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Monday, November 28
12pm Midrash Monday
1:15pm WOI Mah Jongg
7pm P'tach Libeynu
Tuesday, November 29
10am Neshamah Yoga
4pm JQuest
Wednesday, November 30
8:30am WOI Hike
4pm JQuest
6:45pm Noar Night
Thursday, December 1
8:30am Tefillah Thursday
10am Neshamah Yoga
12pm History of Yiddish
1:15pm TEXTorah Study
Friday, December 2
9:15am Ganeinu Jewish Playgroup
5:45pm Shabbatarama
An Evening of Dance
Saturday, December 3
8:45am Torah Study
10:30am Mussar and Meditation
10:30am Shabbat Service
B'nai Mitzvah: Noah and Ari Bloch
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Sunday, December 4
JQuest and Adult Education
12pm WOI YES Fund
3pm HaMakom Grief Support
3pm P'tach Libeynu
Monday, December 5
12pm Midrash Monday
7pm WOI Leadership Team Meeting
Tuesday, December 6
10am Neshamah Yoga
4pm JQuest
Wednesday, December 7
1pm JCL Tutor Training
4pm JQuest
6:45pm Noar Night
7pm Ravit Baer
Thursday, December 8
10am Neshamah Yoga
1pm Knitting and Handiwork
1:15pm TEXTorah Study
Friday, December 9
9:15am Ganeinu Jewish Playgroup
7pm Shabbat service followed by film screening and discussion with director
Saturday, December 10
9:15am Torah Study
9:30am Tot Shabbat
10:30am Shabbat Minyan
7:30pm Comedy Night
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| Cantor Ted Cotler Memorial Library |
To schedule an appointment please contact the front
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Angel Network
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Our caring community of volunteers
dedicated to offering comfort and support to members and their families in times of need. The Angel Network can assist with a range of tasks from meals and transportation to making visits and phone calls. When a need arises, tell us.
Contact: Clergy Assistant Nina at
ninaj@temple-isaiah.org or call (925) 283-8575.
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You are receiving this newsletter because you've subscribed to our "Shavua Tov-This Week @ Isaiah"
e-mail list.
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High Holy Day
Prayerbook Bookplates
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Show gratitude for someone in your life or pay tribute to a loved one's memory by honoring them on a bookplate in our High Holy Day prayer books. This is a once in a generation opportunity to make such a gift. Learn more about our
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Support Temple Isaiah
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Optional Credit Card Fees
You can help Temple Isaiah by agreeing to add 3% to any credit card transaction to offset our costs. This is an optional opportunity to support Your Jewish Neighborhood and not a requirement. Please tell your family and friends!
Shop With Us
Please support Temple Isaiah when searching and shopping online.
Matching Gifts
Consider asking your employer for corporate matching gift opportunities.
Special Gifts
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Connect with Your Jewish Neighborhood Online
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Subscribe to our "How Do You Jew? Video Series
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Volunteers Needed For Winter Nights Rotating Family Shelter
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From December 18 to January 2, please heed Isaiah's call to "share your bread with the hungry / and to take the poor into your home" as we transform our oneg area and social hall into a warm, caring and safe haven for 30 homeless "strangers" in families with children. We need over 400 volunteers to welcome them and help in so many ways: cook & serve meals, shop for gifts and supplies, read stories, lead arts & crafts & music & games, wash dishes, stay overnight, plan holiday parties, host excursions, and more. It's an amazing mitzvah of empathy and tikkun olam. Share your light at Winter Nights!
All volunteers must register in advance at
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This Week
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Midrash Monday with Rabbi LeVine 
Monday November 28
12pm in the Oneg Room
What does it mean to be in love with holy language? The Jewish genre of Midrash suggests that it means we commit to Torah through embracing profound play. If a word matters, we must interpret it, yet if it is holy, surely it contains more meaning than we could ever exhaust. And so we play with profound ideas, trusting that something of worth will be revealed to us. This year, I want to invite you to uncover the joy and meaning (and sometimes confusion) of reading one of the oldest collections of Midrash - Mekhilta. We will focus on how our spiritual ancestors of two millennia ago read the Song at the Sea (Exodus 15), the Torah's poetic ode to freedom from Egypt. In the process we will learn ways of relating to the text, to the world around us, and to each other. No registration required. Drop-ins welcome.
Neshamah Yoga 
Tuesday, November 29
Thursday, December 1
10am in the Adult Lounge
Whether you are new to yoga or have been practicing for years, and regardless of age or abilities, Neshamah yoga will help you tone and relax your body, calm your mind, and nurture your Jewish soul. This ongoing class is inspired by the weekly Torah portions, Jewish Holidays, and other inspiring teachings of our tradition. Bring: Yoga mat, 2 yoga blocks, yoga strap (a few extras will be available). Adults only, drop-ins welcome. $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers.
Tefillah Thursdays with Rabbi Greninger
Thursday, December 1
at 8:30am in the Sanctuary
Refresh your soul every Thursday morning with a healthy dose of prayer! Join Rabbi Greninger at 8:30am in the Sanctuary on Thursdays for a short, meaningful prayer service. The service will conclude by 9:00am, and it will be followed by a 30-minute study session related to Jewish prayer and liturgy. We will dive into the meaning, history, and structure of Jewish prayer, helping to enrich the prayer experience. Feel free to attend the service at 8:30, the study session at 9:00, or both. Open to all, whether you are new to Jewish prayer or have been praying regularly for years. Questions? Contact
Rabbi Greninger.
History of Yiddish with Ken Blady
Thursday, December 1 at 12pm in the Adult Lounge
More details coming soon.
Sponsored by Women of Isaiah
Shabbatarama: An Evening of Dance
Friday, December 2
5:45pm Dinner in the Social Hall
6:30pm Service followed by Oneg
Come as you are for an evening of dance! With dance woven throughout the night, you'll also get to be part of an interactive service with lively singing along with dinner, dessert, gaga, and more! Dinner Cost: $10 per person or $35 per family (up to 5). Cost increases to $40 per family at the door if you don't RSVP, so we can guarantee enough food for all.
Click here to login to your Temple account and sign-up.
Mussar and Meditation Service 
Saturday, December 3 at 10:30am
in the Beit Knesset
Mussar is the Jewish path to character development - a Mensch curriculum . Mussar teaches us to take the measure of our soul traits like compassion, greed, courage, humility, anger, and generosity and then determine in which direction to turn in our actions so as to live up to our own high ethical standards. Kaddish will be recited at the end of the service for those in mourning and those remembering loved ones' yahrtzeits.
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Looking Ahead
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WOI Kugel Lunch in support of the YES Fund
Sunday, December 4 at 12pm in the Social Hall 
From establishing Reform institutions and training clergy, to supporting youth around the world, the YES Fund has helped strengthen and grow Reform Judaism for 100 years. Special student guest speakers Elle Gennis and Rachel Kravitz will share their insights about NFTY programs. Cost: $5 cash or check at the door.
The Israel and World Jewry Committee Presents
Ravit Baer, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate  General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest
"On Water, Human Trafficking and Israel's Approach To These Problems"
Wednesday, December 7
at 7pm in the Adult Lounge
Presentation followed by discussion. Light refreshments will be served. Free of charge and open to the public.
Click here to RSVP.
Special Shabbat service screening
"A Third Way"
with discussion led by director Harvey Stein
Friday, December 9 at 7pm in the Sanctuary
A Third Way: Settlers and Palestinians as Neighbors 
After the Shabbat service on Friday, December 9 at 7pm in the Sanctuary, we will screen the documentary film A Third Way: Settlers and Palestinians as Neighbors followed by discussion with director Harvey Stein. This is the only feature film on the unique "settler rabbi for peace," Rabbi Menachem Froman. It also focuses on both West Bank settlers and Palestinians who are inspired by his work (including the activist Ali Abu Awwad), continuing courageous activism in the West Bank. We hope you will join us and join the conversation. More details about the film at jerusalemny.com/athirdway
Tot Shabbat Morning 
Saturday, December 10 at 10:30am
in the Adult Lounge
Geared toward families with children up to 5 years old, Tot Shabbat is an interactive and friendly Shabbat experience. Enjoy food, activities and prayer with other young families. All are welcome. RSVP for FREE bagel brunch
www.temple-isaiah.org/totshabbat
Kulanu and WOI Chanukah Party
Sunday, December 11 at 11am
in the Social Hall
Food, fun and fond memories! Kulanu and Women of Isaiah invite families with young children to join us for a Chanukah party. JQuest families, please attend after your scheduled class. Preschool and non-JQuest families are welcome any time. Cost is $5 per person. Please bring a new or gently used book to donate to the Jewish Coalition for Literacy.
Click here to login to your Temple account to RSVP so we have enough food.
Neighbor to Neighbor Meeting for TI Members
Healing Wounds, Building Trust, Making Change
Monday, December 12 at 7pm in the Oneg Room
We cannot know what changes will come when our new U.S. President takes office, but we do know how crucial it will be to build strong ties across religious boundaries, getting to know Muslims and Christians in our neighborhoods and helping them get to know us. Jewish tradition urges us to transform a culture of "Us and Them" to a unified Us, we Americans whose faiths call us to cast out fear, bring hope to those in need, work for justice and treat one another with patience, respect and empathy. We encourage all TI members to participate. Together, we can truly make a difference. All are welcome! Questions? Contact
rabbishanks@gmail.com
Islam 101 for Non-Muslims
Saturday, December 17 at 12pm
San Ramon Valley Islamic Center
2232 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583 (Map)
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our Muslim neighbors in our community. This is a one time class that should last 1/1/2 to 2 hours. Please join us!
Limit of 85 participants. Please RSVP by December 10 with
lmdownes@comcast.net
For more information and other class opportunities click here.
Chanukah Flash Mob! All are welcome.
Sunday, December 18 at 11am
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Choreographed for Temple Isaiah by FUNKMODE.
Click here to learn the moves and encourage your family and friends to participate! Rehearsals at JQuest on Sundays and Saturday, December 17 at 12:30pm at
FUNKMODE in Concord. Don't want to dance? Please come and show support for Your Jewish Neighborhood. We hope to see you there!
Sports Talk and Beer Tasting
Wednesday, December 21 at 6:30pm in the Adult Lounge
Anshei Isaiah presents an evening with sports radio talk show host Damon Bruce and beer tasting with Calicraft Brewing in Walnut Creek. Fresh from his afternoon show on 95.7 The Game, Damon Bruce will share his experiences and anecdotes of the on-field, off-field, and business issues in the sports world today. A Calicraft expert will be on hand to guide our exploration and answer questions. Please join us Wednesday night, December 21 from 6:30-9pm in the Adult Lounge. $5 for Anshei members. $10 for non-members.
RSVP at
www.temple-isaiah.org/ansheievents
MuShu and a Movie
Saturday, December 24
Sponsored by Anshei Isaiah. More details coming soon.
Shabbat Chanukah Celebration 
Friday, December 30 with 6pm Oneg 6:30pm Service
Join us for a special Shabbat service with Chanukah celebration, and sing along. Remember to bring your chanukiyah to light!
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Comedy Night - Don't miss out! Get your tickets today!
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"You're Funny, But You Don't Look Jewish"
Saturday, December 10 in the Social Hall.
Doors open 7pm. Show 7:30pm
Part of Under One Tent: Contra Costa's
Jewish Book and Arts Festival
Indian, Italian American, African American and Vietnamese Jewish comedians-Samson Koletkar, Mike Capozzola, Gina Gold, and Joseph Nguyen-share their own experiences about being 'undercover' members of the tribe! This comedy show is a funny look at identity, diversity and, in the end, commonality. The show has played to packed houses throughout America and Canada.
Cost: $36/person with holiday themed raffle prizes and more.
Babysitting option available for Temple members.
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Your Jewish Neighborhood
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Temple Isaiah is more than a synagogue - it's a Jewish Neighborhood! Experience the joy of our caring community.
Be a member mensch
Want to help make Your Jewish Neighborhood even better? Be a member mensch! Invite your non-member family and friends to your next service or event so they too can experience all that Temple Isaiah has to offer. Mention your love for Temple Isaiah when you're out in the community. Have a prospective member lead? Please introduce them to our new membership coordinator
Jeni Markowitz Clancy and take pride in helping to connect others with our caring community.
Havurot
Want to help make Your Jewish Neighborhood feel a little cozier?
Consider joining a Havurah.
Click here
for details.
Already in a Havurah? Please complete our Havurah survey
here
and contact coordinator
Jeni Markowitz Clancy
with any questions, ideas, milestones, and photos. We'd love to hear from you!
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Jewish Community
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Jewish Learning Works INCLUDE is partnering with the Contemporary Jewish Museum
Family Access Day for families of children with disabilities or other health-care needs
Sunday, December 11 from 10-11:30am
FREE with advance registration at (415) 920-5040. Click here for more details
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Need Clergy? Please call for immediate assistance
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If you need to reach a member of our clergy team immediately, for a hospital visit, to report a death, for crisis counseling, or to change a same-day appointment, please call the Temple office at
(925) 283-8575. We have a wonderful Clergy Assistant, Nina Jones, and support staff who will all make sure your message gets to the right person in a timely fashion.
Thank you,
Your Clergy Team
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Our Mission
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Temple Isaiah's mission is to embody, enhance and perpetuate our Jewish tradition by providing a welcoming spiritual home where the membership gathers to worship God, study Torah, engage in acts of Tikkun Olam, participate in Jewish rituals and life cycle events, and experience the joy of being part of a caring community.
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