Mendocino
E-Megillah
 Mendocino
Coast Jewish Community
March 2010
(5770)
The Jewish
Center
(Shul) is located at 15071 Caspar Road, Caspar CA.
The
MCJC
can
be
reached
at
(707)
964-6146
|
Second
Cincinnati Hagadah - 10 Plagues,
This "sister" to the Van Geldern Haggadah was
produced by Moses Loeb ben Wolf from Trebisch, Moravia, in 1716/17. The
miniatures are in oil on parchment and are based on the engravings
found in the printed Amsterdam Haggadah of 1712.
Klau Library, HUC, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi’s
Notes: V’Elohei
Avoteinu
Yesterday I was looking
for a photo of
something (beloved step-daughter Shirra’s tattooed arm to print onto a
cloth patch, in fact...) and it got me scrolling through scads of
old
snapshots on my computer. Lots of shots of long tables laden with
platters of food -- our house, friends’ homes, out in the woods, the
shul. Lots of seders, lots of birthdays, parties, meetings (which
somehow still often feature the full table in my world, I’m happy to
say.) And at so many of them a happy-looking Rosamond
Gumpert-Jorgensen fressing with the crowds. Mousing backwards, I
saw
her getting younger, her hair redder, her eyeglasses punkier until
whenever it was that I got my first digital camera.
Right now we are mid-shiva for Rosamond, who died this past Sunday at
age 93. It’s been a lovely sifting process, even with its
sadness,
reflecting on the essence of this beautiful and intricate soul with
whom we had the privilege of being in life over all these years.
Each night at the shiva minyan there has been a moment when people
share what they’ve been thinking that day about who Rosamond was.
Last
night a couple of people talked about her being our community’s
matriarch. Whether or not we as individuals knew her well (and an
utterly stunnin
g
number of people of all ages did have intense personal friendships with
Rosamond,) we looked forward to seeing her when latkes were being
served or a Purim play put on or Torah studied or prayers offered,
movies shown, other people celebrated or mourned or just fun going
on.
She, in turn, knew that people would be coming to her throughout the
gathering, kissing and hugging, asking after her, checking in to see if
she needed any help with anything. For all her wide-ranging
adventures
in life, the Jewish people and our little Jewish community here on the
Coast were central, essential, lifeblood to Rosamond.
I knew this well, even if I didn’t often think about it in this
over-arching way while she was alive. What I hadn’t thought about
much
until last night’s conversation was how much we all depended on her
presence. “Our matriarch.” We have a truly magnificent generation
of
elders in our community -- younger elders, only in their eighties,
seventies and wherever below those numbers one starts to attain the
stature of age. But one doesn’t become a matriarch or patriarch
by
virtue of age alone. I’m just now starting to sort this out in my
mind. It has something to do with holding the community and its
individual members deep in one’s heart. And with being held
deeply by
that community.
I think here of the beit din which stands before the congregation for
Kol Nidre each year, as we all confess that we have been unable to live
up to our promises over the past year. These three witnesses,
ritually
a court of judges, are supposed to mirror the “heavenly court” hearing
our plea. I have the privilege each year of inviting people to
take on
this role. In recent years I have understood more and more
clearly
that the earthly individuals appointed to the beit din should be those
who can look on us all -- in all our fallibility and failure -- with
mercy and affection.
It’s not so easy when you are younger to look on the failures of your
peers with mercy. Somehow we’re just more knotted up in the
specifics
or something. I think of another friend in her eighties, who once
commented that it was such a relief at her age not to have any bad
relationships anymore. By now, she said, you’ve either worked it
out
with people or taken your distance.
Last night at Rosamond’s house someone spoke about her role in our
hevra kadisha. There was a time when she could be part of the
team for
taharah (the ritual washing of the body of a person who has
died.) At
some point she could no longer manage that physical task. But she
could still make phone calls. Then there came a time when she
couldn’t
manage this either. But her spirit continued to inform and
energize
our hevra kadisha, even until the day when its practices were being
done for her. I am sure this will continue until we youngers are
old
and then gone ourselves.
It seems to me that it is a mystical as well as a physical process,
becoming a matriarch or a patriarch. In the first blessing of the
amidah, we call God eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu v’imhoteinu. In
most
prayerbooks we see that phrase translated as “Our God and God of our
fathers and mothers” (or, truly, in most prayerbooks just “God of our
fathers!) Or “God of our ancestors.” But the prayer goes on to
list
the “fathers and mothers”: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob,
God of Sarah, God of Rebekah, God of Rachel, God of Leah (and of Bilhah
and Zilpah in our shul.) This blessing isn’t just about our
ancestors,
not just our fathers and mothers, but God of our patriarchs and
matriarchs -- God of those particular predecessors whose personal
energies and passions set the tone for who we are today. Later in
the
same prayer we say that God “remembers the lovingkindnesses of our avot
v’imahot and brings redemption to the children of their
children...”
No one would ever make the case that our avot v’imahot were
perfect.
In fact it’s rather wonderful to note how sacred stories so old as
those of the biblical matriarchs and patriarchs still describe such
complicated and individuated personalities. Still and all, their
particular souls and stories leave their marks through the generations
to today and beyond.
And likewise, writ a little smaller, our local matriarchs and
patriarchs affect the personality, the soul, of our community through
the generations. At some fractal level, I suppose, every person
who
passes through the door affects the future of the community. But
our
matriarchs and patriarchs do so powerfully and memorably. Even in
the
relatively short historical lifespan of MCJC, we can feel the energies
of our early days: seders at Table Mountain and B’nai Boo, Adele Saxe’s
particular fondness for Shavuot (and tzedaka and delicious Jewish
food), Lou Miller’s good sense and open heart, early b’nai mitzvah,
most especially the expansive energy of Reb Chanan Sills, the passions
of David Berent, Walter Green and Ella Russell, among our avot
v’imahot. (Lou and Reb Chanan, by the way, are both alive and
well as
I write, thank heavens!) We are shaped by everyone, but most
intensively by those who hold us most passionately.
Now that Rosamond has “laid down and been gathered to her kin,” as
Genesis says of the deaths of our biblical avot v’imahot, I find myself
wondering who are now our living matriarchs and patriarchs. Whose
presence, whose spirit, do we depend on to be the community we
are?
Whose passion and vision shapes us? Who holds us in his or her
heart
like the heavenly beit din, looking upon us, with all our dreams and
all our flaws, with affection and forbearance?
May Rosamond’s memory, together with the memories of all who have gone
before us, continue to be a blessing. And may each of us be
surprised
at some moment, upon walking into a room full of us folks, to realize
how much someone else’s presence there -- or maybe even our own --
matters.
© Rabbi Margaret Holub 2010
Fun Box
Just a reminder of the Funny Box awaiting your contributions -- this is
the box of comics, videos, snapshots, clippings or whatever else you
can think of, to be passed around to people in our community who could
use a laugh in time of illness or other need. Remember, the sole
criterion is that whatever you contribute must have made you laugh out
loud (not merely smile or groan.) The box is in the shul library
on
top of the bookshelf. (mh)
Lots of March Mussar
Because of the blessings of January rain, early Pesach and a rabbinical
conference, our mussar class schedule is extra-thick in March. We
will
meet on Wednesdays, March 3, 10 and 24, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the
shul.
Our topics will be: March 3 -- tzedek (righteousness.) March 10
--
kimmutz (frugality.) March 24 -- zerizut (diligence.) You
are welcome
to come to any or all of the classes. (mh)
Elders' Meeting / Meal / Conversation
Our next elders’ conversation will be Tuesday, March 23, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
at the shul. At this gathering we will:
*Plan our next several elders’ outings (trip to Hess Collection in
Napa, more birding, more political activity or ???)
*Have an open conversation about intellectual life as we age.
What
encourages us to learn new things as we grow older? What inhibits
us?
As we become conscious of the brevity of time, what do we want to be
thinking about? Where do literature, art and other gifts of our
culture fit into our thought life? In more practical terms, are
there
ways we would like to be learning together beyond what’s already
available to us?
*Enjoy a meal together. Margaret and Steve Antler will provide a
hearty soup -- please bring salads, breads or any other treats to round
out the meal.
This get-together is part of MCJC’s ongoing conversation about aging
well as a community. People of all ages are most welcome.
At our last
meeting there was an age range of more than four decades, which is how
it should be. All of us will hopefully get older
together. (mh)
May Their Memories Be A Blessing
Our community was saddened by the deaths of two beloved members this
past month. Peter Matlin, age 68, was a long-time Coast resident,
husband of Marcia, father of Raincrow and Moses Aum, extended
family-member of the Table Mountain community, teacher at the Whale
School, employee of Thanksgiving Coffee Company, Mental Health crisis
worker and much more.
Rosamond Gumpert Jorgensen, age 93, wife of Paul Jorgensen z’l, mother
of Diana Douglas and Kathy Aberanth z’l, scholar, artist, therapist,
Hebrew teacher, animal-lover, friend to so many -- became bat mitzvah
at age 79, our community’s kallat Bereshit (reader of the beginning of
Torah every year at Simchat Torah), student of Bible and Kabbalah to
her very last days. http://www.advocate-news.com/obituaries/ci_14434129
Zichronam livrachah -- may their memories continue to bring blessing. (mh)
Passover 5770
Passover comes “early” this year. (Actually
Passover always falls at the same time: beginning on the full moon of
Nisan. The gregorian calendar is just late catching up this
year.)
The first seder falls on Monday night, March 29. MCJC wants to
make
sure, to the best of our ability, that everyone who wishes to celebrate
Passover on the Coast can do so joyfully and comfortably. To make
this
happen, we need everyone’s support and participation.
#1 -- We need for many people in our community to host seders in their
homes and offer room at their table for guests. Seders can be
simple
or elaborate, traditional or inventive, short or long, child-centered
or scholarly or contemplative or political or... There can be
lots of
traditional foods or just matzah and salad. If you plan to host a
seder this year, please consider contacting the seder hotline and
offering to host however many guests you wish.
Margaret would be very happy to meet with
anyone thinking of hosting a seder this year to help you plan out a
ritual that will fit you and your guests. She can also help you
find
recipes, borrow haggadahs, learn songs or whatever else you might
need. You can contact her at 937-5673 or mholub@mcn.org.
#2 -- Guests are a blessing at the seder table. If you would like
to
attend a seder in someone’s home, please contact our seder hotline
matchmaker Mickey Chalfin: seder hotline, call him at 707 937-JOKE
. You
must contact the seder hotline by Sunday, March 21. After that
date we
cannot promise to find you a seder. Please plan ahead, reduce
stress
and increase joy.
#3 -- MCJC will host a shul seder on Friday night, April 2, 6:00 - 9:00
PM. Margaret will lead the seder, which will include lots of
singing,
discussion and story-telling. Everyone is welcome to come to the
seder, but you must make a reservation by Sunday, March 21. To
reserve
your place, please call Mina Cohen: at 937-1319 / email mcohen@mcn.org.
It will be a “planned potluck,” meaning that when you make your
reservation to come, you will be asked to prepare a speci
fic
part of the seder dinner. Recipes will be provided.
#4 -- Our annual matzah bake will be Sunday, March 28, 10:00 AM, at the
adobe oven behind the Caspar Community Center. The oven will be
hot
for several hours, and you can come by anytime. If you’ve got
them,
please bring a bowl, mixing spoon, rolling pin, fork for poking holes,
and a fresh bag of flour. You may also want to bring a box or
basket
for transporting your finished matzahs.
Passover products have arrived at Harvest Market and can be found in a
large display. Everything you need from matzah to cooking
products and
desserts are available. They will have the roasted eggplant in
the
deli section. Racine's in Fort Bragg will have Passover cards.
Wishing everyone in our community and world a freilich Pesach in a
world free of all enslavement! (mh)
TODAH
RABAH! (Great Thanks)
For The Following Generous Contributors Who in the Last Month Helped
Sustain Our Community
Bonnie Sarrow; Eric Labowitz & Kathy
Bailey; Rosalie & Art Holub; Henrietta Steiniger; Elias Steinbuck;
Henrietta Bensussen & Kim Hayes; Claire Lobel; Rena Blauner; Eileen
Lopate; Lisa Weg; Loie Rosenkrantz.
Danny Spievak in memory of his mother, Ethel Sarnoff. Marc &
Jan
Wasserman in memory of Mickey Banker Larsen; Sally & Lee Welty in
memory of Mina Cohen's birthday.
To the Adele Saxe Tzedakah fund: Fran & Roger Schwartz in memory of
Joseph Leipziger; Fran& Roger Schwartz in memory of Rosamund
Gumpert Jorgenson; Fran & Roger Schwartz in honor of Andrea Luna.
(dm)
Mendocino Maven
Passover is
almost upon us again, and I am looking forward to 7 days of being
kosherish for Pesach. Yet I know that by the end of the week, Matzah,
the bread of freedom, will be starting to seem more like the bread of
affliction. ;-)
***
The last month has been a significant one for our
community, in terms
of losses and additions. I have been thinking of King Shlomo's line:
עת ללדת ועת למות עת לטעת ועת
לעקור נטוע
(Ecclesiastes 3:2: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to
plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted)
We lost two long time members of our community:Peter Matlin and
Rosamond Gumpert-Jorgensen. I did not know Peter so well, but it was
always a pleasure to run into him and exchange a few words at shul.
Rosamond I knew much better, she was a remarkable character and one of
the most inquiring and fearless people I have ever known. When she was
80, she decided she wanted to learn to use a computer and did. In
addition to being an intrepid Lexulous player and having 55 friends on
Facebook, we had started on a memoir and were planning to record an
oral history, sadly, we didn't get far with either project. A lesson to
all of us, perhaps, on not procrastinating on putting down the words we
want to leave behind. Both Peter and Rosamond will be missed for a long
time.
***
On the additions side of the ledger, I am happy to
report that 3
families in our community have new members, and huge Mazel Tov's go out
to them. Yannis Breit-Hofberg and Raquel Paxtor de Breit on the birth
of Mary Elena Breit Paxtor. Elena is the granddaughter of Susan
Hofberg and of Raquel’s mother, Lettie, who is here on an extended
visit as well. She is named after Susan and Dawn’s mother, Elaine
Hofberg. Jaspar Hedges and his wife Amber
have a second daughter named Olivia who joins big sister Athena. Oliver
and Carrie Graham, had a baby named Zephyr Theodore, who joins
his big brothers Finnegan and Caspar.
***
Ceril Lisbon, always an enthusiastic conveyor of
important news affecting the larger Jewish Community, asked me to pass
along the following.
Only in America: So
you think your
boss stinks?
A new supervisor at the Jewish Theological Seminary allegedly
made life a smelly hell for a longtime employee by emitting "constant
barrages of . . . flatulence" in her work area, a lawsuit claims. The
woman who's suing, Roberta Feinsmith, 67, got glowing reviews in her 12
years as an executive assistant at the Morningside Heights institution
-- until Alan Cooper was hired as provost in 2007, according to the
suit, filed Wednesday in Manhattan.
Cooper the gasbag also had daily yelling and cursing "fits,"
Feinsmith claims. The Fair Lawn, NJ, resident repeatedly objected, then
caught wind of a bigger problem. Cooper, she learned, sent a mass
e-mail last May to the school's full-time staff advocating that older
workers put themselves out to pasture. Baby boomers, he wrote "have
created a kind of bottleneck in the work world. The frustration this
poses for the young and talented should be obvious." He fired Feinsmith
the next day. The seminary did not return calls for comment.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/unholy_gasbag_boss_sued_for_reeking_KIKFRjR8bmHOOqK1QDHdxM
If you have simchas (joys) that you would like to
share with the
community, please email maven@mcjc.org.
- The Shadow
MCJC Treasurer
After 18 years acting as the MCJC treasurer Mark Zarlin has passed the
checkbook to Donna Montag. Our heartfelt thanks to Mark for
keeping us
on track for so long. Thank you Donna for stepping up to this
crucial
task that keeps MCJC moving forward. You will have a chance to
greet
Donna at the MCJC benefit dinner, in her new role, as you come in the
door. Mark will have a chance to shmooze by the hors d'oeurves
this
year for the first time in a long time!
(mc)
Thank You for Megillah Help
Thank you Jay and
Monique Frankston for collating and mailing our last
megillah. Contact Mina if you’d like to help with this task at
mcohen@mcn.or
937-1319. (mc)
MCJC Board meeting dates
The next MCJC Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 4th.
If
you would like to attend the meeting please contact Raven Deerwater at
raven@taxpractitioner.com
so he can let you know the time and include
you on the agenda. (mc)
Mitzvah Freezer is Available
The freezer at the shul is 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)
Kabbalat Shabbat
In March we will be celebrating our home Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner on
Friday, March 26th at the home of Carol and Jerry Greenberg in
Mendocino. Please call them at 937-1322 for directions and to let them
know you are coming. Please note that this is not the second Friday,
rather it is the 4th Friday. In April we will be at the
home of the
Duncan family in Caspar on the 4th Friday (23rd). The monthly Kabbalat
Shabbat includes a song-filled short service that begins at 6:00 pm and
is followed by a pot luck vegetarian dinner. If you would like to
host
this wonderful event in your home in future months, contact Mina at
937-1319. (mc)
Tisch Welcomes You
In March we will have our Tisch dinner on Friday March 5th, at
the
shul. Dinner is at 6:00 pm and begins with candles, Kiddush, and
fresh
baked challah created by the Torah School just before our
arrival. A
yummy vegetarian dinner is provided. You can bring dessert if you
like. It’s multi-generational and fun for all. Greet your friends
and
meet some new ones! (mc)
Torah School Evolution
Torah school is now meeting every other Friday at the shul. We
have a
Hebrew language textbook for the youngest students as well as the
olders, and we are continuing with stories, art, and of course
challah
baking before the Tisch dinners. If you are not yet involved and
want
to be, call Jessica at 937-2115 or contact her at mcop@mcn.org.
(mc)
Point Arena Memorial - Rosamond Jorgensen
A celebration of Paul's and Rosamond's long lives willbe held on
Sunday, March 28th, starting at 2pm with a memorial at 3pm.
It will
take place at Fred and Cheryl Mitouer's on 44800 Fish Rock Rd.
(From
Hwy1 just north of Anchor Bay turn up F.R. Rd drive two miles and
turn
left into gated driveway.) This is an open invitation to anyone
who
knew them.
Hope to see you there! - Kersten Tanner (rge)
Book Group
The book group will meet Monday, March 22nd at
a yet to be determined
location. Please call Fran Schwartz at 937-1352, if you wish to join
us. We will be reading “My Father’s Paradise” by Ariel Sabar.
This
memoir chronicles the life of a family that began in Kurdistan, in
northern Iraq and ends in Los Angeles. The author’s father, a
professor at UCLA, is a foremost Aramaic scholar, trying to keep the
language alive, while the author his son, only wants to “fit in” to
American culture. Journeys to Israel and eventually to Kurdistan
bring
father and son closer in a new way. 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.
(mc)
Mendocino Coast Jewish Community Benefit Dinner
Ledford House
Monday, March 8th,
Don't Miss Out. Make Your Reservations Now
$50 complete
If you have been to this dinner before you know what a great evening
with good food and fine cheer is in store for you.
6:00p Delicious Appetizers and hosted Wines, Schmoozing with old
and
new friends Silent Auction
7:00 Dinner
Baby Greens with a Basil Vinaigrette & Flowers
_
Roast Duck Breast with French Lentils, Spring Ragout & Thyme
or
Asparagus Crepes with White Beans, Sundried Tomatoes & Wild
Mushrooms
_
Panna Cotta with Berries
coffee service
Short but Immensely Entertaining Live Auction
Michael Shapiro Auctioneer
Coffee or Tea service
Please let us know if you want Duck or Vegetarian when
you make reservations
Email or Call Harrriet Bye (bysawyer@mcn,org 937-3622) or
Mark Zarlin
(mzarlin@mcn.org 937-0341)
or mail check to MCJC,
PO Box 291, Little River 95456
|
|
MCJC Library
We welcome assistance from Nona Smith to help us keep our library in
order. It’s easy to check out a book from the library and we have
a
very complete selection of books on every topic related to Judaism and
the Jewish people. Check it out next time you’re at the
shul. We have
culled books that are no longer relevant or are duplicates and are
located outside the library on the bench. Help yourselves to
these
free books to enhance your own Jewish library. As always, please DO NOT
leave books at the library without checking with Mina first. Mina
can
be reached at 937-1319 or mcohen@mcn.org. (mc)
Shabbat
Minyan
Every
Saturday morning starting at 10:30a there is a Shacharit (Morning)
Service at the shul in Caspar,
usually led by Rabbi Margaret Holub. The service is in English and
Hebrew, including a short reading from the Torah scroll, but you don't
need to know Hebrew to participate. It is a small, variable, and
welcoming group. If you have Kaddish to say or Gomel (for surviving a
dangerous experience), want to say a prayer for healing for yourself or
someone else, or just want a little spiritual recharge, please join us.
The service usually ends around 12:30p with Kiddish. Margaret always
says to come and leave whenever you want. Come as you are, but please
come. (rge)
Megillah Formats
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. You can subscribe to the hardcopy version and have it
mailed to you,
you can subscribe to the email version or you can receive both. If you
don’t need the hardcopy and want to do your bit to repair the
world by going electronic, and saving paper, toner and physical
transport, please email Myra at myrah@mcn.org
Todah Rabah!
BTW, the E-Megillah is posted on the MCJC website at
http://www.mcjc.org/mjoldart/Megillah/MJMM0000.htm
(rge)
Looking to the Future
From time to time members have given additional financial help to
MCJC.
Upon the sale of a home, stocks or some other positive financial event
they have shared their good fortune. Also, several members have
remembered MCJC in their wills. These generous acts insure the long
term strength and sustainability of the Jewish Community and our shul
here on the Coast.
We encourage you to do this if you can. (dm)
Subscription and
Notification
If you would like to subscribe to this publication and/or receive email
notifications for events, changes, or important news from MCJC contact
Myra Beals at myrah@mcn.org or send to P.O. Box
1113, Mendocino. Let
her know if you prefer to receive a printed Megillah coming in the mail
or by email. If you would like to receive notifications by email
please indicate that as well. Subscription to the Megillah is
included
with a contributing membership of $200. or more. A subscription
alone
to the newsletter is $25. per year. Checks can be made payable to
MCJC
and mailed to P.O. Box 291, Little River, CA. 95456. (mc)
Editorial Policy
The Mendocino Megillah is published monthly. The deadline for
submission of articles is the 10th of the month before desired
publication. The editor will include all appropriate material,
space
permitting with the exception of copyrighted material that does not
have permission of the author. The material printed in the
Megillah is
not the policy or representative of the opinions of the Board of
Directors of Mendocino Coast Jewish Community. Divergent opinions are
welcome. (mc)
Missing A Jacket?
Left at Linda Leyva's back when we were sitting shiva in May - Black
Diamond Polyester Jacket size M/M long sleeve; front zipper,
zippered
pockets. If its yours, call Linda or email @964-9312 lleyva@comcast.net
& we'll arrange to get it to you. (rge)
Call
for Artist Submissions, Mendocino
Coast Jewish Community
The
Art of Tzedaka
Exhibition and fundraiser for the Adele Saxe
Tzedaka Fund
Month
of Iyyar (April 14 – May 13)
The
end-result of tzedaka shall be peace, and the effect of tzedaka
quietness and security forever. Isaiah 32:17
The
word tzedaka
comes from the Hebrew root for righteousness or justice. It is
usually used to speak of giving to people in need. Sometimes there
is even a distinction between tzedaka,
typically given in the form of money or gifts, and other kinds of
“deeds of lovingkindness. But like all important and beautiful
words, tzedaka
can mean many things.
Tzedaka
is an art as well as a mitzvah
-- all of us give tzedaka
in our own personal ways. We choose to whom we wish to give; how
much; whether straight into the hand of the needy, to organizations
that serve them, or to people and projects that try to change the
social order; whether to “give a man a fish” or “teach her to
fish” or to clean up the river so that there will be fish. Some
people send checks; others collect from their friends; still others
like to dish up soup or plant trees.
Some
of us also receive tzedaka,
and this too is an art and a mitzvah. Gratitude, shame, reciprocity,
anonymity and identity are all in play in the giving and receiving of
tzedaka.
Art
is a way to explore these complex issues. The artists of our Jewish
community are invited to create works which reflect on the meanings
of tzedaka. Artists
of all ages, with all levels of experience and working in
all media are invited to participate in this exhibition.
All
artists are invited to submit works of art to be displayed during the
dates of the exhibit in the shul in Caspar. The criterion for the
work is artistic inspiration based on the concept of tzedaka.
All work will be included and then raffled at a reception on Sunday,
May 16th,
with all proceeds going to the Adele Saxe Tzedaka Fund. The Adele
Saxe Tzedaka Fund is MCJC’s vehicle to provide confidential aid to
local individuals in times of need.
If
you plan to contribute a work of art to this exhibition please
contact Mina at mcohen@mcn.org
or call 937-1319 so that we can plan for publicity and installation.
Artwork must be delivered to the shul on Sunday, April 11th,
2-4 pm, and must be ready to display (framed, wired, etc.). During
the month of the exhibit, the show will be viewable during regular
community functions as well as on Sundays and by appointment.
While
the exhibition is up, we will hold a public conversation with the
artists whose works are on display. We are interested in offering
additional events dealing with the topic of tzedaka during this time
as well. If you would like to help with any aspect of this project,
please be in touch with Mina at the above email/phone or Fran Schwartz
at franamie@cs.com
or 937-1352.
Peter
Matlin
Surrounded by loving family, Peter Matlin
passed away peacefully on Jan. 21, 2010 after an extended illness. He
was 68 years old and had served the Mendocino Coast community for 42
years.
Born in Brooklyn, NY to Dr. Edwin and Beatrice Orenstein Matlin, Peter
moved with his family to Mt. Holly Springs near Pennsylvania Dutch
country where he and his brother David were raised. After graduating
from Emory University in Atlanta, he and his friend Kenny had legendary
adventures in their travels in Europe and the Middle East, Afghanistan,
Pakistan and Turkey for several years. Back home on Long Island Peter
enjoyed a stint as a junior New York talent agent coordinating
celebrity guest spots on the "Tonight Show" starring a very young
Johnny Carson. Then, Peter and his brother David embarked on their own
Magical Mystery Tour, wending their way to the Coast, finally arriving
in Albion driving, as he described it, "a Volkswagen bus held together
with Grateful Dead stickers."
Joining the "Back to the Land" movement of the late 60's, Peter settled
in at Table Mountain Ranch commune, enthusiastically sharing the work
of homesteading: organic gardening, raising goats (he made a great
parmesan cheese), chopping wood, birthing babies and caring for the
land. At Table Mt. Peter co-hosted many community Seders attended by 50
or more where he loved to tell the Story. He co-founded the Whale
School, an alternative program of MUSD, where he taught computer tech
and music, educating and nurturing many young students including the
growing population of youngsters in his extended Table Mountain family.
In the early 70's Peter was a member of the Circle, a progressive
political group that worked to elect Norman Devall to office and he
served as an Albion representative on the South Central CAC to the
Mendocino County General Plan.
Peter loved music and had a great ear, playing piano, guitar and
mandolin for family events, and with the Albion 2nd String Band. He was
a skilled ski instructor and co-ordinated trips for Adventure Camps for
Kids. Peter was a popular bartender at the Oasis in Elk and Albion
River Inn, and developed the first day care Latch Key program for young
children in the area and was a longtime marketing specialist at
Thanksgiving Coffee where he developed the Songbird Coffee Program to
help preserve migratory birdlife. He was a volunteer docent with
Mendocino Parks & Recreation specializing in marine mammals and led
many whale walks/talks. Most recently he served the Coast as a mental
health crisis worker. Peter volunteered annually at the Chinese
Temple
of Kwan Tai charity dinner and served up fabulous margaritas at the
Great Day in Elk. He was president of Redwood Practical Shooters for
three years. He loved yearly rafting trips with his sons, reading
thrillers, seeing the latest exhibits at art museums, dining at fine
establishments, and cooking up a storm in his own kitchen. Most of all,
he loved to entertain his near and dear. Peter was an upbeat, smart,
multi-talented man of great heart and robust enthusiasms. He loved well
and was well loved in return. He is greatly missed.
Peter is survived by a great circle of loving family and friends: his
wife Marcia, her daughter Nancy Shaw, brother-in-law Ned Berke; brother
David, his wife Marie, their children Hilaire, Hannah, and Jonathan and
their children; his son Raincrow Aum, Raincrow's mom Sharon Hansen, her
husband Moonlight and Raincrow's wife Gina Aum and grandchildren Ariel
and Jaden Aum; his son, Moses Matlin and Moses' mom, former wife Andrea
Luna; his step-son Windspirit Aum, his wife Carolen Barrett, their
children Amelia and Grayson Aum; and step-daughter Leka Dobbs, her
children Kaia and Ruby Dobbs, their dad, Rusty Dobbs. Others include
extended family members Zo Abell, her daughter Sanji and grandchild
Serena, her son Ishvi Aum, wife Nancy Lebron and their children Rosa
and Phoenix Aum.
A graveside service was conducted by Rabbi Margaret Holub on Friday,
Jan. 22nd. (submitted by Andrea Luna)
Contributions to the MCJC can be sent to:
MCJC, Box 291, Little River, CA 95456.
Please specify if your contribution is in memory or honor of someone,
and please include your name and mailing address. Thanks! (dm) |
Make Tzedakah a Habit
Tzedakah comes in all shapes and sizes. When
considering a contribution to the Adele Saxe Tzedakah fund, any event
or reason is appropriate, and contributions of any amount are welcome.
In addition to the traditional yartzeit or memorial contributions,
consider simchas like birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Your
first story just got published. You reconnected with an old friend. You
got good news from the IRS. You saw a glorious sunset after a week of
rain. Make Tzedakah a regular part of your life and set an example for
your children. (fs)
MCJC Serving As Cold Weather Shelter
MCJC is participating with other communities of faith to provide
emergency shelter for unsheltered men in our community, at large this
winter. We have signed up for two weeks for the month of December
through March. The first week included the Christmas
holiday. The
second week is in March.
The program is administrated by the Coast Community Center, who screens
candidates for shelter each afternoon at the Foursquare Church in Fort
Bragg. The men cannot be under the influence of drugs or
alcohol.
They are taken to the Hospitality House where they shower and have
dinner. They are then driven in a Mendocino County van to their
shelter for the night. A representative from the Coast Community
Center spends the night with the men. The men cannot leave their
shelter until they are met by the van driver the following morning at
6:00 am to be driven back to the Hospitality House for breakfast.
The
men are required to put away their cots and bedding and do clean up as
needed before they leave. Cots and bedding are brought to the
churches
or the shul at the beginning of the assigned week. Dog cages are
transported, and in our case, were placed under the overhang of the
roof in the back yard.
This was a very positive experience for MCJC. The organization by
the
Coast Community Center is impressive, as well as all the contact with
their staff and volunteers. We provided shelter for 6-7 men for
our
assigned week, and all of them were excellent guests. One of the
men
recognized a dreidel left on the kitchen table after the Chanukah party
as a Jewish toy. His grandmother was Jewish.
Many thanks to Lisa Weg and Pamela Duncan who took turns meeting the
van in the very early morning and locked the shul after the men were
picked up.
Using
the Shul
If you are closing the shul please double check that the
furnace, water heater and lights are all off and that all doors are
locked when you leave. As a courtesy to our neighbors, please make sure
that the lights are turned off in the front. THANKS! (rge)
Thanks
to Our Underwriters
for Supporting the MCJC Megillah and the Community
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 improve their presence on the web.
$80/year. Please
contact Harriet Bye to become an underwriter 937-3622 bysawyer@mcn.org )
MCJC
Board & Useful Numbers
* = board member
© MCJC 2010
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