January 2, 2004
Is it really 2004?????
Best wishes for the Secular New Year!
These are some of the parents of Madrichim that I have seen lately.Pappelbaum,(Adam is engaged) Shore(Nancy is engaged), Wolochow,(Judith and family are visiting Lani and Erin and so are Scott and Heather), Coleman, Eisenberg, Kleid, Stevens, Levinson, Morrison, Pinto, Gendelman, Gotkowitz, Kroll, Rosenberg, Graff, Barsky, Resnik, Levy, Finkel, Goldman, Toor, to name a few!
Deb Chester, Marline Gendelman and I went to visit Claire( our longtime school secretary and Rhea's mom) last week. She is adorable and loving living close to her grandchildren(Rhea's twin boys and daughter):
Dan and the kids are coming for Shabbat dinner so I'd better start cooking!
Shabbat Shalom and Much Love!
Eemah
Enjoy the following!
I love to hear how and what you are doing!
Hi Eemah,
Happy New Year's and thanks for being so awesome about keeping us all in touch! Here's some photos of what's kept us busy since the other day....Our new puppy, "Lavender Handler" (named by our 4 year old Alexis) in addition to our already 'calm' ho ho ho, household of Alexis 4, Charles now 2, and Mitzi (our 5 year old Golden Retriever). Doubled our pleasure (and sleepless nights) this past Tuesday with the new doggie.
Hope all is well with you.
Love,
Jennifer (Berton)
P.S. Would you believe I'm going to a baby shower in a few weeks in San Fran. to see the friends I still keep in great touch with from my first year at Camp Swig in 1977 (that you recommended us all to go to!) And, I think Melissa will be visiting your daughter and joining me on the flight up there!
Hi eemah,
Hope you had a wonderful Hannukah. I worked for a
week straight in order to get one week off. My folks,
Ben, his girlfriend, Dara Rothschild and her boyfriend
all came to visit me for New Years. We're having a
great time together....Giovani's treated us well :).
I completed the marathon, slowly but surely. Was
feeling back to "normal" within 3 days. Not too bad.
Guess the training was good. I raised nearly $3000
for Leukemia and Lymphoma in the process which made it
even more worthwhile. All the Team in Trianing people
cheering for each other and the people on the
sidelines cheering for us made it much easier to keep
on going. It was a great experience.
Hope all is well there. Any plans to visit again :)?
Kisses to the family,
becky (Barth)
Eemah,
Isn't it great to see the generations going full circle. For some of us, the Rabbi's sermon at one of the High Holidays was way off. CBI really is home for us and it is really cool to pass the torch to our kids. It is neat that JP's teachers are Dana Jacobs (She used to live next door to us.) and Debby "Chester." Robby Turner (One of my Mom's dearest friends) says that once she has had Joey and Abby in her class, her work will be done at Beth Israel. She is so sweet.
Stacy Coleman and Howie Fram are still some of our closest friends. It is like having our own little Havurah. In fact, this summer I went on a backpacking trip with Steve Prager and Mike Chasin (Stacy's Husband). The friendships made there have stood the test of time.
You and the rest of the folks at TBI must have done something right all those years ago. Whatever the formula, I hope that it is repeated with my kids. It is the best gift that I can give to them.
Brad (Fisher)
Hi there! I just sat and read every name in your 'To:' list and had the
best time remembering so many of the names and faces that go with them!
I'm in San Francisco working at Gap Inc. as the head of training/development
and communication for Banana Republic. It's a fabulous job - I'm
constantly challenged and am surrounded by people I enjoy. I have two dogs
- a standard and a miniature poodle - named Lola and Yum Yum. Still open
to meeting mister right but am very happy with life as I know it.
Thanks for keeping me in your loop. I love receiving your email.
Happy Chanukah -
Shandell Sosna
Hi Helene!
Happy Chanukah and Happy 2004 to you too!
Glad to see Mimi's in the loop! Would love to write to her!
Can you please forward her email to me?
Thanks, and take care!
Barb Chayet (Schrift)
emah,
Happy Hanukkah! Glad to hear all is well. I am still
working at the American Jewish Committee and I just
finished my first semester of grad. school at USD :)
Anyway I wanted to pass along informaiton aabout an
upcoming event the AJC is hosting at the JCC in
January. Please pass it along as well. Thanks!
Allison (Small)
SAVE THE DATE: SAN DIEGO PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT- JEWS IN
THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS IN SOUTH
AFRICA, JANUARY 19-25
A major photographic exhibit exploring the role of
Jews in the struggle for democracy and human rights in
South Africa will be displayed by The American Jewish Committee, San Diego Chapter at the Samuel & Rebecca Astor Judaica Library at the Lawrence Family JCC, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS January 19-25. A special opening night dessert reception honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held at the JCC from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Keynote speaker for the evening will be Ivan Evans, PhD, professor of sociology at UC San Diego. Professor Evans is an expert in the field of race and ethnicity. His current research contrasts the relationship between blacks and Jews in South Africa and the United States. The opening night reception is $10/person or $5/student; otherwise the exhibit is free and open to the public for the duration of the exhibit. Please contact Allison Small at 858.278.5943 or smalla@ajc.org to RSVP or for additional information. This event is sponsored by the Agency for Jewish Education, Hillel of San Diego, and the Samuel & Rebecca Astor Judaica Library at the Lawrence Family JCC, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS.
January 9, 2004
Shabbat Shalom!
Hope all is well with you all!
Have a peaceful, restful Shabbat and remember to click on our Mitzvah sites!
Love,
Eemah
Enjoy the followingIt's sooooo nice to hear from you!
Happy New Year back at ya.
It's great having 2x/year to make the same resolutions, in case they didn't take the first time. Always fun to see everyones notes. Brad Fisher's touched home most of all this week.
Just wanted to let you know that keeping up with the Chasins ain't easy but Geoff and I are expecting our next little one the first week of August (the week of my Dad's 90th birthday, believe it or not, plus close to Abby Prager's and Joey Fisher's bdays). We decided that Alexa and Salet were ready for a little sis or bro, since within a month of the baby's birth Salet will be up to 5 days a week at Temple Judea's preschool (here in the Valley) and Alexa will be starting 3rd grade (helps that she skipped Kindergarten thanks to the Temple preschool:-). We're just about settled into our new home in Calabasas and loving the family community. Approx. 60% Jewish with 3 synagogues just down one street.
Can you tell me, what's Barbara Chayet (Shrift)'s email address?
Lots of love to you, David and the whole family.
Kay (Gordon)
P.S. We were thinking of you while using Salet's Hannukiah that you gave her, over the holidays.
Hi Eemah,
We just got back from five days in Nottingham for the annual Limmud conference. Over two thousand people attended what amounted to a fantastic Jewish learning experience for the entire family. (I suspect it's similar to the CAJE conference.) I personally attended sessions ranging from traditional text study to lectures on contemporary Israeli poetry. Added treats were the bands/musicians each evening (HaDag Nachash -- Israeli hip hop, Billy Jonas -- great folk from N Carolina, and local Klezmer). Michael taught a few Jewish history sessions as well.
For those in the New York area, plans are in the works for a Limmud conference in January 2005 (over the MLK weekend). I recommend your getting involved and/or attending!
Happy 2004 to friends far and near--
Deborah Rozansky
Hi Eemah,
I was so excited to receive your Happpy New Year's email and hear what is
going on with everybody! I just finished (a couple of weeks ago) my master's
degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at San Francisco State
University. I noticed that Shandell Sosna (who responded to your email)
also lives in San Francisco and I thought it might be fun to contact another
Beth Israel alumn here in the Bay Area. I am wondering if you could send me
Shandell's email address??
Hope all is well with you and thanks for keeping me in the loop!!
Take Care,
Jamie Babin (Confirmation Class of 1993)
_________________________________________________________________
Eemah,
Do you know of anyone who is looking for a part time
job? The American Jewish Committee is looking for
someone to help with our admin. 15 hours a week for 6
months. Let me know if you know of anyone. They can
contact me at smalla@ajc.org or 858.278.5943.
Thanks!
Allison Small
2004 Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars
January
19-25 Looking Back Photographic Exhibit
A major photographic exhibit tracing the role of Jews in ending Apartheid in South Africa.
Samuel & Rebecca Astor Judaica Library at the
Lawrence Family JCC, Jacobs Family Campus
Jan. 19 Opening Night Dessert Reception 7:00 pm 9:00 pm
$10/person or $5/student
Jan. 20- 25 10:00 am 7:00 pm Free & open to the public
27 Emerging Leadership Program: Latino-Jewish Relations
with Enrique Morones, KURS AM 1040
6:30 pm
Program for Emerging Leadership participants only.
February
8 & 10 Jewish Film Festival: James' Journey to Jerusalem
Feb. 8: 4:00 pm Madstone Theater in Hazard Center
(Mission Valley area)
Feb 10: 8:00 pm AMC La Jolla 12 Theater
17 Jewish Advocacy Program
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Guide for the Perplexed
Speaker: Mitchell Bard
Executive Director, American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise
Congregation Beth Israel
7:00 pm $10/person
19 Emerging Leadership Program:
Jewish Identity in the Public Eye
with District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis
6:30 pm
Program for Emerging Leadership participants only.
22-23 American Jewish Committee Ethnic Leaders Institute
By invitation only.
24 Jewish Advocacy Program
Interreligious Advocacy: How to talk with Non-Jews about
Jewish Issues
Including a discussion on Mel Gibson's controversial film,
The Passion of Christ
Speaker: David Elcott
U.S. Director of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee
Congregation Beth Israel
7:00 pm $10/person
March
1 Lunchtime Roundtable
Subsidized Sacrifice: State Support of Religion in Israel
A discussion of the economics of the Israeli Haredi community with
Eli Berman, Associate Professor of Economics, University of California, San Diego
12:00 pm -1:00 pm
American Jewish Committee San Diego Chapter Offices
$10/person (includes lunch)
2 AJC Board Meeting
AJC Office
6:30 pm Executive Board
7:00 pm Board of Directors
9 Reception with Pilar Rohola
Former Member of Parliament of the Spanish
Republican Left, Noted Author, and Journalist from Barcelona
By invitation only. Program is in Spanish.
APRIL
6-13 Passover
Passover begins at sundown on April 5.
AJC Offices are closed April 6-7 and 12-13.
MAY
4-7 AJC Annual Meeting
Washington, DC
26-27 Shavuot
AJC Offices are closed.
JUNE
TBA 2004 Judge Learned Hand Award Dinner
Stay tuned for details.
For additional information or to RSVP for any of the listed events,
please contact Allison Small at smalla@ajc.org or 858.278.5943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jews on Mars (from Elana Kroll mother of Daniel, Naomi and Laurie)
Houston (JTA) - In a stunning development, it has been learned that there is
life on Mars -- but not the kind that had been anticipated. The first
indication, based on the current U.S. space mission, came when the small
roving vehicle called Sojourner spotted a sign on the rocky terrain of the
Red Planet that read, "Welcome To Chabad House -- Bring Moshiach Now."
The sign, in English, thrilled and confused NASA scientists at the NASA
Space Flight Centre in Houston, who had no idea what it meant.
Only after thorough research did they learn that it revealed the presence of
a dedicated and particularly hearty group of Lubavitch Chasidim, known for
their tireless efforts to reach Jews in the most remote regions, urging them
to perform mitzvoth. "We've been here for some time now doing our work,"said
a cheerful Rabbi Lou Steinwalker, mission commander of the spaceship
"Mitzvah 613", in an exclusive phone interview..
When asked how long he had been on Mars and how he got there, he said only,
"where there's a will, there's a way."He then excused himself, explaining
that it was time for prayer and he was looking for a minyan. In a subsequent
phone call, the Rabbi noted that in recent days another synagogue has been
formed on Mars - -- a Reform congregation that he would not set foot in.
Following up on that information, we contacted Rabbi Uri Negev, a Reform
leader in Israel, who said that when he had met secretly with the chief
rabbis of Israel in Jerusalem recently, they told him that if Reform Jews
wanted to pray in peace, they should go to Mars.
"So we did," said Rabbi Negev, "and no one has bothered us, except the local
Conservative congregation that keeps trying to borrow our membership list."
A Conservative congregation on Mars? Yes, it is true, acknowledged a leader
of the Jewish Theological Seminary. "We discovered that blending Jewish law
and modernity just doesn't work on Earth, and we're always looking for new
venues," explained Rabbi Ismore Sources. The rabbi complained bitterly of
financial competition from the United Jewish Appeal's Interplanetary
Division, which has been scouring Mars via satellite in search of potential
donors.
Stephen Solomon, the chief executive of the charity acknowledged that highly
motivated fund-raisers have been active throughout the galaxy for several
light years. "We've determined through a Strategic Planet Plan that our most
compelling marketing strategy is rescue," he said. "The trouble is that we
haven't found anyone out there to save!"
That's been a problem, as well, for Abraham Loxsmith of the B'nai B'rith
Anti-Defamation League. "We are prepared to open a major branch on Mars, and
we've already ordered the press releases and fax papers. But, so far, no one
has defamed us." Loxsmith is considering whether the lack of defamation may
be due to a form of active, even hostile, disinterest in Jews that qualifies
as anti-Semitism.
All this sudden interest among Jews about Mars has motivated Malcolm
Phoneline to form a new umbrella group, the Conference of Presidents of
Major Martian Jewish Organizations (CPMMJO). He said the group has already
received several calls from anonymous rabbis inquiring as to whether there
were any Pell grants available on Mars.
Meanwhile, a number of kosher-for-Passover tours have scouted out the Red
Planet as a unique alternative to places like Palm Springs and Hawaii for
jaded holiday vacationers. One tour operator noted that Rabbi Orson Vells
has already been hired to conduct and broadcast the communal Seders, to be
called "The War Of The Words," and that space stations are under
construction to transport large supplies of oxygen, horseradish and shmura
matzah for the eight-day festival. "It will be out of this world," the
travel expert said, "and, I assure you, very tastefully done."
Tourism might be affected adversely, though, by a late report that
Palestinian authorities are claiming entitlement to 92 percent of Mars,
asserting that Arab ties to the planet can be traced to the Koran.
January 30, 2004
Shabbat Shalom!
All is well here in sunny San Diego!
Let’s seeeee……I’ve seen lots of Madrichim lately……Leah Finkelstein who gave me Sam and Jennifer’s emails….Leah works for Tammy Vener in our preschool
and so does Dana Jacobs who is now our Sydney’s best friend because she gave her a very special kid’s watch from Target!……Tammy and Louie’s daughter Molly is applying for CIT at Swig…Some of you remember when she was born…..
One of our people in accounting is dating Gregg Brown…He is now on our list!
I just love dropping in at our BIBS (Beth Israel Babies) class to play with Stacey Coleman’s and Howie Fram’s daughters …….then I visit the preschool playground to touch base with Mike Trimble’s son, Brad Fisher’s son and Alison Fisher’s daughter who are all in the same class! Of course my next stop is our Avi’s(Dan Schlafman’s son) class whose good friend is Harry Rady’s son! And then on to Sydney’s (Dan’s daughter) class with Rachel Swimmer’s daughter!
Laura Galinson and Jennifer Berton are in the Mom and kids program and will be ready for preschool in the fall……Leslie Scher is moving back to San Diego! She was checking out our program for her adorable son!
Yesterday I saw Lisa Swimmer registering her daughter in Debbie Chester’s and Dana Jacob’s 3rd grade class…….
Sad news……. Jared Feldman our fourth and fifth grade teacher, (Jaci Greenspan’s son) told me that Stephanie Goor, Mother of Donnie, Carolyn and Ricky passed away last week……I know that we all have such fond memories of her…..
Take care…….
B’ ahavah,
Eemah
FYI The 3 Karliners ,3 Finkelsteins and Gregg Brown are all on our list…..
Helene -- what a treat to hear from you! I have to admit that I haven't thought about my Madrichim days in quite a while. My daughter is in first grade at a Jewish day school here in San Francisco, and as she learns Hebrew, I regain little bits of my own. Here is some bio info:
I have been living in San Francisco since 1988. My husband, Descartes Li, and I had our 10th wedding anniversary in August, 2003. We have two children: Pearl (7) and Isaac (almost 3). I am a physician, and currently doing a fellowship in clinical research and working toward a Master's in Clinical Research at UC San Francisco. I also take care of patients in the UCSF General Medicine Clinics. I am particularly interested in patients' comprehension of abnormal test results and how that affects health outcomes. My family and I live upstairs from my older brother, Josh, and his family. The cousins are very close, and love when my sister Rachel & her family visit from New York, because then there are 6 kids to play together. My life is full, happy, and very busy!
Helene, I hope you and your family are well and happy. Thanks for getting in touch.
Leah (Karliner)
Hi Helene,
I just saw Sharon Grodner over the weekend, as she and Mark were visting my parents here in San Francisco. She said you were wondering what ever became of us! So here I am, living in SF, married with 2 kids (Sofia 8 and Paloma 4 1/2). We own a 2 flat unit; my sister Leah and her husband live upstairs with their two kids (Pearl 7 and Isaac 3). Rachel is in Brooklyn, with her 2 kids (Eli 6 and Julia 3). Both my parents are doing really well.
It's been a while, so it's hard to give you a comprehensive update. But to give you and idea--last year I left the organization I had founded and directed for 7 years, called CorpWatch--which is dedicated to corporate accountability, human rights and environmental justice. See http://www.corpwatch.org . Now, after some much needed down time I'm
starting a new project called EcoSchools. My wife Maria does immigrant
rights work. I'm still surfing a lot.
After what is for me has been a 25 year absence from organized religion, and for Maria a lifelong absence, we've just joined Beyt Tikkun (Rabbi Michael Lerner's congregation) and will probably be sending our kids to the fledgling children's program there next year. It's so new that we are going to get to invent a progressive curricula that leads from about 9 years old to Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Any suggestions?
So how are you? Tell me something.
Lots of love,
Jk (Josh Karliner)
It’s a BOY!!!!!!!
Marla, Daniel & big brother Lucas are proud to announce the birth of...
ELLIS SAMUEL BECKER-LIPTON!
Ellis was born on Friday, January 16th at 9:23 p.m. He weighed 6 lb. 3 oz. and was 19 inches long (our little peanut!). Lucas definitely paved the way for an easy delivery, because my labor only lasted for 3 hours and Ellis entered the world in 1 just one push! We're all back home now, adjusting to life as a family of 4. Photos to follow....
(Marla Becker)
Hi Eemah,
Happy new year! It is so nice to get your updates and find out what everyone is up to. The Leeds family are all doing well and getting ready for two big events in 2004.... My niece Blake's Bat Mitzvah in June and MY WEDDING in August!!!!! Can't wait for you to meet my fiancee Scott, he's amazing! Hope to see you/talk to you soon. We are at the temple on Tuesday nights for the Intro to Judaism Classes.
:-) Marni Leeds (soon to be Foote!)
The following was sent by Steve Makoff (father of Jennifer and former Camp Swig director)
Did You Know That?
Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost
immediately -- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional
"pain relievers."
Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?
Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with
mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids
peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
Achy muscles from about of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in =
cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a
massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
Sore Throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1
tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two
tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms.
Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly
-- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
Eliminate puffiness under your eyes..... All you need is a dab of
preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The
haemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling
instantly.
Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey
and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin,
sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus... Get rid of unsightly toenail
fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic
leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from
loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to
the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Coca-Cola cure for rust... Forget those expensive rust removers. Just
saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The
phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer... If menacing bees, wasps,
hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the
insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground
instantly.
Smart splinter remover... just pour a drop of Elmers Glue all over the
splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter
sticks to the dried glue.
Hunt's tomato paste boil cure... cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste
as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the
boil to a head.
Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few
drops of Listerine... a powerful antiseptic.
Heinz vinegar to heal bruises... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and
apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and
speeds up the healing process.
Kills fleas instantly. Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few
drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to
avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.
Rainy day cure for dog odour... Next time your dog comes in from the
rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly
making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Eliminate ear mites... All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in
your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily
for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and
accelerates healing.
Vaseline cure for hair balls..... To prevent troublesome hair balls,
apply a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat's nose. The cat will
lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass
easily through the digestive system.
Quaker Oats for fast pain relief.... It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix
2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the
microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands
for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
If you send this to 15 people and only one of them doesn't know about
this, then it was all worth it. You might have saved a life.
