Mendocino E-Megillah Mendocino Coast Jewish Community February 2010 (5770) The Jewish Center (Shul) is located at 15071 Caspar Road, Caspar CA. The MCJC can be reached at (707) 964-6146 Mail can be sent to PO Box 291, Little River, CA 95456 website: http://www.mcjc.org email: mcjcmegillah@mcjc.org PDF Version: http://www.mcjc.org/mjoldart/Megillah/MJMM0000.htm Facebook: MCJC - Mendocino Coast Jewish Community MCJC Kids

Rabbi’s Notes: Tamales and Latkes
This past Sunday, as I write, was the “Culture Mix All-Holiday Party,” which our elders’ group co-organized with Safe Passage Family Resource Center.  The party was the brainstorm of the fabulous, irrepressible Irene Malone, who is active in both groups.  Her idea was to invite local Latinos and local Jews, and anyone else of any cultural stripe, to share some food and some songs and stories around the winter holiday time.  At our most recent elders’ meeting, Irene made her proposal, and it was enthusiastically chosen by the group.

We got together to plan with some of the Safe Passage crew (many of whose clients are Latino.)  We decided right off the bat that we should serve latkes and tamales.  Well, how many latkes and how many tamales?  How many people did we really think would show up for something like this? The most cautious among us suggested we plan for twenty (“and that will be lucky.”)  The ever-hopeful, me among them, said we should plan for fifty and just be prepared to buy back extra tamales to take home afterward.

So all of us were happily blown away when there was a lively buzz of more than a hundred people, of all ages, speaking several languages -- even though the 100 latkes and 120 tamales vanished in minutes.  The party was scheduled for two hours, and that’s exactly how long it lasted.  Fifteen minutes for a little mixing game, 30 minutes to eat, the planned songs and stories and genug -- we were cleaning up and out the door.  Not a big deal.

At the beginning of the party I did a demonstration of the mixing game in front of the crowd.  I had a word taped to my back, and I had to ask questions to try to figure out what it was.  I hardly speak any Spanish.  One thing about being a rabbi is that you get used to doing things you don’t know how to do in front of a crowd, so I gamely stammered in both languages as people laughed and cheered me on.  It was actually way more fun than mortifying.  Later I sat down at a table with five or six women and children speaking Spanish, and I smiled and shrugged quite a bit as I tried to enter the conversation, and they did the same in return. 

The next night I was in La Bamba with my boisterous post-yoga crowd having our weekly burrito feast, and the woman working there greeted me and started talking with me a bit.  She said that she had seen me many times before at Los Gallitos, where she also works (and where our Monday gang usually has our after-class feast.)  She didn’t speak much English at all, but I understood her just fine, and we made a nice connection there for a minute. And it struck me that we had seen each other for many years and never had made more than eye contact before that night. I don’t think she was at the party the day before.  It seemed like a pleasant coincidence that she had picked this particular night to chat with me.

This got me to thinking about my own shyness when trying to speak another language or make myself understood to someone who doesn’t speak much of my tongue.  Well-meaning as I may be, I have an instinctual reticence to, I don’t know, sound foolish?  Make mistakes?  Be inappropriate?  So, while I am smiley, I seldom make contact across those barriers.

And this has left me, over a lifetime, with a kind of subtle inner loneliness that I very seldom notice.  But it rises up sometimes.  I remember a couple of years ago when (for reasons of a political event which I can’t recall now) I went to a big, big rally in Fort Bragg about immigration.  And I saw many hundreds of Hispanic people, many families, babies in strollers, men and women whose faces I dimly recognized from various local businesses.  It was beautiful to see so many people of color together on Main Street.  And I had that little pierce of loneliness then -- here is this vibrant community right here, and I hardly know anybody...

It’s not quite the same thing, but over the years I’ve been part of a number of interfaith programs.  After September 11, I remember that we held a couple of forums (fora?) at the shul in which many different clergy sat together, and people from our various communities came together to hear our little five-minute statements.  Again I was kind of blown away by how many people showed up and how strong the energy felt. I particularly think of my Foursquare Gospel Church colleague, Rev. Don Stiltner, whom I admire and miss, and the warm feeling of sitting next to him in front of the ark.  I thought at the time: it’s not necessarily because any of us was going to say anything earthshaking.  There is just something healing and moving about seeing people of obvious different-ness sitting together.  Sometimes that vision is particularly sustaining.

When I was in Cape Town on my sabbatical, I spent many of my days at the University of Stellenbosch Medical School, where the Desmond Tutu TB Centre has its offices.  It’s a stunningly multi-racial and multi-lingual scene there, and within it the TB Centre all the more so was a microcosm of the colors and languages of South Africa.  Good will abounded.  But I was still conscious of how the nursing students in the cafeteria at lunchtime clumped at tables by color.  I was aware that it wasn’t until my second year that I was a guest in the home of someone black or coloured (nor, as I now think about it, did I ever have anyone of color over to my “dungeon.”)  I was aware above all of my own slight self-consciousness when I chatted with black and coloured co-workers, whereas I quickly became close to a white couple (for whom English was not their first language either, for that matter.)  Hmmmmm.

These are awkward things, and I admire those of you I know who --either because of your natural social comfort or because you’ve worked at it -- have expanded your circles of friendship and community across cultures, languages and races.  And I am grateful for those friendships of my own which have overcome shyness and reticence to connect across cultures.

But I suspect I’m not completely alone with that little tinge of loneliness and self-consciousness arising from my racial, cultural and religious isolation.  I think that might have something to do with the energy of these little gatherings, however modest, where the intention is made explicit to mix it up. 

I even wonder if something about that Culture Mix party on Sunday -- and specifically something about my standing up in front of all those people with a post-it on my back and asking silly questions until I guessed my word (which was “candle / vela”!) -- that made me a look little more approachable the next night at La Bamba... so that it was that night, of all possible nights, the woman working there introduced herself and chatted with me?  Who knows?

I’m glad it happened, and I look forward to more get-togethers where we can put tamales and latkes on the same plate!
 
Purim !!!
Tricksters, magicians, jesters, pranksters, jokers!  All are invited for the annual Purimshpiel on Saturday night, February 27, 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the shul.  Celebrate Queen Esther, the greatest practical jokester of all time (sneaking into that beauty pageant, getting the king to choose her, inviting the wicked H-M-N for the surprise of his life, and saving the Jewish people besides....)  Come dressed as your favorite Purim character, or wear your tux and tails or your harlequin hat.  We’re looking for clever people who can do a magic trick or two, juggle or tell a really funny joke (contact Margaret at 937-5673 or mholub@mcn.org if that’s YOU.) 

To be preceded by a ...

Hamantachen Bake
Thursday, Feb. 25, 1:00 - 4 or 5:00 PM at the shul.  Come help roll, fill, bake, schmooze and taste!

Mussar Schmooze
Our amazing mussar class is just too stimulating to contain in its four-hours-a-month format.  So all who wish are invited to an occasional mussar schmooze -- the first one on Sunday, February 7, 3-5 PM at the shul.  This will be a chance to get together informally and just chat about our ongoing explorations of the middot (personality traits.)  The coffee pot will be on -- feel free to bring snacks, readings or anything else -- or just come on by.  You are welcome to come even if you haven’t attended the class.

Next Couple of Mussar Classes
The mighty mussar class will meet on February 3 and 17, 5:00 -7:00 PM at the shul.  On February 3 we will enter the middah of anavut (humility) and on Feb. 17 we will explore tzedek (righteousness.)  Two big-ticket middot!  All are welcome.

Funny Box
I (Margaret) was reminded recently that many years ago I put out the call to our community for really funny things that could be put into a box -- cartoons, videos, stories, pictures, books, I don’t know what else -- that could be loaned around when people could really use a laugh, in times of illness, mourning and such. At that time a couple of great things came in, but I’m afraid the box disappeared when we moved into the shul.  Now I’d like to start that collection again.  The sole criterion is that whatever you offer must have made you personally LAUGH OUT LOUD (not merely smile.)  Matters of taste are up to the donors.   I’ll put a box in the shul library on top of the bookshelves, and you can put offerings in there, or get them to me at PO Box 97, Albion 95410 or mholub@mcn.org.  

We cordially invite you to share our joy when our son Scott Roy Duncan is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah Saturday, February 13, 2010 Ten thirty in the morning Caspar Shul, Caspar, California Reception immediately following Please respond pduncan@mcn.org or 707-962-0101

by The Shadow
 

Mitzvah Freezer
We had another successful Mitzvah Meal and fed the freezer full of delicious vegetarian food for those who are ill or are having trouble preparing meals.  The food is in single portion servings that can be easily reheated.  Ingredients for each is available in case there are issues of allergy.  If you or someone you care for needs this assistance we will arrange for you to get it.   For access or if  you have any questions contact one of the Bikkur Cholim committee Mina at 937-1319 or mcohen@mcn.org, Fran Schwartz at 937-1352 or franamie@cs.com, or Karen Rakofsky at 937-5522 or nerak@mcn.org. Thank you to all who cooked for this mitzvah. (mc)

Book Group
The book group will meet Monday, February 22nd (not the usual 3rd Monday) at the home of Rosamond Gumpert Jorgensen Please call Fran Schwartz at 937-1352 if you wish to join us.  We will be reading “Tales of a Female Nomad ” by Rita Golden Gelman. When Rita Golden Gelman traveled to Mexico during a two-month separation from her husband, she hoped to satisfy an old craving for adventure and, in the process, rejuvenate herself and her marriage. Little did she know it was the beginning of a new life, not just as a divorcée, but as a nomad of the world. Since 1986, Gelman has had no permanent address and no possessions except those she can carry. She travels without a plan, guided by instinct, serendipitous opportunities, and a remarkable ability to connect with people. At first her family and friends accused her of running away, but Gelman knew she had embarked on a journey of self-discovery and a way of life that is inspiring and enviable.  Books are available at Cheshire Books in Fort Bragg for a 10% discount if you let them know you are in the Jewish Book Group.  We welcome new people at any time. 

Thank You for Megillah Help
Thank you to Sally Welty and Rachel Binah for collating and mailing our last megillah.  Contact Mina if you’d like to help with this task.

The Mendocino Megillah is generated in two formats: the legacy hardcopy format which is optimized for printing on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper and the HTML format which is formatted for easy reading on a computer display.

Albion Doors and Windows:  1000s of recycled windows, French doors, thermal windows, entry doors, new & used * Leaded glass, arches & unique styles * Liquidation prices at 937-0078 in Albion * www.knobsession.com

Bob Evans - Computer Help: Assisting small business and individuals with computer challenges. Websites, software and hardware problems, slow performance, networking, new computer selection, web marketing, training, security, backup  and more. bobevans@boborama.net  http://www.boborama.net 707.357.2817 +30 years of experience and speaks English, not techo-babble. :-)

Cheshire Books: Eclectic community bookstore located in the heart of downtown Fort Bragg at 363 N. Franklin St. * Open Mon.- Fri. 10:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat. 10:00 am-5:00 pm, & Sun. 11:00 am-3:00 pm * 964-5918

College Bound Advising * College search, coaching, and application assistance * Mina Cohen, certified college counselor * Individual consultation and group workshops * Tel: 937-1319 * cbadvising.com

Frankie's Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor: Homemade pizzas, Cowlick's ice cream and other yummy things to nosh on.  Beer and wine available. Live music weekly, all ages welcome.  Open daily from 11 - 9 at 44951 Ukiah Street, Mendocino, 937-2436. www.frankiesmendocino.com

Hortus Botanicus Nursery and Gardens (since 1994): Annuals, perennials, unusual trees, shrubs, clematis, nepenthes and other carnivorous plants, orchids and succulents at 20103 Hanson Rd, Ft. Bragg. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fall and Winter hours are Thursday - Monday 10 to 4, Sundays 11 to 3.  Robert Goleman, Owner. www.hortusb.com or 964-4786

ICONS:  Global Gifts- Local Art:  Coastal photography; wood carvings; ceramics; Judaica (siddurim, seder plates, etc.) ; Buddha; saint: and goddess statues; classic rock tee-shirts and memorabilia; new CDs and DVDs and used LPs; cards, books, and much more!  Open daily, 10466 Lansing St., Mendocino  937-1784

Montag’s Handyman Service: Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Furniture Repairs, Antique Restoration * George Montag * 33410 Greenwood Rd., Elk, CA.  95432 * montag@mcn.org * 707-877-3243

Out of this World: telescopes, binoculars, & science toys at 45100 Main St., * Box 1010, Mendocino * 937-3335 * www.DiscountTelescopes.com

Phoebe Graubard: Attorney at Law * Wills, trusts, probate, conservatorships * 594 S. Franklin, Fort Bragg, 95437 * 964-3525 * www.mcn.org/a/celr * Member National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys * Wheelchair accessible

Rainsong & Rainsong Shoes: From head to toe in Mendocino! * Contemporary clothing * Shoes & accessories for men & women * 3 locations: Mendocino, Healdsburg, and Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa * 937-4165 (clothing) * 937-1710 (shoes) * 433-8058 (Healdsburg) * 576-8919 (Santa Rosa) http://www.rainsongshoes.com

Raven Deerwater, EA, PhD: Tax practitioner * Specializing in families, home-based & small businesses, & non-profit organizations * 45121 Ukiah St. * Box 1786, Mendo * 937-1099 * raven@taxpractitioner.com http://www.taxpractitioner.com

Richard Green & Co. Certified Public Accountant * 45170 Main Street, Mendocino * 937-5260 * rgcpa@adelphia.net

Richochet Ridge Ranch: Trail rides on beach, across from MacKerricher State Park * Reservations: 964-PONY(7669) * 1-1/2 hr. to all day rides, exceptional horses, English and Western * Week long No. Calif. & International riding vacations * Free brochure contact Lari Shea, 24201 N. Highway 1, Fort Bragg, 95437 *
 http://www.horse-vacation.com/

Rosenthal Construction: 703 N. Main St., Fort Bragg * 964-1200  www.rosenthalconstruction.com

Silver and Stone: 45005 Ukiah St., Mendocino * 937-0257 * Contemporary sterling silver & gemstone jewelry for women & men * Affordable to indulgent *11 am to 6 pm daily http://silverandstone.net/

Thanksgiving Coffee Co.: local roasters on the Mendocino Coast over 3 decades * Certified organic, shade grown coffee & Fair Trade Coffees * Box 1918, Fort Bragg, 95437 * (800) 462-1999 * www.thanksgivingcoffee.com

(MCJC underwriter's increase their businesses visibility to over 300 subscribers and their presence on the web. $80/year. Please contact Harriet Bye to become an underwriter 937-3622 bysawyer@mcn.org )

* = board member