September 05, 2010   26 Elul 5770

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Welcome to

Congregation Beth Sholom

of the Napa Valley

We welcome Jews from all backgrounds and all are welcome at Congregation Beth Sholom. We strive to serve the needs of singles and families, Jews of all races, cultures and sexual orientations, as well as Jews-by-choice and interfaith families. Congregation Beth Sholom is the center of Jewish life in the Napa Valley.

We are a vibrant community with a wide variety of spiritual, educational, and social programs. We are a Reform Congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism serving a membership that reflects a wide variety of perspectives and religious and cultural background.

For information on becoming a member please call our office: (707) 253-7305 or email us: office@cbsnapa.org, or visit us: 1455 Elm Street, Napa CA 94559.



CBS Slide Show.

Shabbot This Week  

Friday September 3rd

7:00pm Shabbat Services with Max Schleicher

Oneg Sponsors: The CBS Board of Trustees

To Thank Fani and Angelic for all they have done for our Community and Children!

Board Member: Ernie Weir

Torah Portion: Nitzavim/Vayeilech, Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

 

Saturday September 4th

9:30 am Conservative Minyan with Max Schleicher

Followed by Dairy Pot Luck

 

Saturday September 4th

8:30 pm S'lichot Dessert and Havdalah Max Schleicher and Betsy Strauss

Followed at 9:00 pm with S'lichot Service led by Max and Betsy.

Shabbat Tribute For Fani and Angelic  


 
Meet Dan Eisner: CBS Director of Education  



Parents, Click Here for Religious School Forms:

Completed forms may be sent to: educator@CBSNapa.org

What's New  
Rabbi Soifer on High Holidays 5771  

Family and Friends of Congregation Beth Sholom,

For those of you whom I did not have the pleasure to meet, during Sabbath worship on July 9, let me introduce myself. My name is Myra Soifer, and for 25 years I was privileged to serve as the rabbi of Temple Sinai in Reno, Nevada. I retired from that position in July, 2009, at which time the congregation honored me with the ongoing title of Rabbi Emerita. Before Reno, I served 6 years as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Sinai in New Orleans. This year I will travel, ‘cross the Sierra, to have the honor of serving as your rabbi for the High Holidays of 5771.

I write this during the middle of the Hebrew month of Av, that month of mightily diminished joy, when the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, as well as many other historical Jewish tragedies, are marked. Av will give way to the month of Elul, which begins in the evening of August 10. As the month immediately prior to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, Elul is a time of preparation for the High Holidays. It’s a time to begin our process of introspection and repentance. If we are wise, we surely do not wait for the Yom Kippur rush! In Aramaic (the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word Elul means "search," which is appropriate, because this is the time of year when we search deeply into our hearts and souls.

   And by way of my rabbinic preparation, I would like to share with you the topics of my upcoming High Holiday sermons.  It has been my practice, through almost all of my rabbinate, to choose one theme around which to organize my High Holy Days preaching.  This year the subject of my sermon series will be: Finding God: The Possibilities are Endless

  During my 32 years as a rabbi, I can’t begin to count the number of Jews who have come to me and said, “Rabbi, I’m Jewish, but I don’t believe in God.”  Sometimes this is uttered proudly; but more often, it is said with sadness.  And almost always, it’s a statement that really isn’t true.  It is not true because the speaker is wrongly convinced that there is some limited, prescribed notion of deity in Judaism.  Too many thoughtful, mature – and, yes, even God-believing – Jews just don’t know that there are many acceptable Jewish theologies.  So my upcoming High Holidays sermon series will present an overview of just some of the many possible, acceptable, and authentic Jewish notions of God.  Here is that sermon series’ schedule:

 

Erev Rosh HaShanahGod of the Bible

Rosh HaShanah Morning – God through the Eyes of our Rabbinic Sages

Erev Yom KippurThe Mystical God of Isaac Luria and Others

Yom Kippur Morning – A God with Limits and Without Omnis-

Yom Kippur Afternoon – An “Ordinary” God: Naturalism and Humanism

 

It was truly a joy meeting so many of the Beth Sholom community during Sabbath worship and for Torah study when I visited you in July!  I look forward to joining with you again, this time during our most sacred Jewish season.  For those whom I have not yet met, it will be my pleasure to do so. 

   May our introspection be deep and our repentance be sincere and lasting.  May our teshuvah lead to profound personal transformation.  And together may we enter into a wonderfully blessed New Year!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Myra Soifer

 

 

Meet Our High Holiday Cantor: Aviva Rosenbloom  

Greetings to the Beth Sholom community and friends,

I am delighted to have been asked to serve as your High Holiday Cantor for the coming Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. I’m Aviva Rosenbloom, and I love singing in community! I’ve been a Californian for 35 years; most of that time I served as full-time Cantor of Temple Israel of Hollywood in Los Angeles. After a detour to Aspen last year, I’m excited to be branching out northward to Napa.

 

In partnership with Rabbi Myra Soifer, I hope to offer you the opportunity to pray, sing, and reflect deeply on your life during the coming sacred season. There will be classic cantorial pieces for inspiration, beloved congregational melodies to join in on, well known folk songs to sing along with, and ancient chants to connect you with our past.

 

I look forward to meeting you in September. May the Hebrew month of Elul offer you the opportunity to begin your introspection and teshuvah, so we can reach the New Year with open hearts and joy.

 

B’shalom,

Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom

High Holy Days Work Party  
 

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010

12 – 3 PM

 

HELP BEAUTIFY YOUR SYNAGOGUE

FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS!

 

Bring your can-do attitude and let’s get the following done:

 

  • POLISH TORAH SILVER                              
  • POLISH SILVER CANDLE STICKS
  • POLISH SILVER KIDDUSH CUPS
  • BRING HIGH HOLY DAY MACHZORIM TO LOBBY
  • SET UP TABLES FOR REGISTRATION AREA
  • PAINTING AND TOUCH UP
  • POLISH AND DUST ARK AND BIMA
  • CHANGE TO WHITE KIPPOT
  • CHANGE TORAH COVERS
  • MISCELLANEOUS SPRUCE UP

 

Give a little of your time and elbow grease to this worthy endeavor.

 

SEE YOU THERE!

Substitute Religious School Teachers Needed  


 
Talent Wanted to Help With Religious School  


 
High Holy Days and Beyond  
 

HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICE SCHEDULE

5770-5771/2010

Rabbi Myra Soifer

Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom

 

 

Selichot:

Saturday September 4

            Shared Dessert Reception                                                                   8:30PM

            Service and Study                                                                                9:00PM

High Holy Day Preparation

Sunday September 5

            HHD Work Party at CBS                                                                    12:00 noon-3:00PM

 

Erev Rosh Hashanah Services

Wednesday September 8                                                                                 7:00PM

            Followed by Festive Oneg

Rosh Hashanah Services

Thursday September 9

            Family Services                                                                                   9:00-9:45AM

 

            General Worship Services                                                                   10:15AM

 

            Afternoon Outdoor Service                                                                 3:00PM

This year, we will observe Rosh HaShanah with a new Outdoor Service.

While this service will begin with Taschlich, it will primarily be a service in celebration of nature and its beauty – all of which God created “in the beginning,” which Rosh HaShanah celebrates.  This will take place at Kennedy Park, surely a most appropriate place to appreciate the great outdoors (!), on the afternoon of first day Rosh HaShanah.  Dress casually and comfortably.  While there is some seating at the park, you may want to bring your own folding chair(s).  This will be an informal service; children are welcome (and should they get antsy, there’s playground equipment nearby).  Feel free to bring your pets as well!  Finally, all are invited to bring a picnic supper (with some to share, of course) for after our service is complete.  The service will last approximately 1 hour.

 

High Holy Day Special Service

Tuesday September 14

            Visit to the Vallejo Cemetery w/Rabbi White                                    4:00PM

 

Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre

Friday September 17                                                                                       7:00PM

Yom Kippur

Saturday September 18

            Family Service                                                                                                 9:00-9:45AM

            General Worship Service                                                                     10:15AM

 

Music and Meditation                                                                          1:00PM

Another new service at Beth Sholom, during these High Holy Days, will be a service of Music and Meditation on Yom Kippur Day, at the outdoor area adjacent to the synagogue.  This will be a time of quiet contemplation to the beautiful music.  In addition to the meditations in our High Holiday Machzor, a small booklet of additional meditations will be provided.  Or, simply sit, enjoy the music, and consider your own thoughts and prayers.  Feel free to arrive at any time, during this meditative opportunity; please, however, enter the space quietly so as not to disturb the mood, quiet, and concentration of those already involved in personal introspection.

            Healing Service                                                                                   2:30 PM

Healing, shelymut in Hebrew, does not mean “curing.”  Rather, its Hebrew root is the same as for the word shalom; healing, in our Jewish tradition, is about a peaceful wholeness.  How appropriate, then, that once again Congregation Beth Sholom will join together for a Healing Service on Yom Kippur day.  Please join in supporting all who are in need of wholeness and health, as well as those who care for them.

 

            Afternoon Service                                                                               4:00PM

            Followed immediately by

Memorial/Yizkor Service

Concluding/Neilah Service and Havdallah

Beth Sholom’s Annual Community Break the Fast will be held at the conclusion of services at approximately 7:15 PM

Sukkah Building Party and BBQ

Sunday September 19                                                                                      10:00AM

Community Sukkot Celebration

Friday September 24                                                                                      

            Potluck Dinner                                                                                    5:30PM

            Shabbat Service with Gordon Lustig                                                   7:00pm

 

 

Religious School Sukkot Celebration

Sunday September 26                                                                                      9:30AM

Simchat Torah Service and Celebration

Thursday September 30

            Service for all ages, with Rabbi White                                                 6:30PM

            Joint with Congregation B’nai Israel, Vallejo

at CBI 1256 Nebraska St, Vallejo

Please Click Here For Ticket Information and Forms

Soul Sister's Book Club  

  The Next Meeting of the Soul Sisters Book Club is

on Monday September 13

at JoAnne Miller’s home. 

Time 6:30 for pot luck dinner; 7:00 discussion

Book: Four Meals, a novel 1994

by Meir Shalev and Barbara Harshav

 Click Here for 2010 - 2011 Soul Sisters Schedule

Wanted: Lay Service Leaders and Participants  
 

Dear Fellow Congregants:

As you might be aware, the Ritual Committee for the past six weeks has been using a combination of lay leaders and visiting Rabbis to conduct services. So far, the lay leaders have been Gordon Lustig, Richard Pastcan, and Max Schleicher.  If there are others out there who would feel comfortable serving in this role, please let of us know.  While conducting the service might not be your forte, I am personally of the opinion that each one of us has a story to tell. It might be how we came to Napa, what was our Jewish life before arriving here, what we do in the community, our passions; a recent interesting book we read or trip we took. The list is endless.  The purpose would be to share this during a time in the service so as to both promote a brief discussion and also allow us to get to know one another better.  This is one way I believe we can create a stronger community.  So, please do not feel timid and in the spirit of community building give me or one of the other Ritual Committee members a call or email and we will provide you a 10 to 15 minute slot during a Friday night service.

Todah,

Richard Pastcan, rpastcan@aol.com

For the Ritual Committee

Please Return Your Membership Forms  
 

CBS Membership Renewal
Please help us to keep our membership records up to date by returning your membership renewal forms and annual dues. Your cooperation will help make our preparation for the new fiscal year and the High Holy Days much easier.

Thank you.

 

Beginning Adult Hebrew Classes  

Adult Hebrew Lessons

Beginning Hebrew Class will meet Thursdays starting, August 26 from 6:30-7:20pm.  This hour will be dedicated to those of you who know no Hebrew or need a refresher course.  Our objective will be to learn to “decode” what now looks like hieroglyphics.

 

Intermediate Hebrew will meet Thursdays beginning August 26th from 7:30-8:30pm.  This will be a time to get together and become more proficient readers.  The agenda will be set by those in attendance.  We will work on the participants’ challenges.

 

Please call to register or if you have any questions.  We will be meeting at my home 3845 Yosemite St. (around the now famous kitchen table).  There is no fee, but we will be collecting Tzedakah for a Temple project.

Anne Percelay 255-1078

asp113@comcast.net

You Light Up My Life: Lightbulb Donation  


 
Yoga At CBS  
 

Yoga at CBS

 

EVERY Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM

 

Learn to experience the stillness of a yoga practice.

Awaken your body awareness.

 Improve your body strength, balance and flexibility.

All levels and abilities are welcome.

Bring a yoga mat and blanket.

Class limited to 16.

 

Carl Speizer, Certified Yoga Teacher, Physician, and CBS member

leads the class. Questions, call Carl at 707.363.0771.

Fee: $50 for 8 weeks or Drop In Donation

 

 

Helping Hands  
 

W

hom do I call if I need help from someone in the congregation for transportation, errands, meals, etc.?  You can call our Lotsa Helping Hands Coordinator, Deb Bloomberg, 707-294-2941.  Or you can go directly online to our Lotsa Helping Hands Website and post a need and email the helping hands members at:

http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/601714

 

Call our office for ALL details 253-7305
B'nai Mitzvah Corner  

Prayers and Blessings chanted by  Rabbi Postrel

(These recordings are in MP3 format.  Clicking on the link will play directly from the web.  Alternatively you can copy them to your computer by clicking with the right mouse button and selecting the "Save" option from the popup menu.  The latter is recommended if you will be playing them frequently or your internet connection is flakey.)

  Shma V'ahavta pg. 232-234
  Avot Imahot pp.244-246
  Torah Service pp.362-366,
  Torah Blessings pg. 368
  Haftarah Blessings pg. 372
  Returning The Torah to the Ark pg. 374 (Etz Chayim)
  Shabbat morning V'ahavta and Avot and Friday evening Kiddush.

  Numbers 8:1-19

URJ Israel Features and Resources  

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