Upcoming Events:

NFL Potluck (this Sunday, January 22) – Brotherhood gathers for the NFL Championship games.
We’re throwing ourselves a potluck in front of the big screen TV at the home of Paul and Carol Berman to catch the NFC (49’ers v. Giants) and AFC (Patriots v. Ravens) contests. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP ASAP with Robert Feldman at rfeldman@sym-bio.com. TBE members and their families interested in football are invited. Go Niners!

Ano Nuevo Brunch and Tour (Sunday, January 29) – Brotherhood Communes with Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo.
UPDATE: 9:45 TOUR IS SOLD OUT. ONLY THREE TICKETS REMAIN FOR THE 10:45 TOUR. For the second year in a row, Brotherhood is sponsoring guided tours of beautiful Ano Nuevo State Reserve and its incredible elephant seals. The tours are set for 9:45 and 10:45 AM on Sunday, January 29. The tours will be guided by TBE’s own informative State Park docent, Ed Sacks. Brotherhood will have a nice spread of bagels, shmears, fruit, coffee, juice and tea in the picnic area before each tour. The cost is $10 per person, and the State Park charges $10 per car for parking. All TBE congregants are invited!

Ano Nuevo is about 40 minutes north of Santa Cruz just off Highway 1. The event goes forward, rain or shine – in fact, the seals are most active when the weather is inclement. The approximately three-mile walk is mostly flat, and takes about two hours. Sorry, no pets, even in the parking lot. Bottled water is OK on the tour, but no food can be brought along. It’s best to arrive around 9:00 for the 9:45 tour and 10:00 for the 10:45 tour. Please RSVP by sending your check to Richie Solomon, 218 Eleana Drive, Ben Lomond, CA 95005. Pre-payment is required, and tickets will be distributed by Brotherhood at the picnic area next to the park entrance. This event will sell out, so please reserve your spaces soon. We were unable to get tour times in the afternoon after Temple School this year, but the morning tours are often better for photographers. If you have any questions or would like to carpool, please contact Michael Rein at mike@reinlaw.net.

Brotherhood Presents “Hollywood in the Redwoods”
Please join Brotherhood at 10:00 AM on Sunday February 26 at TBE for the next Brotherhood Bagel Brunch. All congregants and their friends are invited to enjoy Brotherhood's delicious (and free) bagel brunch with all the fixins', followed by speaker Randall Brown, local historian and film expert. Did you know that the San Lorenzo Valley once hosted some of early Hollywood’s biggest stars? In fact, nearly 100 years ago, our scenic beauty attracted the attention of pioneer film makers and movie stars. Mr. Brown will tell stories of the Silent Era and show clips from a number of the films shot on location in our area. Please join Brotherhood for his presentation “Hollywood in the Redwoods.”

Past Brotherhood Events

Brotherhood’s Beer Tasting and Brat Night - Men Only!
Since reviving itself four years ago, Brotherhood has offered a ton of fun events suitable for the whole family. But at 6:30 pm, Saturday November 5, Brotherhood is doing something just for its members: A Beer Tasting and Brats Night at TBE. Zac Davis from Shmaltz Brewery, maker of the famous He’Brew beer (including the critically acclaimed Genesis 15:15, Messiah Bold and Coney Island Lager), will be on hand to lead Brotherhood guys through a tasting of some of the Brewery’s finest products. Brotherhood chefs will be grilling brats, onions and peppers, and offering potato salad, mustard, pickles, sauerkraut and something unhealthy for dessert too. Cost: only $10 each.

A commemorative pint size glass will be available for an additional $5 (we couldn’t resist making it a bit of a fundraiser). Zak will present the history of his famed brewery, describe what beer really is, how it’s made, its different styles, how to taste it, what to pay attention to, how to pour it, etc. And you thought all you needed to know was how to pop open the can?! Of course, He’Brew beers will be available for purchase after the event, with Brotherhood getting a cut of the purchase price.

Brotherhood Ushers for the High Holidays
Temple Beth El thanks organizer John Oppenheimer and the following members of Brotherhood for ushering at this year’s High Holy Days. Their welcoming presence and cheerful assistance added much to the services: Len Jackel, Ken Wagman, Ken Lande, Larry Levin, Harvey Segall, Arnie Levine, Richie Solomon, Dennis Caspe, Bruce Cohen, Andrew Goldenkranz, Neal Langholz, Ethan Miller, Rick Siegler, Rich Racimora, Darryl Shapiro, Steve Greenburg, Harold Raphael, Arnold Kragen, Michael Rein.

Brotherhood Builders
Temple Beth El thanks the following members of Brotherhood for erecting the sukkah this year. Their designing and constructing the sukkah allows Temple School and the entire congregation to celebrate Sukkot at our Temple: Alan Miller, Rich Racimora, Jay Lerman, Harvey Segall, Arnie Levine, Dan Iuster, John Oppenheimer, Bob Feldman, Michael Rein.

TBE’s 2011 Annual Picnic a Rousing Success
Many people commented that there were more members, more kids, more food and more energy this year at the Brotherhood and Temple School Temple-Wide Picnic at DeLaveaga Park on Sunday, September 11. The day in the park included breakfast, Temple School’s first day of classes, a superb BBQ lunch from Brotherhood, tasty dessert from Sisterhood, a spellbinding magic show, fun (and funny) children’s field games, and a huge softball game of Brotherhood and SRFY players. Special thanks (and mazel tov) to event chair Jay Lerman, and to magician extraordinaire Jerry Dubin, chefs Wally Brondstatter and Andrew Goldenkranz, all-around doer Richie Solomon, games guy Michael Rein, and Temple School’s Rabbi Shifra, Sarah Clarkson and its talented teachers. Also thanks to these terrific volunteers: Glenn Millhauser, Steve Shapiro, Harvey Segall, Marcia Stein, John Oppenheimer, Susan Brooks-McKay, Mark Rosenberg, Jerry Goldstein, Laurie Goldstein, Bob Feldman, Sara Rigler, Gus Gold, Ben Aronowitz, Suzanne Silverglate and all those super (and helpful) SRFY kids.

Brotherhood Cracks The Whip (Not!)
Brotherhood’s Work Day at TBE was a success on Sunday, June 26, thanx to these hard-working volunteers: Harold Raphael, Mark Ingel, Dan and Melinda Iuster, Glenn Millhauser, Bob Feldman, Richie and Jenna Solomon, Wally Brondstatter, John Oppenheimer, Lee Jaffe, Jerry Goldstein, David and Lee Silverglate, and Jack Hamm. This crew painted the Temple’s shed, spruced up the Meditation Garden, moved a ton (almost literally!) of mulch, repaired and cleaned around the Temple grounds, ate a well-deserved lunch from Brotherhood in the shade of our Temple trees, and overall had a great time and made new friends. A couple of the guys had sore muscles the next day, but at least they were wincing with pride. What a worthwhile event -- thanx to all who participated!

Brotherhood’s Ano Nuevo Tours and Potluck Get the Seal of Approval
Wow. The seals were really active. The weather was perfect. The potluck lunch was superb. The 40 TBE members had a fantastic time. We’ll be sending out a musical slide show shortly of Brotherhood’s February 13 play day at Ano Nuevo. Thanx to all who attended and who contributed, especially our amazing docents, TBE’s own Ed Sacks and Shirley Chasen.

Thanx for the (Boardwalk) Memories
Thank you to all who traveled beneath and behind the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on January 9 for Brotherhood’s “Under the Boardwalk Tour”. For a musical slide show of this sold-out event, click this link: http://bit.ly/hDn5QR . Thanx especially to Brotherhood’s own Marq Lipton for arranging this free event, and leading us troopers through the mysteries of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. No one got lost…for long. Lunch was superb at Coaster’s afterwards. Sorry for being unable to accommodate all who wanted to go. We’ll try to schedule this event again soon.

BRUNCH AND REDWOODS TOUR SPONSORED BY BROTHERHOOD
Brotherhood will be hosting a FREE bagels-and-lox brunch beginning at 10:00 a.m. sharp Sunday, October 10 at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park off Highway 9 in Felton, followed by a tour from 10:30 a.m. to noon of the beautiful, historic old growth redwoods provided by experienced docents Ken and Anita Lande. Open to all TBE members and guests. We promise that you’ll find the food, walk and discussion satisfying to both your body and mind!

Tennis or walking shoes are recommended for this flat walk of just under one mile. Strollers, wheelchairs and cameras are OK, but no dogs or bikes are allowed on the redwood loop (sorry – State Parks rules!). Remember, if Highway 9 is still closed between Santa Cruz and Felton, use either Graham Hill Road or drive through Scotts Valley. Park cars out on Highway 9 to avoid the $10 parking charge, and take the short meadow stroll to the picnic area (listen for the Yiddish din), or carpool in with other attendees. Turn right just past the ranger kiosk at the entrance into the picnic grounds where we’ll be enjoying our brunch. Rain or shine, we’re eating and walking, so please make plans to join us. Questions, contact Ken Lande at klande1611@sbcglobal.net or Richie Solomon at solomonzoo@comcast.net.

Noah Alper, founder of Noah's New York Bagels, to Highlight Brotherhood's Brunch on June 6th, 2010
Brotherhood's bagel brunch meeting begins at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, June 6th at TBE, followed at 11:00 a.m. by a presentation from Noah Alper, of Noah's New York Bagels fame. The event is free and open to all TBE members, especially aspiring entrepreneurs who want to do well and do good. We all know about Noah's Bagels, and have enjoyed them at our brunches, but what about the man behind the business? Noah Alper is a currently a consultant and a dynamic motivational speaker. Six and a half years after founding Noah's New York Bagels, he sold the business for $100 million. At that time, it was the largest Kosher retailer in the United States. He is also the founder of six other ventures, including the Massachusetts grocery store company, Bread & Circus, which is now part of Whole Foods Market. In his book, Business Mensch, he weaves together Jewish ethical teachings and over 35 years of business and non-profit management experience. This book was awarded a silver medal in the category of Business Ethics in the 2010 Axiom Business Book Awards. Please join us for what is sure to be an outstanding event uniquely connecting business, community and Judiasm.

USGS Scientist Dan Hanes presented at the Brotherhood Brunch that was held on Sunday, February 28.

JEWISH APPRECIATION DAY WITH THE SAN JOSE GIANTS – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2009
Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Chabad, Reconstructionist, JCC and college Jewish organizations have purchased 2,500 tickets at $5 each (half the normal price) to celebrate Jewish Appreciation Day at the family-friendly minor league baseball park of the first-place San Jose Giants as they take on the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.  Kosher homemade pastrami on homemade rye with a homemade garlic dill pickle, chips and a drink will be sold for $12.  We’re carpooling to the ballpark.  Please RSVP to Michael Rein at mike@reinlaw.net by July 19 if you want to join in.  Tickets might still be available at the door for late-comers, but no guarantees on that!  For more info, click on http://www.jewishgiants.com.

JEWISH HERITAGE NIGHT WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS – 7:15 p.m., Thursday, August 27, 2009
OK, it’s starting to look like a pattern.  But we couldn’t resist traveling by bus to AT&T Park again this year to watch the much-improved SF Giants take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.  This year, we plan to be there in time for the pre-game Jewish-themed tailgate activities, and have some activities on the bus too.  Event co-chairs Paul Berman (pukibear@aol.com), Steve Guiney (stevenguiney@sbcglobal.net) and Mimi Guiney (miriambg@sbcglobal.net) will have all the details for us soon (including a request for RSVP’s), but the final price probably will be about $45 again for both the bus ride and the game, which will include a free Giants t-shirt (and the companionship of a busload of wonderful TBE’ers, of course!).

WOW, WHAT A DELI NIGHT!
Deli Night was a total success by everyone’s account. Our annual signature event, accompanied this year for the first time by bulk meat sales, netted about $2,000 for Brotherhood. About 120 people dined at the Temple on April 25 on delicious direct-from-Detroit pastrami, corned beef, tongue, turkey and hot dogs, with deli salads, pickles, vegetarian sandwiches and desserts, serenaded by beautiful dinner music provided by Cabrillo College students. We went through 333 pounds of meat, including the bulk orders. Big Thank-You’s to these generous, hard-working volunteers: Drew Barkley, our event chair and mastermind who worked tirelessly on this event for months, George Badger, Steve Karon, Arnie Levine (huge help from this Deli Night veteran!), Jake Benford, Glenn Millhauser, Wally Brondstatter, Sandra Cohen, Bob Feldman, Scott Roseman, Jerry Goldstein, Bruce Cohen (our most tenured slicer), Dan Seftel, Steve Greenburg, Harvey Segall, Dan Iuster, Len Jackel, Irv Winnick (only guy who cut himself), Jerry Dubin, Rabbi Yitzi Miller, John Oppenheimer, Steve Shapiro, Richie Solomon, Michael Rein, Shana Hall and SRFY members Aly Pomerantz, Daniel Wagman, Rachel Bickert, Abby Imboden and Lily Connor. Thank you volunteers and thank you to all who attended Deli Night or purchased bulk meats! A final request: We need your feedback. Please send your comments about the event to Drew Barkley at dbarkley@tbeaptos.org. We improved over last year’s event due in part to some great feedback, so let Drew hear from you!

Follow-Up to Our Recent Alternative Energy Presentation
Alan Miller spoke at Brotherhood’s March meeting about a form of alternative energy called OTEC being developed by Alan and others at Lockheed Martin. As a follow-up, we thought you’d like to see the superb article and photo (which includes Alan!) that ran in the NY Times last month:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/energy-environment/30thermal.html?_r=1
Some further published details on the same general topic are in the article on Energy with a photo on page 7:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/corporate/documents/April2009-LMToday.pdf

An Open Discussion on the Relationship Between UCSC and Santa Cruz City - Sunday, November 23, from 10:00am - 12:00noon at Temple Beth El
Enjoy bagels and other goodies to eat.
UCSC plays a major role in California higher education and provides numerous benefits locally, including cultural contributions and tax revenue. However, planned growth raised new challenges including increased traffic, greater demands on water use and residential crowing. What are the roles of the City and the University in meeting these challenges while maintaining the unique qualities of Santa Cruz? Please join the TBE Brotherhood for an open forum with Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty and UCSC Executive Vice Chancellor David Kliger. Bring your interests, concerns and questions. Audience participation is welcome. The discussion is open to the entire TBE community.

Special Meeting with guest speaker Dr. Jerry Dubin --Sunday, May 18, 10:00am at Santa Cruz Title Company, 1955 41st Avenue in Capitola
Bagels and other brunch goodies are included, as always. Our speaker Dr. Jerry Dubin, an organizational psychologist and management consultant -- who just happens to be married to a rabbi! Jerry works with a variety of firms, offering services in team building, management training and development, attitude surveys, company image studies, conflict resolution, personnel selection and personnel retention. Jerry was a Men’s Club chapter president, resurrecting a dormant chapter and leading it to become an award-winning group. He later was a Regional President and served on the advisory board of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (of the Conservative Movement) where he created an international program for Men’s Club Shabbat and a program about creating and sustaining relationships.