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Services
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 All are welcome to come celebrate with us.
Shabbat Evening Service Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30 pm
Everyone from the community is welcome!
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Chesed
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CHESED UPDATE
Gladys Weitzner
Gladys continues to be very ill.
We hold her in our prayers.
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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.
if you have any Chesed needs.
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Milestones |
Isabella Kelleter
11 on Jan. 31
Hannah Billy
11 on Feb. 2
Ysabel Munoz
18 on Feb. 3
Jacob Freiman
18 on Feb. 3
Leah Sulzberg
12 on Feb. 3
Ethan Bleier
13 on Feb. 4
Ryan Billy
18 on Feb. 6
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Wedding Anniversaries
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Yahrzeit Observances
Peter Kahn
Father of Eric Kahn
Jan. 29
Michael Olden
Father of Kara Solomon
Jan. 29
Mollie Feldstein
Mother of Burt Feldstein
Jan. 31
James Heskes
Father of Scott Heskes
Jan. 31
Robert Bond
Father of Molly Daws
Feb. 1
Walter Weiss
Father of Ellen Bull
Feb. 3
Allen Creighton
Father of Robyn Mizes
Feb. 4
Lucille Ruth Heede
Mother of Bonnie Adelson
Feb. 4
Names will be read at the
Feb. 3th Shabbat Service.
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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Tikkun Olam Opportunities
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Contra Costa Interfaith Housing Opportunities for Involvement
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
We're Off to See the Wizard!
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing's annual auction gala,
Ruby Slippers-There's No Place Like Home
is February 4, 2017 at Diablo Country Club. This
over the rainbow evening includes a silent and live auction, dinner, and dancing. You won't want to miss out on this fun evening!
Buy tickets here:
We are also looking for Safeway gift cards and other exciting auction items. If you have questions, please email elba@ccinterfaithhousing.org. See you on the yellow brick road!
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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.
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Souper Bowl of CaringEach year on the weekend of the big game, youth armed with soup pots collect donations at local churches, schools, and businesses. Every dollar is sent directly to a nonprofit.
For More Information visit:
Souperbowl.org 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.
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Yahrzeit Candles
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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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Wrestling With Torah
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The next session of Wrestling With Torah is scheduled for Saturday February 4th from 10:00 - 11:30am. We will use the Torah texts that we have at Beth Chaim and we will also access the wonderful book, "Wrestling with Angels" by Naomi Rosenblatt. The subtitle of this book is, "What Genesis teaches us about our spiritual identity, sexuality and personal relationships." All are welcome!
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Winter Nights Shelter
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Winter Nights Shelter Needs your Support! 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the following:
Weekend Activities, Meal team leaders & members,
Overnight, & Take Down.
This is a great way to involve the whole family in giving back and a very rewarding experience for all.
Please click on the links below and sign up for a spot!
Beth Chaim Congregation and St. Timothy's Episcopal Church are once again co-hosting the Winter Nights Shelter from Monday, February 13 through Monday, February 27, 2017. Beth Chaim will be responsible for the second week (February 20-27th) but both congregations will help set up and break-down the shelter.
Winter Nights Shelter will be located in the parish hall at St. Timothy's and is for the most vulnerable in our community- homeless families with children. For the past several years, Beth Chaim has set up, stocked, and operated the shelter for these struggling families.
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Interfaith Council's Program of Solidarity
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Ring of Solidarity
Friday, February 3, 2017 at 12:30 pm
at the Islamic Center of Walnut Creek 2449 Buena Vista Ave.
As done in March 2015, the Interfaith Council will host another Ring of Solidarity event at a local Masjid (Muslim house of prayer). You are invited to bring your peaceful prayers to join others in a circle around the building to show our solidarity and care for our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Speakers will include diverse faith leaders from the region to stand in solidarity with local Muslims, who will share their stories and responses to the Mosque arson in Texas and the mass shooting in Quebec. Please look at the home page of the Council at interfaithccc.org for particulars.
We will begin gathering from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. If you desire to pray at 1:30 pm, feel invited and then afterwards we will sing as folks come out of prayer time for a brief word in front of the congregation and then we will be invited to come into the courtyard for an Interfaith program of solidarity.
Please park on the street to leave the parking for their congregation. You may even wish to park father away and take a taxi or LYFT to get there as street parking will become congested. To read the Interfaith Council's Response to the President's Bans On Muslims: CLICK HERE
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New Adult Experiential Learning Offering
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Prayerbook Blues?
Are you lost when you open a prayerbook? Where did these prayers come from? Who wrote them? How did prayer develop? Join Jamie Hyams for a 3-session exploration of the history, development and purpose of Jewish prayer.
Dates: 2/16, 2/23, 3/2
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Location: Beth Chaim Congregation
Jamie is a second year rabbinical student at the Academy of Jewish Religion and member of Beth Chaim
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Save The Date
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We're putting a French twist on Purim this year as we travel from Persia to Paris. So, trade in your Haman hats, Mordechai cloaks, and Esther crowns for your French berets, your rakish moustaches, your painters' smocks, your Moulin-rouge frocks, or your French Rococo silks, panniers, and breeches à la the court of Marie Antoinette, and allow yourself to be transported to the banks of the Seine for a night of aliments, amusements, la musique and camaraderie.
Auction Items for Oy La La Purim Gala Welcomed!
Sign Up: CLICK HERE
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The Beit Midrash Religious School & Midrasha
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Tu BiShvat celebration at the Beit Midrash!
Sunday, Feb. 12th @ 11:15
Religious School Schedule:
| Tues, 1/31 | Hebrew Power Hour/Jew Crew, 5:00pm | | Wed, 2/1 | Hebrew Power Hour/Jew Crew, 5:00pm | | Sun, 2/5 | Religious School, 9:15-12:15pm
B'nei Mitzvah Family Workshop, 12:30-2:00pm |
B'nei Mitzvah season has started,
make sure the students attend services!
Ethan Bleier: Sat, Feb. 11th @ 9:30am
Max Begun: Sat, Feb. 18th @ 9:30am
Eliana Steele: Sat, March 4th @ 9:30am
Zach Badain: Sat, March 18th @ 9:30am
Chloe Weil: Sat, March 25th @ 9:30am
Jacob Gabriel: Sat, April 22nd @ 9:30am
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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 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.
For more information, to get questions answered, or just
to say "hi" contact Devra Aarons, CCM's Director at
Midrasha Gala: February 25th @ 6:30pm
San Ramon Community Center
Weekly Torah Portion Video
We invite you to share this week's video from G-d Cast with your children:
Parshat Bo: Moses and Aaron Come to Pharaoh
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Sisterhood
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 UPCOMING EVENTS
(click on any of the linked titles to go to the sign-ups)
 Tuesday February 7, 2017 11:45 AM to 1:45 PM Favorite Indian Restaurant
Please join us for our next lunch gathering, for good food and good friendship. This month, we are dining at Favorite Indian Restuarant in San Ramon.
 Tuesday February 7, 2017 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Home of Deborah Wechsler
Join us to celebrate the beginning of Shevat. 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. This month's gathering will be at Deborah Wechsler's home,with Deborah leading. You don't need to have previously attended to enjoy this gathering.
 Sunday February 12, 2017 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM Danville Yoga & Wellness Studio
The Yoga portion of this event is full. Please RSVP if you would like to be wait-listed, OR you would like to attend the happy hour afterwards at Santorini's.
 Sunday February 19, 2017 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Beth Chaim Congregation Kitchen
Have you been dreaming of Hamantaschen since last year? Dream no more -- its time once again for our annual Hamantaschen Bake-A-Thon. Sign up today.
Sisterhood relies on your donations to function. We are now requesting donations for the 2016-2017 year. The suggested donation amount is $40. Our funds are used for various Sisterhood programs and to co-sponsor and support Beth Chaim events. You may pay by PayPal by clicking on the link below or by check. Checks should be made payable to "BCC Sisterhood" and sent to the temple.
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Brotherhood
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The 2017 BROTHERHOOD WINTER GETAWAY
The 2017 Brotherhood Winter Getaway weekend was fantastic!!! Forty-two men from Beth Chaim spent time together to bond and ski, snowmobile, hike, watch movies, play cards, have a Friday night service and a Men's Gathering and to roast the Brotherhood Man of the Year (Congratulations Bobby Carp!). Brotherhood Winter Getaway 2018 is January 25th through the 28th of 2018. Put it on your calendar now!!!
Thursday February 16th at 7:00 pm Location: TBD
We gather together to reflect on stories of meaning in our  lives in a safe and confidential environment . This months theme is: "A Central Spiritual Directive We Live By", Rabbi Dan facilitates. All are invited to participate, but 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 Lunch  Wednesday February 22nd, 12:00 pm Blue Line Pizza at 550 Hartz Avenue in Danville. Join us for a casual lunch at Blue Line Pizza. This is just a chance to get together, have a nice lunch and schmooze with the Brothers. An RSVP to Mark Yarkin at mark.yarkin@gmail.com, would be greatly appreciated but come by even if you don't RSVP.
See you there!
SOFTBALL PLAYERS NEEDED FOR
BETH CHAIM SOFTBALL TEAM
Is  anyone interested in playing softball in the Jewish softball league? Brotherhood is looking into forming a Beth Chaim softball team. If there is enough interest from the men of Beth Chaim we will gather more information for signing up in the league. If we don't have enough players for our own team, we have connections with another team in the league that may be able to take some Beth Chaim players. This would be a great opportunity to have some fun with your Beth Chaim brothers. Brotherhood hopes you will check it out if you are interested. We might even consider feeding the team some bagels at Beth Chaim before or after the games if we get enough guys! If interested please Contact Mark Yarkin at:
JOIN THE BROTHERHOOD
We are now collecting Brotherhood Dues for 2017. Voluntary dues are $50 per year. Our funds are used for various Brotherhood activities and to co-sponsor and support Beth Chaim events. You may pay by PayPal by clicking on the link below or by check. Checks should be made payable to Beth Chaim Brotherhood and sent to Mike Murphy, Brotherhood Treasurer, 30 Edinburgh Place, Danville, CA 94526.
 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
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Upcoming Community Events
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See a Film. See the World.
Beth Chaim has co-sponsored the film, "The Women's Balcony" 2016
One of the most popular films in Israel in recent years, this good-hearted "dramedy" shows that there are many ways to follow tradition.
showing on March 2 Century 16 Theatres, Pleasant Hill at 7:30pm For more information and complete listing of films and descriptions, grab a film festival brochure at Beth Chaim, or visit: eastbayjewishfilm.org______________________________
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Events at Beth Chaim
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Drumming Class at Beth Chaim
Led by musician Bruce Silverman 
The class explores both Jewish ritual drumming and the art of drumming, world wide. It is first and foremost "fun." All can come: (in the Sanctuary at Beth Chaim) The class will be a completely beginner friendly for all who attend, absolutely no experience is necessary and some drums will be provided so check in with Bruce if you plan to attend.
For those of you who say "I have no rhythm," I say, check your wrist for a pulse, if there is no rhythm there, call 911 immediately!!
Sessions are Mondays from 7:30-9:00pm in the Sanctuary
RSVP to Bruce Silverman or for further info about
on-going classes at 925-685-5585 x2 or at:
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