Full Calendar
Upcoming events.
Hebrew School
We now have two age groups for Sunday Hebrew school! Michael Nemeth teaches the 9-12 year old group, and Rachel Agaronov teaches the 2-8 year old group. Plan on this being weekly on Sundays 11-12, unless otherwise noted.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL NOT BE CLASS ON MARCH 30th, APRIL 6th, or APRIL 20.
For questions, please email Michael at nemethclan4@gmail.com
Community Passover Seder
Hello Chaverim! We are having a community Seder at the Shul in Redwood Valley on Friday, April 18th at 6 pm. We hope you will join us. Please RSVP as soon as possible and BEFORE April 8th. Space is limited.
We are asking everyone to bring a dish to share, and because of the nature of Passover, Janae will be organizing the meal and asking folks to bring foods that are appropriate for the occasion.
Please fill out this google form to RSVP: https://forms.gle/ov57KMSE7pSKRkoEA
If for some reason you are unable to fill out the form, email Janae at janae.k.stephens@gmail.com to RSVP. Put “Seder” in the subject line.
Purim Party and Auction
DaDa Purim written and directed by Elizabeth Raybee - Sunday, March 16
Party & Auction Begin at 3pm
Come join us for fun, great auction items& yummy Hamantaschen
(Michael Nemeth and the Hebrew School kids will be making hamantaschen at the Shul 10:30-12:30. All are welcome!)
Tikkun Olam
As a people who have lived through a plethora of regime changes and suffered accordingly, we know in our bones what such times bring to us and our loved ones. The concept of Tikkun Olam, the repair of our world, has a history of just over 2000 years, substantial. In modern times, this practice has become synonymous with working for social justice, and perhaps now expanding to include climate justice as well. Many of us have been crafting our lives around this concept, making the world a better place for all its inhabitants. With increasing concern, some folks are wondering just how they can stretch themselves a bit more, others may be having a bit of crisis of the imagination on just what right action looks like for their particular circumstances.
Please join us on March 9th at 2:00 pm at the Shul, to share stories and gather inspiration about healing our world. It is a time to lift up what is being done, what can be done, how to join with others to make this a bonding and joyous exploration.
Between now and March 9th, be on the watch for inspiring stories, stories of courage, creative approaches to connections across differences. Come share armed with what enlivens you. Let’s see where this takes us. After story sharing, we will open for conversation about how we might, as a community, provide support or comfort or resources for those most vulnerable.
Torah Service led by Aruna Beth Miriam Rose and Mara Cook
Join Rabbi Paige, Kohenet Rayna Grace and the Kol HaEmek community for High Holiday Services to include Selichot, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. We'll gather often over these six weeks to celebrate, reflect, and connect.
Shabbat Evening Service led by Aruna Beth Miriam Rose and Mara Cook
Guest service leaders Aruna Beth Miriam Rose and Mara cook will be offering Shabbat Evening and Morning Services that provide contemporary and traditional melodies and prayers: "Jewish Songs of the Spirit" and meaning to help to create a Sanctuary among us with love, prayer and song... which is especially needed in these difficult times. We hope you will join us in song and community.
DESSERT POTLUCK TO FOLLOW. Please bring a sweet to share with community afterwards.
Tu B'Shevat Seder
The full moon holiday of Tu B’Shevat (literally: The 15th of Shevat) is the Jewish celebration of the Trees, or the “New Year of the Trees”. Halfway through winter, it is a time of renewal for the trees. We gather in gratitude for all that this Earth gives us, and we engage in a ritual seder (ordered eating) of fruit, nuts and wine/juice. Our Tu B'Shevat seder this year will be led by Kohenet Rayna Grace at noon on Sunday February 9th.
Annual Members’ Meeting
Bagels, lox, and other yummy food will be provided by the Board.
The meeting will consist of a Kol HaEmek overview; acknowledgments and thank yous, opening and closing prayers, a few uplifting songs, participatory go-round, and a discussion.
In the go-round, members will have an open-ended opportunity to speak candidly about their experiences at the Shul during this past year.
During the discussion, we will consider how well we met the goals that were proposed at last year‛s members‛ meeting. Which ones did we accomplish, which ones never
materialized, and what shall we focus on in the coming year?
Round-the-Table Shabbat
Kol HaEmek is pleased to announce that catered Round-the-Table Shabbat services and meals will be happening again this year, due to generous contributions from Norm and Karen Rosen, and your ongoing donations. Round-the-Table services are a lovely way to end the school/work week by getting together with family and community to sing songs, connect with where we are in the Jewish wheel of time, and eat delicious food.
We'll gather at 6pm for a family-oriented service of songs and blessings. The service will be led Kohenet Rayna Grace.
A vegetarian meal will follow the service, catered by Aravah Eats. Menu will be announced when available.
RSVPs are required. This will fill up, so RSVP soon to save your spot.
You'll notice that when you RSVP that you have the option to make a financial donation towards the meal, suggested at $9-54 per person . These catered dinners have been an incredible gift from Norm and Karen Rosen, and we have found that the catered meals are greatly enlivening our community. By accepting donations, we hope to be able to continue this tradition throughout the year. All are welcome, regardless of ability to financially contribute.
So looking forward to seeing many of you soon.
Hanukkah Party and Latke Potluck
***The Kol HaEmek family Hanukkah Party ***
RAFFLE DETAILS
Kol HaEmek is doing a quick fundraiser to close out the year. Raffle tickets are available to purchase online or at the Hanukkah party tomorrow for the next 24 hours. Need not be present to win, but must be local to Redwood Valley/Ukiah for prompt delivery. Win a sweet and delicious Chanukah Goody Bag, lovingly put together by Nancy, for your Chanukah cheer. It will include rainbow Chanukah Candles, See's Chocolate Gelt, a bottle of Martinelle's, and 18 pieces of homemade Rugalah! (A few other treats may be added) Tickets are 1 for $5, or 5 for $20.
PARTY DETAILS
The annual KHE Hanukkah party is always a highlight of the year. Warm, bright, fun and delicious! All are welcome. Bring the family, bring your friends! The schedule will be roughly as follows:
4pm - craft and dreidel playing
5pm - candle lighting and songs
5:30 - Latke potluck dinner
To Bring:
Your own hanukiah and candles: It will be the 5th night of Hanukkah, so if you are lighting Hillel-style, you will need 6 candles, and if you are lighting Shammai-style, you'll need 5 candles. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about different styles of lighting, you're in good company, and we'll talk about it tomorrow.)
A potluck dish to share: your best latkes and fixings (you know there can never be too many latkes!), or any other vegetarian dish you'd like to contribute. Donuts, anyone?!
Small change-coins to share for dreidel playing. (Or other tokens the kids can play with.)
Kohenet Rayna Grace will be the activity lead for the evening. Set-up at 3:30 and cleanup help requested.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Join us for a peaceful and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service as we welcome the Sabbath with joy and reflection. This evening will be filled with soulful melodies, heartfelt prayers, and the warmth of community as we set aside the busyness of the week and embrace the tranquility of Shabbat. Whether you are seeking spiritual renewal or simply a moment of peace, this service offers a meaningful start to your weekend in the company of friends and family.
Simchat Torah at the Shul
The final holiday of the season is Simchat Torah, in which we honor the completion of the Torah readings for the year with music and dancing. Join the Kol HaEmek celebration with music, dancing with the Torah and finger-food potluck. It's always a fun time!
Family Sukkot service at the Aravah Sukkot Festival in Hopland
We are very excited this year to offer our Family Sukkot service at the Aravah Sukkot Festival in Hopland. Aravah Sukkot Festival is a pluralistic Jewish community gathering to celebrate the harvest festival and embrace the season of rain. Through our collaboration, Kol HaEmek members may attend the Sunday morning family service at the festival for FREE (plus, we are welcome to stay for an additional session after the service at no charge)! Additionally, discount tickets are available for day or weekend passes for Kol HaEmek members. For location, or to for a discount code, please email kolhaemekrv@gmail.com
If you plan to attend the Kol HaEmek service on Sunday Oct 20th 10am, please RSVP to https://donorbox.org/events/694879 so we can get a headcount, and know how many to expect at the gate Sunday morning.
Our service will be lead by Kohenet Rayna Grace, and will explore four elements of Sukkot: We will shake lulavim (earth), pray for rain and healing with song and dance (water), blow shofar (air), and explore the temple practice of lighting giant candelabras for Sukkot (fire). This will be a song-filled and interactive service. All are welcome, with a special invitation to children and families.
You are invited to bring: Lulav made from four species. Water from a source that is sacred to you that we will add to our collective well of prayers for good rain and healing throughout the world this year. Shofars!
There are a lot of really wonderful workshops, rituals and celebrations being planned at the festival. Do check out the website to see! https://www.aravahfestival.com/
Gather
Join artists, activists, entrepreneurs, Rabbis, creators, families, elders, healers, psychonauts, ritualists, and everyone in between, from across California and beyond, as we come together to build solidarity across our differences.
Play
Immerse yourself in the playful spirit of Sukkot with live music, DJs, shtick, emergent performances, workshops, talks, and more. Sing, dance, create art, and co-create unique moments.
Pray
Engage in pluralistic Jewish prayer, musical Shabbat services, and Sukkot rituals. Explore dedicated spaces for grief and reflection, explore Jewish altar making, and participate in embodied practices that honor our rich traditions and embrace new ones. Celebrate your joy and return your grief to the land and water.
Community Sukkot Potluck at the Shul
Community sukkah building, decorating, and a harvest potluck on the deck of our Shul. We will build the sukkah, and then collectively share what we know and love about Sukkot as we dwell in our sukkah. Please bring a vegetarian potluck dish to share.
High Holiday Services
Join Rabbi Paige, Kohenet Rayna Grace and the Kol HaEmek community for High Holiday Services to include Selichot, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. We'll gather often over these six weeks to celebrate, reflect, and connect.
Round-the-Table Shabbat: click on “View Event” to read more and RSVP (required).
Kol HaEmek is pleased to announce that catered Round-the-Table Shabbat services and meals will be happening again this year, due to generous contributions from Norm and Karen Rosen, and your ongoing donations. Round-the-Table services are a lovely way to end the school/work week by getting together with family and community to sing songs, connect with where we are in the Jewish wheel of time, and eat delicious food.