Adult education programming

A rich Jewish education does not have to screech to a halt once you’ve stopped receiving report cards. The winners in this category are finding ways to engage adult congregants in Judaic studies no matter what age they are.

In the intimate setting of the Woodminster Café, Temple Beth Abraham adults are invited to weekly Torah studies that pose the question: How can we apply this to modern life? Rabbi Mark Bloom also offers a class called “Re-Introduction to Judaism,” which he says is “appropriate for newcomers as well as those who feel the need to fill in gaps of Jewish knowledge.”

Adam Eisendrath, program director of Kol Shofar in Tiburon, quoted Pirkei Avot in describing the importance of continuing education: “One who studies is like an ever-flowing spring,” he says. The synagogue leads several classes in Jewish culture and Torah study for older congregants, and makes sure all family events involve cross-generational interaction and learning.

Sherith Israel, also honored as most innovative synagogue in San Francisco, shows off some of that innovation with their new young adult group programming — including High Holy Day Trivia, trips to the Jewish Film Festival and the Giants’ Jewish Heritage Night.

At Beth Am in Los Altos, “most of the time we nosh and study,” say the rabbis. The temple’s adult education programs and classes often meet over lunch, over bagels or over coffee — a combination of steaming mugs and steaming minds!

Also engaging adult minds in second place were Congregations Rodef Sholom in San Rafael, Adath Israel in San Francisco, Kol Emeth in Palo Alto, and Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland.

1st Place

San Francisco

Congregation Sherith Israel

(415) 346-1720

www.sherithisrael.org

East Bay

Temple Beth Abraham

Oakland

(510) 832-1720

www.tbaoakland.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Beth Am

Los Altos Hills

(650) 493-4661

www.betham.org

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar

Tiburon

(415) 479-3335

www.kolshofar.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Congregation Adath Israel

(415) 564-5665

www.adathisraelsf.org

East Bay

Beth Jacob Congregation

Oakland

(510) 482-1147

www.bethjacoboakland.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Kol Emeth

Palo Alto

(650) 948-7498

www.kolemeth.org

North Bay

Congregation Rodef Sholom

San Rafael

(415) 479-3441

www.rodefsholom.org

Collaborative synagogue programming

Some Bay Area synagogue ought to be called B’Yachad (Hebrew for “together”) — their partnerships with community organizations of all faiths and sizes has led to great things for the Jewish community, and the Bay Area at large.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Joshua Strulowitz, San Francisco’s Adath Israel has worked with a number of agencies and synagogues to put on extraordinary programs, like a recent gathering of Holocaust survivors with high school students from San Francisco’s Hillel and Jewish Community High School of the Bay. Adath Israel also opened its kitchens to Beth Sholom’s Chicken Soupers while their temple was under construction.

Beth Am in Los Altos Hills reaches out to partners all over the South Bay,

including the East Palo Alto Kids Foundation and the Jewish Coalition for Literacy at Costano School. Their émigré program is a gateway for Jews from the former Soviet Union, spanning generations, cultures and continents.

Temple Sinai of Oakland teams up annually with several nonprofit partners to make a difference, in addition to having a cohesive support network from within. Recent collaborations include Save Darfur, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, and AIDS Walk S.F.

Congregants at Kol Shofar in Tiburon have orchestrated a great network within their synagogue called Gemilut Chesed (loving kindness). The group provides

home-delivered meals for congregants who are ill and new parents, as well as arranging for hospital visits or errands for congregants who are housebound.

In second place were the Marin Day School/Bright Horizons collaboration with

the Sherith Israel campus in San Francisco, Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland, Peninsula Sinai Congregation in Foster City and Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael.

1st Place

San Francisco

Congregation Adath Israel

(415) 564-5665

www.adathisraelsf.org

East Bay

Temple Sinai

Oakland

(510) 451-3263

www.oaklandsinai.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Beth Am

Los Altos Hills

(650) 493-4661

www.betham.org

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar

Tiburon

(415) 388-1818

www.kolshofar.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Marin Day School/Bright Horizons-Sherith Israel Campus

(415) 346-1720

www.sherithisrael.org

East Bay

Temple Beth Abraham

Oakland

(510) 832-1720

www.tbaoakland.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Peninsula Sinai Congregation

Foster City

(650) 349-2816

www.peninsulasinai.org

North Bay

Congregation Rodef Sholom

San Rafael

(415) 479-3441

www.rodefsholom.org

Innovative synagogue programming

Judaism has thrived for centuries with the contributions of creative souls like this year’s winners for most innovative synagogue programming, who recognize the value of spicing up an already rich religious program.

Temple Beth Abraham in the Oakland is probably the only small Conservative temple that can boast that it draws 300 to 400 people with its Rock and Roll Shabbats — a congregant-led celebration featuring everything from senior members on French horns to babes in arms. “It’s a warm, haimish place,” says Executive Director Art Rosenberg.

Congregation Sherith Israel, one of San Francisco’s most beloved synagogues for more than 150 years, is “inventing and developing a new future for itself,” says Executive Director Nancy Drapin. The emphasis is on learning opportunities that “stretch through the generations,” kicking off this fall with a symposium that will ask members of all ages to weigh in on the concept of Jewish identity.

Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills also prides itself on its willingness to adapt and add to its programming. “We love our Beth Am traditions,” says Rabbi Janet Marder, “but our congregational culture is also very supportive of experimentation.” The temple pours a lot of that inventive energy into serving the community, which won them an award for social action programming.

San Rafael’s Congregation Rodef Sholom finds a lot of innovative inspiration through nature with its Torah on the Trails program — each Saturday, congregants hike and daven together in the Marin headlands and other beautiful wilderness areas.

In second place were Congregations Beth Shalom in San Francisco, Kol Shofar in Tiburon, B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek and Kol Emeth in Palo Alto.

1st Place

San Francisco

Congregation Sherith Israel

(415) 346-1720

www.sherithisrael.org

East Bay

Temple Beth Abraham

Oakland

(510) 832-0936

www.tbaoakland.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Beth Am

Los Altos Hills

(650) 493-4661

www.betham.org

North Bay

Congregation Rodef Sholom

San Rafael

(415) 479-3441

www.rodefsholom.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Congregation Beth Sholom

(415) 221-8736

www.bethsholomsf.org

East Bay

Congregation B’nai Shalom

Walnut Creek

(925) 934-9510

www.bshalom.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Kol Emeth

Palo Alto

(650) 948-7498

www.kolemeth.org

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar

Tiburon

(415) 388-1818

www.kolshofar.org

Interfaith synagogue programming

The winners in this category are honored for recognizing that faith, service and spirituality practiced within the Jewish community can span all denominations and identities. Families can feel comfortable celebrating a diversity of rituals through their connection to these synagogues.

Oakland’s Temple Sinai, led by Rabbi Steven Chester, understands that “every family is unique” and aims to serve as a friendly and informative resource for both Jewish and non-Jewish members. The synagogue hosts several outreach workshops for interfaith families, including “How to Host a Passover Seder” and “How I Decided to Raise My Kids Jewish.”

At Sherith Israel in San Francisco, Executive Director Nancy Drapin expressed that participation, no matter what denomination you identify with, is the key to the success of programs at the synagogue. At Sherith Israel, you don’t have to be a member in order to participate in programs — but Drapin can’t promise you won’t get hooked on the “fun-loving” community vibe it offers.

Adam Eisendrath of Tiburon’s Kol Shofar notes that “Marin County has one of the highest rates of interfaith families in the country,” and the synagogue makes it a priority to address that in their programming. Through the Marin Organizing Committee, Kol Shofar and San Rafael’s Rodef Sholom, the region’s other winner, works with a variety of faith-based organizations to examine Marin County’s public policies.

At Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, interfaith and social action programming intertwine. In addition to offering a warm, welcoming environment for interfaith couples, Beth Am is a member of Peninsula Interfaith Action, a non-sectarian, faith-based advocacy organization that offers religious groups a forum in political and social issues, including healthcare, housing and education.

In second place were Congregations B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek, Kol Emeth in Palo Alto and Sha’ar Zahav in San Francisco.

1st Place

San Francisco

Congregation Sherith Israel

(415) 388-1818

www.kolshofar.org

East Bay

Temple Sinai

Oakland

(510) 451-3263

www.oaklandsinai.org

Peninsula/South Bay

Congregation Beth Am

Los Altos Hills

(650) 493-4661

www.betham.org

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar/Marin Organizing Committee

Tiburon

(415) 388-1818

www.kolshofar.org

Congregation Rodef Sholom/Marin Organizing Committee

San Rafael

(415) 479-3441

www.rodefsholom.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Congregation Sha’ar Zahav

(415) 861-6932

www.shaarzahav.org

East Bay

Congregation B’nai Shalom

Walnut Creek

(510) 832-1720

www.bshalom.org

Peninsula/South Bay

Congregation Kol Emeth

Palo Alto

(650) 948-7498

Israel-related synagogue programming

Jerusalem may be a 7,433-mile trek from the Bay Area, but local synagogues’ special Israel programming helps minimize the distance. From cultural exploration to spiritual devotion, congregations are fostering ties to Israel within, and beyond, their walls.

Congregation B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek is celebrating Israel’s 60th birthday all year, says Rabbi Michelle Fisher. “We’re continuing to do events to bring Israel to the forefront,” she says, which includes hosting speakers from AIPAC at Shabbat services and inviting Israeli and Palestinian students from the Arava Institute to share their experiences. “If we can’t be there, we’ll be as close as we can,” Fisher says.

Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon has been keeping an active emphasis on supporting the Jewish state since the congregation’s 2007 trip to Eastern Europe and Israel, led by Rabbi Chai Levy. Their members help raise funds for the Masorti movement in Israel, which donates to Ashkelon and Sderot residents affected by rocket attacks from Gaza.

Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco serves on the Israel Action Committee with several other Bay Area synagogues, and makes teaching about Israel a special part of its religious school programming.

In Foster City, Rabbi Adam Rosenthal has brought his passion for Zionism to his congregation at Peninsula Sinai. He makes frequent trips to Israel himself, and studied for several years in Jerusalem.

In second place were Congregations Adath Israel in San Francisco, Beth Am in the Los Altos Hills, Rodef Sholom in San Rafael and Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland.

1st Place

San Francisco

Congregation Sherith Israel

(415) 346-1720

www.sherithisrael.org

East Bay

Congregation B’nai Shalom

Walnut Creek

(925) 934-9510

www.bshalom.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Peninsula Sinai Congregation

Foster City

(650) 349-2816

www.peninsulasinai.org

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar

Tiburon

(415) 388-1818

www.kolshofar.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Congregation Adath Israel

(415) 564-5665

www.adathisraelsf.org

East Bay

Beth Jacob Congregation

Oakland

(510) 482-1147

www.bethjacoboakland.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Beth Am

Los Altos Hills

(650) 493-4661

www.betham.org

North Bay

Congregation Rodef Sholom

San Rafael

(415) 479-3441

www.rodefsholom.org

Religious school

Jews have always placed a great emphasis on our growing minds as well as our souls — and these winning religious schools are celebrated by readers for their efforts to nourish both.

Bet Sefer Avraham, the religious school of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland, and Ma’ayan B’nai Shalom of Walnut Creek’s Congregation B’nai Shalom, tied as East Bay favorite. Says Rabbi Jennifer Flam, director of congregational learning at B’nai Shalom, “We offer a really exciting education that focuses on integrating Jewish learning into modern life so that … kids can bring [Judaism] into their futures.” Bet Sefer Avraham emphasizes fitting Judaism into each child’s life, noting that one of its goals is that “no child [should] ever feel like a stranger in a synagogue.”

Executive Director Nancy Drapin of Sherith Israel is excited about the buzz around religious education that she sees at the San Francisco synagogue. “The religious school curriculum is attracting teens and younger families more than ever before,” Drapin says. “Kids find it really fun to learn and parents are engaged in activities.”

In the South Bay, readers find something special about Peninsula Sinai in Foster City. The Conservative synagogue continues to see success with the religious school program it’s cultivated for years, led by Education Director Doron Shapira.

In Marin, it was a tie between Congregations Rodef Sholom and Kol Shofar. At Kol Shofar, they cover all the basics of a great school, including singing, dancing and praying, with a special emphasis on Hebrew and connection to Israel build into the program. At Rodef Sholom, electives, including trope classes and youth choir, make this religious school program especially innovative and fun.

In second place were Temple Sinai in Oakland and Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo.

1st Place

San Francisco

Congregation Sherith Israel

(415) 346-1720

www.sherithisrael.org

East Bay

Temple Beth Abraham

Oakland

(510) 832-1720

www.tbaoakland.org

Congregation B’nai Shalom

Walnut Creek

(925) 934-9510

www.bshalom.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Peninsula Sinai Congregation

Foster City

(650) 349-2816

www.peninsulasinai.org

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar

Tiburon

(415) 388-5423

www.kolshofar.org

Congregation Rodef Sholom

San Rafael

(415) 479-3441

www.rodefsholom.org

2nd Place

East Bay

Temple Sinai

Oakland

(510) 451-0313

www.oaklandsinai.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Peninsula Temple Beth El

San Mateo

(650) 341-7701

www.templebethel.org

Social action programming

From serving steaming bowls of chicken soup to supporting peace in the Middle East, the social action winners exemplify how central the concept of tikkun olam is to local synagogues.

At Sherith Israel in San Francisco, there is a long history of social action involvement, says Executive Director Nancy Drapin, especially with two active food programs — Hamotzi and Chicken Soupers. “Hundreds of volunteers annually contribute their time to shop, prepare and deliver food to homeless shelters and the homebound,” she says.

Panim el Panim spearheads Kol Shofar’s community outreach program in Tiburon. The group is currently particularly interested in the senior adult population, and is working with the Marin Organizing Committee to identify and address other key interests of their congregants.

Kehilla Community Synagogue in Piedmont harbors a number of committees that emphasize peace both domestically and abroad. The Synagogue’s Economic Justice Committee is focused on affordable housing, health care, and education in Oakland, while its Middle East Peace Committee’s platform promotes compassionate listening as a path to conflict resolution.

Peninsula Sinai in Foster City stands out among readers as a healing and generous force in the community at large. “We adopted a family in Israel, and have supported them with food, clothes and computers” says David Hamaoui, the congregation’s president. The synagogue also participates in the Chicken Soupers program, delivering hot meals to San Mateo County families in need.

Our second-place congregations also practice tikkun olam in their own communities: Congregations Beth Sholom in San Francisco, Beth El in Berkeley, Beth Am in Los Altos Hills and Rodef Sholom in San Rafael.

1st Place

San Francisco

Congregation Sherith Israel

(415) 346-1720

wwww.sherithisrael.org

East Bay

Kehilla Community Synagogue

Piedmont

(510) 547-2424

www.kehillasynagogue.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Peninsula Sinai Congregation

Foster City

(650) 349-2816

www.peninsulasinai.org

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar

Tiburon

(415) 479-3335

www.kolshofar.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Congregation Beth Sholom

(415) 221-8736

www.bethsholomsf.org

East Bay

Congregation Beth El

Berkeley

(510) 848-3988

www.bethelberkeley.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Congregation Beth Am

Los Altos Hills

(650) 493-4661

www.betham.org

North Bay

Congregation Rodef Sholom

San Rafael

(415) 479-3441

www.rodefsholom.org

Readers Choice Awards 2008