From The President

Shalom Chaverim,

February is my favorite month--it's short, has lots of holidays (my birthday), and it's like the gateway to spring that pops up quickly in March. At CBS, February is also the time we start gearing up for holidays such as Purim and Passover, as well as beginning our preparations for Cafe Shalom. Already, the Cafe Shalom committee has held its first meeting, with another to follow on February 7th. Please come so you can help raise money for our religious school. This year, we are going to try something new. Our theme is an "Israeli Cultural Festival." Along with our traditional lox and bagels brunch, we will turn our outside perimeter court yard into an Israeli "Shuk" where crafters and artisans can sell their handmade products. We also plan to sell wine and other alcoholic beverages outside. If you know of any artists/crafts persons who would like to participate in our "Shuk" please have them contact me to rent a space.

Over the past few months we have had a number of families join our synagogue. Steve and Ronda Guggenheim came to services at CBS before they made their decision to move to Modesto for Steve's job. Their "entry" point was having a religious school for their children. Now, having been here less than a year, they are completely enmeshed, finding their "connecting" point through fund-raising for the synagogue, bringing with them experience and successes they gained at their previous shul.

Nir Vegvizer "entered" CBS when he applied for a job as our Hebrew School Teacher. He has become very involved with the children, even providing tutoring to their parents so that when their child becomes a B'nai Mitzvah, they will be able to fully participate in the service. Now, Nir and his wife Rachel have found their "connecting" point and are starting a "YAD" (Young Adults Division) for 20-30 year olds at CBS. This is a great opportunity for affiliated and unaffiliated young people in our community to meet other Jews of their age at fun, social, relaxing events. Membership in CBS is NOT required. Singles, married/unmarried couples with or without children are welcome to join. Please spread the word if you know of anyone who falls into this category and have them contact Nir.

Rachel Roseman and her husband Jesse "entered" CBS when Jesse accepted a job in Modesto. Rachel's background is also in Jewish education and she saw a lot of potential in CBS. She found her "connecting" point when she wrote a grant to the Jewish Federation to run a series of educational programs around the observance of Shabbat. Her grant was funded and she will begin teaching these classes to children and adults.

Cheryl Vincent and her husband had been attending High Holiday Services at CBS for several years. As her children got older, they decided to join so that their children could attend our religious school--their "entry point." Cheryl and Amy Pezzoni "connected" with each other because they each have toddlers. When they learned that CBS wanted to start a pre-school program on Sunday mornings, they volunteered to organize a program for other parents with children under 4 and held their first meeting on January 24. Anyone interested in joining the preschool should contact Amy Pezzoni or Cheryl Vincent.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of CBS, I would like to thank all of you for the energy, hard work and commitment you are making to our CBS community. New ideas are always welcome, whether they be from new members to our shul, or to our more seasoned members. The outcome is that we are all working together toward making CBS a thriving Jewish community center.

Todah Rabah!

Parent Participation Class for Pre-Schoolers

We now have a Parent Participation Class for children under 4 years of age. This is a class for kids too young for religious school and will meet during Sunday School. Cheryl Vincent and Amy Pezzoni are the facilitators.

There will be fun with songs and activities as well as holiday themes. One parent (or guardian/grandparent) must stay with their child/children during the session.

There is no fee to attend.

Remember, half of every subscription to J- will go to Congregation Beth Shalom.  See your Bulletin for details.