HAPPENINGS 
March 3, 2015 / 12 Adar 5775
Fri., March 6
Purim Celebration, 7:00pm
Heroes & Villians Theme! Live music, spiels & hamantaschen!
Join us for a Disney Sing-a-long of the Purim Story!
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Sun., March 8Religious School Purim Festival, 9:15am-12:15pm
Students, pre-schoolers and parents are invited to participate in games, booths and fun! 
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Fri., March 13
Thank God It's Shabbat!
Shabbat Evening Service: 7:00pm / Schmooze: 7:30pm
Concert: The Orpheus World Music Ensemble, 8:00pm
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Sun., March 22Simcha Faire: Raising the Bar on Your Mitzvah
11am: Rabbi Mike Presentation, "Jewish Values & Jewish Parties"
12-2pm: Vendor Faire

SERVICES


All are welcome to come
 celebrate with us.

Friday, March 6
Purim Celebration: 7:00pm

CHESED
Hands

CHESED UPDATE

Zichronam L'vracha
May Their Memories
Be a Blessing

Dave Eldridge
Brother of Barbara Candeub, passed in Arizona on Feb. 22nd.
Private services were held.

Dr. Robert Noble, MD
Father of Rebekah Barish, 
passed on March 2nd. 
Private services will be held.
__________________

STEVE WAXMAN
&
DEBBIE WIENER
Both are home recovering from recent surgeries. If you can provide a meal for either family, please click HERE to go to the Lotsa Helping Hands website for details and to sign-up.

We have set up a community on this site to support Beth Chaim families needing Chesed support.
Click on the link above and you will be prompted to request membership.

We will be updating this site as needs arise.

If you have Chesed needs or any questions, please contact 
Marc Feder at chesed@bethchaim.com.
__________________

P'TACH LIBEYNU

One out of every four families is touched by mental illness. The challenges are daunting.
P'tach Libeynu is working to educate people about mental illness; to provide needed support to families and their loved ones with mental illness; and to further this mission by helping Jewish synagogues and agencies to make mental illness a recognized part of tikkun olam.

 Visit www.OpenOurHearts.net for the monthly newsletters. Email 
Diana Makieve or call 925.988.9767 with questions.
   

TIKKUN OLAM OPPORTUNITIES 

TOILETRIES DRIVE

 

We continue to collect full and travel size cosmetics and toiletries for refugees of all ages for 

JCFS of the East Bay. 

Donations will be presented as a "hygiene kit" including: toothbrush/paste, soap, comb, deodorant, brush, dental floss and other basic items.

Please bring your items to the drop box in the foyer or to the office.

 

FOOD BANK OF 

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

 

Hunger is year-round battle. A reminder that we have a collection barrel in our lobby which is regularly picked up for distribution for those in need in our community.


MILESTONES


cupcake-candle 
 
Kids' Birthdays 
Mira Dahlstrom
10 on March 4
Bernard Badain
12 on March 4
Brooke Kadesh
14 on March 4
Mitchell Rogers
14 on March 5
Maddox Fisher
4 on March 5
Michael Sunderland
17 on March 6
Maxwell Gersho
14 on March 7
Halle Bull
11 on March 9
Michael Nathan
17 on March 9
Zachary Blumenfeld
18 on March 9
Gillian Lait
18 on March 9

Anniversaries
Mark Garetz &
Ellen Rosenbluth
5th on March 7
Peter & Vickie Eiges
24th on March 9

 Yahrzeit Observances
Names will be read at the 
March 6th Shabbat Service

Myron Kulwin
Father of Harry Kulwin, Mar. 1
Jack Schenk
Father of Bernice Kulwin, Mar. 5
Anita Stone
Mother of Hilary Palonsky, Mar. 5
Beatrice Fisher
Mother of Ellen Koka, Mar. 6
Joe Yarkin
Father of Mark Yarkin, Mar. 7

To make a donation in their honor you may call us at 
925-736-7146 or pay via PayPal by clicking the button:
 
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YAHRZEIT CANDLES
In our tradition, we say of loved ones who have died, "May their memory be a blessing" and mark this ongoing process of turning memory into blessing by lighting a yahrzeit candle and reciting the Mourner's Kaddish on the anniversary of their death. We will send you a reminder card two weeks before the anniversary of your loved one's passing and hope that you will consider attending Shabbat services to honor their memory. 
 
A yahrzeit candle is available for you to pick up at the Beth Chaim office at no charge for your observance.

Thank you to Judith Markowitz and Glen Schabacker for donating the candles and special reminder postcards.

Quick Links
Beth Chaim Links 
Beth Chaim Mobile
BCC Facebook PageLike us on Facebook
Join Our Mailing List!
BETH CHAIM'S BEACH BALL GALA!
Shaloha!
Where the spirit of Beth Chaim meets the beauty and serenity of Hawaii!

Thinking about attending BCC's Shaloha Beach Ball but not sure? Thinking about getting a bunch of friends together for a night of fun, food and festivities? To go or not to go? 

1) Simply put, it will be fun!
2) You will be supporting BCC and all it does for the community and for us.
3) You could be the lucky winner of 2 airline tickets to Hawaii.
4) DJ music with Denon & Doyle and lots of dancing.
5) Silent & live auction items, sit down dinner and surprises.
6) We would miss you if you didn't come.

Invitations will be arriving soon. Save the date:
Saturday, April 18th
San Ramon Community Center

 

Please see how you can help by clicking HERE!

 

Please contact Sara O'Bryant at obryantsf@gmail.com or Rae Corr at raecorr@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Dinner  *  Dancing  *  Auctions  *  Community

 

UPCOMING BETH CHAIM EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

BETH CHAIM IS ON FACEBOOK!

"Like" our Facebook Group, Beth Chaim Congregation, for event notices, updates and weekly G-d Cast video links.

 

PURIM CELEBRATION
Friday, March 6, 7:00PM
Our Disney Sing-a-long includes music you will know from The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast and The Little Mermaid. This year's theme: Heroes & Villians! Plan your costume accordingly!
Rabbi Bucks will be given to Religious School students in costume and they will get double Bucks for their parents in costume! 

Live music, spiels & fun! Our Sisterhood has baked delicious hamantaschen and the Brotherhood will provide a "Grog & Grogger" area for adults only imbibing.

A Purim Story: The Double Dutch Jumping Hipster Princess of Persia
A Purim Story:
The Double Dutch Jumping
Hipster Princess of Persia

20TH ANNUAL EAST BAY INTERNATIONAL 
JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
March 7th thru 15th
Century 16 Theatres Pleasant Hill
For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets visit www.eastbayjewishfilm.org.



BETH CHAIM SPONSORED FILM FESTIVAL SHOWING: MAGIC MEN
Tuesday, March 10, 5:00pm
Century 16 Theatres Pleasant Hill
Makram Khoury (The Syrian Bride, Munich) won the "best Actor" award at the Israeli Oscars for his performance in this profound and, at times, humorous drama. As Avraham, an amateur magician, he is upset when his boss sends him to Greece, the country of his youth. But he is even more unhappy upon learning that his travelling companion will be his estranged son Yehuda (Zohar Strauss of Srugim), now a devout Hassidic rapper. Their whirlwind journey will stir up old wounds that will further test the father and son relationship.

 

THANK GOD IT'S SHABBAT!
Friday, March 13
Shabbat Evening Service: 7:00pm
Schmooze: 7:30pm
Concert: 8:00pm
The Orpheus World Music Ensemble offers music and ritual from a variety of cultures including West Africa, Brazil and the Middle East, with a special emphasis on music from the Jewish diaspora. They perform around the Bay Area and throughout Northern California.

Their March 13th offering at Beth Chaim will be in two parts. The first half features all Jewish music (Ashkenazic, Sephardic, Mizrachi (Eastern), and two original pieces. The remainder of the evening will celebrate "world music" from East and West Africa, Brazil, and a taste of Salsa as well. There will be dancing and a few African lullabies to close the evening.

 

Check out their music on Sound Cloud by clicking HERE.


 Cost is $15 per person and may be purchased the night of the event at the door. For advance tickets, click on the PayPal link below or visit the office.


 Bring a beverage and dessert to share!

 

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THE GRATITUDE TREE HAS TAKEN ROOT!

Our new piece of art temporarily graces the hallway wall to the library until we can prepare its permanent location in our front foyer. This beautiful tree adds depth and breadth to our Beth Chaim home and is a symbol of life and the ongoing stories of our diverse membership. The title of the tree is "Modeh Ani,"

which means "I give thanks." Leaves can be purchased to honor loved ones and events for all varieties of meaningful occasions and memories. Click HERE for a description and the order form for a leaf!


MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS DIRECTORY
If you would like your business listed in the Beth Chaim Website Business Directory, please email your information to our webmaster, Mark Garetz, at mark@garetz.com.

 

BUY CHALLAH, SUPPORT BETH CHAIM!

Orders due EVERY WEDNESDAY

Place your order by Wednesday each week and Tal's Patisserie will deliver your fresh baked plain or sesame challah to Beth Chaim by 10am every Friday. Loaves are only $5 each and Tal's will donate 20% back to Beth Chaim!  

 

Click the PayPal link below to order or call the office. You can also order multiple weeks at once.

 

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YEAR-ROUND FOOD DONATIONS AT BETH CHAIM

Beth Chaim is committed to supporting the great work of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. We are now participating in their neighborhood program by offering

green bags for members to keep at home. Put a food item every week, and drop it off in the bin when your bag is full! It's that easy to help stop hunger all year.  Contact Naomi, Director of Tikkun Olam, with Questions.

 

SHOP ON AMAZON = SUPPORT BETH CHAIM!

Visit smile.amazon.com to register. Search for Beth Chaim Congregation of Contra Costa County and that's it! Beth Chaim will receive 0.5% of every eligible purchase! Don't forget to bookmark the page for easy return shopping. Tell your friends!
BEIT MIDRASH - RELIGIOUS SCHOOL - MIDRASHA

HEBREW POWER HOUR

Wednesday, March 4, 5:00-6:00pm

Thursday, March 5, 5:00-6:00pm

 

BEIT MIDRASH PURIM CARNIVAL

Sunday, March 8, 9:15am-12:15pm

Religious School students and pre-schoolers and their parents will be celebrating Purim with games and silliness. Adults are invited to join the fun!

 

SIMCHA FAIRE: Raising the Bar on Your Mitzvah

Sunday, March 22

11:00 am: "Jewish Values & Jewish Parties" Presentation by Rabbi Mike

12:00-2:00pm: Vendor Faire

Beth Chaim Congregation Sanctuary

Learn how to plan a Jewish, just, and green simcha. Hosted by the Simcha Sisters.

 

CONTRA COSTA MIDRASHA

March 4: Purim Celebration

 

WEEKLY TORAH PORTION VIDEO

We invite you to share this week's video from G-d Cast with your children:
Parshat Ki Tisa: Seeing the Golden Calf
Parshat Ki Tisa:
Seeing the Golden Calf

SISTERHOOD 
OUT-TO-LUNCH GROUP
Tuesday, March 10, 11:45am
Uncle Yu's, 2005 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon
It's hard to believe that we haven't done Chinese food yet! Please join us for food, fun and friendship at this very popular restaurant! RSVP and for more information on the Out-to-Lunch Group, contact Janice Frankel at janicefrankel@yahoo.com.

JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL: ZERO MOTIVATION
Friday, March 13, 12:40pm
Century 16 Theatres Pleasant Hill
Winner of several 2014 Israeli Oscars, this zany drama has been called a cross between Private Benjamin and MASH. It follows the day by day lives of several young female army recruits as they confront the difficulty of their jobs. Adult content; Hebrew/subtitles.
We can meet in front of the theater at 12:25pm, or if people prefer, at the Danville Park and Ride lot at Sycamore Valley Road and I-680 at 12pm. RSVP to Mira Pilosof at Mira11@sbcglobal.net. We hope you will join us for this fun and entertaining film!

BOOK GROUP
Tuesday, March 17
Home of Sandy Shalon
The selection is Girl on a Train by Paula Hawkins. RSVP to Sandy at sshalonmail@gmail.com. For more information on the Book Group, contact Deborah Blankfeld at deborah.blankfeld@gmail.com.

For more information on Sisterhood contact Sara Goldstein at sara.e.goldstein@gmail.com or call 925.366.7272.

BROTHERHOOD
BROTHERHOOD PARTICIPATION AT PURIM!

Friday, March 6, 7:00pm

Brotherhood encourages the men of Beth Chaim to come in costume to the Purim Celebration. Brotherhood will also sponsor adults-only refreshments in the "Grog & Grogger Pub." This is a chance for adults to become a wee bit "disinhibited" in the private confines of the Conference Room (no one under 21 will be allowed into the office and anyone who imbibes will be asked to come with a designated driver).

 

MARCH MADNESS
March Madness is just around the corner! Look for a  Brotherhood email in early March with details for picking your brackets.

 

JOURNEY TO ISRAEL
In partnership with The Jewish Federation of the East Bay, Beth Chaim is sponsoring the 
"Alight: Israel" Community trip, to take place on April 29-28, 2015. This is a wonderful opportunity for our members to see the country by designing their own Israel experience through daily customized excursions. Tracts include Arts & Culture, Historic, Hi-Tech, Geopolitical, Social Action and Jewish learning. To learn more, visit jfed.org/israel2015, or contact JFED at 510.809.4953 or email israel2015@jfed.org
 
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
30th ANNUAL JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL
February 26-March 22
Various locations
Festival highlights include the Grammy Award-winning super group, The Klezmatics, the world premiere of newly-commissioned music by jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson, Sway Machinery fronted by Jeremiah Lockwood of Balkan Beatbox fame, West Coast debut by a Jewish-Christian-Muslim-Israeli combo, Diwan Saz, International Women's Day celebration with women's vocal ensemble Kitka, including a tribute to Ronnie Gilbert of the folk music revival group, the Weavers, and much more. For tickets and information visit www.jewishmusicfestival.org.

TEMPLE ISAIAH'S ISRAEL & WORLD JEWRY COMMITTEE PRESENTS: DR. SAM WOLFMAN
"How Does Jewish Law in Israel Affect Reform and Secular Jews?"
Tuesday, March 3, 7:00pm
Temple Isaiah Adult Lounge, 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette
Dr. Wolfman is a dynamic speaker who has a background that interfaces legal, medical and religious issues in Israel and is a member of the International Center for Health, Law and Ethics. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Contact Marlene Thier at mthier@berkeley.edu with questions.
 
KLEZMATICS' FRANK LONDON DISCUSSES 
LETTERS TO AFAR
Friday, March 6, 1:00-2:30pm
Contemporary Jewish Museum, 755 Mission St., SF
Free with museum admission
The Klezmatics' bandleader and Letters to Afar collaborator, Frank London talks about the creation of the exhibition's music and his own Jewish and musical journey. For tickets, click HERE. For more information on the CJM, visit www.thecjm.org.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
The Song of Children ... The Voice of Women
Sunday, March 8, 3:00-5:00pm
El Campanil Theatre, 602 West 2nd St., Antioch
We invite men, women and children to come and celebrate the song of children and the voice of women. The program includes children's musical presentations, keynote addresses and information concerning the rights of women, children and all people who suffer oppression. Sponsored by the Interfaith Peace Project and the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. For free tickets go to www.eventbrite.com or call 925.303.9879. For information on Women's Day Programs visit www.interfaithpeaceproject.org/programs.

FIRST-TIME JEWISH CAMPER DISCOUNTS
BunkConnect is a user-friendly referral program designed to help middle and lower income middle and lower income families access Jewish camp at special rates. Interested families can visit www.BunkConnect.org.

PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Apply now for the Jewish Vocational Service of San Francisco's Kohn Summer Intern Program. This unique 8-week internship provides Jewish college undergraduates the opportunity to work for a Jewish non-profit organization, build job search skills, be mentored and examine issues facing the Jewish community. Interns are compensated $2,500 for their work over the summer. For eligibility, information an dhow to apply visit www.jvs.org/kohn, email kohn@jvs.org or call 415.391.3600.

PAID MTC SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Metropolitan Transportation Commission offers $12.25 per hour High School Summer Internship opportunities. Work sites available throughout the Bay Area. Applicant must have completed 10th grade, be at least 16 years of age by June 18, 2015 and live and go to school in the county the student is applying for. Deadline to apply is March 8. Apply online and/or get more information at MTC Jobs or contact the MTC Internship Coordinator at 510.817.5807 or email InternCoordinator.

Tent
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILY CAMP
May 8-10 at Camp Newman, Santa Rosa
For information on this annual camp, visit Camp Newman.

HEBREW FREE LOANS

Hebrew Free Loans provides interest-free loans to Jewish residents in Northern California needing assistance or pursuing lifelong dreams. Loan categories include: student, adoption, business, first-time home buyer, unemployment, emergency, debt consolidation, and more. For more information or to apply for a loan, visit www.hflasf.org or call 415.546.9902.
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