Tzedakah (defined in Hebrew as justice, secular meaning – charity) is an important part of ‘living’ and ‘engaging’ in Torah, rather than just reading about it in a book.  Each of us has unique gifts that we can give to the world.  Whether it be volunteering your time, giving money, sharing helpful ideas, getting dirty and giving your elbow grease, in the Jewish teaching, the path towards holiness is through sharing the gifts that you have with those who need it.

Our little reform temple, Congregation Beth Israel Judea, is one that needs help.  So small are we, that we partner with another temple, just to have enough kids present at one time in religious school.  But the smallness was one of the things we really liked about it.  People know your name,  soft-spoken and wise, Rabbi Danny Gottlieb is available to talk, should you need it.  It’s a diverse membership– old and young, with a variety of Jewish spiritual perspectives.  We even share a building with a Reconstructionist temple– Or Shalom,  lead by the wonderful Rabbi Katie Mizrahi.   We joined BIJ when Kaleb was in kindergarten, he loves the temple and quickly met some of his very favorite people in the world there.  I’ve been on the executive board, head of the fundraising team,  for the last several years.

My goal, as the head of the fundraising team, was to raise $10,000 in support of Jewish education at the temple.  So far, with the past two events we planned, we have raised $5,200.  This next event, Fine Art From the Holy Land Show and Sale our biggest yet will be on  January 17 -20th, 2019.   With the amazing help of my co-chair and program manager,  Johanna Gendelman, along with our partner organization the National Council of Jewish Women SF we are coordinating an art show unlike anything the Bay Area will see or has seen for a very long time, if ever.

Of course, we are not actually bringing in the work ourselves!  Menachem Safrai of Safrai Gallery in Jerusalem is curating and will bring 1500 works of fine art from his gallery’s extensive collection.  This event is meant to celebrate and support the artists of this geographic region and also our two organizations (BIJ and NCJW.)  As a Jewish artist myself, I loved the idea of bringing this unique art to BIJ.  When Menachem approached our temple about this opportunity, I was moved by the beauty of the watercolors, lithographs and original oil paintings.  Most, but not all of the artists are Jewish, however the art itself isn’t necessarily religious.  It will appeal to people of many faiths and backgrounds.  As an interfaith advocate and a peace activist, I was hoping that there would be more Christian, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian artists represented in this show, but that idea will have to saved for another event.

Special Thanks to the J.Jewish News Weekly for promoting this event!  Read on.

Please Join Us!

Fine Art from the Holy Land Show and Sale
Congregation Beth Israel Judea and the National Council of Jewish Women San Francisco present
625 Brotherhood Way, SF, CA 94132
By Safrai Gallery of Jerusalem
January 17th – 20th,  2019
Congregation Beth Israel Judea will be transformed into a gallery featuring the finest in Israeli art. A comprehensive collection of original oil paintings, watercolors, original lithographs and etchings designed by over 100 different Israeli artists will be at the show. Over 1000 works of art will be available for exhibition and sale.  The sale benefits artists from Israel, Jewish Education at BIJ, and anti-trafficking work of the National Council of Jewish Women SF.  This is a rare opportunity.  Please join us!
 
Art Show Drop-In Hours:
Thursday, January 17th   5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday, January 18th     9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, January 19th   6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday, January 20th    9:00 am – 5:00 pm
 
The Four Day Program Includes:
Thursday, January 17         5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Happy Hour Kick Off – Patron Preview Party
Tickets: https://fashlcocktailparty.brownpapertickets.com
 
Friday, January 18   Noon – 2pm
Sisterhood Lunch and Learn Free catered light luncheon (space limited)
Register: https://fashllunchandlearn.brownpapertickets.com
 
Saturday, January 19     6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Shabbat Shira Concert featuring Cantor Arik Luck with Wine and Cheese reception
Tickets:  https://fashlshiraconcert.brownpapertickets.com
 
Sunday,  January 20th    10:00 am -12:00 pm
TuBishvat Celebration and Jewish Sleep-away Camp Fair
Kid friendly activities and representatives from 4 prominent Jewish Camps will be there to answer your questions.
 and
Sunday, January 20th,   3:00pm – 5:00pm 
NCJW Present Israeli – Bay Area partnership in Fight Human Trafficking
Featured: Shlomi the Consul General of Israel, Jeff Rosen, District Attorney for Santa Clara and David Lavine, who prosecuted the first human trafficking case will be speaking.
Registerhttps://fashlncjwhumantrafficking.brownpapertickets.com

Check out this video for more information:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZPxQq_VnKQ

 

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