Kol Kehilla
June 2019
The Newsletter of Kehilla Community Synagogue
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the June issue
of
Kol Kehilla
, our monthly newsletter.
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From left to right: Alicia Garza, Tonda Case, Hillary Brooks, and Rabbi Dev Noily in conversation during our event Many Stories, Shared Liberation: an Evening with Alicia Garza, held to a packed house on May 11th, 2019
Videos from the event will be posted on the Kehilla website and Facebook page in June,
and included in the July Kol Kehilla
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Kehilla's Annual Retreat: July 12-14 at Bort Meadow
A unique opportunity
to get away from the hustle of our busy lives
and spend some time in community
in connection with nature.
We hope you can join!
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Have you fulfilled your
Avodah commitment for the current membership year?
We have only 1 month left,
and so many great opportunities!
Or call Maya at 510.547.2424 x 106
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by Michael Saxe-Taller, Executive Director
Summer is almost here, which means it is membership renewal time at Kehilla. On July 1st, the primary contact in your household will receive an email with information on how to renew your Kehilla membership. We continue to invest energy into making clear and user-friendly forms and hope that the renewal process will be smooth...
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Good News from the Immigration Committee
by Catherine Lyons and Julie Litwin
It seems hard to imagine – considering the news we read and hear about the immigration situation – that there can be good news. Those who have had the privilege of housing or accompanying a refugee or an immigrant have had the opportunity to experience some moments of success and joy with those individuals. Recently we have had a series of wins, which we are happy to share with our community.
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Noheli with team members after being granted asylum!
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Leaving a Legacy at Kehilla
by Michael Saxe-Taller, Executive
Director
During the past year, Kehilla lost two beloved members, Irene McPhail and Carolyn Pedrotti. Each contributed to Kehilla in numerous ways during the many years that they were Kehilla members. After their deaths, they each gave a final gift, one that will help sustain Kehilla for years into the future.
Irene and Carolyn were members of the Kehilla Legacy Society...
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The Jewish Roots of Kehilla’s Values: Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Part V
by Rabbi Burt Jacobson
In 2005 I conducted an interview with Reb Zalman about his relationship with the Ba’al Shem Tov. The discussion, which I transcribed, was quite long and I have excerpted parts of it for this article.
I began by asking Reb Zalman what influence the Ba’al Shem Tov had had on his life. His answer surprised me: “If you were to remove every trace of the Ba’al Shem from my makeup, there would scarce be anything left of me!”
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We Created Holy Ground: Photo Gallery
On March 17, 2019 a group of Kehilla congregants, family, and friends practiced an established ritual that for many Jews does not occur in their lifetime. We consecrated a Jewish burial site. This momentous event occurred at Plot 70 in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, CA. where 45 graves have been purchased by members and two by Kehilla. We circled our perimeter seven times, praying and pausing, chanting and reciting, offering tzedakah, and confirming our intent to make sacred this space where we will bury our dead.
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Get to know more of Kehilla’s Board of Trustees
The Board’s Kol Kehilla article in April featured profiles of several Board members and what they’ve appreciated about serving Kehilla as members of the Board of Trustees. To add to that profile, here’s two more Board profiles and a note of farewell for three members:
Barbara Petterson
started attending High Holy Days services at Kehilla...
Karen Cohn
is now starting her 4th year on the Board, and 3rd year as Co-Chair...
We’re also announcing a big transition for the Board starting in July, with new Board seats to be filled. We will greatly miss the contributions of these three stellar members as they step off the Board:
Marjorie Cox
carried substantial responsibilities for the Board Development...
Natalie Roden
has been a voice reminding us of Kehilla’s roots and values...
Marcie Rubel
has worked behind the scenes on Board development and community...
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3 Generation Chavurah Inaugural Gathering
The 3 Generation Chavurah had its inaugural gathering in April at Kehilla Synagogue. Three babies showed up eager to play with anyone who was willing to feed them or play pass-the-ball. They were accompanied by parents who were happy to see their children being adored by others and meet new folks. There were several “Graunties” (as some of the elder’s casually named themselves) who were happy to have some play time with crawling, ball throwing, toy sharing. We introduced ourselves, shared a lovely potluck brunch, and got three-generational juice flowing.
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The Youth Spirit Artworks Tiny House Tour at Kehilla
On Thursday, May 23rd, Youth Spirit Artworks (YSA) brought their Tiny House prototype to Kehilla. Kehilla is one of many congregations that will help build the Tiny House Village in Oakland, and Kehilla members Nikee Borden, Sam Gast, and Nelson Max helped build this prototype and are now trained build leaders.
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Invitation to Artists: Kehilla High Holy Days Art Show
Kehilla’s Art Gallery Committee is starting to plan our annual exhibit open to all members of the congregation. We invite you to share your creativity with the community as you begin reflecting on your feelings, thoughts and hopes for the coming year. Get those artistic juices flowing and create a new piece for this show or bring an old favorite. We are seeking two-dimensional art, ready to hang. The only other limit is your imagination!
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SERVICES, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The following Shabbat morning services will include the following young people becoming B’nei Mitzvah:
June 1-
Sascha Amendola
June 15 -
Rafa Davis
June 22-
Noa Leifer
June 29-
Amieh Brooks
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Tot Shabbat
Saturday, June 1, 10:30-11:15am
Join us for Tot Shabbat with Jen Miriam and Alon Altman with their Puppet Friends. Geared towards babies and children up to age 5 with their grownups! Join us for songs, prayers, friends, puppets, and stories and end with challah and grape juice. Bring a snack to share if you’d like.
Learn more here.
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Norah Needs You
Norah is an expert joke-teller, modern-dancer, ice cream-licker, and loving big sister. She's been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Fanconi Anemia (FA), and will need a bone marrow transplant - none of Norah's family members are a match for her. Joining the registry is simple and could save Norah’s life.
Join the registry!
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Feminism All Night w/Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, June 7, 6:30 pm - June 8, 4:00 am
Feminism All Night is a communal immersive all night long learning experiment to center feminism. It is a call to the community to engage together in feminism: the political, social, economical movement coming to fully challenge and resist patriarchy while dreaming up and manifesting a visionary new way of existence.
A public gathering to delve deep into feminist learning. Come join to expand your awareness, connect with community, and shift the political tides towards justice.
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Annual Tikkun Leyl Shavuot
Sunset June 8 (6pm) – Sunrise June 9(7am)
Join us for an evening of learning, inspiration and unique perspectives during the ancient kabbalist tradition of Shavuot. Come for an hour or stay the whole night as educators and scholars from the Bay Area Jewish community guide us on a spiritual journey. All are welcome!
One meal will be provided in the evening. We encourage participants to bring their own Kosher food for themselves if they would like to eat throughout the evening.
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Shabbat Morning Service with Rabbis Burt Jacobson and Diane Elliot
Saturday, June 8, 10:15am-12:15pm
Join us for
Shabbat Morning Service
with special guests Rabbi Burt Jacobson and Rabbi Diane Elliot. Followed by a kiddush luncheon in the Social Hall, sponsored by Rabbis Burt and Diane in honor of R. Diane’s 70th birthday and their 11th wedding anniversary.
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June 10:
Kehilla Administrative Office Closed for Shavuot
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May Book Discussion Group:
Monday, June 10 , 7-9pm
Waking Lions
by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
All Kehilla members are welcome to join us for our customary meetings on the second Monday of the month at 7pm. See our selections for our upcoming 2018-19 meetings
here
.
For more information about the Book Group, contact Terry at mcglynnmandel@gmail.com.
Learn more here.
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Morning Meditation Sit
Wednesdays at 7:50am
With Rabbi Dev. In the Fireside Room (Enter through the Patio entrance on Fairview). Doors open at 7:50 a.m., short teaching at 7:55 a.m., silent sit from 8:00 – 8:30, mourner’s kaddish and announcements at 8:30.
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Liturgically Traditional, Radically Inclusive Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, June 14, 6-7:30pm
A more traditional davenning style of Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv, the Shabbat evening service: songful and in Hebrew, following the full liturgy. Please bring veggie finger food to share. Cosponsored by Kehilla and Glitter Kehilla.
Learn more here.
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Tikkun Ha-Nefesh (Repair of the Soul) Healing Racism, Unpacking White Privilege – Affinity Group
Sunday, June 16, 10am-12pm
This group is part of the community’s larger project of addressing racism and de-centering whiteness within and beyond our congregation. It is an outgrowth of Kehilla’s affinity group for those who identify as white or as benefitting from white privilege. This will be a safe space in which to engage in the emotional and spiritual journey of healing and repairing the soul around these critical issues. You do not have to participate in the larger affinity group in order to attend these sessions, and you are welcome to come to as many or as few sessions as will facilitate your healing journey.
Learn more here.
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It’s not too late to view the the art and photography of Lynn Lazarus and Glenn Shor!
Their beautiful and engaging work is on exhibit now in the Fireside Room. The show will be up through August!
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Teens and Adults, let’s do this, one aliyah at a time 🙂 Join us for Shabbat morning services and share your skills and love of leynen with our community. If you’re interested but have never chanted torah before, or if it’s been a long time and you expect to need significant support, please contact Hazzan Shulamit first–
shulamit@kehillasynagogue.org
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If you are experiencing abuse in an intimate relationship,
please be in touch with one of our clergy members (Rabbi Dev, Hazzan Shulamit, Rabbi Gray, Rabbi David or Rabbi Burt), or with one of these organizations:
or (510) 845-SAFE
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Donate Supplies to Help
People Experiencing Homelessness
Please help Tayla Husbands-Hankin support our homeless population by donating tents, blankets, tarps & socks! A large box is located by the sanctuary door at Kehilla.
Please fill it with listed items only.
Talya will pick up the items periodically and deliver them to people who need them.Questions? Contact Jeanne Finberg, jeanne.finberg@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Thank You for Your Generosity
So many of you give to Kehilla - you give money, you give time, you give love and community in a wide variety of ways.
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