Celebrating 50 years of Renewing Judaism

Community Program hosted by Beth El

Peacemakers Even In a Time of War: Remembering the First Anniversary of October 7th as we Move Into Selichot/Forgiveness and High Holy Days  with the Shorashim/Jadar/Roots gathering in the West Bank

Location: Congregation Beth El 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley

Date/Time: Tuesday September 17th , 6:30 PM

Event is in person. It is free, but you must register at the Congregation Beth El Website - Click HERE

Renew Your Membership

A membership email has been sent to all those who were members in the last 3 years. Membership runs on an annual basis from July 1st through June 30th.

Membership includes High Holidays. Global membership available for those outside the bay area.

Notes to those with Recurring Contributions:

1) If you have an active recurring contribution, you do not need to renew your membership as it will automatically be renewed with your next charge.

2) If you would like to change the amount, please contact Sophie

3) A recent software upgrade fixed a bug where cc payments using our stripe account had ignored the "installments" option (example, pay x monthly for 12 installments). Many recurring payment subscriptions have (correctly) been marked as complete. Sophie will conduct an audit and inform those with recurring contributions of their status.

The Aquarian Minyan Yeshivah is now in its 5th year

The Sephirot and the Chagim: from the Teachings of Reb Zalman

Our first class of the Season will be with Rabbi Shlomo Barya Schachter - on Reb Zalman's understanding of the Holidays and their manifestation of the Sephirot

at noon. Updates and Registration information will be available later this month.

Begins Sept. 9 at noon and continues on Sept. 16/23/30th at noon. Register HERE

High Holydays are Coming !

Selichot will be observed in a hybrid service on the evening of September 28th. Rosh HaShana begins the Evening of October 2. Shabbat Shuvah Hybrid Service October 4th. Yom Kippur and Kol Nidre fall on Friday October 11th. Join us at St. John's Presbyterian Church this year. Registration information will be available on our Website and here in the days to come.

Let us strengthen each other through Compassion, Empathy, Respect and Love

Recent Passings

Ahavah (Amy) Oblack 1966-2024 Baruch Dayan HaEmet

We are saddened to announce the passing this past weekend of a friend of the Minyan and a close colleague of Rabbi Seidel. Talented organizer and fund-raiser (most recently as the chief development professional at Reconstructing Judaism), co-director of the Oregon Jewish Culture Project ,as well as a strong supporter of Israel, a pioneering educator within the Oregon Native American community, a trained herbalist, a talented artist, a remarkably creative program developer as well as a Dylan and Dead Head devotee. Ha Makom Yinachem Etchem v'Otanu b'toch Avlei Teiveil Tzion v'Yerushalayim

We are sad to announce the passing of Charles Falk, Tsadik Ben Moshe v'Rachel Leah January 22, 1942 – July 18, 2024. May his brother, Steven Falk, his sister in law, Danielle Rosenman, and all who knew and loved him be comforted. 

We remember Ilana Schatz z"l 1953-2024 a beloved member of the Aquarian Minyan in the 1980's and a long time lay leader in Kehilla Community Synagogue. Tikkun Olam warrior; founder of Fair Trade Judaica. Ilana wrote and enacted a poignant ritual upon entering her wheelchair "chariot" for Ritual Well that you can read about. Click HERE

We remember Rabbi Burt Jacobson z"l 1936-2024 a great early teacher and Mashpiah Ruchani in the Minyan, liturgist and author, a humble and generous Neshamah whom we will all miss. We send condolences to his wife Rabbi Diane Elliot, and to Rabbi Burt's brother and nephews and to all who mourn in Zion, Jerusalem, America and worldwide.  

Update: In memory of Rabbi Burt, Kehilla is planning a book launch event, most likely beginning with a havdalah service on Saturday evening, November 23. 

May he Rest in Peace and Compassion "Tachat Kanfei HaShechinah"

To read an extensive obituary about Rabbi Burt in the JWeekly please click HERE.

If you would like to make a donation to the Aquarian Minyan in memory of either Abigail Grafton, Marty Potrop, Ilana Schatz, Rabbi Burt, Charlie Falk, Ahavah Oblack or any other person who has passed please click on the following link HERE

Healing Circle

 with Rabbi Diane Elliot

Fridays 8:30am

Zoom link HERE

We send our love and support to R. Diane in her time of grief and mourning May Rabbi Burt be remembered for the deep love he had for her and may we spread the love from the Source that is everlasting

Tikkun Olam Committee News

Environmental Voter Project

Learn how you can use voting power to stop Climate Change and save our Planet !

Nothing motivates a politician more than the prospect of winning or losing an election, so if we want true environmental and climate leadership, we must flood the electorate and make it impossible for politicians to run for office without leading on the environment. Learn more about the Environmental Voter Project click HERE

We remember our late host Martin Potrop Z"l 1951-2024. May his memory be a blessing .



Sunday Night Minyan Sharing at 7 PM - Our sharing will continue in a safe space - now hosted by Shoshana Dembitz and Sarah Joy Walsh.



Please join us at this link HERE

The Aquarian Minyan Book club meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the Month Next meeting is Sept.10th at 2:15 PM

The Book Club continues to read aloud “The Mystical Exodus in Jungian Perspective: Transforming Trauma and the Wellsprings of Renewal” by Shoshana Fershtman.



New members are cordially welcomed. For more information, please contact Shoshana Dembitz, sdembitz@gmail.com

CLICK HERE

G'milut Hasadim (גמילות חסדים) 

Caring Committee. To actively help people with your time and energy is to perform "Acts of Lovingkindness" a complement to Tzedakah!

If you are interested, please contact Hanna Cohen at HaCo@aol.com

Prayer / Mi Shebeirakh List

If you want to add your name or another person’s name to the prayer list below, please contact Claudia Miller at thelisteningpath@gmail.com.or write to the editor of this newsletter at rabbiseidel@gmail.com

If you want to add your name or another person’s name to the prayer list below, please contact Claudia Miller at the

thelisteningpath@gmail.com or to Rabbi Jonathan Seidel at rabbiseidel@gmail.com

Mi Shebeirach

Blessings and Continued Healing Prayers for

ALL the wounded Israelis and Palestinians that are suffering from the horrible violence and trauma of the last ten months. We ask for the Release of the Hostages. We pray for the souls of those killed working to save lives and administer to the endangered and hungry. We pray also for the healing of the wounded in the Russian invasion and subsequent conflict and for the starving population in the Sudan, as well as the victims of recent cyclones and hurricanes and finally for other threatened people in conflict zones. We are praying for those suffering from trauma. May the Divine send them medical care, emotional support and the World's blessings for healing.



Ba'al Bracha "Old Root" Founder Barry Barkan, Eve Ilsen, Renna Ulvang, Dianne Leeder, Hanna Cohen, - Hanna bat Leib haCohen v' Bluma bat Leah v' Yaakov, Alan Barkan, Daisy James (Zizi) Rabbi's daughter, Susan Diamond, Zakhariah ben Leah v'haRav Tsvi haCohen, Elaine Wolf-Blank, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Uriella Mitchell, Susan Rose -Tzvia Chana Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom, Sarah Joy Walsh, Yehoshuah ben Aviva ,Devorah Ruth bat Chana (Debby Barkan),Sarah Leah Mazeltov bat Fayga, Rabbi Cantor Sara Shendelman, Barbara Zilber, Maury Zilber, Miriam bat Sarah (Margaret James) Jyl Cohen (Chaya Yehudit Bat Chana v'Chaim), Rachel Malka bas Sloiva (Dr. Rae Fishman),Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Karen Broder, Elizabeth Hirshfeld, Helen Annik Chiera, daughter of Elizabeth Hirshfeld, Shulamit Koenig, Suzanne Lingo, Alaina bat Shoshana , Brooklyn Corshem, Derek Wong, Paula Conrad, Miriam bat Tzippa Sarah (Miriam Grynspahn) , Chaia bat Golda, Golda bat Simcha, R. Leah bat Esther v Eliezer, Rivka bat Shoshana, and Aryeh Trupin. All the wounded in Israel and Gaza, . Rifa-aynu HaVaYAH V'neiyrafeh. ...Heal us O Yah and we will be healed.

Newsletter Editor: Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD . Thanks to Jennifer Ganya, Julie Gilden, Hanna Cohen, Ami Goodman, Robert Stang, Shoshana Dembitz as well as all our regular contributors, esp. Susan Desmond. Please email Rabbi Seidel with questions or comments: rabbiseidel@gmail.com

If you would like to make a contribution to the Aquarian Minyan and help us move into the Sacred Future with a solid YESOD in the realm of financial sustenance,

click HERE