Calendar
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
7:00 PM
Intro to Judaism
Thursday,
December 18th, 2014
12:00 PM
Sunday,
December 21st, 2014
9:00 AM
Sunday School Family Ed at Temply Emanuel of Beverly Hills
Friday,
December 19, 2014
7:00 PM
Hannukah Services and Community Menorah Lighting with Rabbi Eger and Jeremy Gimbel
Sunday
December 21, 2014
3:30 PM to 5 PM
MOKA Hannukah Party
Wednesday
December 24th, 2014
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday,
December 26th, 2014
8:00 PM
Shabbat Services with Rabbi Eger and Jeremy Gimbel
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Please keep the following people in your prayers:
Marilyn Ader
Alvin Gross
Jeannette Kaufman
Tom Royer
Lowell Selvin
Karen Siteman
Bob Weiner
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Religious School will resume this Sunday, December 21st at 9:00 AM at Temple Emanuel Beverly Hills.
It is Family Education Day!
Religious School will then break for winter vacation and will meet back on January 11th, 2015.
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HELP REFILL OUR BARRELS
SOVA needs canned pasta, canned soup, cooking oil and peanut butter. They also always need personal toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, shampoo, and deodorant. PLEASE JOIN US
Kol Ami meets at SOVA the 2nd
Sunday
of each month.
Next meeting is - December 14, 8:30 AM - noon at 1140 N. La Brea if you are interested in volunteering at SOVA.
Thank you and remember, SOVA is here to serve you if you are in need. Visit their website at jfsla.org/sova
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If you are unable to make it to Services and would still like to join us for worship, you can.
for Friday night services, and enjoy the spiritual experience of Kol Ami at home.
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Rabbi Eger Online
 Have you visited Rabbi Eger's blog recently? There are new posts regularly, so be sure to visit often.
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Dear Kol Ami community,
Today the world became smaller! My eyes filled with tears as I watch freed Jewish-American, Alan Gross deplane at Joint Andrews Air Base this morning on television. After five years in prison in Cuba at last he was free and on American soil. I can only imagine the relief of his family. What an amazing Chanukah present! He was treated on the plane ride back to Washington, D.C. to popcorn, a corned beef sandwich and latkes and applesauce.
Alan Gross was working as a contractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development, which works to promote democracy in Cuba, when he was detained in 2009. His family has said he was working to expand Internet access for Cuba's small Jewish community. In 2011 Alan Gross was sentenced to 15 years in prison for "undermining Cuba". There are severe restrictions in Cuba on use of the Internet. Castro called him a spy.
He has lost over 100 pounds in prison and became blind in one eye and lost several teeth. He was losing hope and vowed last year not spend another birthday imprisoned. The Jewish Community Relations Council in Washington has been advocating actively for his release these last five years. His family, his wife Judy and two daughters campaigned as well as several Congress people. One of the most important mitzvot has always been pidyon hashvuyin, the redemption of the captives.
Tonight because of President Obama's negotiation, Alan Gross is reunited with his family. He has been redeemed. This is a modern Chanukah miracle. And perhaps a new era of diplomatic relations with Cuba will begin. Let us hope the light of this miracle of reunion will encourage more liberty in Cuba for its people and inspire the ideal of freedom both here at home and abroad.
Welcome home Mr. Gross. Happy Chanukah.
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This Friday, join us for Hannukah Services!
Friday, December 19th. Kol Ami will be having our annual Hannukah Party and Services at the synagogue starting at 7 PM. There will be latkes, Hannukah Gelt and our traditional communal menorah lighting outside under the stars with Rabbi Denise Eger and Jeremy Gimbel.
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Feed your soul. Join us for a stimulating discussion of Jewish Law, Jewish Ethics, and contemporary issues. We meet on the third Thursday of each month from 12 noon - 1:00 PM. Tomorrow, December 18th is our next meeting. Lunch and drinks are provided (no fee), all are welcome!
The topic of discussion will be the ethics of Hannukah.
Please join us at
The Law Offices of Grunfeld, Desiderio
707 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 4150 (on the 41st floor)
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Light a Hannukah candle by becoming a donor now.
We've raised over 50% of our $10,000 goal and we're so thankful to everyone who has donated already! We know that we'll reach $10,000 by the end of the year. Please donate to whichever candle speaks to you this Hannukah.
Hannukah celebrates one of the times in our Jewish calendar, when the Divine intervenes in the life of the Jewish people. This mystical intervention - the light, the oil - lasted throughout the Maccabees' celebration of freedom. Miracles do manifest when we call forth Divine intervention.
Each night of Hannukah is dedicated to one of the aspects of the Divine on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life; for the miracle of Hannukah came about as the prophet Zechariah wrote, "Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit alone."
Yesod - the foundation of the world - the Candle of Peace.
Hochmah - equality born of wisdom and truth - the Candle of Equality
Binah - the hope born of understanding - the Candle of Hope.
Hod - the Voice of God through communication - the Candle of Love.
Chesed - mercy and compassion, the practice of forgiveness and renewal - the Candle of Compassion
Daat - knowledge gained through self-reflection - the Candle of Tolerance.
Netzach - the realization of the Divine through our intuitive connection - the Candle of Justice.
Gevurah - the experience of reverence - the Candle of Faith.
Terferet - truth and the acceptance of God's Will - the Candle of Kindness.
When all candles are lit, the unity of the nine candles brings about all ten aspects of the Divine. This is Malchut, when spirit and matter become united and the Divine Presence enters the world.
Light a Hannukah candle by becoming a donor now.
Now is the perfect time to donate marketable, appreciated securities. Or, if you or a family member are at least 70 1/2 and have not taken the taxable, Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA, your IRA Administrator can direct a gift from the IRA to Kol Ami, reducing your taxable income. Call the office at 323-606-0996 for details.
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Register for the AIPAC Policy Conference
March 1-3, 2015
Washington D.C.
Join Rabbi Eger for three of the most inspiring days you'll ever spend. If you care about Israel's future, register for this amazing opportunity. It is the best way that you can make a positive difference for Israel.
"I am already registered. I care deeply about Israel and its people. I care deeply about ensuring a strong US-Israel relationship. I care deeply about democracy at home and in Israel. I care deeply about my family. Israel is my family." - Rabbi Denise Eger
Those who register and attend will return to Kol Ami ready to engage in supporting Israel and sharing with our fellow congregants your own enthusiasm and hopefully enlisting them as well in supporting a democratic, Jewish Israel with strong ties to the United States.
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Kol Ami and Rabbi Eger are very excited to announce a congregational trip to Israel this summer! Join us on a ten day journey through Israel's most amazing cities from Tel Aviv to Haifa to Jerusalem.
We'll stroll along the beaches of Tel Aviv, view the Rubin Art Museum and visit the gay community center Gan Meir!
Hike the Banias and cross over the famous hanging bridge, lunch at the Dead Sea, take a jeep ride into the Golan Heights and wine taste in HaGoshrim. Do it all with Rabbi Eger and your friends from Kol Ami!
The travel dates are June 19th through June 30th of 2015.
We must have 8 paying participants to go. The price per person with double occupancy will be $2,520. This covers a land package with all hotels, car travel, entrance fees to activities and some meals. Air fare is not included. As more participants sign up the price does marginally reduce. A $350 deposit per person will be due by March 25th 2015.
A detailed itinerary with a list of fully included expenses will be available on the website. Please contact the office at staff@kol-ami.org or 323-606-0996 for details or to make any other inquires.
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 Annual MOKA Chanukah Party
Sunday, December 21, 2014 3pm - 7pm
Olive Manor House Recreation Room
1222 N. Olive Drive
West Hollywood, 90069
The Men of Kol Ami (MOKA) invite you and your guests to their Annual Chanukah Party featuring the traditional White Elephant Gift Exchange. A white elephant present is typically something unusual, somewhat unique or any wrapped gift priced under $15.
The price is $20 for MOKA members, $25 for guests. CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR.
Please, call the Temple at (323) 606-0996 for reservations or email MOKA at MokaKolAmi@gmail.com by Wednesday, December 17.
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Please come to the Annual No-Host Kol Ami Christmas Eve Dinner! All you can eat, plus a dessert table!
At King Buffet
December 24, 2014
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
1375 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027 (Between Sunset and Fountain Avenue). There is a large free parking lot in back.
Pay at the door, cash only. Cost is $20 per person (includes tax, tip and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages). There is an ATM on premises.
BYOB - NO CORKAGE FEE! However, if you bring your own you are required to bring your alcohol purchase receipt with you. There will be no exceptions.
RSVP to staff@kol-ami.org by December 17th, please. Or just show up before 8:30 PM on the day.
For questions, please call Kelsi at Kol Ami (323)606-0996.
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