Congregation Beth Shalom|Newsletter October 2008

October 2008 / Tishri-Cheshvan 5769
From The President Shana Tova, The High Holidays have always been an exciting time for me when I was growing up. It was always a time of "new things": new clothes, new hats, new cars, new spouses, new babies, new divorces, new jobs, new people. And a time to re-"new" old friendships and make new ones as well. The High Holidays are the most attended services throughout the year. And I think I understand why the "newness" is so important. Having "new things" on Rosh Hashana allows us to discard the old--both physically and metaphorically. We come to shul with "new things" and "new ways" as proof that we have changed from a year ago, and ask G-d to inscribe us in the book of life. Over the next 10 days until Yom Kippur, we reflect on our lives for the past year, taking a mental inventory of what we are proud of and what we are not so proud of, acknowledge any negatives in our lives, ask for forgiveness, and then hope we are "sealed" in the book of life for another year. The "new" things in our life help us move forward by allowing us to look back at our lives. It is a measure of where we have been and where we are going. We don't always move forward and Rosh Hashana gives us an opportunity to come face-to-face with our past, our present, and our future, and to start over to make our lives better. As I pray with the congregation this Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, not only will I be reflecting on my own life this past year, but I will also reflect on the life of CBS this past year. What could I/we have done better, what was great, and what positive changes will I/we make in the future. I am excited about my new challenge of leading our congregation and hope that you will be my partner and the board's partner as we move forward to make CBS be a wonderful Jewish Community Center for all Jews in our area. I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. I hope I have the opportunity to speak personally with each of you this coming year and hope you will contact me if you have any concerns about our congregation. May you be written and sealed in the Book of Life. L'Shana Tova Tikateivu. -- Joyce Religious School News Here we are, welcoming a New Year and wondering "what's going to change next?" As adults we wonder about our jobs, the economy, politics, and gas prices. But imagine yourself as one of the students this year; new principal, new teachers, new curriculum, new procedures, new times (and that is just religious school!). Then, add to that the changes we adults incorporate with the decisions around religious school that the kids may be curious about. Ouch! That leaves us with a lot to think about as community leaders, educators, and parents. Kids are naturally curious; they love to ask questions, especially ones with the word "why." We all need to be prepared to find some answers for them. But what about our adult questions about religious school: What are they teaching? Who are the teachers? What is their background? What were they thinking when they said _______ (fill in the blank)? They said what? What will they change next? All good questions. And they deserve answers as well. So, to answer any questions you may have, I invite you to drop by Sunday or Thursday (we always have snacks) and ask away. One way or another, we'll find an answer together! Curiosity about change may just be all of us getting on the same page. Perhaps to start off the New Year, you may want to use at home some of the materials we're using at religious school. Or, if you want, come by and borrow a book or two. The two that I use on a regular basis and have purchased for the teachers are The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism and Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Telushkin. These two books can make learning at home about our faith lots of fun. Imagine questions about "Why does the Hebrew calendar have only 28 days a month?"^[1] or "What are the three kinds of prayer?"^[2] (the Idiot's Guide has fun answers!). Or, "Why don't we wear leather shoes on Yom Kippur?"^[3] (in Telushkin). Let's start the New Year off together and make sure we ask questions; with each other, with our children, and with our community leaders. Chances are that many of the answers we get will be a pleasant surprise. Just like the questions above are answered below. Happy New Year...may you be written in the Book of Life! -- Todd Aaronson ¹ -- ANSWER: The Hebrew Calendar follows the 'birth' of one new moon to the next--about 29 1/2 days. ² -- ANSWER: The Three Kinds of Prayer are: Praising God, Prayers of Request, and Prayers of Thanks. ³ -- ANSWER: The no "leather shoe" rule was intended to diminish comfort on a holiday of introspection. Remember, half of every subscription to J- will go to Congregation Beth Shalom. See your Bulletin for details.	Previous newsletters are here. Oneg Shabbat Hosts Oneg host schedule can be found here. Oct. 3 -- Pascal, Micheli, & L. Goldman families (Family Service). Oct. 10 -- L. Skolnick & Palitz/Knight families. Oct. 17 -- Greenwald-Gonella & Klain families. Oct. 24 -- B. Angel & C. Angel families. Oct. 31 -- Gesson & J. Israels families. Thank you for participating. Please remember to include fruit as an alternative dessert. Driver Available Do you need transportation on Mondays? Call Bari Mantel. I would be both happy and delighted if you would call me to take you anywhere you need to go! Thank You Thank you to Elsa McCoy for her help with mailing the September Bulletin and to Lyn Rabinovitz for her help with shredding and mailings. Thank you to Evelyn Heilbronn, Joel Youngheim, and Marlene & Anthony Gonsalves for donating the High Holy Day flowers in memory of loved ones. Thank you to the Pezzoni family and Jack & Chris Kahan who each donated an espresso machine for Religious School. We are always looking for volunteers to help with the Bulletin. Please call the CBS office if you are available. "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. 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.

October 2008 / Tishri-Cheshvan 5769

From The President

Shana Tova,

The High Holidays have always been an exciting time for me when I was growing up. It was always a time of "new things": new clothes, new hats, new cars, new spouses, new babies, new divorces, new jobs, new people. And a time to re-"new" old friendships and make new ones as well. The High Holidays are the most attended services throughout the year. And I think I understand why the "newness" is so important.

Having "new things" on Rosh Hashana allows us to discard the old--both physically and metaphorically. We come to shul with "new things" and "new ways" as proof that we have changed from a year ago, and ask G-d to inscribe us in the book of life. Over the next 10 days until Yom Kippur, we reflect on our lives for the past year, taking a mental inventory of what we are proud of and what we are not so proud of, acknowledge any negatives in our lives, ask for forgiveness, and then hope we are "sealed" in the book of life for another year.

The "new" things in our life help us move forward by allowing us to look back at our lives. It is a measure of where we have been and where we are going. We don't always move forward and Rosh Hashana gives us an opportunity to come face-to-face with our past, our present, and our future, and to start over to make our lives better.

As I pray with the congregation this Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, not only will I be reflecting on my own life this past year, but I will also reflect on the life of CBS this past year. What could I/we have done better, what was great, and what positive changes will I/we make in the future. I am excited about my new challenge of leading our congregation and hope that you will be my partner and the board's partner as we move forward to make CBS be a wonderful Jewish Community Center for all Jews in our area.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. I hope I have the opportunity to speak personally with each of you this coming year and hope you will contact me if you have any concerns about our congregation.

May you be written and sealed in the Book of Life.

L'Shana Tova Tikateivu.

-- Joyce

Religious School News

Here we are, welcoming a New Year and wondering "what's going to change next?" As adults we wonder about our jobs, the economy, politics, and gas prices. But imagine yourself as one of the students this year; new principal, new teachers, new curriculum, new procedures, new times (and that is just religious school!). Then, add to that the changes we adults incorporate with the decisions around religious school that the kids may be curious about. Ouch!

That leaves us with a lot to think about as community leaders, educators, and parents. Kids are naturally curious; they love to ask questions, especially ones with the word "why." We all need to be prepared to find some answers for them.

But what about our adult questions about religious school:

What are they teaching?
Who are the teachers? What is their background?
What were they thinking when they said _______ (fill in the blank)?
They said what?
What will they change next?

All good questions. And they deserve answers as well. So, to answer any questions you may have, I invite you to drop by Sunday or Thursday (we always have snacks) and ask away. One way or another, we'll find an answer together!

Curiosity about change may just be all of us getting on the same page. Perhaps to start off the New Year, you may want to use at home some of the materials we're using at religious school. Or, if you want, come by and borrow a book or two. The two that I use on a regular basis and have purchased for the teachers are The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism and Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Telushkin. These two books can make learning at home about our faith lots of fun. Imagine questions about "Why does the Hebrew calendar have only 28 days a month?"^[1] or "What are the three kinds of prayer?"^[2] (the Idiot's Guide has fun answers!). Or, "Why don't we wear leather shoes on Yom Kippur?"^[3] (in Telushkin).

Let's start the New Year off together and make sure we ask questions; with each other, with our children, and with our community leaders. Chances are that many of the answers we get will be a pleasant surprise. Just like the questions above are answered below.

Happy New Year...may you be written in the Book of Life!

-- Todd Aaronson

¹ -- ANSWER: The Hebrew Calendar follows the 'birth' of one new moon to the next--about 29 1/2 days.

² -- ANSWER: The Three Kinds of Prayer are: Praising God, Prayers of Request, and Prayers of Thanks.

³ -- ANSWER: The no "leather shoe" rule was intended to diminish comfort on a holiday of introspection.

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

Previous newsletters are here.

Oneg Shabbat Hosts

Oneg host schedule can be found here.

Oct. 3 -- Pascal, Micheli, & L. Goldman families (Family Service).
Oct. 10 -- L. Skolnick & Palitz/Knight families.
Oct. 17 -- Greenwald-Gonella & Klain families.
Oct. 24 -- B. Angel & C. Angel families.
Oct. 31 -- Gesson & J. Israels families.

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

Driver Available

Do you need transportation on Mondays? Call Bari Mantel.

I would be both happy and delighted if you would call me to take you anywhere you need to go!

Thank You

Thank you to Elsa McCoy for her help with mailing the September Bulletin and to Lyn Rabinovitz for her help with shredding and mailings.

Thank you to Evelyn Heilbronn, Joel Youngheim, and Marlene & Anthony Gonsalves for donating the High Holy Day flowers in memory of loved ones.

Thank you to the Pezzoni family and Jack & Chris Kahan who each donated an espresso machine for Religious School.

We are always looking for volunteers to help with the Bulletin. Please call the CBS office if you are available.

"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.

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.