Welcome to Congregation Beth Ami of Santa Rosa, California.
Congregation Beth Ami offers true hybrid services and classes. All Saturday morning services, most Friday evening services, and most events will be in person in the sanctuary as well as on Zoom. See
Events at a Glance for information.
Events at a Glance
NO SHABBAT DINNER FOR JULY AND AUGUST
July 19 and 20 was Rabbi Koas’ first Shabbat at Beth Ami
Sunday August 4, 3 pm Holocaust Memorial Rededication Santa Rosa Memorial Park
Monday August 12 8:00 p.m.Fast of Tisha B’Av begins, service in sanctuary
Saturday morning Torah Study 9:00 a.m.
Shabbat services 9:45 a.m. in person and on Zoom.
Join Rabbi Ron Koas Mon Aug 12 at 8 pm to begin the Fast of Tisha B’Av by darkening the sanctuary to read the book of Lamentations by the light of candles.
The Beth Ami board organized a Barbecue to meet and greet Rabbi Ron Koas. Thanks to all the volunteers, to Klezmer Creek and all who came. Click for a photo gallery.
Rabbi Ron Koas leads Torah study at 9 am, Shabbat services start at 9:45 am in the sanctuary and on Zoom. and are followed by potluck lunch.
Leah Gerber will lead Sing In Shabbat on August 23 and 30 at 6:00 pm on Zoom. Join her for a sweet musical welcome to the peace of Shabbat.
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 two Fridays 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. Fourth Fridays will be led by congregants.
Saturday Torah Study 9:00 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.
Siddur Chadash Shabbat Morning
Saturday night Mincha starts about an hour before Havdalah time, followed by study of a prayer, Maariv and Havdalah: bring Havdallah candle, spicebox and wine.
Weekday: Sunday through Friday mornings to be determined
Weekday: evening services to be determined
weekday Shacharit SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
weekday afternoon SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
weekday maariv SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
A source for Torah and Haftarah is here Another source: https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Closed Captioning/ Live Transcript instructions Closed Caption Instructions for Beth Ami
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.
Shofar Newsletter
Check out our current newsletter: Shofar July August 2024 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
Torah Study with Rabbi Koas Shabbat Morning
Torah Study Every Shabbat at 9:00 to 9:45 am when Rabbi Koas leads Services, which will follow at 9:45 a.m. Rabbi Koas teaches this class which focuses on a thoughtful reading of the parashah of the week and explores the historical, ethical and spiritual questions...
Tisha B’Av Monday August 12 8:00 pm
Join Rabbi Ron Koas Monday night August 12 at 8 pm to mark the beginning of the Fast of Tisha B'Av. It's customary to darken the sanctuary and read the book of Lamentations by the light of candles or flashlights. It is a solemn and moving experience. See below for a...
July in the Redwoods
I thought I would go back over our Thursday event. We will meet in Sebastopol at the Safeway parking lot on the south side in the shade, and then caravan to the Grove of Old Trees, which is on Fitzpatrick Lane outside of Occidental. As parking is restricted at the...
Social Action Summer News
Rabbi Koas is here and on Sunday there is a bbq at Beth Ami at 4:30. Please rsvp to the office. No cost, donations welcome. On Friday, Aug 2 at 7:00 the community is invited to hear Max Alper, executive director of North Bay Jobs with Justice. Carol and her committee...
Jessie Leider will return as our High Holiday Cantor for 2024!
The Religious Practices Committee is very, very happy to welcome Jessie Leider. back as our Cantor for the coming High Holy Days. A native of California, Jessie grew up in Los Angeles where she was an active member of the Jewish and Performing Arts communities...
Meet Rabbi Ron Koas at our Board-Sponosored Barbecue on Sunday July 28, 4:30 pm
Rabbi Koas will first lead services at Beth Ami on July 19 and 20. A more casual opportunity for introductions will be offered at a Sunday barbecue. We hope that everyone in Beth Ami and the greater community will come meet Rabbi Koas at the board-sponsored barbecue...
Max Bell Alper, Executive Director of North Bay Jobs with Justice
Max Bell Alper, Executive Director of North Bay Jobs with Justice Friday, August 2 at 7:00 pm. Join us for a wine, cheese and desert Oneg Presentation will follow. Please RSVP. Learn about the lives of immigrant workers in our community and their current efforts to...
THE LIAR by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
We will have THE LIAR by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen (fiction, 288 pgs., Hebrew, 2018; English translation, 2019) available to borrow in the beginning of July. Nofar is an unhappy teenager working in an ice cream shop when a frustrated customer unleashes an insulting verbal...
School and office equipment Rummage Sale
Rummage Sale at Beth Ami (click for flyer) Friday, June 28th, 2024 Noon to 3 PM for Beth Ami members 2 PM to 5 PM for local School Directors and teachers We have books, materials, housewares, child play items, manipulatives, office supplies, appliances, furniture...
Three historical dedications
On Saturday June 22, 2024, during Shabbat services, Congregation Beth Ami is inviting family members, friends, and the community to a celebration of three historical dedications. The first is acknowledging the creators of our Torah Mantles that first covered our...
