Welcome to Congregation Beth Ami of Santa Rosa, California.
Congregation Beth Ami is online every day for services and classes. We have reopened the office, and Shabbat services are both in-person and on Zoom. See Events at a Glance for the virtual week calendar with Zoom information and in-person health procedures.
Events at a Glance and Virtual Week Calendar
Beth Ami Virtual Week chart with Zoom links and reopening health and safety procedures
BETH AMI VIRTUAL WEEK CALENDAR
Streaming video on our Facebook page
Rabbi Miller’s Rashi classes on YouTube
Thursday December 2 4:30 – 7:45 p.m. Chanukah Latke party FLYER
Fridays, 6 pm on Zoom only: First Fridays of the month traditional Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Mordecai Miller. Other Fridays, Sing in Shabbat, a short, music filled service led by Lisa Iskin and Rabbi Miller, preceded by a story with Rabbi Miller for the kids (and the kid at heart) at 5:50 pm.
(4:30 p.m. Mincha led by Rabbi Miller)
Saturday morning Shabbat services 9:30 a.m. on Zoom as well as in-person in the sanctuary.
Mincha starts approximately an hour before Havdallah, followed by Maariv and Havdallah
Weekday: 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. morning and evening prayers will be conducted on Zoom. Beth Ami Virtual Week
Rabbi Miller’s remote classes:
Weekday Mornings 7:30 a.m. Parsha and Rashi study, also streaming and recorded on YouTube
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Mishnah
Wednesdays at 8:00 pm Midrash
Happy Chanukah! Post photos of your Chanukah on our Facebook page, stop by our evening services 7:00 p.m. on Zoom, and check out our latke recipes.
Thanks to all the volunteers and all the congregants who brought joy, laughter and community to our Chanukah party.
Genesis: a great time to join in our study of the week’s Torah reading using Rashi’s commentary. 7:30 am weekdays on zoom or any time on YouTube.
Beth Ami children celebrated Shabbat with Rabbi Miller’s Woodwind Trio, who accompanied the singing of Bim Bam and There’s a Dinosaur Knocking at My Door.
The Social Action Committee will provide dinner and gift bags to residents of The Palms on December 15. Donations of toiletries and winter items needed.
Popular Blogs
Services online, and in person
Beth Ami is reopening, while continuing to bring services, davening and Torah study into our homes through Zoom sessions.
Starting June 26, we have welcomed congregants into the sanctuary for Shabbat services, as well as continuing to interact with congregants on Zoom. There are health guidelines and procedures outlined in Beth Ami Virtual Week, please check before coming, as these may change with changing situations.
Fridays on Zoom only: Sing in Shabbat led by Lisa Iskin and Rabbi Miller. We begin at 5:50 p.m. with a song and a story for the kids (and the kid at heart), followed by Lisa’s 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 Shabbat morning services both in person in the sanctuary and available on Zoom, 9:30 am,
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: 8:00 a.m. Sunday through Friday mornings will be conducted on Zoom.
Weekday: 7:00 p.m. Evening services often include the musical leadership of Lisa Iskin
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/
Beth Ami Virtual Week chart with Zoom links Beth Ami Virtual Week
Social Action, Civil Rights and Social Justice
Please join the members of the Beth Ami Committee on Racism and 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 came up with an idea to prepare individual portions. 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.
Adult Education
Online weekdays: Rashi commentary on the week’s Torah reading, 7:30-8:00 a.m. The text is shared on screen, and translation is always provided. This is pitched towards the person who is beginning to look at traditional Jewish learning. Videos now posted on YouTube
Online: Mishnah Class with Rabbi Mordecai Miller on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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.
Please feel free to catch a 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 2:00 p.m. A study and discussion based on the Parsha of the week or Neviim (Prophets.) In English with lively discussion.
Online: Midrash Class with Rabbi Mordecai Miller: Wednesday evenings 8:00 – 8:45 p.m. 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.
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
On Zoom: Morning Minyan 8:00am
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.
On Zoom: Evening service 7:00 p.m.
On Zoom: Israeli Folk Dancing every other Wednesday evening: See the Israeli Dance blog.
Check out our current newsletter: Shofar November December 2021 for essays, news, 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.
Latest Blogs
Hamentashen recipes
Lee Feinstein writes: Click pdf link below for the Recipe I use that has been featured in the past few years. I tend to go overboard. It has Pareve dough and uncooked fillings. I made 2 batches of dough and got 114 cookies, put 100 in the CBA freezer for the Purim...
Scott Gerber, the Yiddish cowboy, February 5
Please join us on zoom for Sing in Shabbat with Lisa Iskin and Scott Gerber, Friday, February 5th, from 6:00 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. You will hear Scott Gerber's original songs as well as some old favorites such as “Tumbalalika” and "Oifen Prepichick" woven into the...
The Words That Move Us: The Message Of MLK Today
Monday, January 18, 2021 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM on a separate Zoom. Join synagogue partners from across the nation: Kol Emeth, Palo Alto, CA Beth Hillel B'nai Emunah, Chicago, IL Beth Ami, Santa Rosa, CA Beth Am, Los Angeles, CA Temple of Aaron, St. Paul, MN Kol Rinah, St....
Looking for requests
Hi dancers. So many dances out there. Several of us zoomed in to the Oldies dance conducted by Allen King. Those old dances are more of a workout than the newer ones! In other news, I am so happy that other people are learning how to lead dances. Please send requests...
A Message for January 6
Dear Friends, By the time you read this, we trust that the Capitol in Washington, DC, will have been made secure. This has truly been a day of sadness for the United States. We know that there are many among us who have been visibly shaken. How many of us ever...
2021 resolution: dance more!
Hi dancers. Happy New Year. The playlist below is mostly what we have been doing, but I switched in some songs that are particularly about new beginnings or of the "chin up, things will be better" variety. You can make requests too... Leanne Tsadik Katamar Kuma Echa...
Chanukah Message: Kislev 24, 5781
Sooner or later, we discover that finding ways to cope with adversity is essential, if we are to experience a measure of happiness in the course of our lives. Adversity takes on an infinite number of forms. Sickness, financial insecurity, cultural attitudes that...
Another Dinner for The Palms
Shalom all, Thanks to everyone who made the holiday dinner and gift distribution at The Palms such a huge success. Special thanks to Judi and Michele for delivering all the goods. There was a lot besides the dinner. There were hats, scarves, socks, toiletries etc....
Israeli zoom dancing in December
Hi dancers. I didn't even eat a real Thanksgiving dinner, but I need exercise anyway. Have to make room for latkes. Our following meeting, Dec. 16, will be the 7th night of Chanukah, we can light candles on zoom.I guess we should do the one Chanukah dance then, Al...
Family Friendly Drive-Through Chanukah now video
BECAUSE OF RAINY WEATHER, THE DRIVE-THROUGH DESCRIBED BELOW HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A VIDEO PRESENTATION. YOU CAN SEE IT AT ANY TIME HERE. It's the Festival of Lights! Beth Ami & our Community Nursery School, The JCC Sonoma County, and PJ Library Bay Area...