members, to let us know your
interests in social justice, and to learn about current social
justice opportunities.
Women’s Group
Chanukah Chocolate Tasting
Wednesday, December 9, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Emanu-El Chapel
Please register at www.emanuelsf.org/register
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a CHOCOLATE TASTING!
Just as the oil keeps the menorah flame lit, it is chocolate that
keeps most women going. We will examine the differences of
chocolate harvested throughout the world. Just like chocolate,
we all may come from different backgrounds but our time
together is always sweet. This gathering is facilitated by
congregant Rebecca Ets-Hokin, a well-known San Francisco
food personality with loads of experience in the kitchen and a
taste for simple, fun gourmet food.
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Programs & Events
Community Engagement
Volunteer Opportunities
TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE
COLLECTION
COOKING FOR CONGREGANTS:
An Easy Way to Give Back to the Emanu-El
Community
Next time you visit your dentist, please ask for a donation of
supplies to help the homeless with their daily hygiene. Drop
off donations in the bin in the temple foyer.
First and Second Thursdays of the month,
9:00 -11:00 am in the Emanu-El Kitchen
All donations will be distributed during the Homeless Interfaith
Shelter Dinners in January. Ask your dentist, orthodontist and
periodontist to donate today!
Thursday, December 3
Thursday, December 10
EMANU-EL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
DECEMBER GATHERINGS
Do you enjoy cooking? Participate in this mitzvah led by
congregant and former restaurant owner, Gail Laghi. Together,
up to five volunteers make meals for congregants in need due
to a recent illness, death, or birth.
Emanu-El in the Neighborhood offers home-hosted, potluck
gatherings, ranging from clergy-led Havdalahs, to Shabbat
dinners, to Break Fasts and more. These gatherings provide
an opportunity for congregants to meet their neighbors in
intimate settings and get to know one another outside of the
synagogue walls.
For latest updates on Neighborhood gatherings and to meet
your Neighborhood Liaisons, visit www.emanuelsf.org/EIN.
Look for your email invitation and RSVP!
Marin County
Wednesday, December 2, 4:00 - 5:30 pm – Limonata and
Learning, Book Passage, Corte Madera
Clergy: Rabbi Jonathan Singer
Inner Richmond
Saturday, December 12, 6:30-8:00 pm - Chanukah Havdalah
Hosts: Andrew and Jennifer Rosenthal
Clergy: Cantor Arik Luck
Mission, Bernal Heights, Castro, Noe Valley, SOMA, and
Potrero Hill
Saturday, December 12, 6:30 - 8:00 pm – Chanukah Party
Host: Mauri Schwartz
Clergy: Rabbi Beth Singer
Outer Richmond/Sea Cliff
Sunday, December 13, 6:30 - 8:00 pm – Chanukah Party
Host: Ricki Pollycove
All congregants are welcome to join! Menu, ingredients and
storage containers are provided. Basic cooking skills preferred.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Goldstein at jgoldstein@
emanuelsf.org or (415) 751-2541 x171 or register at www.
emanuelsf.org/register.
HOLIDAY DINNER DRIVE
Thank you to all who have already mailed back your Turkey
Envelopes! If you have yet to do so, today is a great day to drop
it in the mail or go online. (use the previous to replace the first
sentence) Please make all checks payable to the SF-Marin Food
Bank and mail to: Congregation Emanu-El, Two Lake Street, San
Francisco, CA, 94118 or donate online at www.sfmfoodbank.
org/dinnerdrive and choose the Emanu-El Holiday Dinner Drive
from the dropdown menu.
For the past eleven years, Congregation Emanu-El
congregants have come together to support the SF-Marin
Food Bank and its mission to end hunger in San Francisco
and Marin.
Please remember our appeal for the annual Holiday Dinner
Drive (formerly the “Turkey Drive”) to benefit the clients of the
San Francisco Food Bank by providing them with a holiday
dinner for Thanksgiving.
Interested in getting involved in your neighborhood? Many
neighborhoods are seeking volunteers to host, reach out to
congregants in need, welcome new congregants, or send a
monthly newsletter. Questions? Contact Jennifer Goldstein at
jgoldstein@emanuelsf.org or (415) 750-7548.
Ask the RABBi
with Rabbi Carla Fenves
Q: We know where Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob (and our
foremothers) are buried, but
not Moses. Wouldn’t that be
some indication that he was
held in even higher esteem?
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A: At the end of Deuteronomy, we read: “So Moses the servant of the Eternal died there in the Land
of Moab, according to the word of the Eternal. And he was buried in the valley in the Land of Moab,
against Beth-Peor and no one knows his grave unto this day” (34:5-6). The Talmud explains that God
buried Moses and made it so that the grave could not be discovered: “For to a person standing on
the mountain it seems to be in the valley; and if one goes down into the valley, it appears to be on the
mountain” (Sotah 14a). Our Jewish tradition teaches that God hid Moses’ grave because God did not
want his grave become an object of idolatry or worse for the prophet to become deified in his death.
Moses was a great leader of the Jewish people—perhaps even more esteemed than the patriarchs
and therefore more at risk of being treated like a god. God wanted to protect the Israelites from
becoming too attached to one physical landmark and getting stuck in the past. The Israelites bid
farewell to their mighty prophet and looked towards the future together.
Programs & Events
Interfaith Shelter Dinners
SAVE THE DATE: January 21 - Dennis Ross
Volunteer to cook during our winter Interfaith Shelter Dinners
at St. Mark’s Church. Each January, Congregation EmanuEl joins in the mitzvah of feeding the hungry by providing
volunteers to shop, cook and serve dinner to over 100
homeless men for eight consecutive nights. These clients are
extremely grateful to receive home-cooked meals served by
people who look them in the eye and let them know they care.
Under the coordination of long-time congregant Shabana
Siegel, every constituent group from the Congregation
participates (over 150 volunteers every year)! Each group
of congregants brings a unique flavor to the evening and
takes home unforgettable memories. Sign up by contacting
Shabana at ssiegel@ioaging.org.
7:30 - 9:00 pm Main Sanctuary
Cooking and Serving Groups:
Beyachad - Monday, January 25
Tribe and Preschool - Tuesday, January 26
Adolescent Education - Wednesday, January 27
Men’s Group - Thursday, January 28
Tzedek Council - Friday, January 29
Interfaith Group - Saturday, January 30
Young Adult Community - Sunday, January 31
Congregant Night - Monday, February 1
ARTS
The Elizabeth S. and Alvin I. Fine Museum presents:
Doomed to Succeed:
The US-Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama
Sponsored by The Daniel E. Koshland Memorial Lecture Fund.
Mishpacha and Families
Two Parent-Baby Groups Now Available
Free of Charge
Drop in with your little one (birth to 30 months) and spend
time with other parents. Join us as we prepare to welcome
Shabbat on Fridays and celebrate Havdalah on Mondays.
Enjoy music, stories, puppets and more with Early Childhood
Educator Mimi Greisman. Take advantage of a wonderful
opportunity to connect with other parents and create lasting
friendships.
Bagels and Babies
Mazel Tots!
Except Friday Dec. 25
and Friday, January 1
Monday Dec. 21 and 28 there
will not be Mazel Tots.
Fridays, 9:30 – 11:00 am
Mondays, 9:30 – 11:00 am
GOT SHABBAT?
For families with children under age 5
Monthly on Saturdays at 10:15 am: December 12
FIRST FRIDAY SHABBAT SERVICE
For families with young children
150 Years of Jewish Magicians and their
contributions to the performing arts
First Friday of every month; optional pre-registration Simchat
Shabbat dinner follows during the school year.
Few people know that in the past 150 years there have
been over 250 famous Jewish magicians! From Victorian to
contemporary Jewish performers, these entertainers have
made lasting impressions in the performing arts.
Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning October 13, Congregation
Emanu-El.
Two sessions per week for 12 weeks (24 total sessions)
Member price: $540/Price: $720
Through January 2016, come relive the mystery and
amazement of a bygone era and celebrate the entertainers
of today. Congregation Emanu-El will explore the careers of
dozens of illusionists who’ve contributed to both their Jewish
heritage and the performing arts.
Emanu-El’s Side by Side program introduces our youngest
children (18 months to 2.5 years) to a preschool environment
with their parent or caregiver by their side. Our Side by Side
program is rich in Jewish content, celebrating Jewish traditions
and holidays. This program will be a wonderful introduction to
preschool that will deepen relationships in our community and
launch a meaningful beginning to the school experience for
both parents and children.
In January, we will present a special event recreating famous
moments from Jewish magicians’ historical shows and a
discussion about the impact Jewish magical artists have made
on generations of people who love to be enthralled and
entertained.
For more information contact Judi Leff, Director of Arts and
Cultural Programs, at jleff@emanuelsf.org
Side By Side - Fall 2015
We will not be having Side By Side on Dec. 22, 24, 28 or 31
because of Winter Vacation.
Save the Date: January 20 Jews & Magic
7:00 - 9:00 pm, Martin Meyer Sanctuary
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Development
‘Tis the Season for Year-End Impact
Emanu-El Giving
Impact Emanu-El 2016
How can you maximize your contribution?
Your gift toward this year’s goal of $1,000,000 will allow
Emanu-El to continue to celebrate and observe important
family life cycle occasions, to build connection among
congregants, promote social justice and advocate for change,
create sacred moments for worship and remembrance, foster
a lifetime of Jewish learning, and inspire future generations of
Jewish leaders.
Why give now?
Tax benefits! A gift to Congregation Emanu-El may entitle you
to a charitable contribution deduction against your income tax
if you itemize deductions. A contribution is deductible in the
year in which it is paid. A credit card contribution is deductible
in the year it is charged, even if payment is made after
December of this year. Please consider making that annual gift
while receiving a tax benefit.
Congregation Emanu-El Legacy Circle
Corporate Matching!
Does your company match employee contributions? Many
Bay Area companies, including the Gap, California Healthcare,
SalesForce.com and Charles Schwab, will match your gift
dollar-for-dollar. Please contact your company’s matching gifts
coordinator to obtain a matching gift form and to determine
whether your gift to Congregation Emanu-El may be matched.
Appreciated Stock
You may have marketable securities that have grown in value.
Current tax laws make it possible for you to make an important
gift at a remarkably low after-tax cost. A gift of appreciated
securities generally qualifies you for an income tax charitable
deduction equal to the value of the gifted securities, and it
may also help you avoid the long-term capital gain tax on your
unrealized capital gain. Usually a sale of appreciated securities
results in a tax on your full gain – in other words, you keep
only part of the profit. But if you give those same appreciated
securities directly to a qualified nonprofit – including
Congregation Emanu-El – there is no tax on your gain. You
may also reduce your taxable estate by donating stock. To
facilitate a stock transfer, please see the information below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Alex
Hughes in the Development Office at ahughes@emanuelsf.org
or (415) 750-7554.
Stock Transfer Information
First Republic Securities Co, LLC
Account Name: Congregation Emanu-El
For Further Credit to Account Number: 33L064574
Clearing Firm: Pershing LLC
Pershing LLC DTC# 0443
We hope to play a small part in keeping Reform Judaism
alive, and we believe in Congregation Emanu-El. Long
after we are gone, may our congregation lead the way in
thought and in deed.
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- Albert and Eli Fraenkel
Also, please contact the Development Office before your
stock transfer is made so that your gift can be tracked and
appropriately directed as you wish.
Thank You To Our Donors
We are grateful to our congregants who support the
synagogue at honorary dues levels, making it possible to
include all those who wish to be part of our synagogue
community.
Visionaries (Anshei Chazon) $25,000 and up
Anonymous
Mrs. Phyllis Moldaw
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Shorenstein
Angels (Malachim) $10,000 - $24,999
Mr. and Mrs. John Goldman
Mrs. Mimi Haas
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Leavitt
Mr. and Ms. David M. Levine
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lurie
Ms. Susan Moldaw and Mr. Bob Stallings
Laurie and Joshua Olshansky
Christine Russell and Mark Schlesinger
William and Alice Russell-Shapiro
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Safier
Mr. and Mrs. John Siegel
Mrs. Roselyne Chroman Swig
Ron Zeff
Leaders (Parnasim) $5,400 - $9,999
Linda and Andrew Ach
Adam Blitzer and Yu Miyashita
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Cohen
Mr. Barrett Cohn and Ms. Tria Cohn
Mrs. Adele K. Corvin
Ms. Dana Corvin and Mr. Harris Weinberg
Mrs. Alfred H. Daniels
Leela de Souza Bransten and Peter Bransten
Ted and Pamala Deikel
Conrad and Sandra Donner
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Feigenbaum
Mrs. Phyllis Friedman
Mr. Stuart Gasner and Mrs. Kate Ditzler
Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Geballe
Mrs. Dan Geller
Mariela and Richard Gerstein
David Goldstein and Julia Vetromile
Ralph and Marsha Guggenheim
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Heller
Sarah and Jordan Hymowitz
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kay
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Koshland
Peter and Melanie Maier
Mr. and Ms. Joel Roos
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rosenberg
Mrs. Thelma E. Schnitzer
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Shapiro
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Sisitsky
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Swig, Jr.
Heroes (Gibborim) $3,600 - $5,399
Mr. Ian Arnof
Larry and Pam Baer
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Barnett
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Berler
Mr. Gedalia Braverman
Mr. Anthony Brenner
Mrs. Cathy Brooks Fox
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Chessen
Jay Cohen and Laura Cox
Mr. and Ms. Josef D. Cooper
Mr. Stuart Corvin and Ms. Marissa Wertheimer
Mrs. Pamela Cowan and Mr. Daniel Winokur
Ms. Jeanne Dinkelspiel
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Dinkelspiel
Drs. Jacqueline Dolev and Matthew Cooperberg
Richard Donick and Stephanie Cyr
Mr. David Donn and Mrs. Sarah Antle
Mr. and Mrs. Emil R. Eisenhardt
Dr. and Mrs. John Esterkyn
Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Fastiff
Leland and Susan Faust
David and Anne Feinberg
Senator Dianne Feinstein and Mr. Richard Blum
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Shlomo L. Franco
Mrs. Cheryl Frank and Mr. Michael Linn
Mr. and Mrs. Eliot M. Fried
Mr. David Friedman
Drs. Patricia and Richard Gibbs
Alexandra and Steven Gordon
Mrs. Frances Green
Dr. and Mrs. Claude Gruen
Ron and Barbara Kaufman
Ms. Margaret Kaufman and Mr. Joseph Bodovitz
Lisa and Brian Krim
Mr. and Mrs. James Lazarus
Janni Lehrer-Stein and Leonard Stein
Mr. Jesse M. Levy
Mr. Roger Low
Susan Lowenberg and Joyce Newstat
Ms. Patricia Lurie
Mr. Gregg Lynn
Michelle Mercer and Bruce Golden
Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Mindel
Mrs. Susan Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Novack
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Oscherwitz
Mrs. Lauri Paul and Mr. Mark Hamilton
Karen Pell and Ms. Heather Lupa
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Petri
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Polsky
Mr. Eric Prosnitz and Ms. Courtney Klinge
Mr. and Mrs. James Reuben
Mr. Martin Romo and Mrs. Leesa Romo
Mr. Robert Rosner and Ms. Julie Goldman
Susan Rothstein and John Koeppel
Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Rovens
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Sampson
Mr. and Ms. Gary Schnitzer
Ms. Sara Seims
Sally and Jim Shapiro
Mr. Mark Shostak and Dr. Emily Von Scheven
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Slusky
Ellice Sperber and Dale Van Fossan
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Stein
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stein, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Steinberg
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Swig
9
9
Thank You To Our Donors
Ms. Marjorie Swig
Mrs. Nina Taft and Mr. Misha Weidman
Bob and Valli Benesch Tandler
Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Werboff
Steve and Aimee West
Douglas Winthrop and Yamilee Bermingham
Guardians (Shomrim) $3,000 - $3,599
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Barish
Susanna and Milo Benningfield
Mr. and Mrs. David Berelson
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Berkowitz
Carol and David Berluti
Ms. Catherine Berman
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bissinger, Jr.
Mrs. Eva Bloch
Mrs. Abigail BloomKing and Mr. Brian BloomKing
Mr. David Blumberg and Mr. Michel Armand
Mr. Dale Boutiette and Mrs. Alla Gershberg
Mrs. Luanne Bradley
Lisa Bransten and John Rumsey
Wayne and Vicki Buder
Mr. Bruce Burnam
Mrs. Lillian Cape
Mrs. Allison Caplan and Mr. Michael Norris
Andrew Charmatz and Sara Witt
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Charnas
Ms. Donna Chazen and Mr. Robert Breecker
Dr. and Mrs. Melvin Cheitlin
Dr. and Mrs. Jon Churnin
Dr. and Mrs. Michael A. Cohn
Erika and Dovid Coplon
Paul and Valerie Crane Dorfman
Carol Davis and Joel Marcus
Mr. William Denebeim and Mr. Mark Vogel
Michael and Jessica Eisler
Tami and Howard Epstein
Mr. and Mrs. Steven N. Fayne
H. Michael and Christine Feldman
William and Ellen Fleishhacker
Albert and Eleanor Fraenkel
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Frankel
Ms. Ellen Friedman
Lisa and Mohsen Gamshad
John and Dena Gardi
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kahn Gardner
Mr. David Golden and Dr. Susan Wilner Golden
Betsy and Joel Hausman
Gina Hill
Dr. Dennis Jaffe and Dr. Cynthia Scott
Mr. and Ms. Mark Javitch
Mr. Steven Kay
Dr. and Ms. Gabriel M. Kind
Mr. Stuart A. Kogod and Ms. Denise E. Garone
Mark and Kerri Lehmann
Mr. Glenn Lerner and Ms. Susanne Steinberg
Mr. and Mrs. Asriel Levin
Rich and Nancy Levine
Drs. Shana and Amnon Levy
Mrs. Fern Lowenberg
10
David and Amber Lowi
Mr. Steven Lurie and Dr. Erin Gordon
Rebecca and Goncalo Macieira-Kaufmann
Howard and Siesel Maibach
Reed Maltzman and Jennifer Gosselin
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Manning
Mr. Joshua Margulies
Rachel Masters and Dan Mosedale
Mark Miller and Pamela Mann
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Moskowitz
Mr. Martin Muller
Mrs. Eleanor Myers
Laura Myers and Kenneth Quandt
Mark and Jamie Myers
Dr. Raquel Newman
David and Lisa Novak
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Pasquinelli
Mr. Rotem Perelmuter
Ms. Paula Pretlow
Mr. and Mrs. Neville Rich, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James Rogers
Julie and Jeffrey Rosen
Mrs. Edward W. Rosston
Mr. and Mrs. H. Jonathan Rotenstreich
Susan and Alan Rothenberg
Aric and Danielle Rubin
Ms. Louise Adler Sampson
Mr. and Ms. Bart Schachter
Betty and Jack Schafer
Martin Schenker and Susan Diamond
Mr. and Mrs. Murray Schneider
Dr. Barbara Schulz
Miss Michelle Schulz
John and Paula Schwerin
Mr. Edward Segal and Mrs. Lynne Newhouse Segal
Ned and Maya Segal
Mrs. Dore’ Selix-Gabby
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Shveyd
Mr. and Ms. Paul Siegel
Mr. and Mrs. R. James Slaughter
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Small
Mr. and Ms. Guiv Soofer
Mrs. Belena Stanford and Mr. Eric Reading
Joelle Steefel
Kira and Marc Steifman
Gary Stolzoff and Suzi Alexander
Mr. Ted Storey and Ms. Jaimie Sanford
Michael and Jean Strunsky
Lisa and Brian Sugar
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Sweet
Mrs. Esta Swig
Mr. and Ms. James Tananbaum
Stephen and Leslie Ticktin
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Upton, Jr.
Marsha and David Veit
Murry and Marilyn Waldman
Mr. Herb Wiltsek
Mr. and Mrs. William Zellerbach
Lifecycles & Mazel Tovs
December B’nei Mitzvah
MAZEL TOV TO OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE
EXPERIENCED JOY
Anna and Matthew Kovinsky on the birth of their daughter,
Rosie Beatrice Kovinsky
Monica Pevzner on the marriage of her brother Ilya Pevzner to
Lisa Sholkin
Inna Gartsman and David Nelson on the birth of their son,
Eli Jacob Nelson
Cecily Rogers and Aleksandr Reznitskiy on the birth of their son,
Nikolas Rogers
CONDOLENCES TO OUR MEMBERS WHO
HAVE SUFFERED RECENT LOSSES
Herman Victor on the death of his wife, Shirley Victor
Anna Singer (Eric) on the death of her father, and Jack and Sam
Singer on the death of their grandfather, James Reeves
Judith Miller on the death of her husband, Walter Miller
Eric Reiter (Miriam) on the death of his sister, Louise Reiter
Samantha Behrman-Rosenberg (David Rosenberg) on the death of her
mother, and Maxwell Rosenberg on the death of his grandmother,
Ruth Ritter
New Members, as of November 5
Jeremy and Talia Bennick • Adam and Erin Bernstein • Dr. Erica
Bromley and Dr. Bryan Nowroozi, Josephine B. Nowroozi • Mr.
Aaron Cannon • Ms. Emilie Cowan • Ms. Amy Curcio • Miss Jennifer
Dinoia • Dr. Brooke Goodman and Mrs. Caitlin Carpenter-Goodman
• Daniel and Karen Hanover, Alexander Hanover, Ashley Hanover •
Auren and Mitchell Hoffman, Dara Hoffman, Lincoln Hoffman • Mr.
David Huebner and Dr. Kaija-Leena Romero • Mr. Benji Koltai and Ms.
Annalise Corak • Dr. Thome’ Nicocelli, M.D., Sofia Nicocelli • Zach
and Jung Robin, Jae Robin • Sophie Symonds
Rejoined Members, as of November 5
Dr. Lisa Inman and Ms. Alisa Gilden, Shaya I. Gilden,
Ariel P. Gilden
Kyra Kushner
Bat Mitzvah: December 5
Main Sanctuary
Parents: Mirene Winsberg & Mark Kushner
Torah Portion: Vayeshev
Benjamin Cohen
Bar Mitzvah: December 5
Martin Meyer Sanctuary
Parents: Robyn & Bruce Cohen
Torah Portion: Vayeshev
Max Weil
Bar Mitzvah: December 12
Main Sanctuary
Parents: Cindy & David Weil
Torah Portion: Mikketz
Catherine Raisin
Bat Mitzvah: December 12
Martin Meyer Sanctuary
Parents: Belena Stanford & Preston Raisin
Torah Portion: Mikketz
Peri Charmatz
Bat Mitzvah: December 19
Martin Meyer Sanctuary
Parents: Sara Witt & Andrew Charmatz
Torah Portion: Vayiggash
SAVE THE DATE!
Rachel Zisk
Bat Mitzvah: December 26
Main Sanctuary
Parents: Shoshana & Brian Zisk
Torah Portion: Vayhi
Celebrating a Shehecheyanu Moment?
Congregation Emanu-El is an ever-present partner in the transitional
moments of our members’ lives. Be it a baby naming or brit milah,
bar or bat mitzvah, conversion or wedding ceremony, or a recovery
from illness, Emanu-El’s clergy and staff strive to ensure that each
sacred ‘Shehecheyanu Moment’ is deeply fulfilling and personal. A
donation to the Emanu-El Life-Cycle Fund is a lovely way to mark a
personal life-cycle experience, to honor friends or family celebrating
a happy milestone or in gratitude for the services the clergy provide
during these profound moments.
Please donate online at www.emanuelsf.org
or call the Development office at (415) 750-7554.
11
a center for
lifelong learning
The Madeleine Haas Russell
Institute of Jewish Learning
Winter Course Registration Now Open!
Register at www.emanuelsf.org/adultlearning
Winter Trimester Courses
What is Zionism, Anyway?
with Rabbi Jonathan Singer
Downtown
Tauber course
on Thursday
afternoons
on Thursdays, noon – 1:00 pm
Jan 7, 14, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Emanu-El member price $54, price $75
at Mechanic’s Institute (57 Post Street, San Francisco)
Zionism is the movement to support Jewish national identity in
the Promised Land. It means many things to
many Jews. In this course participants will explore the various
Zionisms – the pre-Zionist ideas of thinkers prior to Herzl;
Classical Zionism, including Herzl and A.D. Gordon; Ahad
Ha’am who developed Cultural Zionism; Reform Judaism’s
rejection and then embrace of Zionism; Religious Zionism
after 1948; and Post-Zionist ideas both positive and negative.
Come and be inspired to talk about the role of Zionism in our
lives today and how it affects our identity and our visions for
the future of the Jewish people.
Laughter on the 3rd Floor
with Judi Leff and Allen Mathis
on Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Jan 7, 14, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Emanu-El member price $54, price $75
Back by popular demand! Come laugh and learn with humorist
Judi Leff and stand-up comic Allen Mathis for the second part
in the Jewish humor series. Join your other recently educated
comedy mavens as you learn to write and/or perform Jewish
comedy, parody songs and stand-up. Some of our final
projects will be featured in the Purim talent show in March.
Tell your mother, you’re finally going to be a star!
Please note, students from Part 1 will get preference, but if
you broke our hearts by not taking the first class, we will still
let you in.
The Return of Jewmba
with Cantor Marsha Attie
on Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Jan 7, 14, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Emanu-El member price $54, price $75
Jewmba is a fun and lively dance class that incorporates
traditional Israeli folk dance steps into a “Zumba”-like
dance class. Participants will learn an Israeli folk dance at
the end of every class as well as prepare a piece that will be
featured in the Purim talent show in March.
NEW
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Downtown Tauber Monthly Class
Brown bag lunch and learn with Emanu-El Clergy
One Wednesday a month, noon - 1:00 pm
100 Pine Street, #1000 San Francisco.
December 16, January 13,
February 10, March 9, April 13, May 11
Mameh Lushn and Bubbe Myses:
A linguistic journey to the land of Yiddish
with Ken Blady, M.Ed
on Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Jan 7, 14, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Emanu-El member price $54, price $75
Join Bay Area Jewish educator and native speaker, Ken
Blady, as he takes you on a linguistic journey to the Land
of Yiddish. Here is a wonderful opportunity to learn this
rich and colorful language in a relaxed, irreverent and
heimisheh atmosphere. All you need is a desire to learn,
an interest in Jewish culture and an ability tzu veren
tzeshussen fahr gelechter (to crack up)!
Redemption Songs:
The Jewish Imagination of Love and Justice
with Rabbi Jason Rodich
on Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Jan 7, 14, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Emanu-El member price $54, price $75
Judaism is audacious enough to imagine an utterly
transformed world and insists that that which is broken, hurt
and undone can once again become whole. Some people
call this redemption, a word we will work on getting more
comfortable with even, as we wrestle with our own tradition.
Together we will take a deep dive into some of our most
prophetic—and perhaps surprising—texts that have inspired
generations of Jews to work for a more just world, as well as
to seek to become more loving and kind people in daily life.
We will also compare Jewish traditions of redemption to views
of redemption in other religious traditions. This course seeks
to open up new ways of thinking Jewishly and to spark your
imagination in terms of what is possible in our world today.
Introduction to Judaism
on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at Emanu-El.
Winter trimester: January 5, 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23
Join with Emanu-El clergy to learn about the breadth and
wonder of Jewish tradition. This class is a pathway for the
adult learner who wishes to discover or deepen Jewish
knowledge, non-Jews who are marrying a Jewish partner, and
those who are considering conversion to Judaism. For more
information about the conversion process at Emanu-El, please
visit our conversion page. Intro to Judaism meets on Tuesday evenings over three
trimesters and has rolling admission. A student can begin in
any of the trimesters. Trimesters do not have to be completed
in a particular order. If you have questions about the course,
please contact our Director of Adolescent and Adult
Education, Ariana Estoque, 415-751-2541 x307 or aestoque@
emanuelsf.org. Ongoing learning opportunities:
Tauber Yesod Certificate in
Jewish Knowledge
Open enrollment
The Fountain – Emanu-El Values Built By
Congregant Engagement
By David Goldman
A time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together.
on Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, December 2015 - May 2016
Emanu-El member price $240; price $360.
This two-year, six-course, certificate program offers Bay Area
Jews the unique opportunity for comprehensive learning, with
the highest quality educators, in core foundational Jewish
texts that have sustained the Jewish people for thousands
of years. The program is enhanced by creating spiritual
and intellectual community as the participants grow and
learn together in a college-like setting. Regardless of prior
exposure, the Yesod certificate program allows participants
to explore biblical and rabbinic texts in a purposeful and
academic forum. It encourages small group learning and
develops Jewish leaders within a supportive community that
fosters long-term growth and in-depth discovery.
Year One: In-depth Exploration of the TaNaKh
First trimester: Torah Dec 3, 10, 17 From Abraham and
Sarah’s journey to a promise to Moses’ vision at the borders
of the land. The journey begins with an analysis of the text –
delving into the Torah from critical, historical, as well as rabbinic
spiritual, perspectives.
Second Trimester: Nevi’im Jan 7, 14, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 A
people in formation: A discussion of the zenith and nadir of the
Kings of Israel, prophetic imperative, and speaking truth to the
people and their power. Visioning Judaism in freedom and reenvisioning it in exile.
Third Trimester: Ketuvim Mar 24, 31; Apr 7, 14, 21; May 5, 12
The wild library of writings – Ecclesiastes to Job, the sensuality of
the Song of Songs, the depths of the Psalmists and an encounter
with Daniel’s radical vision.
Tauber Beit Midrash
drop in on Sundays, 9:30 – 11:30 am
drop in!
Introducing the Tauber Beit Midrash In Hebrew, “Beit” means
house and the word “Midrash” comes from the root “to
seek” or “to investigate.” A Beit Midrash is a house of study.
The Tauber Beit Midrash here at Emanu-El offers unique
access to the rich tradition of Jewish textual interpretation in a
welcoming and intellectual environment.
Our house is open to those who have studied before and
those who have never looked at a daf (a page of rabbinic
literature). Each Sunday, when religious school is in session,
the Tauber Beit Midrash will open with a class offered by a
leading teacher in our community. The teacher will present
a text from Talmud – the compilation of Mishna, the first
major redaction of the oral law, and Gemara, rabbinic
commentary on the Mishna, as well as the Zohar, mystical
writings – each with English translation. Participants
will gather with coffee in hand and study in chevruta
(partnership). The teacher will then bring participants back
together for discussion and explanation. Monthly, the Beit
Midrash will be followed with a presentation on Applied
Judaism, as students encounter an issue or phenomena in
society as presented by experts in their field. The values
explored in the text study will inform the discussion in this
section. Each session is independent and no registration
is required. Please come as often as you can. Each
session will include an hour of teaching by an esteemed
rabbi from our community and a short schmooze with
other participants, followed by additional study, a panel
discussion or deeper chevruta study.
Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 3:5
Often, I thought of the book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) during
these High Holy Days. The reflection was caused in part because
Jews read Kohelet during Sukkot, the holiday immediately after
Yom Kippur, in part because Kohelet’s warning about seeking
futile or vain efforts (such as the pursuit of fame) seemed so
fitting for the holiday.
With these reflections in mind, I was thrilled when colleagues at
Emanu-El suggested a new Yom Kippur practice. Congregants
(picking up on the words from Kohelt) cast stones into our
fountain to select the three enduring values on which Emanu-El
should stand on Yom Kipper. I saw parents explaining to children
the meaning of social justice and couples debating what was
most important to them. Over 2,400 stones were casts by 800
families. We then gathered the stones not just to tabulate results
but to donate them to our cemetery. This exercise seemed
worthy of Kohelet and worthy of a congregation that seeks to
build something of great importance and permanence.
This Yom Kippur event was only one way that members help
choose the direction of their congregation. We surveyed
members online about their values and conducted in-person
exercises with parents and children during religious school, preschool teachers, clergy and staff, and the board of directors. In
looking at these results, there were some common themes that
made coming up with the final list relatively easy.
K’hilah Ke’doshah: We support one another in a welcoming,
sacred religious community
Hafach Bah v’Hafach bah: We are committed to an
innovative, joyous, intellectually serious progressive Judaism
Ahavat Yisrael: We uphold the Jewish people and traditions
in our community, in Israel, and the world
Tzedek Tzedek Tirdoff: We join together in the relentless
pursuit of justice
V’ahavta L’Reiecha Kamocha: We love and accept our whole
selves while also extending it to others
The study of Torah is equal to them all, because it leads to
them all.
Our next step is to build a vision and mission statement based
on these core principles, and we are asking congregants’ input
on that as well. During the Annual Meeting, the senior rabbis
led a discussion with members about what they wanted EmanuEl’s future to look like. Here’s a few samples of what fellow
congregants are saying.
Because of my involvement with Emanu-El, I want to
• Feel like I am part of something bigger than myself
• Be part of a big extended family
• Feel compelled to give something to this place because I
feel that I have the opportunity to keep this historic Jewish
place going into the future.
• Be part of a large congregation that is really a community of
small groups, where each and every individual finds their space.
We’ll be replicating this exercise during other congregant
meetings and the ability to comment online will be made
available.
13
December Calendar
Sunday
Monday
For more information, please call us at (415) 751-2535 or visit www.emanuelsf.org.
All events take place at Temple Emanu-El unless marked Not at Temple (NAT).
Tuesday
1
Mah Jongg at 6:30 pm
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Pre-oneg at 5:30 pm
Cantor Luck Installation
Service at 6:00 pm
View school
calendars at
Saturday
5 Rabbi Kushner’s Mystical
Torah Class at 9:15 am
Torah Study at 9:15 am
Shabbat Morning Minyan
including Bar Mitzvah of
Benjamin Cohen
at 10:30 am
www.emanuelsf.org/school-calendars
Shabbat Morning Service
including Bat Mitzvah of
Kyra Kushner at 10:30 am
6
7
Mazel Tots at 9:30 am
Scrabble at noon
13
14
Mazel Tots at 9:30 am
8
Mah Jongg at 6:30 pm The Tribe -
Deep Fried
Poker Chanukah
Celebration at 7:30 pm (NAT)
9
15
Mah Jongg at 6:30 pm
16
10
11
Pre-oneg at 5:30 pm
Chanukah ONE SHABBAT
at 6:00 pm
Chanukah Shabbat
Dinner at 7:00
17
Torah Study at 9:15 am
Got Shabbat at 10:15 am
Late Shabbat
at 8:30 pm
Shabbat Morning Minyan
including Bat Mitzvah
of Catherine Raisin at
10:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service
including Bar Mitzvah of
Max Weil at 10:30 am
18
Pre-oneg at 5:30 pm
19 Rabbi Kushner’s Mystical
Torah Class at 9:15 am
ONE SHABBAT at 6:00 pm
Scrabble at noon
12 Rabbi Kushner’s Mystical
Torah Class at 9:15 am
Torah Study at 9:15 am
Shabbat Morning Minyan
including Bat Mitzvah of
Peri Charmatz at 10:30
am
Shabbat Morning Service
including Bat Mitzvah of
Rachel Zisk at 10:30 am
20
21
Scrabble at noon
22
23
24
Offices Closed at 1:00 pm
25
Offices Closed All Day Pre-oneg at 5:30 pm
26 Rabbi Kushner’s Mystical
Torah Class at 9:15 am
Torah Study at 9:15 am
ONE SHABBAT at 6:00 pm Shabbat Morning Minyan
at 10:30 am
27
28
Scrabble at
noon
29
30
31
Offices Closed All Day
January Dates
Friday, Jan. 1
Offices Closed All Day
5:30 pm Pre-oneg
6:00 pm ONE SHABBAT
Saturday, Jan. 2
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Minyan including Bat Mitzvah of Annika Wolberg
14
15
Congregation Emanu-El
Two Lake Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
www.emanuelsf.org
PERIODICAL
We are a vibrant, sacred Jewish
community that is dedicated to
advancing our members’ lifelong
involvement in Judaism through
worship, learning, good deeds, and
congregant to congregant connections.
Jonathan Singer, Senior Rabbi
Beth Singer, Senior Rabbi
Sydney B. Mintz, Rabbi
Ryan Bauer, Rabbi
Carla Fenves, Rabbi
Jason Rodich, Rabbi
Marsha Attie, Cantor
Arik Luck, Cantor
Roslyn Barak, Senior Cantor Emerita
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, Emanu-El Scholar
Stephen Pearce, Senior Rabbi Emeritus
David N. Goldman, Executive Director and
General Counsel
Terry Kraus, FTA, Director of Membership Services
Elena Gary, Chief Financial Officer Lani Zinn, Director of Development
Heather Erez, Director of Youth Education
Ariana Estoque, MEd, Director of Adult and Adolescent Education
Rob Freedman, Director of Marketing and
Communications
Heather Mendelsohn Posner, Director of Early Childhood Education
Svetlana Leykin, Director of Facilities and Special Events
Sandy Rechtschaffen, Director of Community Engagement
Penny Mika, Director of Operations and Office
Administration
Judi Leff, Director of Arts and Cultural
Programs
Karen Schiller, Copy Editor
Members of the Board Of Directors
President, Donny Friend
Vice President, Mark Lehmann
Vice President, Paul Zarefsky
Treasurer, Sasha Kovriga
Secretary, Erika Coplon
Dale Boutiette
Sandi Bragar
Steve Cohen
Stuart Corvin
Jill Einstein
Lara Ettenson
Alan Greinetz
Rachel Melman
Steve Polsky
Abby Porth
Paula Pretlow
Joel Roos
Jackie Safier
Rita Semel
Jim Shapiro
Ted Storey
The Temple Chronicle (USPS 023-317) is published
monthly except June and July for $36 per year by
The Congregation Emanu-El, Two Lake Street, San
Francisco, CA 94118. Periodicals Postage Paid at San
Francisco, CA, and at additional mailing offices
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The
Temple Chronicle at Congregation Emanu-El, Two
Lake Street, San Francisco, CA 94118.
Thank you to all the committee members,
volunteers and performers for a wonderful evening
honoring Cantor Barak.
Cantor Barak Evening Honorary Committee
Co-Chairs: Lisa and Doug Goldman
Nancy Livingston and Fred Levin • Ingrid Tauber and Frank Taforo