1 Afternoon of Learning. 2 Sessions. 8 Programs.

As is our custom on Yom Kippur afternoon, Beth Am members will be offering learning sessions on a variety of Jewish topics. Enrich your Yom Kippur observance by learning something new!

Below is the menu of study session options for both Session I (1:15-2:00 PM) and Session II (2:15-3:00 PM). All discussions will be held in-person at Cathedral of Faith. See below for specific breakout room location information.

SESSION TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Click on a session title below to get to the complete session description.)

Session I— 1:15 - 2:00 PM
An October 7 Story, Volunteer Center
Repairing the World — Why justice work at Beth Am is important to me, Room 108
Beth Am’s Sh’ma Caregiver Group: For congregants who are caring for a loved one, Multipurpose Room
Take I: Shared Vision and Shared Identity: Learning more about our upcoming sacred Jewish journey, Chapel

Session 2— 2:15 - 3:00 PM
Sustaining Our Planet: Tikkun Olam Through Climate Action: Exploring Readings and Discussing Actions, Multipurpose Room
Put It on Paper: Ethical Will Workshop, Volunteer Center
Take II: Shared Vision and Shared Identity: Learning more about our upcoming sacred Jewish journey, Chapel
Musical Interlude, Sanctuary and Livestream (2:45 start time)

Session One: 1:15 — 2:00 PM

An October 7 Story
1:15-2:00 PM, Cathedral of Faith Volunteer Center
Join IINA (Israel Is NOT Alone) for a discussion with Avivit Edriziel as she shares the story of her journey since October 7. Avivit was displaced from her kibbutz close to the Lebanon border. Tens of thousands are displaced from the north of Israel. Learn about what is happening in the north right now, and gain insight into how the evacuation relates to Israeli, Jewish and American affairs.

Avivit will be joining via Zoom from Israel. Please understand that the north of Israel is currently a war zone, and the situation in Israel is dynamic. We appreciate your understanding if we should need to cancel or adjust this program.

The session will be moderated by Sandy Baron of IINA. IINA was formed in mid October, 2023, and is composed primarily of Israelis who have been evacuated from the north and south as well as Beth Am congregants. Our goals, in both the US and Israel, are to strengthen the connection between individuals in Israel and America, provide Israelis with the opportunity to be heard, and help our community better understand the situation in Israel.

Repairing the World — Why justice work at Beth Am is important to me 
1:15-2:00 PM, In Person, Cathedral of Faith Room 108
At Beth Am we engage in many different types of social justice. We focus on climate change, early childhood education, feeding the hungry, warriors for democracy, community organizing, and so many other areas. We don’t do this work alone, but we collaborate with many other religious and non-religious institutions, all trying to improve the lives of our neighbors, others in California and across the US. 

At this session, with the help of friends and neighbors from other institutions, we’ll explore why this activity is so important to each of us. If you are involved in any of these Beth Am activities, or if you’d like to be, please join us for a very lively 45-minute discussion, where we’ll learn a little more about why tzedek is a central pillar of our Beth Am community.

The Rev. Lindsay Woods Wong has served as Co-pastor at Foothill Community Presbyterian Church in East San Jose since 2016. Prior to that she served as pastor to a bilingual Spanish-English congregation in Fort Worth, TX. In Fort Worth, Lindsay first connected with IAF organizing and used the tools to help revitalize her congregation and develop leaders. She is passionate about the intersection of faith, justice, and service to the community. She received her M.Div. from Princeton Seminary in 2005 and her B.S. in Physics from Penn State University in 2001. 
Kristofer Rhude is the pastor of Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (ELCA) in San Jose. Originally from Wisconsin, he has lived across North America while pursuing his education, earning a BA in Near Eastern Studies from the University of British Columbia, an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School, and an MS from the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin. He is passionate about working with marginalized people for justice and change, and helping curious people to encounter God from a place of imaginative possibility, rather than restrictive certainty.
Charlie Rothschild is a Past President of Beth Am. He also served on the board of the Union for Reform Judaism, is a former vice chair of the Executive Board of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and a member of the Silicon Valley J Street chapter. Charlie, along with Rabbi Heath Watenmaker, are the two key representatives to the Silicon Valley Sponsoring Committee from Beth Am, a Santa Clara County Community Organizing network, affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation. The network will be holding a Founding Convention on Sunday, November 3 at the Santa Clara County Convention Center.

Beth Am’s Sh’ma Caregiver Group: For congregants who are caring for a loved one
1:15-2:00 PM, In Person, Cathedral of Faith Multipurpose Room
Are you caring for an elder or spouse or loved one? If you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. You can take part in a Sh’ma Group — not therapy, but a safe and friendly space for sharing stories. This group format has proved successful here at Beth Am, helping us to start meaningful, supportive conversations. You will have guidelines for suggested topics and respectful interaction. You can easily form or join a group; the leadership duties are minimal and help from clergy is continually available. Hear from our regular members who can answer any questions you may have.

Claudia Bloom has been a member of Congregation Beth Am since the summer of 1992. Claudia’s family (Daniel Pitt, husband, Miriam and Julian Pitt, children) were founding members of the Shabbaton program and Claudia participated in the Adult B’nei Mitzvah program in 2000. Claudia serves as a board member of Beth Am Women, participates in a regular Sh’ma group as well as the Sh’ma Caregiver group and she attends Shabbat services regularly. In addition to her affiliation with Beth Am as a congregant, Claudia is a professional violinist and performs in Opera San Jose, chamber music and solos regularly with the Redwood Symphony. Claudia is the Director of the Palo Alto School of Chamber Music, which is in its 10th year of operation and it welcomes both adults and children. Claudia also enjoys playing in Klezmore Square which is Beth Am’s klezmer band.  
Tracey Grown and her family joined Congregation Beth Am in 2008. Tracey, her husband, Martin Haeberli, and young adult daughters (Serena and Eden) started with their own family Jewish education. The girls joined the education programs at Beth Am, in fourth and third grade respectively. Serena and Eden became B’nei Mitzvah and confirmed at Beth Am.  Tracey has volunteered at Beth Am when time allowed outside of child and elder care. She and Martin belong to a Sh’ma group that started in 2017. Tracey has M.S. and B.S. degrees in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University.

Take I: Shared Vision and Shared Identity: Learning more about our upcoming sacred Jewish journey
1:15-2:00 PM, In Person, Cathedral of Faith Chapel
Join Rabbi Nemitoff to learn more about the process that he has proposed and the congregation has accepted in order to develop a shared identity. In our time together, Rabbi Nemitoff will describe the process, provide an example of the conversations to be held, and will offer time for participants to begin to explore their own Jewish journeys. Our process will span over several months. In 45 minutes, we will explore what that journey will look like. (Please note that this discussion will be held again during session 2.)

With expertise in the areas of synagogue transformation, liturgy, and death and dying, Rabbi Art Nemitoff has dedicated his rabbinate to helping individuals discover their own Jewish paths. Dozens of his articles, poems, creative liturgies — and three books — have been published over his 43-year career. His hobbies include photography, cycling and poetry. After graduating from Southwest High School, in Kansas City, he attended Washington University in St. Louis, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He was ordained from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati campus) in 1981. In 2006, Rabbi Nemitoff was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree, also from HUC-JIR.

Session Two: 2:15 — 3:00 PM

Sustaining Our Planet: Tikkun Olam Through Climate Action: Exploring Readings and Discussing Actions
2:15-3:00 PM, Cathedral of Faith Multipurpose Room
Spend some reflective time exploring and connecting Jewish texts related to our individual and community responsibilities to repair the world. Share ideas about actions that will help to create a more livable future.  We will explore how our faith, our history and our values can lead us to tikkun olam actions that care for our planet. Each of us has a role to play in the coming year to make small changes, to be more sustainable, and make a positive impact. Connect with like-minded individuals to listen to Jewish readings and learn about opportunities to take action.  It is up to us to preserve our earth for future generations. Let's renew our commitment to repairing the world and ensure a sustainable future for all. (Check out this informative flyer about Dayenu Circle.)

Irene Lefton is a current Beth Am Board Member, participates in many aspects of the congregation and is a leader in Beth Am’s Dayenu Circle.  She is a start-up software advisor and facilitator who cares deeply about sustainability, and is committed to reducing our collective carbon footprint by engaging youth and elders in climate education through volunteering with Beth Am’s Dayenu Circle.
Mel Kronick has been an active member of Beth Am since he and his wife Karen were married at Beth Am in 1974. He served 6 years on the Beth Am Board, taught in Sunday Religious School, and has been chair or co-chair of various committees including Religious Practice, Adult Education, Facilities, and the Equal Start Early Childhood Education. He is currently active in Dayenu Circle activities related to sustainability and climate change which take advantage of his science background as a biophysicist.

Put It on Paper: Ethical Will Workshop
2:15-3:00 PM, In Person, Cathedral of Faith Volunteer Center
Led by Members of Beth Am’s Chevra Kadisha, Burial Society
Come learn about one of the ways Jewish tradition teaches us how to share our legacy with future generations through the creation of ethical wills. We will discuss their history, how they connect to Jewish teachings, and how they apply to every age and stage of life. Attendees will explore sample ethical wills and have the opportunity to create some raw material for their own ethical wills.

Dr. Louise Stirpe-Gill is a licensed psychologist, an active member of Beth Am's Chevra Kadisha/burial society, and prayer leader of the Thursday Morning Minyan.
Debbie Mukamal is one of the founders and leaders of Beth Am's Chevra Kadisha, a volunteer at Mission Hospice & Home Care, and a student of end-of-life doula practice; she directs the Stanford Criminal Justice Center at Stanford Law School.

Take II: Shared Vision and Shared Identity: Learning more about our upcoming sacred Jewish journey
2:15-3:00 PM, In Person, Cathedral of Faith Chapel
Join Rabbi Nemitoff to learn more about the process that he has proposed and the congregation has accepted in order to develop a shared identity. In our time together, Rabbi Nemitoff will describe the process, provide an example of the conversations to be held, and will offer time for participants to begin to explore their own Jewish journeys. Our process will span over several months. In 45 minutes, we will explore what that journey will look like. (Please note that this discussion will be also be held during session 1.)

With expertise in the areas of synagogue transformation, liturgy, and death and dying, Rabbi Art Nemitoff has dedicated his rabbinate to helping individuals discover their own Jewish paths. Dozens of his articles, poems, creative liturgies — and three books — have been published over his 43-year career. His hobbies include photography, cycling and poetry. After graduating from Southwest High School, in Kansas City, he attended Washington University in St. Louis, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He was ordained from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati campus) in 1981. In 2006, Rabbi Nemitoff was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree, also from HUC-JIR.

Musical Interlude
Later start time: 2:45-3:30 PM, Cathedral of Faith Sanctuary & Livestream
Take some time for reflection to the sound of introspective melodies.