Kol Kehilla
May 2019
The Newsletter of Kehilla Community Synagogue
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the May issue
of  Kol Kehilla , our monthly newsletter. 
CHAI KABBALAT SHABBAT
Friday, May 3, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Join us to celebrate Kabbalat CHAI Shabbat with Hazzan Shulamit, Rabbi Dev, Ketzev Kehilla, and our Musical Prayer Leaders. Join us for a song-filled and soulful evening of Shabbat music and prayer, both spirited and contemplative.

From Rabbi Dev and Shulamit's longer piece : 'Our hearts are heavy with the news of yet another white supremacist shooting in a place of worship' – 'We invite everyone to come together in community at our Chai Kabbalat Shabbat...There will be space for grief, anger, and whatever else is present.'

6:30 pm: Veggie/Parve Potluck Shabbat Dinner in the Social Hall. Please bring something veggie/parve to share that serves 8-10 people for the potluck dinner, labeled to indicate ingredients, or if you’re only attending the service, something for the kiddush oneg after services– many thanks!

7:30 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat services in the Sanctuary. Kiddush follows the service.

All events at Kehilla are fragrance-free. Click here for information about what it means to be fragrance-free.
Have you fulfilled your
Avodah commitment for the current membership year?
We have only 2 months left,
and so many great opportunities!
Or call Maya at 510.547.2424 x 106
ARTICLES
Mourning the Attack on Chabad of Poway – Coming Together this Friday
(May 3rd CHAI Shabbat, see details above)

Dear Friends,
Our hearts are heavy with the news of yet another white supremacist shooting in a place of worship – this time at Chabad of Poway, near San Diego, on Shabbat morning, the 8th day of Pesach, where many people had come for Yizkor, memorial prayers that are recited four times a year. Coming six months after the attack on Tree of Life and Dor Chadash in Pittsburgh, less than two months after the attacks on Masjid al Noor and Linwood Islamic Centre in New Zealand, and less than a week after the Easter bombings of churches in Sri Lanka, yesterday’s shooting strikes close to home for us, both geographically, and because a synagogue was targeted.

Executively Speaking:
Thoughts on a Powerful Trip to Israel
by Michael Saxe-Taller
I just returned from a Passover trip to Israel. I went to participate in a Jewish Leaders Conference of Jews from Israel and diaspora communities around the world. The conference was as good as I expected, but I was moved by my overall visit in ways that I had not imagined.

by Rabbi Gray Myrseth
In one collection of midrash (rabbinic expansions on biblical verses), the rabbis ask:  why was the Torah given in the wilderness?  The question had never occured to me before, but once I read it on the page, I also wondered. Why does the God of the exodus story require our mythic ancestors to go all the way out into the wilderness before entering into a covenantal agreement?

Dear Kehilla Community,
A few weeks ago I returned to my homeland, Puerto Rico, for the first time since Hurricane Maria.  As you know from my multiple requests for ride, I have been struggling with the loss of my driving privileges following a seizure, and that started a whole cascade of questions for me about where it makes sense for me to live.  

We Created Holy Ground
by Cathy Steirn and Jane Hoberman
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.

by Penny Rosenwasser and Miriam Abrams
Inspired by Kehilla’s immigration and sanctuary work – and increasingly horrified by 45’s policies — we each volunteered at the San Diego Rapid Response Network Shelter in late March/early April. Miriam’s daughter Esther accompanied Miriam as well. We were also inspired by Lili Shidlovski’s moving account of her volunteering there in December.
We wanted to share some of our experiences here, in hopes of encouraging you to consider doing the same! The Kehilla Immigration Committee is helping organize members to volunteer at the shelter; please contact Lili directly if you’re interested: lili.shidlov@gmail.com.


Kehilla Community Synagogue submitted letters of support for two important bills working their way through the State Assembly.

AB 732 (Bonta), the Reproductive Dignity Bill would improve the quality of reproductive medical care, support and accommodations in state prisons and county jails. This bill advanced out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee this week on a vote of 8 to 0.

AB 392 (Weber), the California Act to Save Lives, would allow law enforceent to use deadly force only when no other option was available to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury.

Many thanks to the Economic Justice Committee, the Kehilla Rabbis and our Executive Director for making this happen.
SERVICES, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kehilla’s Annual Community Meeting
Wednesday, May 22, 6:45 pm - 9:30 pm
Kehilla’s board, staff, spiritual leaders and committee chairs invite you to join us for:
Kehilla’s Annual Community Meeting
6:45pm – Schmoozing and Snacks
7:00–9:15pm – Congregational Gathering
Learn about the state of the congregation, share our successes, appreciate our congregational leadership and think about our hopes and goals for the coming year. And toss in some fun, music and food as well!
Tot Shabbat
Saturday, May 4, 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.
Folks with White Privilege Affinity Group Meeting
Sunday, May 5, 3:30-5:30pm
Kehilla community members are welcome whether or not you have attended before – we’d love to have you! This is part of Kehilla’s Racial Justice Initiative. For more info or to get on the email list, contact Susan Schulman, susanschulman60@gmail.com. In the Fireside Room. Learn more here.
The following Shabbat morning services will include the following young people becoming B’nei Mitzvah:



May 18 - Tomas Caminos

May 25 - Riley Newfield

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.
Save the date!
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.
NOW ACCEPTING WORKSHOP PROPOSALS UNTIL MAY 5

Kehilla's Annual Community Retreat
July 12-14 at Bort Meadow

This is a unique opportunity to get away from the hustle of our busy lives and spend some time in community in connection with nature. We encourage you to join!! Registration form coming soon.

Wanna join the planning committee today,
help make the magic? Email Maya for info,
it's going to be a grand adventure :)
Liturgically Traditional, Radically Inclusive Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, May 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.
Many Stories, Shared Liberation | An Evening with Alicia Garza
Saturday, May 11, 7-9pm at First Presbyterian of Berkeley
As our movements for liberation grow, how do we strengthen our connections and move in solidarity inside and across communities? How do we resist the forces that try to fracture us? How do we reach out with love and curiosity and build trust? Join Alicia Garza and the Kehilla Community as we explore questions of justice in our time, including the intersections within and between dismantling white supremacy and antisemitism. Learn more here. Sold out.
Kehilla Sings!
Tuesday, May 12, 7-8:30 pm
Continuing on 2nd Tuesdays through September!
A new-ish 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 night of tuning into our souls and to one another. Everyone’s welcome! Donations accepted at the door $5-15.  Learn more here.
May Book Discussion Group:
Mondays, May 13 , 7-9pm
Girl From the Garden by Parnaz Foroutan
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.
Dear Kehilla community,
I’d like to express my (and our) deepest gratitude for the Shiva gathering, and all your support and attention following the loss of my mother, Arville Finacom. Your spiritual and practical care has been a blessing, and confirms my mother’s belief in the value of this community to my family. We’d also like to let you know that we are planning a celebration of her life at her community, to take place June 8th, and to which you are all warmly invited.

Torah-scope: Study Torah with Rabbi Chaya Gusfield
in a Small Group (6-8)
Mondays, 7-9pm: May 13, 20, June 3, 17
Use your birth portion as a lens into our sacred Torah text. Your birth portion is the Torah portion that was being read during the week you were born. (Hebrew birth date). At Kehilla in the Heschel room.  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.
Tikkun Ha-Nefesh (Repair of the Soul) Healing Racism, Unpacking White Privilege – Affinity Group
Sunday, May 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.
Tour a Tiny House & learn about Youth Spirit Artworks' Project
Join us on the afternoon of May 23rd to learn about this project and tour the Tiny House. Talk with YSA’s Hannah Trumbull and EBHO's Vanessa Riles. Rebuild the world by building homes for youth. Learn more here.

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 .
Save the date!
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.
RSVP to rabbi.diane18@gmail.com  by May 31 is appreciated, but not required.
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