Pirke Avot extended into May!

The Pirke Avot study groups, sponsored by Brotherhood, have proven to be a huge success — and Rabbi Feder and Rabbi Ettlinger are continuing the Sunday morning study program into May.

Pirke Avot, a section of the Talmud variously translated as "Sayings of our Fathers" or "Wisdom of the Sages," is one of the most familiar, and most approachable, topics in Jewish study. Our study sessions, open to men and women of all ages, will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on the following dates:

Sunday, April 15
Sunday, April 22
Sunday, May 6
Sunday, May 13

(We're skipping Sunday, April 29, as that's our Temple-wide Tikkun Olam Day. If you have questions about Tikkun Olam Day, see the April PTS Bulletin.)

There's no cost for attending, and the sessions are held in Rabbi Feder's study. Coffee and pastries are provided by Brotherhood. We'd like to thank the Rabbis for generously supporting these study sessions.

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board

>> Update 4/15: The previously scheduled Pirke Avot session on Sunday, May 20, has been canceled. That's the last day of Religious School, and there's plenty of other stuff going on!

What a great March!

This month has been tremendous for PTS Brotherhood — and of course, for everyone in our congregation and the community.

On March 4, was the annual PTS Purim Carnival. We had a record attendance at this year's festivities. If you were there, you know how magical it was, and what a great time the kids had. We'd like to thank all the volunteers, both the adults and the teens... you're the real heroes who made the Purim Carnival a success.

Then, on March 18, was our first-ever March Madness Championship Poker Tournament fundraiser. We had an excellent turnout, the level of play was impressive, and many generous donors helped ensure that there were plenty of raffle prizes as well as awards for the top four poker players. The feeling was clear, that we should do this type of event again, so stand by for details! (Special thanks to Keith S., whose expertise and hard work kept the game on track, and to all the volunteers who labored before and during the event.)

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board

Next Brotherhood board meeting: April 10

Thanks to everyone who made last Sunday's Purim Carnival such a tremendous success! We had a record turnout, the weather was perfect, and the festival spirit was tangible. We couldn't have done it without the hard work of all our volunteers — you know who you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We have lots of great activities coming up:

• Monday, March 12, the Golden State Warriors basketball team is having its Jewish Heritage Night. We hope for a great turnout!

• Sunday, March 18, is our big March Madness & Championship Poker Tournament. It's one of our biggest events of the spring.

If you'd like to help be involved in planning these events, please join us on Tuesday, April 10, for the next meeting of the PTS Brotherhood board. It's at the Gau Poang restaurant, at 1208 South El Camino Real, San Mateo (cross streets: 12th/Hobart). Food and conversation begins at 6:30 pm.

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board

March Madness Poker Tourney!

Join us for the March Madness & Championship Poker Tournament, on Sunday, March 18th, in the PTS Lilian Byer Social Hall. This packed event includes a poker school from 3:00-4:00 pm, and then the tournament from 4:00-7:00 pm.

There will be dinner and drinks — and the NCAA tournament on the big screen! There's a raffle and prizes for the top finishers. These are great prizes, including dinners, sporting event tickets, gift certificates, specialty foods, spirits and more. There's a $50 buy-in for the poker tournament.

Please RSVP to Noah Cohen, noah {at} cohenfamily {dot} com.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board