To all of Brotherhood - Happy New Year to you, yours and all of us at Emanu-El - let's all hope the New Year brings peace, prosperity and happiness to a
world desperately in need of all three...
First off, a recap of recent activities. On December 21, I had the true privilege of guiding 6 Brotherhood and spousal art history enthusiasts through the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco - a great time was had by all and I hope that we can arrange another cultural excursion into San Francisco in the near future.
The idea of trying to volunteer on Xmas Day was a good one, but sadly did not come to fruition for a host of reasons - we'll try again next Xmas for sure and I will look into other civic volunteering opportunities for us - perhaps in Jan.or Feb. - at a time when our services will be more in demand. Many thanks to all of you who volunteered - we had more than 27 people ready and willing to do this, and I am humbled by your willingness to help your fellow citizens.
The next Brotherhood Dinner Club will be January 12 - I would like to introduce you to an amazing Persian/Afghani restaurant in Sunnyvale - it has no name, but the shish-kebab is hot off the charcoal grill, the yoghurt is homemade, the service is friendly and the food is out of this world. :) If you would like to attend, please get back to me by this Friday with the number in your party and I will make the reservation. The 'name' of the restaurant is Afghan & Persian Cuisine - it is at the corner of Mary and El Camino in Sunnyvale, address is 604 S. Mary Ave. We will meet at 7:00.
I would like to explore a possible day (and optional overnight trip) in February for men interested in exploring Jewish religion, teachings and spirituality in an off-site venue. If you are interested in this, please do let me know and I will investigate it based on the response I receive from you all. I for one am ready and willing to do this, and am looking at having this at Mercy Center in Burlingame (run by an order of nuns, it is a leading inter-faith center that is renowned for its Zen Buddhism classes as well as other items) - as it happens, they are having a men's spirituality weekend on February 16 and 17 - details at http://www.mercy-center.org/Flyers_2007/05-04_mercymenHost.html
I think this is an OUTSTANDING interfaith opportunity, as well as a wonderful chance to become more familiar with our Jewish faith - I highly encourage you to consider at least the day trip portion, if not the overnight. Again, if you are interested in this in any way, shape or form, please let me know by email ASAP.
Our next monthly meeting will be Sunday, January 13 from 9 - 10:15 in the BFR - as always, we will be providing a mighty 'groaning board' of the finest in smoked fish, bagels, cheeses and other comestibles - it's a great spread with some remarkable guys. If you've never come, it's worth it for the food, made even better by getting to see firsthand what Brotherhood is involved with. Preceding the meeting, I will be continuing the fine tradition initiated by Bob Hansen, about having people come in and talk about what they do and how it impacts us all. I will be taking the reins this month, to talk about Public Relations and how what you read, see and hear on the news isn't always what you think it is - and how to spot it.
Immediately following our meeting, we are honoured to have the next in our Distinguished Speaker Series, Dr. Seth Ammerman of Stanford Medical School. Dr. Ammerman is a nationally-renowned figure for creating a program to help at-risk teens get free medical care throughout the Bay Area. His mobile medical van will be on-hand if you want to tour it - and we are greatly blessed to have as caring a physician and human being grace our halls. I truly hope you will take an hour or so out of your morning to stay and learn more about what Dr. Ammerman is doing, as this is both fascinating and important for our community.
Diaspora Dinner XIV is happening on Sat. Jan. 19 from 6 - 9. The theme is North Africa, with dishes from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt that will wow your tastebuds. This 5-course gourmet meal and history presentation promises to be one of our most interesting ever - the cuisine uses many spices, but is not spicy and if you've never tried, here is an opportunity to do so with total authenticity. An Egyptian Jewish friend of mine and her husband are coming all the way in from San Francisco for this - because in her words 'you are serving food that even my mother in Cairo never tried before'. :) As Brotherhood members, you get in for $9 off the regular price of $49 - so please, if you want to come, please do get us your checks by no later than Jan. 10. Send them to the office, c/o of Brotherhood, with the checks made out to Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood. Spouses are $49, and if you want paired wines with each course that go beyond our normal libations, please add an ext
ra $18 per person. We have hundreds of $ in raffle prizes as well, including an iPod, music, books and more!
I have outstanding news as well - Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels finally got back to me today and it looks like we are going to be a 'go' to have him speak at Emanu-El in February or March! Keep your fingers crossed, and I'll update you as soon as I learn more about schedules. If you don't know who Curtis Sliwa is, check here: http://www.guardianangels.org/curtis.html Mr. Sliwa is an amazing individual, and a true friend of Israel - I am still in awe that he is prepared to come to our Shul.
Lastly, the President of Shir Hadash Brotherhood has once again issued his annual challenge to us - we crushed them in Billiards two years ago, bowled them back into the Stone Age last year - now they thirst for vengeance!
They have selected their sport of choice, and it is...Bocce! Now, if you're unfamiliar with the game, please check out this link: http://www2.campodibocce.com/los_gatos.html
I played Bocce in my youth, having lived near a huge enclave of Italian-Americans - and got my ass kicked more times than I care to remember by men 4X my age. This game is not physically stressful at all, and is great fun - regardless of age or experience, I invite you to join us in April for this meetup.
Now, truth be told - there is no way in Hades we are going in there cold to play against them - I am virtually certain they have Bocce ringers on their team who have been playing for years. Thus, I am asking our esteemed VP of Events. Bob Levy to set up a February or March opportunity for all of us to go to the Bocce court and practice like Hell. Beer, food and Bocce - what could be better? The only thing sweeter will be another victory, and I ask all of you to join me in establishing once and for all which men's club owns this town - and I know that is us. :) The cross-town rivalry is all in good fun, of course - but I love a good scrap, and if they're willing to provide us with another chance at victory, I'm all for it. :)
For those of you familiar with my favorite film of all time, the Godfather - I expect us to return with cannoli's if you catch my metaphor. ;)
Gentlemen - it has been a true pleasure being the public face of Brotherhood this last year - but do remember, it's not the face that matters, it's the heart. All of you are the heart of Brotherhood, and it is an honour and pleasure to be going into the New Year with all of you.
With best regards - J (co-prez) H
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