Articles in Spanish without translation: (see:
AGOSTO 2002)
This past July, we had various activities organized by the hard-working people of our temple committees, combined as well with Rabbi Holzman’s visit. I would like to take this opportunity to mention what two of the Committees are doing right now.
Hoping to achieve a series of arrangements and improvements, there is actually a sale campaign of burial sites, payable in monthly fees with no interest charges. It’s important that you take the time to know what we are actually doing in our cemetery. For more information, you can contact: Hilda ten Brink, Bill Fischer, Marvin Sossin, Sara Waltersdorfer, Flor Keibel, Gonzalo Vega.
These last months we have been organizing many events to ask for all the member’s contribution, so as to have a full-time Rabbi. All of us have seen how necessary and pleasant it is to have a Rabbi with us, although we do not wish to undervalue the work of so many beautiful people who have studied, prepared and assumed challenges out of their daily occupations, with the sole intention of helping his/her fellow members. Nevertheless, like in everything, foundations are extremely important, and it is over them that we have to build our future. That is why we ask each and every one of you to support us, according to each one’s capabilities and resources, and help us make this wish come true. Every member will eventually be invited to a delicious dinner, so we can discuss such an important community issue.
As you all probably know, Rabbi Holzman has been actively participating in the life of B’nei Israel Congregation. He was with us for Pesach, he came on July, and he will be back next December and January. In his last visit, he met with the Board of Directors and with almost every Committee, so as to participate and become more active in the development of our community life. He will be with us for Chanukah on December, and in January he will take part in the UJLC Youth Machon. Anyone who wishes to contact Rabbi Holzman, or ask him a question, will be very welcome. His e-mail is: MGholzman@aol.com
For the High Holidays, we will have the visit of Rabbi Jessica Zimmerman. She will be with us for a three-week period, and will be traveling in Costa Rica for another week. On the next bulletin issue, the committees in charge of the High Holidays activities with Rabbi Zimmerman will confirm the complete program.
Cordially,
Eduardo Keibel
Translated by Inés Baum
Sunday, May 26, 2002
To our friends at B’nei Israel and all the families who have joined since our most enjoyable five years tenure which began ten years ago:
Lillian and I returned home from the 2002 QE2 World Cruise one month ago. We are still in the midst of sifting through the stacks of mail which sat patiently waiting for our return. Having finally gone through all the first class mail we then started on the stacks of papers and magazines, and were delighted to find our copies of KOLEINU. We derived much joy in reading the April-May 2002 issue.
First and foremost, though belatedly, we join all of the B’nei Israel community in extending a HEARTY MAZAL TOV to Michael Sossin on his 90th birthday. Now that Lillian and I are drawing so close to the 80s we are delighted to read that “Life begins at 100”. Since we know Michael quite well, we are certain that the very young amongst us will be able to celebrate with Michael Sossin the fulfillment of “Biz A Hunderf und Tzvantzig”.
There is still more for the Sossin family. We add our congratulations to the Marin family, Ellen and Guillermo, on the Bat Mitzvah of Michelle. Congratulations to grandfather Marvin and Great grandfather Michael. On March 23rd, while Michelle was making her Bat Mitzvah in San Jose, Costa Rica, Lillian was marking her birthday also on March 23rd in Mumbai (Bombay), India. Congratulations also to David and Amanda on the birth of Sara.
And last but surely not least our heartfelt congratulations to Rosario and Marvin on their marriage. Mazal Tov and Simon Tov to all!!!
The article on YOM HA’ATZMAUT AT THE JENNIFER SOSSIN SCHOOL was most impressive. And the article by Dennis Prager, a neighbor here in Los Angeles, was extremely important while unbelievably frightening. Will the world ever wake up to the “Jew-Hatred” which pervades even the western world and demands writing articles such as the one Dennis Prager wrote?
A final word, if clarification is necessary. B’nei Israel in San Jose, Costa Rica will remain in our blood till the very end of our time. Lillian and I continue to speak of the B’nei Israel community wherever we are and continue to relish our many wonderful memories of the five partial years we spent with you. Be strong, Be strong and together the community will be strengthened.
We pray that all continue to remain well and that we shall have the opportunity to meet again for happy occasions.
With fondness and affection,
Lillian and Rabbi Harry A. Roth
Shulem Dickerman went into San Juan de Dios Hospital on Sunday, July 7, 2002. Dr. Calderón, who is head of Cardiology, performed the procedure of implanting the special stents. The hospital had just received a new machine for this purpose because it was impossible to do it in Costa Rica for Heart patients who also had Diabetes, as was the case for Shulem.
The doctor initially did a study and concluded that he would need 3 stents and the procedure would take about an hour. It required over 3 hours and 4 stents to complete the operation, as all the arteries were blocked.
Shulem is a new man, with a new and normal lease on life. We are overjoyed about his condition and prognosis and proud that we could help.
Hello!
The Sisterhood is preparing itself for the “Great Raffle” on the 10th of August. Everybody working together to make this event a smashing success.
Many thanks to all those who contributed donating prizes. Without their help and good will, this sort of activities wouldn’t be possible.
To Hilda ten Brink and Rosalía Koss, a most heartfelt thank you for opening their homes and receiving the ladies of the community with such hospitality and care.
Hopefully, on Koleinu’s next issue we will be telling you all about this raffle and how wonderful it was, thanks to many of you.
Sincerely,
Flor Keibel
By Bill Fischer
There will never be a better time than now to purchase burial rights in our cemetery. Through November 15, burial rights will be sold for $1,000 payable in monthly installments of $85 each, with no interest charges. A 25% increase in the cost of burial rights will become effective on November 16.
Certainly each member of the Congregation will need a place to spend eternity. Why not remain amongst the Congregants forever? That’s right- amongst the Congregants. Find eternal rest in a beautiful, peaceful setting in the Costa Rican countryside. Those buried here were members of our Congregation, or family or friends of members. There are no strangers lying here.
Funds obtained from the sale of gravesites are used exclusively for the maintenance of the cemetery. Visit the cemetery and see the changes being made. The grass has been freshly cut and weeded and will be done so twice monthly by professional grounds keepers. Renovations will be made to the caretakers’ casita, and new brick pathways will be laid throughout the grounds. Trees and shrubs will be planted and a security fence will be installed around the exterior perimeter of the property.
In the finest tradition of Judaism we remember our dead every time we recite the Mourners Kaddish. Our dead rest eternally in peaceful surroundings. Why not plan a Sunday visit to the Cemetery in Santa Ana? Look around. See what we’ve done. Is there something we’ve forgotten? Let us know what you think.
Pre-need planning makes sense for everyone involved. If you plan to remain in Costa Rica you know that eventually your family or loved ones will be faced with the crisis of: What will we do? Whom shall we call? Why subject anyone you love to this? Remember, your purchase commitment now will supply the needed funds to refurbish the cemetery so that it will be ready when you are.
Contact Bill Fischer by telephone at 296-3334, or by e-mail to thebees@amnet.co.cr or Hilda ten Brink at 228-9529, or by e-mail to lamejor@racsa.co.cr for more information.
By Bill Fischer
During the High Holidays you’ll probably notice that, thanks to Howard Krangle, the Memorial Tree of Life is working again in its entire beautiful splendor. What a wonderful way to memorialize our family members and loved ones forever in the hearts and minds of the Congregation. Each Yizkor, all of the names from the Tree are read aloud in the synagogue.
Any member of the Congregation may purchase a leaf with the name and dates of a family member or loved one whom they wish to be remembered. The new leaves are gold-plated solid brass with deeply engraved and epoxy-painted letters that will last ‘till the end of time’. Please make a contribution to the Congregation of at least $100 and a leaf can be added to the Memorial Tree of life before the next Yizkor service.
Contact Bill Fischer by telephone at 296-3334, or by e-mail to thebees@amnet.co.cr or Hilda ten Brink at 228-9529, or by e-mail to lamejor@racsa.co.cr for more information.
Each time we learn of a new terrorist attack in Israel, we grieve. And yet, when we read in the newspapers, “14 dead and 40 wounded”, “3 dead and 15 wounded”, “25 dead and 50 wounded”, “1 dead and 3 wounded”… we often think it unbelievable and out of our own reality. It doesn’t matter how many die - 1 or 50 - it’s always terrible. Each person that dies in a terror attack was a person who had a family, who had dreams, who worked, studied, loved, was loved, had plans for the future; if little children, they had all their lives ahead. Every one of them was a person just like us, like you and me. And in a second everything was lost. That is why we think it’s important to publish in this bulletin one of these deaths, so we can realize what these numbers really mean.
On Tuesday, June 18 2002, Shiri Negari left her home in Gilo, Jerusalem, for work. She had a temporary job in a bank, where she planned to work until the beginning of the next academic year, when she was to start her undergraduate studies. Shiri had missed her bus to work so she joined her mother, Esther, who was just leaving by car to take Shiri's younger brother, Shahar, to school. They dropped Shiri off on their way and continued towards the school.
A Palestinian terrorist boarded the bus at the next bus stop, and almost immediately detonated a high-powered bomb which he was carrying in a bag stuffed with small pieces of metal. The bus, crowded with school children and office workers, was lifted into the air. Its roof was peeled back like a can of sardines. Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene of that huge explosion -the smoke - the pieces of the bus - the human body parts flying everywhere.
Shiri's father was still at home when he heard that there was a terror attack on the 32A bus from Gilo. He realized that Shiri was probably on that bus, and began to run as fast as he could towards the spot to look for her. When he arrived at the scene of the explosion, he was shocked to see the ghastly remains of the bus. It was clear that something awful had happened to his daughter. In fact, Shiri had suffered serious internal injuries, and was being rushed by ambulance to the 'Hadassah Ein-Karem' hospital.
Meanwhile, on the road to Shahar's school, the sight of the many ambulances and the wailing of sirens alerted Shiri's mother to the fact that something was wrong. When she saw an ambulance marked 'ZAKA' (a special volunteer unit which collects the body parts of terror attack victims for religious burial) she turned her car around and started back to the place where she had left Shiri. Then, on her phone, she got the message that Shiri was indeed injured, and immediately drove to the hospital to join her husband….
We, Shiri's family, started gathering outside the operating room, hoping she would survive this nightmare, praying for her life. On that tragic day, when we called each other after the attack (as relatives always do in Jerusalem in these crazy times) to make sure that everybody was safe, what we were told was the terrible news. "Shiri is severely injured. Shiri is in the operating room. Thank God she's still alive…".
Shiri died on the operating table. The unthinkable has happened. Our Shiri - that radiant, beautiful, kind and happy girl is now dead. MURDERED. She of all people?! WHY?
To think of the contrast between the innocence, beauty and goodness of Shiri's life and the brutal, cruel, and evil nature of her death is horrifying.
We stayed at the hospital for a while after receiving the news of Shiri's death. At first we were too stunned to move. Then we went to see Shiri for the last time. She was pretty as always, her face almost unharmed - (we should be thankful for even such a small mercy in these terrible times) - aside from a few pieces of shrapnel which had penetrated her skin. Shiri's long golden hair -which had become a symbol of who she was to all who knew her - was now lightly burnt as a result of the fire which followed the explosion. Then everybody waited for Shiri's brother, Shay, who had just started his mandatory military service, to come and take leave of his sister for the last time.
Shiri was buried near her grandfather in the 'Har Hamenuchot' cemetery, surrounded by her loving family and many friends.
Shiri was so special. She seemed to radiate an indefinable spiritual quality. She was uncompromised innocence and beauty. Since she was a baby, she had magnetized people with her beauty. She had never cut her hair, and her long blonde braid became a kind of personal symbol.
Shiri loved to laugh and made others laugh with her. She loved to dance and knew how to enjoy the little things in life. She had the gift of being able to see goodness and beauty in every person she met, and she kept up many close friendships with a wide variety of people. She fit perfectly into the lively and happy atmosphere of the home she grew up in. Always full of life, she loved to sing and make music. A born actress, she often delighted family and friends with her spontaneous improvisations and impressions. She wrote poetry. She loved swimming. Most of all, she was known for her high moral standards and her unconditional loyalty to the values of the religious education she received from her parents.
Shiri graduated 'Pelech' high school, majoring in biology and literature.
During her army service, Shiri served as a soldier-teacher and worked with youngsters who dropped out of school. She would sit down with them and discuss their problems in life over a game of backgammon. This period was the first time in her life that she was really separated from her home and family, developing her independence. The fragile religious girl became a strong independent young woman, though she still looked like a teenager.
After her army service, Shiri went traveling in South America. She climbed mountains, trekked exhausting paths, rafted wild rivers, saw icebergs, rode horses, scuba dived, climbed onto an active volcano, learned Spanish, bought many gifts for her friends and family, but most of all she enjoyed meeting so many people from all around the world. Shiri used to sign her e-mails home with the signature "Shiri Negari - World Traveler".
She celebrated her last birthday on July 5th, 2001 with her trip buddies. Shiri turned 21….
About a year after Shiri left Israel, she decided to return home. Her family suggested that perhaps she should continue her trip abroad because they were worried about the security situation in Israel, but Shiri missed her family too much and so she packed her bags and made the long journey back to Jerusalem.
Shiri planned to start studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in October. In the meantime she took on some personal projects which included painting her room, taking care of the garden and spending time with her family.
The suicide bomber who killed Shiri on that accursed morning of June 18th, 2002, destroyed, with one blow, all the promises that the future held for our Shiri. She will never sing again, she will never get married nor have children. We will never hear her laughter. She is gone.
When Shiri joined her school delegation to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, she wrote in her diary how she was struck by the long braided hair she saw there, so like her own. It was as if Shiri was meeting her family members who were killed in that place.
Shiri had always wondered about the significance of her long hair. But there in the camp Shiri wrote that she saw how "my braid is like a link between me and them". It seems that half a century later, totally innocent Jews-Israelis are still being persecuted and murdered in cold blood.
By Marvin Sossin
We came for Shabbat services, on July 6, 2002. We savoured the service and the memory of an unforgettable evening.
Rabbi Steven Reuben Carr and his wife Didi were visiting us from Los Angeles. Gonzalo Vega was leading the service. There, on the Bimah, was Jody Bonilla, with her guitar, Dave Kaufman, with his banjo and recorder/flute.
The temple came alive to the music of the service, presented by this quintet. The Beatles couldn’t have done it better - and they weren’t Jewish… We all joined in the music of MA YA FEH HAYOM, and Miriam’s song, by Debbie Friedman. Gonzalo sung a solo, called “LISTEN”, which was exquisite; the voice and the words. (I include the words in full because it was so special.)
I never knew Jody had such a beautiful voice.
Steven and Didi sand a duet together. And Dave Kaufman and Jody played their hearts out.
I know there are some who disapprove of music in the temple. But I believe that music and Judaism go together, and touch the soul. (Try attending a Hassidic wedding sometime. Incredible musical experience!) For all of us there, it was a night to be remembered.
P.S.: If anyone wants the words to the music of the night, e-mail me and I will gladly send it. msossin@torneca.com
If you’re lost,
You feel afraid and you don’t know what to say
Then, listen, listen to our God.
Is there a question on your mind?
Is the answer hard to find?
Then, listen, listen to our God.
Listen with all your heart and soul,
And with all your might.
Write them and learn them and teach them well,
Every morning and night
Close your eyes, and listen.
Quiet yourself, there’s nothing to say,
Stop all the chatter that gets in the way,
And listen, listen to our God.
When the wind and the thunder finally disappear
There’s still a voice that you will hear
If you listen, listen to our God.
You can hear from the top of the highest hill,
Or from the valley below.
It can come from the edge of the universe,
It can come from within your soul.
Close your eyes, and listen.
Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai EHad
BaruH shem k’vod, shem k’vod mal’Huto l’olam va’ed.
Listen, listen to our God.
Listen, listen to our God.
By Hilda ten Brink
Her parents didn’t have a formal education. Since they were Jewish, they couldn’t attend high school in Poland. How proud Mrs. Fanny Rezler and Mr. Luis Zomer felt when they saw their daughter Clara receive with honors the title of Civil Engineer at the University of Costa Rica, country where they had met, wedded, and had their children.
Don Luis, father and teacher of Clara Zomer, was a scholar, a writer who earned his life in a hard way. Clara, the eldest, was the bridge between two cultures: the world inside her house - filled with tears because of the war in Europe, without news from the grandparents - and the outside world, Costa Rica, and assimilation. Her mother taught her to survive and always go on.
Clara’s life hasn’t been easy; she’s had her portion of challenges, which she has accepted with ecuanimity. When speaking with her we find a person with a mind that does honor to her name, with a very positive attitude towards life, with great human candor, and a pretty smile. And it was precisely the subject of that smile which opened up this interview. When we asked Clara what reasons she had for having such a pretty smile these days, her answer was direct and without stuttering: “I inherited my mother’s smile, but now I’m at a point in my life where I have no bills to pay. I don’t owe and nobody owes me, and I took a life decision - keep my smile.” Clara tells us that it wasn’t always this way. Some time ago, her daughter Alegría asked her: “Mami, where has your pretty smile gone?” And she answered: “Let’s go look for it and never let it go.”
A recount of Clara’s professional and political activities takes us to this moment when she has no bills. She tells us that she’s had an extraordinary amount of luck, which has left her many smiles and some wisdom to share. She gave the best she could in all her jobs, but the satisfactions she received were great. She has the appreciation of her students and thinks the most wonderful years of her life were those she spent as Director of the Center of Electronic Calculus, where she introduced the techniques of scientific computing to the Costa Rican community. She had the opportunity of teaching at the Antiguo Palacio de Minería of the UNAM, in downtown Mexico City, an old building that was restored and that holds memories of how happy she was for being part of such a long tradition of engineers.
Clara served as Executive President of the INVU and the INA. At the INVU she provided houses for the poor, and at the INA, training for women to get jobs. Her work didn’t focus only on the people she had to tend to, but on other instances for the future as well. Both charges were political assignments, but she limited herself simply to administration activities. She worked so that these organizations could continue flourishing even after she left her post. She bases her success in politics on being an engineer, oriented to obtain results that can be seen and touched, in not being confronting, and in liking team work.
Her daughter, Alegría, is her partner, friend, and companion. She doesn’t have many friends, but in her own words, “they’re never enough.” Her house, from where she can see the mountains of Tres Ríos, is her refuge to read her books. Clara has done so many tasks, touched so many people, that we were wondering if she still had goals to attain. She told us she still hasn’t written the books she wants to write, she’s maturing them. She still hasn’t run all the adventures she wants, and still hasn’t built all she wants to build.
Clara has been a member of B’nei Israel for many years. As a guide for our Shabbat services, we can appreciate her sobriety, her deepness, and her love for the Jewish traditions. She enjoys reading on Friday night the Jewish Obligations, which are normally read on Saturday morning, because she finds that these mitzvoth represent the Jewish ethic. A few years ago, we heard her sermon on Noah and we could feel his human character; with her soft voice, Clara made us experience the sadness Noah must have felt when seeing his friends and his people disappear in the great disaster of the flood.
With a life so full of accomplishments and satisfactions, Clara comments with fine wit that she has few complaints: she has never had a serenade, she’s never had someone take her flowers to the airport, and she hasn’t had a “despedida de soltera”.
Today, Clara has joy for living, makes plans for the future, is surrounded by love. This daughter of immigrants knew how to handle the opportunities Costa Rica gave her, and is a perfect example of achievement. What she has accomplished and what she will achieve in the future can rightly fill her with pride, as well all of us who care about her.
Translated by Tamara Baum
By Laurie Bonilla
I didn’t know my great-aunt Libby well. As far back as I can remember, when I would go to New York with my mom, we would stop by Libby and her husband Nat’s apartment, always with a box of rugellach from Zabar’s in hand. What I did know about her was that she looked like the actress Jessica Tandy, from “Driving Ms. Daisy;” she got her masters at Columbia University years ago, when women didn’t do that kind of thing; and that my mom loved her very much. I therefore tried not to complain too much when we went to visit.
Her death a year ago greatly affected my mother. It was hard for me to know how to alleviate some of her pain, and the best I could think to do was ask her about their relationship. She told me stories about my aunt’s life and also asked me a favor: to design a stained glass window for the synagogue in honor of my aunt Libby’s life.
It took me months and months, but finally in June I began to work on the design. When I began, I had no idea how to incorporate the memory of my aunt with something that I would like to see forever atop the Congregation’s ark. I thought and thought. The most obvious relationship between the two is Judaism. But, what elements of our religion did I want to include in the design?
I have always been impressed with the energy my mom has dedicated to the synagogue. Through the years, she has explained her motivation as a need to feel a part of a community since she was away from her home. She had examined her life and realized the importance of her Jewish roots. When she would tell me these things, my child mind thought of aspects of her past, such as the strict kosher rules kept in aunt Libby’s home (she even used kosher soap to wash the dishes). For me, being Jewish was an aspect of my life that differentiated me from the rest. For my mom, Judaism was an essential part of her identity within a country of people who were different than herself. Upon understanding this, I knew the design had to represent both of our Jewish realities.
The shofar functions as a call to prayer, and for that reason I felt it necessary to include one in the design. With the measurements of the space for the stained glass, and the image of a shofar, I began to draw different ideas. In the various sketches, I experimented with all that came to my mind, and by the end, I gathered all that which I liked into a mixture of watercolors.
From the shofar, which is at the center of the design, flow water, land and a building that is the structure of our synagogue. To the left is a tree, the tree of life. Behind the shofar are the mountains that one can see from the Central Valley. Therefore, if one can appreciate the symbolism in the stained glass, it becomes evident that it is a song to life, faith and nature within the modern world that we live in Costa Rica. The spirit and the strength that has surrounded me my whole life, due in large part to influences like my mom and my aunt Libby, affords me the ability to see beauty that vibrates in every angle of our existence.
By Marvin Sossin
I used to think all angels were feminine. And they had wings. And they were in God’s service.
Now I am grown up. Many of the myths I once believed in have vanished. And some remain. For example. I now know that angels don’t have wings. And they can be of either sex. But they are connected to God through Mitzvot. We have one in our midst. His name is Antonio Carrillo. He is a doctor; a family man, a person of principle, a mensch.
He was key in our arranging for the operation of Shulem Dickerman. When he heard of the problem, and the only possible solution going to a U.S. hospital at extraordinary cost, he immediately set to work. He arranged for a medical review and analysis of Shulem’s case. He made arrangements with Dr. Calderón, head of Cardiology at San Juan de Dios Hospital, to import the special stents required for Shulem’s 4 blocked arteries, and diabetic condition, and perform the operation here with new equipment and technology.
I know Antonio called on some favors owed, and through his efforts and connections, our congregation was able to greatly assist in the financial burden at 1/3 of the original pro forma cost.
Have you noted the beautiful 2-foot menorah that graces our synagogue beside the Bimah? A contribution from Dr. Carrillo.
He is probably the most constant worshipper in the Temple. He is there every Friday night, and rushes to serve the wine cups just before the Kiddush at the end of the Services.
Antonio has long been interested in converting to Judaism. I hope he does. In any event, the man captures and epitomizes the Jewish heart and spirit.
He is an angel.
Edited by Shlomo Katz - Contributing Editor: Daniel Dadusc
At the beginning of the month of Elul, R' Chaim Halberstam of Sanz z"l would often relate the following parable to his chassidim:
A prince once sinned against his father the king, and was exiled from the palace. The prince began to wander, and, at first, he was shown great honor as befits royalty. However, as he went farther and farther from the palace, people no longer recognized him or paid any attention to him.
Eventually, the prince found himself on the verge of starvation, and he took a job as a shepherd. The job was easy and his needs were simple. However, the prince found that he was unable to construct a lean-to such as shepherds typically used to protect themselves from the rain.
One day, the prince heard that the king (his father) would be traveling through this distant province, and that anyone who had a request could toss a note into the king's carriage. The prince wrote a note asking for help in constructing a lean-to, and he threw it straight into the king's lap as the royal carriage passed by.
The king recognized his son's handwriting and was pained greatly. Had the king's son fallen so far that all he could ask for from his father was help in constructing a humble lean-to? Had the prince forgotten the closeness that he once had to the king, and had he given up hope of restoring that closeness?
"We, too," concluded R' Chaim, "have forgotten that we are the King's children. When Hashem comes to hear our prayers during these Days of Mercy leading to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur come, we forget to ask Him to restore our former closeness to Him, and we instead focus on our relatively petty material needs." (Otzar Chaim: Minhagei Sanz p. 267)
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Remember: Everybody wins!!
This Shabbat evening, we will dedicate the Oneg to those Jewish people in Costa Rica who are interested in knowing more about our Congregation. This is a perfect opportunity for all our members to bring a non-affiliated Jewish friend, or any Jewish person whose beliefs more closely follow the Liberal program.
Following the service, Marvin Sossin will give a brief history of B’nei Israel, explain what we have to offer, and answer questions.
Rabbi Jessica Zimmerman will lead our services on her arrival. She will also be leading us for all High Holiday events.
Rosh Hashanah starts early this year. Saturday, Sept. 5 is Erev Rosh Hashanah. We will be having our Services at the San Jose Palacio Hotel, with our traditional dinner following.
Please communicate with Tamara, our Secretary, for tickets and details. Tickets will include seating at all High Holiday services and events.
