Dear Friends,
Thank you for your interest in Congregation Beth Sholom (CBS). CBS creates opportunities for contemporary
Jews, along with their loved ones and friends, to share authentic and meaningful religious and spiritual
experiences. We also aim to build and sustain a community inspired to make a positive difference in the world.
Congregation Beth Sholom values:
•! Balance of Tradition and Innovation (Halacha v’Shinui)
•! Community (Kehillah)
•! Egalitarianism and Equality (Shivyon)
•! Teaching and Learning (Torah)
For more than 350 families, CBS is a spiritual home, a place of solace, contemplation, elation, song, and
discovery. Recognizing that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all Judaism, we provide a variety of paths for
people to become engaged, explore their practice of Judaism, and celebrate our Jewish traditions.
Congregation Beth Sholom’s offerings include a religious school, educational programs, daily prayer services,
meditation, and many community and social action groups that inspire and give back to our congregation and
the Bay Area at large. In addition, we have a thriving preschool that adds immeasurably to the vitality of our
community.
We would be happy to discuss ways you can participate in our vibrant congregation. CBS is ready to contribute
positively to your life, and there are myriad ways for you to engage with CBS and the larger community.
Included in this membership package, you will find an information form. Please fill it out; this will help us learn
what types of programming you might participate in, and allow you to learn about our committees and activities.
Please visit www.bethsholomsf.org to learn more about the congregation. If you have questions, please contact
our Director of Membership & Development, Beth Jones, at [email protected] or 415.940.7092.
We look forward to welcoming you, your family, and your friends into our very special community!
Todah Rabbah,
Scott Horwitz
President
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OUR HISTORY
THE EARLY YEARS
Congregation Beth Sholom was founded in 1904. In 1921, the congregation purchased a Baptist church on
Fourth Avenue to house its services. Fourteen years later, in 1935, Beth Sholom built its first synagogue at
the corner of 14th Avenue and Clement Street and installed Saul E. White (z”l) as its first rabbi.
Rabbi White served as Congregation Beth Sholom’s rabbi for 48 years, until his retirement in 1983. He
took stands on many major sociopolitical issues of his day and, under his leadership, CBS prospered and
became a leading progressive voice in the Jewish community, advocating for women’s rights, the
disadvantaged, and other social justice issues. Wearing his tallit and carrying a Torah, Rabbi White
famously marched down Market Street as one of the Bay Area’s first clergymen to protest the Vietnam
War. But Rabbi White was also a scholar so respected in the Jewish community that he earned the
nickname “Dean of Bay Area rabbis.” One of his legacies is the Brandeis School of San Francisco, which
Rabbi White founded in 1963, serving as its guiding spirit.
A PLACE OF LEARNING AND GROWTH
In the 1960s, Beth Sholom was the Bay Area pioneer in presenting scholarly lectures by educators,
historians, and international personalities on Jewish topics and heritage. CBS also brought outstanding
musical artists and prominent authors to the pulpit of the synagogue. Inspired by the success of these
activities, an adult studies program evolved, featuring seminars by rabbis, authors, and local scholars.
These activities were supplemented with classes in Hebrew, Yiddish, and current events.
Following Rabbi White’s retirement, Rabbi Allan Schranz (z”l) was elected to succeed him and, in 1986,
Rabbi Alexander Graubart (z”l) became the third spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Sholom. Five years
later, in 1991, Rabbi Alan Lew (z”l) stepped into the position.
A poet, writer, and practitioner of Zen Buddhism, Rabbi Lew exercised a profound influence on the
congregation and the entire Bay Area Jewish and secular communities. While at CBS, Rabbi Lew
cofounded the popular Jewish meditation center, Makor Or, with Zoketsu Norman Fischer. (Makor Or is
now a program of the Taube Center for Jewish Life at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.) A
formidable speaker, activist voice for social justice, and advocate for the homeless, Rabbi Lew was
regarded by many as Beth Sholom’s spiritual heir to Rabbi White. Rabbi Lew retired in 2005 and served as
the congregation’s rabbi emeritus until his untimely death in 2009.
Rabbi Kenneth Leitner served the congregation for two years until Rabbi Micah Hyman joined Beth
Sholom in 2007. During his seven years at CBS, Rabbi Hyman was beloved for his infectious personality,
engaging manner at the pulpit, and ability to relate to congregants of all ages.
While remaining committed to significant Jewish observance, the State of Israel, social activism, and
egalitarianism, Beth Sholom has been a vanguard for change within the Conservative movement. It was
among the first Conservative synagogues to provide women equal participation in all aspects of religious
life — including aliyot (calls to Torah) and the daily minyan — and to recognize its LGBTQ members. Beth
Sholom was also the first synagogue to house a Jewish meditation center.
CURRENT LEADERSHIP AND MODERN FACILITY
Rabbi Aubrey Glazer has been Beth Sholom’s spiritual leader since July of 2014. Rabbi Glazer envisions
tradition as evolving and nimble, designed to sustain and improve the intellectual and spiritual potential
within each of us, and to inspire us to act as agents of positive change in the world. He celebrates “the
inspiration that comes from learning, listening, questioning, questing, meditating, and caring,” but insists
that a rousing spiritual space cannot be created in isolation. The dynamism of our community happens for
Rabbi Glazer by connecting CBS members to one another as well as to both the unbroken chain of our
authentic, Jewish spiritual tradition and the urgent realities of contemporary life.
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WELCOME
MISSION
Congregation Beth Sholom’s mission is to make the richness of Torah relevant to our modern lives. We seek to
make Beth Sholom a joyful and inspiring community by joining together to study, worship, and support each
other in the continuity of our Jewish heritage. We welcome individuals and families to explore, practice, and
celebrate our traditions.
ABOUT US
Congregation Beth Sholom exists as a source of inspiration and support for people interested in Jewish life, culture,
and tradition, regardless of their level of observance or knowledge of Judaism. There is a place at Beth Sholom for
people seeking their Jewish roots, as well as for those who already feel entirely at home in a synagogue community.
Beth Sholom aspires to cast a new light on Jewish thought and practice, and strives to create a Jewish experience
that is in tune with our modern lives.
Beth Sholom offers religious services, cultural and educational programs for children and adults, preschool and
religious school, social action groups, holiday observances, social gatherings, special events, and more.
THE BETH SHOLOM DIFFERENCE
Our modern synagogue campus is teeming with life and activity, but we realize that in order for an individual to
connect to Judaism and experience it as a meaningful part of his or her life, it must seem honest, accessible, and
manageable. We therefore strive to truly get to know each congregant so that we can understand what they hope
to gain from CBS and how they hope to grow as members of our community. Moreover, our dynamic rabbi,
Aubrey Glazer, draws on his deep well of Jewish knowledge to communicate the great truths of Judaism as they
relate to our contemporary lives and concerns – and he does so using language we actually connect with.
Although we attempt to illuminate the varied paths a person can take on his or her own spiritual journey, there is
strength in numbers. We aspire to create something special together as a community, and to be there for one
another along the way. We want to fill our sacred space with members and seekers of all ages, lifestyles, cultures,
and backgrounds. We want to sing, pray, learn, mourn, love, lead, question, grow, share, ponder, teach, laugh, and
celebrate. And we want to do these things together.
Recognizing that Judaism is not a one-size-fits-all religion, we offer a fresh take on 4,000 years of tradition. CBS
offers inspiring traditional religious services as well as new and affecting alternatives. All of our services are
centered on community and ritual, and emphasize joy over solemnity.
MEMBER TESTIMONIALS
Members of our community best articulate what it means to be part of CBS. Here’s what a few of our congregants
are saying:
~ “Beth Sholom is my shtetl, in the best sense of the word. I am part of a warm, caring community,
sharing in the flow of Jewish life.”
~ “I came to Congregation Beth Sholom unable to read Hebrew and not knowing basic things about
Jewish practice. Despite my ignorance, I always feel welcome and never judged. I’ve learned a lot in the
past five years, but continue to stumble and continue to feel supported. The CBS community is very
special.”
~ “I converted to Judaism and our children attend preschool here. The preschool is such a loving and
happy place – our kids are getting just the right combination of Jewish immersion and secular school
readiness. And even though I’m not Jewish by birth, I feel very welcomed and connected at Beth
Sholom. We’ve made a lot of good friends.”
~ “I was raised and became a bar mitzvah in a Conservative congregation on the East Coast, and it always
felt too rigid and authoritarian – I couldn’t relate. When I moved to the Bay Area, I had no interest in
joining a synagogue until I attended services at Beth Sholom. I loved the familiarity of the sung Hebrew,
and to my surprise, I found the shul atmosphere a definite departure from the synagogue I grew up in.”
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SHABBAT & MINYAN SERVICES
CBS offers inspiring traditional services as well as new and affecting alternatives. All of our Shabbat services are
welcoming and conducted with joy, deep feeling, and humor.
DAILY MINYAN
Twice daily, we join as one in the intimate Gronowski Family Chapel and carry on our rich tradition of
communal worship. Beth Sholom is the only congregation in San Francisco and Marin that gathers twice daily,
every day! We do so because we want to be there for every person who wants to pray or mourn, recite Kaddish,
or recall the anniversary of a loved one’s passing with communal support.
Our morning minyan takes place at 7 a.m., Monday – Friday, and at 8 a.m. on Sundays. The morning minyan also
gathers at 8 a.m. on the following national holidays: January 1; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents’ Day;
Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; the day after Thanksgiving; and December 25.
Our evening minyan is at 6 p.m., Sunday – Thursday. On Saturday evenings, Shabbat Mincha or Ma’ariv services
occur at 5 p.m. from November – March (PST), and Shabbat Mincha services occur at 6 p.m. from March –
October (DST).
KABBALAT SHABBAT
Shabbat is a gift, an opportunity to transition from the realm of the mundane to the sacred, to set aside weekday
pressures – our overfull email Inboxes, our “to do” lists – and to rejuvenate our spirits, reconnect with family
and friends, and reflect upon what is most meaningful in life.
Each Friday, at 6:30 p.m., we gather to welcome Shabbat.
Kabbalat Shabbat services at Beth Sholom are generally casual; sneakers and jeans are more common than suits
and starched shirts. The warmth of Beth Sholom’s Gronowski Family Chapel enhances the mood, and the
experience is as haimish (Yiddish, meaning unpretentious and friendly) as it is affecting.
SHABBAT MORNING
Shabbat morning services are held every Saturday at 9 a.m., and take place in the heart of the CBS community,
our Sanctuary. The dramatic space was designed with the layout of early synagogues in mind, which encouraged
worshippers to daven (pray) in a more communal way. The seating area of the Sanctuary sweeps up in an arc to
the north and south of the bimah so that congregants face one another as well as the service leaders, thereby
bringing the entire community together in song and prayer.
Every Shabbat service is followed by a community Kiddush in Koret Hall.
TORAH READINGS
Our congregation reads from the Torah every Shabbat. We pride ourselves on being one of the few non-Orthodox
congregations that retains the integrity of the traditional Torah service by conducting a full reading (K’riat
HaTorah). We also read the haftarah on Shabbat morning. In addition, the Torah is read during morning minyan
on Mondays and Thursdays.
Contact: To sign up for Torah or haftarah reading, contact Owen Leibman, [email protected].
SHABBAT MORNING CHILDCARE
Free childcare is available during Shabbat services on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on weeks when Shabbat
School is in session and/or there is a bar or bat mitzvah.
PARKING
Street parking is available for all services.
For Questions About Our Services, Contact: Kim Hegg, Operations & Event Manager, [email protected]
or 415.221.8736.
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MUSICAL SHABBAT SERVICES
Beginning in 2014, the CBS community has gathered on one Friday each month to welcome Shabbat with
uplifting song. These spirited, musical Kabbalat Shabbat services have grown in popularity over the past two
years, providing their many participants with a transformative experience that is as moving as it is joyful.
This year, CBS is proud to announce two new services, each occurring regularly.
AMERICANA JAM BAND KABBALAT SHABBAT
Americana is a cholent – a rich stew – of diverse musical dialects and perspectives, including folk, bluegrass,
country, soul, gospel, rock, and more. Like the Jewish experience, though, Americana’s disparate elements work
in unison to create an original sound and story that we recognize as specifically American. Woody Guthrie, The
Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Derailers, The Lone Bellow, and Son Volt – all of these artists and
performers are on the same familiar road, searching for a way back home. We are their fellow travelers.
The Americana Jam Band Kabbalat Shabbat is a folk-rock jam session with a Jewish soul, a casual prayer service
with country swagger. If you like to sing and/or play an instrument (think piano, guitar, double bass, melodica,
harmonica, or vibraphone), pull up a chair and join the jam on select Friday nights. Maybe you won’t always play
“in the pocket”, but that’s not the point – it’s about our journey. Together, we’ll make music in a sacred space and
create something new and meaningful as we mark the week’s end and the arrival of Shabbat.
2016-17 dates: October 28, November 25, January 27, February 24, March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28,
August 25
FUSION FRIDAY KABBALAT SHABBAT
Led by Rabbi Aubrey Glazer, the Shir Hashirim Ensemble – Hazzan Richard Kaplan, violinist Lila Sklar, and
Sheldon Brown (on clarinet, flute, saxophone, and bass clarinet) – provide participants with an exquisite Friday
night service featuring Jewish sacred music from around the world and drawn from Sephardic, Ashkenazic, and
Mizrachi traditions. Each Fusion Friday Kabbalat Shabbat incorporates contemplative prayer, a
Jewish/Turkish/Sufi zikr, klezmer and jazz accents, and beautiful Zoharic teachings and meditations by our
Rabbi Glazer. The prayer leaders, music, spirit, and ideas of the Fusion Friday Kabbalat Shabbat series make the
vital passage between the rest of the week and Shabbat the extraordinary experience that it should be!
2016-17 dates: September 16, November 18, January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19
Both services are held at 6:30 p.m. in the Gronowski Family Chapel.
For Questions About These Services, Contact: Kim Hegg, Operations & Event Manager,
[email protected] or 415.221.8736.
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SHABBAT YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMMING
Congregation Beth Sholom offers special Shabbat programming for our families in our community.
PJ SHABBAT
On the fourth Friday evening of each month at 5:30 p.m., we invite families with young children to join us for a
vibrant Kabbalat Shabbat service. Newborns through six years old will be most engaged, but older siblings are
encouraged to join in the fun…and everyone can wear their pajamas (even parents)!
Families participate in singing, music, dancing, and blessings led by Rabbi Glazer and popular Bay Area
performer, Jonathan Bayer. The interactive service allows even our youngest participants to experience the joy
of Shabbat in a warm, welcoming setting. Families will also learn some of the basic rituals they can use to
enhance their own Shabbat and other holiday observances at home. All PJ Shabbat services are followed by a
vegetarian potluck-style community dinner.
Contact: Katherine Friedman Barboni, Director of Early Childhood Education, [email protected], or
415.940.7124.
FAMILY SHABBAT
We invite you and your family to kick off Shabbat morning with our joyful Family Shabbat!
Join renowned Bay Area songsters Isaac Zones and Jonathan Bayer, for a musical, interactive, and educational
Shabbat service. This high-energy, 30-minute prayer service builds a solid foundation for learning the weekly
Shabbat morning service. Jonathan and Isaac use instruments, rhythm, and new melodies to engage the
congregation and Rabbi Glazer provides a developmentally appropriate d’var on the week’s Torah portion. The
Family Shabbat service complements our traditional Shabbat service; together, they create an especially
rewarding Shabbat experience.
Services are held at 9 a.m. in the Gronowski Family Chapel, and take place every Shabbat morning that our
Shabbat School is in session. Please refer to our Shabbat School calendar for specific dates.
Contact: Rebecca Goodman, Director of Youth Education, [email protected], or call the CBS office,
415.940.7098.
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HOLIDAYS, FESTIVALS, & LIFE-CYCLE EVENTS
HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
The core teachings and wisdom of Judaism are found in the Jewish holidays – slavery and freedom, sin and
restitution, assimilation and survival, work and rest, and, above all, the celebration of life. By participating in
holiday observations, we feel, live, and experience Jewish history, learn fundamental Jewish values, and gain
insight from classic Jewish texts and their modern interpretations.
Major or minor, all of the Jewish holidays are observed at Congregation Beth Sholom. From Rosh Hashanah,
Yom Kippur, and Sukkot to Pesach, Shavuot, and everything in between, we invite you to revel in our beautiful
and powerful tradition. At CBS, we highlight each holiday’s unique feeling, music, and spiritual influence, and
connect the meaning of the holiday to our contemporary lives.
All High Holy Days information, celebratory events, and festival information may be found in our weekly
HaLuach e-newsletter and on our website.
LIFE-CYCLE EVENTS
Getting married, becoming parents, and – G-d willing, many, many years later! – dying: after b’nai mitzvah, these
are the major rites of passage that most of us will experience over the course of our lives. Playfully referred to as
“match, hatch, and dispatch,” these life-cycle events are so culturally ubiquitous that we often forget they are
opportunities for profound personal transformation. Yet life-cycle events are an integral part of Jewish
tradition. They connect us to our families, our community, our shared heritage, and to God. Jewish customs and
rituals for marking birth, coming-of-age, marriage, and death enhance celebrations of life and provide comfort
in times of mourning.
Congregation Beth Sholom is a constant partner in our members’ lives. We are here for one another’s joys,
challenges, and sorrows, and we offer our professional services, expert staff, and modern, state-of-the-art
facilities for baby-naming ceremonies, brit milah, b’nai mitzvah, conversions, weddings, anniversaries, and more.
Contact: Kim Hegg, Operations & Event Manager, [email protected] or 415.221.8736.
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CONNECTION & ENGAGEMENT
Our Jewish ethos — the powerful trilogy of Torah study, tzedakah (giving), and tefillah (prayer) — motivates us to
practice tikkun ha’olam (healing the world) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness). It’s not about what
we say or believe, but what we do.
Some of Congregation Beth Sholom’s community groups are impelled by this Jewish imperative of social action,
whereas other groups bring members together to learn, expand their perspectives, have fun, or just relax.
ACHSHAV YISRAEL
Achshav Yisrael’s mission is to provide quality programming about Israel to CBS and the broader community. All
Achshav Yisrael programs are open to all age groups and will occur on a regular basis. The group intends to
create a safe space at CBS for community exploration of Israel. Achshav Yisrael produces approximately 5
programs a year.
BAY AREA TEMPLE SOFTBALL (BATS)
CBS is an active participant in BATS, a Jewish softball league consisting of teams from six synagogues. Games are
played in south Marin every other Sunday from April through July. Teams are coed and players must be 18 or
older. This league is more about fun and camaraderie than competitiveness.
CBS BOOK CLUB
A book club for all readers: men, women, students, and teenagers. The Book Club meets one Sunday morning
each month, following morning minyan. All are welcome!
CBS BOOK CLUB FOR KIDS
We have two different book clubs for kids! One is designed for children in Grades 4 and 5, and focuses on Jewish
historical fiction. The other is for kids in Grades 6 – 8 who enjoy reading and discussing adolescent literature that
explores the Jewish experience in different times and places. Participants engage in a facilitated discussion with
Book Club leaders and the author of the book they have read. Dinner is served. The groups meet several times
each year.
CBS PARENTS BOOK CLUB
A book club for parents in the CBS community, the group comes together quarterly on a Shabbat School class day
to discuss books of interest to the participants.
CHICKEN SOUPERS
A volunteer group that prepares and delivers kosher meals to people with AIDS, chronic illness, disabilities, and
those who are homebound. This is a joint program with Congregation Sherith Israel through Jewish Family and
Children’s Services. Meetings are one Sunday per month. Cooking is from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Delivery begins at 3 p.m.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
A group dedicated to welcoming new members and helping them become involved in the CBS community. Our
Community Engagement Committee strives to integrate the mission and values of Beth Sholom with all
community events and also to serve as liaisons to the community.
DR. ERNEST M. WEITZ BREAKFAST CLUB
The Dr. Ernest M. Weitz Breakfast Club is a quarterly breakfast gathering featuring a thought-provoking guest
speaker. The Club is dedicated to increasing knowledge of contemporary Jewish issues and ideas. Many of the
speakers are leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area Jewish community. The Club meets on three to four Sunday
mornings each year at 9 a.m.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
A congregant group that helps shape CBS Family Preschool, Shabbat School, and Lifelong Learning
programming. This committee works closely with the CBS Director of Congregational Learning.
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GREETERS/HOSTS – KABBALAT SHABBAT & SHABBAT MORNING
Congregant volunteers who meet and greet other congregants and visitors at Friday night and Saturday morning
services. Greeting (sometimes called “hosting”) is a fun way to engage fellow members of the congregation and
the extended CBS community. Plus, it's super easy -- if you can smile, shake hands, and direct people to available
seating, you're totally qualified for this gig!
MAH JONGG
Your bubbe loved it! You can, too! Whether you’re a seasoned Mah Jongg player or someone who would like to
learn how to play, our Mah Jongg group invites you to join in their fun. The group meets every Wednesday at
6:30 p.m.
WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP
The Women’s Book Club offers an opportunity for members to meet and discuss books of Jewish and general
interest. Selected books are generally written by Jewish authors, or are popular novels or works of nonfiction.
Readings are selected based on group interest, book availability, author, and topic. The Women’s Book Club
meets on the third Thursday of most months at 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Beth Jones, Director of Membership & Development, [email protected], or 415.940.7092.
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OUR SCHOOLS
Congregation Beth Sholom’s integrated program is designed to bring Judaism into our everyday lives. Whether
it’s through our CBS Family Preschool, Shabbat School, special holiday programming, meditation workshops, or
Lifelong Learning (for adults), learners of all ages can gain insight into Judaism while enriching their lives
spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially. At CBS, Jewish values, culture, rituals, and texts all come alive
as they are learned in the context of modern life.
CBS FAMILY PRESCHOOL (ages 2 - 5)
The CBS Family Preschool enriches the lives of young children and their families by providing opportunities for
learning, creativity, exploration, and curiosity. Our school is inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia
approach to early childhood education. It is our belief that all children are competent learners, ready to explore
their environments, engage in social interactions, and construct their own learning. Play is essential to early
learning because it offers opportunities for children to build relationships with other children, with materials,
and with their environment. The strength of our preschool comes from the sense of community that is built
through family engagement.
Parent education workshops, ongoing teacher education, and individual counseling with families are also
integral parts of our program. The strength of our preschool comes from the sense of community that is built
through family participation.
Our preschool is infused with Judaic values and culture. Classroom experiences are guided by Jewish holidays
and traditions, demonstrated especially by our weekly All School Shabbat and havdalah rituals. Children also
learn about Judaica through stories, smells, tastes, sounds, and touch. By living our Jewish values, sharing
stories, singing songs, cooking, and celebrating the Jewish holidays together, we help to make Judaism a
meaningful part of each family’s life.
We offer an 11-month school year, September through July, with programs available five days a week from 8 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. for two- to five-year-olds, and a Pre-K class for four- and five-year-olds. We also offer a 4-week
summer program in July and August.
Contact: Katherine Friedman Barboni, Director of Early Childhood Education, [email protected], or
415.940.7124.
SHABBAT SCHOOL (Kindergarten through b’nai mitzvah)
In 2011, we launched our Shabbat School, our Shabbat-centered religious school program for children in
Kindergarten through b’nai mitzvah. The Shabbat School model is the result of research and discussion seeking
ways to deliver a curriculum more powerfully rooted in our core values of Torah, tefillah (prayer), and
community, and that prioritizes Shabbat as the center of Jewish life. Our school model familiarizes students with
Torah through study of each week's Torah portion and provides in-depth knowledge and familiarity with each
component of the Shabbat morning service. Through our innovative and engaging curriculum, our students are
better prepared for their bar/bat mitzvah and beyond.
While their children attend Shabbat School, parents are able to participate in adult education, traditional prayer,
or family-centered Shabbat services. At noon on Shabbat, parents and children are encouraged to join the
community for a delicious and joyful Kiddush.
nd
th
Our Shabbat School students in 2 – 6 grades meet on Thursday afternoons from 4 – 6 p.m. Our Shabbat School
th
students in Kindergarten – 6 grade meet on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Contact: Rebecca Goodman, Director of Youth Education, [email protected], or call the CBS office,
415.940.7098.
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B’NAI MITZVAH
Congregation Beth Sholom celebrates each bar and bat mitzvah with great joy. We view the period of b’nai
mitzvah training as a time for all family members to deepen their connection to our community. Our priority is to
ensure that this milestone is a positive educational and ritual experience for both the students and their families.
TRAINING PROCESS
One year before their bar or bat mitzvah date, each student begins one-on-one lessons with a CBS b’nai mitzvah
tutor. The student studies trope and learns to chant their Torah portion, their haftarah, the accompanying
blessings, and other parts of the Torah Service. The student also participates in a Shabbat School morning
program with other b’nai mitzvah candidates; during these weekly meetings, they discuss the ethical questions
that preoccupy every teenager, and also learn more about tefillah (prayer) and how to prepare a thoughtful drash
(an interpretive teaching about their assigned Torah reading).
During the course of their b’nai mitzvah preparation, each student must also complete a social-action project,
ideally working for a cause that resonates with him or her.
2 – 3 months prior to the bar/bat mitzvah date, the student will begin weekly meetings with Rabbi Glazer to
study their Torah portion and to further develop their d’var torah, the speech given on the day of the ceremony.
Contact: Henry Hollander, Volunteer B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator, [email protected], or
415.852.3905.
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YOUTH & TEEN GROUPS: KADIMA & USY
Congregation Beth Sholom’s youth and teen groups offer young community members a great way to explore
Judaism in a fun and social environment with their peers.
KADIMA (5TH-8TH grades)
Kadima is the international youth organization for Jewish pre-teens, sponsored by the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism. Activities include games, sports, social action, and learning about Jewish culture.
USY (9TH-12 grades)
United Synagogue Youth (USY), which is also affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism,
inspires Jewish teens across North America to explore, celebrate, and practice Jewish ethics and values, while
instilling in them a deep bond to the State of Israel and a sense of community responsibility. In the process, the
teens also learn more about life, friendship, religion, and leadership.
Contact: Rebecca Goodman, Director of Youth Education, [email protected], or call the CBS office,
415.940.7098.
SHUL-LINK
Shul-Link brings together teens from congregations throughout the Bay Area.
MADRICHIM
Our very successful Madrichim program gives our teens the opportunity to learn and assist younger students
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with their learning. Teens in 9 grade and above (who are 14 and older) are eligible for compensation for their
work.
HOT TOPICS FOR TEENS
Post b’nai mitzvah teens (ages 13 and older) are invited to learn with and from their peers and CBS Rabbinic
Intern Amanda Russell. Participating teens select topics of discussion which are explored through Jewish
thought and texts. Informal, drop-in study groups meet on four Shabbat mornings over the school year, 9:30 –
10:30 a.m., in the CBS Administrative Office meeting area.
Contact: Rebecca Goodman, Director of Youth Education, [email protected], or call the CBS office,
415.940.7098.
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LIFELONG LEARNING
Congregation Beth Sholom offers classes, casual learning opportunities, and social gatherings for adults designed
to bring Jewish values, culture, rituals, and texts into our everyday lives. We expand our social and cultural
horizons with visiting Jewish scholars, professors, Judaic art and photography exhibits, Jewish authors, political
pundits, artists, journalists, rabbis, and more. In addition, Beth Sholom plays a proactive role in the Bay Area
Jewish community, partnering with other Jewish and community-based organizations to co-sponsor special
lecture events, cultural and political presentations, and more.
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM: LEARNING FOR THE MIND, HEART, AND SOUL
Interested in converting to Judaism? Sharing your life with a Jew and want to crack the code? Jew-Curious? Our
engaging, university-accredited course is interactive and encourages questions, discussion, and hands-on
learning. No knowledge of Hebrew required, but you will be learning to read Hebrew as part of the class. 18
sessions taught by CBS congregant Henry Hollander.
NUGGETS OF WISDOM
Thematic halachic teachings from Maimonides to Rav Kook. Meets following morning minyan on Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. No knowledge of Hebrew is required. Taught by Rabbi Aubrey Glazer.
THE PILLAR OF PRAYER
A sixteen-session course subtitled Teachings of Contemplative Guidance in Prayer, Sacred Study, and the Spiritual
Life from the Ba’al Shem Tov and His Circle. No knowledge of Hebrew required, but students must pre-register
and purchase course book. Meets on Thursday mornings, following morning minyan. Taught by Rabbi Aubrey
Glazer.
PSALMS: A SHELTER IN THE WORD
Each week a different psalm is studied. The text is easily accessible, but the issues are full of complexity. Meets
on Shabbat afternoons at 4 or 5 p.m., depending on the time of year. No knowledge of Hebrew is required;
refreshments are served. Taught by Rabbi Aubrey Glazer.
TALMUD STUDY
Our Talmud study students learn as a group and at times in hevruta (with partners). No knowledge of Hebrew is
required, but a willingness to learn some vocabulary helps. Meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.,
immediately following evening minyan. Taught by Henry Hollander.
THINKING MATTERS: MODERN JEWISH PHILOSOPHY
Join our impressive line-up of teachers to wrestle with some of the exciting and challenging questions of modern
Jewish philosophy! Can there be such a thing as a Jewish philosophy, or a philosophy of Judaism? How have
Jewish traditions participated in the philosophical canon or in philosophical questioning in modern times? How
do Judaism and philosophy relate to the broader question of the modern relationship of ethics, religion, and
theology to philosophy? Meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30 or 7 p.m. Different sections taught by various
leaders.
ZIONISM MATTERS
Join our impressive line-up of teachers to unpack Zionism. Although we think we know what Zionism means, it
is always helpful to revisit its past and present, as well as to consider its future. This exciting new series will
explore Zionism through lectures, celebrations, and art exhibits.
Contact: Rabbi Aubrey Glazer, [email protected] or 415.221.8736.
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KEVAH
Kevah enables individuals to get together with friends and new friends in private homes to create an intimate
Jewish learning community described as “more a conversation than a class.” Each Kevah group is led by an
outstanding Jewish educator from the region. CBS currently has five active Kevah groups, each representing a
different demographic or topical focus. If you are interested in joining an existing CBS Kevah group or learning
more about creating a Kevah group of your own, please reach out to us!
Contact: Sonia Daccarett, [email protected].
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RABBI AUBREY L. GLAZER
Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer, Ph.D. is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Sholom. Prior to joining our synagogue
in 2014 he served as Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Community Center of Harrison (JCCH), New York. During his
tenure at JCCH, Rabbi Glazer brought stability and healing to the congregation, in addition to increasing
engagement in myriad innovative ways.
Rabbi Glazer envisions our Jewish tradition as evolving and nimble, designed to sustain and improve the
intellectual and spiritual potential within each of us, and to inspire us to act as agents of positive change in the
world. He celebrates “the inspiration that comes from learning, listening, questioning, questing, meditating, and
caring,” but insists that a rousing spiritual space cannot be created in isolation. The dynamism of our community
happens for Rabbi Glazer by connecting CBS members to one another as well as to both the unbroken chain of
our authentic, Jewish spiritual tradition and the urgent realities of contemporary life.
Rabbi Glazer is an esteemed scholar of hermeneutics, Jewish mysticism, and Hebrew poetry, and the recipient of
many awards for his research. He is the author of four books and has written, directed, and produced three short
films with Jewish themes, with a fourth film forthcoming.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Rabbi Glazer holds a B.A. in French Language and Literature (University of
Toronto), an M.A. in Jewish Philosophy (Jewish Theological Seminary Graduate School), and a Ph.D. in Hebrew
Hermeneutics (University of Toronto). He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York.
Rabbi Glazer is married to Elyssa Wortzman, an attorney and visual artist with experience teaching and creating
community programming for children and adults in the New York and Toronto Jewish communities. They have
one child.
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KATHERINE FRIEDMAN BARBONI, DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Katherine Friedman Barboni began working with young children and their families in 2003. She received her
B.S. in Human Development with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston,
Massachusetts, and her M.A. in Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Leadership from Mills College
in Oakland. Before joining the CBS Family Preschool, Katherine served as the Director of a small independent
preschool in Noe Valley, taught children of all ages at two of the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco's
preschools, and also served as Interim Director of one of the JCC schools.
Katherine believes that the earliest years of our lives shape us in fundamental ways, so the work teachers do with
young children is profoundly important. She feels incredibly lucky to spend her time with children and their
families.
Katherine was born in Hartford, Connecticut. She lived in London, England, during her teenage years, and
moved to San Francisco in 2006. She lives in the city with her husband, Gerard Barboni, and their daughter,
Claire.
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REBECCA GOODMAN, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH EDUCATION
Rebecca Goodman has been involved as a Jewish educator and administrator in the Bay Area for two decades.
Before joining the CBS staff, she served as the Director of Education overseeing the joint religious school
program of Congregations Beth Israel Judea and B’nai Emunah. Rebecca’s passion for Jewish learning and
experience in forging connections with the communities she has served make her a supremely qualified religious
school leader.
After falling in love with Judaism as a child at Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City, Rebecca attended
Jewish summer camps, traveled to Israel, and served as a madricha and President of her United Synagogue Youth
(USY) chapter. Although she studied engineering as an undergraduate, she remained connected to the Jewish
community by teaching religious school. Soon, she realized that her passion for helping Jewish youth connect to
their Jewish heritage was stronger than her desire to build bridges.
Rebecca graduated from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion with a master’s degree in Jewish
Education and a master’s degree in Jewish Communal Service. She earned the title “Reform Jewish Educator” in
2007. This title is granted to those who fulfill “extremely stringent academic requirements in the areas of
education, educational administration, and Judaic studies plus a supervised educational internship.” Rebecca has
also worked for the Bureau of Jewish Education in Los Angeles, served as Director of Contra Costa Midrasha,
and as Director of Education at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo and Congregation Beth Israel Judea in
San Francisco. She lives on the Peninsula with her husband and two young children.
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JOIN US
Congregation Beth Sholom is a place to pray, celebrate, and learn. It is a place of solace and refuge,
contemplation and elation, song and discovery. It is a place where personal choice is respected and lifetime
friendships are made. With open hearts and minds, we honor tradition and embrace change. For over 350
families, Congregation Beth Sholom is home, an accessible and authentic community built upon sacred
relationships, where people join together to grow spiritually and make sense of what it means to be Jewish in our
world today.
Any Jewish individual or household – we require that at least one member of the family be Jewish – that wants
to become a part of the CBS community is encouraged to join. No one will ever be turned away from
Congregation Beth Sholom due to personal circumstances or financial constraints.
The financial means of the individuals and families that make up the CBS family are diverse; not everyone can
contribute at the same level. If CBS provides you with a sustaining community and meaningful experiences, we
ask you to make an annual financial commitment you are comfortable with. In addition, because volunteers and
lay leaders are the backbone of our congregation, we celebrate those who liberally donate their time and talents
to satisfy the ongoing needs of the community.
Whether you can offer financial or human capital — or both — to CBS, we genuinely value each person’s
contributions, talents, and dedication. The generous personality and soul of our community is enhanced by the
unique gifts of each member, including those of our clergy, staff, and lay leadership.
Contact: Beth Jones, Director of Membership & Development, [email protected], or 415.940.7092.
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MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Please attach your photograph(s) so we can recognize you when you come to services and events.
ADULT MEMBER 1
ADULT MEMBER 2
Mr._____ Mrs._____ Ms._____ Dr._____
Mr._____ Mrs._____ Ms.____ Dr._____
Name:______________________________________________
Name:_______________________________________________
Birthdate:__________________________ M_____ F_____
Birthdate:___________________________ M_____ F_____
Are you Jewish? *Yes_____ *No_____
Are you Jewish? *Yes_____ *No_____
Are you a: *Cohen_____? *Levi_____ ?
Are you a: *Cohen_____? *Levi_____?
Hebrew Name:_______________________________________
Hebrew Name:________________________________________
Religious Affiliation (if not Jewish):___________________
Religious Affiliation (if not Jewish):____________________
Occupation:__________________________________________
Occupation:__________________________________________
Company Name:______________________________________
Company Name:______________________________________
Business Phone:______________________________________
Business Phone:______________________________________
E-Mail:_______________________________________________
E-Mail:______________________________________________
If you are unsure about the meaning of these terms, please contact Beth Jones, Director of Membership & Development,
at [email protected] or 415.940.7092. If you do not have a Hebrew name and are interested in choosing one and
participating in a naming ceremony at the synagogue, please contact Beth Jones.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOME ADDRESS
Street:__________________________________________________________City:_________________________Zip:_________________
Home Phone:_____________________Cell Phone:_____________________E-mail:_________________________________________
If married, date of marriage:_______________________________________________________________________________________
If you are joining as an individual but have a spouse or partner and would like his/her name to be included in mailings
and the directory, please provide us with his/her name:_____________________________________________________________
How would you like your mail to be addressed?:_____________________________________________________________________
Preferred correspondence salutation: Dear__________________________________________________________________________
The policy of Congregation Beth Sholom is to welcome anyone who is interested in Judaism. Membership does require
that one family member be Jewish (please indicate above). We welcome individuals and family members to participate in
our events and activities as is appropriate and encourage their involvement. It is expected that all members make a
commitment each year to help support the general operations of the synagogue.
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CHILDREN
OLDEST CHILD:____________________________________________________ Birthdate:________________ M_____ F_____
First Name
Last Name
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of school/current grade:_____________________________________Bar/Bat Mitzvah Date:________________________
Will your child be enrolled in our Shabbat School program? Yes_____ No_____ If so, when?_____________________
Will your child be enrolled in the CBS Family Preschool? Yes_____ No_____ If so, when?:__________________________
SECOND CHILD:____________________________________________________ Birthdate:________________ M_____ F_____
First Name
Last Name
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of school/current grade:_____________________________________Bar/Bat Mitzvah Date:________________________
Will your child be enrolled in our Shabbat School program? Yes_____ No_____ If so, when?_____________________
Will your child be enrolled in the CBS Family Preschool? Yes_____ No_____ If so, when?:__________________________
THIRD CHILD:____________________________________________________ Birthdate:________________ M_____ F______
First Name
Last Name
Address:________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of school/current grade:_____________________________________Bar/Bat Mitzvah Date:________________________
Will your child be enrolled in our Shabbat School program? Yes_____ No_____ If so, when?_____________________
Will your child be enrolled in the CBS Family Preschool? Yes_____ No_____ If so, when?:__________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YAHRZEIT NOTICES
The synagogue will send yahrzeit reminder notices for your loved ones corresponding to their date of passing on the
Jewish calendar. Please assist us by providing the following information.
#1 FIRST AND LAST NAME OF DECEASED:_________________________________________________________________
Hebrew Name (Transliteration):_________________________________________________________________________________
Date of Death (include year and if before or after sunset):________________________________________________________
Relationship:__________________________________________________________ To Member 1:_____ To Member 2:_____
#2 FIRST AND LAST NAME OF DECEASED:_________________________________________________________________
Hebrew Name (Transliteration):_________________________________________________________________________________
Date of Death (include year and if before or after sunset):_________________________________________________________
Relationship:___________________________________________________________ To Member 1:_____ To Member 2:_____
#3 FIRST AND LAST NAME OF DECEASED:_________________________________________________________________
Hebrew Name (Transliteration):_________________________________________________________________________________
Date of Death (include year and if before or after sunset):_________________________________________________________
Relationship:___________________________________________________________ To Member 1:_____ To Member 2:_____
PLEASE LET US KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU!
Do you have relatives or friends in our congregation? If yes, please list their names and, if family, their
relationship to you:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUR BACKGROUND
Tell us what brings you to Congregation Beth Sholom. Where are you on your “Jewish journey”? What have your
previous experiences been at other synagogues? What experiences in any Jewish community have been the most
enriching and inspiring to you? Which have been the most difficult?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUR TALENTS
As a self-sustaining community, Beth Sholom depends upon the wide-ranging talent, expertise, and involvement of our
members. What do you do well? What passions, abilities, and interests do you bring that would enrich your experience
and help strengthen our community? Examples include: working with children; interest in community building;
development experience; social action/social justice; web design; Israel education and awareness; cooking; public
speaking; teaching; singing; music and arts; event coordinating; reading Torah; leading services; marketing and
communications; construction; wine; film.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUR OTHER COMMITMENTS
Many CBS members support other causes or organizations: Please tell us about any of your community affiliations,
nonprofit work, and other interests:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SYNAGOGUE INVOLVEMENT
We welcome and encourage you to share your time and talents with our synagogue community. Our many groups,
activities, and committees provide a great way to become involved and meet other members. Please put your name(s)
beside the activities that interest you:
GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
_____________ | _____________ Achshav Yisrael (Israel-focused programming: art, culture, science technology, social
issues, the history of Zionism, etc.)
_____________ | _____________ Lifelong Learning (Adult education classes, lectures, and more.)
_____________ | _____________ BATS - Bay Area Temple Softball (Eight game season, April through July.)
_____________ | _____________ Book Club for Kids (Two book clubs for kids of different ages. Meets several times a year.)
_____________ | _____________ CBS Book Club (A book club for all readers. Meets monthly on a Sunday morning.)
_____________ | _____________ Chicken Soupers (Prepare and deliver kosher meals for homebound and ill.)
_____________ | _____________ Community Engagement (Welcome and involve new members. Integrate
CBS mission and values in all community engagement activities.)
_____________ | _____________ Daily Minyan (Our daily morning and evening prayer service.)
_____________ | _____________ Dr. Ernest M. Weitz Breakfast Club (Increasing involvement in Jewish issues
through quarterly breakfast meetings featuring guest speakers.)
_____________ | _____________ Education Committee (Congregant group that helps shape CBS Family Preschool, Shabbat
School, and Lifelong Learning Programming.)
_____________ | _____________ Event Volunteers (If you’d like to lend a hand during special programs, we always need the
help!)
_____________ | _____________ Greeters/Hosts – Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Morning (Meet and greet
congregants and visitors at Friday night and Saturday morning services.)
_____________ | _____________ Kevah Learning (Jewish learning for adults in informal settings – living room, etc.)
_____________ | _____________ Kiddush Cooking (A fun group preparing meals for Kiddush and special events.)
_____________ | _____________ Mah Jongg (Join the game every Wednesday evening. No experience necessary.)
_____________ | _____________ Makom Sholom (“A place of peace.” Our meditation space.)
_____________ | _____________ Membership Group (Welcome and involve new members. Help to integrate new members
into the CBS community.)
_____________ | _____________ Parents’ Book Group (Book club for parents in the community. Meets quarterly.)
_____________ | _____________ PJ Shabbat (Vibrant Kabbalat Shabbat services for families with young children.)
_____________ | _____________ Women’s Book Club (Discuss books of Jewish content and general interest.)
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MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT FORM
JULY 1, 2016 – JUNE 30, 2017
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your financial support of Congregation Beth Sholom. Please indicate your 2016–17 pledge below, and
consider becoming part of the Parnas Fellowship.
The Building Fund is an annual membership pledge to accumulate funds for necessary building repairs and maintenance.
We rely on our members to contribute to our kind and caring community through financial and volunteer support. Please
support our congregation as generously as you can.
FULL MEMBERSHIP
2 ADULTS
1 ADULT
Adult(s) with
Children up to Age 25
$2,425 + $425 Building Fund
$1,215 + $215 Building Fund
Adult(s)
$2,200 + $425 Building Fund
$1,100 + $215 Building Fund
Adults Under 30 and
Low Income Seniors
$1,200 + $425 Building Fund
$ 600 + $215 Building Fund
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP – Associate membership is available to persons and families affiliated with another synagogue
and/or who live outside of the Bay Area. High Holy Day tickets are not included with Associate Memberships.
Adult(s)
2 ADULTS
1 ADULT
$1,200 + $425 Building Fund
$ 600 + $215 Building Fund
PARNAS FELLOWSHIP MEMBERSHIP
2 ADULTS
1 ADULT
Rosh Pina (Cornerstone)
$36,000 + $600 Building Fund
$24,000 + $600 Building Fund
Tzedek (Devoted)
$18,000 + $600 Building Fund
$12,000 + $600 Building Fund
Koach (Strength
$10,800 + $600 Building Fund
$ 7,200 + $600 Building Fund
Amit (Fellow)
$ 5,400 + $600 Building Fund
$ 3,600 + $600 Building Fund
Chaver (Friend)
$ 3,600 + $600 Building Fund
$ 2,400 + $600 Building Fund
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full amount now
Quarterly (July & October 2016, January & April 2017)
Monthly
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Check enclosed
Automated Check Handling (see reverse side)
Credit/Debit Card
A 3% Processing Fee will be added to all credit card and debit card payments.
Name on card
Appreciated Securities
Signature
Visa/MasterCard/Discover Card
Exp. Date
CCV# back of card
In keeping with our faith and vision, no Jewish person will be turned away from membership due to an inability to
provide financial support to our community. Please contact Beth Jones, Director of Membership Services & Operations,
at 415.940.7092 or [email protected] if you need to discuss a dues adjustment.
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO:
Congregation Beth Sholom, Attn: Beth Jones
301 14th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118
[email protected]; Phone: 415.940.7092; Fax: 415.221.3944
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