Activist’s death ruled an accident
A San Francisco Medical Examiner’s report released this week concluded that Dr. Daniel Kliman died as the result of an accident. The pro-Israel activist was found dead at the bottom of an elevator shaft last December.
The March 17 report also found “multiple deficiencies” with the elevator car, located in the office building at 55 New Mont-gomery in San Francisco. It remains unclear exactly how or why Kliman pried open the elevator door and plummeted five stories to his death.
A medical doctor in Alameda and co-founder of S.F. Voice for Israel, Kliman was a familiar presence as a supporter at pro-Israel rallies and as a protester at pro-Palestinian rallies. He lived in Oakland.
Sha’ar Zahav brings camp to the synagogue
Shabbat Ruach, a monthly program at Congregation Sha’ar Zahav in San Francisco, is bringing a little bit of the Jewish camping experience to the synagogue.
Prayers and singing are led by Deborah Newbrun, former director of Camp Tawonga near Yosemite, and Isaac Zones, a former Tawonga camper and songleader.
The Shabbat program is for families with children in grade two through high school.
It happens the third Friday of each month — the next one is March 20 — with dinner at 6 p.m. Services are from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., San Francisco.
The program was created in October with support from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund in San Francisco. It’s intended to bring in more LGBT families, particularly those who have never been to an LGBT-inclusive synagogue.
Los Gatos JCC starts produce program
Fresh, locally grown organic produce will be delivered each week to the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos as part of the Teva To You program.
Teva To You is a community-supported agriculture program in which the JCC partners with a local organic farming cooperative to bring participants a box of fruits and vegetables each week. The program costs $22 per week, and each box is designed to be sufficient for a family of four. Produce will come from Two Small Farms, a collaboration between High Ground Organics in Watsonville and Mariquita Farm in Hollister.
The program began March 18. Boxes can be picked up at the JCC on Wednesdays between 12 and 6 p.m. Participants do not have to be members of the JCC. To sign up or for more information, visit www.svjcc.org or e-mail Rebecca Geshuri at tevatoyou@ gmail.com.
Mother’s Day project supports women
Jewish Women International, an agency based in Washington, D.C., is seeking synagogues and other organizations across the United States to participate in the Mother’s Day Flower Project.
The organization, which seeks to raise awareness about domestic abuse, will send bouquets to 150 battered women’s shelters in the United States.
For each donation of $25 or more, JWI will send a Mother’s Day card to a designated honoree, letting her know a contribution has been made in her name. JWI will also donate $5 of each $25 member contribution back to participating organizations. For more information, call (800) 343-2823 or visit www.jwi.org/fp.
JCFS fundraiser reaps rewards
A fundraiser benefiting the S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children’s Services took in approximately $700,000 for the agency’s emergency fund.
The event, held March 7 at San Francisco’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel, honored JFCS Executive Director Anita Friedman and three JFCS volunteers. Nearly 600 people attended, including Assemblymen Ira Ruskin (D-Los Altos) and Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), and Senate Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg.
$11 million boost for student scholarships
The Jim Joseph Foundation has awarded $3.5 million to the Bay Area Jewish community as part of an $11 million grant to five federations: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and the North Shore (in Salem, Mass.).
The grant, announced this week, provides emergency scholarships to Jewish families that can no longer afford to enroll their children in a private Jewish preschool, day school or summer camp — institutions that have been hard hit by the downturn in the economy.
The S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation will administer the grant in partnership with the Bureau of Jewish Education, the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay and the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.
Families seeking financial support should check with their school or camp for an application form.
The Jim Joseph Foundation grant follows on the heels of the S.F.-based federation’s own allotment of $225,000 in scholarships for Jewish preschools and day schools. Those grants made it possible for 89 families to keep their children enrolled in their schools.
correction
Last week’s story about Aliza Gazek of Santa Cruz should have stated that she is North American president of the North American Federation of Temple Youth, since NFTY covers the United States and Canada.