May 2009 - Temple Emanu-El

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Author EventAnnual Meeting14Survival in Shanghai:The Journals of Fred Marcus 1939-49by Audrey Friedman Marcus and Rena KrasnoWednesday, June 107:00pmA talk will be given aboutthe Jewish Holocaustimmigrants in Shanghaiby the authors.Hosted by Mort andBarbara Berlant and cosponsoredby Sisterhoodand Brotherhood.RSVP by June 8 tobook@templesanjose.org.Open to the communityat no charge.Temple Emanu-El’s146 th AnnualCongregational MeetingTuesday, May 267:00pm Reception7:30pm Meetingin the Temple HouseJoin your fellow congregants for a lovelydessert reception before the meeting at whichRabbi Dana Magat, the Board of Trustees andAuxiliaries will“…This is probably the first time that day-to-day life in Shanghai’swartime ghetto has been so accurately chronicled…”—Evelyn Pike Rubin, author Ghetto Shanghai; lecturer“History is written from both the ‘macro’ and “micro” perspective.We must know the ‘big’ picture, but it is the small detailswhich give that picture depth and texture. Fred Marcus’s diary,together with the commentary and elaboration provided by hiswife Audrey and Rena Krasno, open a window into the life ofa Jewish refugee in Shanghai during the dreadful years of theShoah.”—Michael Medavoy, CEO Phoenix PicturesReport on the State of the CongregationAnnounce the election results for the2009-2010 Temple Emanu-El Boardof TrusteesHear an update on the temple’s fiscalsituationPresent theo Mike Molak Brotherhood Awardo Herbert E. Preis Memorial Awardo Volunteer of the Year“….A touching story…”—Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish andHolocaust Studies, Emory University; author, History on Trial: My Dayin Court with David IrvingIn 1939, Fred Marcus, a German-Jewish teenager, fled NaziGermany for the relative safety of Shanghai. Along with 20,000other stateless Jewish refugees, he endured hunger, disease, theJapanese occupation and American bombardments. And he kepta journal, recording the day-to-day details of life, of finding waysto support himself, getting enough to eat, joining a volunteerfire brigade, going to religious services, sharing good times withfriends. His journal, the coming-of-age story of a young man tryingto make a life in a difficult place during wartime, is enhancedby informative commentary by authors Audrey Friedman Marcusand Rena Krasno.Recognize retiring board membersThis is a great opportunity to betterunderstanding on the inner workings of yoursynagogue, meet your fellow congregants andenjoy the evening.
PreschoolReligious School15This morning I spent time in our special Wednesday morning musicclass with Cantor Meeka. The children have been learning andpreparing for Passover for about a week and were excited to singsome of their favorite Passover songs. Cantor Meeka began byhaving the children join her in singing the 4 Questions. Our 4 yearoldswere especially proud to have mastered all of the Hebrewinvolved in the 4 questions and proudly (loudly) sang with a giantsmile. In the room there were 61 children, 12 staff members, 1 momand Cantor Meeka and yet amongst all of the voices one particularlystood out. Little Naomi, age 4, had her eyes glued on Cantor Meekaand her voice was raised loud and clear. Not only has Naomilearned the words but more importantly she understands themeaning behind the questions. It was a great moment to realize thatmany of these children will be able to lead their families during theirown family Seder. Music continued on and Cantor Meeka led thechildren in a rousing round of Dayenu, I am fairly certain they couldbe heard from miles away!Our Preschoolers are learning how tobe a friend, how to respect oneself,how to color, read, count, paint andeven tie shoes. But the children atTemple Emanu-El Preschool are alsolearning the importance of JewishHolidays and traditions and even agreat deal of Hebrew. One day thesechildren will be adults and my hope isthat they will look back andremember that they went to a Jewishpreschool and they were loved.Barbara SmeadBarbara@templesanjose.orgWe have lots ofnew merchandisein theEmanu-ElJudaica ShopOpen after the Motzi onErev Shabbat (Fridaynight) and on Sundayswhen Religious School isin session.Also during the week; ask someone from the office to assist you.Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood operates the gift shop and all profitsare given to the synagogue.Find what you need for all Jewish holidaysFabulous new Israeli glass itemsBar and Bat Mitzvah registry and giftsPrayer books, Torah commentaries and more booksTallitot and gifts for all occasionsSpecial orders too!Religious School NewsWhat a year! And it isn’t over yet…I’ll start with a giant Todah Rabah (Hebrew for “thank you”) to:The wonderful parents in our Religious School, who continue tohelp make the Family Participation program a huge success.Without your assistance, our school would not be what it is. One ofthe most important elements about being a Jewish parent is rolemodeling, or being a dugma (Hebrew for “role model”). Judaism is areligion of action and doing. It is crucial that your children see youliving and participating in Jewish life. In order to succeed at Jewishparenting, one cannot say "Do as I say, not as I do." Rather, youractions must correspond to what you are telling your children. Byinvesting your time in our various activities, you are showing yourchild that time spent at Temple Emanu-El is important.Our world-class teachers, who don’t mind dodging sneezes, wheezes,or coughs, and often stay up late into the night preparing excitinglesson plans for our students. These dedicated individuals, alongwith Preschool teachers, will be leading the last Family ShabbatService on Friday, May 1, at 7:15 p.m. A congregational potluck willprecede the service, beginning at 6:15 p.m. So bring some food andprepare to shmooze (Yiddish for “chat”), it should be a very freylich(Yiddish for “merry” or “happy”) evening!Sisterhood and Brotherhood, who have supported us throughout theyear with funding, ritual foods and music. Lessons learned aboutJewish holidays are tasteless without Jewish food. Fortunately,Sisterhood has sustained us annually, with delicious holiday foods.And what would a Purim lunch on the patio be without theBrotherhood Band? I saw a lot of little Queen Esthers kicking uptheir heels and doing the swim (1960’s talk for “a dance move”).Our amazing Religious School Committee who worked tirelessly inpreparing for this great school year and worked together throughoutthe year providing leadership and support. Robin Hurwitz, MarciGerston, Suellen Haggerty, Carol Hoffman, Missy Marsh, DeborahOng, Jenny Shain, Lori Telson-Rubin, Greg Turetzky, NancyWeintraub, Sherman Zell.Finally: Thank you to our great teachers, madrichim, administrativestaff, and Rabbi Magat and Cantor Meeka for a great school year.Enrollment for 2009-2010:Student enrollment forms and a fee schedule will be enclosed withyour children’s end of year progress reports. Look for them towardthe end of May. Please take advantage of our Early Bird registrationspecial: postmark your envelope by July 1. Forms for scholarshipsare available from the main temple office.First time enrollments: If you have a child who will qualify to attendReligious or Hebrew School for the first time in September 2009,please call the office at 408.292.3223 so we can send you anenrollment package.School begins on Sunday, September 13, with a required parentmeeting so we can all get started together for a GREAT NEWYEAR!Paula Marsh, Religious School PrincipalPaula@templesanjose.org
Page 1 and 2: Temple Emanu-El, San Jose, CAMember
Page 3 and 4: JewishLiteracy3This month is the Fe
Page 5 and 6: Will You Join Us?TempleIn the April
Page 7 and 8: Sisterhood Cont.Brotherhood7All Sis
Page 9 and 10: Support OurAdvertisers93AMB DESIGNS
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Page 17 and 18: DonationsThank You17CANTORIAL DISCR
Page 19 and 20: YarzheitsMay 1 (7:15 PM Service)Sar

May 2009 - Temple Emanu-El

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