Aleinu Members Gathered for Special Summer Celebration

L-R: Scholar in Residence Co-Chairs Susan Ulevitch and
Steve Ritter welcomed Rabbi Norman Cohen as our
2011 Scholar in Residence last winter.

Susan Ulevitch, co-chair of Scholar in Residence, and her husband Richard, hosted the Aleinu Adult Education Committee for a summer social evening at their La Jolla home last week. The evening was a special time for members to socialize and get to know each other with just the minimum of committee work involved!

The group enjoyed Susan's gorgeous ocean view, munched on appetizers, and a fabulous dinner. Susan and Bonnie outdid themselves with delectable desserts. Aleinu welcomed new committee members Jane Lazerow and Louise Winheld. People jumped on board to volunteer to head up programs for the coming year.

Aleinu members Janine Feldman, Liz Levine and Janet Acheatel
enjoyed the Aleinu summer get-together 

What a wonderful idea this was! Many thanks to the Ulevitches for their hospitality!

Men's Club Hosted Chris Jennewein on Re-Inventing Media for an Online World

by Emily Jennewein, President
I enjoyed joining the Men's Club when it hosted Chris Jennewein, my husband, at its Dinner Forum last week on the subject of Re-Inventing Media for an Online World. Here are four slides from Chris' presentation, including his recommendations for news websites to follow:

 

Youth Director Daniel Brenner Leads Camp Shabbat

Daniel Brenner

by Emily Jennewein, President

Beth Israel's new Youth Director Daniel has added wonderful ruach to the Camp Shabbat celebrations this summer. Daniel song-leads the weekly service that concludes the camp week along with talented musician and counselor Ben Brogadir, Rabbis Bernstein and Satz, Early Childhood Education Director Tammy Vener and all the teachers and counselors.

Each of the eight weeks of camp includes a variety of fun activities that conclude on Fridays with Shabbat. Campers and their families enjoy Shabbat prayers, song, and dance after Friday lunch.

  

A special treat for me when I visited Camp was to get to admire the 2011 organic garden, which is a project that all the campers enjoy along with counselor Penny Jennewein.

Staff Bids Farewell and Good Luck to Matt Cromwell

by Emily Jennewein, President

Beth Israel staff bid a fond farewell to Matt Cromwell last week. Matt, his wife  Melanie and their two adorable children, enjoyed pizza, salad and Bonnie Graff's homemade desserts at the farewell party. 

Susan Hutchison brilliantly decorated the party room with a camping theme that was so spectacular it took the breath away of everyone present.

Matt will be leaving Beth Israel to focus on finishing his Master of Arts in History at SDSU with the goal of moving into a doctoral program and eventually teaching at the college level. He will also be doing freelance website and graphic design work on the side.

For four years, Matt has been the very able assistant to Program Director Bonnie Graff. Matt will be very much missed. Beth Israel welcomes Zach Weinstein to the program department. 

100+ Congregants Celebrated Shabbat at Potluck

by Emily Jennewein, President
More than 100 congregants joined Membership Co-Chairs Cynthia Fram and Kaylee Brogadir at Beth Israel's summer potluck dinner after our Shabbat service last Friday. The courtyard was overflowing with congregants, many of whom enjoyed dining together afterward.

Betsy Wilinsky

With her ever-present warmth and enthusiasm, Betsy Wilinsky, Director of Membership Services and Caring Community, greeted every participant as they arrived with their potluck contribution. Delicious food was plentiful.

With such a successful outcome, the Membership Committee looks forward to sponsoring more potlucks in the coming months.

Membership Co-Chairs
Cynthia Fram & Kaylee Brogadir

If you didn't make it to last Friday's Shabbat potluck, please join us next time!