Friday, December 4th, 2020 |18th of Kislev, 5781 | י״ח בְּכִסְלֵו תשפ״א
|
|
Hanukkah with Kehilla - 8 Crazy Nights!
Dec. 10 - 17, 6pm-6:30pm
Registration is live! Kehilla will be hosting candle-lighting ceremonies for each night of Hanukkah from a different congregant home, with special programming for BIPOC and their families, Glitter folks in their 20s-30s, and kids/families!
|
|
Save the Date! Public Health Update: An Evening with Kehilla Board Member Ori Tzvieli
Monday, December 7, 7pm - 8:30pm
|
|
NEW! Mazel Tov Section in the Weekly
Do you have something to celebrate? A newborn, great new housing situation, a graduation, bat/bar mitvah, new job, a puppy -- something that gives you joy? Share it in the Weekly! We're reviving our Mazel Tov section to give us all a place to celebrate and share in life's sweeter moments. Submit here by selecting the Mazel Tov section.
Newborns: If you have a newborn in your family you'd like to share the news about, please send a photograph to Dee so we can send a happy news announcement to the community.
|
|
Friday Morning Meditation Sit
Friday, November 27, 7:50am-8:45am
With Rabbi Dev. Short teaching at 7:55, silent sit from 8:00-8:30, mourner’s kaddish and announcements at 8:30.
|
|
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, December 4, 5:30pm-6:30pm
With Hazzan Shulamit, Debbie Fier, and Julie Nesnansky. As we welcome Shabbat with music and prayer, and connect with the community. We’ll begin with candle lighting and end with kiddush and motzi. Bring candles, juice, or challah to your zoom prayer space if you’d like! Join us here!
|
|
Shabbat Morning Service - Vayishlach and Elana Seplow Becoming Bat Mitzvah - CC*
Saturday, December 5, 10am - 12:30pm
With Rabbi David, Hazzan Shulamit, and Wren Ganin-Pinto. Join us for a celebratory Shabbat morning of musical prayer and an exploration of parashat Vayishlach, and Elana Seplow becoming Bat Mitvah! Everyone is welcome! RSVP and join us here
*Closed captioning will be available at this service.
|
|
Tot Shabbat
Saturday, December 5, 10:30am - 11am
With Jen Miriam and Alon Altman and their Puppet Friends! Designed for babies, tots, and children up to 5 with their families! Join us for Shabbat songs and prayers, dancing and puppets and community. Cosponsored by the Jewish Baby Network.
|
|
Pre-Hanukkah Family Extravaganza!
Sunday, December 6, 4:30pm-5:15pm
Get ready to celebrate Hanukkah with the Jewish Baby Network and Kehilla! Please bring your own Hanukkah menorah and 2 – 9 candles to light on screen with our Zoom community. Featuring songs and puppets with Jen and Alon Altman and storytelling with Rabbi Gray Myrseth. We will also have a chance to share ideas about how to make Hanukkah at home meaningful and fun for everyone in your family. RSVP and register for this free event here!
|
|
Beginning Hebrew: Decode the Alef-Bet, Part 2
Sunday, December 6 , 7:20pm-8:45pm
Join Bracha Stone for the next part in a series designed for those who desire to get friendly and familiar with this precious language. If you have SOME knowledge of the alef-bet, this may be the right place for you. We have made a start, and are working through our book at a moderate pace. Register here!
|
|
Torah from the Beginning: The Book of Genesis
Monday, December 7, 1:30pm-2:30pm
Join Rebecca Kaplan and occasional guest speakers for an opportunity to study the Torah as it unfolds week by week for 12 weeks; each class covers the same parasha that will be read/discussed at that week’s Shabbat service.
|
|
Save the Date! Public Health Update: An Evening with Kehilla Board Member Ori Tzvieli
Monday, December 7, 7pm - 8pm
Join Kehilla Board Member and Contra Costa County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli for an update on COVID-19 in the Bay Area, and time to answer your questions about the pandemic. The Bay Area has moved back into the purple (most restrictive) zone as COVID cases are rising again, and the holidays are likely to bring more exposure and more infections. At the same time, we have incredibly positive developments on the vaccine front. We’re so grateful for Ori’s generosity in advising our staff on a weekly basis, and in sharing his knowledge and wisdom with our whole community. There will be time for a Q&A. If you have a specific question you'd like Ori to address, please email it to Rabbi Dev here and RSVP and join us here
|
|
Essentials of Judaism
Tuesday, December 8, 7pm - 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.
|
|
Wednesday Morning Meditation Sit
Wednesday, December 2, 7:50am-8:45am
With Rabbi Dev. Short teaching at 7:55, silent sit from 8:00-8:30, mourner’s kaddish and announcements at 8:30.
|
|
Economic Justice Committee
Wednesday, December 9, 6:30pm - 9pm
|
|
Jews on Ohlone Land
Wednesday, December 9, 7pm - 8:30pm
Organizing to maximize Jewish participation in the Shuumi Land Tax throughout the East Bay. Join us here
|
|
Hanukkah with Kehilla - Eight Crazy Nights!
Thursday, December 10-17, 6pm-6:30pm
During this unique Hanukkah, we will be leading virtual candle-lighting, prayer and song at a different congregant’s home each night. Please come ready with your menorah, candles and matches - candle-lighting begins right at 6pm!
Dec. 10: Saxe-Taller Family
Dec. 11: Rabbi David Cooper - BIPOC Shabbannukkah at 5:30pm!
Dec. 12: Rabbi Dev & Hazzan Shulamit - Havdalah starts at 5:40pm!
Dec. 13: Binya Koatz - with a Glitter hangout at 6:30pm!
Dec. 14: Debbie Fier
Dec. 15: Sharon Grodin
Dec. 16: Beth Dickinson and Rachel Bloch
Dec. 17: Lia Barrow & Family
>>> RSVP here! - just one registration needed for all eight nights.
|
|
BIPOC Shabbanukkah !
Friday, December 11, 5:30pm-7:30pm
With Ruthie Levin, Kehilla’s People of Color organizer. Beloved community, this space is for Black, Brown and Indigenous adults and children, folks who identify as People of Color and their white identifying siblings, parents and partners. We’ll light the candles together to celebrate Hanukkah and Shabbat! Join us here!
|
|
Hanukkah Shabbat Vayeshev Morning Service *CC
Saturday, December 12, 10:30pm-12:30pm
With Rabbi Dev, Hazzan Shulamit, and Wren Ganin-Pinto. As we have Shabbat morning with musical prayer, torah and community. We’ll sing HALLEL, psalms of longing, gratitude, and praise as part of our celebration of Chanukah! We’re delighted to welcome Wren Ganin-Pinto to the virtual bima, as they are being mentored as a new Musical Prayer Leader. Join us here!
*CC: Closed captioning will be available at this service.
|
|
Varieties of Jewish Theologies
Saturday, December 12, 4pm-5:30pm
Join Rabbi David Cooper for this class on Mordecai Kaplan and Sherwin Wine. There is a misconception that there is a single Jewish way of belief about God. Our Jewish theologies have evolved over time and differ within each time period and even within each community. Moreover, each of us can operate within ourselves with different relationships to God or the concept of God. This survey class is to enable people to consider and to honor their own theological (or atheological) and spiritual perspectives.
|
|
Working Class/Low Income Group
Sunday, December 13 , 4pm-6pm
If you are working class/low income and have experienced class/income in ways that have impacted you personally and/or in community, and you are looking for a place to talk and get support, we hope that you will join us. Please contact the coordinator to join us!
|
|
Beginning Hebrew: Decode the Alef-Bet, Part 2
Sunday, December 13 , 7:20pm-8:45pm
Join Bracha Stone for the next part in a series designed for those who desire to get friendly and familiar with this precious language. If you have SOME knowledge of the alef-bet, this may be the right place for you. We have made a start, and are working through our book at a moderate pace. Register here!
|
|
Torah from the Beginning: The Book of Genesis
Monday, December 14, 1:30pm-2:30pm
Join Rebecca Kaplan and occasional guest speakers for an opportunity to study the Torah as it unfolds week by week for 12 weeks; each class covers the same parasha that will be read/discussed at that week’s Shabbat service.
|
|
Book Discussion Group
Monday, December 14 , 7pm-9pm
|
|
Octopretzel Hanukkah Performance - Live on Zoom!!
Tuesday, December 15, 5pm - 6:15pm
Join Bay Area’s favorite kids’ band Octopretzel for a super fun family friendly Hanukkah show! Fun and interactive songs, klezmer music, traditional candle lighting with blessings, and super silly puppets – all from the comfort of your own home. Cosponsored by the East Bay JCC.
|
|
Board of Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, December 15, 6:45pm-9pm
All members are welcome!
|
|
Folks with White Privilege Affinity Group
Wednesday, December 16 , 6:30pm-8:30pm
Any Kehilla – connected folks who identify as white, we’d love to have you, whether you’ve ever been to these meetings before or not! We meet every month to work on decentering white supremacy at Kehilla and working to make Kehilla more welcoming to people of color – we share feelings, build skills, and take actions. This is part of the Belonging & Allyship Initiative. Contact the coordinator to join us! And see our reading materials here.
|
|
Mazel Tov! Rabbi Chaya Gusfield has Retired as a Kaiser Chaplain
Rabbi Chaya Gusfield has retired from her work at Kaiser Oakland and Richmond as one of the Palliative Care Chaplains. You can reach her at cgusfield@gmail.com.
|
|
Welcome Wren Ganin-Pinto, Musical Prayer Leader in Training!
We’re thrilled to announce that Wren Ganin-Pinto will be joining our bima team as a Musical Prayer Leader in training, beginning in December. Wren is working with Hazzan Shulamit, and will be leading parts of some Shabbat morning services (starting on December 12!). Wren will also join the MPL team for the 2021-22 Bar/Bat Mitzvah class. Learn more here!
|
|
Immigration Committee Request
A family of four that we are accompanying is looking for housing, and an individual is looking for a car.
|
|
Kehilla Homeless Action Depot
Kehilla now has a Homeless Action Depot where we are collecting donations from our community and beyond to meet immediate needs on the streets. You can help! See this link to the Economic Justice Committee blog.
|
|
Closed Captioning at Kehilla Shabbat Services
Beginning November 21st, Kehilla will provide closed captioning for its Saturday morning Shabbat services. Services with this feature will include "CC" in the title on the Calendar and Weekly. Please share any questions or comments.
|
|
Staying Safe from Covid-19 During the Holidays
During this holiday season, you may be wondering if it is safe to gather and celebrate with loved ones. Here are guidelines for protecting yourself and others from COVID-19, prepared by Alameda County's Public Health Department.
|
|
A Chesed (Lovingkindess) Request
Judy Linsenberg, a Kehilla member, is recovering from major surgery. Judy lives alone, and can use help with meals and visits. To sign up and for more info, click here.
|
|
Immigration Committee Requests
|
|
Announcing Gluten-Free Challah Delivery
Friday mornings in Oakland and the East Bay
Inspired by so many Kehilla community members' requests, Lia Barrow has begun selling gluten-free challah for Shabbat. Order by email or leave a message at facebook.com/hamotzigf. Oat challah coming soon!
|
|
An Invitation to Leadership on the Kehilla Board!
This is an invitation to step up as a leader in your community. Kehilla is our home, our place of worship and learning, the place and the people we go to in times of hardship, an anchor for our social justice work. If you are interested in exploring participation on the Board of Trustees, you can learn more here and find the application here!
|
|
Kehilla Holiday Dinner Drive with Alameda County Community Food Bank!
|
|
Hineinu Campaign
Like a Havdalah candle, we are braided together. Now more than ever, we need to build our resilience. Please consider joining our Hineinu Campaign with a sustaining gift to Kehilla by clicking here. Your contributions make it possible for us to house immigrants, support those who are struggling, care for our building, and sustain Kehilla’s people.
|
|
Make Clergy Appointments with Rabbi Dev!
Rabbi Dev welcomes one-on-one conversations with Kehilla members! Please contact Dee and she will help you schedule time with them.
|
|
Still have your machzor (prayerbook) from High Holy Days?
We are no longer collecting prayerbooks from High Holy Days - but we'd love you to have it for next year. Please make a contribution of $10-$20 to hold onto it for keeps!
|
|
Norah Needs You!!
Norah is a 5 year old in our Kehilla Community who needs a bone-marrow donor. You might save a life by joining the marrow-donor registry, which is easy and free to do. If that isn't an option for you, there are other ways you can help!! Learn more here.
|
|
Automated Payment Notices!
This is a friendly reminder that we have launched a new system that automatically sends emails to folks when their monthly payments are overdue. If you see one but have already sent in a check or paid the balance, please disregard the email. If you have any questions or feedback please contact our bookkeeper Molly at molly@kehillasynagogue.org or call (510) 929-0602 (Tuesdays and Thursday, 2pm-7pm).
|
|
Phishing Scams Continue in Rabbi Dev's Name
|
|
The Rabbis’ Discretionary Fund is Here for You
Through the generosity of many in our community, the Rabbis' Discretionary Fund (RDF) can help with modest financial challenges: Learn more here.
|
|
Bikkur Cholim: Pastoral / Spiritual Care
Rabbi Chaya Gusfield is coordinating a wonderful group of members who are rabbis and chaplains to offer support to our members who are ill or caring for loved ones who are sick. Learn more here!
|
|
Hear from our Community Leaders |
|
Kehilla Community Synagogue is comprised of people of all colors, genders, sexual orientations, including people with a wide range of religious and spiritual persuasions. We are committed to being a safe and welcoming place for everyone in our community.
510-547-2424
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
