Have Fun and Get Involved! The diversity in the Beth Sholom community reflects the uniqueness and great diversity of Klal Yisrael (all of the Jewish community).

Click each link to read more about the community and social action groups at Beth Sholom:

Community Interest Groups

Beth Sholom Professional Network
Provides a strong, supportive, and dynamic forum for all congregants who seek professional and business development, job searching, and informational exchange.  

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and customers that provides an opportunity to buy and eat local food that is minimally-packaged and grown in a sustainable way.  

Social Action Programs

Dr. Ernest M. Weitz Breakfast Club

The next meeting date is on:  Sunday, March 21, with guest speaker Noah Alper, the founder of Noah’s Bagels. Noah will be discussing his new book, Business Mensch: Timeless Wisdom for Today’s Entrepreneur.

Women's Book Group

Jean Tepper, Coordinator

The Beth Sholom Women's Book Group recently reached a milestone membership of 12 active participants. This summer we welcomed three new members who have enhanced our meetings, and we look forward to other new members who might be interested in joining us.  
 
The Women’s Book Group meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Rabin Library at CBS on the third Thursday of each month, unless holidays intervene. We finish our discussions around 9 p.m. We try to schedule our reading list at least two months ahead of time.
 
We select our reading based on group interest (we discuss what to read at our meetings), book availability (must be in paperback and also on the shelves of the local libraries), author (we like to read Jewish women authors but are never doctrinaire about it), and topic. We try to vary our discussions when circumstances permit. During the last year, we were able to discuss Rashi's Daughters with author Maggie Anton on a conference phone call, and we read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and then watched the film as a group. 
 
This month's book: Thursday, March 18: Betraying Spinoza by Rebecca Goldstein.
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact longtime members Jean Tepper Segal, and Harriet Sollod.

Keshet

Randy Heilbrunn, Sanford Friedman, Co-chairs

Keshet (LGBT) (meaning "rainbow"), the Gay and Lesbian Chavurah/Outreach Program of Congregation Beth Sholom, was formed in December of 1997 for the purpose of socializing and discussing issues related to being lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered in the context of the Conservative movement of Judaism.

PJ Shabbat/PJ Havdallah

PJ Havdallah, Saturday, March 13, 5:30 p.m.

Our wonderful PJ Shabbat and PJ Havdallah programs invite families with young children to join our vibrant Shabbat and Havdallah services. Families participate in singing, music, dancing, and blessings with Rabbis Hyman and Philmus. The interactive services allow even our youngest participants to experience the joy of Shabbat in a warm, welcoming setting. Families will take with them some of the basic rituals they can use to enhance their own Shabbat, Havdallah, and holiday observances at home. All services are followed by a vegetarian potluck-style community dinner. No experience is required.
Please join us in the coming months as we create our very own birkon (bencher), celebrate the High Holidays, daven, and dine. Ages newborn through six years old, with older siblings welcome.

Contact the CBS office for more information. 

Beth Sholom Professional Network

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program

Do you...

Chicken Soupers

Judy Leash, Chair

Preparing and delivering hearty Jewish meals to people with AIDS, chronic illness, disabilites, and those who are homebound. A joint program with Congregation Sherith Israel through Jewish Family and Children's Services. 

Meeting days are generally the third or fourth Sunday of each month, either at Congregation Beth Sholom or Congregation Sherith Israel. Cooking is from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Delivery begins at 3 p.m.

Chicken Soupers next meeting is on Sunday, March 21.  For more information contact Judy Leash.  

Schechinah Project

Jennifer Doron, Rebecca Dake, and Ariella Toeman, Co-chairs

Vicky Prager, Home Visit Coordinator

The Shechinah Project helps members in need through acts of loving kindness. Assistance for the sick and homebound, elderly, bereaved, and new parents is provided by cooking meals, leading or attending shiva minyanim, running errands, providing transportation, and conducting home and hospital visits. All members are warmly encouraged to take part with whatever time commitment they can afford and fulfill the mitzvah of caring for one's neighbors. We provide volunteers with training and ongoing support. 

For more information or to make a referral, contact the Synagogue office or the Project chairs:  

Jennifer Doron

Rebecca Dake

Ariella Toeman

Vicky Prager, Home Visit Coordinator  

Nachamu ("Comfort") Network

The Mental Illness Support Group is for people whose lives are affected by mental illness, including persons with an illness, family members, and friends. We will gather in a safe and confidential setting to share our experiences and support each other. This 8-week series will meet on  Thursdays from January 7-February 25, 2010, 7–9 p.m.

FREE—but pre-registration is required. To register, or for more information, call 415.221.8736, ext. 101. Sponsored by Nachamu (“Comfort”) Network, the mental illness support program of Congregation Beth Sholom. 24 HR CRISIS HOTLINE: 415.781.0500

Jewish Prisoners Outreach Project

Judah Rosen, Chair

Supporting Jewish inmates in California prisons. Participation includes periodic visits to Folsom State Prison and sending packages to the  prisoners. Our goal is to link prisoners to the Jewish world while they are incarcerated.

Blood Drive

Marsha Glantz, Coordinator

Congregation Beth Sholom holds biannual blood drives. The Spring Blood Drive will be on, Sunday, April 18, at 8 a.m. You may call the office for more information.