Measures we are taking against Covid-19
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well.
Leadership at CBA is responding to developing events regarding COVID-19 on a daily basis: we’re doing our best to protect our community, our employees and one another. Because things are changing so rapidly, engagement with one another that was OK last week is not OK today, and guidelines could be even more stringent tomorrow. We recommend you “shelter” in place and stay in touch with your support system (family and friends.)
We have confidence in our resiliency and faith that as a community we can and will weather this storm. Our most important task right now is to care for one another.
The Nursery School is closed at least through April 5; Andrea Nett (FC) is working from home; the Office staff at CBA is working from home. You may call the Office phone number and it will be forwarded directly to Lizzie at her home.
Please see below, you can attend classes and services remotely.
The CBA Seder has been cancelled, but contact Rabbi Miller at Rabbi@BethAmiSR.org to participate in his streaming seder on Wednesday April 8, 6:30 p.m.
If you become ill, we ask that you let Rabbi or me know — for support and as information to protect others. Your privacy will be respected and protected. Rabbi Miller and I are available by phone, text or email.
Stay well friends,
Carolyn Metz, President, mzmetzpresident@gmail.com
and Rabbi Mordecai Miller rabbi@bethamisr.org
March 18, 2020
Rabbi Miller online during shelter in place directives.
Beth Ami has been working on ways to bring services, davening and Torah study into our homes while our building is closed. We are starting with Zoom sessions, plus streaming video on our Facebook page at these times, along with pdfs of prayerbooks for following along:
Friday, Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 pm, Siddur Chadash Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, 9:30 am, Siddur Chadash Shabbat Morning
Weekday: 8:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday mornings will be conducted on Zoom. Email Rabbi@BethAmiSR.org if you have questions.
weekday Shacharit SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
weekday afternoon SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
weekday maariv SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
A source for Torah and Haftarah is at Bible.ort.org or here Another source: http://www.lashon.net/CL/
Rabbi Miller will be hosting live streaming of his family seder on the first night, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Rabbi@BethAmiSR.org.
Beth Ami Virtual Week chart with Zoom links Beth Ami Virtual Week
Community Passover Seder
Has been cancelled.
Social Action
We at Social Action Committee will have a few opportunities for us to make for a better world. Our Kehilla is known for its generosity. Thanks to everyone in advance for doing what you can, whether it’s bringing food for the JFCS pantry or volunteering at the food bank. We cook and serve a dinner at The Palms every other month. We also volunteer at The Redwood Empire Food Bank 6 times a year. On a Wednesday, from 5:00-7:00, we will meet at the Food Bank and pack boxes of food on an assembly line. When we are finished, we will go out for a Mexican meal. To confirm or get more info, please call Lyla Nathan at 526-7438 or Elizabeth Jarlsberg at BA office 360-3000.
Our activities are suspended during this health emergency, but we hope to continue our efforts in the future.
Adult Education
Drop-in Book Discussion Group: All members and friends are welcome. Meeting in the cozy CBA library, on a future date TBD– more time to read. We will discuss Cynthia Ozick’s novel, The Puttermesser Papers (1997). Brilliant Writer, highly imaginative, but includes many realistic details, funny, thought-provoking, winner of numerous literary awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship. Also, our group is 1st in line for a book that takes place in Ireland that several people said they’d like to read next — Ruth Gilligan’s “9 Folds Make A Paper Swan.” Contact Linda for plans during shelter in place directive 544-4532
Adult Education-forming new dramatic reading group: We’ll do mainly plays and excerpts from plays by Jewish authors. No group rehearsals, no directing — individuals look over their parts prior to reading. Different members each time. Minimal time commitment. All CBA members and friends welcome to attend and participate in discussion, including especially those people who may like to present future dramatic readings. . . more details later.
Online: Mishna Class with Rabbi Mordecai Miller on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Rabbi’s Study)
The collection of Oral Torah edited and compiled by Rabbi Judah the Prince in the year 200. We will examine the Hebrew text and the classic commentary of Rabbi Ovadiah of Bertinora. All Hebrew will be translated and explained. We will make reference to the Artscroll Mishna. The tractate we will study is Brachot which deals with the content, nature and structure of the recitation of the Shema, our daily prayers, the Grace after meals and blessings for different occasions.
Please feel free to sign up and catch a sample lesson and join us weekly if you find this speaks to your desire to learn about our traditions.
Online: TaNaCh Class with Rabbi Mordecai Miller: Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. in the Library. A study and discussion based on the Parsha of the week or Neviim (Prophets.)
Online: Midrash Class with Rabbi Mordecai Miller: Wednesday evenings 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Rabbi’s Study) We examine the original text of the Midrash Rabba (the Great Midrash) on Genesis as well as an 18th Century commentary called “Eitz Yoseph”. These provide original insights into the Biblical text. Discussion is encouraged. Bi-weekly schedule.
There is no charge for Rabbi Miller’s classes. A source for Torah and Haftarah is at Bible.ort.org or here Another source: http://www.lashon.net/CL/
Beth Ami Virtual Week chart with Zoom links Beth Ami Virtual Week
Ongoing activities
Suspended: Sunday morning Minyan 8:30am in the chapel, a light breakfast follows on 1st and 3rd Sundays
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.
Suspended: Wednesday evening service 7:00 p.m. in the chapel
Suspended: Israeli Folk Dancing has moved to the Person Senior Center at Finley Rec Center. See the Israeli Dance blog.
Check out our current newsletter for March and April: Shofar March April 2020 for more events and details about the events listed above. Archived issues of the Shofar are also available online.
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.