Kol Kehilla
September & October 2019
The Newsletter of Kehilla Community Synagogue
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the
September & October
issue
of
Kol Kehilla
, our monthly newsletter.
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Art by D. Jeanette Nichols
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Rosh Hashanah
September 29 - October 1
Yom Kippur
October 8 - 9
Tools for our Time:
Teshuvah, Tefillah, Tzedakah
תשובה תפילה צדקה
(Re)turning/repair, reflection/prayer and
acts of righteousness
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Welcoming Pastor Mike McBride, Speaking on Reparations and Teshuvah, on Erev Rosh Hashana
by Rabbi Dev Noily, with Hazzan Shulamit Wise Fairman
We feel very honored to be welcoming
Pastor Mike McBride
as our guest teacher for Erev Rosh Hashana. Pastor Mike is an Oakland-based national leader in the movement for racial justice. It’s unusual for us to have a guest from outside our community offering a
drash
/ teaching during High Holy Days, and I’m excited to share here why it feels so important to take this step this year. The image of a
havdallah
candle comes to mind, with many individual wicks all intertwined to build a single, powerful flame.
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Executively Speaking:
Off and Running in the New Year
by Michael Saxe-Taller, Executive Director
As our son Sam headed off this morning to his first day of junior year at Berkeley High School, reality hit me head on – we are beginning a new year. All of the signs have been showing here at Kehilla; the pace of work is increasing, members are renewing, preparations for Kehilla School are speeding up, and there is a look in the eyes of our staff that conveys, “Oh boy, Rosh Hashana is only a few weeks away!”
I will take this opportunity to give you a heads up on some of the things that are brewing here at Kehilla...
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The Jewish Roots of Kehilla’s Values: Rabbi Arthur Green, Part 1
by Rabbi Burt Jacobson
I met Arthur Green in 1963, soon after he entered the Jewish Theological Seminary rabbinical school, where I was training to become a rabbi. Art had entered the rabbinic training program with the particular aim of studying kabbalah with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and his enthusiasm for the mystical sources he was studying was infectious. Art’s presence was a great blessing in my life. He opened my consciousness and intellect to new worlds that amazed me, enabling me to redirect my life and thought in radically new ways. I found myself looking up to him even though he was younger than I, and for a few years he was my closest friend, confidant and mentor.
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by Rabbi Gray Myrseth
Although the days are getting shorter, this time of year is full of new beginnings. A new school year is underway and the new Jewish year is rapidly approaching. I’ve been thinking of another moment of beginning, this one in the Book of Exodus, as our ancient mythic ancestors gathered in the wilderness after their escape from bondage in Egypt.
So much was new, then. The Israelites were grappling with their freedom, learning to come together around something other than their shared oppression...
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Economic Justice Committee Joins Forces to Control Police Use of Deadly Force: AB392 is Signed!
by Merle Lustig
California has been among the worst states in the country for regulating police use of deadly force and the number of fatal police shootings. In 2017, California police shot and killed 172 people, including 5 children. In 2018, they shot and killed 115 people.
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Ori Tzvieli
Ori was born in Israel and moved to the US at age 12 with stops in Louisiana and New Jersey before landing in Berkeley. It was during his first year at Cal that he first encountered Kehilla’s welcoming spirit while attending the community Seder...
Stephanie Hochman
Stephanie has been involved with Kehilla since 1977! Coming to the Bay Area as a college student, she was immediately drawn to Kehilla’s commitment to social justice and political activism combined with spiritual depth...
Shoshana Finacom
Shoshana and her family joined Kehilla in June 2005. Shoshana and Dave had been involved with the Aquarian Minyan for several years, and when their daughter Becca came along, they began to search for a community with a religious school, which the Minyan was lacking...
Invitation to all to attend a Board meeting
The board meets the 4th Tuesday of each month (with occasional changes) at 6 pm in the back classroom. All Kehilla members are welcome – encouraged! – to attend...
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SERVICES, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Sacred Resistance
Kehilla has joined the National Sanctuary Movement’s new Sacred Resistance initiative.
We, along with congregations across the country, have stepped forward to identify ourselves on a publicly available map, indicating that we are available to support individuals and communities at risk from ICE activities.
Link to the map.
This commitment involves
1) Offering space in our building to immigration rights organizers, if needed, for meetings and other activities. (This is similar to what we did to support the Oakland teachers strike.)
2) Opening our doors to people who don’t feel safe if an ICE action is threatened or in process.
Stay tuned for more information.
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Tot Shabbat
Saturday, September 7 , 10:30-11:15am
(Tot Shabbat then breaks and resumes in November)
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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May Book Discussion Group:
Monday, September 9, 7-9pm
Monday, October 14, 7-9pm
September's book:
The Beautiful Possible
by Amy Gottlieb
October's book:
End of Days
by Jenny Erpenbeck
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 the next few meetings
here
.
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Kehilla Sings!
Upcoming dates:
(No gathering in October-- Join us for all the holidays!)
Tuesday, November 12
Tuesday, December 10
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).
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Folks with White Privilege (FWWP) Affinity Group
Wednesday, September 11, 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,
[email protected]
. If possible, please read the suggested homework (see link) before you come (but not required).
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Room for Twenty
I am writing to let the Kehilla congregation know that there are twenty, synagogue owned spaces for cremated remains (cremains) available for purchase by our members. We own two graves in the Kehilla section of Plot 70 in Mt. View Cemetery in Oakland. Each grave can hold up to ten cremains which are each placed in their own separate containers and are not co-mingled. If you are interested in reserving a place or simply have questions, please contact Jane Hoberman (
[email protected]
) , Cathy Steirn (
[email protected]
) , or Michael Saxe-Taller (
[email protected]
).
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Liturgically Traditional, Radically Inclusive Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, September 13, 6-7:30pm
(no Rad Trad Kab Shab in October)
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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Faith Trio News and Events
Save the date: 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.
Volunteer at the Alameda County Community Food Bank
Friday, September 13, 8:30-11:30am
The volunteer work is easy but does require standing for stretches of about an hour. Work sorting cans or bagging fresh produce for distribution to the hungry of Alameda County, while meeting members of other congregations.
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Haven't you been thinking 'I want a meaningful way to build community, and help my beloved Kehilla'? Well, I have good news for you! High Holy Days are the perfect time for that!
Go to
kehillasynagogue.org/VHHD
to see the shifts and sign up for one
. There are so many options. I know you’ll find one that works for you :) Don’t hesitate to contact me with questions, comments, weather updates, whatever strikes your fancy –
[email protected]
/ 510.547.2424 x 106.
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High Holy Days Art Show
Opens September 14th
Reception with the Artists: Sunday, November 10, 3:00-5:00pm
Kehilla’s Art Gallery Committee is pleased to once again present our annual art show for the High Holy Days, featuring the art of Kehilla members. The exhibit will be on view in the Fireside Room through December.
Please join us to meet the artists at the reception in November!
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Tikkun Ha-Nefesh (Repair of the Soul) Healing Racism, Unpacking White Privilege – Affinity Group
Sundays, September 15 & October 20, 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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Yoga for Renewal
Friday, Sept 27, 1:30-3:30pm
with Julie Emden, Embodied Jewish Learning
Enter into the High Holy Day season with a gentle Iyengar-based yoga and movement practice, infused with wisdom teachings rooted in Jewish Mystical tradition. Discover your own sensing, moving body as a resource for presence, joy and calm while gaining a deeper connection to yourself on all levels- mind, body, heart and spirit- at this time of return and renewal on the Hebrew Calendar. At
4th Street Yoga. $25 Public/ $20 Members of Co-sponsoring Organizations
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Kehilla Neighborhood Brunches
Sunday, October 20, 11am-1pm
If you have ever wanted to find out more about the Kehilla members in your neighborhood and to make connections in your local village – come to a Kehilla Neighborhood Brunch!
Where:
We expect to have hosts for Berkeley, Richmond, South Oakland and the Rockridge/Temescal/Grand Lake/Piedmont areas.
What:
The hosts will provide juice, coffee and tea. Guests are asked to bring vegetarian brunch items to share.
Save the Date and look for further announcements in the weekly emails. We hope to see you there! If you are willing to volunteer your home, please email
[email protected]
. Your offer will be much appreciated.
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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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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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3rd annual Holiday Craft Fair: Call for Craft Donations
The Kehilla Immigration Committee is excited to announce that we are organizing the 3rd annual Holiday Craft Fair, 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! For more information contact:
[email protected]
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Save the date!
Urban Adamah's Sukkot Farm Festival
Sunday, October 20, 1-4 pm
Co-Sponsored by Kehilla
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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–
[email protected]
.
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Our Sanctuary is Cleaner and Brighter!
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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, [email protected]. 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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