Weekly Announcements

8 Shevat, 5772 | February 8, 2012

CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 1-8, 2012

Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Adult Education ...................7:00 PM

Thursday, February 2, 2012
Community School ................ 4:00 PM (BI)

Friday, February 3, 2012
Candle Lighting ....................... 5:17 PM

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Shabbat Services ..................... 9:45 AM
Kiddush following services - All are welcome!

Sunday, February 5, 2012
Community School ................. 9:30 AM (NS)
Ein Yaakov ......................... 10:30 AM (NS)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012
JFCS Group ........................... 5:45 PM

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tu B'Shvat
Wisdom and Aging .................... 10:30 AM
Sisterhood Luncheon ................ 12:00 Noon
Adult Education ........................7:00 PM

SYNAGOGUE NEWS AND EVENTS

BIJC Pre-Passover Bake Sale
April 1, 2012
Calling all bakers! The eve of Passover is Friday, April 6. Exodus 12:15 in the Torah instructs Jews to "remove all chametz from one's home before the first day of Passover." We are given the option to use up all the chametz, throw it out, or sell it to non-Jews. Since many of the Center members love to bake, and many of our non-Jewish friends love to eat, let's put our talents to work and "raise some dough" for the BIJC by using the chametz to hold a Pre-Passover bake sale at the Center on Sunday, April 1. No fooling! This is a great way bring our members together and strengthen our connection in the community.

Members interested in contributing homemade baked goods or becoming part of a committee to help organize the bake sale should contact Glenn Lurie at gmlurie@aol.com or (707) 778-6361. We "knead" to hear from you as soon as possible. Thanks!

Save The Date!
"A Night in Tel Aviv"
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser hosted by Gan Israel Preschool

Mazel Tov and More...

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Karen Kosakowski - February 9
Vreni Schnirman - February 13
Peter Stein - February 14
Barry Sovel - February 21
Don Seppa - February 24
Lisa Stein - February 25
Deborah Thomas - February 27

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Shirley & Marvin Dolowitz - February 3
Lance & J Barlas - February 19
Dru & Joseph West - February 23

*Do you have news to share (a birth, graduation, award, etc.)? Please e-mail your news to weeklyannouncements@bnaiisrael.net.

Your Donations Make a Difference!

GENERAL FUND
Jim Stern - In memory of Geraldine Stern
Jim Stern - In memory of Jacob Weisler
Jules & Marjorie Cohen - In memory of Arthur Krulevitch
Jules & Marjorie Cohen - In memory of Sam Cohen
Phyllis & Marcel Feibusch - In memory of Arthur Krulevitch
Phyllis & Marcel Feibusch - In memory of Charlie Baum
Phyllis & Marcel Feibusch - In memory of Morty Wiggins's mother Harriet Wiggins
Joan Roman - In memory of Esther Gould
Oceana Taicher - In memory of Paul Squtt

GUSSIE SOVEL NEW BUILDING FUND
Bill & Rae Sovel - In memory of Charles Baum

HADASSAH
Lil Krulevitch - Happy 90th Birthday to Diane Dorfman

If you wish to HONOR someone special, REMEMBER a loved one, CELEBRATE a simcha, GIVE THANKS for recovery or for any other reason, donations may be made to the following synagogue funds:

Donations may be mailed to BIJC, 740 Western Avenue, Petaluma, 94952. Please include the names and addresses of the persons(s) to receive the acknowledgment card.

Please come by and check out our beautiful Judaica items we have for sale!

Sponsor a Kiddush

Sponsoring a kiddush is a lovely way to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, family simcha or the yahrzeit of a loved one. Sponsor a kiddish and celebrate with your extended "shul" family! To schedule a date for your kiddish, please contact Phyllis in the office (707) 762-0340. For more information, please contact Dru West at druwest@comcast.net.

Searching the Web?

BIJC can earn extra money through goodsearch.com. It's easy! Be sure to make goodsearch.com your everyday search engine, instead of Google or Yahoo. The Center gets a donation with every search. Just go to www.goodsearch.com, and follow the directions for adding Goodsearch to your toolbar as a default search engine. List B'nai Israel Jewish Cener as your charity. It's an easy and painless way to help much needed funds. Please contact Naomi Richman at 765-9844 for more information.

A Big Thank You

B'nai Israel Jewish Center appreciates the support it has received from community organizations. During the current fiscal year we have received support from:

• Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma counties for our Tot Shabbat Program
• Community Jewish Preschool Scholarship Fund of the Jewish Community Endowment, providing scholarships to Gan Israel parents
• Jim Joseph Foundation Emergency Education Grant for Preschool Scholarships
• Jewish Community Federation Catalyst Initiative Scholarship Fund providing religious school tuition assistance

Support Our Sponsors

The 2011 B'nai Israel Jewish Center Golf Tournament and Barbecue was a HUGE success. Friends old and new joined together for a wonderful afternoon. Whenever possible, we hope you will support the sponsors that were responsible for helping to make our golf tournament the most successful one to date!

BIJC ORGANIZATION NEWS & EVENTS

Adult Education

Harvesting Life Wisdom: Empowering Seniors
Wednesdays, Feb. 8 - 22, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
This three-session workshop allows older adults to connect with and gain support from others while acquiring important tools that will empower them as they move into this next phase of their lives.

Topics include: drawing on your wisdom and life experience, making peace with the past, learning the practices of forgiveness and gratitude, and assuming the mantle of wise elder.

Led by Alissa Hirshfeld-Flores, MA, MFT, who will draw upon her training in mindfulness, spirituality, and expressive arts to foster discussion and share learning tools.

$60 for three workshops. Reservations required. Contact Anita at anitaW@jfcs.org or 707-303-1501 to receive more information and/or to reserve a space.

Death and Dying: Let's Talk About It...
Rabbi Ted Feldman will conduct a five-session course that will provide a forum for us to open up the conversation about this very difficult subject.

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm beginning January 11, 2012

Fourth session, Wednesday, February 1, 2012: Alissa Hirschdfeld-Flores, M.F.T. and certified spiritual director, will join us in discussing the emotional and spiritual aspects of death and dying. Alissa, who has been teaching the spiritual direction course at BIJC, has twelve years experience working with Hospice.

Fifth session, Wednesday, February 8, 2012: Paula Taubman, Executive Director of the Northern California chapter of Compassion and Choices, will join us to work on how to have conversations about end of life issues.

Learn about adult education at BIJC here. For more information, please contact Rabbi Feldman at rabbi@bnaiisrael.net or 707-765-2937. There is no charge for Adult Education classes.

Sunday Morning Talmud Study
Each week we reflect on a short portion of Ein Yaakov: Ethical and Inspirational Teaching of the Talmud. Each session is self-contained, the text is studied in English, and we learn from each other. Everyone is welcome. No prior knowledge of the Talmud or Hebrew is necessary. Each session has an empty chair waiting...for you to join us!

Gan Israel

Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser
"A Night in Tel Aviv"
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
hosted by Gan Israel Preschool

Live Music by Kirk Heydt
Silent Auction items from all over Sonoma County and beyond...
Wonderful food and wine.

Gan Katan Infant / Toddler Play Group
Ages Birth - Two Years
This group will serve two purposes; for moms/dads/grandparents to meet each other & to educate our children through play.
Come to share your experiences, get advice, find support, make new friends & more....
Every Monday from 9am -10am.
For more information please contact Leslee at 707-763-5136 or email leslee@bnaiisrael.net

Sisterhood

General Meeting Luncheon
B'nai Israel Sisterhood invites you to attend our General Meeting Luncheon
on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at noon in the Bill & Ray Sovel Club Room at the BIJC.

The Hostesses will be Karen Chambliss-Abraham, Jeanne Straus and Katrina Nata.

Guest Speaker: Deborah Newhouse of Hired Hands, Inc., homecare that provides security and peace of mind

Please RSVP by Monday, February 6th to Phyllis at (707) 762-0340.

Please come and join us for a delicious lunch and good company and support Sisterhood, the "Right Arm" of B'nai Israel Jewish Center.

Gift Shop is open daily from 9:00 am to 12noon. For more information call Phyllis at 762-0340

Hadassah

To join Hadassah contact Fran Piotrkowski at franp2@comcast.net or (707) 763-7395. Questions about Hadassah? Call Phyllis at 762-0340 or Rita at 792-4494

Men's Club

BIJC Men's Club February Breakfast Meeting
RIP City Riders: Dedicated to Community Sunday, February 19, 2012
Please join us at the B’nai Israel Jewish Center on Sunday, February 19, 2012 for what promises to be an informative discussion with Rob Anello, founder and president of the RIP City Riders. Breakfast begins at 9:15 AM. We will be serving up bagels with lox and cream cheese and all the fixings, along with coffee, tea, and juice. Oatmeal is also being added to the menu.

For more information about this event, click here.

The Men's Club is a service organization dedicated to providing friendship and camaraderie for the men of the Jewish community and supporting the Center. Questions or comments regarding Men's Club programs can be directed to Jeff Kraus at krausfarm@comcast.net or Glenn Lurie at gmlurie@aol.com

JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jewish Family & Children's Services

Got Wheels and a Kind Heart?
JFCS RIDES transportation program seeks volunteer drivers to take older clients to and from doctors' offices, the grocery store, and other critical appointments. We are looking for friendly individuals 25 years of age and older who enjoy spending time with seniors and have a car in good working order, a valid California driver's license, a good driving record, and liability and collision insurance. You can select the days and times you volunteer. Training, supervision, and mileage reimbursement are provided. For more information, contact Vicki Wedegaertner at 707-303-1532 or vickiW@jfcs.org.

Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County

Susy Raful Holocaust Essay Contest
The Annual Susy Raful Holocaust Essay Contest is underway. Members of the JCC Teen Progam will receive an invitation as part of their program. All Jewish High School students can access the full invite letter at www.jccsoco.org (on the home page.) For details please contact Bob Raful, saladbob@netdex.com or 523-3253.

Visit our website at www.jccsoco.org

WORKSHOPS: Please log on to this website for information on and to view the groups/classes currently being offered.

Marin Jewish Community Center

One More Night of Love, Passion and Romance in Marin
Monday, Feb 6, 7:00 pm
Feb 6 - Author Event: Join the co-authors of Attached, the NY Times best-seller that reveals the science behind our attraction. Explore how to find and keep love.

To Register: Click the title above, or call 415.444.8000. At the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA 94903.

Introduction to Jewish Life: Jewish Texts
Tuesdays, Jan 17 - Feb 7 Delve into the Jewish texts -- both ancient and modern -- and learn about their historical context and relevance to your life today. We'll work together to demystify Jewish texts - like the Torah, Tanach, Midrash, Mishnah and Gemara -- and dabble in recent texts too. It's the perfect intro to Jewish living for adults - both Jewish and non-Jewish. At the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA 94903.

Irena Sendler: In the Name of Their Mothers
Film Screening and Discussion with Director Mary Skinner
Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 pm
Hear the powerful story of Righteous Gentile Irena Sendler who led a group of young Polish women to outfox the Nazis during World War II and save the lives of thousands of Jewish children. View the film that premiered on PBS last Yom Hashoah and honor Sendler's memory on her birthday, Feb 15, and hear the director in conversation after the screening. FREE. To register go to http://www.marinjcc.org/events/jewish-life or call 415.444.8000. At the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA94903.

Koret Taube Center for Jewish Peoplehood
Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA 94903
415.444.8080 or www.marinjcc.org/cjp

Join The Marin JCC's Center for Jewish Life on Facebook!
Be the first to hear about upcoming programs. Just click here, and then click the "Like" button.

Marin Jewish Community Center
200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA 94903
415-444-8080
To explore the Marin JCC's website and view their programs and upcoming events visit www.marinjcc.org.

JEWISH CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin & Sonoma Counties

For a complete listing and information, please contact the office or check the website at: www.jfcs.org or anitaw@jfcs.org

PARENTS PLACE-PARENT COACHING & CONSULTATION
WORKSHOPS: Please log on to website for information on and to view the groups/classes currently being offered. www.sonoma.ppsignup.org.

CARING FOR THOSE YOU LOVE
Seniors-At-Home now offers consultation services to help seniors and their family members plan for the future. While the goal is to help seniors remain independent to the fullest extent possible, each consultation is tailored to address individual needs. Consultations may address the following issues: insurance/Medicare concerns, housing needs, and financial management during retirement. Knowledgeable, professional staff will provide an action plan to guide seniors' decisions. For more information about consultations and fees, contact Vicki Wedegaertner at 707-303-1532 or vickiw@jfcs.org.

Bureau of Jewish Education, San Francisco

BJE's JTA Presents: Parenting Your Teen
Sunday February 12, 2012, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA
BJE's Jewish Teen Alliance presents a day of learning focused on Parenting Teens. It's what the community asked for, and we are delivering. Presented in partnership with the Jewish Community High School of the Bay, and sponsored by numerous other Jewish community organizations, Parenting Your Teen workshops include in depth conversations and parenting tools on Bullying, Sex and Sexuality, Boundaries and Communication, and more, all presented within Jewish framework. Presenters include Denise Pope, Ph.D. (our keynote speaker, of Stanford University and Challenge Success), Rachel Brodie, Rabbi Howard Ruben (Head of School at JCHS, a co-presenter of the conference), Naomi Tucker and many others.

To register and see workshops and presenters click here: parentingyourteen.eventbrite.com

Click here to view the Bureau of Jewish Education website.

San Francisco Contemporary Jewish Museum

Petaluma's Chicken Farmers Part of New Show
Petaluma’s Jewish chicken farmers will be part of a new exhibit that opens this month at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. The show, which runs through next October, is titled “California Dreaming” and explores Jewish life in the Bay Area.

Among the many artifacts, photos and multimedia offerings will be displays about Petaluma chicken farmers and the Jewish Socialist community that sprung up here among immigrants fleeing Russia, Poland and other European countries.

For more information, click here.

San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society

For more information about SFBAJGS go to http://www.sfbajgs.org

San Francisco Jewish Community Federation

For information regarding Jewish Community Federation Programs click here.

To subscribe to the mailing list and receive these announcements in your e-mail every Wednesday, click here.

Please note that the deadline for the weekly Wednesday Announcements is the preceding Monday at noon.
Please e-mail any additions or corrections to Miriam Feuer at weeklyannouncements@bnaiisrael.net
AND COPY Rabbi Feldman at rabbi@bnaiisrael.net

For further information about any of the above items, please call the Center office at 707.762.0340.
Rabbi Ted Feldman may be reached at 707.765.2937.