Events at a Glance
Coming Events:
December 17, Wednesday
10:30 – 11:30 am Exerccise Class
Social Action Committee dinner and clothing distribution at The Palms
December 18, Thursday 6:00 pm Torah on Tap
December 19, Friday
5:30 pm. Meditative Minyan Zoom only
6:00 pm. Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Koas Zoom only
December 20, Saturday
8:45 am Torah study with Rabbi Koas (new time)
9:45 am. Shabbat morning service followed by lunch
December 20, Saturday 10:30 am Tot Shabbat with Lauren Kalmanson
1 – 2 pm Conversational Hebrew
6 – 7 pm Havdalah
December 21, Sunday 4:30 pm, community Chanukah Party and Latke night
December 25, Thursday 4:30 pm Chinese dinner and comedians
December 24, Wednesday 7 pm Introduction to Judaism
December 26, Friday
5:30 pm. Meditative Minyan
6:00 pm. Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Koas
6:45 pm potluck dinner
December 27, Saturday
8:45 am Torah study with Rabbi Koas (new time)
9:45 am. Shabbat morning service followed by lunch
Family and friends with children ages 1 – 5, Tot Shabbat with Chanukah flavor Dec. 20, 10:30 am to noon. Music, stories, Chanukah treats with Lauren Kalmanson.
Chanukah Party & Latke Night! Sunday, Dec. 21, 4:30-7:00 p.m., 8th night. Latkes by the Board, singing by Susy Boimoil Starr and Jeremy Lipsin.
Torah on the Trail, Lunch and Learn, Torah on Tap, Prophets, Introduction to Judaism, Shabbat Torah study, check the newsletter and online calendar for dates.
Popular Blogs
(See more blogs here)
SERVICES AND EVENTS ARE A MIX OF IN-PERSON, ZOOM AND HYBRID
Our Shabbat and festival services are a true hybrid with active participants on Zoom. We have a NEW ZOOM ADDRESS. See this page for information and links.
On one Friday a month Leah Gerber leads a short and very sweet musical Shabbat service at 6:00 pm, concluding with our communal Kiddush at about 6:30 pm. We hope that joining as a community in this way, will lift all of our spirits, with the beauty and holiness of Shabbat.
Saturday Torah Study 8:45 am, Shabbat morning services in person and on Zoom, 9:45 am, lead by Rabbi Ron Koas and congregants. There are hearing assistance devices for in-person attendees and captioning available on Zoom. Lunches after Shabbat morning services are prepared by the Kitchen Committee with potluck donations, see food guidelines and recipes here.
Rabbi Koas’ classes and events
- Every Shabbat morning when Rabbi is in town: Torah Study at 9 AM at CBA
- 2nd Sunday of the month at 9 AM Morning minyan services and Breakfast at CBA
- 2nd Sunday of the month at 10:30 AM Torah on Trails. Please RSVP to Rabbi Koas at 732-998-1029
- 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 PM study of Nevi’im, the books of the Prophets, starting with Joshua. Bring snacks.
- 2nd Wednesday of the month at noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Learn at CBA Order a Veggie Wrap or Tuna Sandwich (box lunch, chips and a drink for $12). Please order through the office at 707-360-3000 by the Monday prior to class.
- 2nd Thursday of the month 6:30 PM Torah on Tap at CBA. We provide the drink. You provide the Nosh (Veggie only please follow potluck guidelines.)
- Introduction to Judaism / Bnai Mitzvah Class 2nd Mondays, 7:00 pm, starting January 13. How to be Jewish for beginners. A step-by-step guide to gaining an understanding of Judaism and Jewish life. Contact Rabbi Koas if you are interested rabbi@bethamisr.org.
- Havdalah at CBA on 2nd Saturday of the month: You provide the beverage. We’ll provide the Nosh. Followed by Karaoke, Game Night, or other activities. Future Havdalah nights ideas include a Painting night, Storytelling/Poetry Mic night/Movies. Send your ideas to office@bethamisr.org Put in the Subjject line Havdalah gatherings.
- And every Tuesday when Rabbi Koas is in town. Join him at the Taco Tuesday Ride For details call Rabbii Koas at 732-998-1029
Social Action, Civil Rights and Social Justice
Please join the members of the Beth Ami’s Advocates for Social Justice as we explore together:
• Have time together with your community at CBA to share experiences and perhaps some sensitive discussions.
• Explore racism and white privilege in the world today and how it has directly and indirectly been a part of our lives.
• Increase our understanding and learn how racism has molded our perceptions.
• Discover ways to be antiracist and support people of color.
• Gain tools and resources to initiate and build social justice in our community.
Social Action continues to provide food to The Palms. We are now serving hot food from crockpots in person. Social Action Committee meets periodically to plan the next Palms dinner. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Lyla.
We have resumed volunteering at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. You need to sign up online. We usually work the 10:00- 1:00 shift and then go out for a simple meal. This is a great activity with your children or grandkids over 13. Or for any friend.
To get more info, please call Lyla Nathan at 526-7438 or Elizabeth Jarlsberg at BA office 360-3000.
Beth Ami Israel Committee
The Israel Affairs Committee collects links and descriptions of national and international webinars and online viewing about Israel and antisemitism. The ongoing Teddy Bear Project to craft and send Teddy Bears to children in Israel.
Shofar Newsletter
Check out our current newsletter: Shofar November December 2025 for essays, news, more events and details about the events listed above. Archived issues of the Shofar are also available online.
Ongoing activities
If you need to say Kaddish or memorialize a special event, contact the office at 360-3000 one week in advance, and we will do our best to secure a minyan.
In the Social Hall: Exercise for Older Adults 10 am Wednesdays
Israeli Folk Dancing is on a break: See the Israeli Dance blog.
Congregation Beth Ami is located in Northern California,in the heart of Wine Country in Sonoma County, about one hour north of San Francisco, and about one hour west of Napa.
Some Recent Blogs
A Tot Shabbat with a Hanukah flavor December 20!
Congregation Beth Ami’s Tot Shabbat Program invites all with children ages one to five, for a Shabbat experience with a Hanukah flavor! Saturday, December 20th, 10:30 am to noon, in the CBA lounge. Featuring Lauren Kalmanson from the Tot Shabbat team. Come enjoy...
Chinese food and comedy at Beth Ami, on December 25!
Kung Pao Kosher Comedy Santa Rosa Style! 5 course vegetarian Kosher Chinese dinner at 4:30 pm followed by comedians from the Barrel Proof Lounge. $60-- BYOB. To RSVP and for payment contact our office at office@BethAmiSR.org, 707-360-3000, To pay online, select Event...
Community Chanukah Party & Latke Night!
Sunday, December 21,4:30-7:00 p.m. The eighth night of Chanukah we will host our traditional Beth Ami Board-sponsored latke dinner. 4:30 - 5:00 schmooze, card/board games 5:15 a short service with Rabbi Koas, light candles (Bring your Chanukiah and 9 candles!)...
Advocates for Social Justice
Reverse Tashlich was another success this year. Member attendance was not as great as last year, but we found plenty of opportunities to beautify Doyle Park. We plan on continuing this tradition next year. We are searching for another location in, or near Santa Rosa...
Calling for Winter Donations
Shalom all, As the days get shorter and cooler we are aware of the winter needs of others. The Social Action Committee is having our annual dinner and clothing and toiletries distribution at The Palms on December 17 this year. Our Beth Ami community has always been...
Absolute Music is returning
After a 6 year hiatus, Absolute Music is returning with two concerts in our new series of musical performances. Absolute Music 2025 On Sunday, October 19 at 3 PM in the Social hall- The Big Easy Jazz Band Performing together for 10 years at The Big Easy in Petaluma,...
YOUR PRESENCE IS MANDATORY
CBA Book Group update Next up : YOUR PRESENCE IS MANDATORY by award-winning author Sasha Vasilyuk. 12 copies from SFJC Library available November 7 for early December discussion. Then in December: We have reserved the ONE BAY ONE BOOK selection for this Jewish...
Some Food Traditions for the High Holidays
Starting on 1 Elul (eve of August 24th); some cleanse the body with foods as they clean their soul with prayers. The 25th of Elul (September 16th celebrates Hashem's Day One of Creation. Some will have two special meals with meat and sweets. On Erev Rosh Hashanah (eve...
Hot August Night Italian Feast: Sunday August 24, 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Come spend the evening in Michele Baime’s welcoming garden, sipping Grgich Hills wine, enjoying the music of Susy Boimoil Starr and Jeremy Lipsin, and dining on an authentic Italian dinner. VEGETARIAN ANTIPASTI AND CAESAR SALAD PASTA ETC. PROVIDES US WITH PASTA...
August 1, Max Bell Alper, North Bay Jobs with Justice, and Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp
August 1st, at our 6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by a 6:45 pm Shabbat dinner At 7:30 pm Max Alper, of the North Bay Jobs with Justice organization and Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp will be speaking. We hope you will attend. It will be a very informative...













