Author Archives: hadasval

The biggest event of the year, 52/100 is coming this Sunday, February 12, 2012

Join Solano Napa Hadassah this Sunday at 5:00 p.m., for our biggest, greatest event of the year.  It is our annual 52/100.  Select your favorite card from a deck of 52 for a chance to win our grand prize of $500.00 or second prize of $250.00.  There will also be other fabulous raffle prizes including a free one hour legal immigration law consultation.  (Guess who is donating that?)  Seriously, we have a nice selection of prizes including Giants tickets and designer sunglasses.  (I was lucky enough to win a pair of designer sunglasses last year and I love them!)

The cost of the event is $100.00 per card plus $18.00 for dinner or a couvert of $18.00.  The 52/100 will be held at Congregation B’nai Israel, 1256 Nebraska Street, Vallejo, CA.  For more details and information on how to make a reservation, check out our event flyer.

Hadassah Shabbat, Friday, December 2, 2011

Join us this Friday, December 2, 2011 for the annual Hadassah shabbat at Congregation B’nai Israel at 8:00 p.m.  Members of our chapter will be taking part in the Friday night shabbat service.  It is a nice way to bring in Shabbat as well as to celebrate the accomplishments of Hadassah.

If you would like to take part in the service, please contact Mary Schwarz or Geri Kahn.  If past years are any indication, we’ll have a meaningful service and a great Oneg.

Congregation B’nai Israel is located at:  1256 Nebraska Street, Vallejo, CA 94590

Join us for Unity Day in Vallejo, Sunday September 18, 2011

Come and join the  Solano Napa Chapter of Hadassah  at Unity Day  in Vallejo.  The event is a celebration of the cultural diversity of our community through food, song, dance and art.  Unity Day takes place on Sunday September 18, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy library in Vallejo.  Our chapter is sponsoring a booth and we would love to see people stop by.

It is nice to see people from different backgrounds get together and celebrate what is positive about our differences rather than what is negative.  The event last year was fun and this year promises to be better with more performers and organizations sponsoring booths.  It also looks like we’ll have a great weather.   The best part – the event is absolutely free!  Hope to see you there.

Calendar of events for the year is posted on the blog

The calendar of events for 2011-2012 is now posted on our blog.  http://hadassahsolano-napablog.com/     Have a look at the right side and you will see a list of events planned from August 2011 through May of next year.

Our next event will be a Machon session this Sunday, August 21, 2011,  from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m.  We will be discussing Golda Meir and watching the DVD “The Journey to Golda’s Balcony.”  The dvd is about Tovah Feldshuh’s preparation for her one woman play in which she portrayed Golda Meir.  Please contact Rachel Lessem for more information.

Hadassah Solano Napa chapter picnic

Join us for a potluck picnic (dairy or parve only, please) to enjoy the sun and to discuss the future direction of our Chapter.  We will also be holding elections for our chapter board.  There are still positions to be filled so this is your opportunity to become active with the chapter in Hadassah’s centennial year.

Our picnic will take place Sunday, June 26th starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Benicia Community Park“  (The park is located off of Rose Drive in Benicia.)  Directions are available on the City of Benicia’s Park and Recreation website.

Bring games to share and invite family and friends.  A picnic is a perfect way to celebrate the beginning of summer.

A time to Dance – Dance movement workshop; Sunday April 17

Dancing offers opportunities for personal expression, rejuvenation, and deepening our connection with ourselves and each other. As the spring season approaches, Hadassah invites you to join us for a dance/movement therapy workshop led by dance/movement therapist Linda Aaron-Cort. Come and move with us in a circle, and take time to explore your creativity through movement – whether it is through quiet breath, soulful stretching, or stamping feet. No previous dance experience is necessary, but do wear comfortable clothing.

Linda has been a dance therapist for 25 years and has worked and taught in a wide range of clinical and educational settings, but most importantly, she brings a contagious enthusiasm and joy to her classes.

Date:  Sunday April 17, 2011;  1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Cost:  $18 donation requested  (Check payable to Solano-Napa Hadassah; please mail in advance to Mary Schwartz so that money doesn’t need to be handled the day of the event.)

For reservations or information, please contact Geri Kahn.  And, no, you do not have to dance as well as the woman in the picture above to participate in the dance movement workshop!   The workshop is for everyone of all levels. 


Tribute to Debbie Friedman: Dinner, Singing; Saturday March 12, 6:30


In memory of the recent passing of Debbie Friedman, we will be showing a documentary that was made a few years ago, “Journey of Spirit.”  Debbie Friedman was a singer/song writer and monumentally changed the way we think and feel about singing in the Reform Judaism movement.  Many credit her with strengthening their Jewish identity.  Prior to the showing of the film, we will be hosting a dinner and a sing-a-long, singing many of the melodies that Debbie Friedman created.

The cost is $18.00 and the event takes place at Congregation B’nai Israel in Vallejo.    Please RSVP to Geri Kahn so we know how many people will be attending.

Solano Napa Hadassah annual 52/100 night of entertainment February 13, 2011

Please join us this Sunday night, February 13, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. for our annual 52/100 event. This is the major fundraising event for the Solano Napa chapter.  Tickets are $100.00 each with the chance to win $1000.00.  Odds are better in Vallejo than in Vegas.  Should you not wish to participate in the raffle, you may purchase a ticket for $18.00 to cover the cost of dinner.  There will be great food, Kosher even, and entertainment.

Tickets are still availabe and may be purchased by contacting Nadine Goodban.

Machon meets 01/23 at CBI

Our next Machon study session is meeting January 23, 2o11 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at CBI.  “Bring a snack to nosh on and let’s schmooze.”  (This is a quote from Rachel Lessem!)  Contact Rachel if you have any questions.  Her number is in the directory.

We had a nice time touring Cornerstone Gardens last weekend.  I am amazed that we all were able to fit in this picture.  I think everyone found something that they liked at the gardens and perhaps due to the weather, it seemed like we had the place to ourselves.

Napa-Solano and Petaluma chapters at Cornerstone

Tu B’Shevat Walk in the Gardens and Lunch, January 9, 2011

Please join us for a pleasant stroll at Cornerstone Gardens in appreciation of the trees and nature for Tu B’Shevat on January 9, 2011.  Cornerstone Gardens is actually a combination of different types of gardens designed by prominent landscapers.  You will be able to see how nature and art blend in their works.  You will be experiencing the gardens through all of your senses: sight, smell and touch.   In addition to the gardens, there are stores to wander through and a restaurant where we will have lunch.  The gardens are handicapped accessible.  The paths are flat either with dirt or stones.  Admission to the gardens is free.  Please meet us at CBI at 10:00 a.m. if you wish to carpool.  RSVP to Geri Kahn  if you are able to offer a ride or would like a ride.  If you would like to meet at Cornerstone, plan to meet us in front at 11:00 a.m.  We will be inviting members of the Petaluma Hadassah chapter to join us.  For more information about Cornerstone Gardens, you may check out their website at http://www.cornerstonegardens.com/.

If you have never been to Cornerstone Gardens before, you are in for a real treat.  There is no other place like it in the United States.  You will be inspired and refreshed after our stroll.