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Auxiliaries
Men's Club
The
Men's Club of Congregation B'nai Shalom offers quality programs for members
of B'nai Shalom.
The Men's
Club holds a regular Monthly Meeting on the second Sunday of each month
(barring any calendar conflicts) in Room 9 at the Synagogue.
Membership Form
What is the Men's Club, and What Do We Do?
This is from a short talk at the annual Men’s Club Shabbat on March 10, 2007, by co-president Mark Feldman.
As many of you know, Elliot Kallen and I split duties acting as Co-Presidents of the group. Together we complement each other’s skills. Elliot covers most of the speaking events and handles the money. I attend the monthly CBS Board meetings and actually show up at the events. It’s a successful leadership model, which we’ve followed for the past 5 years or so. It also makes things convenient in that we both can point to each other when things don’t go so well.
Let me start by saying what the Men’s Club is not:
- Men’s Club is not overly religious. No adult Jewish education really takes place at our events, and the only praying I’ve seen done at our activities is some silent praying during tense poker hands, and I believe Jay Jaffee said a few personal prayers during very rough seas at recent fishing outing.
- Men’s Club is not political…Unlike other synagogues, if you desire a leadership role in our group, we’ve got a fast track so that you can climb the ranks of the Men’s club rather quickly. No campaigning or lobbying is ever needed.
- Men’s Club is by no means dormant. We have activities planned every month and have a small but active paid membership that participates.
What is the Men’s Club and what do we do?
- Men’s Club is primarily social oriented. We’re perhaps best known for our monthly poker nights. Throughout the year our members open up their houses for a friendly few hours of poker accompanied by dinner, snacks, and mixed drinks. Plenty of bluffing to go around, very few disagreements and a bunch of manly gossiping occurs.
- We also occasionally sponsor Texas Hold Em’/Game nights at CBS, Lake Tahoe ski trips, A’s baseball games, Cigar nights, Pool Playing outings, Salmon (and what ever else is running that day) Fishing trips, and our annual planning dinner at a local restaurant.
- And we have a Speaker series – typically on Sunday mornings – In the past, topics have ranged from Earthquake Construction, Jewish-Themed Security Issues, Cosmetic Surgery, Weight Training, Prostate Cancer, Infectious Diseases, Job Searching, Insights into the California Energy Industry, and Sports Management. We have upcoming speakers planned, so check your mailings.
- Men’s Club is supportive of the synagogue – Most of our collected dues is spent on Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts for our students. We organize the yearly Sukkah building where bamboo and palm fronds are carefully cut to size and strung into place right outside this sanctuary. We also put a yummy smile on ever student in our religious school in May by serving them Ice Cream on the last day of Hebrew school. Finally as we have experienced, we sponsor a yearly Shabbat Service.
- Men’s Club is a cooking club. If you are into slicing and dicing, pealing, mixing, stirring, grilling, flipping, serving, and cleaning, then we’ve got an event for you. Our world famous latkes are cooked to perfection by grilling them in oil during the family Hanukkah program. In a similar spirit, our Matzah Brei is prepared at the Passover program (less oil and more meal). We also fire up the grills for the Purim carnival, and special events like the Rabbi’s retirement and Fund Raising Auction
- Men’s Club plays a helpful role in many other events during the year when we are called upon to assist.
Men, we whole-heartily welcome you to join our Men’s Club. Please contact myself, Mark Feldman or Elliot Kallen. Provide us with an email and we’ll keep you informed of our events throughout the year
Ladies, Our events are almost always coed. Even our poker games have been enhanced (albeit toned-down) with a female hand at the table.
Remember, we’re volunteer run and no one is on the payroll. We can only continue to do excellent programming if everyone is willing to participate.
To learn
more about the Men's Club, you may call Elliot Kallen at 925-335-0663
or reach him via
.
Sisterhood
Our Sisterhood
is a strong community of women who foster the traditions of Judaism
in our lives. Our efforts are directed toward strengthening the bonds
of friendship. Through the work of our members, we are able to support
and fund many of the ongoing educational, social and religious activities
at Congregation B'nai Shalom. Each member within our organization brings
to us her own special strength. Come share your time, your talent and
your interests while we work together to enrich ourselves and our congregation.
B'nai Shalom's
Sisterhood is affiliated with the Women's League for Conservative Judaism.
Sisterhood Article - September 2008
One of the many benefits of participating in Sisterhood is the opportunity for personal growth and development. Through our B’nai Shalom Sisterhood, our Women’s League North by Northwest Region and Women’s League International, we can increase our knowledge of Judaism, learn new skills, and develop our leadership potential in a safe and supportive environment.
Last weekend was one of those special times when we did just that at the Women’s League Leadership Institute held here in the Bay Area. Sisterhood members came from different areas of the country and from Canada to enhance their leadership skills, daven together and learn from powerful speakers.
The opening session was a panel of prominent Jewish women who have achieved great success, and who generously offered to share their stories with us. I was so proud that 2 of the 3 women being honored on the panel, Susan Lefelstein and Karla Smith, as well as the panel moderator, Sandy Eliaser, came from our own B’nai Shalom Sisterhood! Our Sisterhood is a wonderful training ground for leaders, and with all the possibilities in Women’s League, you can go as far as you want!
Just as important as spending time with our Women’s League President, hearing Rabbi Bradley Artson speak on the challenges of being a Conservative Jew and participating in dynamic training sessions was the joy we felt at just being together. The services, which took place in a small, intimate shul with sunlight pouring in, were all led by women. To hear the beautiful voices of all the women singing in harmony and davening together was very, very special.
Every meal during the Leadership Institute was lovingly prepared for us by the Beth Sholom Sisterhood women. They cheerfully rose to the occasion upon finding out that Oakland Kosher, who was going to provide all the meals, had suffered a fire right before the conference started. They were a wonderful example of lovingkindness in action!
Women’s league Biennial Convention
There’s another amazing opportunity to be together coming up in November – the Women’s League Biennial Convention which will be held in Detroit. You can learn more about it at: http://www.wlcjconvention.org/. There you can enjoy the company of other women who share the same values and beliefs that you do, be motivated by exceptional speakers and be inspired – heart and soul! You owe it to yourself to take this opportunity for personal growth and development, and we really hope you will join us there!
Open Leadership Positions in Sisterhood
Would you like to take a leadership role here at our own Sisterhood? We would love to have you join us on the Board or as an Activity Chair. There are several positions still available in a variety of areas. What a great way to foster your personal growth while making new friends and helping your synagogue at the same time!
Save the Dates for Upcoming Sisterhood Programs
- Friday and Saturday, September 19th & 20th: Open Tent Judaism Shabbaton
- Tuesday, October 14th: Lunch in the Sukkah sponsored by Sisterhood
Look for more details on these programs through emails and mid-month mailers. For more information or to volunteer for one of these programs, please contact
Anne Nicolson.
B’shalom,
Lisa Elgazzar
Chavurah
A Chavurah offers friendship, an extended family, and a great way to
be part of a close-knit group within the B'nai Shalom family. We are
constantly trying to match people in order to add to, or form new Chavurot.
Do you know that there are currently over twenty active Chavurot in
CBS who plan and participate in a variety of activities? The word Chavurah
comes from the Hebrew word chaver, meaning 'friend.' A Chavurah offers
friendship, an extended family, and a great way to be a part of a close-knit
group within the B'nai Shalom family. It provides its members with an
opportunity for personal and spiritual growth through new and lasting
friendships. This all comes about by socializing, learning, and celebrating
Jewish life together.
If you are interested in joining a Chavurah, or if your Chavurah has
an opening for one or more new families, please contact
courtesy of the B'nai Shalom office, 925-934-9446. We are constantly
trying to place new families into Chavurahs.
If your Chavurah is interested in sponsoring an event on a one time
basis (i.e., helping with a Shabbat dinner at the synagogue, or helping
with a social event), please let us know.
Not yet
in a Havurah? Contact JoAnn Knell, the Yenta of Havurah Matchmaking,
at
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Chavurot
FAQ
(Frequently
Asked Questions)
|
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Questions
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Answers
|
| What
are the benefits of belonging to a Chavurah? |
Many
different things! Various Chavurot provide opportunities for personal
and spiritual growth as the group becomes part of a caring community
with a sense of belonging. You will undoubtedly share life-cycle
celebrations, and depending on the focus of your group, meet for
social or cultural purposes. |
| Is
it possible to join a group in my immediate community? |
CBS
is a congregation with families covering the entire county and beyond!
We'll note your desire for a local group, however at this time,
there are no groups from any single geographic area. |
| Where
do Chavurot meet? |
Members
generally rotate activities in people's homes or meet out in the
community. |
| When
do Chavurot meet? |
Individual
groups set up their own calendar. Many groups meet monthly and usually
calendar events in advance so that everyone can participate. |
| What
kind of commitment must a family make? |
The
successful groups are those that meet regularly with most members
attending and taking responsibility for various activities throughout
the year. Occasional participation doesn't create the spirit and
unity of the group and doesn't provide for successful activities. |
Ketzev Community
No Ketzev events are currently scheduled. Watch this page for upcoming
event announcements!
Israeli
Dancing
Join us for a night of Israeli Dancing! Sundays, September 14th and 28th at 6:00 p.m. Call the B'nai Shalom office
for more information at 925-934-9446.
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