Congregation Beth Shalom|Newsletter May 2007

Previous newsletters are here. May 2007 / Iyyar-Sivan 5767
Religious School News Dear Families, We shall never forget! But how can they never forget if they are not here to hear the stories? As you know, Religious School is a vital part of teaching our children about Judaism and the language of our people, but there is so much more to be learned. On Sunday, April 15th, I was honored to take part in our Yom HaShoah service here at CBS. The stories told during this Holocaust remembrance day were chilling, moving, sad, but yet so inspirational. The songs we sang together brought us closer and stronger as a Jewish family. This service gathered 44 people from our congregation. What a great turnout! That is what I would normally say, but not on this day. I left this service with such mixed emotions, but what really bothered me was where were our youth and their families? We had the opportunity to hear the stories of the survivors from our Modesto community from Martha Loeffler, and the stories of Flo Loeffler, child of two survivors. We also heard from Manny Trauring, who lived through the Night of Broken Glass. These stories and many more were all stories from the heart to never be forgotten. I was truly moved listening to the stories and emotional music of the night, especially the beautiful flute solo by Lily Wayne that set the tone for the conclusion of the memorial service. I could go on and on, but my goal for sharing this evening with you is to urge all of our families to make this annual service a priority next year, to share as a family, so that we may never forget! Have a fabulous and safe summer break -- but don't forget that Shabbat continues throughout the summer, so please don't stay away! Shalom, Marlene Gonsalves Mazel Tov The 21st annual Peace Essay Contest received 784 qualifying entries. Mazel tov to the following students for their outstanding pieces. We are all very proud of these achievements! Finalist in Division I (grades 11 & 12): Andrew Shiovitz. Winner from Johansen High School for Division II (grades 9 & 10): Anna Meyer. Finalist from Lakewood School for Division IV (grades 5 & 6): Eva Brotslaw. Class Rabbi Brod will be leading a new six-week course for the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute which will meet on Thursdays, April 26-May 31 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at CBS. The class is titled, "Flashbacks in Jewish History: How Our Past Informs Our Future." Yiddish Story of the Month Why the Bagel Has a Hole in the Middle In 17th-century Poland there lived a fun-loving, billiard-playing count, Pan Stanislaw Bagel. He would get famished while playing pool, and to his rescue came a Jewish baker who created a handy food that could be kept on a cue stick. The rest is history. And if you think that story has a hole in the middle, well, so does the bagel! Walk for Israel On Monday, April 23rd, a small but mighty group of CBS family members celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut. We began this celebration in the courtyard with the prayer for the State of Israel, then we sang "Hatikvah," the Israeli national anthem. We gathered the big American flag and the big Israeli flag from our sanctuary and each person had an Israeli flag in hand -- and off we went! We went on a one mile walk from CBS to the corner of Briggsmore and McHenry, and then back down Granger. We received many honks of support and enjoyed time together for a great cause. The organization we chose to contribute to is called ZAKA. Zaka is a voluntary rescue team that aids the victims of terrorism. After tending to immediate first aid needs, they also have the grim task of gathering the deceased victims for burial. We will send a $200 check to Zaka on behalf of CBS in honor of this year's Israeli Independence Day. Thank you to all who walked and supported this worthy cause. And thank you to Anthony and Funworks for donating the yummy pizzas! Todah, Marlene Remember, half of every subscription to J- will go to Congregation Beth Shalom. See your Bulletin for details.	Oneg Shabbat Hosts May 4 -- Doreen Goldman & Leah Goldman families. May 11 -- Grose & Kempner families. May 18 -- Fischer & Janice Friedman families. May 25 -- McCoy, Singer & Buettner families. Thank you for participating. Please remember to include fruit as an alternative dessert. Graduating? If you have a college or high school student graduating this year, please let us know soon. We would like to recognize them at our graduation service on July 6. Did You Know ... ... that Shavuot, the holiday during which we celebrate receiving the Torah, literally means weeks? The holiday, also known as the Feast of Weeks, was originally observed as a harvest festival, the time the first fruits of the season were brought to the Temple. As a matter of fact, nowhere in our Bible is a connection made between Shavuot and the Torah-giving at Mount Sinai. Shavuot comes seven weeks after Pesach and lends law to the freedom we were granted at that time. Seven weeks X seven days elapses between these two chagim and gives one pause to think about what we might accomplish in a few weeks' time. Thank You Thank you to Lyn Rabinovitz for her help with little jobs around the office, and to Evan Jacobs, Oriel Kempner, and Geri Youngheim for their help with the mailing of the April bulletin. Many hands make quick work! Contributions Thank you for your donations or contributions. Please make all checks out to CBS, Congregation Beth Shalom, or USY, and use the memo portion to note the fund you are contributing to. [The bank is beginning to object to other names on checks.] Todah Rabbah! "Get Well" Information Needed If you know of a congregant who is ill or in the hospital, please help us include them for calls, visits, and the speedy recovery list by letting the office staff know. Please remember that hospitals are not permitted to share information with the public, including the synagogue. Are You Getting Our Weekly eMail? If you are not getting our weekly CBS email, let me tell you what you might be missing. Our weekly email is sent out on Thursdays, and includes yartzets observed, weekly activities, a Torah summary, congregational "get well" list, and special announcements. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact Laura Biewer (cbslaurab@sbcglobal.net or 571-6060). Don't miss another week! Inkjet Cartridge Recycling Program Thank you for your past support and we hope that more of you will think of recycling your used ink jet cartidges by placing them in the recycling bin in the foyer. Scrip News We carry O'Brien's, Gottschalks, Richland Market, and Starbucks. These are in stock and available for purchase. Safeway and Macy's If you shop at Safeway or Macy's, we ask that you consider registering your store cards with escrip. Every time you make a purchase, you generate a percentage of your purchase for CBS. SaveMart If you shop at SaveMart, please register for a SHARES card. Forms are available in the foyer or call the CBS office and we will mail one to you. If you have any questions on any of these programs, please call the CBS office at 571-6060.

Previous newsletters are here.

May 2007 / Iyyar-Sivan 5767

Religious School News

Dear Families,

We shall never forget! But how can they never forget if they are not here to hear the stories? As you know, Religious School is a vital part of teaching our children about Judaism and the language of our people, but there is so much more to be learned.

On Sunday, April 15th, I was honored to take part in our Yom HaShoah service here at CBS. The stories told during this Holocaust remembrance day were chilling, moving, sad, but yet so inspirational. The songs we sang together brought us closer and stronger as a Jewish family.

This service gathered 44 people from our congregation. What a great turnout! That is what I would normally say, but not on this day. I left this service with such mixed emotions, but what really bothered me was where were our youth and their families? We had the opportunity to hear the stories of the survivors from our Modesto community from Martha Loeffler, and the stories of Flo Loeffler, child of two survivors. We also heard from Manny Trauring, who lived through the Night of Broken Glass. These stories and many more were all stories from the heart to never be forgotten. I was truly moved listening to the stories and emotional music of the night, especially the beautiful flute solo by Lily Wayne that set the tone for the conclusion of the memorial service.

I could go on and on, but my goal for sharing this evening with you is to urge all of our families to make this annual service a priority next year, to share as a family, so that we may never forget!

Have a fabulous and safe summer break -- but don't forget that Shabbat continues throughout the summer, so please don't stay away!

Shalom,
Marlene Gonsalves

Mazel Tov

The 21st annual Peace Essay Contest received 784 qualifying entries. Mazel tov to the following students for their outstanding pieces. We are all very proud of these achievements!

Finalist in Division I (grades 11 & 12): Andrew Shiovitz.
Winner from Johansen High School for Division II (grades 9 & 10): Anna Meyer.
Finalist from Lakewood School for Division IV (grades 5 & 6): Eva Brotslaw.

Class

Rabbi Brod will be leading a new six-week course for the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute which will meet on Thursdays, April 26-May 31 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at CBS. The class is titled, "Flashbacks in Jewish History: How Our Past Informs Our Future."

Yiddish Story of the Month

Why the Bagel Has a Hole in the Middle

In 17th-century Poland there lived a fun-loving, billiard-playing count, Pan Stanislaw Bagel. He would get famished while playing pool, and to his rescue came a Jewish baker who created a handy food that could be kept on a cue stick. The rest is history. And if you think that story has a hole in the middle, well, so does the bagel!

Walk for Israel

On Monday, April 23rd, a small but mighty group of CBS family members celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut. We began this celebration in the courtyard with the prayer for the State of Israel, then we sang "Hatikvah," the Israeli national anthem. We gathered the big American flag and the big Israeli flag from our sanctuary and each person had an Israeli flag in hand -- and off we went! We went on a one mile walk from CBS to the corner of Briggsmore and McHenry, and then back down Granger. We received many honks of support and enjoyed time together for a great cause.

The organization we chose to contribute to is called ZAKA. Zaka is a voluntary rescue team that aids the victims of terrorism. After tending to immediate first aid needs, they also have the grim task of gathering the deceased victims for burial. We will send a $200 check to Zaka on behalf of CBS in honor of this year's Israeli Independence Day. Thank you to all who walked and supported this worthy cause. And thank you to Anthony and Funworks for donating the yummy pizzas!

Todah,
Marlene

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

Oneg Shabbat Hosts

May 4 -- Doreen Goldman & Leah Goldman families.
May 11 -- Grose & Kempner families.
May 18 -- Fischer & Janice Friedman families.
May 25 -- McCoy, Singer & Buettner families.

Thank you for participating. Please remember to include fruit as an alternative dessert.

Graduating?

If you have a college or high school student graduating this year, please let us know soon. We would like to recognize them at our graduation service on July 6.

Did You Know ...

... that Shavuot, the holiday during which we celebrate receiving the Torah, literally means weeks? The holiday, also known as the Feast of Weeks, was originally observed as a harvest festival, the time the first fruits of the season were brought to the Temple. As a matter of fact, nowhere in our Bible is a connection made between Shavuot and the Torah-giving at Mount Sinai.

Shavuot comes seven weeks after Pesach and lends law to the freedom we were granted at that time. Seven weeks X seven days elapses between these two chagim and gives one pause to think about what we might accomplish in a few weeks' time.

Thank You

Thank you to Lyn Rabinovitz for her help with little jobs around the office, and to Evan Jacobs, Oriel Kempner, and Geri Youngheim for their help with the mailing of the April bulletin. Many hands make quick work!

Contributions

Thank you for your donations or contributions. Please make all checks out to CBS, Congregation Beth Shalom, or USY, and use the memo portion to note the fund you are contributing to. [The bank is beginning to object to other names on checks.] Todah Rabbah!

"Get Well" Information Needed

If you know of a congregant who is ill or in the hospital, please help us include them for calls, visits, and the speedy recovery list by letting the office staff know.

Please remember that hospitals are not permitted to share information with the public, including the synagogue.

Are You Getting Our Weekly eMail?

If you are not getting our weekly CBS email, let me tell you what you might be missing. Our weekly email is sent out on Thursdays, and includes yartzets observed, weekly activities, a Torah summary, congregational "get well" list, and special announcements.

If you would like to be added to this list, please contact Laura Biewer (cbslaurab@sbcglobal.net or 571-6060). Don't miss another week!

Inkjet Cartridge Recycling Program

Thank you for your past support and we hope that more of you will think of recycling your used ink jet cartidges by placing them in the recycling bin in the foyer.

Scrip News

We carry O'Brien's, Gottschalks, Richland Market, and Starbucks. These are in stock and available for purchase.

Safeway and Macy's
If you shop at Safeway or Macy's, we ask that you consider registering your store cards with escrip. Every time you make a purchase, you generate a percentage of your purchase for CBS.

SaveMart
If you shop at SaveMart, please register for a SHARES card. Forms are available in the foyer or call the CBS office and we will mail one to you.
If you have any questions on any of these programs, please call the CBS office at 571-6060.