From Jerusalem to Eilat

Mitch Cohen of Berkeley is traveling from Jerusalem to Eilat this month — on his bike! He’s doing the 300-mile ride for the 2008 Arava Institute Hazon Bike Ride in Israel “in solidarity for peace, partnership and environmental protection.” In November, Arthur Gould of Alameda, Sheldon Kahn of Orinda and Yeshaya Ballon of Palo Alto will do the same ride. Ballon notes that he’s not much of a distance bicycler, but began his training in the Foothills Century ride in support of the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School on May 18.

Zionism on canvas

Alan Kaufman, local artist and author, says that he expresses his Zionism through his art. He’ll explain how he translates “the ancient Jewish longing for a homeland into the contemporary language of modern expressionist art” at “Dialogues: Zionism on Canvas” on June 8, 3:30 p.m. at a private waterfront home in Alameda. At the event, a benefit for the East Bay Jewish Community Relations Council, outgoing chair Howie Perlin will be honored. Kaufman is in the forefront of this movement, reports Myrna David, JCRC East Bay director. For information, contact David at [email protected] or (510) 839-2900 ext. 271.

New rookies and officers

The S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation Women’s Alliance will name four new “Rookies of the Year” at the group’s annual meeting and luncheon on Tuesday, May 27 at Delancey Street. And they are … (drum roll … ) Debbie Stadtner of Marin, Abra Stein of the North Peninsula, Michele Glicken of San Francisco and Emily Wu of the South Peninsula. Lisa Gurwitch, incoming executive director of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, will speak and officers Judith Goldkrand Cheskin (president), Anat Pilovsky (campaign chair), Susie Sorkin (VP of education), Francoise Rothstein (VP of outreach), Sharon Strauss and Carol Weitz (both VPs at large), and Liki Abrams (chair of the nominating committee) will be installed. Contact [email protected] for reservations.

Mazel tov and kudos …

Bob Goldman, retiring from the Kentfield School Board after 16 years of service, has been named the School Board Member of the Year in Marin County … For the third year in a row, Natalie Berg was named one of San Francisco Business Times’ “100 most influential women in business” … Henry Shreibman was named Teacher of the Year at Dominican University, a Catholic University. “How cool is that for a Jewish guy?” he quipped … Ernie Weir of Hagafen Cellars will receive the “Al Brounstein Meritorious Service Award” at the Jewish Vintners Celebration on June 21. Besides being an award-winning vintner, Weir is president of Napa’s Congregation Beth Sholom … Barbara Meislin, Tiburon’s “Purple Lady,” will be honored by Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) at “League of Her Own,” Woolsey’s annual event to celebrate the contributions women make to society.

Two more happenings

Janet Harris reports that the S.F.-based federation’s Early Childhood Education Initiative group will report its findings on novel ideas for community-wide standards for Bay Area Jewish early childhood centers at the terrifically titled “Nap Time is Over” at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 6:30 p.m. June 2. Contact Harris’ associate Jasmine Blanchard for details at [email protected] … Hosting a pre-opening cocktail soiree on June 7 at SoMa’s Ducca, which overlooks the new Contemporary Jewish Museum, are Jessica Mullens, Tiffany Shlain and Ken Goldberg, Julie Chaiken, Anne Cook, Becca Prowda and Daniel Lurie, David Katznelson, Alex Fisher, Jodi Linker, and Dana Linker Steele and Rich Steele.