Sages’ Brunch

Here are a few of our CBI Senior Sages gatherd at our monthly brunch at Country Waffle. The name of our group was inspired by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s, From Age-ing to Sage-ing. Yesterday I got a head start on Elul, the Hebrew month that starts today or tomorrow, depending how you look at it*, by blowing the shofar for the Sages. I also shared photos from Moadon Yosef Tal, a senior center in Kfar Saba, Israel, which is directed by Ile Schiffman, daughter-in-law of Irv and Nitsa Schiffman (Irv is our current CBI president). Due to people’s summer travels, we had a rather light turnout at yesterday’s brunch, maybe a minyan all together, but we all had fun chattting and visiting. Sometimes a member or guest will give a presentation on their life experiences, memories or hobby. (Maybe you would like to come and talk to us). The Sages have started a monthly tzedakah collection and are actively discussing many options for the distribution of their collection.

Sages is officially open to CBI members age 50 and up, like AARP, so I’m “legal” now. In general, participants range in age from 60 to near 90. The Sages have kindly taken turns treating me to brunch, and I usually get a veggie burger. There is a new chef at Country Waffle who was very generous with the fresh mushrooms and avacado-yum. All of us are fond of our waitress, Sandy, who remembers everyone’s favorite orders and drinks. Did you know that they have latte’s at Country Waffle? Last year Sandy lost her home in the fires up on the ridge, but today her home is almost rebuilt and she is happy to be ready to move in this fall. I’m proud to say that our Sages took up a collection and presented her with a $200 gift to help with expenses last summer.

At CBI we are working to develop the value of hadarat p’nei zaken, honoring elders. Kristy Bergson, a young and energetic member of our Board, has organized a team of mitzvah mensches to do the following for elder members: visits, errands and shopping, bringing meals or giving rides to temple. If you are interested in working with Kristy, you can find her contact information on our membership list or write to the website and we will put you in touch. Our mitzvah mensches also plan to visit the sick or bring meals to families having a lifecycle transition such as a new baby.

*Rosh Hodesh, the New Month, is based on the lunar months, which vary from 29-30 days on the Hebrew calendar. If the preceding month has 30 days, the last day of the old month becomes the first day of a two day Rosh Hodesh.