The Shofar: JULY 2026
This is the third edition of The Shofar, Netivot Shalom’s online journal. Our goal is for you to feel more connected to your fellow congregants and to what is happening at Netivot. This issue highlights social justice work at Netivot; introduces new and longer term members and honors congregants who have passed; tells the history of our Torahs; celebrates the love story of a Netivot couple; updates you on the work of our Rabbi, Board President, and Executive Director; showcases the work of a Netivot artist; gives you a delicious recipe; tells the story of why one member made a Legacy Gift; and informs you of an important upcoming event. Please tell us what you liked and also what you would like to see in The Shofar: theshofar@netivotshalom.org. We need to hear from you!
Many readers have expressed appreciation for the “Spotlight on Members” column. We hope that these short bios which congregants write about themselves will help us all feel that we know one another a little better and have more things in common that we may otherwise have realized. Thank you to all who contributed profiles, articles, or information for this issue including: Kaitlin Stephens, Rita Largman, Joanna Weinberg and David Levine; Michael-Saxe Taller, Joan Bradus, R’ Allan Berkowitz, Esther Brass-Chorin, Joel Gerwein, R’ Chai, Ellen London, Ken Schnur, Lydia Brose, Eliana Marchevsky, Celeste Lavin, Rebecca Whitman, Cynthia Whitehead, and Carole Baden.
You can access past and present articles of The Shofar by clicking the “Shofar” link in the horizontal navigation bar at the top of Netivot Shalom’s website.
The ongoing “From Our History” column draws on and condenses the very detailed history of Netivot Shalom by Diane Bernbaum and Joanna Weinberg, founding members. This introductory column not only summarizes their account, but also contains an introduction to that account by Rabbi Stuart Kelman…
How fun to have a Newsletter again! Many thanks to Cathy Shadd Rosenfeld, Carole Baden, Ellen London, and Lee Bearson for taking on this project! I thought I’d take this opportunity – the first Newsletter – to highlight just a few of the issues that we’re working on. Membership this year is up over last…
How great is this newsletter? We’re just thrilled to get this going in response to what we have heard from you about wanting to be more connected with each other. A HUGE thank you to our newsletter team, Cathy Rosenfeld and Carole Baden, who not only stepped up to help but then went above and…
“I found a fruitful world, because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise I am planting for my children.” (Talmud Bavli, Ta’anit 23A) That idea—l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation—is at the heart of Netivot Shalom’s legacy effort: creating a reliable source of support…
The American Library Association has announced the 2026 winners of the Sophie Brody Medal for achievement in Jewish literature. As a member of the committee, I am happy to share with you these books published in 2025 and to let you know that they are now in our shul library.
Following a hiatus, the CNS membership committee was reconstituted this year. Our goal is to integrate new people into the CNS community during the first year of their membership. We aim to make them feel welcome and valued…
This has been a Kelman family Passover fave forever. I no longer remember how I acquired the recipe. I usually make two batches before I start cooking anything else. Now my kids all make it too…
This biennial event is our premier community-building activity. For 2026, we’ll be returning to Westminster Woods, the site of our 2022 Retreat. Westminster is a beautiful setting among coastal redwoods in Sonoma County. Over three days and two nights, we’ll celebrate Shabbat together and…
In this tumultuous year, what we need is comfort, with our family, our friends, our community. What is more comfortable than a visit to Bubbe and Zayde’s house (besides the plastic furniture covers!)? Whatever you call your grandparents, or wherever you find comfort, we want to celebrate the feelings of warmth and welcoming…