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Pg. 21 The South Bay's guide to the - National Challah Bake pg. 8 South Bay March of the Living pg. 10 Maccabiah Games Highlights pg. 16 Get Your ...
The South Bay’s
   guide to the

                             pg. 21
National Challah Bake pg. 8
South Bay March of the Living pg. 10
Maccabiah Games Highlights pg. 16
Get Your Laugh On pg. 20
Pg. 21 The South Bay's guide to the - National Challah Bake pg. 8 South Bay March of the Living pg. 10 Maccabiah Games Highlights pg. 16 Get Your ...
HIGH HOLY DAYS COMMUNITY GREETINGS
May the joyful sound of the shofar welcome     Wishing us all a year of Acceptance,
   in a new year of health & happiness!           Compassion and Tolerance
Susan, Lee, Abigail, Daniel & Sarah Gavens   From all of us at CHAIM www.thechaim.org

  Wishing all of you a sweet, healthy and     ‘Shanah Tovah u’metukah from
            Happy New Year.
  From our family to yours, the Sweedlers           Temple Emanu-El

           Shanah Tovah                      For the South Bay’s most comprehensive
          To You & Yours!                        listing of High Holy Days services
                                                 and events, check out our events
           Jyl & David Jurman                       calendar starting on page 21!
Pg. 21 The South Bay's guide to the - National Challah Bake pg. 8 South Bay March of the Living pg. 10 Maccabiah Games Highlights pg. 16 Get Your ...
WHAT’SINSIDE
                                                                                  Around The Community.................................................. 4
                                                                                  Simchas................................................................................ 5
                                                                                  Weddings............................................................................. 6
                                                                                  Obituaries............................................................................ 6
                                                                                  Time to Get Your Bake On.............................................. 8
                                                                                  Making Time for the High Holy Days........................... 9
                                                                                  Sunnyvale Doctor Organizations MOL...................... 10
                                                                                  Hadassah Meets With Congresswoman......................11
                                                                                  Having Difficult Conversations.....................................12

Celebrating The New Year                                                          Traveling Holocaust Museum........................................13
                                                                                  What’s Your Legacy..........................................................14
5778 With New Beginnings                                                          Republican or Democratic Food Pantry? No!............15
                                                                                  Maccabiah Games............................................................16
With the High Holy Days upon us, we’re spending time
reflecting on the past year and looking forward to what’s coming next.            Kehillah Habitat Restoration......................................... 17
    The Federation is kicking into high gear with all sorts of exciting events.   Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival................................19
Women’s Philanthropy’s Dignity Drive is going on now through October
26. WP is working with the Grateful Garment Project to accept donations           Get Your Laugh On.........................................................20
of sports bras for women who are victims of sexual assault.                       Divine Comedies at the APJCC.....................................20
    Scotch & Ribs in the Sukkah is a very popular event. Partnering with
Congregation Beth David (CBD), it will be on October 8 in the CBD Sukkah.         Events Calendar................................................................21
It’s a great opportunity to eat, drink and socialize.
    October 18 brings us Dr. Paula Kushlan, a medical oncologist with
                                                                                  High Holy Days Events Calendar................................. 22
Stanford University who will discuss advances in breast cancer treatment.         The Lighter Side..............................................................30
    On October 26, our annual challah baking event, Do The Twist, takes
place in the Levy Family Campus auditorium.                                       Professional Directory...................................................30
    The Mah Jongg Tournament is on December 3 co-sponsored by the
APJCC and the Federation.
    And this year’s Super Sunday event will have a birthday theme in honor
of Israel’s 70th. We hope you can join us to make calls. When your phone
rings, please answer the call to help our community.                                              facebook                                                   twitter
    The preparation for Israel’s 70th birthday celebration on campus is                           jewishsiliconvalley                                        @jewishsv
starting to take shape. Mark your calendars for April 15 to begin the
festivities. Follow us on social media and keep your eyes on these pages to
be among the first to know what exciting things are taking place.                                                           instagram
    Stay up to date on all the events and happenings at the Federation by                                                   jewishsiliconvalley
visiting the website, jvalley.org, and click on the “calendar” link.
    To start this New Year, we’re welcoming two new staff members. Roni
Wolfe is our Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, focusing on the PJ
Library program, Women’s Philanthropy and Giving Circle. Marci Gordon
is our new Chief Development Officer, who will be helping to develop new
strategic fundraising and outreach directions for the Federation.
    We hope you’re enjoying the new magazine format. JValley Magazine
is the South Bay’s Jewish voice. We need you to support the magazine.
If you own or manage a business, or know someone who does, please
consider purchasing an ad. The rates are very competitive for comparable
publications. If you aren’t already a free subscriber, join our mailing list.              14855 Oka Rd., Suite 200 • Los Gatos, CA 95032
    Above everything else, we want to hear from you. What kinds of things                   Phone (408) 357-7502 • Fax: (408) 356-0733
would you like us to talk about? Send us a message through social media.
Sign up for our email newsletter (text JEWISHVALLEY to 22828). Talk to us           JEWISH FEDERATION CEO                          Jyl Jurman • jyl@jvalley.org
in the hallways of the Levy Family Campus. And call either of us anytime.                                                          (408) 357-7500
Remember, we’re your Federation.                                                    EXECUTIVE EDITOR
                                                                                    ADVERTISING & BILLING                          Jeff Rosenplot • jeff@jvalley.org
    We wish you and your love ones a good and healthy 5778,                                                                        (408) 357-7502
    L’Shana Tova,
                                                                                    EDITORIAL ASSISTANT                            Pat Bergman

                                                                                    SIMCHAS & OBITUARIES                           Andrea Greyber
 Joel           Susan                                                                                                              andrea.greyber@gmail.com
                                                                                                                                   (408) 377-6224

 Joel Rubnitz and Susan Gavens                                                      Published six times per year by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. We reserve the right
 Presidents, Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley                                     to edit all content. JValley Magazine is not responsible for the content of paid advertising.

                                                                                            Online at jvalley.org/news
Pg. 21 The South Bay's guide to the - National Challah Bake pg. 8 South Bay March of the Living pg. 10 Maccabiah Games Highlights pg. 16 Get Your ...
AROUND THE COMMUNITY
                                                                                       Jewish Family Services

                                                                                                                                                         Bonnie and Zoey with donated
                                                                                                                                                         backpacks: Bonnie Slavitt and her
                                                                                                                                                         grand-daughter Zoey purchased
                                                                                                                                                         and packed backpacks for needy
                                                                                                                                                         students three years in a row
                                                                                                                                                         for the JFS’ Equipped to Learn
                                                                                                                                                         Backpack Drive
    Teen volunteers in front of board: Local teens spend their summers
                                                                                       Avital, Yanex and Lisa at Chai House BB: Avital Agam,
    volunteering with Jewish Family Services. They’ve helped with a food drive
                                                                                       Yanex Orellana and Lisa Warner are part of the JFS
    for refugees, Equipped to Learn Backpack Drive, creating Mitzvah Hero
                                                                                       team at Chai House.
    buttons and much more. L to r: Sam Chazin, Arthur Gatin, Guy Zuk, Leo
    Michels, Sharanya Suresh, Eileen Chen. JFS is always looking for more teen
    volunteers. Contact Sheila Monheit, JFS Volunteer Coordinator at sheilam@
    jfssv.org or (408) 357-7451                                                                                                                                      Will and friends with
                                                                                                                                                                     donated supplies – L.
                                                                                                                                                                     to R.: Kimi Yashar, Will
                                                                                                                                                                     Yashar, and their friends
                                                                                                                                                                     JJ and Chloe stepped up
                                                                                                                                                                     to help local students
                                                                                                                                                                     be Equipped to Learn
                                                                                                                                                                     this school year at the
                                                                                                                                                                     JFS backpack drive. Will
                                                             Dorene Kastelman,                                                                                       asked his bar mitzvah
                                                             Elise Wessels, and                                                                                      guests to give backpacks
                                                             Betsy Arnstein at                                                                                       instead of presents,
                                                             JFS’ recent Volunteer                                                                                   and collected over 20
                                                             Appreciation Ice                                                                                        backpacks and $2000.
                                                             Cream Social

                                                                           Rain Pryor Highlights
                                                                           Rain Pryor took the APJCC Auditorium stage at the Levy Family Campus on August 27 and there wasn’t
                                                                           a seat in the house that wasn’t roaring with laughter. Poignant, hilarious and heartwarming, Pryor’s
                                                                           show was only exceeded by her graciousness with her audience afterwards.

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Pg. 21 The South Bay's guide to the - National Challah Bake pg. 8 South Bay March of the Living pg. 10 Maccabiah Games Highlights pg. 16 Get Your ...
S I M C H A S
 Births                                                                                             Karlie Gold
                                                                                                    Daughter of Jamie & Ken Gold was
                                                   Libby & Micah Witkin                             called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah
                                       Daniel & Shanda Witkin of                                    on August 26 at Temple Emanu-
                                       Congregation Shir Hadash are                                 El. She is an honor roll student at
                                       blessed to announce the birth of                             Monroe Middle School where she
                                       Libby Shira and Micah Ilan. The                              starts 8th grade. Karlie is a dedicated
                                       twins arrived on April 4. Asher is                           dancer and has been dancing
                                       a proud and helpful big brother.                             competitively (mainly jazz and tap) for
                                       The newly enlarged family is                                 over six years: she currently studies
                                       surviving with the amazing help of                           at T & Company Dance Center
                                       grandparents, Lou & Janet Witkin                             in Campbell. She is active in the
                                       of Congregation Beth David and                               National Charity League and National Junior Honor Society. Previously,
 Steve & Kolet Kaplowitz (formerly of Temple Emanu-El).                                             she was involved in Girl Scouts; she has enjoyed dancing in her school
                                                                                                    musical productions. In her spare time, Karlie enjoys watching YouTube
 Sarah Jacobson Rita & Jerry                                                                        videos, going to the theater, and hanging with friends at Starbucks and
 Jacobson of Congregation Sinai are                                                                 the mall. For her Mitzvah Project, Karlie is incorporating her love of
 pleased to announce the birth of their                                                             makeup by collecting new make-up products, creating new makeup
 great-granddaughter, Sara Jacobson                                                                 goodie bags and donating them to women impacted by domestic violence
 on June 19. She weighed 6 pounds                                                                   who might need a boost to their self esteem. Working in conjunction with
 and 9 ounces. Sara is the daughter                                                                 Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence and Shalom Bayit, Karlie hopes
 of Nechemia & Chaya Jacobson of                                                                    to help these women feel better about themselves during a difficult time
 Jerusalem and the little sister of Yosef                                                           in their lives.
 Mendel. Her grandparents are Rabbi
 David & Emily Jacobson of Los Angeles                                                                                                    Adam Ian Zbriger
 and Yehuda & Bella Hoschander of                                                                                                         Son of David & Adina Zbriger was called to
                                Toronto,                                                                                                  the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on August 26 at
                                Canada.                                                                                                   Peninsula Temple Shalom in Burlingame. He
                                                                                                                                          is the older brother of Shaina Zbringer and
                                      Rylie Jo Fuchs Rylie Jo Fuchs was                                                                   is an eighth grade honor student at Parkside
                                      welcomed into the Cohen and Fuchs                                                                   Intermediate School in San Bruno. Adam
                                      Families July 17. She is named after her                                                            is the grandson of Zevika & Helen Salles of
                                      maternal great-grandmothers, Ruth                                                                   San Francisco and Rich & Carol Zbriger of
                                      and Josephine, and her paternal great-                                                              San Jose. Adam enjoys reading, artificial
                                      grandfather, Joseph. Rylie’s parents are                                                            intelligence, music playing the drums,
                                      Derek & Danielle Fuchs of Mesa, AZ and                                                              and anything to do with Star Wars. For his
                                      her grandparents are Jim & Julie Fuchs of                                                           Mitzvah Project he volunteers every week
                                      Sebring FL, and Barry & Mary Cohen of                                                               to tutor kids at Burlingame Library. Guests
                                      Saratoga and longtime members of Temple                                                             came from all over the U.S. and Israel to
                                      Emanu-El.                                                                                           celebrate this Simcha.

                                                                                                    Oren Kagel
                                                                                                    Son of Eric & Pazit Kagel was called to the

 Called to the
                                                                                                    Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Sinai
                                                                                                    on September 9. He is the younger brother
                                                                                                    of Adam and Danielle and was happy to
 Torah                                                                                              follow in their footsteps. Oren is a seventh
                                                                                                    grader at Fisher Middle School. He enjoys
                                                                                                    swimming and playing with his dog, Nico.
 Emma Josephs                                                                                       His grandparents, Ina & David Kagel of Los
 Daughter of Jerald Josephs & Deborah                                                               Angeles, were happy to attend this festive
 Ong was called to the Torah as a Bat                                                               occasion. His maternal grandparents, Yona &
 Mitzvah on August 12. Emma lives in Santa                                                          Tamar of Israel could not be there.
 Clara with her parents and her older sister
 Sela, 15. Emma is an eighth grader at Hyde Middle School, where she
 enjoys creative as well as academic classes. She loves animals, music and
 writing. Emma particularly enjoys playing bass clarinet in the school band
                               and is looking forward to continuing to study                              To submit Simchas or obituaries, contact Andrea Greyber via email
                               music in the future.                                                       at andrea.greyber@gmail.com or by phone at (408) 377-6224.

                                      Sarah Silverberg-Rajna
                                      Daughter of Shana & Hugo Silverberg-Rajna
                                      was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on
                                      August 12 at Temple Beth Torah in Fremont.
                                      Sarah attends Hopkins Junior High School.                                                            Stay Connected.
                                      Her sister is Judith Silverberg-Rajna. Beloved
                                      grandparents are Jussi & Lena Rajna of                                                             Text JEWISHVALLEY
                                      San Jose and Darby & Ana Silverberg of
                                      Manhattan Beach, CA. The highlight of each                                                                to 22828
                                      year for her is attending URJ Camp Newman.

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C O R R E C T I O N
                                                                                                In the Summer 2017 issue of JValley Magazine, we inadvertently placed
                                                                                                     Henry Jules Thailer’s photograph with Sydney Levin’s obituary.
                                                                                                               We sincerely apologize for any confusion.

                                                                                        SYDNEY LEVIN
                                                                                        July 21, 1923 – May 12, 2017
                                                                                              Sydney Levin passed away peacefully at his home in Los Gatos,
                                                                                        a man passionate about life who loved and was loved by his family,
                                                                                        friends, and colleagues. He was born in Palo Alto, the youngest in a
                                                                                        family of nine brothers and sisters. He graduated from Palo Alto High
                                                                                        School and Stanford University and served his country in World War
                                                                                        II. After the war, he returned to Palo Alto, married Virginia Larsen with
                                                                                        whom he had two children, Gary and Ginny. He entered the scrap metal
                                                                                        business in San Jose with his brothers David and Richard Levin, building
                                                                                        and operating successful businesses. He retired to enjoy life and family.
                                                                                        From there he created and operated his own real estate development
                                                                                        business.
                                                                                              Syd was a lifelong supporter of the arts. He and Virginia were
                                                                                        patrons of the San Jose Civic Light Opera and worked to build the
Megan Leigh Parkins and Adam Scott Hendrickson                                          Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. They established the Ginny
                                                                                        Awards scholarships for the arts. He generously supported the Boys
     Megan Leigh Parkins and Adam Scott Hendrickson were married                        and Girls Club and the Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose. Syd was a
on July 8 in Chicago, IL at the Metropolitan Club in Willis Tower. Rabbi                lifelong member and supporter of Temple Emanu-El in San Jose.
Michael Sommer officiated.                                                                    Syd and Peggy Eller married in 2000 and enjoyed a loving marriage
     The bride is the daughter of Patti Levin and Thomas Parkins, and                   for 17 years. They were avid horsemen and enjoyed riding their
the granddaughter of Sunie and Leon Levin. Megan graduated from                         Tennessee Walkers throughout California. Syd continued riding to the
Clemson University and works as the Marketing and Communications                        age of 90.
Coordinator at Temple Emanu-El in San Jose.                                                   Boulder Creek was Syd’s great garden. He loved the forest and
     The groom is the son of Terri and Scott Hendrickson and the                        the trees, especially the “Spooning Tree” at Boulder Creek. He built his
grandson of Lynn and Ray Hendrickson and Howard and Barbara Bame.                       home in Boulder Creek from a tiny cabin into a family compound with
Adam attended Purdue University for both his bachelor’s and master’s                    paths, trails, barns and so much more. It always brought a sparkle to
degrees and works for Nvidia on their Computer Architecture team.                       his eye when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren wanted to
     Adam and Megan fell in love in 2010 on the beaches of Lake                         go to Boulder Creek and ride horses with him. Syd made many happy
Michigan while in high school and maintained a long-distance                            memories for his family.
relationship throughout college. They now live in San Jose and are                            Syd is survived by his loving wife Peggy, son Gary, daughter Ginny
looking forward to their European honeymoon this October.                               Heldebrant (Charles), grandchildren Jonathan Levin (Ariel), Marc Levin
                                                                                        (Jennifer), Diana Levin (Evan Ben-Artzi), Michael Heldebrant (Jill) and
                                                                                        David Heldebrant (Elizabeth), and great-grandchildren Henry and Avery
                                                                                        Levin, Asher Levin, Ezra Ben-Artzi, Donar and Tyrus Heldebrant, Abigail
                                                                                        and Bryce Heldebrant.
                                                                                              Donations in lieu of flowers to Temple Emanu-El, the Alzheimer’s
                                                                                        Foundation, or to the charity of your choice.

                                                                                        HENRY JULES THAILER
                                                                                        January 25, 1935 –
                                                                                        June 2, 2017
                                                                                             Henry Thailer was the son of
                                                                                        Mollie and Benjamin Thailer and
                                                                                        was born in New York City. He
                                                                                        attended public schools in Brooklyn
                                                                                        and earned a bachelor’s degree
                                                                                        in civil engineering from City
                                                                                        College of New York. He went on to

      Happy Rosh Hashana!
                                                                                        receive a Ph.D. from CCNY in civil
                                                                                        engineering as well and later went
                                                                                        on to wrote code for the Nuclear
                                                                                        Energy Commission.
                                                                                             He married Carol Pollak in
                              Rosa Bencuya                 Realtor®                     March of 1962. They moved to San
                              408.499.2077                                              Jose in 1975 and joined Temple
                              rosa@apr.com                                              Emanu-El at that time. They raised their three daughters Deborah
                              HomeByRosa.com                                            (Randy) Blumagen, Lisa (Greg) Wiviott and Jennifer (Steven) Winter in San
                              Serving Buyers and Sellers in Diverse                     Jose.
                              Communities of Silicon Valley                                  Henry is survived by his wife, his three daughters and grandchildren
                                                                                        Alexis and Tawny Blumagen, Max, Mollie, Lilli and Annabelle Wiviott and
                             Call Today for More Information                            Austin, Carson and Jaxson Winter. He is also survived by his sister Sue
                                                                                        Wolf of Boca Raton.
                                                                                             Henry was a quiet man who lived with the vision of the prophet
                                                                 APR.COM                Micah in his mind. He sought justice in the world, was kind to others and
                                                                                        walked humbly with his friends and family. Donations in Henry’s memory
                                                                                        may be made to Temple Emanu-El or the American Cancer Society.

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CARRIE SOGG                                                                                        O B I T U A R I E S
October 31, 1962 - July 9, 2017
     Carrie Sogg died in Brooklyn, NY after a long illness. The daughter of
Richard Sogg of Los Gatos and the late Joyce Sogg of Los Gatos, Carrie leaves
her husband Ralph Bonheim and son Stefan Bonheim, 12, of Brooklyn, NY, as
well as her brother David Sogg of Pittsburgh, PA. Carrie was gifted, funny,
and multi-talented. She lived three lives—as an animal lover, artist, and social
                                                                                                            Los Gatos Memorial Park
worker. At age nine she acquired her first animal, a German Shepherd. From                                                          Shalom Garden
elementary through high school, she owned and trained two horses—first,
Bianca, a Welsh mare pony, and then Toy’s Flick-a-Spot, an Appaloosa—and won
                                                                                                              Serving the Bay Area Jewish community since 1889
many ribbons in arena shows and trail obstacle course events. While living in                                     Peaceful, park-like setting overlooking Santa Cruz Mountains
New York, she trained two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels—Bica and Cricket;
one became a therapy animal and both accompanying Carrie’s bird watching in
Prospect Park.                                                                                             *Pre Plan and receive a discount
     A graduate of Saratoga High School, Carrie earned a degree in art from                                *Graveside Ceremonies in a serene setting
UC-Davis. Her friends benefited from her talent through annual New Year’s
                                                                                                           *Upright monuments available
cards that always contained a visual pun based on the year, fanciful animals,
and (frequently) implicit political commentary. Her writing skills earned her                              *Trained funeral professionals
posts as a copy writer for prestigious New York firms. Her desire to benefit                               *Traditional caskets and ritual services
others led her to obtain a Masters in Social Work at Columbia University and
to work for several Brooklyn agencies. Though taken from us too soon, Carrie’s
passion, spirit, and wit persist in memories of her life and in the lives of her
husband and son, to whom so much of her life was devoted. Contributions in                                           2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., San Jose, CA 95124
Carrie’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood, Audubon Society, Good                                                       www.losgatosmemorialpark.com

                                                                                                                             (408) 356-4151
Dog Foundation, ACLU, or another organization.

MARTIN LEWIS STARR
January 12, 1948 - August 21, 2017
                                                      Born in Chicago, IL, Martin died
                                                      in Nashville, TN. He is survived by                                            Darling-Fischer Mortuaries
                                                      his mother Maureen Starr, sisters                    Chapel of the Hills            Garden Chapel            Campbell Memorial Chapel
                                                      Nina and Debra Starr, brother Josh                   615 N. Santa Cruz Ave.         471 E. Santa Clara St.   231 E. Campbell Ave.
                                                      Starr, son Zeke Starr and former wife                Los Gatos, CA 95030            San Jose, CA 95112       Campbell, CA 95008
                                                      Kandance Starr.                                      (408) 354-7740                 (408) 998-2226           (408) 379-5010
                                                                                                           FD940                          FD557                    FD898
                                             Martin was a friend, mentor and
                                             example to so many men and women                                                           www.darlingandfischer.com
                                             both in Nashville and California. He
                                             lived simply and was never concerned
                                             with worldly things. People and
                                             relationships meant more to him
                                             and he had his priorities straight.
                                             Professionally for the past 40 years
                                             Martin was a licensed Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Counselor for adults, adolescents and families working in San
Rafael and San Cruz. He moved to Nashville in 1993. He worked as a group
therapist for the Center for Professional Excellence, C.P.E, before retiring in
2015. He had tirelessly devoted himself to helping others live a sober and sane
life. Martin had a gift for deep listening and hearing the pain in people’s lives,
an ability to see the truth, a quick wit and a brilliant mind. Martin wrote songs
and sang all of his life.

Martin had cancer. He’d fought this cancer for seven years and died at home
surrounded by love, hours before the eclipse on August 21. We his family are
grateful for the assistance provided by Alive Hospice Care in his final weeks.

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Time to Get Your Bake On
by Jeff Rosenplot
                                                                                                                                (Pictured) Diligent bakers at the 2016 “Let’s Twist
                                                                                                                                Again” Challah Bake event.

    The only thing we can all agree on when it comes to challah is that our recipe is the best. Plain, salted, glazed, full of fruit or gluten-free,
challah’s magic comes from its individuality. Challah is the chameleon of Jewish food. There are almost as many variations to the recipe as there are Jews
in the world. It all comes down to a matter of taste and tradition.
    Challah’s trademark braids are said to represent the commandments related to observing Shabbat delivered by Moses. The first two braids symbolize
both the safeguarding and the action of observing the Jewish Sabbath. The third strand of the challah symbolizes the tying together of the week, which
Shabbat is meant to represent. The braided challah is a reminder that the troubles and struggles of the week come to an end at sunset on Friday.
    The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley’s Women’s Philanthropy is hosting “Do The Twist,” a challah baking extravaganza on Wednesday, October 26
at 7pm. The event will be held in the APJCC Auditorium on the Levy Family Campus. Early bird tickets are $36 through October 15. This event is one of
Women’s Philanthropy’s most fun and popular, so don’t wait to purchase your tickets. You may purchase tickets online at www.giving.jvalley.org/challah
or in person at the Federation offices on campus. Questions? Call Roni Wolfe, Outreach & Engagement Coordinator at 408.357.7508.

     3rd Annual Global Challah Making

  DO THE
  TWIST                                                                                Wed., Oct. 26
                                                                                          7pm
                                                                                          early bird pricing
                                                                                                                                              $36 $54 after Oct. 15
                    LEVY FAMILY CAMPUS                                                     prior to Oct. 15                                          CHAIR: LAUREN SMITH

      Register online at
     giving.jvalley.org/challah
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ASKTHECLERGY

Making Time for the High Holy Days
by Cantor Amanda Edmondson, Temple Emanu-El

     “Thank G-d Yom Kippur is on a Saturday this year,” I                                            my friend’s sleepover tonight?” And teenagers with heavy course-loads
                                                                                                     will make very smart, logical arguments for not missing school that will be
overheard someone say recently. I can only assume that this had to do
with the need to take off work or for their kids to take off school for the                          difficult to counter-argue.
High Holy Days. Many of us run into this dilemma every year. For some                                     But observing these holidays together as a family is what makes
of us, it’s a no-brainer: you just don’t go to work or school on Rosh                                Judaism what it is – a community. On the High Holy Days, we are
Hashanahh or Yom Kippur and that’s it. Others go through a painstaking                               encouraged to look inward and seek forgiveness for our own personal
process of deciding what will work best for themselves and their families.                           transgressions. However, the greater purpose of that activity is to work
Will it be easy to make up the work I missed? Will business run as usual                             to build up a better community. Going to High Holy Day services with
without me? My child has three big tests that day – how can I expect him                             your child is the perfect venue for teaching them what it means to be part
or her to find time to make those up?                                                                of a community. And the children who are in Hebrew school should be
     It sucks that the rest of our society doesn’t immediately recognize                             encouraged to attend the regular community services for the High Holy
Rosh Hashanahh and Yom Kippur on the calendar when scheduling their                                  Days. They have already begun to work on the Hebrew, and they are ready
activities. It can be downright frustrating—even, and perhaps especially,                            to start thinking about our liturgy and what it means. In fact, I believe that
when the powers that be are made aware of the conflicts—that nothing                                 this new machzor (prayerbook) is the perfect one for those children AND
changes from year to year. But perhaps this societal ignorance is the                                adults who are either just starting to come to the High Holy Day services
exact reason we shouldn’t just get upset and complain only to give in. Our                           or are unfamiliar with Jewish liturgy. There are so many opportunities to
absence should be known. These days and services are important for both                              get lost—in a good way—in this prayerbook. There are multiple readings
ourselves and our children.                                                                          on a two-page spread that offer different ways of interpreting and
     Especially when it comes to our children, we must think about                                   understanding traditional prayer.
the message we give them. If we expect them to embrace Judaism in                                         Even if you think that your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader won’t understand
their futures, we have to make a statement to them that says Judaism is                              the liturgy, I would challenge you to turn it into an opportunity. It can
important enough for us to sacrifice time at work, time at school, and                               simply be a beginning or a first step into a door that you will have opened
important enough for me to do extra work to make up for the time lost                                for your child. They don’t need to come away from services suddenly
either before or after the holiday.                                                                  understanding every aspect of the holy days. But they should come away
     Now I know that to children and teenagers, the sacrifice sounds more                            from services with the knowledge that this is a time for prayer, community
like, “I don’t want to miss soccer practice today” or “why do I have to miss                         gathering, and a time their parents and family recognize as important.

                                                                                                         Shannon Stein
                                                                                                                           Law Offices of
               REAL ESTATE FOR REAL LIFE
                                                                                                           Family Law Services in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda Counties
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                                               drubnitz@serenogoup.com
                                               (408) 859-3671         CalBRE #01015666

                                               BRIAN BERNASCONI
                                               bbernasconi@serenogroup.com
                                               (408) 979-1400   CalBRE #01363508

 w w w .jv alle y.or g • Like u s o n F ace b o o k ( j e w i sh si l i co n v a l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T w i t t e r ( @j e w i s hs v)                                   9
Pg. 21 The South Bay's guide to the - National Challah Bake pg. 8 South Bay March of the Living pg. 10 Maccabiah Games Highlights pg. 16 Get Your ...
Sunnyvale Doctor Organizes Bay Area
March of the Living Delegation                                                                                                 by Jeff Rosenplot

      For Josh Markowitz, a March of the Living trip he took in                          We’ve got swastikas in the streets. A trip like this one can resonate in a big
                                                                                         way with the next generation of leaders who are seeing the same things
college continues to resonate with him 15 years later.
     “We went to Prague and then Poland and finally to Israel,” Markowitz                we all are seeing.”
said. “The trip was a powerful, sobering experience. All the places I’d                      Originally from Menlo Park, Markowitz is an emergency room
grown up hearing about became real to me.”                                               physician at Kaiser Permanente’s Santa Clara hospital. His wife, Alison
     For Markowitz, the experience never left him. After serving as a                    Barnstable, is a veterinarian who has taken a leadership role in building
volunteer and then a staff member for the Western Delegation March of                    partnerships between the Muslim and Jewish communities. They are the
the Living, he realized that participation from the Bay Area was dwindling.              parents of three sons.
There was no major delegation from Silicon Valley and the South Bay.                         To learn more about the South Bay March of the Living project, visit
     “There’s a disconnect between the old world and the new one,”                       www.marchoflivingca.shutterfly.com, or by mail to Josh Markowitz, Attn:
Markowitz said. “Especially in Silicon Valley. We’re in danger of losing the             MOTL Bay Area Delegation, 1077 Sargent Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087.
connection to what happened in Europe, and our own history.”
     Markowitz is spearheading a March of the Living program that takes
the experience to a more personal level.
     “We’re cognizant of the power of the experience,” Markowitz said.
“As well as making connections with the people they’re traveling with. We
pack the two-week trip pretty full, but want the participants to have some
free time, as well. We spend time together beforehand getting to know
each other. The friendships I made on my March of the Living trip have
stayed with me my entire life.”
     The South Bay March of the Living two-week trip costs $6,600 per
person, which includes all domestic airfare and accommodations, as well
as meals and associated fees.
     “It makes an impactful gift,” Markowitz said. “Parents, grandparents,
relatives, anyone can contribute to a participant’s trip. We’re also very
interested in talking with anyone in the community who is interested in
helping underwrite these trips.”
     The March of the Living is an educational program organized by
the International March of the Living organization. It brings students
from around the world to Poland and Israel to learn firsthand what
the Holocaust meant and continues to mean today. The program was
established in 1988 and takes place immediately following Passover.
     “Today more than ever, learning and remembering is essential,”
Markowitz said. “I never thought I’d be witnessing what I’m seeing today.

 10                                         w w w . j v al l e y . o r g • L i k e us o n Fa c e b o o k ( j e w i s hs i l i c o nva l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T wit t er (@ jewis hs v)
Sharone and Sequoia Hadassah Chapters
Meet with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
By Felice Zenius, Hadassah Central Pacific Region, Domestic Advocacy Chair

The Sharone and Sequoia Hadassah Chapters of the Central                                                Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., was
                                                                                                     founded in 1912 to help establish the Israeli medical care system. It
Pacific Coast Region held its first Day in the District meeting with
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D., 18th District of California).                                          provides medical care through Hadassah’s Medical Organization to over
    A team of ‘women who do’ from the 18th Congressional District met for                            one million patients a year regardless of race, religion or nationality
nearly an hour with Rep. Eshoo. Topics covered during the first Regional                             through Hadassah Medical Organization hospitals in Jerusalem and clinics
Day in the District included support of Israel, fighting Anti-Semitism and                           throughout Israel.
promoting women’s health equity, all issues for which the Congresswoman
is a strong advocate. Rep. Eshoo has supported combatting European
Anti-Semitism (H.R. 672) and agreed to support a special envoy to monitor
and combat Anti-Semitism (H.R. 1911), as well as the Simon Wiesenthal
Holocaust Education Assistance Act (H.R. 1474) and the Combatting Anti-
Semitism Act (H.R.1730). As a member of the Congressional Health Sub-
Committee, she supported the $2 billion budget for the National Institutes
of Health and has consistently supported Hadassah women’s health issues.
Each woman in attendance explained Hadassah’s positions on the issues
important to the group. Rabbi Laurie Matzkin described the make-up of
the local Jewish community and about Hadassah’s aim to perform acts of
tikkun olam. Rabbi Matzkin blew the shofar in honor of the second day
of Elul, the month when Jews prepare for the Jewish High Holy Days. The
clarion call of the shofar is a wake-up call to be one with ourselves and
help repair the world.
    “Everything you said was a prayer,” the emotionally moved
Congresswoman said.
    Rep. Eshoo addressed the string of threats and vandalism at Jewish
institutions in her district. “Leaders can either lead or mislead. We have
one who is misleading.”                                                                                  (Left to right) Jane Jacobson, Rabbi Laurie Matzkin, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo,
    She agreed that Hadassah’s work is very necessary and added, “Blessed                                Felice Zensius, Miriam Rotman, Miriam Buzi and Ginny Baird.
are the peacemakers as they shall be called the children of G-d.”

 w w w .jv alle y.or g • Like u s o n F ace b o o k ( j e w i sh si l i co n v a l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T w i t t e r ( @j e w i s hs v)                                       11
Having Difficult Conversations
By Gordon Gladstone

    In the aftermath of the election and the run up to                                       1:1). The two verbs
                                                                                             convey different
Thanksgiving there were innumerable stories in the media about the
task of navigating a family gathering littered with political (and cultural)                 elements of the
minefields. How many of us ran down a mental check list of subjects to                       command: seek peace
avoid during the holiday period? Don’t ask Uncle Jim what he thought                         when conflict comes
of the election, especially when your niece is in earshot. The resulting                     to your doorstep, but
mayhem would make talk radio seem like a walk in the park.                                   do not stop there. You
    As the Jewish year starts, we may benefit from asking ourselves if there                 must energetically
is a better way than simply limiting our conversations to the weather                        pursue opportunities to
and the state of the roads. Rabbi Amy Eilberg, who writes and conducts                       practice peace, near and
workshops where participants explore experiences of estrangement,                            far, for it is the work of
                                                                                             God.”                                                             Rabbi Amy Eilberg
conflict, and enmity in their interpersonal relationships, workplaces,
communities, and in relation to international conflicts, wrote recently                           Which is to say,
about the Jewish approach to this topic:                                                     that we are required by God to not only show compassion and work
    “The Rabbis of the Talmud observed that most legislation in the Torah                    for peace, but that we should invest in trying to bridge the gaps of
is case law. If we find a lost object, we are to return it to its owner. If we               understanding that exist between us. Therefore it is not enough to simply
own property, we must take precautions to ensure the safety of those who                     keep Uncle Jim and your niece away from each other, rather we need to
enter it. If we see our enemy’s animal struggling under its load, we are to                  work to strengthen the relationships we have with each. This is not about
help him. When Shabbat or a holy day comes, we are to observe it.                            conceding to their point of view but working to understand what they see,
    Notably, two commandments are explicitly articulated not as                              and how they understand it.
responses to a particular situation, but as imperatives to be followed –                          Rabbi Eilberg will give a talk entitled The Art of Difficult Conversations
indeed, pursued – at all times. We are not only to act in accordance with                    at Congregation Shir Hadash on October 15 at 9:30am.
these imperatives passively when the occasion arises. We are to actively                          Rabbi Eilberg was the first Conservative woman rabbi, ordained by the
seek out opportunities to engage in them. The two cases are the pursuit                      Jewish Theological Seminary of American, and author of the new book,
of justice, of which it is said, “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deut. 16:20)           From Enemy to Friend. In her writings she demonstrates how relationships
and the pursuit of peace, of which it is said, “Seek peace and pursue it” (Ps.               can move from estrangement and wounding, entrenched bigotry and fear,
34:15).                                                                                      to positive, engaged encounter. She will be applying her teachings within
    The rabbis assume that every apparently superfluous word in the                          our community to conversations with those having different views of
sacred text is there for a reason. In this case, they implicitly ask why the                 domestic and Israeli politics.
verse employs two verbs (“seek” and “pursue”) when one would have                                 This program is part of a year-long series, Responding to the Crisis of
sufficed. Their answer: “Seek it in your place and pursue it in another                      Our Time, funded in part by the Newton and Rochelle Becker Charitable
place” (Babylonian Talmud Perek Hashalom and Jerusalem Talmud Peah                           Trust and in partnership with Jewish Learning Works of San Francisco.

 12                                            w w w . j v al l e y . o r g • L i k e us o n Fa c e b o o k ( j e w i s hs i l i c o nva l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T wit t er (@ jewis hs v)
Giving Life to a Traveling Holocaust Museum
by Iris Bendahan

This past Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, marked the                                            resistance in its many forms, survival and justice using a large array of
                                                                                                     posters, videos, books, articles and artifacts. Other stations delve into the
tenth anniversary of a Holocaust museum exhibit that I’ve been setting up
annually at Congregation Beth David (CBD) in Saratoga. The inspiration                               issue of genocide today, memorials, art, rebuilding and stories of survival
for the museum was seeded when I visited a make-shift Holocaust                                      including those of local survivors.
museum exhibit at my elementary school in Israel in sixth grade. This                                     The big question is what’s next for this exhibit? Especially at this time
visit was my first visual Holocaust exposure, it even included one of those                          of increased intolerance, it yearns to be an important educational tool
infamous ‘bars of soap’. Until then, my only clue to something called the                            to teach about the ramifications of genocide and intolerance through
Holocaust was my Savta (grandma) Manci’s frequent mutter of “yimah                                   the lens of the Holocaust. Furthermore, a committee of community
shemo” (may his name be erased) when Hitler’s name was mentioned in                                  members interested in increased Holocaust education in the area have
association with a Holocaust memory. And for my Savta, there were many                               met several times to discuss how this museum can best serve the needs of
memories (which I was unaware of) such as the murder of her family                                   the Jewish community and the community at large. We decided that as a
members (parents and five siblings), her narrow escape from Danzig                                   start it should have a transportable format that can be readily brought to
(with my grandfather and mother), and the five years of refugee camp                                 synagogues, JCCs, churches, schools and other community institutions.
living. This exhibit visit brought me face to face with the reality of the                           We’ve named the exhibit CHAIM - California Holocaust Awareness and
Holocaust. It wasn’t just a story of woe my grandmother wove; I realized                             Action Interactive Museum (which also means ‘Life’ in Hebrew), and
then that it was real and it was something I needed to understand better                             threaded its new motto “Act with TACT,” Teach Acceptance, Compassion
and remember.                                                                                        and Tolerance, throughout the exhibit. We have created a website that
     Years later, this experience prompted me as principal of Beth David’s                           is being updated with more and more information - check out www.
Religious School to also create a museum for my students. Most did not                               thechaim.org. Mayer Adelberg, CHAIM’s director of technology has done a
have firsthand experience to tell them the story of the Holocaust. Even                              wonderful job designing a logo and the website.
back then my thinking was that despite the motto “never forget,” genocide                                 The first transportable version of the exhibit, which I put together
and intolerance was a continuing phenomenon in our world, and that it                                using the Morris Weiss award funds, was shown at the NewCAJE
was important that the next generation understand that even here we                                  conference in Moraga, California in early August. We now need to get the
may not be immune to those societal characteristics that can lead to the                             business details figured out such as should CHAIM be an independent 501
extreme intolerance exhibited in the Holocaust. Little did I know how                                (c) (3) or can we get a sponsoring agent? Then we need a business license,
much truer this would become.                                                                        and most importantly to apply for grant money to professionalize the look,
     The first ‘museum’ occupied a small section of the art room and was                             transportability and advertising. If you’re interested in being a part of the
simply a display of the various Holocaust posters that I had found stashed                           CHAIM Team, or have some development experience, please contact me at
in a closet. However, the museum grew each year and this past year filled                            bendahan@thechaim.org.
Congregation Beth David’s new Board Room to capacity when it was up                                       In the meantime, I finally tackled doing a genealogy search and was
for 3 weeks this past Yom HaShoah. Organized in timeline fashion, it                                 able to find the names of my Savta Manci’s lost family who inspired
now takes the visitor through 18 (chai) stations which describe Jewish                               this venture. To Gershon, Zysl, Rosa, Anush, Edit, Piri and Ela and their
life of pre-war Europe, the Nazification of German-occupied countries,                               children, may your memory give CHAIM to a mobile Holocaust exhibit that
                                                                                                     will inspire all who visit to Act with TACT!

       Experience it all at the JCC!
        Join us for Jewish education, enrichment classes,

        programs, and much more.

                               Addison-Penzak JCC                                                             14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
                               of Silicon Valley                                                                    408.358.3636 | info@apjcc.org
                               Levy Family Campus                                                                                   www.apjcc.org

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What’s Your Legacy?
 by Jeff Rosenplot

“Are we being good ancestors?” Jonas Salk
That’s a great question, isn’t it? We spend so much of our lives                          been provided for. Depending on your own financial situation, you may
                                                                                          also choose to leave a percentage of your estate, a paid-up life insurance
focusing on what’s in front of us, sometimes we forget that we will become
someone’s ancestors someday. What sort of legacy do we want to leave for                  policy, a retirement account or any other financial investment. No matter
those who follow?                                                                         how modest your estate, your gift will be appreciated.
     The Community Legacy Project is a community-wide collaborative                            Brett Borah took over as chair of the Legacy Project this year, taking
program established by most Jewish organizations and synagogues in the                    the reins from Alan Werba, whose tireless leadership helped build the
South Bay with the sole purpose of building a lasting and enduring future.                Project into one of the South Bay’s most successful Jewish philanthropic
Being Jewish means something different for everyone. Your reasons for                     endeavors. Over one hundred individuals and families have agreed to take
creating a Legacy fund are as personal as your own relationships with your                part in the Community Legacy Project so far.
family and the community at large. Perhaps you want to ensure a strong                         If you haven’t considered a Legacy gift as part of your estate plan,
Jewish education. Or you support the outreach efforts of organizations                    we hope you’ll consider doing so. We want to make the process as
like Jewish Family Services. Maybe you want to ensure your grandchildren                  simple as possible. To get started, contact Jyl Jurman at 408.357.7500
are able to experience the power of holiday services at your synagogue.                   or by email at jyl@jvalley.org. For more information, visit www.
Whatever your reason, we want to help give you the opportunity to                         communitylegacyproject.org.
preserve it.                                                                                   The Community Legacy Project is a partnership between the following
     The Community Legacy Project allows members of the Jewish                            Jewish organizations: Addison-Penzak Jewish Community of Silicon Valley;
community at any stage of life to designate a portion of their estate to any              Congregation Beth David; Congregation Shir Hadash; Congregation Sinai;
of the nine different organizations that comprise the Legacy project. The                 Hillel of Silicon Valley; Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley; Jewish
Community Legacy Project also provides expert guidance throughout the                     Federation of Silicon Valley; Temple Emanu-El; and Yavneh Day School.
entire process.
     The process for creating your own Legacy is straightforward. You                     “The little bit you and me might change the world, it wouldn’t show up
may choose as many Jewish organization members as you wish to receive                     until a hundred years after we were dead. We’d never see it. But it’d be
portions of your estate gift, or any assets left over after your family has               there.” – James Joyce, From Here to Eternity

  COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center
  Congregation Beth David
  Congregation Shir Hadash
  Congregation Sinai
  Hillel of Silicon Valley
  Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
  Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley
  Temple Emanu-El
  Yavneh Day School

  What’s your legacy?
                                                                                                                                     SILICONVALLEYJEWISHCOMMUNITY

   Jewish tradition teaches that one of our key responsibilities is
   to make the world a better place for future generations.

      408.357.7500                                                           www.communitylegacyproject.org

 14                                         w w w . j v al l e y . o r g • L i k e us o n Fa c e b o o k ( j e w i s hs i l i c o nva l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T wit t er (@ jewis hs v)
Republican or Democratic Food Pantry? No!
 by Diane Fisher, JCRC Director

The American tax code is not a popular document, but one                                             by certain fundamentalist religious groups. These groups are completely
                                                                                                     free to speak their own values, but the Johnson Amendment requires them
thing that has been a popular feature is the extension of special tax-free
status to houses of worship and other nonprofits. Most people agree that                             to refrain from a subset of political speech, and it frees taxpayers from
nonprofits doing work for the common good are already doing their part                               subsidizing political endorsements with which they disagree.
to contribute to society in kind, without paying taxes to boot.                                           A fundamental part of the JCRC’s work is to model and encourage civil
    Tax exemption for nonprofits feels like a fundamental American                                   dialogue, and the idea of adding partisanship to our houses of worship by
value—partly because its origin dates to tax codes that were first                                   allowing clergy or nonprofit staff to promote candidates would be adding
developed starting in 1894, and evolved over a 75-year period. A                                     fuel to the fire of our already divisive public discourse. We have worked
restriction was added to this code in 1954 called the Johnson Amendment,                             hard to provide a unique, safe haven in which community members can
and it’s a refinement that really helped maintain the integrity of charitable                        genuinely address challenges, exercise respectful listening, and include
organizations. Johnson won his campaign for senator from Texas that                                  everyone’s problem-solving skills. Changing the framework of issues-
year, but his campaign was bedeviled by a nonprofit who used their funds                             focus to candidate-focus would destroy our fundamental value. After
to promote the idea that he was a Communist. Following the election, he                              generations of working to increase our common cause work across our
brought an amendment to the tax code to prohibit 501(c)(3) nonprofits                                diversity, we would devolve into partisan institutions working for the
from endorsing or opposing political candidates. It was not considered                               purposes of candidates promoting their own cause.
controversial at the time, and was passed by a Republican Congress and                                    If the image of a food bank supported by one political party and
signed into law by President Eisenhower.                                                             serving only those of that party is an anathema, then we need to keep
    The JCRC has been a very visible supporter of the Johnson                                        the Johnson Amendment strongly in place. You can join your name to a
Amendment, for several reasons. As a minority group, Jewish interests                                letter that opposes any effort to repeal or weaken the current law, found
have always been served by a strong separation of religion and state. We’ve                          at www.faith-voices.org. There are currently over 4,000 signers, and the
come a long way from the days of prayer in school and shop closures                                  letter is sponsored by, among many others, the Jewish Federations of
required on Sundays, but it’s not hard to imagine the “religious liberty”                            North America, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Anti-Defamation
that could be implemented by candidates whose campaigns are funded                                   League, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

                                                                                                     Award-Winning Fitness Facility • Preschool • Jewish Day School K-8
                                                                                                           State-of-the-Art Auditorium • On-Site Catering & Cafe
                                                                                                     Event Rental Space • Community Mikvah • Mah Jongg Tournament
                                                                                                           Swimming Pool • Tennis Courts • Silicon Valley Jewish
                                                                                                             Music Festival • Counseling Services • JFS Knitzvah
                                                                                                       Poker Tournament • PJ Library • Camps & Sports • Community
                                                                                                            Challah Bake • Art Exhibits • Live Theater • Volunteer
                                                                                                        Opportunities • Free 3-Day Fitness Pass • Home Care Services

                                                                                                          408.358.3033 • jvalley.org
                                                                                                          14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
                                                                                                         The Levy Family Campus is                     @jewishsiliconvalley       @jewishsv
                                                                                                        owned and operated by your
                                                                                                            Jewish Federation of                                 @jewishsiliconvalley
                                                                                                               Silicon Valley.
                                                                                                                                                 HOME OF

                                                                                                                                             www.apjcc.org       www.jfssv.org
                                                                                                                                                                                   www.yavnehdayschool.org

 w w w .jv alle y.or g • Like u s o n F ace b o o k ( j e w i sh si l i co n v a l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T w i t t e r ( @j e w i s hs v)                                                        15
Jasmine Yaghutiel competes for Team USA in a water polo match.

South Bay Athletes Compete
in the Maccabiah Games
They call it the Jewish Olympics. First held in 1932, the Maccabiah
Games are held every four years in Israel. The games are the third-largest
sporting event in the world (after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup), with
more than 10,000 athletes competing.
    The Jewish Federation was excited to help send four young athletes to the
2017 Maccabiah Games held in Jerusalem in July. Ron Belman, Lavie Levi, Dan
Sachs and Jasmine Yaghutiel competed for Team USA.
    For the first time, the countries of the Bahamas, Cambodia, the Cayman
Islands, Haiti, Malta, Morocco, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea
and Trinidad joined the competition, bringing the total number of nations
participating to over 100. The American delegation alone sent 650 athletes.
    “It was a very positive experience at the games,” Jasmine Yaghutiel said.
“I met countless incredible people and had the experience of a lifetime. I’ve
never represented my country in such a meaningful way before and it is
something I will never forget.”
    The opening ceremonies of the Maccabiah Games took place at Teddy
Stadium in Jerusalem, with over 30,000 people in attendance. A torch-
lighting ceremony and an impromptu marriage proposal by Canadian ice
hockey player Avi Steinberg capped off the ceremony.
    “I have to admit that at first, I was adamantly against going on a trip with
a hundreds of Americans I barely knew to a country spotted with family
members,” said athlete Dan Sachs. “But it was fun to train and look forward
to the competition on the national stage, even if at the end I did not get the
result I was hoping for. Those few weeks gave me something to remember
for a lifetime. There are people whom I still talk to and group chats that are
frequently filled with inside jokes about things you could only understand if
you were there.”

              Members of the Team USA delegation to the Maccabiah Games pose in the
                                                         hills surrounding Jerusalem.

 16                                           w w w . j v al l e y . o r g • L i k e us o n Fa c e b o o k ( j e w i s hs i l i c o nva l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T wit t er (@ jewis hs v)
(Clockwise from top left) Ms. Shandrovsky (Jewish Studies teacher) and student; Group of smiling juniors
and Mr. Schloss (math teacher); Group of smiling Kehillah students (class of 2021); Students restoring
Half Moon Bay coastline; Kehillah Student Government hosted a class lip-syncing battle during Kabbalat
Shabbat festivities. In this picture, Alex Leiman is representing the junior class; Shirley Brill (class of 2018)
removing invasive plant species.

Kehillah Habitat Restoration
The students and staff of Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto recently spent the day working together on a habitat restoration, service learning
project in Half Moon Bay. The project focused on removing invasive, non-native plants. The marine terraces around Half Moon Bay were once entirely
covered in native coastal scrub, but decades of coastal development and agricultural practices changed this landscape. Restoration creates habitat for
the native plant species that are at the base of the food chain for coastal wildlife. Kehillah students and staff put on their gardening gloves, grabbed
rakes and shovels, and helped restore this beautiful, natural coastline. Followed by some fun on the beach and the first of their weekly Kabbalat Shabbat
(welcoming the sabbath) programming, hosted by Kehillah’s Student Government.

 w w w .jv alle y.or g • Like u s o n F ace b o o k ( j e w i sh si l i co n v a l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T w i t t e r ( @j e w i s hs v)        17
26TH ANNUAL
                                                       OCT 21-NOV 12
     SILICON                                           JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING TWO
                                                       WEEKS AT AMC SARATOGA 14 AND
     VALLEY                                            TWO WEEKS OF SCREENINGS AT
     JEWISH                                            THE OFJCC IN PALO ALTO.

     FILM                                               TICKETS: WWW.SVJFF.ORG
     FESTIVAL                                           800-838-3006

     2 017 SCHEDULE                                                                 SPECIA L E V E NTS
     OFJCC              OCT 23, 6:30pm     A Second Time Around*                   O PE N I N G N I GH T
     OFJCC              OCT 23, 8:30pm     In Between*
                                                                                   GAL A EVE N T
     OFJCC              OCT 24, 6:30pm     Germans and Jews*
                                                                                   SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2 1 , 201 7
     OFJCC              OCT 24, 8:30pm     The 90 Minute War*
                                                                                   6:30 PM AT THE OFJCC
     OFJCC              OCT 25, 6:30pm     Aida’s Secrets*
                                                                                   Join us for Opening Night Event with
     OFJCC              OCT 25, 8:30pm     An Israeli Love Story*
                                                                                   the Northern California premiere
     OFJCC              OCT 26, 6:30pm     Sara Stein*
                                                                                   of “Jungle” and our special guests,
     OFJCC              OCT 26, 8:30pm     Keep the Change*
                                                                                   author/speaker Yossi Ghinsberg and
     AMC14              OCT 28, 6:30pm     A Second Time Around*
                                                                                   producer Dana Lustig. Discussion and
     AMC14              OCT 28, 8:30pm     The 90 Minute War*
                                                                                   reception to follow.
     AMC14              OCT 29, 3:00pm     1945*
     AMC14              OCT 29, 5:00pm     Past Life
     AMC14              OCT 29, 7:30pm     An Israeli Love Story*                  CEN T E R PI ECE EVE N T
     AMC14              OCT 30, 6:30pm     Aida’s Secrets*                         SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 201 7
     AMC14              OCT 30, 8:30pm     The Women’s Balcony                     7:00PM AT THE
     AMC14              OCT 31, 4:00pm     Joe’s Violin* (FREE)                    AMC SARATOGA 1 4
     AMC14              OCT 31, 4:30pm     Menashe*                                MONDAY, NOVEMB ER 6, 2 01 7
     AMC14              OCT 31, 6:30pm     Hanna’s Sleeping Dogs                   6:30PM AT THE OFJCC
     AMC14              NOV 1, 6:30pm      Germans and Jews*                       IN PALO ALTO
     AMC14              NOV 1, 8:30pm      Keep the Change*                        Join us for the Centerpiece Event with
     AMC14              NOV 2, 4:30pm      A Quiet Heart                           the Northern California premiere of
     AMC14              NOV 2, 6:30pm      The Bloom of Yesterday                  “My Hero Brother” and our special
     AMC14              NOV 4, 6:30pm      Sara Stein*                             guest, director Yonatan Nir.
     AMC14              NOV 4, 8:30pm      In Between*
     AMC14              NOV 5, 1:30pm      Joe’s Violin* (FREE)                    CLOSI N G N I GH T
     AMC14              NOV 5, 3:00pm      Fanny’s Journey*                        SPECI AL E VE N T
     AMC14              NOV 5, 5:00pm      Family Commitments*                     SATURDAY, NOVEMB ER 1 2,
     AMC14              NOV 5, 7:00pm      My Hero Brother*                        2 01 7, 6:00PM AT THE
     OFJCC              NOV 6, 8:30pm      Moos                                    OFJCC IN PALO ALTO
     OFJCC              NOV 7, 6:30pm      Menashe*                                Join us for the Closing Night screening
     OFJCC              NOV 7, 8:30pm      Norman                                  of “Ben-Gurion, Epilogue,” with special
     OFJCC              NOV 8, 6:30pm      1945*                                   guests, director Yariv Mozer, and
     OFJCC              NOV 8, 8:30pm      Between Worlds                          David Ben-Gurion’s grandson,
     OFJCC              NOV 9, 6:30pm      Family Commitments*                     Alon Ben-Gurion. Discussion and
     OFJCC              NOV 9, 8:30pm      Fanny’s Journey*                        reception to follow.
     *Indicates two screenings during the Festival

                                                                                                                                                        Marc and Paula Levitt
                                                                                                                         are proud sponsors of the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival
                                                                                                                          Marc E Levitt Ph.D. CTA, creator of two award winning quantitative managed futures programs
                                                                                                                                 www.svquant.com ● (408) 623-6388 ● National Futures Association ID: 0311607
                                                                                                                          Not an offer for a managed futures account. Past performance not a guarantee of future performance.

                               Community
                               Relations
           OF SILICON VALLEY   Council

18                                              w w w . j v al l e y . o r g • L i k e us o n Fa c e b o o k ( j e w i s hs i l i c o nva l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T wit t er (@ jewis hs v)
The 26th Annual Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival
by Michelle Shabtai

The 2017 Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival (SVJFF) kicks                                           Jose on November 5 at 7pm, and in Palo Alto on November 6 at 6:30pm.
                                                                                                     Special guest, director Yonatan Nir, an award-winning filmmaker who
off its 26th annual events, beginning October 21st until November 12th.
A diverse range of films will be screened at the Oshman Family Jewish                                has been telling stories for over a decade—from epic photojournalist
Community Center (OFJCC) in Palo Alto, and at the AMC Saratoga 14                                    reports to the critically acclaimed Dolphin Boy that screened in over one
cinema in San Jose.                                                                                  hundred and thirty film festivals—will be at both venues for post-screening
    “This year is unique,” says Margalit Raviv, SVJFF’s Program Director.                            discussions with the audience. My Hero Brother follows a group of young
“We’re screening more West Coast and Northern Californian premieres                                  people with Down syndrome as they embark on a demanding trek through
than ever before. The films we’re showing come from all over the world,                              the Himalayas with their siblings. They deal with physical and emotional
showcasing a variety of languages, cultures and lifestyles. We hope to                               challenges, unresolved conflicts, as well as developing of heartwarming
draw a multicultural audience.”                                                                      friendships.
    “The special opening night gala event, on October 21 at 6:30pm                                       Closing night takes place November 12 at 6pm in Palo Alto, and
in Palo Alto, features the Northern California premiere screening of                                 will feature a screening of Ben-Gurion, Epilogue, a documentary that
Jungle, followed by a discussion and reception with special guests Yossi                             spotlights newly discovered 1968 interview footage of David Ben-Gurion,
Ghinsberg—author, adventurer, high-tech entrepreneur, humanitarian and                               the primary founder of the State of Israel and the first Prime Minister of
motivational speaker—who is the subject of the film, and Dana Lustig the                             Israel. Ben-Gurion reveals his prophecy, his dedication to Zionism and a
movie’s producer,” reveals Tzvia Shelef, Executive Director of the SVJFF.                            life filled with self-examination. “We are thrilled to have Yariv Mozer, the
“We’re super excited that Yossi will be joining us for the first weekend                             film director and producer, as a returning guest to the SVJFF. Alon Ben-
of ‘Jungle’s’ nationwide premiere. He is a fascinating personality and a                             Gurion, David Ben-Gurion’s grandson, will join Mozer for a Q&A session
wonderful speaker.”                                                                                  after the screening,” says Margalit Raviv.
    Jungle, directed by Greg McLean, is based on the true events                                         Also noteworthy is Joe’s Violin, a short documentary that shows how
experienced by Yossi in the Amazon jungle. His bestselling book, originally                          a 91-year old Holocaust Survivor’s violin donation, during an instrument
titled ‘Back from Tuichi,’ sold millions of copies and has been translated                           drive, changes the life of a 12-year old Bronx girl. The public is invited
into fifteen languages. The movie adaptation tells the story of an                                   to a free screening at the AMC Saratoga 14, on October 31st at 4pm. On
enthusiastic young adventurer (played by Daniel Radcliffe) who follows                               November 5th at 1:30pm, there will be another free screening at the same
his dreams into the Amazon jungle with two friends and a guide with a                                venue, where Brianna, the 12-year old protagonist from the film, will join
mysterious past. Their journey quickly turns into a terrifying ordeal as                             as a special guest.
the darkest elements of human nature and the deadliest threats of the                                    “This year’s festival has had more returning Patron Donors and
wilderness lead to an all-out fight for survival. “It took twenty-seven years                        Sponsors than in previous years,” says Tzvia Shelef, “and we are excited
since I arrived in Hollywood in 1990, with a manuscript in my hand and a                             that the SVJFF founders, Fagie Rosen and Burt Epstein, will be here with
dream in my eyes,” says Yossi Ghinsberg. “Some dreams take a life-long                               us again this year.” It is still possible to become a Patron Donor at different
time to fulfill. The journey is the destination.” The film is produced by Gary                       levels: visit www.svjff.org/securedonation, or call 408.498.0904 for more
Hamilton, Mike Gabrawy, Dana Lustig, Todd Fellman and Greg McLean.                                   information. To watch film trailers and purchase tickets for screenings
    The Centerpiece screenings of My Hero Brother, will be held in San                               visit: www.svjff.org

 w w w .jv alle y.or g • Like u s o n F ace b o o k ( j e w i sh si l i co n v a l l e y) • Fo l l o w us o n T w i t t e r ( @j e w i s hs v)                                 19
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