Kerem Shalom, Concord, Massachusetts

November 2013

Free Holiday Preschool Hanukkah Session!

On November 17th come try out our Holiday Preschool program. Abbe Smerling has been teaching Holiday Preschool and Kindergarten at Kerem Shalom for 26 years. And new this year, we are offering this free sample session on November 17th at 9:45 AM. Space is limited so please register for this free session by calling 978 -369-1223 as soon as possible! On the 17th, students will be treated to Abbes exciting Hanukkah program with a story, craft and songs all relating to the holiday.

At this years KS

Community Chanukah Dinner Party and Sing-Along

Bring a favorite

or unique Chanukiah (Chanukah menorah)

from home, to light

Sunday, December 1st at 5:30 pm

Well provide Latkes, sour crme, applesauce, dreidels & gelt. Everyone is invited to bring ... (in addition to: 1. tuna and whole wheat pasta for JF&CSs Family Table, 2. your chanukiah with 5 candles ready to light for the 4th night, 3. your potluck DAIRY dish to share & 4. your appetite for latkes and song for our sing-along) your own home-made or favorite chanukiah (or Thanksgivukiah :-) for our Chanukiah Showcase
Well showcase our chanukiot on a display table for all to enjoy. For the Home-made chanukiot, your candles dont have to be candles think pencils, pipe-cleaners or pretzels, marshmallows, macaroons or matchstick cars this does not have to be a functional menorah. Questions? And RSVPs for dinner: Help us determine how many latkes to prepare! Nancy Kaplan - familyed@keremshalom.org

Jewish Book Author Jane Sutton to visit Kerem Shalom

Kerem Shalom welcomes author Jane Sutton at 10:45 am November 17th (right after our free sample session of Holiday Preschool). Janes new book, Esthers Hanukkah Disaster will provide the basis for this program. Jane will read her book, lead a game and families will be able to participate in a craft activity related to the book. There is no fee for this special program. Jane will have her books for sale (and signing!) as well. Our family educator, Nancy Kaplan will join Jane for some Hanukkah songs.

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The Grapevine , November 2013

From the Rabbi

Dear Hevre (Friends),

Darby Jared Leigh

One of the things I love about Kerem Shalom is that within this sacred community we have a range of I recently had the great opportunity to see the wonder- thought, belief, practice, and engagement with Jewish ful Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Boston Science tradition. Too often I encounter the mistaken idea that Museum. It was a breathtaking display of the oldest Jewish communities ought to create homogeny of beexisting versions we have of some of our sacred texts. lief, thought and practice when actually I believe that One of the things I was particularly aware of as I wan- this diversity is inherent to an authentic Jewish experidered among the artifacts was the diversity in the Ju- ence. daism of antiquity. One cant help but be struck by the fact that there are slight variations between some of One of my goals as rabbi of this community is not to the versions of our sacred texts in the Dead Sea create a homogenous community where we all think, Scrolls and the versions we use today. believe, and do Judaism the same way but rather to work with you to create a sacred community and a It is clear that from a historical perspective that Juda- spiritual home where we all feel comfortable being ism has always evolved and looked a little bit different where we are, From that place we are able to learn, in every generation. It is also apparent that even with- stretch, & grow intellectually and spiritually. I continin a single generation there have always been differue to be thrilled to be on this journey together. ences in how people lived out their Judaism. In fact Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionist Kindness & Shalom, Judaism, defined Judaism as the evolving religious Rabbi Darby Jared Leigh civilization of the Jewish people. To be sure, there is a continuous thread that runs throughout Jewish history, but it seems to me that diversity of belief, engagement, thought and practice are in fact the norm of what it means to live in and be a part of a sacred Jewish community.

Passages:
Condolences to Dr. Jeffrey Kraines and his wife Linda Kaplan on the death of Jeffreys mother, Evelyn Kraines (Elka bat Orish vLeah.) Condolences to Kirkland and Morganne on the death of their grandmother. Condolences to Boon (Bob) and Carol Leandro on the death of Boons mother, Helena Leando. Condolences to Emily and Sarah on the death of their grandmother.

Volume: XIV Kerem Shalom P.O.Box 1646 Concord, MA 01742

Issue: 3

Darby Jared Leigh, Rabbi Michael Luckens, Rabbi Emeritus Rosalie Gerut, KS Cantor Jan Huber OCallaghan, President Tel: 978-369-1223 Miriam Zarchan, President Fax: 978-371-8072 George Peabody, Pres. Emeritus Pat Lukens, Ed. Director http://www.keremshalom.org/ Joan Perlman, Asst. Ed. Dir. Affiliated with the Synagogue Nancy Kaplan, Fam. Educator Council of Massachusetts Jessie Busiek, Administrator

The Grapevine is the monthly newsletter of Kerem Shalom

(Vineyard of Peace), distributed to members and friends of the congregation. The editor is Batya Olsen, 978-371-3009. Contributions are due before the 15th of the month preceding publication and may be sent to the synagogue address. Articles are accepted early. Facsimiles can be sent to 978-246-5921. Text can be electronically mailed to batyaolsen@gmail.com.

The Grapevine , November 2013

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Presidents Message

Jan Huber OCallaghan and Miriam Zarchan

Do you remember the joy you might have felt reading a childrens book? Embedded in the simple prose and illustrations, sometimes a deep reflecting pool of wisdom and beauty might emerge. At a recent Shabbat service Rabbi Darby used a vision and metaphor to underscore the meaning of the Hashkeveinu prayer that resonated with that same kind of beauty and simplicity. As he explained to us, the prayer written approximately two thousand years ago, is said before retiring to bed and asks God to watch over the sleeper, or more precisely to spread a canopy of peace over them. The Hashkeveinu can be thought of as a sleeping aid, in the form of a prayer. But as Rabbi Darby explained, this is not a single pill for a single individual. The prayer uses the plural form for the word us, indicating that this canopy is to be spread over a greater circumference than just one. To help us experience what that might feel like, we said the prayer twice. Before reciting the prayer a second time, we broke into groups of two and shared with each other the kinds of concerns that might disturb our sleep at night. When reciting the prayer again we now had an awareness of anothers concerns, and could pray for them as well. Rabbi Darby underscored the power behind this awareness of us by asking us to imagine that over our heads we had created a canopy of delicate connections, like a spider -web, and that this web had become our canopy of peace. Over and over in the Community Conversations we heard people express the wish to be part of a community. Rabbi Darby is gifted at creating a sense of community, but he cannot do it alone. The Sabbath is a special time, during which Jews, their partners and their friends can congregate. It is also a busy time in our family and community lives. As we develop the ways to celebrate and honor the Sabbath at Kerem Shalom, it is important that as many people as possible become involved. Follow the Sabbath schedule through the Grapevine, on the web -site or through Next Week at Kerem Shalom. Find a service, Friday evening or Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon, that your own schedule can accommodate. Let us know what your ideal vision of Shabbat at Kerem Shalom looks like. And give us feedback about your experiences. In addition to speaking with Rabbi Darby and the Co -Presidents, we have a Spiritual Life Committee, chaired by Marty Plotkin that would welcome your ideas and critiques. This is an exciting time to be building a rich spiritual life at Kerem Shalom and all are welcomed to participate in this work. We look forward to welcoming the Sabbath with you! L'shalom, Jan and Miriam

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The Grapevine , November 2013

Social Action News

Please Welcome our New Members Welcome Kelli Kirshtein and Wendy Angus and their children Benjamin Angus-Kirshtein, 12, and Daniel Angus Kirshtein, 7. They live in Maynard and can be reached at kkirshtein@verizon.net or wendy_angus@harvard.edu. Their home phone is 978-298-5409. Sabine Clasen of Acton. You can reach her at sabineclasen1@gmail.com or 978266-1085. Rebecca & Barry Lenick of Lincoln. You can reach them at 781 -259-4483 or at rlenick@verizon.net. Welcome back Sy Friedland of Stow. You can reach him at 978 -897-6051 or syfriedland@gmail.com. Beverly & William Koenigsberg of Concord. You can reach them at 978 -3698523 or kayberg@comcast.net.

JF&CS Family Table Turkey Tzedakah

You can help another family enjoy Thanksgiving this year! JF&CS Family Table feeds more than 340 families every month. Imagine all of those families sitting down and enjoying a festive Thanksgiving dinner, complete with a kosher turkey - thanks to you! You can make this possible by donating today. Each gift of $36 will cover the cost of one kosher turkey. To donate to the Family Table Turkey Tzedakah fund please call 781 -647-JFCS (5327), donate online at www.jfcsboston.org/donate, or send a check to: JF&CS Family Table, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451. Be sure to indicate "Turkey Tzedakah" when you make your gift. Thank you for helping those in need at Thanksgiving and throughout the year!

2013 Holiday Cheer Project

A huge THANK YOU to all of the KS families who are sponsoring children through the 2013 Holiday Cheer Project. HAPPY SHOPPING to you all!!! We greatly appreciate your generosity in sponsoring children in need.

DROP-OFF
REMINDER: ... there are only a few weeks to shop -- The Holiday Cheer drop-off deadline is November 21! Please drop off gifts/wrapping paper in the front lobby at Kerem Shalom on either Monday, November 18 (before 6:00pm) or Thursday, November 21 (before 6:00 pm). We always need additional shoppers to help round out our collection, usually during the last week in November or the first week in December. Please contact Andreafidler@yahoo.com or boweshulman@verizon.net to sign up as a last minute shopper for the Holiday Cheer Project. THANK YOU to all KS sponsoring families!!

The Grapevine , November 2013

Page 5

From the Education Director -Pat Lukens

Rabbi Darby has started a practice of starting our staff meetings with a Dvar Torah, words of Torah. And each month a different staff member is charged with writing one. October was my month and I thought Id share what I thought about for Lech Lecha. I cracked open a book that I had been given several years ago How to Read the Bible by Marc Brettler. I looked up Genesis 12 and wondered where Marc put his focus. He says that this section is often called a Patriarchal History and he contends that it is neither. There are many women who play key roles in this section. And he says that it is not history because there is no reason to believe that the stories are an actual depiction of something that actually happened. So, my thoughts took off in the direction of the importance of women in this section and their relative absence in many other sections. And I contrasted that with life on the ground as a Jewish educator. Here we are, mostly women teachers, who are charged with teaching a history where we are largely absent. And, if we look at who is the driving force behind students attending Hebrew school, it is mostly the mothers that contact us (with of course some notable exceptions!) In addition, we also know that it is sometimes the other than Jewish mother who is bringing the children to Hebrew school. So to all the parents who bring their children to Kerem Shalom School and make this a priority - mothers and fathers! Thank you.

Parents of College Students Hanukkah packages are being packed on Nov. 4th last call for addresses! And we still need two
parents to schlep to the post office. Please send to palukens@keremshalom.org.

Snow (or other reason) Cancellation Policy for Kerem Shalom

Sign up for the WHDH cell phone notification system its the quickest way to be notified. Please make a note of our snow cancellation policy and go over this policy with your children. In general, if the Concord Public Schools are closed due to weather, Kerem Shalom School will be closed for the afternoon. If the Concord Public Schools are sent home on early dismissal due to weather, Kerem Shalom School will be closed. If Kerem Shalom needs to close for the afternoon due to deteriorating weather, an announcement will be made in the Concord Public Schools. If your child normally rides the bus to Kerem Shalom, they need to know where to go instead of traveling here. How can you get information about school closings? A decision will be made by 12:00 noon Have announcements sent directly to your cell-phone by Channel 7 Storm Force. To use this free service, go to www.whdh.com and click on closing bell on your cell. Follow the directions and your cell phone will be the first to know that school has been closed (Ive used this and it is virtually instantaneous!) Watch Channel 7 - 12:00 news for closing announcements Call Kerem Shalom at 369-1223. If school is closed, the outgoing message will say that we are closed. Room parents will make a round of phone calls, if your childs class has a room parent. Please be sure that your childs room parent has an accurate phone number for you, during the day. For events on Sunday, listen to WBZ 1030 News Radio IMPORTANT! If you call and get the normal message, school is OPEN! When it snows, there are so many phone calls that we cant possibly answer all the phone calls. If we close, we will change the outgoing message to say we are closed.

Important Parking Lot INFO:

Please do not park in the circle! The school buses cannot turn around in the circle if you are in it. If we make this difficult for the school buses, they will stop transporting our kids! Yikes! In addition, for the few minutes that you are blocking the circle, emergency vehicles have no access to our building. In addition, if you have nannies or babysitters doing the driving, please be sure that they know not park in the circle, even for a minute! Also reminder, be sure all people who pick up your children understand that they must come into the building to get them. We cannot let children loose in our busy parking lot especially since it is now getting darker.

Calendar reminders for November

7th grade Mayyim Chayim Field-trip Nov.4th (No 7th grade dinner.) Book Fair November 4 & 7 Kehillah will be Nov. 4 and 7 at 5:45 PM No school on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 Holiday Preschool meets on November 17th. Free session with RSVP - tell your friends! No school Thanksgiving week, Mon. Nov. 25 or, Thurs., Nov. 28.

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The Grapevine , November 2013

Family Ed News
Family Educator, Nancy Kaplan Kabbalat Shabbat Services at Concord Park with Nancy
Fridays, 3:30-4:30PM Nov 22nd and Dec 13th Ease into the spirit of Shabbat, learn a little Torah, and join us for Shabbat services, challah and conversation with the wonderful residents at Concord Park. KS members of all ages are invited. Our beautiful service booklet was created by JF&CS. I would be delighted to help you learn to lead services at Concord Park.

Kindergarteners, 1st Graders and parents : Join us for the Parent Connection Kickoff

Kerem Shaloms Mitzvah DAY ONE OPEN TABLE PANTRY STOCKING TEAM . Thank you for your ongoing donations to Open Table & Family Table Food Pantry. What a wonderful beginning to our Mitzvah Year at KS. Please look for notices for upcoming Social Action Sundays from committee co-chairs JoAnn Simon and Sally Edwards. Lets keep the community spirit and our sacred work of tikkun olam, repairing the world, going throughout the year.

SILK TALLIT-MAKING WORKSHOP for ADULTS & BNEI MITZVAH

Studentswith artists Maxine Sorokin and Henry Altmann. December 8 & 15 (snow date January 12) 10 am noon in 2 sessions; Must attend both sessions to complete silk tallit. RSVP by Nov 20 . $130 materials fee. Scholarship funding available. Date for 3rd session with Nancy Kaplan for tying tzitzit, TBD by participants. Over the past five years, ten women and more than two dozen middle school and high school students in our KS community have made these beautiful tallitot. No artistic background is required. The batik process itself creates a beautiful tallit you will be able to wrap yourself in for a lifetime. Diana Suskind (r) with her friend Lynn displaying the tallit Diana made for her niece in honor of her becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

Sunday, December 8 from 10 amnoon. We will gather to learn about the Parent Connection reading program in which all kindergarten families will be participating this year. We will learn about the world of Jewish literature for parents and kids, create some Jewish art, play games and have some FUN! Bagels and beverages will be served in the middle of the program. Looking forward to seeing you all there! RSVP by November 14th.

Pajama TOT SHABBAT!

Friday evening, November 22nd at 5:45 PM, followed by Dinner*

Come in your PJs & slippers, bring your toothbrush. Cuddly animals & blankeys welcome.
Families with young children are warmly invited to join Family Educator Nancy Kaplan and Rabbi Darby for our monthly PJ Tot Shabbat service and complimentary dinner! (Kindly RSVP to Nancy for dinner). We celebrate Shabbat together with music, movement and midrash (stories about Torah and other writings). Our services are joyful, spiritual and meaningful for adults and children alike. After our service and Shabbat blessings , families are invited to stay and enjoy visiting over dinner. Well have holiday-themed crafts, games and babysitters! during the dinner hour.

Grades 3 & 4 Family Shabbat dinner Friday, November 15th. Family Friday Service with Rabbi Darby and Nancy Kaplan at 7:30 pm. Save the date!

November 2013
Tuesday
1

Kerem Shalom

The Grapevine , November 2013

Sunday

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday
2

Saturday

HEBREW SCHOOL = BOOK FAIR =

10 am Morning Service Jake Bartlett Bar Mitzvah

CHANUKAH =

7:30 pm Shabbat Service D. Leigh & R. Gerut

39:30 am Tai Chi - R. Elkind 4 5 6

10:15 am Spirituality of Talmud Study Meskin 9:15 am Health Challenge Group

8
7:30 pm Mostly Music Shabbat Service R. Gerut _

10 am Grade 2 Family Chanukah program

_ 4 pm 7 pm Islamic Radical4:45pm Hebrew for ism - Lowenthal Advanced Beginners

7 pm Meah
am Health 13 9:15 14 Challenge Group

4 pm

10
10:15 am Spirituality of Talmud Study Meskin

11

12

15

16

9:30 am Tai Chi - R. Elkind

4 pm

VETERANS DAY

7 pm Meah

6 pm Gr. 3-4 Shabbat Dinner 7:30 pm Family Shabbat Service D. Leigh & N. Kaplan

17
10:15 am Spirituality of Talmud Study Meskin 12:30 pm Jewish Content Book Club

9:30 am Tai Chi -

R. Elkind

189 am Rosh Chodesh 19 20

9:15 am Health Challenge Group

21

3:30 pm Kabbalat 22Shabbat 23 @ Concord

9:45 am Holiday Pre-School 10 am Gr. 6 Bnai Mitzvah program 10 am Parenting thru a Jewish Lens 10:45 am Esthers Hannukkah Disaster reading

4 pm 4:45pm Hebrew for Advanced Beginners 7:15 pm Board Meeting

7 pm Meah

4 pm

Park 5:45 pm Tot Shabbat Dinner 7:30 pm Shabbat Service D. Leigh & R. Gerut

Kerem Shaloms Calendar is also online at http://www.keremshalom.org/. Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the page.

9:30 am Tai Chi - R. Elkind

24

25

26
10:15 am Spirituality of Talmud Study Meskin

27

9:15 am Health Challenge Group

28

29

30

10 am Parenting thru a Jewish Lens

THANKSGIVING

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Tentative Schedule

December 2013
Tuesday
10:15 am Spirituality of Talmud Study - Meskin

Kerem Shalom

Sunday
3
9:45 am Health Challenge Group

Monday
4 5 6

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday
7

Saturday

am Tai Chi 1-9:30 R. Elkind

10 am Parenting/ Jewish Lens 4 pm Rosh Hodesh Girls 5:30 pm Chanukah Dinner & Sing-Along

* 4 pm 4:45pm Hebrew for Advanced Beginners

7 pm Meah

4 pm

7 pm Shabbat D. Leigh Service & N. Kaplan

8
10:15 am Spirituality of Talmud Study Meskin
9:45 am Health Challenge Group

9:30 am Tai Chi - R. 9 4 pm Elkind 4:45pm Hebrew for Advanced Beginners 9:45 am Holiday Pre5:40 pm Parents-Jewish School 7 pm Meah

10

11

12

13

14

10 am Tallit Painting #1 10 am Parenting/Jewish

Identity Project 7 pm Gr 7 Parents Holocaust Program

4 pm 5:40 pm Parents-Jewish Identity Project

3:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat at Concord Park 5:45 Tot Shabbat and Dinner - N. Kaplan 7:30 pm Mostly Music Shabbat Service R. Gerut

9:30 am Tai Chi - R. Elkind 9 am Torah Study with Rabbi Alan Ullman

15

169 am Rosh Chodesh 17 18

9:45 am Health Challenge Group

19

20

21

10 am Tallit Painting #2

10 am Parenting/Jewish Lens 3:30 pm Torah Study with Rabbi Alan

4 pm -minyan 4:45pm Hebrew for Advanced Beginners 7:15 pm Board Meeting

7 pm Meah

4 pm

-minyan

7:30 pm Shabbat Service D. Leigh & R. Gerut

22

23

24

25

9:30 am Tai Chi - R. Elkind

9:45 am Health Challenge Group

26

27

28

29

30

31
HEBREW SCHOOL =

9:30 am Tai Chi - R. Elkind

NEW EVE YEARSEVE NEWYEARS

SCHOOL VACATION = Kehillah at 5:40 pm = *

Kerem Shaloms Calendar is also online at http://www.keremshalom.org/. Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the page.

The Grapevine , November 2013

The Grapevine , November 2013

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Adult Programs From Rosalie Gerut

New Programs Beginners Modern Hebrew - Reading and/or Speaking classes

Thursdays 6:30-8:00 PM with Kerem Shaloms Hebrew School teacher and native speaker, Tikva Eigen. Classes will begin as soon as we have a sufficient number of students! Tuition will be $45/person for a set of 5 sessions. RSVP: Rosalie@keremshalom.org. Any questions? Please contact Tikva Eigen, te924@hotmail.com

Torah Study with Rabbi Alan Ullman

Rabbi Alan Ullman brings Torah to life by facilitating dynamic interaction and questioning of text, enabling us to view Torah in its ancient context as well as in its relevance to our lives today. Rabbi Ullman helps us to see the wisdom of Torah as a way to guide our own spiritual journeys and to find the sacred in our everyday lives. A brief text is introduced at the beginning of each class and no previous knowledge or experience is required. Tuesdays, 6 sessions, 10:15 AM-12:15 PM January 7, 28, March 25, April 1, 29, & May 27. $150/KS members, $225/non KS members and / or Sundays, 5 sessions 5:00 -6:30 PM January12, February 23, March 30, April 20 and May 25. $125 for KS members; $185 for non-KS members

Rosh Chodesh (New Moon)

A Womens Group New Morning Class! An invitation to all women at Kerem Shalom Rosh Chodesh, the time of the new moon, traditionally provides an opportunity for women to come together for monthly meetings based on themes in the Jewish calendar. We have an ongoing evening group, but there has been interest in holding a morning Rosh Chodesh group at Kerem Shalom. We will spend time studying and discussing topics relevant to our lives, relaxing, getting to know each other and supporting one anothers journeys. Our first meeting will take place on Monday, November 18th from 9-10:30 AM. Rosalie Gerut will facilitate. If you are interested or have questions, please contact: Rosalie@KeremShalom.org Thank you!

On-going Programs - new participants welcome Rosh Chodesh (New Moon)

A Womens Group Continuing evening group. An invitation to all women at Kerem Shalom. Rosh Chodesh, the time of the new moon, traditionally provides an opportunity for women to come together for monthly meetings based on themes in the Jewish calendar. We will spend time studying and discussing topics relevant to our lives, relaxing, getting to know each other and supporting one anothers journeys. Wednesday evenings: November 20, December 18, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 16, May 21; 7:00-8:30 PM. Rosalie Gerut will facilitate. RSVP: Rosalie@KeremShalom.org. For Kerem Shalom members only.

Kerem Shalom Men's Group

For information contact: George Peabody, george.peabody@gmail.com.

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On-going Programs - new participants welcome

The Grapevine , November 2013

Tai Chi at Kerem Shalom

Sunday mornings 9:30-10:30 AM Tuition per session: $10 Kerem Shalom members; $15 non-members For more information contact: Rob Elkind at complex5341@yahoo.com Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. The practice of tai chi focuses on the mind/body connection. This state of active meditation provides tranquility and is achieved when movements are coordinated with mental awareness. The traditional Wu Chien -Chuan sequence taught in this program focuses on smaller circular movements and fluid transitions. All movements are practiced in a relaxed manner. Contrary to its gentle appearance, Tai Chi at its advanced stages of training becomes an effective martial art. The practice of Tai Chi has evolved into a self-healing art due to its many health-related benefits. The Wu style abides by the principles of martial arts and ultimately increases the health benefits through proper training. This program is an effective training method for stress relief, osteoarthritis, and provides better concentration, circulation and balance. Rob Elkind has been studying Tai Chi and Kung Fu in the Fu Hok Tai He Morn system for over 15 years. He has trained under both Kwong Tit Fu and Calvin Chin and competed in tournaments around the world.

Support Group for People Facing Health Challenges

Wednesday mornings 9:45-11:15 AM Baruch Habah Blessed is the one who enters Refuat ha Nefesh A healing of the soul

This group provides an open, supportive environment where people facing health challenges can make connections with each other. Here we can be ourselves and be understood and supported. We exchange information on resources and find through our conversations that we are nurtured emotionally and spiritually. Why go through difficulties alone when you have a pillow of support right here at Kerem Shalom? If this speaks to you, please contact: Kitty Stein (781) 259-9264 or Rosalie Gerut at Rosalie@keremshalom.org.

Hebrew for Advanced Beginners

Mondays, 4:45 - 6:00 PM Twelve weeks starting September 9, 2013 Remaining classes: . November 4,. November 18,.December 2, .December 9 & December 16. Tuition: pro-rated This twelve-week class welcomes anyone who already knows the Aleph-Bet, some Hebrew vocabulary, a few verb conjugations, is interested in a deeper experience of Jewish life and ritual, and wants to build Hebrew skills for future Jewish study of all kinds. Well focus on the three- letter "Divine DNA" found at the roots of most Hebrew words, using examples from the Jewish New Year holidays, Shabbat services, and Torah. Well start with a brief review of Chapters 7-9 of the text book (see below). Throughout the twelve weeks well practice reading Hebrew out loud, small-group learning, systematic progress through the text book, and using Hebrew dictionaries and other references. Text Book: The First Hebrew Primer, Third Edition, by Simon, Resnikoff, and Motzkin. Meets in the library at Kerem Shalom. Become your own translator!

Kerem Shalom Book Club

The title chosen for the December 12 meeting is My Russian Grandmother and Her American Vacuum Cleaner : A Family Memoir written by Meir Shalev, translated by Evan Fallenberg. This should be a great read for the Thanksgiving/Chanukah season. A number of copies are available through the Minuteman Library Network. Join us Thursday, Dec, 12th at 7:30 p.m. at Kerem Shalom. Questions? Contact Pat Sills <pat.sills@verizon.net>.

Kerem Shalom Jewish Content Book Club

Our last book was Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. We found it drew us in to its world. This book involves the memories of the Germans as well as the experiences of the Jews during the Holocaust, it looks at the effects of the war on the past generation and the next generation. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday Nov. 19 at 12:30 pm in the KS Library to discuss The World to Come: A Novel by Dara Horn. For more information, contact Jane Appell, jappell@verizon.net.

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September Board Meeting Minutes

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on September 16, 2013. JoAnn Simon presided as facilitator and Matt Daniel as note taker. Attendees included the following: Rabbi Darby Leigh, David Matias, Nancy Kaplan, George Peabody, Elizabeth Sackton, Caroline Leandro, Miriam Zarchan, Jonathan Aibel, Rosalie Gerut, Jan Huber OCallaghan, Drew Hession -Kunz, Wendy Taubes, Pat Lukens, Jessie Busiek, Jill Mirman, Greig Greenwald, and Mark Stein. Jill presented the Dvar which focused on a passage from the Yom Kippur service. Themes that Jill emphasized included the timelessness of the day, asking oneself to start a new beginning and the need to cut some things back in order to facilitate new growth. Next, a number of short announcements were made: Matt discussed KSs presence at the upcoming Bedford Day celebration; Nancy mentioned the need for assistance getting corn stalks on the roof of the Sukkah and that the Sukkot party the prior day had been well attended; Jan thanked the staff and volunteers for their efforts during the High Holidays. Miriam next led a robust and open discussion about the meaning of the recently completed High Holiday services, led for the first time by Rabbi Darby, and well attended by a rejuvenated membership and guests. Common themes and memories shared openly and honestly included: The feeling of inclusiveness that permeated each service, often as recognized by other -than-Jewish family members or those who hadnt attended KS in quite a while, and expressions of feeling fully welcomed into the KS community for the first time. The significant impressions that the stories Rabbi Darby told had on congregants, as well as his use of humor to impart meaning, and his teaching of the Shma in American Sign Language. Various (at times) communal feelings of happiness, excitement, energy, joy, deep and powerful spirituality, radiating both within the temple and outside in the parking lot. The music that was incorporated into the services, and the emotional resonance it added. The evolving of the lovely Tot Service as an accompaniment to the Family Service. The image of Rabbi Darby and his daughter signing together. The message expressed by Rabbi Darby that there were multiple ways to participate in the High Holidays and the services, and people should find the method that is most meaningful and feels right to them. The deft coordination between Rabbi Darby and Rosalie on the bima. The large number of congregants who, at Rabbi Darbys urging, came back at the end Yom Kippur to celebrate N'eila and Havdalah together. The cooperation and togetherness witnessed to allow the High Holidays to come together, from the hard work of the staff to the volunteers who took down the social hall walls and tended to a myriad of tasks. Jan presented a membership update, summarizing that we currently have 255 member units and 12 prospective member units. It was noted that 4 member units have resigned, with 2 others possibly resigned. Follow up is in process with about 25 families to determine renewal status. It was decided to table for a future meeting discussion regarding High Holiday tickets for non -members. Miriam provided an update of the Membership Committee, noting that the committee had recently expanded. Processes for new members were being formalized and memorialized, and there is a focus on developing a sub -committee Welcoming Committee led by Greig, Wendy and Jill to work with Rabbi Darby on how to best get new members off to a strong start. Wendy and Greig noted their post-High Holidays focus will be on reaching out to the numerous prospective members who have been identified. Drew provided a brief finance report, noting that a more fulsome report would be made at the next Board meeting following the close of the first fiscal quarter. However, he noted that there remained about $25,000 of open FY 2013 membership dues from approximately 20 families, and he outlined the anticipated steps to collect or write -off these amounts. Due to improvements with the invoicing and reminders systems, and emphasis on credit card payments and on -line banking, he was optimistic our collection efforts in FY 2014 will be more timely and effective. He also noted that, while early, abatement requests seemed to be slightly lower than last year. Jan introduced a discussion regarding the social hall, asking the Board and staff to contemplate how it should be configured now that the Montessori school no longer is renting the space. Issues included whether to leave it open or add walls for storage and/or meeting spaces. The plan is for Classrooms 1 and 3 to be restored after Mitzvah Day. Carol briefly noted that the first couple weeks of Hebrew School have gone smoothly, especially given the early arrival of High Holidays.

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The Grapevine , November 2013

5774s Mitzvah DAY ONE a heartfelt THANK YOU! to all our volunteers
"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed citizens to change the world. Indeed, it has never been done otherwise." - Margaret Mead. In its twelfth year Mitzvah DAY ONE is now a well-subscribed, much anticipated, highly populated, volunteer-run event that our membership is proud of: a day on which we experience the power of a community effort towards Tikkun Olam, healing the world. Tzedakah, righteous giving, Gimilut Chasadim, acts of loving kindness, and social action, all are aspects of Tikkun Olam. With more than 200 members participating in projects on - or offsite as volunteers or donors, and some 30 volunteers either running projects or assisting at Mitzvah Day, your commitment made all the difference. Thank you to everyone! Heres a look at what OUR small group of committed citizens accomplished: Fully restocked the Open Table Food Pantry with 6 dozen bags of groceries brought by Mitzvah Day participants, with 14 people restocking the pantry Raised over $500 for Open Table Food Pantry through the Big Tsimmes lunch concession...and $230 from the breakfast/coffee concession, part of which paid for the groceriesthat our cooking team used on Mitzvah Day to prepare apple crisp for 100 Open Table clients and six more volunteers helped at Open Table in Maynard the next evening serving dinner and dessert and giving out groceries from the food pantry Gave 12 units of blood to Emerson Hospitals blood drive. BLOOD donors are welcome year-round at Emersons Blood Donor Center. Save Emerson $100s per unit of blood and save lives locally when you donate here. Made 37 pumpkin centerpieces for the families attending Open Tables dinner to enjoy and take home Collected and donated winter outerwear for adults and children living in Somerville Homeless Coalitions shelters. Supported student Tzedakah projects: COLLECTING pet supplies for Arlington Animal Clinic, toiletries for patients at Shattuck Hospital, and mothers in Boston Medical Centers Child Witness to Violence Program, books for Maynards Green Meadow School, and Concord Prison Outreach, ...CONTRIBUTING to AJWSs Reverse Hunger campaign through Equal Exchange Fair Trade chocolate sales, Angiosarcoma Awareness, Inc, Buddy Dog, Community Boating of Boston, Lovelane Stables and Nevins Farm with purchases of hemp and duct tape bracelets, t-shirts, crafts, and baked goods... Supported the Womens Craft Cooperative at Rosies Place and Ugandas Clover Foundation and Project Have Hope with our purchases of handmade jewelry and crafts Supported artisans from Safed, Israel and KSs school with purchases of Chanukah, Havdallah and Shabbat candles Learned about fosterin Blandings Turtles at home and about The Nature Connection, a Concord non -profit organization that brings educational and therapeutic nature-based programs to people whose access to the natural world is limited. Three Kerem Shalom members signed up on Mitzvah Day to volunteer for TNC, and two have already participated in the volunteer orientation and training day. See Nancy K. if youd like to learn more about volunteering for TNC. Donated 300 books to the Green Meadow Elementary School library in Maynard and members learned that we have a team of volunteer readers who tutor children at Green Meadow for an hour a week through Jewish Coalition for Literacy Collected signatures for RAISE UP MASSACHUSETTS and Amnesty Internationals letter writing campaigns Sewed 40 polar fleece hats for sick and needy children at the Grow Clinic Sponsored 55 needy children for the Holiday Cheer Project, Voices against Violence /South Middlesex Opportunity Council Donated a carload of household goods to HGRM (Household Goods Recycling Ministry) and members learned that we have a team of volunteers that work at HGRM every third Sunday of the month - ALWAYS looking for more volunteers/ A great way to log in high school or bnai mitzvah volunteer hours. Made 50 holiday cards for inmates in Concords prison and collected $100 for Concord Prison Outreach Raised $761 on pie sales and donations for Community Servings Pie in the Sky fundraiser, enough to provide a weeks worth of free, hot nutritious meals to 30 seriously ill, home-bound individuals. People who would like to order Thanksgiving pies but did not have a chance to do so on Mitzvah Day can order on -line, through November 23rd. Pick up your pies at convenient commercial locations in and around Concord. Heres the link: www.pieinthesky.org. KS member Sam Nagler is a pie seller- enter his name! Donated cell phones to Kol Isha - to enable victims of domestic violence to be able to dial 911- a lifeline to help they need Decorated and assembled 24 terra cotta pots containing healing teas, lotions, spring bulbs for forcing, made cards for Healing
(Continued on page 13)

The Grapevine , November 2013

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IN

THE

C OMMUNITY

Starting your holiday shopping?

Please remember that Kerem Shalom gets a percentage of purchase dollars spent on amazon.com if you start at our website: www.keremshalom.org. Click on "Shop" at the top of the screen and then on the amazon icon to make your amazon purchases. It is that easy to help KS with a donation from amazon through your purchase! Please spread the word to your friends and family :) - Jan Huber OCallaghan

Taking Charge, Making Changes

FREE 3 session Money management and budgeting for Women.

Do you ever wonder? * Where your money goes? *How to set financial goals? *What to do about unexpected expenses? This free workshop series will help you gain control over your personal finances in a confidential & supportive group. Meeting Tuesdays, December 3, 10, 13th from 9:30 to 11:00AM, JEWISH Family Service, 475 Franklin Street, Framingham. $25 Gas Card for each participant and child care supplement available. Contact Diana at 508-875-3100x300 or dobrien@jfsmw.org for more information - Space is limited. This program is supported by the Metrowest Jewish Community Fund of Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

(Mitzvah DAY ONE Thank Yous continued from page 12)

Garden cancer patients Provided 13 Thanksgiving turkeys to needy Jewish families with donations to the Turkey Tzedakah fund for JF&CS Donated eyeglasses for distribution to needy individuals through the Concord Lions 8 KS members walked in the CROPWalk and raised over $600 for Hunger Relief contributed to Dana Farbers cancer research to support David Hoffman next year in the Boston Marathon. contributed towards the purchase of an ambulance for Magen David Adom contributed to Open House in Ramle Israel, working towards peace between Arabs and Jews. Learned about JNF's "Waterworks" program for conservation in Israel Stuffed breast and testicular cancer awareness packets for Hadassah's Check It Out high school program

Mitzvah Day ONE was a great start to a Mitzvah Year! Lets keep it going! THANK YOU - TODAH RABAH! Kerem Shalom Retreat Weekend
for a weekend of respite, rejuvenation, community and fun.... something for everyone!
COMING SOON

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

This site is brought to you by JewishBoston.com

Friday, June 13 -Sunday, June 15 , 2014 at Toah Nipi Retreat Center, Rindge, New Hampshire. Mark your calendars now!

http://thanksgivukkahboston.com/

The Grapevine Kerem Shalom P.O.Box 1646 Concord, Massachusetts 01742

Change Service Requested

In This Issue:
Hanukkah Holiday Preschool 1 Jewish Book Author visits Chanukah Dinner & SingAlong Rabbis Message Passages Presidents Message Social Action News Welcome New Members School News 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 Family Education November Calendar December Calendar Adult Programs Sept. Board Meeting Minutes Mitzvah DAY ONE Thank Yous In The Community Shopping for KS In this Issue 6 7 8 9, 10 11 12 13 13 14

Happy Festival of Lights