Benamy Yashar learned how to braid his daughter’s hair in a most Jewish way: by braiding loaves of challah in the kitchen of Petaluma’s B’nai Israel Jewish Center many years ago.
“When I was here, Sundays and Thursdays, we would bake challah in that kitchen,” said Yashar, pointing to the kitchen at the back of the social hall. “Sometimes I would bake these really cute little braided challot, and I would be very proud of them. Sometimes they weren’t so cute. Now my 2½-year-old daughter is part of the community, and I need to braid her hair — and that’s where I learned to braid.”
His was one of many memories shared on Aug. 10, when 200 people came together to celebrate a century of congregating in the same building on Western Avenue. The mood was joyful, as people clinked glasses of sparkling wine and shared stories of growing up at the synagogue.
The Sonoma County congregation bills itself as the “oldest Jewish community between San Francisco and Portland.” It was founded as B’nai Israel-Petaluma in 1864 by German Jews. In 1871, it was incorporated as Congregation Society B’nai Israel. In the early decades of the 20th century, it was populated by Jewish, socialist chicken farmers seeking to build community.
It changed its name to B’nai Israel Jewish Center in 2006 and today is a thriving, nondenominational synagogue with families who have had five generations grow up there.
Rabbi Ted Feldman, who was B’nai Israel’s spiritual leader from 2003 to 2022, said that when he came along, “I found a lot of history and love and caring.”
Rabbi Shalom Bochner, who came on board in 2023, organized a photo of the group gathered around a long table covered by a white tablecloth and bouquets of flowers, re-creating a photograph taken in the same room 100 years prior.
Board president Abbey Levine said she loves Bochner’s passion and the programs he has helped create.
“He is tireless, so enthusiastic, and really embraces whatever level of Judaism is comfortable for you,” said Levine. “He meets people where they are and helps them embrace — if it’s cultural Judaism, if it’s musical events.”
Levine added that Bochner led the creation of an “Elevated Shabbat” program filled with music.
“We do a short musical service that’s spiritual and uplifting and gets you ready to enjoy the Shabbat if that’s your practice, or just to enjoy the weekend,” Levine said.
The memories continued to flow. Kathe Jaffe brought a World War II-era photo showing congregants — including her husband as a child — welcoming numerous U.S. Air Force service members who were stationed on the West Coast. Jaffe, whose father served in the Air Force, said the photo is displayed in her home and has become her favorite possession because it ties together her family’s history.
Cynthia B. Luce and Naomi Freedman attended B’nai Israel’s Sunday school together. Although they acknowledged hating school, they said they were glad it brought them together as lifelong friends.
Board member Armando Yosef Hernandez told J. he enjoys the rich history of the building and the community.
“Every time I come here, I learn something new, what’s happened decades past,” he said. “I get to meet members who recall memories from their parents and their grandparents being here. The way that the stories are told transports me to each one of those times. So it’s just a very memorable trip through time.”