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Winter Nights Blog #10- 12-19-10 – A Real Artist’s Affair

A fabulous kitchen crew led by Margie Kaplan served a delicious meal of Moroccan Meatballs with Couscous, Green Salad, Dinner Rolls, and Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin, & Chocolate Chip Cake.  Clearly they had read all of the instructions for Cooking/Serving and did every job
in a timely manner and done perfectly.  This kind of volunteer support makes Cindy & my job
immeasurably easier, and offers a sense of stability to our client-guests.  Cantor Korn led the Ha Motzi in our nightly circle, and his voice rang loud and clear.

One of our clients’ 9-year son came up to ask for fresh lemon.  I wondered why he wanted it, and he said, “It will go well with the cauliflower.”  I think that the Cooking classes are really making an impact.  Speaking of cooking classes – the report from the clients was as glowing as the blog entry from Tina Goodfriend.  Two of the young mothers had to leave to put their toddlers to bed, and they didn’t want to miss any of the Price is Right game.  There are $5 Target cards for winners, but everyone seems to be a winner with this marvelous addition to Winter Nights.

Food Facts – The Price is Right

In an effort to reach out to kids and adults about food choices, we played another game last night with the guest/clients modeled after The Price is Right.  We doubled the number of participants in the second night of games.  The purpose of games were to help the clients to maximize their food dollars.  For instance, on display were several yogurts - squeeze yogurt in a tube, a single serving of yogurt, and a quart sized container.  The clients guessed how much money one ounce of each costs, with the lesson being that the yogurt tubes and individual servings are more expensive than the larger quart size.  In another game, we had a bean burrito from Taco Bell and a homemade burrito with all the ingredients displayed on a table.  The clients were challenged to guess the cost of a bean burrito from Taco Bell and the cost of a homemade burrito. The lesson was that although the costs are similar, sometimes fast food includes extra salt, preservatives, and other undesirable additives that make it a less healthy choice.  Another game involved the proteins and which costs more per serving:  beans/rice, eggs, or hamburger. The lesson was that you have many choices for protein which can be managed at different costs.  Everyone had a good time and there was a lot of enthusiasm and discussion about food choices.  12 Target gift cards were won by the clients during the three games. 

Our resident artist, Suzanne Cerny, was again with us drawing portraits of our guests.  Laurie Bellet brought a host of different art projects and engaged kids in kinesthetic activities.  It was wonderful to see the kids running their hands through gooey and mushy paint and then making handprints.  Dave Solomon came out to help one of our 4-year old guests to make a model airplane.  Dan Green got one of our truculent 11-year olds engaged in reading and math.  Shari Solomon brought holiday crafts and it is easy to imagine how engaged her kindergarten class is on a daily basis.  Our Activities and Tutor Volunteers are an invaluable part of Winter Nights.  Our youngest guest-clients appreciate the one-on-one, and even our 20-year old mother, sat and got in 15-minutes of reading.

It was also a great night to meet with some newer congregants.  I enjoyed conversations with Laurette Gennis, Lisa Tucker, Shari & Rob Solomon and Jan Singer. 

Shout Out – Daniel Bookbinder for doing a great job of dishwashing and playing the piano for our guests on Tuesday night. Ziva Rave and A.G. Ferrari for donating vegetable trays, fresh bread, and cookies.  Anything that is left over on a nightly basis goes with the Leftover Transportation Volunteers to the Concord Shelter.  Thanks to Michaela Frydman for her movie theater ticket donation.  And to Elizabeth Jameson for bringing her wonderful assistance dog, Barclay.  The kids always enjoy it when we have a 4-legged volunteer.

FAQ #10 – What if someone has a new idea?

One of the beauties of Winter Nights is that people come up with new ideas all of the time.  When someone has a new idea, they generally come to Cindy or Sandy and we listen intently to how the idea can enhance Winter Nights.  Then we say, “Sounds like a great idea.  Go ahead and see how it can be implemented.”  Sometimes there is not enough time to do a big job (i.e. dressing our clients for family portraits submitted by Ellen Kirmayer), but an alternative of shawls was implemented this year.  Cooking games and classes submitted by the Goodfriends & Kleins about 4 months ago, and we can tell from the blogs as to how wonderfully successful this program has been so far.  Joani deVries came up with the idea of more greening, which is now in its 2nd year,
and Dick & Barbara Lemyre wanted to see better use of our leftovers, and thus our Leftover Transportation program.  Anyone who has a great idea is welcome to submit it, and even more importantly, since it takes a village, to figure out how to make the idea work.  Special thanks to all who have submitted and implemented terrific additions to Winter Nights.

After volunteering at Winter Nights, I am so lucky to come home to a warm fire and my family.  It is a pleasure to have my adult children and grandson, Andy, here for a week.  On Thursday night, we are having a family dinner.  I know that I can take a “night off” and that everything will run smoothly with Cindy and Crew Chief Ellen Kirmayer in charge.  Thanks to everyone for their lovely notes and supports.  It is a privilege to work on this fabulous Tikkun Olam project.

Available Volunteer Slots

Dishwashers – 1/1/11 (Please contact Joani deVries, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) (Please note corrected e-mail address.)

Weekend Drivers – 1/1/11, 1/2/11 (Please contact Sandy Anderson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) (Generally duty starts at 12:15 p.m. depending on movie schedules and ends when the clients are returned to the shelter, also dependent on movie schedules.  We can generally let drivers know 1-2 days beforehand what the exact driving times will be.  All drives are to Walnut Creek, Moraga or Lafayette.)

Program Needs

• Flashlights and Batteries (we have a big need with the threat of power outages.) 
• Century 21 Pleasant Hill Movie Passes
• BART Tickets
• Gas Cards (any denomination)
• Target or Wal-Mart Gift Cards ($5 as prizes for Cooking Program)

Congregant Volunteers – Thanks to everyone’s efforts in big and small ways.

Kitchen Crew – Crew Chief Margie Kaplan, Bob Kaplan, Susan Radke, Betty & Irv Baron (Jan Robertson’s parents from Detroit), Jan & Ted Robertson, Lisa, Doug, and Belinda Tucker, Laurette & Elle Gennis, Leigh Korn, Andrea & Kate Green, Elise Trumbull, Pam Schuur, Donna Green

Activities/Tutoring Crew – Julie, Stephen, Samantha & Sydney Bell, Shari & Rob Salomon, Jan Singer & Rebecca Gluck, Pat Reyes, Dan Green, Linda & Dan Friedman, Dave Solomon, Lesli Fellman, Cori & Steve Puma, Erica Zeidenberg & Alicia Glidden, Suzanne Cerny, Laurie Bellet

Overnight:  Stu & Kim Weinstein

Dishwashing: Adrienne Yarnold, Carrie Paulus, Joani deVries & Mark Rossi,

Food Transportation: Elaine & Herb Lederman

Supply Shopper: Mike Prilutsky

Blog:  Tina Goodfriend, Sandy Anderson, Nathan Bellet, Sharon Noble

Garden Cafe’ Food Fun: Rebecca Calahan- Klein. Jonathan, Katherine, Lillian Klein, Tina, Sierra, Jordan & Jeff Goodfriend

Special Guest:  Elizabeth Jameson & Assistance Dog Barclay

If we miss acknowledging any volunteer, please let us know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Volunteer Comments

From Dan Howard, Joy of Music Entertainment (12/27/10)

“I had a fabulously good time last night and feel happy that Wayne and I were able to work with several age groups.  (Ellen was a delightful surprise and the perfect partner to help with the younger kids).

I also loved singing the Beatles songs with a few teens and even with your staff.

Thank you so much for following up on the many opportunities at your Temple.

You truly do a magnificent job that really exemplifies Tikkun Olam in action.”

From Mary Ann Winig, Crew Chief, 12/23

“Great job again this year.  I love the idea of washing dishes and being green.  Somehow, doing routine kitchen chores like dishes really builds community…as it did family cohesiveness in our era.”

From Susan Salem, One Warm Coat Volunteer

As a follow up, I wanted to let you know that we are having a very successful One Warm Coat drive.  My office assistant will be making our third drop off tomorrow at St. Vincent de Paul in Pittsburg.  We are making the donation boxes available through April 1st 2011:

Diablo Chiropractic
1299 Newell Hill Place, Suite 102
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
PH:  925-933-1738
FAX: 925-933-3549
http://www.diablochiro.com

Thank you for your wonderful efforts and wonderful descriptive recap of each day/night.

 

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Winter Nights Blog #9 – 12-28-10 – Dark & Rainy Night Outside, but Warmth & Community Inside

Veteran cooks prepared and served a delicious meal of Barbecued Chicken, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Green Salad, Dinner Rolls, and Red Velvet Cupcakes & sheet cake.  This Havurah group has been serving dinners for homeless guest-clients for a dozen years and have always made it a family affair. 

Activities volunteers made poppers for New Year’s Eve, as well as spending special time with individual client-guests who need help with basic math and reading skills.  Kids benefit so much from the individual attention.

As mentioned in previous blogs, the client numbers do fluctuate even when we have a stable population.  Some clients choose not to eat for any number of reasons, so it is difficult to predict the exact number of diners.  We always have plenty of food for clients & volunteers, and all leftovers are taken to the Concord Shelter.

Shout outs – Mitch Zak for cleaning out the refrigerator and helping organize the leftover holiday gifts which are being donated to Jewish Children & Family Services.  Bill Broussard for driving Sandy home in the driving rain because she didn’t have a ride.  Jonathan Klein for mopping the kitchen floor.

Special guest Andy Brown joined his grandparents for dinner.  He reported, “I had fun and a good dinner.” 

Food Bingo (From 12/27-10)

Rebecca Calahan-Klein led the first night of Cooking Games, assisted by Tina Goodfriend, Jonathan, Lillian & Katherine Klein and Jeff Goodfriend. 

Monday night’s game was Bingo, using colorful pictures of wholesome food instead of numbers on Bingo cards. A salad spinner was spun by one of the guest children.  If a blue chip was taken from the salad spinner then the Bingo players put chips on all of the blue fruits and vegetables on their cards (such as the picture of blueberries). Tina passed out Bingo cards to each of the players with their name already on the Bingo card (one of the guests helped by putting individual names on each of the cards while we were setting up).

The set up for the Bingo game consisted of placing a plate of colorful cut up fruit (blueberries, bananas, raspberries, kiwis and oranges) on each of two tables.  On a small adjacent table were small rectangular dishes with brown rice and white rice and cut up pieces of bread, water, grape juice and milk. There was also a white board on a stand where Rebecca was speaking that had “ Simple Food Rules” and explained “Food Fact Bingo”.

Five adult guest-clients, six children of guest-clients and 2 congregant children participated in the discussion about healthy food choices and the Bingo game.

Rebecca explained that white rice looked good, and was preferred by urban dwellers (to distinguish themselves from those uncouth farm folk), but that brown rice is far more healthy, as white rice is brown rice with much of the good and healthy nutrients removed. Everyone received a hand out listing the food-centered games, informational and cooking classes that Rebecca and Tina would lead over the coming week, informing the guests that anyone who attended a specified number of events would receive a kitchen kit donated by members of Temple Isaiah.

Rebecca spun away and, after much laughter and kibitzing, five of the guest children were Bingo winners. They will each get a $5 gift certificate for Target that they will give to their parents.

FAQ #9 – “How did the “greening” program start for Winter Nights?  For the first 5 years of Winter Nights at Temple Isaiah, paper products (non-Styrofoam) were used for all meals.  At the end of 2008, congregant Joani deVries, suggested that we could be much “greener” if we used the Temple dishes, glasses and silverware, and got volunteers to come in to do dishwashing.  In 2009, Crew Chiefs were polled as to whether they wanted to use paper or the Temple’s dishes.  Four Crew Chiefs indicated that they’d be willing to participate in such an experiment.  Joani wrote up directions and led the Dishwashing Crews, often accompanied by her family.  In 2010, all nights except one have been green, and from 3-4 congregants have come in to help with dishwashing.  Joani takes the wet towels and any dirty aprons home to wash.  In addition, we have a compost bin in the kitchen, and have been composting food scraps.  These efforts coupled with the Leftover Transportation team, has contributed to our being more ecological and more green.

Available Volunteer Slots

Overnight:  12/31/10, 1/1/11 (Please contact Fabio Baum, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Dishwashers – 12/28, & 1/1/11 (Please contact Joani deVries, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) (Please note corrected e-mail address.)

Weekend Drivers – 1/1/11, 1/2/11 (Please contact Sandy Anderson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) (Generally duty starts at 12:15 p.m. depending on movie schedules and ends when the clients are returned to the shelter, also dependent on movie schedules.  We can generally let drivers know 1-2 days beforehand what the exact driving times will be.  All drives are to Walnut Creek, Moraga or Lafayette.)

Shower Supervision – 1/2/11 (3:00 – 5:00 p.m.) (Contact Cindy Coleman, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Program Needs

• Flashlights and Batteries (we have a big need with the threat of power outages.) 
• Century 21 Pleasant Hill Movie Passes
• Tri-Delta County Connection Bus Passes
• BART Tickets
• Gas Cards (any denomination)
• Target or Wal-Mart Gift Cards ($5 as prizes for Cooking Program)

Congregant Volunteers – Thanks to everyone’s efforts in big and small ways.

Kitchen Crew – Crew Chief Ruth Rosenberg, Mimi Rosenberg,
Jamie, Liza & Rick Horn, Karen Moghtader, Phyllis, Reid, & Reid Edwards, Cindy Frankel, Guido Krickx, Donna, Josh,  & Seth Moldoff, Jerri & Steve Schwartz, Bruce & Deborah Boyer,

Activities/Tutoring Crew – Sherri, Amelia & Olivia Zack, Veronica Siegel, Asha Singh, Greer Siegel, Neal Modelevsky, Jill Razzano, Pat Reyes, Leslie Simon, Marian Shapiro, Erica Zeidenberg

Overnight:  Kevin & Sam Assael, Dave Solomon (These guys are doing double duty.)

Dishwashing: Terri, Daniel, & Jack Bookbinder, Jeff Goodfriend, Lillian Leong, Lillian, Katherine & Jonathan Klein

Food Transportation: Michael Brent

Cookies:  Megan & Bill Mannheim, Lynn Harrington-Golde

Laundry Man: Roy Kaplan

Supply Shopper: Lynn Epstein, Lucy DiBianca

Nightly Photographer: Cindy Coleman

Blog:  Sandy Anderson, Nathan Bellet, Sharon Noble

Garden Cafe’ Food Fun: Rebecca Calahan- Klein. Jonathan, Katherine, Lillian Klein, Tina, Sierra, Jordan & Jeff Goodfriend

Gift Shoppers:  Arlene Konstant, Bev Kivel, Carol Marcus, Cherri Shiffman, Chris Peters, Debbie Winograd, Greta Frantz, Jackie Novick, Judi Saperstein, Kim Licht, Linda Wild, Linda & Gil Duritz, Lynn Golde, Susan Lieber (Sorry for not acknowledging these great volunteers earlier.  They did all the wonderful shopping for Christmas presents for our guest-clients.  We couldn’t have a festive Xmas Day without their huge contribution.)

Clothes Donation: Doug & Fanny Fish

This & That: Mitch Zak

If we miss acknowledging any volunteer, please let us know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Errata:  I’m trying again – Thanks to Laura Hauer for bringing the wonderful sweet potato casserole on Xmas Day.  It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.  And Pam Hauser for assisting on Monday night.

Volunteer Comment – From Dan Howard, Joy of Music Entertainment

“I had a fabulously good time last night and feel happy that Wayne and I were able to work with several age groups.  (Ellen was a delightful surprise and the perfect partner to help with the younger kids).

I also loved singing the Beatles songs with a few teens and even with your staff.

Thank you so much for following up on the many opportunities at your Temple.

I had a fabulously good time last night and feel happy that Wayne and I were able to work with several age groups.  (Ellen was a delightful surprise and the perfect partner to help with the younger kids).

I also loved singing the Beatles songs with a few teens and even with your staff.

You truly do a magnificent job that really exemplifies Tikkun Olam in action.”

 

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Winter Nights Blog #8 - 12-27-10 - A Musical Event

Tonight our guests and volunteers were treated to a musical prelude by Dan Howard, Joy of Muse, and his accompanist Wayne Allen.  Fortunately we had a musical volunteer in Ellen Winnick, and she and Dan collaborated on music with action words.  The kids who sat with Dan and Ellen learned the words and motions for “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and other old favorites.  It was a delight to hear Dan’s music and watch how positively the kids responded.

Tonight’s crew headed by Michelle Holtz and an able group of volunteers, served Macaroni & Cheese, Steamed Broccoli, Herb & Tomato Salad, Cornbread, and Poppy Seed Cake.  It was amazing to see how many of the guest-clients were served a mixture of colorful food on their plates.  This was totally consistent with the beginning of our Garden Café Food Fun.  The Klein & Goodfriend families have put together an amazing program of food consciousness for the final 7 nights of Winter Nights.  Tonight they taught about making colorful food choices and choosing brown over white (as in rice, bread, pasta). 

In addition to making pillows with Jill Jacobsen, the guests played Food Facts BINGO!  We are not going to cure homelessness or change people’s basic behaviors, but providing solid food facts information may ultimately affect people’s food choices and make them somewhat healthier and more cost effective.

Each night (Monday - Thursday), there is a roving Winter Nights tutor.  This provides a familiar face for our young guest-clients, and maintains a consistency with their reading program.  Since our stint of Winter Nights is when school is out, the kids don’t have specific homework.  Our Tutor and Activities volunteers encourage nightly reading for which the kids are rewarded small prizes when they reach a specific number of minutes read.  Judy Stillman is the Educational Coordinator for Winter Nights, and when one of our clients was departing the shelter and had reached a reading milestone, Judy rushed over to Temple Isaiah and shared a prize with this youngster.  It is a system of rewards for reading, which seems to be working well.

We’ve had the privilege of having Suzanne Cerny come on multiple nights and do black and white portraits of our guests.  Suzanne is an extremely talented artist (I have a postcard on my desk of Barack Obama) who generously shares her artistic skills with our Winter Nights guest-clients.

FAQ #7 - How are meals provided at Winter Nights?
Winter Nights’ mission is to provide 3 meals a day plus shelter for 30+ homeless guest-clients.  Breakfasts consist of cold items prepared by the Overnight Supervisor.  On the weekends there are families who volunteer to come in and prepare a hot breakfast.  For dinner there is a crew chief and 6-8 volunteer families who cook at home and bring the food in reusable dishes, clearly marked with the item cooked.  For lunches, the Cook/Serve crew makes tuna and egg salad on a nightly basis, and puts out fruit, cookies, deli turkey, peanut butter & jelly, snacks, juice boxes and vegetables.  The guest-clients come into the kitchen after dinner and make lunches for their families.  Lunch bags are marked and kept in the left side of the refrigerator.  When the guest-clients leave in the morning they take their bag lunches to work or to the Oasis at St. Vincent DePaul in Pittsburgh.

Special shout out to Neal Modelevsky.  When first signing up, Neal indicated that he was “flexible.”  Winter Nights has benefitted from his flexibility.  Neal has volunteered as a cook/serve team member, tutor, activities and sleepover volunteer.  In fact, Neal was the first to sign-up to fill the vacancy for the New Year’s Eve Sleepover.  Besides reminding me of how old I am, he’s a terrific volunteer and genuinely nice guy.  There is still one Overnight Supervision slot available on 12/31 and 1/1/11.

I am reminded of how lucky most of us are, as I came home this evening and had a lively discussion with my adult children.  I also got home in time to see my grandson, Andy, finish his bath.  In case anyone missed out on knowing that Andy is 2-years old and the light of our lives, just see the picture accompanying the blog updates.

Available Volunteer Slots

Overnight:  12/31/10, 1/1/11 (Please contact Fabio Baum, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Dishwashers: 12/28, & 1/1/11 (Please contact Joani deVries, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) Please note corrected email address.

Weekend Drivers: 1/1/11, 1/2/11 (Please contact Sandy Anderson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) (Generally duty starts at 12:15 p.m. depending on movie schedules and ends when the clients are returned to the shelter, also dependent on movie schedules.  We can generally let drivers know 1-2 days beforehand what the exact driving times will be.  All drives are to Walnut Creek, Moraga or Lafayette.)

Shower Supervision : 1/1/11 & 1/2/11 (3:00 - 5:00 p.m.) (Contact Cindy Coleman, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Program Needs

Flashlights and Batteries (we have a big need with the upcoming storms on their way)
Century 21 Pleasant Hill Movie Passes
Tri-Delta County Connection Bus Passes
BART Tickets
Gas Cards (any denomination)
Target or Wal-Mart Gift Cards ($5 as prizes for Cooking Program)

Congregant Volunteers - Thanks to everyone’s efforts in big and small ways.

Kitchen Crew - Crew Chief Michelle Holtz, Dawn Comer, Margaret & Herb Eder, Susan Kaufman, Jeffrey Klurfield & Victoria Seelig, Howard Melamed, Cathy Cutler & Abe Mintz, Carol Lowitz, Wendy & Bill Dorband, Rick Richard, Wendy & Bill Dorband, Neal Modelevsky, Laura Hauer, Olivia Hauer-Richard

Activities Crew - Belinda Harris, Roger, Lori, Josh, and Kenna Sherman, Ellen Winnick, Jill, Danielle & Matt Jacobson

Overnight:  Jim Simon

Dishwashing: The Bell Family, Phyllis Ceaser, Joani deVries

Food Transportation: Elaine & Herb Lederman

Nightly Photographer: Cindy Coleman

Supply Shopper: Celia Menczel

Blog:  Sandy Anderson, Nathan Bellet, Sharon Noble

Garden Cafe’ Food Fun: Rebecca Calahan- Klein. Jonathan, Katherine, Lillian Klein, Tina, Sierra, Jordan & Jeff Goodfriend

If we miss acknowledging any volunteer, please let us know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Congregant Comment

 
“Once again, kudos to you and everyone connected to Winter Nights!  But especially to you and Cindy this year… organizing and executing such a major endeavor!  Your daily blogs make it very real for all of us and are much appreciated!”  Ellen Emold

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Winter Nights Blog #7 – 12-26-10 – Back to Full Strength

All of our guests who spent Christmas with family were back tonight and we had a full complement of 25 guests.  It is quite possible that we will get 1-2 more families this week.  We always have plenty of food and have lots of room to shelter more guest-clients.

Morning hot breakfast was served by the Radke Family, Mike & Linda Bandler, and Linda & Lauren Waxman.  The guest-clients really appreciate the special weekend breakfasts.  Weekend breakfast is always a much sought after Winter Nights volunteer assignment, and desire is always rewarded with great effort.

After the zoo, Santa Claus, carolers, Christmas gifts, and movies, everyone was ready for a quiet day.  Some of the guest-clients walked with strollers down Risa Road to BART and went to Walnut Creek for a couple of hours this afternoon.  The down part was easy, but the young mothers found coming back up the hill to Temple Isaiah quite taxing – as would most of us.

The delicious meal of Sloppy Joes, Balsamic Potatoes, Green Salad, Dinner Rolls, and Caramel Banana Pie was supervised by freshman Crew Chief, Michael Brent.  It is great to bring on board congregants in leadership positions.  Thanks to Michael, his family, and entire crew for a great meal.

The parents and kids are starting to feel more and more comfortable at Temple Isaiah.  That is the up and down side to a rotating shelter.  It usually takes about 3-4 days to get settled and acclimated to a new place, and then after 2 weeks the shelter moves to another faith community.  Some may remember that originally Winter Nights had hoped to have a permanent home at the old Orinda Library.  Quite a battle ensued, and that possibility did not work out.  The downside to that long-ago decision was that Winter Nights doesn’t have a permanent home.  The upside is that Winter Nights doesn’t have a permanent home and gets far greater volunteer participation because people feel more comfortable in their home congregations.  This has been a much debated topic at the Homeless Summit (the umbrella governing body for Winter Nights) and there is unanimous opinion, that rotating works the best almost all of the time.  There are always a few exceptions, but there is wide volunteer turnout with this system, and the guest-clients seem to adapt well.

Today was Weekend Shower Day.  Whereas yesterday minor catastrophes occurred with locked doors, running water, not enough hot water for everyone, and a rainy afternoon, to boot, today Cindy along with her friend Lynn and teen Trent Schwartz, helped people go down to the shower in the Teen Lounge.  The gratitude in the guest-clients’ eyes is evident.  One guest, the father of 7 year old twins told me, “It feels so good to be able to clean-up.”  We will offer showers again next weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.  When the Oasis at St. Vincent de Paul is open, folks can shower there, but for people who don’t go to the Oasis, this is their only shower opportunity.

A big shout out needs to be made for Anita Weil.  Anita is co-chair of Activities.  She along with Lisa Kvech scheduled all of the volunteers for Activities for the two weeks of Winter Nights.  Anita, Lisa, and Nadav Rave share the activities supervision responsibilities.  Anita, in her quiet way, is a strength behind this part of our program.  She knows every child’s name and what their interests are.  She makes them feel involved, encourages them in activities, and is a stable force almost every night of our program.  Thank you, Anita.

Overnight Supervision is one of our easy jobs, but one that of course, takes from 8:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.  We generally require 2 overnight supervisors, and bend the rules on the nights when we have only one.  We desperately need a volunteer for New Year’s Eve.  For anyone who doesn’t go out and party on New Year’s Eve and feels a strong desire for Tikkun Olam, we would love to have you hang out, enjoy our modified New Year’s Eve celebration, and get to sleep in until the coffee needs to be made at 7:30 a.m.  We have Fold ‘n Go sleeping mats, and our volunteers generally bring sleep bags and wear sweats or other comfortable clothes for sleeping.  If you can possibly do this job, please contact Fabio Baum (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) ASAP.

The first week of Winter Nights has flown by.  Thanks to everyone for making it a big success.

FAQ #7 - How do volunteers find out about Winter Nights?

At Temple Isaiah we send out multiple blasts through the Ruach, Shabbat Shalom, This Week at Temple Isaiah and e-mails.  We always get a plug in the Jewish Bulletin, and we’ve had a few people respond with, “I don’t belong to Temple Isaiah, but we’d love to help.”  We encourage new members to volunteer as a way of meeting people, and long-time congregants to come and reconnect with each other.  We generally are never short of numbers of volunteers, but there are definitely a few hard-to-fill spots.  Thanks to those who say, “I’m flexible.  Let me know what I can do.”  In 2011, all volunteer slots will be filled through On-Line registration.  Look for information on that process next October.  It truly takes a village to run this program.

Available Volunteer Slots

Overnight:  12/31/10, 1/1/11 (Please contact Fabio Baum, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Dishwashers – 12/28, & 1/1/11 (Please contact Joani deVries, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Weekend Drivers – 1/1/11, 1/2/11 (Please contact Sandy Anderson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) (Generally duty starts at 12:15 p.m. depending on movie schedules and ends when the clients are returned to the shelter, also dependent on movie schedules.  We can generally let drivers know 1-2 days beforehand what the exact driving times will be.  All drives are to Walnut Creek, Moraga or Lafayette.)

Program Needs

• Flashlights and Batteries (we have a big need with the upcoming storms on their way)
• Century 21 Pleasant Hill Movie Passes
• Tri-Delta County Connection Bus Passes
• BART Tickets
• Gas Cards (any denomination)
• Target or Wal-Mart Gift Cards ($5 as prizes for Cooking Program)

Congregant Volunteers – Thanks to everyone’s efforts in big and small ways.

Kitchen Crew – Crew Chief Michael Brent, Judy Carney, Jo & Andy Adler, Nina & Rich Fishman, Ellen & Jay Israel, Sandra Roberts, Marla Simon, Karen & Lucy Marriner, Melanie, Sophie & Maddy Brent, Lisi & Ken Norris

Weekend Hot Breakfast- Linda & Mike Bandler, Susan, John, Meredith, David & Daniel Radke, Linda & Lauren Waxman

Hard-Boiled Eggs – Cindy Silver

Cookies – Susan Caplan

Activities Crew – Anita & Josh Weil, Mike Waite, Natalie Rich

Weekend Supervisors:  David Matz

Overnight:  Alan & Sarah Sachs

Shower Supervisors – Cindy Coleman, Lynn Murphy, Trent Schwartz

Food Transportation: Elaine & Herb Lederman

This & That: Rebecca Calahan- Klein

If we miss acknowledging any volunteer, please let us know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Congregant Comment

“All went smoothly this morning! We cooked pancakes, eggs, home fries & fruit salad, which we thought at first was too much for the small group eating breakfast. But, by the end of the meal, it was almost all gone as more clients woke up and joined the meal.  Bill, the Winter Nights staff person, was very helpful, and made sure that everyone was in the right place at the right time.” (Susan Radke)

 

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Winter Nights Blog #3– 12-22-10 – LAFTY Night

Upon arrived at the Temple kitchen tonight, it was clear that it was going to be calmer than the first 2 nights.  Joining us were teenage members of LAFTY, led by Youth Director, Dan Lange.  The teens had everything in order for their delicious meal of Cheese Lasagna, Butterfly Beans, Chopped Salad with Russian Dressing, Dinner Rolls, and Apple Crisp.  They had spent the afternoon cooking and preparing and building a strong sense of community within their group.  Temple member Vivian Poettgen made a divine organic vegetable soup and donated dozens of bagels courtesy of Noah’s.  We pass on our leftovers every night to the Concord Shelter, but we will keep the rest of the soup to serve on these cold nights.  Those of us who are Winter Nights every night and eat the fantastic meals that are prepared, will probably need to be the first people in line for Weight Watchers when the first of January comes.

Earlier in the day, volunteers had gathered in the Social Hall and under the direction of Debby Weinstein wrapped gifts for 35 people, in an hour.  Cherri Shiffman, always our creative genius, added finishing touches to many of the gifts.

The evening activity was making graham cracker houses with frosting and candy decorations.  The teens had everything well organized and it looked as if as much candy was being eaten as put on the houses.  Our teens show such maturity and thoughtfulness every time that they come to Winter Nights.  We should all feel very proud of them.

The parents had shopped in Santa’s store on Tuesday night.  We observed that there was an imbalance of gifts, and had a small conference on what to do about that.  We will tactfully remove the excess of toys for several children, and distribute among other kids.  We try and limit the gifts to one bag per person.  This is because there is already so much to move every other Monday.  When living in a shelter, excess can be more of a problem than a gift.

As with last night, there was a local reporter that interviewed guest-clients and volunteers.  She was intrigued by our comment that the volunteers benefit as much or more than the guest-clients.  We explained that Winter Nights is an incredible community builder for all host sites, and it teaches the lessons of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) to our own member volunteers.  In addition, when new members participate, they are able to make connections with more seasoned congregants.  It is a win-win situation all the way around.

It is important that we remember that the lives of our client-guests are precarious and stressful.  The pressure is exacerbated by this being the holiday season.  We could feel the heightened tension tonight, and fortunately the professional staff was there to deal with several difficult situations.  When our guests express frustration over where their lives are at this point in time, we can all feel for them.  But we are not here to fix anything but food and provide shelter.  For “do gooders” as so many of us, it is a fine line to walk.

FAQ #3 – Why do we refer to clients as clients instead of guests?

The original business plan for Winter Nights used the term “Clients” in its description.  We have continued with the term over the years.  However, at the request of several congregants, we try and use the term “guest clients.”  It is a matter of semantics and not any disrespect to anyone.

Anyone interested in 4 tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet at Oakland’s Paramount Theater for Sunday, 12/26 at 2:00 p.m., please contact:  Jennifer Fish (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Available Volunteer Slots

Overnight:  12/25, 1/1/11 (Please contact Fabio Baum, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Dishwashers – 12/26, 12/28, & 1/1/11 (Please contact Joani deVries, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Shower Supervisor – 12/25, 12/26 (taking guest-clients down to the Temple House for showers; soap, shampoo, towels, etc. are supplied). (Please contact Cindy Coleman, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Weekend Drivers – 12/25, 12/26, 1/1/11, 1/2/11 (Please contact Sandy Anderson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) (Generally duty starts at 12:15 p.m. depending on movie schedules and ends when the clients are returned to the shelter, also dependent on movie schedules.  We can generally let drivers know 1-2 days beforehand what the exact driving times will be.  All drives are to Walnut Creek or Lafayette.)

Program Needs

• Toddler push toy (i.e. grocery cart, baby carriage, riding toy)
• Flashlights and Batteries (we have a big need with the upcoming storms on their way)
• Small step stool for bathrooms
• Umbrella Strollers
• Century 21 Pleasant Hill Movie Passes
• Baby Wipes
• Diapers – Size 3, 4, 5 (overnight diapers as well)
• Tri-Delta County Connection Bus Passes
• BART Tickets
• Gas Cards (any denomination)
• Target or Wal-Mart Gift Cards ($5 as prizes for Cooking Program)

Other Need

Name of a good janitorial service.  If you know of one, please contact Michael Liepman, 283-8575, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

 

Congregant Volunteers – Thanks to everyone’s efforts in big and small ways.

Gift Wrappers:  Louise Boas, Elaine & Alan Kaufman, Marilyn Kaplan, Debbie Winograd, Janice Rich, Kim Drucker, Claire Whiley, Judi Saperstein, Lauren Kadesh, Angie Corritone, Jocelyn Gorewitz, Sandra & Ilana Rubin, Meghan Martin, Phyllis Ceaser, Ann & Amy Clarkson, Christine Kaplan, Arlynn Bloom, Cherri Shiffman

Kitchen Crew – Jordan Dong, LAFTY Social Action Vice President ,Thomas Levy, LAFTY president, Haley Sutton, Petra Reyes, Evelyn Mailander, Ben Weinberg, Mandy Bach, Trevor Rechnitz, Zach Bach, Trent Schwartz, Garrett Candau, Michelle Robertson, Melanie Jones, Madeleine Levy, Sophie Grossman, Ari Anderson, Ari Migdale, Jack Ginsburg, Ben Weintraub

Activities Crew – LAFTY

Dishwashing Crew – LAFTY, Joani deVries

Food Coordinators – Rebecca Calahan-Klein & Jonathan Klein

Cookies – Wendy Buchman

Hard-Boiled Eggs – Wendy Buchman

Overnight:  Emily Blanck & Dan Weiss

Photos & Family Portraits:  Michael Fox

Food Transportation: Dick & Barbara Lemyre

Supply Shoppers: Susan Lieber & Thom McDannel

Toothpaste Donation:  Eric Citron

If we miss acknowledging any volunteer, please let us know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Errata:  Laurie Ivry donated the ceramic ornaments at Color Me Mine donated the kiln time.

Congregant Story & Rabbinic Comment

Rabbi Shanks wrote, “I just caught up on the Winter Nights blogs and I’m in tears ... what your able crew members are doing is just incredible.”

Volunteer shopper, Susan Lieber, heard that our 21-year old mother who was leaving to join her family in Qatar, really wanted a silver bracelet for Christmas.  Susan immediately went out and found a suitable item.  When the young mother saw the gift, her eyes lit up, and she said, “This is the nicest thing that I’ve ever had in my life.”  It proves that small gestures can be felt as giant gifts to the recipient.

 

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Winter Nights Blog #2– 12-21-10 – A Very Busy Night

Reports from Monday’s Overnight Supervisors, Alan Goldstein & Jeff Mann, was that all was quiet at Temple Isaiah.  They were missing a toaster for breakfast and condiments for coffee, but those issues have been resolved today.  It is important to close and lock the doors tightly after the guest-clients leave in the morning.

The night’s menu of Crock Pot Chili w/ Ground Beef, Coconut Green Beans, Dinner Rolls,  Orange & Banana Salad and Ginger Chocolate Cake was enjoyed by our 30+ guest-clients 35 volunteers.  The dinner rules allow guest-clients to always get their food first and then volunteers.  When everyone has had first servings, then all can go back for seconds.  It is amazing how many people do enjoy seconds because the food is both healthy and delicious.  If anyone is interested in Winter Nights recipes go to the Temple Website (http://www.temple-isaiah.org) and find Winter Nights under Groups & Activities.  Each days’, volunteers, menus, and recipes are listed by date.  We have some volunteers who make certain Winter Nights dishes as part of their standard food fare at home.

Since it is Winter Break, the kids don’t spend much time in the tutoring area.  They gravitate to the Activities area.  Tonight a couple of kids heard Penny Kermit’s melodious reading voice, decorated cookies made by Laurie Ivry and daughters, glazed ornaments donated by Laurie Bellet, decorated snowflake ornaments supplied by Laurie Ivry, et. al, and made scarves with materials supplied by Kim Drucker.  No one is asking for television or electronic diversions.  Shelter guests and Temple volunteers interact as one big group.  It is a privilege to watch these connections. 

During Circle Time (at 6:30 p.m. before we serve dinner), Rebecca Calahan-Klein introduced preliminary information on the Cooking Games & Classes.  She then met with individuals to find out their specific interests.  The Cooking Games will be next week (12/27 – 12/30) and then the actual cooking classes will be 12/31 – 1/2/11.  This is an exciting addition to our program as is the Chai Kitchen Kits project (at the end of today’s blog is a description of how you can help our guest-clients toward kitchen self-sufficiency when they exit from the program.)  This project is the brain child of Jeff & Tina Goodfriend & Rebecca & Jonathan Klein.  Our motto is, “If you have an idea, give it a try.”  As a result we have a whole new emphasis on healthy eating and cooking.

On Thursday we will lose a mother and her 3 children, while another mother and 3 kids are spending the holidays in Modesto with family.  There are several families on the waiting list, but one never knows when they will enter the shelter.  We’ll potentially be at only 22-25 over the holiday weekend.  But with the weather as cold and rainy as it is, our numbers could swell at anytime.

Our photographer in resident, Michael Fox, took pictures of guest-clients (always respecting privacy issues) and volunteers, and family portraits.  Women were supplied with beautiful shawls donated by Ellen Kirmayer and friends. Debby Weinstein, with the help of Cindy Coleman, ushered parents through the Santa’s Store, that had been set up in the Bride’s room by Noar Nights, to “shop” for their kids.  The beauty of this, is that it empowers the parents and they feel that they can truly pick out gifts for their kids which they certainly didn’t expect to do this Christmas season.  One mother was so deeply touched by the experience, that she wept in gratitude.  Tomorrow a large group of volunteers will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Social Hall to wrap the Christmas presents chosen this evening.

When we start to be concerned about too many volunteers versus the number of guest-clients, one’s worries are dispelled by the engagement of all.  Jim, who is a weekly tutor, shared that whenever the kids are fully engaged, then there is a higher level of positive noise.  That is a true fact about Temple Isaiah.  We hope to keep the spirit of Winter Nights alive by asking everyone to volunteer for one other activity during the year.  There are so many choices and we don’t want to see the spirit of volunteerism and giving begin and end with Winter Nights.

As the rain pours heavily outside, we are so glad to shelter our guest-clients from the cold and wet.  Even though some of them do go outside on the patio to smoke (although they get multiple anti-smoking messages from the Winter Nights staff and from Sandy), they are warm and safe inside our Oneg Area and Social Hall. 

FAQ #2– How do the guest clients find out about Winter Nights?

In the fall, flyers are put out in various agencies that service the homeless.  Potential clients contact Mahmoud, the Program Manager for Winter Nights, or Gwen, the Executive Director.  Since the program is limited to families with children and elderly single adults, only those are interviewed.  Mahmoud does most of the interviewing and discusses the numerous rules of the program – no alcohol or drugs, must participate in the Savings Program, must have TB & flu shots, etc.  If there is room in the shelter, then Mahmoud will approve their acceptance.  He keeps a Waiting List when the shelter population exceeds 33 – 35.  Although it is often difficult to re-connect with the folks on the waiting list as they are not a stable population.  The shelter program runs from mid-October through mid-April and while there is a small population in the early months, by the time the guest-clients get to Temple Isaiah, the program is usually at full strength.  Temple Isaiah has one of the larger facilities, so it easier for us to accommodate a large population.

Volunteer Needs

Dishwashers – 12/24 & 1/1/11
Shower Supervisor – 12/25, 12/26 (taking guest-clients down to the Temple House for showers; soap, shampoo, towels, etc. are already supplied).
Weekend Drivers – 12/25, 12/26, 1/1/11, 1/2/11

Program Needs

Small step stools bathrooms for our youngest guests (we have 4 one-year olds)
Umbrella Strollers
Flashlights and Batteries (we need these for the inclement weather that is on the way)
Century 21 Pleasant Hill Move Passes
Baby Wipes
Diapers – Size 3, 4, 5 (overnight diapers as well)
Tri-Delta County Connection Bus Passes
BART Tickets
Gas Cards (any denomination)
Gift Cards ($25 or lower but no grocery store cards).
Target or Wal-Mart Gift Cards ($5 as prizes for Cooking Program)

Congregant Volunteers – Thanks to everyone’s efforts in big and small ways.

Kitchen Crew – Crew Chief - Jill, David, Josh, & Sophia Douglas, Crew Chief, Mindy, David, Emily Lucy & Bob Becker, Scott, Jack, Melissa & Lisa Danish, Lee & Celia Douglas, Josh, Dara, Noah & Lori Feller, Helen Ann & Norm Licht, Jodi Schiller & Ben & Leah Douglas, Francis Singer and Karen Maas.

Activities Crew – Laurie, Claire, Jessica, & Sarah Ivry, Kim Drucker, Arlene Konstant & Stephen & Scott Elbert, Joshua & Julie Candau, Ellen Rosenbaum, Erica Zeidenberg, Lisa & Cameron Kvech, Penny & Mark Kermit, Trudy Friner

Dishwashing Crew – Jane Sedley, Ron Wise, Joani deVries

Tutors – Miriam Glickman, Arlene Jacobs, Erin Bloom

Cookies – Mindy Becker

Overnight:  Kevin & Sam Assael, Steacy Sadler

Santa’s Store – Debby Weinstein

Food Transportation: Dick & Barbara Lemyre

Photos & Family Portraits:  Michael Fox

Blog Production: Nathan Bellet, Sandy Anderson, Cindy Coleman

Website Management: Shel Holtz

Christmas Turkeys: Ruthie Levinson

Supply Shopper:  Wendy Buchman

If we miss acknowledging any volunteer, please let us know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Congregant Story

Arlene Jacobs described how she spent nearly an hour with an 11-year old boy sewing a scarf for his mother.  He was so excited about his creation, that instead of wrapping it as a Christmas present, he wanted to give it to her right away.  Arlene reports that he was a very good sewer and took great pride in his work.

WINTER NIGHTS “CHAI KITCHEN KIT” DONATION PROGRAM

Please consider participating in this adjunct Winter Nights Project

Thank you for your interest in donating to the Winter Nights “Chai Kitchen Kit” program. 

Background

Winter Nights is a program coordinated by the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County to provide temporary housing to homeless families from October to April each year.  Temple Isaiah has participated in the program for seven years and provides shelter, food and other services to clients for two weeks in late December and early January.

The Winter Nights program not only provides housing, it also focuses on enabling its clients to develop self-sufficiency skills.  For instance, a financial advisor works with the clients on budgeting and saving money. 

In the spirit of self-sufficiency, the knowledge, skill and ability to purchase, prepare and serve healthy meals is an integral part of taking care of one’s self and family.  It can also help people save money, and reduce expenditures on expensive and unhealthy fast food and processed food. 

During the clients’ stay at Temple Isaiah, cooking classes and other instructional classes regarding food issues will be offered to the clients.  When they exit from the program and are ready to move into permanent housing, Winter Nights will present families with a “Chai Kitchen Kit”.  In addition, they will receive a recipe book containing 18 healthy and delicious meals that are affordable and easy to make. 

We have chosen the name “Chai Kitchen Kits” because chai is a Hebrew word that means “life”, and the numerical value of the letters that make up the word chai equal 18.  We hope that this kit, its contents and its recipes help the Winter Nights families live a healthier and more sustainable life.

“Chai Kitchen Kit” Contents

For the eligible families, each will receive the following items in their kit:
1. 10-piece Stainless Steel Cook Set
2. Glazed Stoneware Dinnerware (plates, cups and bowls for 4)
3. Silverware Setting (for 4)
4. Glasses (for 4)
5. Wooden Spoon
6. Knife Set (4 pieces) and Knife Sharpener
7. Stainless Steel Measuring Cups (set of 4) and Measuring Spoons (set of 4)
8. Glass Measuring Cup (9 oz.)
9. Spatula
10. Box Grater (9”) and Potato Peeler
11. Cutting Board
12. Kitchen Towels (set of 3)
13. Potholders (set of 3)
14. Sponge
15. Scouring Powder
16. Dish Soap
17. Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper
18. Recipes for Easy to Make, Healthy and Delicious Meals

How to Make a “Chai Kitchen Kit “Donation

There are several ways you can make a contribution to the “Chai Kitchen Kit” project.  You can purchase items on line or at Target, or you can make a financial donation to the Temple Isaiah Winter Nights fund.

On-line:
Go to http://www.target.com  Near the top of the screen will be the link called “Gift Registration + Lists.”  Click on link and it will bring up “Club Wedd,” (wedding registry) and it will ask for First Name and Last Name.  Enter a first and last name to find the registry as follows: 

First Name:  Temple
Last Name:  Isaiah

Please select and purchase the items you would like to donate to the project.  They will be shipped by Target to Temple Isaiah.

In store:
Go to a local Target Store.  At the front of the Walnut Creek store in the Customer Service/Returns section, there are several touch screens and keyboards where you can find the Temple Isaiah/Winter Nights registry.  Touch the screen for “Club Wedd” (wedding registry).  Enter a first and last name to find the registry as follows:

First Name:  Temple
Last Name:  Isaiah

Please select and purchase the items you would like to donate to the project, and leave them at the Temple Isaiah office.

Cash donation:

Please leave a check made out to Temple Isaiah in the office.  Please write “Winter Nights Kitchen Kits Donation” in the memo line, so that we can credit your donation to this project! 

Please make your purchases or donation by December 31, 2010.  We will assemble and donate the kitchen kits to Winter Nights in January 2011.

Thank you for your interest in this project.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Tina Goodfriend at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 925.788.3101, or Rebecca Calahan Klein at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 510.612.0547.

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Winter Nights Blog #1 – 12-20-10:  And The Fun Has Begun

In our 7th year of hosting Winter Nights, we never had a better opening.  We had pre-set up on Sunday and regular set-up today.  In addition to our wonderful Temple volunteers we had a cadre of 16 boy scouts who moved all of the guest-clients possessions from the truck to the Social Hall in less than 20 minutes.  Winter Night’s volunteer truck drivers, Bob & Dennis, reported that this was the quickest that they had seen any congregation get the job done.  Under the leader ship of Scout Leader, Jim Cervantes, the Scouts of Troop 277 in Pleasant Hill, saw the other end of the Winter Nights experience.  Last year they helped Take Down, and because of the way that the Winter Break falls, they could only help with set-up.
They’ve promised that they want to do this again next year.

The planning stages for Winter Nights 2010 began with our debriefing session last February with Gina Drakes of St. John Vianney.  We gathered a group of about 10 people to discuss last season’s program and figure out ways to improve.  One clear message was that we needed to broaden the leadership cadre.  So this year, we are operating under a distributive leadership model.  Sandy & Cindy are the co-chairs, and then every major area has it’s own chairperson – Food Coordination, Dishwashing, Tutoring, Activities, Overnight Supervision, Gift Shopping/Gift Wrapping, Santa Claus, Field Trips, Donations, Photography, Special Events (Xmas Eve, New Year’s Eve).  Even though Sandy & Cindy are both A-type personalities, we have tried to step out of the way in order to allow for many individual volunteers to make decisions as to how a certain aspect of the overall Winter Nights program should operate.  Judy Berg, tonight’s Crew Chief, had some thoughts on how things might be done a bit differently with the distribution of desserts, and our response was “go for it.” 

Our menu tonight was:  Penne Pasta with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce, Hearty Salad, Garlic Bread, Brownies, and Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake.  Between guest-clients and volunteers, more than 60 people enjoyed a communal meal in our Oneg area.  It was a delicious meal and Judy and co-conspirator Doris McMullen are perfect 1st night hosts.  They know the drill, they roll with the punches, and they do a splendid job.  They operate one of our smallest Cook/Serve crew in terms of volunteers, but they always seem to get the job done.

This year there are many new offerings for our guest-clients and our volunteers: financial planning sessions on Tuesday nights, regular weekly tutors, green nights every night but Xmas, composting, Cooking Games & Classes (more on this in future blogs), Chai Kitchen Kits (basic starter kits for clients that exit program – more on this in future blogs), family portraits (courtesy of Michael Fox), Oakland Zoo Field Trip on Xmas Eve, new supply inventory sheets, colorful signs, water color portraits (courtesy of Suzanne Cerny) and more.

The activities area was jumping with stocking making, play dough, games, art projects, and more.  No one even asked if the TV worked, as they were so busy creating and playing.

Every year we get asked some of the same questions, so this year in the nightly blog, we’ll try and address one or more of those issues that come up with a Frequently Asked Question section.  If you have a question that you would like to have answered, just e-mail Sandy at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

FAQ #1 – Why do we have so many volunteers that sometime it seems that we outnumber the guest-clients?

The answer is simple.  We have a huge outpouring of support for this program.  It is difficult to turn anyone away, and so we try and accommodate all of the people who want to volunteer.  Is there a solution to this problem?  Probably because Winter Nights comes at a time of year when many want to do volunteering and parents want to demonstrate Tikkun Olam.  We have evolved a system over the years, where we ask some volunteers if they would like to go home, because there are too many people.  Surprisingly, it is hard to send anyone home.  It would be great if we could muster this same energy and support for Mitzvah Day, Steps for Tzedakah, Torah Study, Shabbat Services, etc.  After you’ve gotten the good feeling of working on Winter Nights, consider other ways to participate in Temple life in 2011.  We have a wonderful Jewish Neighborhood with activities for all age groups and family situations.

It was a fantastic beginning to a great program.  We look forward to sharing news about the program with you every night.  If you have questions, concerns, want to volunteer, or want to not receive this blog, or know someone who would like to be on the Blog Mailing list, let Sandy know at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Program Needs

Small step stools bathrooms for our youngest guests (we have 4 one-year olds)
Umbrella Strollers
Flashlights and Batteries (we need these for the inclement weather that is on the way)
Century 21 Pleasant Hill Move Passes
Baby Wipes
Diapers – Size 3, 4, 5 (overnight diapers as well)
Tri-Delta County Connection Bus Passes
BART Tickets
Gas Cards (any denomination)
Gift Cards ($25 or lower but no grocery store cards).
Scissors – Adult sizes
Target or Wal-Mart Gift Cards ($5 as prizes for Cooking Program)

Weekend Drivers:  12/25, 12/26, 1/1, 1/2/11.

Congregant Volunteers – Thanks to everyone’s efforts in big and small ways.

Pre-WN Shopping:  Amir Axelrod, Jackie Novick, Marlene Marcus, Arlene & Yale Downes, Debra Kalan, Jo Cohen-Adler, Louise Boas (special shout out as she made trips to 3 different stores today to make-up for one Supply list that hadn’t gotten filled), Chip & Lynne Golde, Joani deVries

Pre-Set-Up:  Nadav Rave, Anita Weil, Melissa Jakubowitz, Pat Reyes, Cindy Coleman

Tree Lighting: Dave Anderson

Set-Up: Lucy DiBianca, Sherry Berkman, Nicole/Olivia/Weston Garrett-Hoppe,
Will Long, Natalie Smolkin, Troup 227 (16 kids; 4 adults), Joani deVries, Louise Boas

Kitchen Crew – Judy Berg, Doris McMullen, Rosalie Ben-Joseph, Bob Coleman, Jody Schultz, Amy/Brad/Hannah/Jacob Skepner, Nancy Solomon, Ilana/Kayla Samuels

Activities Crew – Gloria/Bob Schiller, Lisa Kvech & Girl Scouts; Yardana/Michael /Jasper/Maxine
Gill, Erica Zeidenberg, Anita Weil, Suzanne Cerny

Dishwashing Crew – Angie Corritone, Terry/Nancy Hall, Nicole Garret-Hoppe, Natalie Smolkin

Tutors – Arlene Jacobs, Elias Heffan, Ryan/Michael/Natalie Smolkin, Carol Simons

Cookies – Shirley Bolton, Gayle Goldman

Overnight:  Alan Goldstein, Jeff Mann

Food Transportation: Dick & Barbara Lemyre

Shawls for Family Portraits – Ellen Kirmayer

Santa’s Store – Debby/Moriah Weinstein

Congregant and Guest Comments

“We’ve liked every church that we’ve been too, but the space here is really great.  We have more room to spread out our tents.”  (P.S. Instead of pipe and sheets as dividers, every family has a tent for more privacy.)

“I am leaving to visit family over part of the holiday.  I’ll miss being part of this group.”

“What a great group of dishwashing volunteers.  We operated like a well-oiled machine.”  (Joani deVries, Dishwashing Coordinator.)