HAPPENINGS
September 6, 2016 /3 Elul 5776

Friday, Sept. 9
Shabbat Evening Service
7:30 - Sanctuary

Sunday, Sept. 11
First day of Religious School
9:15-12:15
Breakfast hosted by Brotherhood
9:00 am - everyone welcome!
 

Services


All are welcome to come
celebrate with us.

 Friday Sept. 9th, 7:30 pm
Shabbat Evening Service


Chesed
Hands

Zichronam L'vracha
May their memory be a blessing

Yael Goldblatt

Yael died on Sunday, September 4th surrounded by her two sons, 
Jonathan and Ethan, and Rabbi Dan.  She was 63. 
 
The funeral will be this Thursday, 9/8, at 11:00 am at Beth Chaim.  
 
We will proceed to Gan Shalom (1100 Bear Creek Rd., Martinez, CA) for the burial service. 
 
There will be Shiva gatherings at Beth Chaim on Thursday, 9/8, Saturday, 9/10, and Sunday, 9/11, all at 7:00 pm. 
  
 
The family asks that donations be made to Beth Chaim Congregation.

________________

Our heartfelt condolences go to Pastor Steve Harms and his family on the death of Steve's father,
Paul Harms

The funeral was held in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday September 3rd. 
________________

Beth Chaim's Chesed Program translates a philosophy of love 
and compassion to all, 
inside and outside our community, into a program of acts and deeds that help to support and lift each other up in times of need, and at life cycle events.
 
Please contact us by calling the office at (925) 736-7146 or by email at admin@bethchaim.com
if you have any Chesed needs.

Milestones
Tikkun Olam Opportunities
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing Dinner October 13 
Beth Chaim Congregation will be cooking dinner for the residents of Garden Park Apartments and Beth Chaim volunteers on October 13, 2016. Every month, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing provides dinner for about 40 tenants on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Garden Park Apartments, a permanent supportive housing program specifically for homeless families with special needs in Contra Costa County. For more information or to sign up please CLICK HERE

Toiletries Drive
We are collecting large, full size cosmetics and toiletries, as well as diapers, tissues and wipes for newcomer families of JCFS of the East Bay. Travel size toiletries are also still being accepted.

Donations will be presented as a "Welcome Bag" including: toothbrushes/paste, soaps, combs, deodorant, dental floss and other basic items.
Please bring your items to the drop box in the Beth Chaim foyer or to the office.
______________________ 
 
Food Bank of Contra Costa
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.

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 underwriting the Yahrzeit program.

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Observance
shofar
Welcome the High Holy Days


Next month begins our Days of Awe - the High Holy Days, beginning with Erev Rosh Hashana on Sunday, October 2. Currently, we are in the month of Elul, the month preceding the High Holy Days, in which we are directed to do the things that will help us ready ourselves for this yearly experience of confronting the most important questions in our lives. We hope to see as many of you as possible at our services.

As is our tradition, we will once again be collecting for those less fortunate than us, and so we ask that you bring a non-perishable food item for donation; we will have bins in the foyer for collection, for the Contra Costa Food Bank. We thank you deeply in advance.
 


The Beit Midrash Religious School & Midrasha

First day of Religious School
Sunday, September 11th
9:15-12:15
Breakfast hosted by the Brotherhood @ 9:00am
Lox and Bagels


Beit Midrash Calendar
 
Sept. 6-7 (Grades 3-6) - Hebrew Power Hour 5:00-6:00pm
Sunday, Sept. 11 - Religious School  from 9:15-12:15 
Sept. 12-14 (Grades 3-7) - Hebrew Power Hour
Sunday, Sept. 18 - Religious School 9:15-12:15
Sept. 19-21 - Hebrew Power Hour 
Sunday, Sept. 25 - Religious School 9:15-12:15
Sept. 26-28 - Hebrew Power Hour 
Sunday, Oct. 2  - No school, Rosh Hashanah

________________________

 
Contra Costa Midrasha 2016-17 
CCM is the place for Jewish teens in grades 8-12 to build their own Jewish community of friends, be mentored by card Jewish young adults and connect to their own Jewish identity through discussion and hands-on learning. Join us on Wednesday nights and for special NEW Sunday programs this year.

Sept. 7 - 8th Grade Orientation for any interested teen  
Sept. 14 - Grand Opening Night- photo booth, donuts and more

For more information, to get questions answered, or just 
to say "hi" contact Devra Aarons, CCM's Director at
925.944.4701, by email at office@ccmidrasha.com
online at www.ccmidrasha.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ccmidrasha.

______________________________________

 
Weekly Torah Portion Video
We invite you to share this week's video from G-d Cast with your children:
Parshat Shoftim: What the Torah Says About Justice
Parshat Shoftim: What the Torah Says About Justice
 
Board Matters

Nominations for the 2017 Beth Chaim Board of Directors

As we continue to evolve our community in new and unique ways, we seek to engage those among us who would like to have a positive influence on this important process through a leadership position on the 2017 Board of Directors. 

Membership on the Board enables you to have a direct impact on the way our community operates. Making a contribution of your time in this way can be a meaningful way for you to make a deeper connection with our community.  

Any member interested in serving on our Board next year is invited to contact Nominating Committee Chair Drew Porter at amporter@aol.com. Any member wishing to put forward the name of another member for nomination is also invited to contact Drew. Drew will be happy to answer any questions about the nominations process, what involvement in the Board entails, or to schedule a conversation with the Nominating Committee.
 Sisterhood
UPCOMING EVENTS
(click on any of the linked titles to go to the sign-ups)
 
moon1 Tuesday September 6, 2016
 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Home of Karyn Fishman

Join us to celebrate the new moon of Elul. We will meet at 7:00 pm for light refreshments and socializing and then begin the program promptly at 7:30 pm and end around 9:00 pm. Karyn Fishman will host, and Judith Markowitz will lead, this month's gathering. You don't need to have previously attended to enjoy this gathering.

Pinot's Palette Monday September 19, 2016
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Pinot's Palette, Danville

Last year was so much fun, we're doing it again! We're popping a few corks, drinking a little vino and putting brush to canvas. Please join your fellow Sisters for this fun night out (no artistic talent required - just a sense of humor). For $40, art supplies, wine and tasty bites are provided ($41.50 if paying by PayPal)
 
SIS-Book Sep16 Tuesday September 20, 2016
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The home of Sandy Shalon

Looking to lose yourself in a good book, and find some good friends in the process? Join us for book group. Held monthly and hosted by various group attendees at their homes. September's selection is "Guest Room", by Chris Bohjalian.
 
Upcoming Book Group Selections
October - A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman
November - The Beauty Queen, by Sarit Yishai-Levi

Sisterhood Annual Dinner Coming in November

 
2017 Sisterhood Sojourn is in the works. Make sure to mark your calendars for May 5-7, 2017.  Look for Registration Information Soon. 

For more information on Sisterhood, contact Mary Jo Smith at BCCSisterhood. 

  Brotherhood
Men's Gathering
Thursday September 22nd, 7:00 p.m.
Home of Bob Slomowitz   2833 Lariat Lane, Walnut Creek
We gather together to reflect on stories of meaning in our lives in a safe and confidential environment. Members of the group facilitate and no one need feel compelled to share in the discussion.  If you have never attended a Beth Chaim Men's Gathering, we invite you to come and experience one. Your presence makes this gathering worthwhile and you are invited to bring a friend.

Brotherhood Hiking Group
Every Wednesday, 8:30-10:30am
Meet at Danville Peet's Coffee (may change). Join us for local hikes and enjoy the beauty right in our backyard. Usually 3-5 miles depending on weather and group consensus. Dogs are welcome! For more information, contact: Harry Kulwin at hkulwin@hotmail.com
or Paul Yamshon at pyamshon56@att.net.

Events at Beth Chaim

Sacred Jewish Rhythms Drumming Group
Learn to play and accompany Jewish liturgical music at home, in the synagogue, or under a tree. Instructor Bruce Silverman will highlight traditional middle-eastern rhythms and simple all-purpose rhythms, perfect for prayers, singing, dancing, and playing along with other instruments. This is a completely beginner friendly class!

Sessions are Mondays from 7:30-9:00pm in the Sanctuary

Contact Bruce Silverman for further info about 
prices and dates at 925-685-5585 or at:

Upcoming Community Events
MAKING WAVES in harmony with our Jewish community FEATURING THE MACCABEATS
 
Sunday, November 13, 2016 
Doors open @ 4:15 p.m.Show starts @ 5:00 p.m.
Acalanes High School Theater, Lafayette
Tickets go on sale September 1, 2016movie-tickets3.jpg
Adults $25   Kids under 12- $15
 For more information
Click Here
 
 
Peace Lutheran is premiering BEYOND MEASURE on Sept. 11, 2016 at 5 pm. 
The Director, Vicki Abeles, who resides in the East Bay, will be speaking at this event.
Tickets will be $10- available online at: BEYOND MEASURE     
For More information: Click Here 
 
 In Our Jewish Community

International Day of Peace: Sept. 16-18
Speaking in Peace with Each Other
San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville
An Interfaith weekend. Come for the day, an afternoon, or the whole weekend! Click here for registration info.

Panel Discussion: Race and Voting Rights 
Tuesday, September 20, 7:00-9:00pm
Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, Lafayette
Following a wave of recent court decisions that uncovered intentional racial discrimination and overturned new voting restrictions across the country, there is a huge new national push for restoration of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and other vehicles to protect against race-based manipulation of the electorate. Come hear from subject matter experts on this critical issue and engage in our consensus building process through real-time polling.
The event is free, however an RSVP is necessary: Click Here

 
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www.BethChaim.com

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