Located in the beautiful Sierra foothills, midway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, we are a diverse, warm and welcoming community; a place where our members can develop close and lasting friendships. We embrace traditional and non-traditional families, singles, and both partners of interfaith marriages. While we are a Reform congregation, as the only Jewish place of worship in the region, our religious services reflect both traditional and contemporary modes of worship.
Rabbi Alan Greenbaum, brings his experience and devotion to Judaism and the Jewish people to our community. Our vibrant and growing religious school is led by Harriett Kroot, a teacher and former principal with a lifetime of experience who provides our children with a remarkable curriculum of special Jewish experiences and family programs while empowering them to live the rest of their lives as knowledgeable Jews.
Our congregation is a place to pray and learn and draw close to God. It is a loving environment for celebrating and commemorating life's special occasions. It is a place to call home. Please explore our website, and should you have any questions, feel free to call our office or send us an e-mail at ncjcc@sbcglobal.net
Rabbi Alan Greenbaum
Welcome to Congregation B'nai Harim! Dear Friends, Been to a cemetery lately? I know, a glum way to begin a directory article. But not really. We have in our communities two very special Jewish cemeteries. These are the Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries located in Grass Valley and in Nevada City. While we take primary responsibility for the maintenance of these sacred grounds, we share that with the Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks. The oldest graves go back to the 1850's. I mention it here for two reasons. First, these cemeteries represent our oldest history in the region. Second, they are a wonderful living reminder of how we function as a community. Even in our earliest days when there were only a handful of Jews living in Nevada County, we functioned as a caring community - taking care of every aspect of Jewish life for each other. And as we did in pioneer days, so we do today in the second decade of the 21st century. We at Congregation B'nai Harim strive to be a community which is both warm and welcoming. We have a vision of a vibrant Jewish community and work hard for that to continue as a reality. We are proud of our heritage and of our Jewish values and share them with anybody who cares to join us. As a member of this wonderful community, please make every effort to participate in our many activities over the year. I think you will enjoy it and we will be a stronger congregation as a result of you being an active member! I wish you a healthy and joyful year! Shana tova, Rabbi Alan Greenbaum
From The President
Another year! Time just flies when you're having fun and trust me, it's fun to be your President. Thanks to a dedicated group of Board Members, and many not on the Board, this job is a piece of cake. I'd like to take all the credit for what we have accomplished this year, but in truth I didn't do much more than recruit a brilliant group of people who make your temple what it is today. So let me acknowledge some of those dedicated folks responsible for what we have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy at the NCJCC: First, our Rabbi. Alan Greenbaum has led us in beautiful Shabbat and High Holiday services, prepared our Bar and Bat Mitzvah boys and girls, created a tremendously popular " Ess 'n Fress" program and is always there when needed to lend a hand, or an ear, or a shoulder to cry on. Harriett Kroot. Harriett is the Principal or our Religious and Sunday schools, our Board Secretary and the originator of our popular Shabbat Suppers. Not only does she organize the suppers, but she bakes the delicious challas for each table. Jerry Waxman. Every temple should have a Jerry Waxman. He makes sure our facility is in top shape, he is responsible for the new parking lot, the cement walkways, the new windows (with financial help from Sisterhood) and the creative marketing genius behind the smashingly successful "Corner Deli". Holly Leeds. This busy doctor makes the time to organize and conduct those services the Rabbi does not. She also is responsible for assignments at the High Holidays and husband Josh can be counted on for oven‐baked Oneg challahs. Fieni Verdooner. Fieni is a master at promotion and publicity. Pick up the Union or tune in to KNCO and when you read or hear about Congregation B'nai Harim you know that Fieni has scored again. Promotion for Joe Hammel's concert was sensational.Arline Mehr. Arlene is our membership chairperson. She has successfully kept our numbers growing and her expertise at organizing help for the Corner Deli and Deli Nite is spectacular. Arlene Waxman. Arlene has single handedly raised our Adult Education program to a higher platform. AIPAC, Joe Hammel concert, Dr. Grist and next May the Israeli Counsel! There are others to mention: Dori Greenbaum for the creative effort behind the printing of the directory. Mike Gaynor for his fundraising, the other Mike,Atlas, for overseeing our books and keeping us financially afloat, Gordon Mann for starting the new Men's Club, Jeanne Thies Hammel, past‐president and chief adviser, our Office Manager, BobbPoznik‐Coover and my wife Shirley without whose support I couldn't do this job. sI wish you and yours a happy, healthy and enjoyable year ahead.
This Friday Rabbi Greenbaum will conduct Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday morning Rabbi will host his popular "Ess 'n Fress" session. Come at 9:30 a.m. with your breakfast treat, enjoy Rabbi's coffee and juice, and at 10:00 a.m. the action begins.
Thursday, February 2nd, Sisterhood will have its monthly meeting. Come at 1:00 p.m. for refreshments and after a brief business meeting the guest speaker will be JCC member Victor Simon who will spin a tale of his growing up in Egypt.
Friday, February 3rd a special treat. Samantha Karp will conduct our Shabbat service. Please make an extra effort to be there as Samantha provides a truly enjoyable experience. We really want to support our youth (and future leaders) when they step up and offer to take on such a responsibility.
Wednesday February 8th we'll have our next Temple Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. We welcome members to sit in. contribute, or just kibbutz.
Friday February 10th will start at 7:00 p.m. and will be a special TuB'Shevat dessert seder conducted by Laurie Williams and Rabbi Greenbaum. Join us for a family friendly music filled celebration of renewal, connection and awareness of our place in the world. And remember, we'll have DESSERT for all!
Thursday April 5th at 7:30 p.m. our Adult Education Committee will present Dr. Jehon Grist and a program devoted to "Israel's Journey: A Visual Story of the Modern Jewish State".
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