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.
Our Rabbi Alan Greenbaum, who has been serving Jewish congregations for over thirty years, 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
From The Rabbi
Dear Friends,
The central force in society is family. It is through the institution of family that we require nurturing in our earliest years, that we receive our core values, and that we experi- ence our primary mentoring. Sadly, not all families are "equipped" to accomplish these things for a variety of reasons. Some families are dysfunctional. Others are broken. The chal- lenges that beset family life are many and sometimes overwhelming. And when family bonds are weak- ened or torn apart, it is always the children who suf- fer.
Recognizing this reality in society, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters offers a response which is nothing short of life-saving. This agency pairs together "at risk" children and caring responsible adults. I was a "Big Brother" when I was a rabbinic stu- dent living in Cincinnati, Ohio. My "Little Brother," Mischa, was 7 years old. He immigrated to the United States with his mother from Riga. Mischa and I spent two years, getting together 2-3 times each month for a variety of activities. I will never forget when he came to my Ordination ceremony, dressed in a suit and bow tie. THIS KID WAS CUTE. It was a happy/sad day as we both knew that we would probably not see each other again. But the memories are strong and I hope that I made a small difference in his life. He certainly did in mine.
When we moved to Grass Valley, Dori became a "Big Sister." Her "Little Sister," Brittany, is now 13 years old. I have observed the many ways that Dori has positively impacted Brittany's life, providing her a model of conduct and providing for her a number of life experiences that she otherwise would not have had.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Nevada County is desperately in need of "Bigs" who are ready to make the difference in the life of a young person at risk. This has got to be one of the greatest mitzvot in the world and it only requires your ability to say, "Yes!" Please consider doing that!
Their website is www.bigsofnc.org or call 273-2227 L'Shalom, Rabbi Alan Greenbaum
Living in a small town in Northern California, the need to meet with other Jewish families becomes even more important to us than if we lived in a larger metropolitan area where we could easily meet and socialize with fellow Jews. Our Congregation/Jewish Community Center offers a meeting place for us to get together on a regular basis to pray, study and socialize with each other. Not only do we offer a full religious school program from pre- school through Bar and Bat Mitzvah age, we also have an active post Bar and Bat Mitzvah program for our youth headed by Rabbi Greenbaum, and one of our members, Susan Halperin. This group has adopted the name: "Groovy". We hold Shabbat evening services each Friday. The Rabbi conducts services twice a month, including a family service once a month, and the remaining weeks are covered by lay members. Torah study takes place on Saturday morning when the Rabbi presides.
We have many other programs that are offered through our very active Sisterhood, Brotherhood, and Adult Education Committee. We try to engage community members, who are not Congregational members, to join us for the High Holidays, Purim, Passover, and special programs that we open to the community-at-large in hopes that one day they will join our smaller community. Due to our rather small membership of 102 families, we have become one larger extended family. We join together in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Perhaps one of the best examples of us joining forces and having a great time, simultaneously, is when we work at The Bagel Booth at our County Fair each August. Every year, more than three-quarters of our members volunteer their services to make this fundraising event a success. In fact, this is where many community members first learn that there is a Jewish congregation in the community.
Although we have only part time office help, we are always available by either phone or email. Give us a call at (530) 477-0922 or email us at ncjcc@sbcglobal.net for more information. We hope to hear from you.
Friday, June 26th, 7:30pm- Shabbat Services This will be Rabbi Greenbaum's last service with us. Chris Williams will also be converting to Judaism on this day. We hope everyone will plan to attend this evening.
Saturday, June 27th 10:00am - Zak Kober will become a Bar Mitzvah. Please plan to attend and give him your support on this special occasion.
Sunday, June 28, 2009. The Board of Directors wants to officially thank the Rabbi and Dori for all they have done for us these past two years, as do all of you, and will be holding an Open House for them from approximately 2-5pm. Bring your children! Would you believe it, but they graciously offered their house to us for this event? You should receive a flyer with all of the details around June 8th.
Saturday, August 1st- New York Deli Nite at the Miners Foundry- from 5pm-9pm "All you can eat" for $20 /person. Children under 12years of age -$10/child. This is a major fundraiser for us, so we need everyone to stop by to dine on Kosher dogs, Pastrami, corn beef sandwiches, knockwurst, and much, much more! Joe Hammel's piano background music will regale us with Broadway tunes. So bring yourselves, your friends, neighbors, and relatives and help support our Temple. Plan to be back from vacation in time for this memorable culinary experience! You will be receiving a flyer outlining these events in the near future.
see calendar page for complete listings
Religious School News
What's New in Reform Judaism
Send mail to webmaster with questions or
comments about this web site.
