Kol Kehilla
January 2019
The Newsletter of Kehilla Community Synagogue
The 3rd Annual Crafts Fair to Support Immigrants raised over $6,000 this year!
All proceeds go to meet the urgent needs of immigrant and refugee families supported by Kehilla sponsors, hosts and accompaniment teams (such as legal and housing costs).
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the January issue
of  Kol Kehilla , our monthly newsletter. 
ARTICLES
Executively Speaking: Kehilla’s Retreat for Leaders
by Michael Saxe-Taller, Executive Director

Planning is underway for Deepening Our Design, our third bi-annual Kehilla’s Retreat for Leaders, to be held January 31-February 2, 2020 at Walker Creek Ranch. This retreat for leaders brings together many of the people whose energy animates our beloved community to get to know each other, and to build channels of connection and communication between the many pulsing centers of energy and activity that make Kehilla buzz. As Kehilla keeps growing and strengthening, these retreats are helping us build the healthy core that supports us in moving forward together as a community.


...while Elanna and Jon prepared the latkes in the kitchen, people began to arrive, mingle and fill the table with delicious food. There were loads of hanukkiahs, so even though it was first-night, the room was aglow with all of the candles burning brightly. Bekkah Scharf graciously led us with the candle blessings, and encouraged the group to share Hanukkah songs from their own traditions. It was delightful to look around the room and see people with every skin tone represented, hear different languages being spoken, and be in a space where we could find another face like our own...

Hiring a new half-time Assistant Rabbi for our community

We are excited to announce that a search committee is now being formed to recruit, interview and select a candidate to fill a new halftime Assistant Rabbi position, intended to start July 2020. As Kehilla has continued to grow, so have our needs for clergy. We have decided to hire a new rabbi to meet those growing needs and relieve the load that Rabbi Dev and Hazzan Shulamit have been carrying.

Science, Spirituality, and Judaism, Part 1
by Rabbi Burt Jacobson

Science and Psychedelic Experience
The field of science was of little interest to me while I was growing up. And because of my dyslexia I was a poor student in mathematics and science both in high school and college. And then during my late adolescence I became a strictly observant traditional Jew, and I judged science and technology to be secular materialistic distractions from my newfound path. But by the 1970s, I had overthrown all of my narrow religious assumptions, and I became intrigued with the search for scientific truth. I began to read popular books on science, and later delved into systems theory as well.

Kehilla board member, Lisa Korwin, spoke about her relationship to Kehilla at Kol Nidre services this year. We’re choosing to print her talk here to support each of us in thinking deeply about what Kehilla means to each of us. 




The Or Shalom Jewish Community of San Francisco and Congregation Chochmat HaLev of Berkeley took the lead in organizing the monthly protest and vigil at the ICE headquarters in San Francisco on Friday, December 13th, 2020. Rabbi Katie Mizrahi of Or Shalom and Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb of Chochmat HaLev invoked the theme of Hannukah, represented by eight human candles, each bearing a message of hope and liberation...

Kehilla Goes Greener

You may know that in 2014, Kehilla installed solar panels on our roof. This has enabled us to get most of our electricity from our solar panels. We are thrilled to let you know that we will be installing additional solar panels that will allow us to receive virtually all our electrical power from our own solar panels. As with our original solar installation, we are doing this in partnership with Re-volv, a non-profit organization that helps non-profit install solar power. The special feature of the Re-volv model is “pay it forward”. Some portion of our monthly payments to ReVolv for our solar panels supports them to assist even more community organizations to go solar. So, we are not only getting our own electricity from the sun, we are also spreading solar power by working with Re-volv.


Good news for folks wanting to take a step closer into Kehilla:
The Spiritual Life Practices Committee (SLPC) sponsored a Chavurah Shabbat Meet and Greet on Nov. 22nd  at Kehilla to encourage deeper engagement with the Kehilla community. Forty-five adults and ten children shared yummy food, sweet table service, and lovely conversations. 

We hope this announcement will encourage those attending that Friday night and everyone else who is interested in creating a small group  chavurah  with folks who share common interests to take the next step toward that end.  

SERVICES, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tot Shabbat
Saturdays, January 4 & 18 , 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.
Jews On Ohlone Land Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 8, 6:30-9:30pm
We're organizing to maximize Jewish participation in the Shuumi Land Tax throughout the East Bay. The heart of this project is training and supporting people to offer an interactive workshop that addresses the indigenous history of the East Bay, through the teachings of indigenous leaders, and that explores how we as Jews can live in right relationship to this land, its ancestors, and the indigenous people and communities who live here now. Learn more here.
In this 6-week beit midrash, you’ll learn ancient Jewish texts in their original language, explore Talmud study as a spiritual practice, and co-create a supportive, queer-normative community of study. All you need to begin is your alef-bet (Hebrew alphabet) and to be able to commit to all six sessions. Whether you’re a newbie or an expert, we invite you to join us. We’ve saved you a seat.
Family Shabbat Morning Service + Baby Naming!
Saturday, January 11,10:30am-12:00pm
Join Rabbi Gray and Beth Dickinson for an engaging, musical service for people of all ages. Families especially encouraged to join in the fun! We are honored to be welcoming Shia Zher Kogan, child of Addie and Raia Liechty Kogan, into our community at this Family Service. Kiddush sponsored by the baby’s grandparents, Lana Kogan and Walter Markovich. Please also bring a vegetarian dish to share if you can. If not, come anyways!
Book Discussion Group:
Monday, January 13, 7-9pm
Book: The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende
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.
Sanctuary and Shelter Volunteer Training
Sunday, February 9th, 4-5pm OR
Wednesday, March 4th 7-8pm

We are now ready to welcome sanctuary or shelter guests at Kehilla! Volunteers must attend a one-hour training to learn about important details and logistics.RSVP to sanctuary@kehillasynagogue.org. Please come scent-free! And thank you! In the Fireside Room at Kehilla.
Save the Date: February 11
A presentation of “Electrify Everything” at Kehilla. For urban dwellers the main sources of greenhouse gases are the gas we use to heat our homes and water, our transportation and the electricity we use for power in our homes. This presentation by volunteers from 350 Bay Area will address these areas and what we can do personally (beyond LEDs and recycling) to make a real difference. Learn more here.
Kehilla Sings!
Upcoming dates: 
(taking a break in January)
Wednesday, February 19
Wednesday, March 25
Wednesday, April 22

A monthly gathering with Hazzan Shulamit to circle round and sing together! 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). Follow this link for posted music for shabbat, protests, and more!
Liturgically Traditional, Radically Inclusive Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, January 10, 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.
Essentials of Judaism
In January on the SECOND Tuesday - 1/14, 7-9pm
(Usually third Tuesdays of the month)
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.
Immigration Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 15th, 6-8:30pm
We will show the film Waking Dream by local filmmaker Theo Rigby ( more info here ) and will give updates on Immigration Committee activities. Bring a veggie potluck dish to share. In the Social Hall. This meeting is open to all who are interested in Kehilla’s immigration justice work. If you have any questions, email immigrationcommitteechairs@kehillasynagogue.org .
Kehilla Men's Group Meets Monthly
An informal group of Kehilla men have been coming together as a monthly men’s group. A major focus has been creating relatively unstructured intimate space for sharing and listening. There is also discussion of topics generated by the group. We welcome participation from Kehilla men who would be interested in checking out the group. For more information contact any of the following: Jay Koch 510-915-0255 jaykoch8@gmail.com , Don Stone 510 703-0073 donstone1@aol.com , Steven Falk 510-708-0517 Shfalk@gmail.com
Help the Economic Justice Committee with the Schools & Communities First   Ballot
Learn more about the measure here .  Any registered voter can help circulate petitions. Contact Sue Goldberg for petitions and instructions: (510) 660-5125 or suegoldberg@sbcglobal.net.
Tikkun Ha-Nefesh (Repair of the Soul) Healing Racism, Unpacking White Privilege – Affinity Group
Sundays, January 19, 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.
Art Show Reception for Barry Shapiro
Sunday, January 19, 3pm-5pm
Please join Kehilla’s Art Committee as we celebrate the opening of longtime member Barry Shapiro’s exciting, eclectic art exhibit. Come view the show as you enjoy light refreshments and chat with Barry about the inspiration behind his deeply thoughtful, bold, and uniquely imaginative compositions.

Barry writes: “As a visual artist, I use images now, almost exclusively, to tackle the social themes..
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 Affinity Group
Thursday, January 23, 2020 — 7-9pm at Kehilla in the Fireside Room.
Everyone who identifies as white is welcome; whether or not you have attended these meetings in the past, we’d love to have you! This affinity group is part of Kehilla’s Belonging & Allyship Racial Justice Project. Questions? Contact Susan Shulman,  susanschulman60@gmail.com . Learn more and see recommended reading here.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, January 28, 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm
All members are welcome. Back Classroom (main floor, straight down the hall). Dinner at 6:15. All events at Kehilla are fragrance-free. 
Bereavement Spiritual Support Group in Formation
Fridays, 12-1:30pm, Feb 14 – April 3
Grief is a normal response to loss. We know from practical experience and from the ancient teachings of our tradition, that being with an understanding community can help bring comfort and healing to mourners. This group will provide a supportive, non-judgmental context with a spiritual framing to form empathetic connections. Learn more here.
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!
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 .
Living Room Conversation with Kehilla's Faith Trio - 2nd Round
Saturday, January 11, 2:30-4:30pm
The Faith Trio - Kehilla, Montclair Presbyterian Church, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California is having the 2nd round of Living Room Conversation. We sit in mixed groups of 6, agree to fully listen as each person shares their thoughts and feelings in this round: Religious Freedom and Non Discrimination.
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:
www.thehotline.org - National Domestic Violence Hotline 1−800−799−7233
www.shalom-bayit.org   - Shalom Bayit (East Bay) 866-SHALOM-7 /
or (510) 845-SAFE
www.thehotline.org/help/for-abusive-partners/ - National Domestic Violence Hotline (for abusive partners)
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.

Kehilla Community Synagogue | 1300 Grand Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94610 | 510-547-2424 www.KehillaSynagogue.org