4-9-08
Shalom Chaverim from Beth Emek Communications. In case you haven't heard, Israel is turning 60 on May 7, and the party planning is well on its way. We don't want to give away too much about our local festivities, but there's rumor of an Israel trivia contest. So if you want to bone up, stay tuned to the Once Around as the big day approaches for interesting tidbits, like this one. On May 14, 1948, Israel signed its Declaration of Independence in the Tel Aviv Museum (now Independence Hall) and became a state with David Ben-Gurion as its first prime minister. OK, do you have that trivia nugget committed to memory? They're only going to get harder..
Social Action / Social Justice
Engagement In Acts of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World)
Wednesday, Apr 9 | 7:30p
Many of us in the Beth Emek community are involved in all kinds of projects that support the local community and the wider world. These projects have included interfaith efforts directed at helping indigent families, seniors and the homeless (Open Heart Kitchen, Food Bank, Interfaith Housing).
Internationally, some of our members are working to help eradicate malaria (Nothing But Nets), ensure that coffee and chocolate are fairly traded (Fair Trade Coffee), and seeing that girls in sub-Saharan Africa have the opportunity to complete secondary school (Project Wiser). Some of our efforts involve direct support for Israel and the Former Soviet Union (Baranovichi), others are broader. Many families support our schools and youth programs by volunteering as coaches, Scouters, and high school Band Boosters. Come and share your activities (and ideas) with us and be affirmed for what you do! Help engage others who are looking for ways of reaching out to their neighbors locally and around the world. Learn about local, national and international projects and how you can help. No long term commitment is necessary...
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Escape From The Holocaust
An Evening With Joe Rosenbaum
Wednesday, Apr 16 | 7:00p
Pleasanton Masonic Center, 3370 Hopyard Rd
Born in Germany in 1931, Joe Rosenbaum tells the incredible story of his survival and eventual rescue from the Holocaust. Relive Joe's amazing journey through Poland, Russia, Siberia, Turkistan, Tehran, and eventually Palestine where he was brought back to health and life as a human being by Hadassah's Youth Aliyah program. Presented by Hadassah Shalom Chapter. This event is free, but donations to Hadassah will be graciously accepted.
More: Cheryl Bigman
cherylsb63@yahoo.com
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Looking To Infuse Some Holiday Fun Into Your Seder?
A Festive, Learning Seder For Families
Thursday, Apr 17 | 6:30 - 8:30p
Faz Restaurant in Pleasanton
Join Rabbi James Brandt, Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Living and Learning, to learn more about the Passover holiday, and once and for all answer the question "Why is this night different from all other nights?".
Enjoy a delicious Faz meal while learning more about the holiday, including tips for infusing your own Seder with holiday fun. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay Regional Office, Faz Restaurant, the Center for Jewish Living and Learning, and the Shalom Chapter of Hadassah. $40 for adults, $18 for children ages 4 - 12 and free for those 3 and under.
RSVP: tanya@jfed.org
925.943.5238
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You Can Even Eat The Dishes
Teen "Chocolate" Seder
Friday, Apr 18 | 5:00 - 7:00p
All interested teens our invited to join our high school youth group "EDJY" at Congregation Beth Emek for a Chocolate Seder. This is a sweet version of the traditional Passover Seder where we'll substitute chocolate for all the foods we usually eat. For example, we'll drink chocolate milk instead of wine and eat bitter-sweet chocolate instead of bitter herbs. Freedom is so sweet! Join us in a night filled with falafel, chocolate, and tons of fun! After our Seder, stay and join community services starting at 7:30 p.m. Please RSVP by April 16.
More: Sarah Wolfish, EDJY Membership VP
eeyoremaniac@comcast.net
Deborah Braunstein, Youth Group Advisor
dabraunstein@gmail.com
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Mitzvah Alert!
Passover Meal Delivery For Isolated Older Adults,
Holocaust Survivors and People With Disabilities
Friday, Apr 18
Every year the Jewish Family and Children's Services of the East Bay (JFCS/East Bay) delivers fresh kosher Passover meals to people in need in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. If you'd like to help this year, please let us know! Call soon as spaces fill up quickly! Here are some of the ways you can help.
- Volunteer to deliver meals and bags of groceries.
The delivery day is Friday, Apr 18. Pick up is
at 2:30 pm at either JFCS/East Bay's Berkeley office
or Walnut Creek office. Deliveries should take place
between 3 and 5 pm.
- Sponsor a portion of the program. For example, donate
enough matzoh, gefilte fish or horseradish for all the
deliveries, about 80 households.
- Make a financial contribution to the Holiday Food Program.
In addition to Passover, we deliver meals for Rosh Hashanah,
Chanukah and the last Shabbat of each month.
- Let us know if you or someone you know could benefit from
the program. This service not only provides a nutritious
meal, it also gives isolated people in our community the
chance to engage with the volunteer making the delivery.
More: Kathryn Winogura
925.927.2000 x529
www.jfcs-eastbay.org
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The 2008 Temple Beth Torah Community Seder:
Family Friendly, Fun For All
Sunday, Apr 20 | 5:30p
Temple Beth Torah
42000 Paseo Padre Parkway | Fremont
Celebratory, participatory, family-friendly and traditional, the Temple Beth Torah Community Seder has something for everyone. Adult tickets are $23, children 2 - 13 are $11 and children under 2 are free.
RSVP: Friday, April 11
More: Temple Beth Torah Office
510.656.7141
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Ready, Set, Draw!
"Israel at 60" Poster Contest
Announcing Beth Emek's "Israel at 60" poster contest! Help Beth Emek celebrate Israel's 60th Birthday in style - all Beth Emek students are invited to create a poster for "Israel at 60", wishing Israel a Happy Birthday, telling us something about Israel or showing what Israel means to them. Posters should be returned to the Beth Emek office or the child's Sunday School teacher by Sunday, May 4 and all posters will be proudly displayed at Beth Emek during our "Israel at 60" weekend, May 9 - 11. Prizes will be awarded by age group: preschool, grades K - 2, grades 3 - 5 and grades 6 -7; each participant should write his or her name, grade and telephone number on the back of the poster.
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Israel's Turning 60
Clear Your Calendar
Friday - Sunday, May 9 - 11
We know it's still a month away, but the festivities will be so big that we wanted you to have as much notice as possible! Clear May 9 through May 11 on your calendars for a weekend of festivities marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. We don't want to ruin all the surprises just yet, but for sure we'll be talking about Israeli wine and chocolate, Israeli dancing, Israeli/Ethiopian hip-hop, an Israel trivia contest and falafel for all as the weekend draws nearer.
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Got Haggadot?
The Beth Emek Gift Shop has a variety of Haggadot just in time for your Passover seder. Check them out in the Beth Emek office. Contact Ellen Kiefer at 925.931.1055 x10.
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We have our regular schedule on Wednesday, Apr 9 and Sunday, Apr 13. The program on Sunday includes Passover activities.
Fourth Grade students will be participating in a special walk-through seder, on Wednesday Apr 16. Rabbi Rick and Judith Radousky will serve as the seder tour guides. We are encouraging fourth grade parents to join their students for this unique seder experience. To allow enough time for the seder, fourth grade students will stay 10 minutes longer than usual, being dissmissed at 6:15p, (not 6:05p).
