The Center of Jewish Life in the Napa Valley

April 2026 Newsletter

As Passover begins and spring settles in, April is a good time to reconnect—with tradition and with each other. Read on for all that’s happening with your community at Congregation Beth Shalom. Have questions? Contact us anytime.

From Our Leadership

A Note from Rabbi Niles

Dear Friends,

 

B’shalom, Niles

Rabbi Niles Goldstein

Message from the President

Placeholder for first paragraph

 

 

Board President Eve Kahn

Dialogue with the Director

 shenanigans. 

 

Executive Director Marah Peresechensky

Looking Back

March Family Shabbat
Book signing with Diane Bloomfield. Photo by Janna Waldinger
Torah Yoga. Photo by Janna Waldinger
Torah Yoga with Diane Bloomfield. Photo by Janna Waldinger
Purim celebration. Photo by Janna Waldinger
Purim celebration. Photo by Janna Waldinger

Upcoming Events

Here’s what’s happening this month; visit our full calendar to see everything on the horizon.

April 2026

Passover Second Night Community Seder

Passover Second Night Community Seder

Thursday, April 2, 2026    
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Join with the Congregation Beth Shalom community for a second night Passover Seder, led by Rabbi Niles Goldstein and Gordon Lustig. Registration required by March 27.
Shabbat evening service

Shabbat evening service

Friday, April 3, 2026    
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us as we welcome Shabbat together on Friday evening, creating a sacred pause in our busy lives. Come as you are – all are embraced in our inclusive community. Service is about an hour, immediately followed by our Oneg reception of food, wine, and friendship.
Shabbat evening service

Shabbat evening service

Friday, April 10, 2026    
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us as we welcome Shabbat together on Friday evening, creating a sacred pause in our busy lives. Come as you are – all are embraced in our inclusive community. Service is about an hour, immediately followed by our Oneg reception of food, wine, and friendship.
Shabbat evening service

Shabbat evening service

Friday, April 17, 2026    
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us as we welcome Shabbat together on Friday evening, creating a sacred pause in our busy lives. Come as you are – all are embraced in our inclusive community. Service is about an hour, immediately followed by our Oneg reception of food, wine, and friendship.
Staying Safe: An FBI Briefing on Elder Fraud & Modern Scams

Staying Safe: An FBI Briefing on Elder Fraud & Modern Scams

Monday, April 20, 2026    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Join us for an informative presentation with FBI Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Michael Roldan, who will discuss the growing threat of fraud targeting older adults and the many scams affecting communities today.
Shabbat evening service

Shabbat evening service

Friday, April 24, 2026    
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us as we welcome Shabbat together on Friday evening, creating a sacred pause in our busy lives. Led By: Rabbi Goldstein & Gordon Lustig. Oneg: The Krausz family in honor of Ada's baby naming.

Marking Life’s Moments

Birthdays

1    David Safer
2   Susan Segal-Wood
3   Schecky Miluso
4   Howard Eisenstark
4   Micah Eisenberg
6   Eyal Kaduri
12  Aaron Starr
14  Eli Ladrigan
14  Hadass Ladrigan
14  Eve Kahn
15  Scott Stearn
16  Janna Waldinger
18  Marlo Cohen
19  Efraim Lubliner
20  Charlotte Smith
20  Maya Barush
20  Alan Bergman
21   Debbie Alter-Starr
22  Helena Cohen
22  Jonas Kaufman
25  Talia Orr
25  Julia Fox
25  Michelle Frisch
26  Tabitha Valenti-Bird
27  Oliver Shahabi
28  Kevin Brackett
28  Joel Samrick
31   Brett Bergman
31   Ernie Weir

Anniversaries

1  Leona & Carl Rice Pastcan
1  Guy & Genie Levin
9  Marc & Sylvia Samrick 
20 Liz & Steve Amendola
21  Shane & Heidi Soldinger
27  Farrah & Ralph Garber 
27 Lara Shumer & Schecky Miluso 

Yahrzeits

We remember and honor loved ones on the anniversary of their passing on these days this month. Make a donation in honor of a loved one.

1 Sara Kohan, Ahuva ben David
2 Samuel Rome
2 Annie Leaken
3 Samuel Lazarus
3 Leon Sukoff
3 Vincent Amendola
3 Michelle Wolf
3 Adele Metzel
4 Dorothy Rosin Neustadt
4 Ella Trucker
4 Lottie Kallman
4 Evelyn Gilbert
4 Connie Unger
5 Karola Bien
5 Florence Gennet
5 Jerome Mautner
5 Lucille Posner
6 James Brady
6 Mardelle Reece Rome
7 Jeanie Goodwin
7 Ruth Sandra Wolsztejn 
7 George Gordon
8 William Rosenblatt
8 Peter Gordon
8 Rozaline Kaufman Johnson
8 Jackie Suri Yenthal Hecht
8 Ilene Herman 
9 Martha Turner
9 Lois Levin
10 Evette Abittan
10 Eudice Kozakin Fingold
11 Felix Peresechensky
12 Louis Lambert
12 Herbert Shapiro
12 Cindie Bratman Matz
13 Bunny Goldstein
13 Frances Katz
14 Bertha G. Muscatine
15 Bernard Greendorfer
15 A.C. Greenhouse
15 Elliot Lewis Schachter
15 Harry Abramovitz
16 Harold Margolis
16 Susane Kramer Weir
17 Terry Swartz
17 William Katz
3/17 Elaine Schulman
18 Dr. Alvin V. Pensler
18 Florence Pastcan
18 Sidney Dover
18 Bruce McChesney
19 Joseph Wood
20 Ruth Feld Green
20 Loren Bisberg
20 Benjamin Blatteis
20 Dr. I Harold Chevlen
21 Jacob Sherman
22 Fred Herman 
22 Alan Steen
24 Raye Shapiro
24 Esther Hadassah Frisch
26 Fany Pierce
27 Jack Barush
29 Vetta Ginsburg
29 Leonie Jacobs
29 Louise Packard
30 Berthe Karfiol
30 David Iventosch
31 Milton Thornton
31 Carole Kamer
31 Nathan Wieder
31 Louis Abrams
31 Barbara Kerbis

Recent Donations

תודה רבה We thank these generous donors:

General Fund:

  • In memory of Audrey Lieberstein – Barbara Lustig, Anne & Debbie Percelay, Sabina Stoltz & The Soul Sisters

  • In memory of a dear friend and avid MahJongg player, Audrey Lieberstein. – Patricia Hise

  • In memory of my beautiful and vivacious mother, Ruth Green, with much love. – Ellyn Elson

  • In memory of Joseph Wood – Susan Segal-Wood

  • In memory of my brother Peter Gordon – Judy Nystrom

  • In memory Of Lee’s mother, Ella Trucker – Henni Cohen & Lee Trucker

  • In memory of father and grandfather, Jacob Sherman – Anne & Debbie Percelay

  • In memory of Harold Chevlen – Michael & Lauren Chevlen

  • In honor of Eve’s 80th Birthday – Lola & David Safer

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund:

Youth Program Fund:

  • In honor of Marah’s hard work – Maxine Miluso
  • Purim Carnival – Ellyn Elson, Howar Eisenstark & Teresa Barnes, David & Sheila Amar, Sheri Kohos, Linda & Larry Miller, Donna & John Bonick, Carla DalPorto, Maxine Miluso, Roberta & Robert Solomon, Carla Dal Porto

  • In loving memory of our B’not Mitzvah sister, Audrey Lieberstein. May her memory be for a blessing. – Roy & Sue Barush

  • In memory of Ba Jack, a loving and caring Dad and Grandfather – Roy & Sue Barush

Lifelong Learning Fund:

  • In memory of Audrey Lieberstein’s life well-lived. Love, Martha and Richard Pastcan.

Music Fund:

  • In honor of the anniversary of Leona and Carl Rice. – JoAnne Miller

  • In honor of Rabbi Niles – David & Jacqueline Blinderman

Refugee Resettlement Fund: 

  • In memory of Maggie Sherman – Hennie Cohen and Lee Trucker

  • In memory of Audrey Lieberstein – Jan & Tom Sabo

Pool Fund:

  • In honor of Eve Kahn’s Birthday – Martha & Richard Pastcan

Youth Corner

April 2026

Youth group

Youth group

Wednesday, April 8, 2026    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Our Youth Group ("G'Dilah", meaning growth in Hebrew) is for young people entering grades 6 through 12, combining social connections with deeper Jewish learning. Click More Info button below to learn more and register.
Shorashim for little ones

Shorashim for little ones

Sunday, April 19, 2026    
9:30 am - 10:15 am
Shorashim (“roots” in Hebrew) is our grown-up-and-me program for ages 0 through 2. Little ones and their parents enjoy lively music & movement with fun Jewish themes.

Religious School this month:

• Sunday April 12, 9:30am
• Sunday April 19, 9:30am
• Sunday April 26, 9:30am

Questions about Religious School? Contact Education Director Marah Peresechensky.

Kehila Corner

קהילה Kehilah means community

An $18 donation to Congregation Beth Shalom includes placement in our newsletter from the time your submission is received through the conclusion of your event. Contact us to learn more or submit your content. Submissions must be received by the 15th of each month to be included in the following month’s newsletter. Congregation Beth Shalom reserves the right to decline any submission.

Meredith’s Mobile Notary

Need a notary? Meredith’s Mobile Notary is here to help.
Contact Meredith Cutler at 215-285-0865
Special discounts for Beth Shalom members.

Efi’s Movie Pick

Um Lobo Entre Os Cisnes (A Wolf Among Swans)
Saturday, March 21
Two showtimes: 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Jarvis Conservatory (1711 Main St, Napa)

A true story. Thiago Soares is a young man from the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro who leaves hip hop behind and embarks on the world of classical ballet. His story takes on unexpected turns through his troubled relationship with his mentor, the Cuban Dino Carrera, who improves Thiago’s talent until he reaches stardom by becoming the principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in London.

View the trailer

Buy tickets

About & Contact

Beth Shalom Board of Trustees

President: Eve Kahn
Treasurer: Scott Brown
Secretary: Lara Shumer
Past President: Roberta Solomon

Board members at large:
Mark Charney
Michael Chevlen
Cynthia Cohen
Allison Frost
Amy Hall
Guy Levin
Suzie Myers
Naomi Petrick
Robin Stearn

Contact Us

Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or just to have a cup of coffee and a chat. Our doors are always open to you.

Rabbi
Niles Goldstein

Executive Director
Marah Peresechensky

Music Director
Gordon Lustig