Jewish Voices in Germany & Napa

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The Jewish Historical Society of Napa Valley presents

Jewish Voices in Germany and Napa

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Jewish Historical Society of Napa Valley and Congregation Beth Sholom proudly announce a program by Rabbi Dr. Leo Trepp, on Sunday February 21, 2010 at 3:00 pm at our synagogue in Napa.

Dr. Trepp, in his nineties, is most likely the only Rabbi living today who can claim to have witnessed first hand the brutalities of the Nazi regime in Germany while serving as Rabbi of a synagogue in that country over 60 years ago. After the pogrom known at Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass in November 1938, Dr. Trepp was rounded up and taken to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Through the efforts of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain as well as family members living in the US, the Trepps were able to immigrate to the United States.

Since his arrival in the US, Rabbi Trepp has assumed pulpits on both coasts, including becoming Congregation Beth Sholom’s first part time rabbi in 1961. A much respected and beloved rabbi, Dr. Trepp is a true scholar, having penned a multitude of essays and histories in both English and German. His work resulted in a vast number of honors. In 1981, Rabbi Trepp was invited by German leaders to teach Judaism in universities and communities throughout that country. Among other honors he addressed the Parliament of the German State of Rheinland-Pfalz.

Locally, Rabbi Trepp has taught college classes in Napa and Solano counties and served as the Jewish Chaplain at the Veteran’s Home in Yountville.

Rabbi Trepp will give a brief overview of the history of Reform Judaism in Germany, contemporary Jewish history in Napa and discuss assimilation as it concerns the upcoming holiday of Purim.

The community is invited to this homecoming event, which is free of charge to all.

Please join us on Sunday, February 21 at 3pm

Congregation Beth Sholom
1455 Elm Street in Napa.

Refreshments will be served.
Info at (707) 251-9092

Jack Siadek has passed…

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We are saddened by the loss of Jack Siadek this morning.

Funeral Services will be at Congregation Beth Sholom Wednesday November 4th at 2:30pm.

Jack was such a greater fighter (he kept getting knocked but always got back onto his feet) and a great all around person. I know our family will miss him.

Baghdad to Bombay – In the Kitchens of my Cousins

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October 18, 2009   2-4 PM

Pearl Sofaer will be discussing her literary masterpiece: “Baghdad to Bombay – In the Kitchens of my Cousins”

Pearl Sofaer was born and grew up in Bombay, India.  Her large family originated in Baghdad and Kirkuk, Iraq, before migrating to Burma and India during the latter part of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

Pearl will be sharing her childhood memories, as well as entertaining us with Middle Eastern customs, music and traditional foods.

Joined by Shuli and Ronit Madmone of Whole Spice who will show us how to spice up our lives.

Napa Valley Yacht Club, 100 Riverside Drive, Napa, CA
No charge to JHSNV members

Adults: $10
Families: $25
RSVP required to info@jhsnv.org or (707) 251-9092

Wine and Middle Eastern nosh will be served
www.jhsnv.org

SIMCHAT TORAH at CBS

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..Join CBS as they continue to welcome new year 5770 and celebrate another beginning of the Torah…dancing, singing and fun.

Bat Mitzvah Elizabeth Eisenstark reads the last of Deuteronomy and Carolyn Hutchinson reads the first verses of Genesis.

Bring Sweets and Drinks for Oneg Shabbat

See you for an early & kid-friendly
SIMCHAT TORAH at CBS

Fridayat 5:30pm
10/9/09

Yihiyeh Tov – Nostalgic for Israeli Music

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I am not sure why, but recently I have been seeking out some of the Israeli music that I was exposed to while in camp and when I lived in Israeli when I was on Year Course (for Young Judaea).. The song that came back to me the strongest was one by David Broza, Yihiyeh Tov – Things Will Be Better…. To be honest it took me a while to find the song because I had part of it in my head but interestingly not the chorus… “pyramidot ba’einaim” … which I know meant “pyramids in (our) eyes” ( I am assuming this an illusion to the peace talks that occured between Sadat and Begin)… so I did a google search for that phrase… nothing came back… it was extremely frustrating – I couldn’t remember the rest of the song… eventually through diligence and actually visiting other nostalgic jewish camper sites –  I tracked down the song but when I looked for English translations for the lyrics – strangely the last paragraph was always omitted. I did find one site that had this translation:

Here comes the prince of Egypt
oh how I rejoiced for him
there are pyramids in (our) eyes
and peace in his pipe
and we said let’s complete (it)
and we’ll live as brothers
and he then said (let’s) advance,
just go out from the territories.

I wonder if politically it not correct to refer to the Begin/Sadat peace talks or something because when you start finding the paragraph omitted almost everywhere you start to think, what is going here?

Does anybody know?

In any case some other songs that I found that I use to listen to are Yo Ya (Poogy), Layla (Shalom Hanoch), Al Tevarti Alay (Shalom Hanoch) and Lo Yachol Lishon Achsav (Shalom Hanoch)… I am sure that I will find more as I search but I now have a new Playlist titled “jewy”  that I will grow with time…

Here is Poogy in action:

Traditional Minyan at CBS – May 2nd

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Saturday, May 2 beginning at 9:30 A.M.

David Freed will speak about what some believe to be the foundation of Judaism:

“Treat your neighbor the way you would like to be treated”

Join us for the conversation, the music and the davening

Kiddush (dairy) lunch follows the services at approximately noon

Children and b’nai mitzvah students welcomed!

Hope to see you then.