Baruch Hashem, our first “Body & Soul” series dinner was a great success. Almost 60 people enjoyed an amazing Shabbat meal followed by Lee Weissman’s very interesting presentation. The event would never have been so successful without the time, effort, energy and love put into it by my dear wife, Johni. I truly cannot thank her enough. I would also like to thank; Goldie Sosnick and Vicki Keyak for their help in preparing the food; my daughter Tehela Landau, Hannah Brodsky, Kim Altchuk and Chanah Altchuk, who served and cleaned up; and Michael and Chanah Piotrkowski, who helped sponsor the event in memory of two of Michael’s grandparents whose yahrzeits were this past week.   
 
I greatly appreciate all the responses to my question regarding the scheduling of the “Community Beit Midrash”. At the moment, I’m thinking of having a “Body and Soul” Melava Malka on Saturday night December 14, where we will enjoy an ethnic dinner followed by a beit midrash/ discussion session. Any thoughts?

Recently, I read an interesting, possibly provocative article about why Orthodoxy is fairing better than other streams within the Jewish community. It seems to me that the author’s first six points are correct, historically speaking. However, I’m not so sure that all those points remain valid today (and please ignore his 7^th point, which is a gratuitous attack on the Leftist worldview). If his observations are still correct, they might be helpful for us to consider as we look towards building the future of our community in SF. On the other hand, if some of his points are no longer valid, then we need to figure out new ways to ensure that our grandchildren will want to be Jewish. Please read and let me know what you think.