Kol Kehilla
November 2019
The Newsletter of Kehilla Community Synagogue
|
|
 |
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the November issue
of
Kol Kehilla
, our monthly newsletter.
|
|
|
|
A Time of Hope
by Rabbi Burt Jacobson
Throughout the history of Jewish thought human beings have been deemed the very pinnacle of creation. The first chapter of the book of Genesis declares that the first human was fashioned in the very image of God. The Talmudic rabbis believed that people were co-partners—collaborators with God in the work of the creation. This might be interpreted to mean that the innate creativity of human beings contributes to the ongoing advancement of the universe. The medieval kabbalists went even further, teaching that tikkun olam, the restoration of our broken world, depends fully on human intent and action.
|
|
Executively Speaking: A Year of Inspiration
by Michael Saxe-Taller, Executive Director
The following is excerpted from a talk given on Erev Rosh Hashanah
I consider it an honor to have the opportunity to offer my viewpoint on our unique and powerful community as we welcome the new year. A little more than a week ago, many of us participated in the Youth Climate Strike, the largest youth-led mass demonstration in history. I was moved to tears as I marched with ten’s of thousands of young people and their allies...
|
|
Dedication of Space
by Julie Litwin
On October 19, 2019 Kehilla held a dedication ceremony for our new sanctuary living space and bathroom, which will be used for immigrants seeking sanctuary or for temporary shelter for immigrant families who we are part of our accompaniment program.
These are the remarks made by Julie Litwin at the event.
|
|
Kehilla’s EJC Wants to See Medi-Cal Benefits Returned to Everyone Eligible Upon Release from Santa Rita County Jail
by Richard Speiglman
Members of Kehilla’s Economic Justice Committee (EJC) collected 200 signatures from congregants and friends entering Rosh Hashanah services this year. Why? The EJC has worked with colleagues on the Live Free Committee of Faith In Action – East Bay (formerly OCO) on criminal justice issues for the last few years. EJC members are both particularly aware of problems with our county’s jail and feel a responsibility to do the best organizing job we can to both minimize the inhumanity of incarceration and reduce its use.
|
|
by Laura Finkler
The Economic Justice Committee (EJC) showed “What Happened to Dujuan Armstrong?” a film by Lucas Guilkey, at one of the Yom Kippur afternoon workshops. The film covers the tragic death of a Santa Rita inmate, the father of two young children, in June of 2018, at the hands of Sheriff Ahern’s deputies, and what has been essentially a coverup of the details of his murder. Mr. Armstrong’s family was not told about his death until late the next day, his mother, Barbara Doss, was not asked to identify him, and the family was not given his possessions until months afterwards. They still have not been shown the videos taken at the time of his death.
|
|
That feeling when we walk up the steps of the Scottish Rite Center or to Kehilla at the High Holidays – being greeted on the steps, inside the doors, at the entrance of the sanctuary…. Being handed a prayer book by someone who smiles at you and says l’shana tova…. That sense of being welcomed into your community.
And that feeling when you are the greeter smiling and welcoming your fellow congregants, having a brief exchange and a moment of connection with someone you have never met before...
|
|
SERVICES, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
|
Join us as at Shabbat morning services as some incredible humans become B’nei Mitzvah! Some of us may feel a little hesitant about coming to a Shabbat service when a young person we do not know personally is becoming B’nei Mitzvah. Please be assured that having Kehilla community members present brings immense joy and liveliness to the service, which is greatly appreciated by the family and their young person. The following Shabbat morning services will include the following young people becoming B’nei Mitzvah:
|
|
Liturgically Traditional, Radically Inclusive Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, November 8, 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.
|
|
|
Annual Harvest Dinner
Saturday, November 9, 6:30-9pm
Kehilla is a partner in an interfaith alliance with the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California and Montclair Presbyterian Church known as the “Faith Trio". Please join us at this upcoming event bringing together Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Learn more here.
|
|
Tot Shabbat
Please note that Tot Shabbat on Nov 2 has been CANCELLED
Saturdays, November 16 , 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
|
|
Reception with the Artists for the High Holy Days Art Show
Sunday, November 10, 3:00-5:00pm
Kehilla's Art Committee is pleased to invite the whole community to a reception for the 20 talented member artists represented in our annual High Holy Days Art Show. The show has been on exhibit since September and will run through December. This year's exhibit, with its wide variety of art media, is creative, beautiful and thought-provoking. Please join us for a leisurely look at the art and a chance to chat with the artists. Light refreshments will be provided. We'll see you there!
Click here to learn more.
|
|
Book Discussion Group:
Monday, November 11, 7-9pm
November's book:
Spies of No Country
by Matti Friedman
All Kehilla members are welcome to join us for our customary meetings on the second Monday of the month at 7pm.
Learn more here.
For more information about the Book Group, contact Terry at mcglynnmandel@gmail.com.
|
|
|
Kehilla Sings!
Upcoming dates:
A monthly gathering with Hazzan Shulamit to circle round and sing together!
Special focus on High Holy Day preparation in August and September.
We’ll nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits with nigunuim (wordless melodies), new tunes for ancient prayers, and songs to take out into the streets. Join us for a delicious time of tuning into our souls and to one another. Everyone’s welcome! Donations accepted at the door $5-15 (for gatherings at Kehilla).
|
|
Surfing Safely on the Web
Wednesday, November 13, 12:30-2pm
Join us for an exciting FREE class on the basics of staying safer on the internet. Learn how to identify fake websites, avoid dangerous links and recognize scams. Taught by Susan Schulman & Dale Davis.
Learn more here.
|
|
|
Tikkun Ha-Nefesh (Repair of the Soul) Healing Racism, Unpacking White Privilege – Affinity Group
Sundays, November 17, 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.
|
|
Essentials of Judaism
Tuesdays starting November 19, 7-9pm
Join Rabbi Dev for a deep dive into some of the juiciest parts of Jewish practice and life. This monthly class is required for Conversion and Adult B’nei Mitzvah Students and is open to all.
Learn more here.
|
|
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.
|
|
Folks with White Privilege (FWWP) Affinity Group
Wednesday, November 20, 7-9pm
Whether or not you’ve attended before, we’d love you to join us! To get on the mailing list, email Susan Schulman,
susanschulman60@gmail.com
. If possible, please read the suggested homework (see link) before you come (but not required).
|
|
The SLPC invites you to explore the options of forming new chavurot.
Friday, November 22, 6:30 pm
Chavurah
is a Hebrew word that means a gathering of friends for a common purpose
Would you like to take a step further into our Kehilla community?
Do you want to share/learn/teach some Shabbat songs, stories, and traditions?
Do you want to know Kehilla members who live near you, or have kids the same age as yours, or who also want to have a more regular Shabbat practice?
Come to Kehilla for a fabulous Shabbat Potluck dinner!
To register and for questions or concerns please contact us at
chavs@kehillasynagogue.org
|
|
Glitter Kehilla Trans Day of Rememberance Havdallah
Saturday, November 23, 6-8pm
Join us for havdallah in our annual observance honoring the resilience of the trans community and remembering lives lost to anti-trans violence. Bring veggie/dairy/fish food to share following the ritual. We will be collecting tzedakah for the trans community.
|
|
November 28-29: Kehilla Administrative Offices Closed for Thanksgiving
|
|
Workshop ‘Wounds into Wisdom: Ancestral Healing & Social Action’
Saturday, December 7, 2-6pm in the Fireside Room
With Rabbi Tirzah Firestone.
How can healing our families' traumas transform our organizing, movement building, and lives, in these turbulent times?
This experiential workshop draws from neuroscience, Jungian psychology, and Jewish wisdom, and it includes meditation, storytelling, and discussion -- it is for activists,
Note that Rabbi Tirzah will be offering a teaching at Erev Shabbat at Kehilla on December 6. She will also offer a similar workshop to the one above on Sunday, December 8, 10am-6pm at Chochmat Ha'Lev in Berkeley, as well as other Bay Area events—see contact info above.
|
|
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!
|
|
3rd annual Holiday Craft Fair:
Call for Craft Donations
The Kehilla Immigration Committee is excited to announce the 3rd annual Holiday Craft Fair in late December, benefiting the immigrants we are sponsoring, housing and accompanying. We request that all you creative Kehilla members/ friends start crafting beautiful small handmade gift items to donate. Jewelry, pottery, glass art, fabric art, Judaica, etc. all welcome!
Learn more here
or email
kehillacraft@gmail.com
|
|
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
.
|
|
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
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
