Lots of Brotherhood happenings: Latkes, Toys, Poker and More!

Nov. 12’s Monday Night Football Poker Tournament was a huge hit. Sadly, I wasn’t able to be there, but Brotherhood had dozens of players, great food, lots of prizes. We’re looking forward to our March Madness Poker Tournament, coming up fast!

This year’s Chanukah Toy Drive, to benefit Jewish Children & Family Services, ends today. So far, Brotherhood has delivered carloads of toys to JCFS, which will be distributed to needy kids in the Bay Area. We’d like to thank everyone for their generosity. As Brotherhood president Fred Sturm writes,

What a thrill to see the boxes overflowing with so many beautiful toys — a reminder, this time of year, for all of us to give thanks for how fortunate we are.

Please join us Erev Shabbat on Friday, Dec. 7, for the annual Latke Fry and Dreidel Spin. We begin frying the latkes at 4:00pm. Services start at 7:00pm. The latkes are served at the oneg after services. Please bring your chanukiyah for our family candle lighting!

Mark your calendars for the next two Brotherhood board meetings. We’ll be planning future events, such as our Purim Carnival and the March Madness Poker Tournament:

Dec. 3, 6:00pm, at Amici’s Pizza, 68 Third Ave., San Mateo
Jan. 8, 6:00pm, at Gau Paong, 1208 South El Camino, Real San Mateo

Be sure to bookmark the Brotherhood page on our new, improved PTS Web site, so you can keep up with all our many events!

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board

See you at Amici's on Dec. 3

The next PTS Brotherhood board meeting will be on Monday, Dec. 3, beginning at 6:00pm.

Please join us at Amici's East Coast Pizzeria, 69 Third Ave., San Mateo. That's between El Camino Real and San Mateo Drive.

We welcome all Brotherhood members to our board meetings, where we schmooze, eat, and work on plans for upcoming events.

Hope to see you there!

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board

Help the 2007 Chanukah Toy Drive

The annual toy drive, sponsored by PTS Brotherhood, benefits Jewish Family and Children’s Services. JFCS is one of the most important charitable organizations in the Bay Area. serving San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma.

We are collecting NEW and NEVER USED toys for children of all ages. The toys should be unwrapped, please.

You can leave toys at the main Temple foyer or at the Religious School – there are drop boxes in both places. Donated toys will be accepted through Tuesday, Nov. 27.

If you have questions, or if you’d like to help deliver the toys, please call Fred Sturm, Brotherhood president, who is coordinating this program, or email brotherhood@sholom.org .

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board

Shop at Talbots — raise money for PTS Preschool!

Do all of your holiday toy shopping and raise money for PTS Preschool at the same time! Shop at Talbot's Toyland between November 17 and December 6, and Talbot's will donate 10% of all purchases to PTS Preschool.

In order for the preschool to get credit for your purchases, you MUST mention PTS Preschool when you check out. Please encourage your friends, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. to shop as well.

Talbot's is located at the corner of 5th and B Streets in San Mateo. Talbot's provides easy parking, local delivery, free gift wrap and gift storage for pick up at a later date.

Noah Cohen
Brotherhood Board

PTS Brotherhood presents: the Ethics of the Sages

Pirke Avot, or the Ethics of the Sages, is one of the most revered books of the Talmud. It contains practical advice and ethical guidance that the Jewish people have followed for centuries.

Pirke Avot is where we are advised, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” Community leaders hearken to the saying, “It is not up to you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

For the past year, PTS Brotherhood has sponsored Pirke Avot study with our wonderful Rabbis. We would like to invite you to join us in this conversation. Brotherhood provides the coffee and bagels. The Rabbis provide guidance and learning. You can provide your unique perspective. Pirke Avot study is wonderful, refreshing and nourishing of both body and spirit.

This year, Pirke Avot study takes place in Rabbi Feder’s office, as we sit around the table together, sharing stories and contemplating Jewish ethics. The sessions last for an hour, from 10:00-11:00am on Sunday mornings. All PTS members, men and women, are invited to participate.

The next few Pirke Avot sessions are on November 18, December 9 and December 16. Please mark your calendar now – and join us for this wonderful study group.

Alan Zeichick
Brotherhood Board