Current - Temple Emanu-El

Connections 

Temple Emanu-El, San Jose CA 

Av-Elul 5773 August 2013 V. 77 No. 10 

August Service 

Schedule: 

Fri., August 2 

6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 

Patio Service 

Sat., August 3 

9:00 AM Shabbat Morning 

Minyan 



Patio Service 


9:00 AM Baby Shabbat 


Minyan 



Patio Service 



Minyan 

10:30 AM Bat Mitzvah of 

Brooke Moorhead 

Fri, August 23 


Patio Service 



Minyan 

10:30 AM Bar Mitzvah of 

Justin Blumstein 



Patio Service 

7:30 PM Clergy Suite Remodel 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 



Minyan 

7:00 PM Selichot Study, 

Reception, and Service 

Candle Lighting Times: 

August 2: 7:57 PM 





In this Issue: 

Selichot ……………………………………………Page 2 

2013-14 Board of Trustees Announced…….Page 3 

Israel Trip 2014 ………………………………….Page 4 

Zip Code Havdalah……………………………...Page 5 

Prospective Member Ice Cream Social………Page 7 

High Holy Days ………………………………….Page 11 

1010 University Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 www.templesanjose.org Office: 408‐292‐0939 Religious School: 292‐3223 Preschool: 293‐8660 Fax: 292‐7625

Meekantor’s Kol Tuv 

High Holy Days - Standing at the Foot of Mount Sinai 

Part I: Selichot (Forgiveness) and the 13 Attributes of God 

Imagine yourself standing at the foot of Mount Sinai. Around you – arid, yellowish brown dunes of sand and a 

few scattered dry desert bushes. Though subtle, a quiet murmur can be heard, the ambient sound is eerily 

quiet. You are summoned, by an inner voice stronger than your ability to comprehend or understand “why,” to 

stand with the other people of your “tribe,” at the foot of a mountain, and wait. You are not completely sure what you are doing 

here. You look at other people who are congregating here with you. Some are still waking up from their sleep. Children are playing 

quietly, while the adults are busy “doing.” All you know is that you need to be here, to experience something you are not sure 

how, or if it will impact your tomorrow. 

At Ma’a’mad Har Sinai, the Theophany at Mt. Sinai (the Revelation of God on Mount Sinai), the Israelites were summoned to 

stand by the foot of the mountain. Waiting for Moses to come down, they didn’t know exactly what was about to happen; they 

intuitively only sensed the power of an upcoming event. According to the Jewish tradition (Exodus 19:24), this earth-shattering 

encounter between the Israelites and God was the defining moment of our history as a People. We consider our Torah (The Five 

Books of Moses) as the story of the development of the evolving, yet enduring relationships between the People of Israel and God. 

Now let’s travel in time a few thousand years forward from that momentous event at Sinai. Of course, in the present, most of us 

don’t actually stand as a community at the foot of Mount Sinai to welcome Moses, receive Torah carved in tablets, or witness 

God’s miracles through clouds and burning bushes. But we do get an annual opportunity to spiritually bring ourselves to a place 

of a gathering, begin the process of Teshuvah, an opportunity to turn inward, and engage in an honest, private conversation with 

God. Yes, the setting is different: instead of an open space in the desert, we come together in a synagogue or another communal 

gathering space. The other members of our “tribe” are friends from the synagogue or acquaintances from the larger community. 

Moses left quite a long time ago; now clergy serve as Klei Kodesh, holy vessels to channel sacred work. The Tablets are nowhere 

to be found. They were replaced by a Torah scroll, made by people, covered in a white mantel, to signify the sacredness of the 

occasion. God’s voice can be heard as a Kol D’mama Daka, a soft, small, yet powerful voice of silence; an inner spiritual murmur, 

if we allow ourselves to hear it. Our ancestors stood by the mountain as a People, they heard the voice of God calling them. While 

the language may be different, we can still hear it as well. Some people join the congregation for the High Holy Days, because 

that’s what they’ve always done since childhood; it’s a tradition they feel they want or have to keep. Some are here to teach their 

children. Some feel that they have to come for “the wife, you know,” and others come for the yearly “tune up,” or the “recharging 

of spiritual batteries.” No reason is better or worse than another. The fact is, you are here --- even if you fall asleep during the 

Rabbi’s sermon or the Cantor’s new version of the Hashkiveinu prayer, you are still HERE. And while asleep, your subconscious 

is having a private conversation with God. 

In our daily lives, we are all familiar with the complexity of relationships; Ma’amad Har Sinai was the first recorded testimony to 

such an intensity, a spiritual reflection of a relationship Bein adam La’chavero (between one person to another), and Bein adam 

la’Makom (between a person to a place or source of holiness, a physical manifestation of Godliness). 

In the Hebrew month of Elul, also called the “Month of Selichot” (Forgiveness, in plural form), observant Jews around the world 

pray daily to ask for forgiveness from God. In most Reform congregations, we don’t pray daily, but we do have a specific day 

when we get into the mode of preparation for the sacred moments to come during the High Holy Days that culminate on Yom 

Kippur, called Selichot, which usually occurs on the last Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah. 

One of the key phrases or intense moments for this spiritual preparation is called “God’s 13 Middot Ha-Rachamim,” God’s 13 Attributes 

of Mercy, or Divine Attributes. During the High Holy Days (as well as the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, Sukkot, Passover 

and Shavuot), we utter this threefold repetition during the Torah Service: Adonai, Adonai El, Rachum, v'Chanun… Adonai 

(translated as Lord), Adonai, God, Compassionate and Gracious, Slow to Anger, Abounding in Kindness and Faithfulness, Extending 

Kindness to the Thousandth Generation, Forgiving Iniquity, Transgression and Sin …(Exodus 34:6-7). 

In its biblical context, the revelation of the Thirteen Divine Attributes of God are the essence of God's self, the climactic revelation 

to Moses after God’s having forgiven the sin of the golden calf. Moses has asked to see God as a sign of Divine favor; God refuses 

this request (since no person can see God and live), but shows Moses a portion of the Divine Presence by passing by him, only 

allowing Moses to see what trails behind God. 

Jewish tradition understands that God gave Moses a liturgical formula that can be used in the future to invoke Divine Pardon 

and Forgiveness whenever Israel sins, just as happened in the story of the golden calf. Thus, these verses came to be used as a 

liturgical invocation of God's mercy during the self-examination season of the High Holy Days. This powerful phrase serves as a 

spiritual bridge between our ancestors and our people today, and will continue to serve future generations as well. 

I invite you to join your clergy, members of our Makhela (choir), cellist and pianist and readers from Ritual Committee, to stand 

with us in front of the open ark, as we embark on our communal as well as individual journeys inward, beginning with Selichot 

(Saturday 8/31), through the intense High Holy Days. 

Adonai, Adonai, El Rachum ve’Chanun, Erech Apayim ve’Rav Chesed ve’Emet…. 

Please join us for our Selichot study session, reception, and service 

on Saturday, August 31 beginning at 7:00 PM. 

2

Words from the Rabbi 

Words from our President 

It is with great excitement that I have 

the honor of welcoming to our Senior 

Staff and to our Congregational Family 

our new Director of Congregational 

Learning, Josh Mason-Barkin. After a thoughtful search 

process beautifully chaired by Kelly Snider we unanimously 

agreed that Josh should oversee our Religious School, 

Hebrew/Tefillah program, Teen Jewish Studies, Youth 

programs and Adult Education. Josh is an excellent educator 

trained by our Reform movement. With his varied 

experiences and education he will bring much to our 

congregational table! 

What is a Director of Congregational Learning? He is first and 

foremost an educator who will help us conceptualize a plan 

for our entire congregation. We are a people who believe in 

education. We profess to have programs from 0 to 100. Josh 

will help us broaden and fulfill our mission. He comes to us 

from Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles where he has been their 

Director of Congregational Learning for the past three years. 

Here are excerpts from Josh’s blog: 

Professionally, I’m a Jewish educator. I earned MAs in Jewish 

education and Jewish communal service from HUC-JIR and a 

BA in politics and religion from Ripon College. Formerly, I 

consulted with schools and trained teachers in my role as 

director of school services at Torah Aura Productions. I am 

the author of two books, God: Jewish Choices for Struggling 

With the Ultimate and Artzeinu: An Israel Encounter, and I 

have worked in numerous synagogues in California and as an 

instructor at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles. 

I serve on the board of the National Association of Temple 

Educators and I am a member of the Jewish Educators 

Association and the Society of Professional Copy Editors (a 

job I held before entering the field of education). 

Temple Emanu-El welcomes '13-'14 

Board of Trustees 

The Temple Emanu-El members voted and 

inducted the 2013-2014 Board of Directors at our Annual 

Meeting held in May. Below is the list of the 

outstanding individuals who will be leading our community in 

the coming year; please join us in welcoming them. Feel free 

to contact any of these volunteers to help you with any 

questions or concerns you may have. 

Executive Committee 

Jeff Hoffman, President 

Andrew Weinberg, V.P. of Administration 

Edgardo Laber, V.P. of Leadership & Development 

Shirley Lee, V.P. of Membership 

Mark Cahn, V.P. of Education & Youth 

Dan Winter, Secretary 

Jim Heerwagen, Treasurer 

Mike Cahn, Immediate Past President 

Board Members 

Rich Albert 

Dana Brody-Brown 

Maggie Cant 

Jeslie Chermak, Brotherhood 

Enrique Guadiamos 

Isabel Haggerty, EESY 

Steve Krandel 

Judy Levy, Sisterhood 

Ron Mandel 

Alissa Meltzer 

Debbie Michels 

Melenie Pearson, Sisterhood 

Eleanor Rusnak 

Deborah Zimmer 

I’m also into technology, especially the role and usage of 

technology in Jewish organizations. I have worked on a 

number of Jewish websites, including the mobile-optimized 

sites for the 2012 NATE conference, the 2011 NATE 

conference in Seattle and 2012 Kallah in San Antonio, 

musician Noam Katz’s site, and the Temple Isaiah Religious 

School Blog. I serve as webmaster and tech consultant 

to B’nai Mitzvah Revolution. 

I am married to Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin, and I’m Charlie 

Mason-Barkin’s dad. In my free time, I enjoy photography, 

writing, playing with Charlie, and closely following my beloved 

Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Bears. My favorite Beatle is 

George. 

Please join me as we welcome Josh to our family. 

Josh Mason-Barkin 

Director of Congregational Learning 

408-292-3223 

josh@templesanjose.org 

Front Row (from left): Debbie Michels, Alissa Meltzer, 

Eleanor Rusnak, Maggie Cant, Deborah Zimmer, Dana Brody- 

Brown, Shirley Lee 

Back Row (from left): Edgardo Laber, Ron Mandel, Mark 

Cahn, Mike Cahn, Andrew Weinberg, Steve Krandel, Jim 

Heerwagen, Jeff Hoffman 

Not Pictured: Rich Albert, Jeslie Chermak, Enrique 

Guadiamos, Isabel Haggerty, Judy Levy, Melenie Pearson, 

Dan Winter 

3

Kama’s Corner 

“People often avoid making decisions out of 

fear of making a mistake. Actually, the 

fail ure to make decisions is one of life’s 

biggest mistakes.” – Rabbi Noah Weinberg 

I read this quote recently and was tickled to find it came from 

the mouth of a famous Rabbi. I was tickled because I have 

been overwhelmed by the number of decisions I find myself 

making as Temple Emanu-El’s Executive Director. And I 

experience fear around many of them. Reading the second 

sentence of this quote brought me some comfort. It’s not that 

I shouldn’t have feelings of fear…It’s just that I need to make 

the decisions anyway. And THAT is what I’ve been doing! 

These decisions mean change… Change for me, change for 

the A-Team, change for you – our congregants. And change is 

good. But it is often uncomfortable or unsettling. In the end, I 

tend to find that change is inevitable and that we adapt 

quickly and (we hope) gracefully. 

Some changes I’d like to acknowledge & share: 

1) MaryAnn Orlowski, who served Temple Emanu-El for 

many years as its bookkeeper, has completed her 

temporary assignment with us on the Administrative 

Team. I am deeply grateful to MaryAnn for her willingness 

to return to Temple Emanu-El in this capacity and 

assist me in transitioning our back-end accounting 

function to a solution that is based in accounting best 

practices. Her efforts were heartfelt as is her love for our 

congregation. 

And moving forward as we embrace this change, please 

join me in welcoming our newest A-Team member, 

Andrew Scher, our part-time bookkeeper. Andrew is an 

accounting major at San Jose State and will be in the 

Temple office three days a week. He is a wonderful 

addition to our Team. If you have any questions 

regarding your account at the Temple, please feel free to 

email Andrew at Andrew@templesanjose.org. 

2) You may have noticed slight differences in your Temple 

account statements. We are now fully functional in our 

new database – ShulSuite! We are generating monthly 

& quarterly account statements for all our congregants 

from this new tool. Your statements may not look 

exactly the same but we ask you to join us in celebrating 

these infrastructure updates with the understanding 

that this improvement ultimately brings new efficiencies 

and greater accuracy to Temple Emanu-El’s back office. 

3) And finally, I want to share a change which is personal 

to me. I share this about me because I am quite clear 

that when I experience great personal change, it is 

obvious to those with whom I work and serve at 

Temple Emanu-El. Such is the nature of a closely 

connected work environment. My son, Calvin - my 

first- born - graduated from high school in June and will 

be departing this month for the University of Southern 

California. As I’m sure many of you can imagine (or have 

already experienced with your own children), I am so 

proud of him. And I am also so sad to see him go. I want 

to thank each person at Temple Emanu-El who has 

assisted me these past few months around this exciting 

and sometimes heartbreaking transition. A special 

thanks to the Sr. Staff and the Administrative Team who 

have opened their hearts to me and have “covered” for 

me when it was necessary. I am blessed with their 

friendship and understanding. 

Always feel free to email me if you have questions about 

changes or decisions we make on behalf of the Temple. I am 

happy to hear your concerns and help clarify any issues you 

may have. And “empty nesters” advice is now greatly 

appreciated! 

Thank you for your patience as I navigate these uncharted 

waters – both professionally and personally! 

-Kama Fletcher 

4 

Ritual Committee 

An Adult’s Bat Mitzvah Experience 1.5 years in the making 

-by Lori Rush 

I’ve been Jewish all my life, but never realized what it really 

felt like to be Jewish. I went to Hebrew school for four years 

and learned to read and recite a couple of the standard prayers 

like the the Sh’ma, Kiddush, and motzi. But we were social 

Jews, the High Holy Days Jews, and I remember how painful 

it was to sit through a conservative service in Brooklyn. 

Fast forward several decades later, after spending a couple of 

years at Temple Emanu-El, I became very interested in really 

wanting to take my rite of passage as a Jew… thus the adult 

Bat Mitzvah. 

I was encouraged to B’nai Mitzvah, but I did not want to wait 

until 2014 or later. Generously, Rabbi and Cantor supported 

me as a Bat Mitzvah. 

I did a lot of learning on my own with weekly supplements 

attending Minyan – religiously (no pun) and Shabbat at least 2 

times a month. I would be at the gym from 6 AM–8 AM every 

Saturday, and then race to Minyan. On Sundays I would be 

at the gym from 8–10:00 AM then race to Cantor’s classes in 

the BFR. The services and Cantor’s classes taught me what 

the Bat Mitzvah ritual is about. Receiving and learning my 

parsha was soul-searching for me. I went to the depths of my 

life experiences, and intertwined it with what I thought the 

Torah was saying. The net result was my commitment to my 

Jewishness. 

Standing on the Bimah was momentous. The spiritual energy 

from Rabbi, Cantor and the Torahs, was radiant. The Sh’ma 

was profound! 

The following week after my Bat Mitzvah I was at Shabbat and 

Minyan; this was of my own free will, imagine that! 

I’ve asked several relatives and friends, who were B’nai 

Mitzvahed as young adults, what they remember about their 

B’nai Mitzvah. Most of them said they do not remember and 

this is very sad to me. To have forgotten how great this 

experience is is a shame. Maybe they were too young to 

realize what it really means. 

Becoming an Adult Bat Mitzvah was an amazing learning 

experience, and exceeded absolutely everything I thought it 

would be. It’s like falling in love, that beautiful warm secure 

feeling. 

ISRAEL TRIP 2014 

If you have ever wanted to travel to Israel, now is 

the time. Rabbi Magat will be leading a trip to 

Israel from June 17- July 2, 2014. Join us for an 

informational orientation on August 21 at 6:00 

PM. Please RSVP to admin@templesanjose.org. 

Food will be provided.

Preschool Moments 

Babies & Bagels 

Our summer was a wonderful success. The children enjoyed 

a Splatter Paint Party, tea parties, outer space, a rain forest, 

and so many more adventures. It was a summer full of 

memories and the innocence of being a child. 

It is hard to imagine that we are at the beginning of our 13th 

year. It is our Bar Mitzvah year and we are certain it will be a 

year of growth and excitement. We are starting this year with 

a running start! Rosh Hashanah is early and already I hear 

the children and teachers singing their favorite Rosh 

Hashanah song, "Buzz Buzz Buzz." We will spend September 

learning about the High Holy Days and, of course, we are all 

looking forward to blowing the shofar with Rabbi 

Magat. Preschool is a special time of exploring, growing, and 

learning to bond with others. I am always excited to see my 

old friends come back and to meet so many new little people 

and families. I look forward to our year and the new memories 

we are going to create. We are already accepting applications 

for the summer and fall of 2014, so please contact me 

with any questions or to schedule a tour. 

This time of year I always think of a song that the 

preschoolers like to sing that represents not only Rosh 

Hashanah but also it is our hope for our preschool friends. 

"L'Shanah tovah tikatevu 

L' Shanah tovah tikatevu 

a good year 

a year of peace 

we wish to you". 

Warmly, 

Barbara Smead 

Save the Date 

New Program~ 

Baby Shabbat 

August 10 at 9:00 AM in the Chapel 

A Shabbat experience designed for families with children 

ages 0-30 months. Little ones will enjoy a program full of 

Shabbat songs, Torah stories, and parachute play! We'll 

share the Kiddush and Motzi at a bagel oneg to follow. A 

wonderful opportunity to come together as a family and meet 

new friends! Siblings are welcome, and the program 

is open to the community. This program will continue on the 

second Saturday of each month. 

For more information contact Rebekah Sechrist 

at rdsechrist@gmail.com. 

Bagel oneg sponsored by Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood. 

Save the Date for Latkes and Laughs 

at Temple Emanu-El 

on Saturday Nov 9th, 2013 

Join your Temple neighbors to start the new week 

at Zip Code Havdalah. 

The hosts will provide the home, the guests will 

provide an appetizer or dessert, and Temple 

Emanu-El will provide the wine and ritual! RSVP 

by August 10th to havdalah@templesanjose.org. 

Your assigned location will be provided after we 

receive your RSVP. 

5

Religious School 

B’Nai Mitzvah 

‘Whenever you learn something new, the whole world becomes 

that much richer.’ 

by Josh Mason-Barkin, Director of Congregational Learning 

The first thing you might want to know about me is that my 

favorite book is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 

(1961). I like it because it’s clever, and I like it because it’s 

about growing up, and I like it because it’s very funny. But I 

mostly like it because it’s all about the spark of wonder and 

amazement that happens when learning is exciting, and 

when it touches you deep inside. 

Toward the end of the book, Milo — the story’s protagonist — 

completes his quest to rescue the Princesses of Sweet Rhyme 

and Pure Reason, a quest that is really about the adolescent 

boy’s need to understand how adult life works. Rhyme tells 

him, “It’s not just learning things that’s important. It’s 

learning what to do with what you learn and learning why 

you learn things at all that matters.” 

Once in awhile, I re-read a paper I wrote my first year of 

graduate school. In it, I explained that, “I want to be an 

educator who keeps Rhyme’s advice in mind by imparting on 

my students more then just facts and feelings, but a sense of 

deep meaning and understanding.” 

What I didn’t understand at the time was that Rhyme was 

missing a crucial ingredient, an ingredient I should have 

known was missing. As an undergraduate, I studied 

journalism, and the first things you learn as a journalist are 

the six questions you always have to answer: Who? What? 

Where? When? Why? and How? That sixth question — the 

one that begins with an H — is the zinger. 

How can an educator help students to engage deeply with 

Jewish tradition and with their Jewish community? How can 

we teach students to find their own personal meaning in the 

learning they do in religious school? How can we encourage 

entire families to learn together and to build vibrant Jewish 

homes? How can we help teachers to do their best work in 

creating exciting classrooms? 

For the last several years, I’ve been working on the How. In 

my roles as a developer of curriculum, as a consultant to 

religious schools around the country, as a school 

administrator, and as a synagogue educator, I’ve worked with 

other educators, principals, teachers, and students to help 

empower them to create and engage themselves in excellent 

Jewish educational experiences. Along the way, those 

educators, teachers, and students have taught me lots about 

how to create and implement excellent Jewish education. It’s 

been a fulfilling and eye-opening learning journey for me. 

As the Princess of Pure Reason puts it, “Whenever you learn 

something new, the whole world becomes that much richer.” 

I’d add that the richness continues to grow when you have 

the opportunity to put learning to really good use. That’s one 

reason I’m excited to have been appointed to this new 

position. Working in concert with our dynamic and expert 

staff, I’m looking forward to building on the foundation of 

educational excellence that already exists at Temple Emanu- 

El. In addition to that excitement, I’m also extremely 

humbled, both by the talent and warmth of the leadership 

team at Temple Emanu-El of which I now find myself a part. 

The second thing you might want to know about me is that I 

can’t wait to meet you. Thank you for inviting me into your 

community and for entrusting me with the sacred task of 

learning with you and your children. My door, my phone line, 

and my email inbox are always open for you, no matter the 

“Rhyme” or “Reason.” 

6 

Brooke Antonia Moorhead, daughter of Lori 

Riggio, will be called to the Torah as a Bat 

Mitzvah on August 17, 2013. Brooke is 

entering the 8th grade at Union Middle 

School this Fall, where she will be a Student 

Body Officer. She enjoys dance and is 

especially excited to be a member of the 

Performing Company at Dance Attack this 

year. Her sister, Lola Moorhead, 

grandparents, Marcia and Joe Riggio, and 

extended family are excited to celebrate this important 

milestone with her. 

Justin Blumstein, son of Kristi and Ron 

Blumstein, will be called to the Torah as a 

Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, August 24th. 

Justin will be entering the 8th grade at 

Dartmouth Middle School in San Jose, 

where he plays Bass Clarinet in the school 

symphonic Band. Justin also enjoys playing 

soccer, swimming, acting, and Boy Scouts. 

For his Bar Mitzvah project, Justin has 

collected new stuffed animals for the Pediatric 

Units at Good Samaritan Hospital, so that newly admitted 

children can be comforted during their stay. Justin had two 

extended stays at Good Samaritan during his childhood. 

Justin is excited to celebrate this occasion with his family, 

friends, and the Temple Emanu-El community. 

eScrip 

Hot eScrip News 

Attention all eScrip supporters! 

Safeway’s 10% Back to School 

promotion is Aug. 14 - Sept. 10. 

Instead of a yellow school bus tag on 

hundreds of participating products, 

look for the new logo, a red apple with 

a green 10% banner atop a stack of 

books. Cruise up and down the aisles. 

If you have children take them along; 

they will have fun hunting for food you usually buy. Use 

your registered Safeway Club Card and Temple will receive a 

very generous 10% of your purchases. 

Reminder! Safeway asks all eScrip groups to renew their 

Club Cards every August. As coordinator I will be doing the 

renewals for you. 

If you are not yet an eScrip supporter, now is the time to 

register your Safeway card and a credit/debit card so you 

can shop at merchants who do not have a club card. I use 

my registered Chase card when shopping at Lunardi’s. Visit 

www.escrip.com and follow the prompts. Our ID# is 

136985180. 

Have a super summer supporting Temple, along with our 

296 shoppers and eaters who last year earned almost $2,500 

for us. Call me if you have any questions or want help with 

registering. 

Lorie Kaplan, eScrip coordinator 408.267.4563

Brotherhood 

Hello! Welcome to my first Connections post as Brotherhood 

President. I hope you are having a great summer and are 

keeping cool despite the heat waves of the past months. 

Please consider joining Brotherhood and come to our August 

11th meeting as we finalize plans for the coming year. Our 

next event is the Pancake Breakfast we sponsor on the first 

day of Sunday School. Perhaps you'd like to help? 

Brotherhood is one of the means by which the members of 

Temple Emanu-El enrich and improve the lives of the entire 

Temple Family. While it's true that the summer represents a 

quiet time for us, with many people taking vacations and 

family trips, I'd like to remind you that August and the start 

of the school year comes all too soon. Please drop by our 

next meeting -- at the very least we'll give you a bagel breakfast 

(what else did you expect from me?) and some good company 

on a Sunday morning. 

Jeslie (the Bagel Man) Chermak 

President, Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood 

Rosh Chodesh 

Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00 PM 

Gordon Robinson passing the 

gavel to the new 

Brotherhood President, 

Jeslie Chermak. 

In a small friendly group we meet at the home of Lorie & 

Shari Kaplan. It's time to celebrate the festival of the New 

Moon, an ancient tradition, with ritual, music, meditation 

and prayer. This month we will celebrate and discuss Elul, a 

time to reflect, Tishrei, which occurs during the High Holy 

Days, and Sarah, our matriarch. Also, we reinforce our 

Jewish identity and deepen our spirituality. Let's honor what 

is special about ourselves and those around us. 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership Memo: 

Membership 

As we approach the High Holy Days, many new families 

are experienceing Temple Emanu-El for the first time and 

finding it the place to make their Jewish home. Making a 

connection with these new members is an important way 

to help them feel like they belong and are part of 

our welcoming community of members. Here are several 

ways you can make a connection and help create a warm 

inviting synagogue. 

When attending Services, introduce yourself to someone 

new. 

Volunteer to share a Shabbat dinner with a new member. 

Offer to be part of our new mentor program. 

Help by serving dinner at a Tot Shabbat. 

Share a new idea that will give our diverse members a 

warm welcome. 

Building our Temple community and becoming partners 

in creating a warm place to belong, fills many mitzvot and 

confirms our Jewish heart. Join the Clergy, Staff, and 

Membership Committee in making a connection and 

creating a caring community of friends. Your thoughts 

are important to growing our Membership. Please feel free 

to contact me and to volunteer 

at membership@templesanjose.org or 408-320-2409. 

Pam Hoffman, Membership Chair 

Prospective Member Event 

Join us for an Ice Cream “Sunday” 

Sunday, August 18 from 3:00-5:00 PM 

Hosted by the 

Temple Emanu-El 

Membership Committee 

Future Rosh Chodesh dates: Sunday, Oct. 6, 1:30 PM Next 

year, 2014: Sunday, Feb. 2, 1:30 PM; Wednesday, April 2, 7 

PM; Thursday, June 26, 7 PM; Tuesday, Aug. 26, 7 

PM and Sunday, Nov. 23, 1:30 PM. 

We always have a wonderful time. Noshes are included. Rosh 

Chodesh is truly a sacred time just for women. Space is limited. 

So please RSVP by August 4th to Lorie, 408.267.4563. 

7 

Please join us for cold ice cream and warm conversation! 

Singles, couples, and families who are interested in exploring 

membership at Temple Emanu-El are invited to attend. Meet 

with our clergy, staff, and board members to learn more 

about our welcoming synagogue and our diverse community 

of members. 

RSVP by August 12 to 

membership@templesanjose.org 

For more information, contact 

Pam Hoffman, Membership Chair at 

membership@templesanjose.org

Thank You For Your Sustaining and Above Membership Pledge 

Thank you to the following members who have renewed 

their membership for the 2013-14 year and have 

generously pledged at, or above, the Sustaining level. 

Richard Albert 

Mark and Miriam Atlas 

Marvin and Bonnie Bamburg 

Marc and Lynda Baum 

Marjorie Resnick Blickman 

John Braunreuther and Amy Lambert 

Shannon Brown and Dana Brody-Brown 

Mark and Gail Cahn 

Barry and Mary Cohen 

Adam Cone and Katherine Jenkins 

Kirk Everett and Rebecca Dishotsky 

Chris Eaton and Michele Healey Eaton 

Jonathan Eisenberg 

Neal Eisenberg 

Mark and Bette Emanuel 

Dr. Clayton and Sandra Feldman 

Brian and Karen Fox 

Bruce and Peggy Frederick 

Larry and Elisa Gerston 

Joel and Marci Gerston 

Michael Glickman 

Gary Gold 

Clarence Goldfinger 

Martin and Julia Goldstein 

Margie Goodman 

Uri and Judith Gottfeld 

Joan Green 

Roma Green 

Herm and Beryl Greenberg 

Stephen and Arlene Greenberg 

Marc Hanish and Michelle Nathan 

Robert and Rhonda Hansen 

James Heerwagen and Hilary Schneider 

David and Cheryl Heiman 

Leila Henderson 

Penni and Karen Henry 

Lucille Hirsch 

Carol Hoffman 

Walter and Robin Hurwitz 

Irwin and Laura Jacobson 

Deborah Jacobstein 

Deborah Katzman 

Kathryn Kolder 

Ruth Krandel 

Steven and Shari Krandel 

David Ledwitz 

Byron Lilly and Nancy Weintraub 

Barbara I. Lotman 

Jonathan and Alissa Meltzer 

David Mimeles and Helen Dietz 

Robert and Margaret Newman 

William Poor 

Lisa Pupkin 

Sally Ravel 

Joseph and Marcia Riggio 

Wayne and Iva Rose 

Sidney and Doris Rosenberg 

8 

Jay Rubenstein 

Michael and Annie Rubenstein 

Stanley and Cathy Rubin 

Judith D. Sapper 

Jason and Julie Schnitzer 

Dr. Judith Siegel 

Sally Siegel 

Hugh Silin 

Simon Silin 

Dr. Richard Sogg 

Dorjey and Karen Solpon 

David Soltz and Aline Cardia 

Lonna Smith 

Kotarah Thompson 

Douglas and Suzanne Tobin 

Gregory and Sharon Turetzky 

Roy and Rachelle Vogler 

Bradford Wall and Ginny Hoffman 

Joel and Shirley Wiesner 

Arlene Williams 

Kimberly A. Williams 

Dan Winter and Laura Winter 

Adi and Kerry Zarchi 

Sherman and Lois Zell 

Deborah Zimmer and Elizabeth Shivell 

Selma Zinker 

Kevin and Ann Zis 

Pledges made after July 15 will be included in the next issue 

Thank you 

Our Temple relies on our members for so many tasks, 

projects, events, and odd jobs! This year these members were 

honored at our Annual Meeting held in May for their 

outstanding work of going above and beyond for our Temple 

community. 

Volunteers of the Year 2012-2013 

Jake Braunstein 

Sharon Genkin 

Above and Beyond Commitment (ABC) 

Ken Abrams 

Judie Aronson 

Ivan Aronson 

Mort Berlant 

Stacey Dedering 

Jamie Gold 

Pam Hoffman 

Erik Kaeding 

Lorie Kaplan 

Matt Ghan 

Robin Marino 

Joe Rosenberg 

Wolf Schaechter 

Julie Schnitzer 

Sybil Sommer 

Kelly Snider 

Sherri Wiesner 

Laura Winter 

Adi Zarchi 

Sherman Zell

Thank You for Your Generous Contributions 

GENERAL FUND 

In memory of 

Sheldon Singer 

Rick singer 

Rose Morris 

Gary Morris 

Nettie B. Lee 

Dan & Shirley Lee 

Gerald Gagle 

Dan & Shirley Lee 

Joseph Woron 

Janet & David Berg 

Martha Rachel Levine 

Jean & Henry Richards 

Sheldon Blickman 

Ellen Terrell 

Sidney Greenberg 

Steve & Arlene Greenberg 

Esther Schneider 

Natalie & Will Mauskopf 

Sara Salzberg 


Emanuel Mauskopf 


Robert Mauskopf 


Rabbi David Kane 

Terri & Berry Kane 

Irving Levy 

Terri & Berry Kane 

Dr. Philip Green 

James Roberts 

Rose Ivy 

Maggie & Robert Cant 

Nancy Wright 

Everett & Dishotsky Family 

Dr. Sidney Sogolow 

Michelle & Joseph Gabriel 

In honor of 

Joey, Jakob & Justin Singer 

Rick Singer 

Rita Loren’s 85 th Birthday 



Bobbi Lotman 

Doris Rosenberg’s Special Brithday 

Ellen Terrell 

Andrew Mendlin 

Lori Rush’s Bat Mitzvah 

Dianne Fisher 

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND 

In memory of 

Irving Altman 

Jewel Altman & Family 

Bob Jaffee 

Dr. Bruce Steir 


Hilde Schmitt 

Christine De Givenchy 

Max Boxer 

Suzanne Boxer-Gassman 

In honor of 


Lorie Kaplan 

Rita Loren & Deborah Ransier 


Marlene Siegler 

Quinn Chermak’s Bat Mitzvah 

Joy Morris & Jeslie Chermak 

Granddaughter’s Baby Naming 

Deborah & Leo Schreibstein 

Doris Rosenberg’s 90 th Birthday 

Rosalind & Carl Shapiro 

Get well wishes to 

Cherie Ravel 

Morton Leiter 

Donation 

Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood 

Deborah Katzman 

Danit & Jeilani Bismanovsky 

CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND 

In memory of 

Frieda Friedman 

Carol Lerner 

Donation 

Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood 

In Honor of 

Cantor Simerly 


Nancy Gerston 


Barbara & Morton Berlant 


Granddaughter’s Baby Naming 

Deborah & Leo Schreibstein 

ALVIN RAVEL GARDEN FUND 

In memory of 

Geraldine Levy 

Sally Ravel 


Corinne Ravel Retchin & Fred Retchin 

In honor of 

Sally Ravel’s Special Birthday 

Marilyn & Morton Leiter 

Ruth Krandel 


Cherie Ravel 

Arlene Ravel 

Selma Karchem 

CAMPERSHIP FUND 

In memory of 

Ruth Rubin 

Pauline & Jacob Braunstein 

Bessie Pollack 

Wanda & Bob Pollack 

In honor of 

Donation 

Karp Family 

CHOIR FUND 

In memory of 

Rose Uberman 


Anna Becker 


Stanley Kaisel 


GAON CAMPERSHIP FUND 

In honor of 


Bernice Gaon 

JUDITH JURMAN OMENS CEMETERY 

BEAUTIFICATION FUND 

In memory of 

Samuel Rudin 

Ilean Rudin 

Helen Miller 

Arlene & Rubin Jurman 

Donation 

Ilean Rudin 

MICHAEL ELMAN CAMPERSHIP FUND 

In memory of 


Philip Kumin 

Harry Popkin 

Joyce Donahoo 

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND 

In memory of 

Robert Leiter 


Ernesto, Esther & Raul Schkolnick 

Catalina & Mario Schkolnick 

Rafael, Regina & Jose Messina 

Catalina & Mario Schkolnick 

Esther Weiner 



Bette & Mark Emanuel 

In appreciation of 

6 th Grade Class 


In honor of 

Janet & David Berg’s 50 th Wedding 

Anniversary 


Arlene & Steve Greenberg 


Yvonne & John Nemec 

BETTY RINSLER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 

In memory of 

Dorothy B. Davis 

Mark Lutvak 

Sandra Medler 

Mark Lutvak 

Ben Woron 


Jack Rotofsky 

Mark Lutvak 

In honor of 

Confirmation Class 

Bobbi Lotman 

Donations received after June 30 will appear in the next Connections 

9

Generous Contributions (continued) 

ENDOWMENT FUND 

In memory of 


Pauline & Jacob Braunstein 

In honor of 

Syd Levin’s Birthday 

Joan & Marvin Fox 


Cherie Ravel 

Iva & Wayne Rose 

SHANK-ROCKMAN SOUND SYSTEM FUND 

In memory of 

Helen & Bert Gates 

JoAnn Shank 

SUSANNE C. BLICKMAN ARTS & CRAFTS FUND 

In memory of 


Bobbi Lotman 

In honor of 

Lori Rush 

Ginny & Manfred Siegler 

We Remember 

PRAYERBOOK TRIBUTE FUND 

In memory of 

Irving Altman 

Reeva Perr 

TORAH COVER FUND 

In honor of 

5773 Confirmation Class 


Donation 

Lori Rush 

BUILDING FUND 

Donation 

Ruth & Robert Fox 

Those who have died recently 

Lorraine Actor, mother of Gail Cahn 

Geraldine Levy, mother of Deborah Ostin, Doug Levy & Caroline Wagner 

Grace Migdol, mother of Michael Migdol and grandmother of Kayleigh & Will 

Donald Heiman, father of David Heiman 

Dr. Sidney Sogolow, husband of Rosalie Sogolow 

Martin Schneider, uncle of Harry Schneider 

Elsa Gordon, mother of Marc Gordon, Jo Carol Hiatt, Jenifer Cohen & Joe Gordon 

Judson Thurston, father of Jennifer Wandruff 

And those we have lost in years past: 

Aug 2 (6:30 PM) 

Mark Bach, Lottie Berman, Rose Blickman, Natalie Borts, 

Alfred Brenner, Isidor Farber, Dora Fischer, Sam Fishoff, 

Fred Shalom Friedman, Samuel Gerstley, Freida Lehr Heidorn, 

Pat L. Hunter, Morris Jacobs, Rueven Jeffe, Julius 

Katzman, Helen Kerr, Daniel W. Kraus, Bertha Krystal, 

Janice Leshay, Victor Levine, Naomi Mayer, Rebecca Muscatel, 

Joseph Pintoff, Jerry Prizant, Mildred Rakovsky, Sarah 

Richards, Claire Rosenberg, Henry Rosensweig, Aaron Rosenthal, 

Abraham Salzberg, Pauline Shine, Helen Siegel, Alan 

Siegel, Dr. Solomon S. Sogg, Mary Sokolov, Hippolito Soto, 

Harry Arnold Stern, Allen I. Stoll, Nathan Treister, Jeanette 

Waxman 

Aug 9 (6:30 PM) 

Nathan Aronoff, Miriam Ayllon, Larry Berman, Maurice A. 

(Don) Berman, Leonard W. Bloom, Millie Brisken, Marcus 

Brooks, John W. Christian, Eileen Judith Cohen, Solly Cohen, 

Fanny Emanuel, Peggy Forbes, Sarah Frieberg, Mimi 

Lewis Fuller, Ben Gambord, Charles Goldberg, Nettie Goldman, 

Henry Stadler Hammer, Esther Hoffman, Irma Silbiger 

Karpel, Betty Lichtenstein, Conceicao M. Machado, Francisco 

P. Machado, Florence Marcus, Aaron Adair Markham, Edna 

Novak, Morris Rinsler, Ernest Rott, Dora Rubin, Rose Greenberg, 

Albert Saltzman, Irving Satler, Fritzi Schaechter, Joseph 

Tannenbaum, Joseph Tannenbaum, Louise Friedland Weis, 

Eleanor Zurakov 

Aug 16 (6:30 PM) 

Sarah Asher, Dora Blaustein, Ethel Brody, Eli Enten, Marilyn 

Friedlander, Joseph Gitin, Irving Hoffman, Madeline Louise 

Kaufman, Howard Kraten, Eva Leve, Morris Lovy, Yankel Lutvak, 

Sumner Magat, Meyer Polock, David T. Press, Pauline 

Prizant, Jackie Radwin, Max Roberts, George Rosen, Freda 

Segal, Barbara T. (Bobbie) Shulkin, Lena Kasner Silverman, 

Samuel Weinstein, Gigi Green Wicks, Jean Wiesner 

Aug 23 (6:30 PM) 

Benjamin Alfred Abelson, Esther Apte, Harvey Asher, Eleanor 

Berman, Jacob Berman, Irving M. Bernstein, Shirley Blauner, 

Suzanne Blickman, Rebecca Borts, Robert Joseph Boxer, Ann 

Orloff Cahn, Lillian Chermak, Shlomo Cintz, Benjamin Fisher, 

Sydney Fox, Fania Galperin, Jennie Goldberg, Muriel Goldberg, 

Annette Goldstein, Ethel Harkavy, Shlomo Hertz, Ruth 

E. Jeffe, Anne Kaplan, Harry Kessler, Sophie Krown, Pasha 

Land, Mimi Lasner, Kathryn Loeffler, Manjeet Makhni, Sarah 

Marcus, Isadore Messinger, Harry Meyerson, Murray Moss, 

Jack Port, Bessie Renkosinsky, David H. Rosenthal, Marvin 

Rubenstein, Sarah Ruby, Isadore Schreibstein, Dr. Albert 

Sheinbaum, Fran Shussett, Arthur Silverman, Abe Taitelman, 

Dorothy Unell, Samuel B. Weinstein, Goldie Zasloff, Edith Ziff 

Aug 30 (6:30 PM) 

Jay Aronson, Anne Barnett, Leonard J. Block, Mary Brenner, 

Belle Brown, Morris Chusid, Nathan J. Citron, Herbert Cohen, 

Lillian E. Davis, Nathaniel Davis, Edward Fox, Thomas Fox, 

Edward Gold, Dora Golob, Shelley Gustason Malcolm, Sheila 

Heiman, Naji Ezra Helali, Joan J. Hersch, Frederic Kakis, Fred 

Karpel, Evangeline Kaufman, Isadore Koltun, Rose Koster, 

Joel Landau, Edythe Litman, Susan Moore, Nathan Primack, 

Eva Reznikov, Roberta Mendel Rivera, George Rosenberg, Lillian 

Satler, Sophie Schatten, Sylvan Siegler, Florence Silverman, 

Darlene Smilek, Raymond Sommer, Pauline Kessler 

Stein, Charles “Bud" Sweet, James N. Walker, Bliema “Billie" 

Walters, George Weintraub, Benjamin Weiss, David Werba, 

Else Wolff 

10

High Holy Days News 

Have you renewed your membership 

for the 2013-2014 year? 

We would like to remind you that one of the many benefits of 

membership at Temple Emanu-El are complimentary tickets 

for High Holy Days services. Members who have renewed and 

are in good standing will automatically receive tickets by mail 

for each family member over age 13 included in your 

membership. Members may purchase individual tickets for 

parents and adult children who reside elsewhere online or by 

mail. 

We encourage you to visit our website, www.templesanjose.org, 

to register for childcare (ages 2-5) or our Gesher program for 

children in kindergarten through grade 4. These programs 

are complimentary for members and are offered for a nominal 

fee for non-members. 

We also hope that you will consider placing a New Year’s 

greeting in the September Connections (see the form below) 

and purchase a Yizkor book listing. 

If you have any questions or concerns navigating the 

preparation for High Holy Days, please do not hesitate to 

contact the administrative staff at admin@templesanjose.org or 

(408) 292-0939 

We could not do it all without our 

wonderful volunteers! 

If you would like to help with ushering, ticket taking, etc., 

please contact the administrative staff at 

admin@templesanjose.org or by phone at (408) 292-0939. 

There will be a volunteer training meeting on Tuesday, 

August 27 at 6:00 PM and dinner will be provided. 

Thank you! 

Have a seat? 

If you can provide transportation 

to High Holy Days 

Services, or if you are a 

Temple Member in need of 

transportation to High Holy 

Days Services, please 

contact Caring Committee 

Chair, Robin Hurwitz 

at caring@templesanjose.org or 408-257-2583. 

Start the New Year with a Mitzvah! 

GREETINGS IN CONNECTIONS 

Temple Emanu-El offers you a way to wish your fellow 

congregants a happy, healthy and fulfilling new year by 

including your name in our bulletin on the Rosh 

Hashanah Greetings page. Think of it as a New Year’s 

greeting card to your entire Temple address book! By 

making a minimum tax-deductible donation of $36 per 

family unit, you will be wishing us all a new year filled 

with sweetness and joy, and at the same time, supporting 

your synagogue. 

This year we will also be offering the chance to wish your 

fellow congregants a happy Passover as well in the 

Passover issue of Connections. By making a minimum 

tax-deductible donation of $65 per family unit, you will 

be wishing us all a new year filled with sweetness and joy 

and a happy and healthy Passover, while at the same 

time, supporting your synagogue. 

PLEASE RETURN THE FORM AND PAYMENT TO THE 

TEMPLE OFFICE OR REGISTER ONLINE AT 

WWW.TEMPLESANJOSE.ORG BY AUGUST 12, 2013 

Your name:___________________________________________________ 

Your name/family’s name as you would like it to appear: 

______________________________________________________________ 

Total Enclosed $ ________________Check #______________________ 

Or 

VISA/MC# ___________________________________________________ 

Expiration Date 

3 Digit Security Code ____________ 

(We appreciate your adding an additional 3% to cover 

transaction fees.) 

Total Amount to be charged:$___________________________ 

YOU MAY ALSO REGISTER FOR HIGH HOLY DAYS 

CHILDCARE AND GESHER PROGRAMS, PURCHASE 

ADDITIONAL TICKETS AND YIZKOR BOOK LISTINGS 

ONLINE AT WWW.TEMPLESANJOSE.ORG 

Signature ____________________________________________________ 

11

Please Support Our Advertisers 

Home of Peace 

Cemetery & 

Mausoleum 

Monterey Hwy & 

Curtner Ave 

Call for an appointment 

to discuss pre-need 

arrangements: 

(408) 674-5867 

Founded in 1853 

Owned and Operated 

by Temple Emanu-El 

South Bay Area’s only 

Jewish-owned Cemetery, 

Mausoleum and 

Columbarium 

12772 

12

Please Support Our Advertisers 

“It would be my 

pleasure to be 

your Realtor!” 

Mary Cohen 

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) 

Quality Service Certified (QSC) 

408.981.2955 cell 

In appreciation of your business and 

referrals, a donation will be made to 

Temple Emanu-El at close of escrow. 

LAW OFFICE OF DERRYL H. MOLINA 

Estate planning – Elder Law – General Practice 

Mediations 

SE HABLA ESPANOL 

1142 S. Winchester Blvd., Suite B 

San Jose, CA 95128 

408.244.4992 

Derryl H. Molina 

Attorney at Law attderryl@comcast.net 

If you would like to advertise in Temple Emanu‐El’s Connections, contact Kama Fletcher at kama@templesanjose.org. 

13

New Programs 

Mazel Tov and Todah Rabah 

Coming this Fall is a wide variety of new programs for our 

members. Watch for more information coming in the Adult 

Education brochure which will be mailed in September. Also, 

visit Lehrhaus Judaica at http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/ 

series/2013/fall/H400-TE/ for registration of our Speaker 

Series Catalysts for Change: Exploring Jewish Contributions 

Past and Present. 

Mazel Tov to Suellen Brandman Haggerty for being honored 

as a Public Health Employee Excellence Award Nominee 

2013. 

Todah Rabah to the following Brotherhood members who 

moved and set up the clergy’s temporary offices so the clergy 

suites could be remodeled: Uri Gottfeld, Wolfgang Schaecter, 

Bob Levy, Andrew Weinberg, Jeslie Chermak, David Hirsch, 

Philip Schwarz, Randall Shev, and David Resiner. 

All classes open to new students. No prior experience 

necessary. Class meets at 7:30 PM on Tuesdays, August 6 

and 20, September 3 and 17. 

Oneg Sponsors 

6/7/2013 

The Braunreuther/Lambert Family in honor of Henry Braunreuther's 

Bar Mitzvah 

6/14/2013 

Lori Rush in honor of her Bat Mitzvah 

Karen Lea Medina in honor of Lori Rush's Bat Mitzvah 

Sandra Rosenberg in memory of her husband, Larry 

Sisterhood Bakeshop 

6/21/2013 

The Benninghaus/Squarer in honor of Andrea Beninghaus' 

Bat Mitzvah 

6/28/2013 

Marc & Lynda Baum in memory of Carol Kaufman 

Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood in honor of Sisterhood Shabbat 

Pauline and Jake Braunstein in honor of their 49th wedding 

anniversary and in memory of Pauline’s mother, Ruth Rubin 

Valarie and Herbert Pomarantz 

7/5/2013 

Bobbi Lotman, Bill and Janet Wood and the Sisterhood 

Bakeshop. 

7/12/13 

Sisterhood Bakeshop 

7/19/13 

Dr. Richard Sogg in honor of his Bar Mitzvah, Adi & Kerry 

Zarchi, Lois and Sherman Zell, and the Sisterhood Bakeshop 

7/26/13 

Arthur and Kathryn Zwern, Lori Rush, and the Sisterhood 

Bakeshop 

14 

Sisterhood presents: 

BIG FUN… 

FOR A SMALL PRICE 

Sunday, August 18 

7:00 PM 

Sisterhood 

Bring your Mah Jongg Card in case we can make a game! 

Member prices $ 2.50 per person/ $ 5 per couple/ $ 10 per 

family. PLUS bring a snack to share. 

Cold drinks, coffee and tea, and dessert will be provided by 

Sisterhood. 

You may bring other liquid refreshment. 

Mitzvah Opportunities 

Don’t Throw Away Your Empty Printer Cartridges! 

Bring them to Temple Emanu-El 

Our Temple has launched a fundraising project with the help of 

Empties4Cash. Temple will receive up to $4.00 (only on select 

items) for each cartridge. This will directly benefit our Temple, not 

to mention it is great for the environment. So far we have made 

over $150! 

You can help! Any inkjet cartridge with a print head or laser 

printer cartridge can be recycled, regardless of 

brand or type. 

For more information contact the office at 

admin@templesanjose.org!

August 2013 ~ Av-Elul 5773 

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 

1 

2 

3 

6:00 PM Ritual Comm. 

Meeting 

9:00 AM Babies and 

Bagels: Stroller Fitness 


Minyan 

6:30 PM Kabbalat 

Shabbat Patio Service 

4 5 6 



7 

7:00 PM Rosh Chodesh 

8 9 

9:00 AM Babies and Bagels: 

Stroller Fitness 


Bagels: Baby Shabbat 

10 

7:00 PM Board of Trustees 

Meeting 

7:30 PM Israeli Dance 


Patio Service 


Minyan 

11 

9:00 AM Brotherhood 

Meeting 

12 13 



14 

12:00 PM Lunch & Learn 

7:00 PM Brotherhood 

Poker Game 

15 

16 



9:00 AM Shabbat 

Morning Minyan 

17 

1:00 PM Sisterhood 

Meeting 


Shabbat Patio and Tot 

Shabbat 

7:00 PM Tot Shabbat 

Potluck 

10:30 AM Bat Mitzvah of 

Brooke Moorhead 

18 

3:00 PM Ice Cream 

Social for Prospective 

Members 

7:00 PM Sisterhood 

Game Night 

19 20 



7:30 PM Israeli Dance 

21 

12:00 PM Lunch & Learn, 

Megillat Kohelet 

6:00 PM Israel Trip 2014 

Orientation 

7:00 PM Tikkun Olam 

Meeting 

22 23 

9:00 AM Babies and Bagels: 



Patio Service 

24 


Minyan 

10:30 AM Bar Mitzvah of 

Justin Blumstein 

7:00 PM Zip Code 

Havdalah 

25 26 27 

9:00 AM Babies & Bagels: 


6:00 PM High Holy Days 

Volunteer Meeting 

28 

12:00PM Lunch & Learn, 

Torah Study 

29 30 




Shabbat Patio Service 

7:30 PM Ribbon Cutting 

Ceremony and Tour of the 

Clergy Office Remodel 

31 


Minyan 

5:00 PM EESY Meeting 

7:00 PM Selichot Study, 

Reception, and Service 

15

Dana Magat 

Senior Rabbi 

rabbimagat@templesanjose.org 

Meeka Simerly 

Cantor 

meekantor@templesanjose.org 

Adult Education Bob Levy adulted@templesanjose.org 

Membership Commitment Dan Lee dues@templesanjose.org 

Membership Pam Hoffman membership@templesanjose.org 

Facilities Uri Gottfeld facilities@templesanjose.org 

Marketing Edgardo Laber marketing@templesanjose.org 

Ritual Maggie Cant ritual@templesanjose.org 

Tikkun Olam Rich Albert to@templesanjose.org 

Leadership Development Edgardo Laber leadership@templesanjose.org 

Religious School Committee Suellen Haggerty rscommittee@templesanjose.org 

Caring Committee Robin Hurwitz Caring@templesanjose.org 

Fundraising Committee Carol Hoffman fundraising@templesanjose.org 

Endowment Committee Marvin Fox endowment@templesaanjose.org 

Kama Fletcher 

Executive Director 

kama@templesanjose.org 

408-292-0939 ext. 233 

Stephanie Pollock 

Communications and Facility 

Director 

stephanie@templesanjose.org 

408-292-0939 ext. 234 

Clergy 

Joseph Gitin, D.D. (z”l) 

Rabbi Emeritus 

Committee Chairs 

Operating and Tribute Funds: 

High Holy Days Campaign 

General Fund 

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund 

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund 

Executive Director’s Discretionary Fund 

Alvin Ravel Garden Fund 

Beverly Jordan Temple Beautification Fund 

Judith Jurman Omens Cemetery 

Beautification Fund 

Capital Campaign Fund 

Lollie Brickner Media Center Fund 

Lou and Clara Juren Library Fund 

Ralph Goldeen Library Fund 

Endowment Fund 

Religious Funds: 

Harold Cahn Prayerbook Fund 

Herbert Marchick High Holy Day Fund 

Kenneth Gordon Children’s Prayerbook Fund 

Susanne & Maurice Tucker High Holy 

Day Music Fund 

Ida F. Kragen Consecration and Caring Fund 

Barbara Smead 

Preschool Director 

barbara@templesanjose.org 

408-293-8660 

#434404443 

Marina Ostraukhov 

Administrative and Clergy Support 

marina@templesanjose.org 

408-292-0939 ext. 201 

Temple Leadership 

President Jeff Hoffman president@templesanjose.org 

Imd. Past President Dr. Mike Cahn pastpresident@templesanjose.org 

VP Administration Andrew Weinberg vpadmin@templesanjose.org 

VP Membership Shirley Lee vpmembership@templesanjose.org 

VP Leadership Devel. Edgardo Laber vpleadership@templesanjose.org 

VP Education & Youth Mark Cahn vprey@templesanjose.org 

Secretary Dan Winter secretary@templesanjose.org 

Treasurer Jim Heerwagen treasurer@templesanjose.org 

Rich Albert Maggie Cant Ron Mandel 

Dana Brody-Brown Steve Krandel Alissa Meltzer 

Eleanor Rusnak Debbie Michels Enrique Guadiamos 


Brotherhood President Jeslie Chermak brotherhood@templesanjose.org 

Sisterhood 

Co-Presidents 

Staff 

Youth Funds: 

Religious School Fund 

Religious School Enrichment Fund 

Betty Rinsler Religious School 

Endowment Fund 

Weintraub Religious School Scholarship Fund 

Campership Fund 

Leonard and Bernice Gaon Campership Fund 

Michael Elman Campership Fund 

Milton Fox Campership Fund 

Phyllis Matzner Campership Fund 

Israel Scholarship Fund 

Susanne C. Blickman Arts and Crafts Fund 

Cultural Funds: 

Choir Fund 

Andrew Apte Temple Historical Fund 

Phyllis Omel Junior Choir Fund 

Bertram Berns Music Fund 

Shank-Rockman Family Sound System Fund 

Chai Society– Young Adults 

Programming Fund 

Board of Trustees 

Auxiliaries 

Judy Levy/Melenie 

Pearson 

wote@templesanjose.org 

EESY President Isabel Haggerty youthgroup@templesanjose.org 

Josh Mason-Barkin 

Director of Congregational Learning 

408-292-3223 

josh@templesanjose.org 

Andrew Scher 

Bookkeeper 

andrew@templesanjose.org 

408-292-0939 ext. 235 

Wayne Rose 

Cemetery Administrator 

408- 674-5867 

cemetery@templesanjose.org 

Community Funds: 

Facilities for the Aged Fund (Chai House) 

JoAnne Salman-Tehrani Homeless Fund 

Other Tribute Opportunities: 

$36 - Prayerbook Tribute 

$218/$500/$750 - Tree of Life 

Leaf/small/large rock 

$500 - Sanctuary Chair Plaque 

$750 - Memorial Plaque (in sanctuary foyer) 

Opportunities in Levin Learning Center: 

$5,000 - Stair Plaque 

$10,000 - Library Column Dedication 

$25,000 - Room Dedication 

Contact the office for additional opportunities. 

Making a contribution to one of Temple Emanu-El’s many funds is a wonderful way to honor your friends and family. You may 

make contributions in honor of a birth, birthday, brit milah, baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, graduation, 

engagement, wedding, anniversary, promotion, new home, special occasion or just because. You may also make contributions 

for get-well wishes, condolence, remembrance and yarzeits. 

16

Current - Temple Emanu-El

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