January 2, 2020 || 5th of Tevet, 5780 || ה׳ בְּטֵבֵת תש״פ
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, January 3, 7:30-9:00pm
Join us for a song-filled and soulful evening of both spirited and contemplative prayer. Kiddush follows the service. Please bring something veggie to share. In the Sanctuary.
Shabbat Morning Service
Saturday, January 4, 10:30 am-12:15pm
An enlivening Shabbat morning of prayer, torah, and community. Kiddush sponsored by Beth Weinberger in celebration of her 80th birthday. In the Fireside Room.
Tot Shabbat
Saturday, January 4, 10:30-11:15am
With Jen Miriam and Alon Altman and 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. In the Back Classroom – Main Floor.
Kehilla's Working Class / Low Income Group Meeting
Sunday, January 5, 1-3pm
All who identify as working class or low income are welcome to attend. Questions / to learn more email wclig@kehillasynagogue.org . In the Fireside Room.
700 Benches: Winter 2020 Class Info
Begins January 6 for new participants
In this 6-week beit midrash to commence mid-January, 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 . C o-taught by Rabbi Dev Noily and Rabbi Gray Myrseth. Sessions will take place Mondays 6:45-9:15pm, starting Jan 6 for new attendees, and Jan 13 for repeat attendees. Learn more here .
Jews On Ohlone Land Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January, 6:30-9:30pm
We are 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. 6:30pm (sharp) Orientation for New Folks. Learn more here.
Morning Meditation Sit
Wednesday, January 8, 7:50-8;45am
With Rabbi Dev every Wednesday morning!  Doors open at 7:50am, short teaching at 7:55AM, silent sit from 8:00-8:30, mourner’s kaddish and announcements at 8:30.  In the Fireside Room (enter  through the Patio entrance on Fairview).
Upcoming Events
Liturgically Traditional, Radically Inclusive Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, January 10, 6-7:30 pm
A more traditional davenning style of Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv, the Shabbat evening service: songful and in Hebrew, following the full liturgy.
ALL are welcome to come pray, sing, hum, clap and celebrate building our beloved community. Kiddush and light oneg (ritual snacks) after the service. Please bring veggie finger food to share. Cosponsored by Kehilla and Glitter Kehilla. In the Fireside Room.
Living Room Conversation w/ Faith Trio – 2nd Round
Saturday, January 11, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Faith Trio – Kehilla, Montclair Presbyterian Church, Masonic Temple of N0rthern CA 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. Learn more here.
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, 7-9:00pm
All Kehilla members are welcome to join us for our customary meetings on the second Monday of the month at 7pm. This month's book: The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende. Learn more here.
Essentials of Judaism – DATE CHANGE for January Class
Tuesday, January 14, 7-9pm
Register here. 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. All Sessions will meet on every Third Tuesday from 7:00-9:00pm in the Fireside Room. Learn more here.
Immigration Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 15, 6-8:30pm
Potluck, committee updates and screening of the film Waking Dream
All Welcome!
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.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
T orah Chanting Opportunities : Love to chant Torah? We want YOU to leyn!
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 here . See dates and learn more here!
Please Donate Children's Books! We are seeking gently used books for children, pre-Kindergarten up through fifth grade levels. You can put book drive donations in a canvas bag decorated with pink elephants, located outside the sanctuary. We will deliver and donate the books to nearby schools in East and West Oakland. Right now many Oakland children live in houses with no books. Help build our community by sharing the books your child is no longer using, boosting the literacy and chances for success for other children. Questions? Contact Jeanne Finberg.
This is Aurora Levins Morales, a resident poet of Kehilla. You’ve heard me read my work during services for years. Now, other synagogues are using my poetry, too, and asking me to write pieces for them. Learn more here.
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.
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Donate Supplies to Help People Experiencing Homelessness
Please help Tayla Husbands-Hankin support our homeless population by donating new & used tents, tarps, blankets, warm socks, warm men’s coats, sweatshirts & sweaters! A large box is located by the sanctuary door at Kehilla. Please fill it with these 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!
KEHILLA MEMBERS
IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Free film: The Long Shadow, presented by the Appreciating Diversity Film Series
Thursday, Jan. 16, 7-9pm; Sunday, Jan. 19, 12:30-2:30pm
Jan. 16: Ellen Driscoll Playhouse. Jan. 19: The New Parkway. The Appreciating Diversity Film Series presents two free showings of The Long Shadow, an uncompromising look at slavery, America's original sin, and how it is entrenched to the present day. Learn more here and here .
Voter Registration by Mail (Swing Left)
Sunday, January 12 and Sunday February 9
Let's help register voters by mail, where we'll have the most impact!
Letters are printed, addresses provided. Add: why YOU think it is important to vote. In the Back Classroom. Please rsvp to Renee at yidshlid@earthlink.net for more details.
"When I Dare to be Powerful" 4-Session Workshop Series with Penny Rosenwasser at Moishe House Oakland
Four Tuesday evenings, January 14-February 4, 6:30-9:10pm
We'll examine what gets in the way of empowering our leadership, through the lens of internalized anti-Semitism & misogyny. For intergenerational Jewish women/gender-queer/trans/non-binary folks. Learn more here / register here
JeWitch Camp with Rabbis
February 7-9
Celebrate shabbat & Tu B’Shevat ( the New Year for Trees) with Rabbis Arthur Waskow & Phyllis Berman (fr4mo Philadelphia), Starhawk and Heaven Walker. while also exploring the impact of climate change & activism. JeWitch Camp 2020 is a non-residential retreat for Jews, Pagans, and those who love them . Prices go up 12/15. Humanist Hall, Oakland. More info here and here .
IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Hear from our Community Leaders
Need to book a room at Kehilla for an event or committee meeting?
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.

Kehilla Community Synagogue |  1300 Grand Ave. | Piedmont, CA 94610
510-547-2424