HAPPENINGS
February 14, 2017 /18 Sh'vat 5777
  Happy Valentine's Day! 

Thurs. Feb. 16
Prayerbook Blues?  
Exploration of Jewish Prayer Led by Jamie Hyams
7:30-9:00 pm  

Thurs, Feb. 16
Men's Gathering
7:00pm - Home of Jeremy Smith
Fri, Feb. 17
Shabbat Evening Service
7:30 pm - Sanctuary led by Rabbi Dan with
Aaron Gabriel on guitar

Sat, Feb. 18
Shabbat Morning Service
Max Begun Bar Mitzvah, 9:30 am 
Mon. Feb. 20-
Mon Feb. 27
Winter Nights Shelter (Beth Chaim's week)
at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
Services

All are welcome to come
celebrate with us.

Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, Feb. 17, 7:30 pm

Shabbat Morning Service
Sat. Feb. 18, 9:30 am
Max Begun Bar Mitzvah

Everyone from the community is welcome!
Chesed

Hands
 
 
CHESED UPDATE

Gladys Weitzner
Gladys continues to be very ill. 
 We hold her in our prayers.

_____________________

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

cupcake-candle

Kids' Birthdays 
   
Violet Brors
10 on Feb. 16

Joshua Kronenberg
6 on Feb. 17
_______
Wedding Anniversaries

Jeff & Carolyn Rovner
30 on Feb. 14

Steve & Donna Kronenberg
7 on Feb. 19

  ______________


Yahrzeit Observances

David Goldberg
Father of Martin Goldberg
Feb. 12

Harriet Schnur
Mother of Mimi Torres
Feb. 13

Samuel Hershfeld
Father of Jan Hershfeld
Feb. 16

Robert Wolfsohn
Brother of Penny Wolfsohn
Feb. 18

Robert Kelley
Father of Kathie Bleier
Feb. 18

Julian Mitchel Wolf
Father of Beth Wolf Mora
Feb. 18

 
Names will be read at the
Feb. 17th 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



Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
Opportunities for Involvement
________________

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.
______________________ 
   
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.

Quick Links
Beth Chaim Links 
Beth Chaim Mobile
BCC Facebook PageLike us on Facebook
Join Our Mailing List!
New Adult Experiential Learning Offering
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
To Register: CLICK HERE
 
Winter Nights Shelter
Winter Nights Shelter Needs your Support! 

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED, less than 1 week away!
Meal team leaders & members, Weekend Activities,
 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.
East Bay International Jewish Film Festival

"Every time I go to a movie, it's magic."           
--Steven Spielberg
 
Enjoy the enduring magic of film with us.
March 2 - 12, Century 16 in Pleasant Hill
 
Beth Chaim Congregation Is proud to co-sponsor
 
"The Women's Balcony" is a wonderful, warm-hearted Israeli comedy-drama
about women rallying for their full rights in their synagogue.
Screening Opening Night, Thursday, March 2, 7:30 PM

For more information and complete listing of films and descriptions,
grab a film festival brochure at Beth Chaim, or visit:
www.eastbayjewishfilm.org
 
Click on the Invite Below to RSVP

CLICK HERE TO RSVP 
 
French Fun Fact:  The Iconic Beret

What's more French than a Beret? The black beret was once considered the national cap of France, and is part of the stereotypical image of the Onion Johnny. The suave factor of the beret cannot be surpassed. Iconic individuals such as Rembrandt, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Papa Hemmingway, Anthony Quinn, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson, and Jason Stratham all wore berets. Be iconic - wear the beret to the Purim in Paris Gala & Fundraiser

Gala 2017-Beret
 
Auction Items for Oy La La Purim Gala Welcomed!
  Sign Up to Donate Items here:
 
The Beit Midrash Religious School & Midrasha

      
 Purim Celebration at Reutlinger 
Sunday, March 5th, 9:15-12:00
The community is welcome!


Religious School Schedule:
Tues, 2/14Hebrew Power Hour/Jew Crew, 5:00pm
Wed, 2/15Hebrew Power Hour/Jew Crew, 5:00pm

No school - President's Day
Feb. 19th & 20th

Upcoming Events:
Purim Celebration at Reutlinger, March 5th
  
 
      
 
 
 



B'nei Mitzvah season has started,  
make sure the students attend services!
 
Upcoming B'nei Mitzvahs:
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

______________________ 
      
 
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
925.944.4701, by email at office@ccmidrasha.com, 
online at www.ccmidrasha.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ccmidrasha.
 
 
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 Yitro: The Ten Commandments, Beyond The Two Tablets?

Parshat Yitro: The Ten Commandments, Beyond The Two Tablets?

 Sisterhood

UPCOMING EVENTS
(click on any of the linked titles to go to the sign-ups)
 
SIS-Haman 2017 Sunday February 19, 2017
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Beth Chaim Congregation Kitchen

Are visions of Hamantaschen dancing in your dreams? Well, dream no more -- its time once again for our annual Hamantaschen Bake-A-Thon.  Come anytime duringthe 1-5 pm window.  Sign up today.

SIS-FEB17BOOK Tuesday February 21, 2017
 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Home of Sharon Abrams

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. February's selection is "The Sisters Weiss', by Naomi Ragen. A synopsis of the book can be found under the "more information link"

SIS-FEB17 DINNER Wednesday February 22, 2017
 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM
The Vintage Restaurant

Please join us for our monthly dinner group, as we drink, dine and dish together. January's dinner will be at the Vintage at the Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville.

Sis-Film Thursday March 2, 2017
 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Pleasant Hill Century 16 Theater

We're going on a field trip to Pleasant Hill for the screening of the film "The Women's Balcony" at the Annual East Bay Film Festival. This film is the entry sponsored by Beth Chaim Congregation. We will purchase tickets at a discounted price so RSVP soon. The film begins at 7:30 pm. Seating opens at 7:00 pm.
 

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
 
Men's Gathering
Thursday, February 16th at 7:00 pm
Location: Home of Jeremy Smith, 
3278 Ensenada Drive, San Ramon
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:   mark.yarkin@gmail.com
  
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.

Upcoming Community Events

"Color Play" 
Art Exhibit featuring Julia Rymer Brucker

Opening Reception:  Thursday, March 2nd, 6:00-8:00pm
On-going exhibit:  March 2nd - April 15th.

Village Theater Art Gallery   233 Front Street, Danville
 Events at Beth Chaim
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:
Beth Chaim Congregation      Like us on Facebook
(925) 736-7146
www.BethChaim.com

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