A Fifteen-Year-Old Tradition

Fifteen years ago Dorothy Baldauf envisioned a premium, yet affordable, local concert series that would utilize Congregation Beth Shalom's intimate setting and outstanding acoustics.  Her leadership and vision gave birth to Sunday Afternoons at CBS, which has become one of Stanislaus County's most exceptional entertainment values. 

Over the years our small venue has brought a kaleidescope of global sounds to Modesto Area audiences-- from Classical to Blue Grass, Klezmer to Gypsy Jazz, Aussie girl bands to African, Latin to Jamaican, and a variety of others in categories all their own.  During these 15 years, Sunday Afternoons has earned a reputation for offering top-notch musical programming among musicians and concert attendees alike.  New musicians are interested in being part of our series, and former performers are anxious to return.

This tradition has continued with the help of a very small but dedicated group of volunteers.  However, at this time we face the challenge of maintaining our series alongside the Gallo Performing Arts Center, as well as the numerous local performing arts groups that have helped Modesto evolve into a city with varied cultural opportunities.

Because we have earned such a fine reputation and can offer an excellent performance venue, Sunday Afternoons at CBS goes a long way in helping the Modesto Jewish Community reach out in a positive way to Stanislaus County's multicultural audience and beyond.  It is for these reasons and more that we are seeking new volunteers to help us get the word out and help build our already appreciative audience.

Committee volunteers need only work for short periods during the year, are treated to the entire season free, and are only asked to attend infrequent meetings.  They can be members of CBS or interested persons from throughout the Modesto Area who are willing to help us promote great music and good will through an outstanding concert series.

You can volunteer by calling Tina Driskill, Sunday Afternoons at CBS presenter/chair, or by contacting the CBS office at 571-6060 to let us know you want to help.  We look forward to hearing from you.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear CBS Family,

As Jews when we pray at services we are actually praying several different services within one service.  We chant the the preliminary service known as Birkhot Hashahar, introductory prayers known as Pesukei d*Zimra, then prayers of supplication, a Torah service, then an additional service, Musaf.  Between different portions of a service we all chant a very special prayer...Kaddish.  The Kaddish has been said by Jews since the time of the Second Temple and it has many special purposes, one of which is acknowledging G-d as we transition from one service to the next; from one stage of life to the next; from one board to the next and one rabbi to the next.  In this vein, this column is a Kaddish, a recognition of G-d as our CBS Family transitions from our present rabbi and our present board of directors to the next.

Over the past five years our congregation has benefited from the dedicated service of Rabbi Gordon.  He has impacted so many of us and our families.  He taught our children, greeted us on Shabbat, counseled us in times of happiness and trouble, married a few of us, started our men's club, welcomed some of us to Judaism, represented us to the greater community, helped many of us bury loved ones, and much more.  I am fortunate to have come to know Rabbi Gordon in a way few others have.  He will be missed by CBS in general, and by me in particular.  Rabbi, I have enjoyed our friendship and I look forward to continuing our relationship in the future. On behalf of the entire congregation I say "Thank You."  With the end of Rabbi Gordon's tenure, I suggest the recitation of the Rabbinical Kaddish.  "Rabbi's would lead this Kaddish at the end of a study session" according to Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin in his book, To Pray as a Jew.  "Unto Israel and unto the rabbis and unto their disciples...and unto all who engage in the study of Torah,...let there be peace, grace, loving kindness, mercy, long life, ample sustenance and salvation from their Father in heaven...."  Rabbi, you led a successful six year study session, may G-d bless you.  Yasher koach!

As I conclude my first year as your president, I say Todah and Yasher Koach to 6 of our 13 members of the CBS Board of Directors.  Your board has had a very busy 12 months.  While at times some members of the board may have felt we have not moved on all of the actions brought before us, we have accomplished a great deal.  You have all complied with the teaching of Rabbi Tarfon, as found in the Pirkei Avot, "You are not obliged to finish the task, neither are you free to neglect it."  Due to your efforts CBS is a better organization, creeping closer and closer to making our Shul more Jewishly meaningful for ALL of its members.  Our next board will build on the actions you have taken.  I would like to thank my friends and retiring board members, Louis Levin, Dennis Goodman, Anne Porteous, Miriam Bermann, Todd Aaronson, and Bette Buchanan for your years of service.  If I may say a modified Kaddish for you, "May the 'actions and service' of the whole house of Israel (including CBS's Board of Directors) be accepted by our Father in Heaven.... Let there be abundant peace from Heaven, with life's goodness for us and all the people Israel (including our retiring Board Members)."

As to our next chapter, our next service, the future of our CBS family...it is bright, hopeful and positive.  A new board will take the reins, your President, Executive Director, and Religious Education Director remain committed, our Ritual Committee is already working on High Holiday services and on a plan to conduct all services while we are between Rabbis, and our Rabbi Search Committee continues to search for our next rabbinical leader.  "He who brings peace to His universe will bring peace to us (His CBS family)"...as we transition to the next chapter of our Shul.

Remember, half of every subscription to J- will go to Congregation Beth Shalom.  See your Bulletin for details.