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How To

Wondering how to make a donation in honor of a friend’s simcha? Or how to send an email to the Kol Emeth email list? What about the Kashrut baking guidelines for making your perfect recipe for a community B’nei Mitzvah?

The “How To” section of our website provides information on a variety of topics, from how we cook to how we communicate. And, if there’s more information you need, please call the Kol Emeth office and we’ll be glad to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

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    What are Saturday morning services like?
    Over 200 people regularly attend Shabbat morning services at Kol Emeth (more if there is a bar/bat mitzvah). Our egalitarian services, which are mainly in Hebrew, are lay led with spirited singing and a d'var Torah. We read from the entire Torah portion every week. Following services, nearly everyone stays to greet each other at the outdoor kiddush luncheon. There is no "dress code," styles range from dressy casual to suits
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    I grew up in a Conservative house but my spouse did not and neither of us have strong Hebrew skills. Would we fit in at Kol Emeth?
    Absolutely. Our congregation has a variety of practices and members within it, from the not-so-familiar to the very learned. The rabbi believes that each of us is on a spiritual path and that the important thing is to keep moving forward. We have a robust offering of adult education opportunities.
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    I am not married and my image of synagogues
    is that they are just for families.
    A significant number of singles are active members of Kol Emeth and serve in many leadership positions. We strive to have programs that are inclusive to all members of our congregation. We host Friday night Shabbat dinners and programs for singles from around the Bay Area and offer a terrific Adult Education series.
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    What programs and services do you have for my children?
    We offer a rich variety of family programs:
    • Torah for Tots on Shabbat mornings.
    • Our Religious School meets Tuesday, Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. We have a full-time youth director who teaches the bar/bat mitzvah classes and runs a vibrant youth programs, grades 4-12.
    • Jr. Kadima, Kadima, USY and Peninsula Chavurah High School programs. Our USY chapter has won many prestigious national awards and continues to attract new members each year. We are affiliated with the Peninsula Chavurah High School, which meets on Wednesday nights for grades 9-12, and Monday nights for a supplemental Hebrew language program. The high school serves all area teens. Each year many of our high school students choose to study and travel in Israel.
    • Making Room for Shabbat for elementary school children, their siblings and parents.
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    How much Hebrew will my child learn in religious school?
    Our focus is on prayer-based Hebrew rather than conversational Hebrew. Our goal is to prepare students to be active participants in all aspects of synagogue life and to be leaders in the community.
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    I recently lost one of my parents and need to say Kaddish.
    Do you have a minyan?
    We have a daily minyan, which all are welcome to attend. Sunday through Thursday the evening minyan is at 7:45 p.m. We hold a morning service on Thursdays from 6:45 a.m.- 7:45 a.m. followed by a light breakfast and on Sunday at 9 a.m. Friday night services begin at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday morning Shabbat services start at 9:15 a.m.
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    What programs are available to help me get involved?
    There are many groups and committees such as Chesed Committee, Retired Men's Club, Social Action, and the Women's Study Group (a lunch-time bi-weekly group that studies Torah with Rabbi Sarah Graff) that may help you feel part of the community. The monthly newsletter, our email list and web site will provide you with timely information about program opportunities throughout the year. Our professional staff, headed by an executive director, is available to answer questions about the synagogue and surrounding community.

Please let us know how we can make you feel most welcome.
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    What if I cannot afford the full membership dues?
    Individual arrangements may be made by contacting the office to schedule a confidential meeting with members of the financial panel.