BEHIND THE HEADLINES - December 2016

BY SELMA  ALPERT

 

THE  ELECTION.  After a hard-fought, historic election, Donald Trump is the 45th President of the United States.   One Rabbi’s advice to all partisans is to try to see the opposite side’s point of view or concerns and move on.  The candidates and outgoing President were gracious and united in wanting the same peaceful transition of power that marks our democracy.  Protests and disappointments should wane with time.  We are a very special country.

 

MISSING  HEIRS.  Over 2600 people have Swiss bank accounts that have been dormant more than 60 years, containing nearly $45 million.  The Swiss banks have published the names on the accounts giving owners or their heirs a last chance to claim their money.  Unclaimed funds will go to the state.  There are also 80 unclaimed safety deposit boxes that may hold real treasure. You could be an heir.  Find out more  

 

EU  EXODUS.  The European Union is alarmed that productive Jewish citizens are leaving, while the needy Muslim population has exploded.  In 2015 alone, 30,000 Jews emigrated to Israel, most from Europe, because of rising anti-Semitism from the left and right.  Italy has passed a law making Holocaust Denial a crime.  EUs Court of Human Rights ruled anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial are not protected Human Rights. The Danish Prime Minister expressed support and ensured security for Jews after terrorists attacked Copenhagen’s main synagogue.  Still the hate and exodus go on.

 

JEWISH  SPOUSES.  President’s children may have heard the adage that “Jewish men make the best husbands.”  At any rate, Ivanka Trump is wed to an Orthodox Jew, Jared Kushner, and their children are brought up Jewish.  Chelsea Clinton is also married to a Jewish man.  Even Caroline Kennedy married a Jewish fellow.  Interesting coincidence, don’t you think?

 

GOOD  RELATIONS?  Prime Minister Netanyahu, as others did, called to congratulate President-elect Trump on his victory.  Our President invited Netanyahu to visit the White House soon.  During the election, President Trump promised to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. Other presidents have made that promise but it hasn’t happened…yet!! 

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Celebrations

Valley Beth Israel
has designated the first Friday of each month as a special time to celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries.
 

This month we had the rare opportunity and privilege of celebrating Bea Gelfand's 97th BIRTHDAY as a part of our Sunday morning Minyan. Bonnie MacDougall came with her grandmother and brought a huge delicious chocolate birthday cake!!!  The Hebrew school children enjoyed the celebration (and cake) as much as Bea and her family. 

The choir sings at this Choral Shabbat as the congregation celebrates birthdays and anniversaries.  Join us Friday evening December 2nd 2016, as we celebrate together.  Services begin at 7:30pm

Please let Judy Knigin know if you will be celebrating a birthday in the coming month, or if you would like to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat or Kiddush Luncheon. (818) 782-2281.

We love to honor our congregants as they celebrate. If December is your birthday month, or if you will be enjoying an anniversary in December, please let us know! 

Or better yet, let us know your birthdays and anniversaries by adding that information as you sign up for our newsletter.

Yahrzeit - December 2016

VBI - President's Message

Shalom everyone and Happy Hanukkah,

Lots to report on so hold onto your seats. As many of you know we celebrate an interfaith service on the Monday before Thanksgiving. This year was the 22nd annual edition and I am so pleased with the turnout from Valley Beth Israel. We were well represented by both members and their friends. A joint choir composed of Valley Beth Israel, Panorama Presbyterian Church and embellished by a large group of students from the Mission College chorus provided some rich melodies to the program. The clergy from the three religious institutions were the highlight of the evening. Next year we will be the host for the service.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with either family and/or friends or maybe both. Mona and I had been in Big Bear the week before (unchaperoned) and had a fantastically relaxing time. Thanks to all of you for not calling while we were away.

Once we returned I would like to report that everything was back to normal; but that was far from the case as I was awakened on the morning of November 22nd at approximately 5 a.m. informing me that there was no water pressure at the synagogue. In fact there was no water period. During the night somebody was able to turn off the main water line from the street and then cut/remove (steal) ten feet of 2½-inch copper pipe along with a 75-pound valve and other associated hardware. $4500 later we were in operation again. Insurance may cover some of the loss but with the holidays we haven’t been able to check it all out. Never a dull moment.

Let’s talk about some positive things as we continue to forge ahead. You should have received a billing for your High Holiday pledges and we appreciate your rapid response in paying them. If you did not receive yours please let the office know. We can correct the amount by either raising or lowering what you were billed. If you have discretionary income that you don’t know what to do with think of your synagogue, Valley Beth Israel. Billings for your membership dues are being prepared as I am writing this message so expect to see them soon.

We are working hard to get the yahrzeit information into each newsletter. As I’ve reported more than once before the computer that contains all the family information does not spit it out in printed form including the yahrzeit letters you have received in the past. Until we get a new program and input all the data we have, probably at a cost of $3000 - $4000, Judy in the office has to painstakingly go through pages of names to generate the yahrzeit list you find in each newsletter. Since you’re not getting the notice by mail with the pink envelope the synagogue loses out on the donations that you used to make. Help us by sending in contributions in memory of your loved ones.

Remember the religious school program and Men’s club “latke feast” on December 18th. Hanukkah begins on the night of December 24th. Happy holidays from Mona and I and our family. See you at the temple.                      

Ron
Ron Trachtenberg
VBI President

History of Chanukkah

‎‫חֲנֻכָּה‬   - Hanuka, Hannuka, Hanukka, Channukkah: however you spell it, it is the Jewish Winter Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. Until the middle of the 20th century, Hanukah was the only Jewish holiday that is post Biblical with a definite historical date. The story of Hanukah is told in the Books of the Maccabees I-II which are in the Apocrypha. The First Book of the Maccabees covers the whole of the Maccabean Revolt in 175-134 BCE against the Greek ruler, Antiochus IV who suppressed the practice of Jewish Law. The Revolt was lead by Judah Maccabee and his sons, Simon, John, Jonathan, and Judas; Maccabee means hammer in Hebrew and is an anagram for the Hebrew words that mean, "Who is like You from amongst the mighty, the L-rd?"

Practice
Hanukah is a minor Jewish holiday compared to Passover, Purim, and the High Holydays. With the rise of the ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the post WWII period in the US, Jewish babyboomers became quite aware of the Winter holiday celebrations of their neighbors and wanted to celebrate similarly, so Hanukah became more important as a symbol of Jewish identity in North America. In 1951, President Harry S Truman received a menorah from Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion;  in 1965, LBJ hosted the first Hanukah celebration in the White House. Long before that, General George Washington is said to have attended a Hanukah celebration at the home of Mr. Michael Hart in Easton, PA in 1777 - this account of the story is from the diary of Michael's daughter, Louisa.

Hanukah is celebrated on the 25 of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar; on the English calendar the holiday can begin as early as November 26 and as late as December 28.  The dreidel or sivivon is a top with four sides with Hebrew letters as an anagram for "A great miracle happened THERE", שהנג or, in Israel, "A great miracle happened HERE" - נגפה

The "great miracle" of Hanukah was the flame in the Temple that was still burning even after eight days. Since the "great miracle" that happened involved oil, we eat foods that are made in oil as latkes, potato pancakes, or sufganiyot, jelly doughnuts. And what was dedicated? The Great Temple of Jerusalem was re-dedicated to G-d for the practice of Judaism.

At your home
There is no obligation to refrain from work during the Hanukah festival as there is during the Sabbat or the High Holydays. The festival is seven days, eight nights with a candle lit each night beginning on the first night with just the shumash candle and one candle added each night, adding candles from right to left, but lighting them each night left to right. Generally, the Sepharim have one menorah to a household and the Ashkenazi have a menorah for each member of the household. At the beginning of the Sabbath during Hanukah, the menorah candles are kindled first and then the Shabbat candles - on Saturday at the end of the Sabbath, the havdalah candle is lit first and then extinguished, and then the menorah candles are lit. Traditionally, three brachot, blessings are said the first night and two are said each night for the remainder of this festival when lighting the candles.

The first night, the shehecheyanu blessing is said. This blessing is said whenever something pleasant that has not happened for a while is encountered -

‫ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו, מלך העולם, שהחינו וקימנו והגענו לזמן הזה.‬
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, she'heheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higi'anu la'z'man ha'ze.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season."

The remaining nights, the blessing for lighting the candles is said:

‫ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו, מלך העולם, אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של חנוכה.‬
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light[s]."

Then the blessing for miracles of Hanukah is said:

‎‫ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו, מלך העולם, שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה.‬
Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, she'asa nisim la'avoteinu ba'yamim ha'heim ba'z'man ha'ze.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time..."

Happy Hanukah! Hag Samech!

Sisterhood, Education liaison,
Mrs. Maureen Gradvohl

Torah Fund - December 2016

Which comes first, the ‘seed’ or the ‘fruit’? The Torah.

“It is a tree of life to those who grasp it, and all who uphold it are blessed.”

Proverbs (3:18).

This is a favorite prayer – the living, growing, nourishing torah . So too, the Torah Fund Campaign of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism has been living, growing and nourishing Conservative/Masorti Judaism for the past 75 years.

In 1942, W. L. established its first scholarship fund for the students of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Since 1963, the Torah Fund Campaign has consisted of raising funds for our institutions of Conservative/Masorti Jewish education:  

 Jewish Theological Seminary, New York

 Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, Los Angeles

 Schechter Institutes of Judaic Studies, Jerusalem

 Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano, Buenos Aires

This year, as we celebrate “the fruit of her hands” we are extremely proud to extend our support to our newest ‘tree branch’ the Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam Germany, training a new generation of rabbis to address the spiritual needs of a growing European Jewry.

Please write your check to V. B. I. Sisterhood, Torah Fund to help plant a seed, nourish it, and enjoy it’s sweet and juicy fruit.

Again thank you for your continued support of Torah Fund.

Bobbie Cohen

Torah Fund V. P.

Chanukah Latke Feast

VBI President's Message

Shalom everyone,
Surprise, surprise!! It’s here, I’m finally on board. Your president, me, has finally gotten his act together. After raving about getting this newsletter to you through the internet and not having my message included I have forced myself to get this one done albeit just a day or so late.

The month of October was really busy with holidays: Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and then the conclusion of the holiday period with Simchat Torah. I saw many of you at services but wasn’t able to personally say “Happy New Year” to many because by the time I was able to get out of the choir loft you were gone. Let me extend a belated wish for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year to each and every one of you from both Mona and I and our family.

I am excited about the prospects for this new year of 5777. As I mentioned in my Yizkor appeal those 777’s are going to bring us a good year at Valley Beth Israel.

Ron

Ron Trachtenberg
VBI President





















 

BEHIND THE HEADLINES - November 2016

by SELMA ALPERT

CALIFORNIA  WIN.  Governor Brown signed an anti-BDS bill hailed by Simon Weisenthal Center as “a blow against extremists.  BDS is a cynical, hypocritical anti-peace vendetta that seeks to demonize Israel and its supporters.”  Great!

 

 

UN TWO-SIDED. 

For the first time, an Israeli was elected to fill a UN chairmanship. Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon will chair the UN Sixth Committee which deals with terrorism, legal issues and other topics.  WJC leaders call this “an historic achievement and a significant victory.”  Also, the UN has made Yom Kippur an official holiday on the UN calendar.
 

However the UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO, and WHOHHHH (World Health Organization) continue their anti-Israel bias.  UNESCO just voted that the Western Wall is connected not to Jews but to Muslims!  They ignore history and the Bible.  WHO has blamed Israel’s occupation of territories captured in l967 for all their major healthcare shortcomings!  Those lucky Arabs get the same excellent free health care as Israelis.  The Human Rights Council has long falsely condemned Israel alone, ignoring real genocides elsewhere.   

Some 1000 supporters and 80 NGOs (non-governmental organizations) held a rally to urge the UN to treat Israel fairly.  There is always hope.  Hatikvah.

 

 

HATE  RISING.  Anti-Semitism is rising locally and worldwide.  In California, 80 of 127 reported hate crimes were against Jews in 2014.  The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a unanimous resolution concerned about “the safety and security of Jewish communities in Europe.” France has the largest Jewish community, yet Jews are afraid to wear yarmulkes in public.

Pope Francis told World Jewish Congress an attack on Israel’s existence is anti-Semitism and “Israel has every right to exist in safety and prosperity.” 

TROUBLING  NEWS. Reports claim that Black Lives Matter is booting out anyone who won’t condemn Israel and call for its destruction. Progressive Jews will have to choose.  Sadly, some support Israel’s enemies already, like the BDS movement.  The hard left has joined with radical Muslims at rallies.

NEW  ADVANCES.  An Israeli company has created technology that can quickly identify cancer cells.  Another has developed artificial intelligence that will help farmers grow better crops.  Israel keeps helping the world.

Men's Club

Our Valley Beth Israel Sukkot Celebration and BBQ was a Success!

With more than 60 members and friends participating and sitting in the Sukkot, we had a great day!

A special thank you to all who helped make our BBQ in the Sukkah a giant success, especially:
Brian, Bruce, Alen, Matthew, Eliana, Judy & Miriam.

Toda raba!
Ed Kasman
Men's Club President

 

News of our Congregants

Mitzvot & Honorable Menchen

Alma Lion,  a regular guest of our Temple who loves Rabbi Mark and our synagogue, for creating the gorgeous containers with flowers for our tables in the social hall!!! 

Ed and Miriam Kasman - for once again putting together a wonderful Sukkot BBQ.  Over 60 people attended and joined in the harvest celebration.

Help Support our VETERANS

VBI Sisterhood, in connection with volunteers at the VA Hospital are collecting goods for local Veterans.  Click here to go to the Sisterhood Page for more information.

 Get Well

Well wishes have been sent to MEL SHEFTEL. 

Condolences

Condolences to Mark Kashar and family on the passing of his Mother, ANNETTE KASHAR  in Connecticut.  The family were long time members of VBI.

Torah - Fund November 2016

November 1, 2016  Bulletin

The sisterhoods that make up the backbone of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism know they need to adjust their programs and structures to impact their members   After the High Holidays it  is time for each of us as individuals, to evaluate where we need to go in the year to come.

Through the years, our Torah Fund campaign has always been successful due to the commitment and understanding of our dedicated women across the continent.   Women, like you, understand the legacy handed down to us from generation to generation, to perpetuate Conservative Judaism in the homes, synagogues and community.  

As a member of our Torah Fund team, I thank you for your understanding of the importance of the Women’s League campaign that helps these Jewish institutions.   It is through your efforts and contributions that we will reach our goals and continue the many programs which you help support.

We thank you for making Judaism come alive, now and for all generations to come.  If you haven’t sent in your pledge, please do so now

Again thank you for your support of Torah Fund.

Bobbie Cohen

Torah Fund V. P.
(818)782-2281

VBI President's Message

Shalom everyone,
Surprise, surprise!! It’s here, I’m finally on board. Your president, me, has finally gotten his act together. After raving about getting this newsletter to you through the internet and not having my message included I have forced myself to get this one done albeit just a day or so late.

The month of October was really busy with holidays: Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and then the conclusion of the holiday period with Simchat Torah. I saw many of you at services but wasn’t able to personally say “Happy New Year” to many because by the time I was able to get out of the choir loft you were gone. Let me extend a belated wish for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year to each and every one of you from both Mona and I and our family.

I am excited about the prospects for this new year of 5777. As I mentioned in my Yizkor appeal those 777’s are going to bring us a good year at Valley Beth Israel.

Ron

Ron Trachtenberg
VBI President





















 

October Calendar

 

Our Former Students

by Gloria Sheftel

For the past several months Rebecca Goldman has given reports of varying events regarding Israel.  These very interesting reports were given to the Synagogue Board.

In September, her report centered around the parents of children serving in the Israeli army.  Having young people going into the service is a trying and emotional experience.  What caught my eye, and ear, was the author of this article.  Rabbi Mark Cooper was a student in our religious school many years ago.  He enjoyed his Bar Mitzvah in our Synagogue. 

Excerpt from Rabbi Mark Cooper's article:

There is something authentically Jewish, even spiritual, about serving as a soldier in Israel's army.  This is a Jewish army.  Israel's army is different from other armies in the world because it exists to defend the Jewish people, and that should mean something to us as Jews.  It is an army that is built to defend not only Israelis but Jews everywhere in the world from the dangers of the present and from the humiliations and agony of history.  Tzva Hagana L'Yisrael - Israel's army - has a sacred duty to keep the Jewish people safe in the land of the Jewish people.  This is the army that will ensure that Jews have a safe place to live, unthreatened by those who seek to harm us precisely because we're Jewish.

While the parent in me wishes that Josh could be exempt from any form of danger, the Jew and Zionist in me understands the meaning and importance of what he's about to do.

I'm proud of my son.

Torah Fund - October 2016

Welcome back to an exciting year for Torah Fund.   We have a new theme – P’ri Yadehah which means “the fruit of her hands” a phrase in the Book of Proverbs (31:31).    In the 100^th  year of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, and the 75^th year of the Torah Fund Campaign, we celebrate women’s achievements and creativity – the fruit of her hands in the family, in the workplace, in the home, in the synagogue, in the community, as dedicated volunteers, as leaders in the Jewish world and the secular world, as scholars, scientists, artists, business leaders, and more. 

Women’s League Torah Fund Campaign is committed to assuring that Conservative Judaism will remain an option for our children, grandchildren and their children’s children.   Just as we save to put our children through college, a gift to Women’s League Torah Fund offers others the opportunity for a top-notch Jewish education which strengthens and perpetuates Conservative/Masorti Judaism throughout the world. 

100% of the monies donated to Torah Fund support and sustain the needs of the multifaceted community of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York by providing scholarships and facilities for our educators.  Torah Fund also supports the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem and the Seminario in Argentina, and the new Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam, Germany.    

Donations may be made by check to the Valley Beth Israel Sisterhood Torah Fund.

Thank you for your support of Torah Fund. 

Bobbie Cohen

Torah Fund V. P.
(818) 782-2281

______________________________________________________________________

Sisterhood Reminders

 

Dues for the current year were sent to all sisterhood members.  Dues are paid by the Temple to the National Women's League.

 

If you have not already done so, please send your check for $15 payable to VBI Sisterhood. 

 

Thank you.

Ruth Lenorovitz, Chairman

BEHIND THE HEADLINES - October 2016

by SELMA  ALPERT

 

Happy New Year to all.  May the coming year be full of blessings for all.

 

FIRST  U.S. JEWS. A group of 23 Jews set foot in New York in 1654.  That same year, Jews in New York established the first synagogue in the colonies, Congregation Shearith Israel.  It was the only place Jews could get kosher meat till 1813.  By the late 1800’s there were over 5,000 kosher butchers in New York.  Amazing.

 

GREAT MOU.  An Israel-U.S. Memo of Understanding (MOU) has been signed that will increase U.S. aid to $38 billion in security assistance to Israel through 2028, the largest U.S. aid package ever.  It recognizes the  huge defense needs of Israel, faced with thousands of thousands of rockets aimed at Israel from Lebanon and Gaza.  The MOU requires eventually that all the money must be spend on American-made products, equipment and programs.  Israel and the U.S. have several joint research and development projects that benefit both countries.

 

“SMELLY” JEWS?  When Israeli Knesset member, Tzipi Livni, spoke at Harvard Law School, the leader of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) asked her why she is “smelly.”  The student, Husam el-Qoulaq, also helps lead the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement at the college. SJP is “the central engine of the BDS” at U.S. colleges and worldwide..  Anti-Zionism/anti-Israel movements are seen as “veiled anti-Semitism."

 

TWITTER  TWEETS. Twitter has suspended 360,000 accounts that promote terror and violence since mid-2015.  The suspensions began after Twitter was sued for allowing terrorists to spread their propaganda by the widow of an American killed by terrorists in Jordan.  Google should follow Twitter’s example but Google still lets the worst anti-Semitic groups and terrorists use it to recruit and motivate Jew-haters. Jewish groups protest but to no avail.  

 

MUSLIM  VOTERS.  The number of Muslim registered voters increased by 324,000 since the last presidential election.  November 8^th is the Big Day.