PANIM EL PANIM    And God would speak to Moses face to face (panim el panim), as one person speaks to another.           —Exodus 33:11 _________________________________ COMMUNITY ORGANIZING All real living is meeting.    ~Martin Buber When two people relate to each other authentically and humanly, God is the electricity that surges between them.                                                  ~Martin Buber Next Panin el Panim Meeting Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 7:00 - 8:30 PM in the Beit Midrash (library) at Kol Shofar MOC Civic Academy (Workshop) on Promoting Affordable Housing and Shelter in Marin Wednesday, February 1, 7:00 – 9:00 PM Kol Shofar Beit Midrash To learn more, please download this file (PDF). County-Wide Conversation on Housing Tuesday, March 20, 7:00 – 8:30 PM Presbyterian Church of Novato 710 Wilson Avenue, Novato Panim el Panim (face to face) is an initiative at Kol Shofar whose goal is to create opportunities to initiate and deepen our connections with each other.  In this way, we seek to create a more vibrant and connected community, both at Kol Shofar and in the broader communities in which we live. We encourage congregants to speak with each other one-on-one or in small groups in order to share their stories and hopes for themselves and their communities. As these conversations take place, congregants might identify shared interests and concerns that they wish to explore further. In some instances, this exploration might lead to joint activities or programs that address them. In that sense, the Panim el Panim initiative is part of a national movement of religious, labor, civic, and educational institutions in which these institutions identify community-wide interests and develop actions to bring social change within one’s community. Kol Shofar is a founding member of the Marin Organizing Committee (MOC), the Marin County branch of this national movement, whose goal is to work at a local level toward greater community engagement and social change. This commitment is reflective of Kol Shofar’s vision “to teach, inspire, and pursue the principle of Tikkun Olam, the age-old belief that the Jewish People is a partner with God in addressing society’s ills." Panim el Panim offers opportunities for congregants to explore important issues and learn about the process of building relationships and taking action for change at Congregation Kol Shofar and in our community.   Kol Shofar members, particularly those most involved with Panim el Panim, have represented Congregation Kol Shofar at several recent events orchestrated by the Marin Organizing Committee (MOC), our county-wide organization with 18 institutional members (churches, synagogues and civic organizations).  Here is an update about the Marin Organizing Committee, which has been very active in the last several months.  Over 400 people (including about a dozen Kol Shofar members) attended a public action on August 17th, which included a discussion about issues of changing the car impoundment policy of the San Rafael police to conform to the policies maintained by most other cities in Marin, as well as issues of public safety and police relations.  The action was also attended by members of the San Rafael City Council Damon Connolly, Marc Levine and Greg Brockbank.  Within a week, the San Rafael interim police chief announced a temporary change of policy, to be reviewed in six months.  The new policy does not impose unduly fines and quarantines on cars of immigrant families in which there are unlicensed drivers (California law prohibits immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses) and allows first time offenders to park their car and call friends or family members to drive it away, without impoundment.  Subsequently, the interim police chief from San Rafael met with MOC institutional members in order to discuss police relations concerning unlicensed drivers.  A neighborhood walk in the Canal area of San Rafael took place on August 27th, in which members of MOC institutions went door to door to listen to concerns that people in this area had about their safety, housing and the lack of  infrastructure (traffic signals, traffic lights and crosswalks).  Several members of the San Rafael City Council attended. In a “Candidates Accountability Assembly”on October 11th, all six San Rafael candidates for Mayor and for City Council attended a session with MOC institutional members. They were asked about their willingness to support MOC's agenda:  to make the temporary change about impoundment permanent, to continue to seek an array of affordable and secure options across the spectrum of housing, from emergency shelter to affordable housing, and to find money for the needed infrastructure improvements in the Canal neighborhood.  All candidates agreed to work with MOC on these issues, and most of them endorsed their support of MOC's agenda.  Most impressive, however, was the strong recognition, consistent among the candidates, of MOC's role as a facilitator of political conversation in Marin and as a contributor to formulation of policy based on the expressed needs of MOC's member constituents. We had a very successful Community Economic Conference Sunday, October 23rd, at St. Mary's Church in San Francisco that included workshops on Jobs and Immigration, Housing and Infrastructure, and Education and schools.  Future MOC meetings will follow up on the issues and community organizing processes that this conference addressed. For more information, contact Mark Swoiskin panim@kolshofar.org. What does MOC mean to Congregation Kol Shofar? In October, 2009 almost 100 members of Kol Shofar gathered at San Rafael High with over 1,100 MOC members and local officials to witness and celebrate our Founding with our partner institutions.  We listened to stories about ordinary people – a Marin mom burdened with underinsured ailing parents; a Novato youth facing the deportation of his parents; a disabled teacher at risk of loosing her affordable housing; and a Marin teen realizing how many of her classmates are at risk. We celebrated the progress we have made since our May 2008 launch in that the County has allocated $150,000 to support a rotating shelter program in churches and synagogues throughout Marin this winter.  They have also created and staffed a Homeless Analyst position to coordinate homeless services in Marin and are actively working with MOC and Non-Profit service providers to procure a site for a permanent open shelter. Photos from the Convention by Mindy Pines/ Message Framer Article in the 10/25/09 issue of the Marin IJ And an article in the 10/30/09 issue of the Pacific Sun For information on any of the activities on this page, contact Mark Swoiskin by emailing panim@kolshofar.org.    WE'RE ALL CONNECTED Please take it upon yourself, in all aspects of synagogue life, to approach people, especially those whom you do not know well, and “meet” them in a way that allows you to make a connection with them. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact Mark Swoiskin at panim@kolshofar.org. GET INVOLVED The following are some of the ways we at Kol Shofar can get to know each other better: For information about these activities or to let us know your ideas of how we can improve these activities to increase connectedness, contact Hagar Ben-Eliezer at 415.388.1818, ext.111 or programs@kolshofar.org. Adult Education classes, which often set aside time for talking to someone you don’t know. FOR MORE INFORMATION.... Chavurot – small groups of people with common interests who share time together outside of the synagogue. Committees – participation on synagogue committees is a great way to connect and also to help keep our congregation going. If you are interested, contact Karen Hirsch, our Vice-President for Operations, board@kolshofar.org. For more information, see our COMMITTEES AND CHAVUROT page. Membership Buddy System – a new way for more established members to help newer people feel comfortable and welcome at Kol Shofar. Office Volunteering  – there’s always need for some extra hands. This is a great way to hang out with other volunteers and also to get to know some of our staff. Parent Activities associated with (youth programming and education) – contact osholin@kolshofar.orgfor more information about ways you can get involved as a parent. Purim Spiel Participation – We follow Jewish tradition in putting on hilarious plays (usually musicals) on Purim. There’s lots of ways for everyone, adults and kids, to participate. Retreat – Almost every year we have a congregational weekend retreat, an educational and social get-together at remote location. Keep an eye for out for announcements. Shabbat Swap – Looking for a Shabbat meal, or do you have an extra seat at your table? Send a note to KSshabbatswap@yahoo.com. Shiva visits – An opportunity to observe the mitzvah of comforting the mourner, and a chance to bond with all those who are taking their time to support someone in need. Shiva services are announced in the (Kol Shofar weekly announcements) and at regular services Services – a core part of Jewish life. Join with others in deepening your spiritual and community connections. After Saturday morning services, be sure to stay around for Kiddush and the all the conversation and socializing. Telling Our Stories – These are gatherings for seniors, with facilitated sharing of personal stories. Tikkun Olam Activities – we have many activities that serve the larger community. It’s a great way to help others, and also to make new friends.  Trips – We often have congregational trips to Israel and other countries. The intensity of traveling together is a wonderful way to make new friendships and deepen old ones. Homeward Bound Community Service Days January 31, 2010 Hi All, I want to thank each of you from Homeward Bound for your dedication, hard work and open attitudes to working hard despite the small space and other limitations. I was very moved by the spirit of the day and especially the overwhelmingly generous gifts you as a group provided. The families we serve are in crisis when they come through our Emergency Family shelter and the simple gesture of cleaning, painting, and furnishing the rooms they live in reminds them that the community cares about their best interests and wants to support them. Thank you for your generosity and hard work as well as for the chance to get to know each of you. I learn so much from the volunteers I meet and work with and this group left me feeling energized for all the future projects I hope to plan at the Family Emergency Center! So thank you all and I hope to be in touch with you in the near future.   Warm Regards, Dominique Legnitto Volunteer Coordinator Homeward Bound of Marin 415-382-3363 x212   I am writing to express deep thanks and appreciation to Jo and Phil, who managed to carry out a transformation of two rooms at the family emergency shelter in a very short time with far too many volunteers for the space. The two of you were incredible in having a vision and making it happen step by step -- with on the spot problem solving at every turn.  It was a great experience for everyone who participated.  Thanks to Dominique, Mark and Hagar as well and to everyone who contributed room furnishings, fixtures, bedding, appliances, etc. and who volunteered their time.  It could not have been done without the experience and skill of Phil and Jo -- who were a great team.  The rooms looked wonderful -- well, the one room where we did the complete makeover did and the other one looked much brighter and cleaner.   THANK YOU!!!  Liz Arnold Westminster Church Volunteer coordinator   The event went very well.  We had plenty of volunteers and actually finished early.  Phil Walters was a complete stud (and even stud finder on one occasion).  Both the cooperation and the outcome were quite impressive and rewarding to all you volunteered.  I am sure the residents at HB are most appreciative.   Mark Swoiskin, Panim el Panim Chair Photo Gallery: click here. Letter to Kol Shofar from Homeward Bound of Marin: July 30, 2009 Dear Rabbi Derby, On behalf of all the residents at our Family Emergency Center, I want to thank you for the energetic team from Congregation Kol Shofar and Westminster Presbyterian Church that turned out to paint the exterior trim of our building. This effort not only improved the look of our center. Such generous service from the community also gives a boost to our residents, who draw motivation from the support demonstrated by volunteers. We have enclosed an expression of thanks created by children at the center, who left their handprints as a testament of their appreciation for your work. We are grateful to have your congregation as our partner, sharing the vision of "opening doors to safety, dignity, hope, and independence" for all. The support of caring people like members of Congregation Kol Shofar plays a critical part in helping our residents pursue a self-sufficient lifestyle through our programs. Thank you again for your commitment to the vision that everyone needs a place to call home and to ending homelessness in our community. Sincerely,  Mary Kay Sweeney  Executive Director  Homeward Bound of Marin With abundant gratitude! We so appreciate your work! Wrap-up: July 12, 2009, Tikkun Olam Project with Westminster Kol Shofar and Westminster Presbyterian Church teamed up to paint the Family Emergency Shelter of Homeward Bound in San Rafael.