B'nai Emunah Members' Blog

Bookgroup reads “Jew Store”

Gabriele Lange — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:00:15 +0000

By Bonnie Gratch Lindauer

The B’nai Emunah Book Discussion Group thoroughly enjoyed “Jew Store” by Stella Suberman. Set in rural Tennessee in the early 1900′s this memoir captures the fabric of small town life as seen through the eyes of a Jewish family from the Bronx who moved there to open up a dry goods store. All of us felt the story was heartwarming, with the characters so well developed that we all had our favorites. Some of our members could definitely relate to the isolation this Jewish family felt at times, since they also had lived in both northern and southern small towns with hardly any Jews. The story also provoked some interesting questions, such as: how much of a Jewish life does one need to maintain in order to preserve his/her Judaism?

A Personal Exodus From Egypt

Gabriele Lange — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:41:54 +0000

By Bonnie Gratch Lindauer

Today, Congregation B’nai Emunah hosted a special event for JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) . JIMENA speakers Joe and Remy Pessah shared their personal stories about growing up in privileged circumstances in Egypt and what life was like for Jews in the time period before Nasser and WW II and aftermath. Before they spoke, a film made by JIMENA depicted the situation with other Mizrachi and Sephardi Jews who had to flee their homelands and become refugees in Israel and other countries.

Joe and Remy described the richness of their lives before things changed during and after WW II. Private schools, abundant cultural opportunities, and rewarding commercial options were the norm for the educated Jewish population in Cairo. All of this gradually disappeared after the war and Nasser’s changing policies towards Jews. A large number fled in the last 1950s, but many remained. Joe and Remy’s families stayed on until the early 1970s, when Joe’s father and other males in the family were imprisoned. Joe was also later detained and imprisoned, but fortunately he was released and he and Remy fled to France and then the U.S.

The 40 attendees were captivated by their experiences and many questions followed the presentation. One of the congregation’s members shared his family story as Iraqi Jews who fled to Israel. A wine and cheese reception allowed for more informal exchanges with the speakers.

A Bissel to Nibble #9

Gabriele Lange — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:48:32 +0000

A Short Shabbat Reflection from the Weekly Parsha by Rabbi Mark Melamut

*Bissel: (bis-sel) Yiddish. Meaning: “a little.” “Give me a bissel lox on my bagel, would you, darling?” A biselleh is even less. (www.bubbygram.com)
Served each Friday afternoon, noonish.

Parshat Mishpatim (Exodus 21-24:18)

On the heels of the 10 Commandments, we receive a long list of mishpatim, laws. These extend and govern a wide range of areas of life from ethics and food to animals and religious life. We also learn of the three original agricultural and pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. The people of Israel acclaim “na’aseh v’nishma/we will do and we will obey,” before Moses ascends Mt. Sinai. This time he remains on the mountaintop for 40 days and 40 nights.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: While the burning bush must have been a spiritual experience for Moses, we have to imagine that his long stay on the mountaintop topped his previous experience. Thinking of Moses at the summit of his spiritual experience – what does your “spiritual summit” look like? Where do you imagine it might occur, what might its content be, and how do you hope it leaves you feeling?

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mark Melamut

A Bissel to Nibble #8

Gabriele Lange — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:05:14 +0000

A Short Shabbat Reflection from the Weekly Parsha by Rabbi Mark Melamut

*Bissel: (bis-sel) Yiddish. Meaning: “a little.” “Give me a bissel lox on my bagel, would you, darling?” A biselleh is even less. (www.bubbygram.com)
Served each Friday afternoon, noonish.

Parshat Yitro (Exodus 18-20:23)
Before the dramatic experience of the ten commandments, Moses learns some good advice from his father-in-law, Jethro. Namely, that he should learn to delegate in order that he doesn’t wear himself out. The Israelites now find themselves in the wilderness of Sinai, camped out near the mountain. And then, it all begins. On the third day, morning dawns, thunder cracks, lightning darts, a cloud moves over Mt. Sinai, and the sound of the shofar rings out. Encamped at the foot of the mountain, the people tremble, as smoke and fire appear, and the entire mountain trembles. God then speaks those very important words, known in hebrew as aseret ha-dvarim, or aseret ha-dibrot, the ten statements.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: The experience of God’s presence at Mt. Sinai clearly caused a lot of trembling. What really causes us to tremble today, either out of awe or fear? How can this experience guide us to be better prepared to hear the important and sacred words of our families, friends, and neighbors?

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mark

Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees

Gabriele Lange — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:43:46 +0000

Why do trees celebrate their New Year so much later than Rosh-Hashanah? It has to do with the rainy season in Israel, which commences with the festival of Sukkot. It takes four months for the rains to saturate the soil, nurture the trees and coax them into producing fruit. This is important to know if you are planning to give your tithes of fruits, as is done in the Land of Israel, because the required tithes vary from year to year. It’s also important if you are a tree and looking for something to celebrate.

We humans can also celebrate along with the trees. After all, the Torah says, “Man is a tree of the field.” We are nurtured by deep roots, as far back as Abraham and Sarah; we reach upwards to the heavens while standing firmly on the ground; and when we do all this right, we produce fruits that benefit the world—namely, our good deeds.

Things to do:

Eat some fruit on this day. Best if you can get some of those fruits for which Israel is famous: olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates. The seven species, which also represent attributes in our lives, are humanity (wheat), passion (barley), joy (grapes), intimacy (figs), action (pomegranates), struggle (olives) and tranquility (dates).

A Bissel to Nibble #7

Gabriele Lange — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:46:25 +0000

A Short Shabbat Reflection from the Weekly Parsha by Rabbi Mark Melamut

*Bissel: (bis-sel) Yiddish. Meaning: “a little.” “Give me a bissel lox on my bagel, would you, darling?” A biselleh is even less.

Parshat B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)

Now that we’ve learned to memorialize our leaving Egypt through the ritual of our annual Passover seder, we are ready to pack our bags and head out into the wilderness. On the way out, the Israelites must first encounter the Sea of Reeds. In front of them, all they can sea is water, and behind them, Pharoah’s army is in hot pursuit. And then, the Sea splits, and the rest is history. As Israel arrives on the far shore, they are led by Moses and Miriam in song, “shirah,” hence this shabbat’s special designation, shabbat shirah.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Can you identify a “sea-splitting moment” in your life, one in which, at a certain point, your life changed, forever? Israel responded to this moment in their lives with song. How was your Jewish life affected by this moment? How can this moment inspire you and others on a daily basis?

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mark Melamut

Is It Just a Cookie?

jeffdielle — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:38:46 +0000

By Rabbi Mark Melamut

Shalom,

A good Jewish answer to the question would be – yes, and no. The holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, will be upon us shortly, followed by none other than, Purim! Though it seems that some people are big fans of Purim, and some people could do without it, Purim has a grab bag of treats for everyone – the serious-minded, as well as the levity-minded.

While costumes, schpiels, and food and beverage, do seem to guide Purim’s celebration, it is not complete without a seudah/”feast,” tzedakah/”donations to those less well off,” and mishloach manot/schlachmanot/”sending of gifts to friends.”

And, what about those tasty cookies known as hamantaschen? It seems that they were originally mohntoschen - a Yiddish word for poppy-seed filled cookie pockets. The name was changed by a folk custom to hamantaschen - referring to Haman’s 3 cornered hat. In Hebrew they are called, oznei Haman/”Haman’s ears.”

Where do hamantaschen figure in? Why do we eat them? Are they just cookies that taste good? If we think about it, each Jewish holiday has its requisite food, which seems to be about more than just the food. For example, eating Rosh Hashana’s sweet apples and honey signifies our hope for a sweet New Year, while enjoying Hanukkah’s oily latkes reminds us of past and everyday miracles. What is really going on in that little, sweet, crunchy and delicious, flaky pocket of dough that we call hamantaschen? Is there more to it? What do you think?

It is said about the megillah we read on Purim that it is either the most religious or the most secular story of all. Why? G-d never appears in the story, which either means that G-d is simply not around, or that G-d is indeed around, but just hidden behind the scenes. Relating to hamantaschen, are they just good cookies, or, are they loaded with more than calories, even, meanings? What does it mean after all, to eat a representation of the hat of the antagonist of our story? Is this a Jewish version of gobbling up the bad guys? Or, is it perhaps our attempt to eat that which eats away at us, first, before it gets to us?

The hamantaschen is the original fortune cookie. Much of the Purim story revolves around chance, luck, and good fortune, and the cookie reminds us of this. And, it has the potential to simply make us smile and even laugh. Is this really a serious take on a cookie, or is even this letter meant to really make us smile and laugh? Either way you cut the cookie, one rabbi ties laughter and levity back to faith in a way that I really appreciate. He writes, “Faith is a vision of a truth that will come into being, backed by a commitment to make it happen….Humor is the most appropriate way to express this faith – by simultaneously affirming and admitting the present limitations” (The Jewish Way, R. Irving Greenberg, p. 256) Perhaps the ancient rabbis knew, even way back then, the importance of laughter in the balancing of our lives. They anticipated the serious words of wisdom penned by the singer, Jimmy Buffet, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane….”

M’sheniknas Adar marbim b’simcha/”When the month of Adar arrives, joy is increased” -

May we embrace the months to come with joy, laughter, good health and some fortuitous cookie crumbs.

Shalom,

Rabbi Mark

P.S. – I’d love to read your favorite recipe for hamantaschen and share it on our blog – please email me your recipe at rabbimarkm@gmail.com

Foodbank Volunteer Day

Gabriele Lange — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:14:43 +0000

Click to view slideshow.On Sunday, January 29, the Sunday school children joined Sisterhood members to help out at the foodbank. Together with other community volunteers we packaged 1860 pounds of Pinto beans and about 1000 pounds of granola.

The kids were beaming with pride and everyone felt to have experienced a meaningful Sunday morning. Sisterhood helps at the San Francisco foodbank every last Sunday of the month.

A Bissel to Nibble # 6

Gabriele Lange — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:09:52 +0000

A Short Shabbat Reflection from the Weekly Parsha by Rabbi Mark Melamut

*Bissel: (bis-sel) Yiddish. Meaning: “a little.” “Give me a bissel lox on my bagel, would you, darling?” A biselleh is even less. (www.bubbygram.com)

Parshat Bo (Exodus 10-13:16)

Finally, after 430 years, the Israelites are free. Before we get there though, we learn of the last three plagues: locusts, darkness and the death of the first born. With the last plague, the Israelite doors are marked so that it will literally “pass over” their homes. They finally escape towards freedom, leaving us with the obligation to remember this event into perpetuity by observing the holiday of Passover.

REFLECTION QUESTION: We learn that not only did the plague of darkness cover the land of Egypt and last for three days, but the darkness was so thick that it could be felt and no one could see each other even with the help of artificial light. However, the Israelite homes managed to maintain light amidst the deep darkness. When life around us seems to grow dark, how does Jewish life help us maintain light within our lives, within our homes, and within ourselves?

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Mark

News from the Book Discussion Group

Gabriele Lange — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:26:59 +0000

By Naidia Woolf
Last Sunday we met to discuss our latest book selection: “A Man, a Woman, and a Man” by popular Israeli author, Savyon Liebrecht, known and acclaimed for her short stories, this novel represents Liebrecht’s first full-length work.
Initially the title of this month’s book selection – “A Man, a Woman, and a Man” – suggested the romantic triangle found in many novels (or even a ménage a trois, to quote the incurably romantic French!). However, after reading the first few chapters you realize that the storyline has an unusual “twist.” To briefly summarize the plot: The female protagonist, whose first name is Hamutal (you never learn her married – or maiden name), is a professional woman in her forties who lived in Tel Aviv, is married with two teenage daughters. Immediately we realize that the marriage has gone sour, although we never learn exactly why; for me, one of several weaknesses in the novel. Also the older of the two daughters seems to resent her mother and favor her father. Again, you never learn why (another weakness) and are left wondering whether it’s simply because her mother is too preoccupied with her job or spending too much time visiting her mother in the hospital (who is now frail and suffering from Alzheimer’s) even though they have never been close. Which leaves you to wonder: Does Hamutal’s older daughter resent her own mother for the same reason? Like mother, like daughter?
You learn that Hamutal’s mother had been a busy clinician who had been an overly judgmental (sometimes neglectful) parent so that her daughter always felt unloved.
While visiting the hospital, Hamutal meets a man who, like her, is visiting his aging parent, in his case, father (once an incorrigible womanizer). The man, “Saul,” who was born and grew up in Israel, now lives in in the US (Chicago) and has a wife and children “back home.” (We never learn anything about his “other life” – for me, yet another novelistic flaw.). Soon the couple embarks on a passionate affair which becomes more intense after Hamutal’s husband and daughters leave town for a few days. (While they are away you wonder whether the husband begins to suspect his wife is having an affair because she’s rarely at home when he telephones. That, and the couple’s partial reconciliation towards the end of the novel, are never explained or fully justified.
Most of us considered “A Man, and Woman, and A Man” a well-written novel, especially the passages describing the protagonist’s mother’s dementia and the still fraught relationship between mother and daughter. The consensus was that the author most likely had experienced first-hand trying to cope with an aging and increasingly frail parent and struggling to let go of past differences or resentments before it was too late.
Hamutal edits a magazine that specialized in dream analysis. Consequently many of the chapters include one of the dreams which tend to foretell what is to transpire, next. There was considerable discussion over the dream in the final chapter in which the protagonist imagines herself on a swing in a deserted playground, becoming smaller and smaller until she is a small child then about to disappear, then growing bigger and bigger until she is adult size again: an obvious parallel to Alice after she fell down the rabbit hole and found herself in the underworld. Hamutal’s dream character is confronted by a scarecrow (whom I interpreted to be death) telling her to stop giving her name and to “just live.” Which we all interpreted to mean: stop being so self-serving. Become more aware of other people and their needs, and, by extension, work on rebuilding your relationships.
Some of us couldn’t understand the protagonist’s obsession with the married man from Chicago and why she had a hard time reconciling herself to the fact that their relationship had no future (was transitional, temporary) and accept it for what it was: no more, no less. I think that individuals who have been embroiled in those kinds of relationships could empathize with her unwillingness to let go.
The B’nai Emunah Book Discussion Group meets every 4-6 weeks, usually at someone’s home. Books chosen may be either fiction or non-fiction but must be either (1) by a Jewish author and/or (2) have a Jewish theme. New members are always welcome. And we are always open to suggestions re new (or old, classic) books to read, explore, and discuss!

Juggling in January at B’nai Emunah!

Gabriele Lange — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:48:08 +0000

By Sharon Bleviss

Click to view slideshow.The Aji Show was a perfect way to keep warm on a rainy, windy day in San Francisco. As the crowd thawed out, a kid-friendly lunch was enjoyed before the show. The excited children, and adults, then gathered to see the juggling they had come to see. Aji did not disappoint. He thrilled the group by juggling first one hat, and then kept adding more until he got to five! He recruited two assistants from the crowd, replete with capes, and each was dubbed with a special name. Alluring ball juggling got the crowd ready for the finale: juggling clubs while balancing on a seesaw suspended off the ground. Throughout the show, Aji sprinkled humor and audience participation.

Aji is the winner of the Best of the 2010 San Francisco Fringe Festival, a former Ringling Brothers Circus clown, New School Vaudevillian, and a collector of useless skills. While other people might spend their time learning a trade or studying to become doctors or lawyers, Aji has learned to solve a Rubik’s Cube in under a minute, card tricks, cup stacking, ping pong ball juggling, yo-yos and all manner of talents. He performs at Pier 39 and is available for parties. At the end of the show, Aji took questions from the audience and even demonstrated some more special skills upon request. Reluctant to leave, the guests stepped out into the mist and cold with warm hearts.

A Bissel to Nibble V

Gabriele Lange — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:00:18 +0000

A Short Shabbat Reflection from the Weekly Parsha by Rabbi Mark Melamut

*Bissel: (bis-sel) Yiddish. Meaning: “a little.” “Give me a bissel lox on my bagel, would you, darling?” A biselleh is even less. (www.bubbygram.com)

Parshat Va’era (Exodus 6:2 – 9:35)

Yearning for freedom, G-d hears the Israelites’ cry and Pharoah’s heart is hardened. Biblical Egypt is plagued with blood, frogs, lice, etc., as Moses’ well known refrain, “Let my people go,” is ignored. Before the plagues begin, we learn of four expressions of G-d’s role in freeing the Israelites – “I will free you…deliver you…redeem you and take you to be My people.” (6:6-7) This is the key source for our well known four cups of wine at the Passover seder.

REFLECTION QUESTION: With the four expressions of freedom in mind, can you identify four things in your life, for which you feel that your cup overflows with blessing?

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mark Melamut

Rosh Chodesh Celebration January 25th

Gabriele Lange — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:44:53 +0000

Rosh Chodesh Shevat (New Month) will be celebrated by women at the home of Flori Green on Wednesday, January 25th at 7:30 p.m. Shevat is the 11th month of the Jewish calendar. Moses began explicating the Book of Deuteronomy, his final address to the Children of Israel, on Rosh Chodesh Shevat. Shevat contains the final new year of the Jewish calendar, the New Year for Trees, Tu B’Shevat.

RSVP to Flori Green if you can attend (familyg@sanbrunocable.com).

A Bissel to Nibble IV

Gabriele Lange — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:44:32 +0000

A Short Shabbat Reflection from the Weekly Parsha by Rabbi Mark Melamut

Parshat Sh’mot (Exodus 1 – 6:1)

We begin anew this shabbat, starting the book of Exodus. In this week’s torah journey we revisit the story of Moses’ birth, his basket ride down the Nile, his marriage, and his departure from and return to Egypt in order to spearhead the first biblical freedom ride for the Israelites. And, in the midst of all this action, he encounters the mysterious bush that burns without being consumed – from which an angel appears and G-d speaks to him.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: In your imagination what did the burning bush look like? From the bush G-d calls Moses by name, and Moses says, “Hineni/Here I am.” What does a “contemporary call” in our lives from G-d look like, and how do we respond?

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Mark

JIMENA’s Egyptian Project Comes to B’nai Emunah

Gabriele Lange — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:49:14 +0000

Each year we read about the Exodus and we re-enact it at our Passover Seders. Come to hear a 20th century personal story from Remy and Joe Pessah who escaped from Egypt. They are part of JIMENA’s Egyptian Experience project.

JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa), is the organization dedicated to Misrachi and Sephardi history and culture.

WHEN? Sunday, February 19, 3:00 p.m. (Reception follows)

WHERE: Congregation B’nai Emunah

Bring your friends to hear this true story and learn more about the work of JIMENA.