Announcements

January/February Clergy Column by Rabbi Shoshana Nambi: Honoring the Trees That Sustain Us
Tu Bishvat is one of my favorite Jewish holidays because it allows us to honor the trees that sustain us. We remember those who have planted trees for our benefit, and in turn, we plant trees for the future of our world. Growing up in Uganda, my family and I were graced by the presence of one of the largest and oldest muvule (rock elm) trees, which grew in the front yard of our house.

Celebrate Tu Bishvat With Beth Am
Tu Bishvat, or the New Year of the Trees, is Jewish Arbor Day. The holiday is observed on the 15th (tu) of the Hebrew month of Shvat. Scholars believe that originally Tu Bishvat was an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring. In the 16th century, Kabbalists created a ritual for Tu Bishvat that is similar to a Passover seder. Today, many Jews hold a modern version of the Tu Bishvat seder each year. The holiday has also become a tree-planting festival in Israel, in which Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends. Come celebrate Tu Bishvat with Congregation Beth Am!

February Tzedakah Box Benefits the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Wildfire Crisis Relief Fund
In response to the devastating wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area, Beth Am's Tzedakah Box collection for February will continue to support the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Wildfire Crisis Relief Fund. There will certainly be a great deal of financial, physical and emotional support needed in the coming days and weeks. Many of us have relatives and friends who have lost their homes and businesses and others who have been evacuated from their homes, living in fear. The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center has burned to the ground and other synagogues and churches are still in harm's way. It's a very scary time.

Reproductive Justice is a Jewish Value
On October 27, Beth Am’s Reproductive Justice group held a Post Abortion Care Packing event in partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women-San Francisco, and cosponsored by Beth Am Women. The event was held in an effort to provide our community with an opportunity to practice the Jewish value of Reproductive Freedom, and also to increase awareness of the importance of a woman's right to choose.

Silicon Valley Allied for the Common Good Launches, Pledging Community Solidarity Beyond Election Outcomes
On the eve of a pivotal national election, nearly 600 leaders and community members from 17 founding organizations, including Congregation Beth Am from Los Altos Hills, and several guests gathered to launch Silicon Valley Allied for the Common Good (SVACG). It is the first broad-based community organization in the region affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation. The event marked a new era of multi-faith collective commitment to building power and fighting for concrete change in one of America’s most influential—and most unequal—regions. Congregation Beth Am was one of the original institutions involved in this effort. So far, Beth Am is the only Jewish institution involved, but several other synagogues have expressed interest.