Mitzvah of circumcision

When a man converts to Judaism he must consider whether he will have a ritual circumcision or the ceremony of Hatafat Dam (the ritual drawing of a drop of blood). These procedures bring up a lot of confusion, concern, and even fear.

This program will clear up myths and answer questions such as: Why does Judaism require circumcision? How is a mohel trained? Is he a doctor? What happens when you are with the mohel? What exactly happens at an adult circumcision? What about with hatafat dam? Is anesthesia used? Does it hurt? How long does it take? Where does it take place? How long is recovery? Does it change the sexual experience?
The first 30 minutes of the program we welcome women to come and ask their questions. Then all females will move into the social hall for refreshments while the men have an all male discussion. A man who has experienced adult circumcision will describe the experience and answer questions, as well as a mohel, Dr. Joel Piser and Rabbi Andrew Straus.

Date: Thursday, February 28
Time: 7:30 – 9:15 pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Free

This workshop is taking place because guys have questions! I get emails and it is clear to me that this information is not readily available, so it is needed. Both Rabbi Straus and Dr. Piser are nice guys. They are happy to answer whatever questions you have. If you want to submit a private question you can email or mail it to me and I’ll give it to them on a 3×5 card to answer at the program — after the women have exited.

My goal is to make you comfortable getting the details you desire.
Call or email Dawn at Building Jewish Bridges.

Posted by admin under Adult Child of an Interfaith Family, Conversion, Jewish Learning, Past Programs
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Secrets of the (Synagogue) Sanctuary
Most Americans have never been inside a synagogue. Those that have may not know the parts of the sanctuary and their meaning. What is the bema? What’s the Eternal Light and is it really eternal? Do Jews kneel? Where should you sit? Should visitors wear head coverings? What about prayer shawls? Why do some people sit up in front, not with the rest of the congregation? Where is the Torah scroll kept and what does a Torah scroll actually look like? Do Jews use prayer books or hymnals? Where does the rabbi stand and what exactly is a cantor? Join Rabbi Andrew Straus and other inquisitive people to learn the secrets of the synagogue sanctuary.

Date: Feb. 7, 2013
Time: 7:30pm to 9pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Free, please RSVP so we’ll get enough snacks. Email dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org with the number in your party. See you there!

Posted by admin under Conversion, Finding a Synagogue, High Holidays, Jewish Culture, Past Programs, Prayer, Spirituality
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Oakland Mikvah

When people convert to Judaism they ‘go to the mikvah.’ What does that mean? The mikvah is a ritual pool where one immerses oneself in a spiritual ceremony that makes one a Jew. But what happens exactly? Will you be naked in front of people of the opposite sex? Join our own delightful Rabbi Dardik and other curious individuals to see a real mikvah and find out what happens there. Rabbi Dardik will cover other uses of the mikvah like koshering dishes, preparing for significant events and the traditional Jewish ritual of family purity. You can ask anything, so come on over!

Date: Thursday, Jan. 24
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Beth Jacob, 3778 Park Blvd., Oakland
Cost: $7
Register here: http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/course/2013/winter/P150-CBJ/

Posted by admin under Conversion, Jewish Culture, Past Programs
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Start 2013 off with some learning! Did you know that more Americans start a new class in January than any other month of the year? Including September. It is a time for fresh starts. I’m going to start listing the class options so you can find one near you. Check back to see what’s been added. Also, send me any classes you think should be on this list.

Foundations of Judaism – Holidays
Taught by Rabbi George Schlesinger
Tour the Jewish world through an investigation of the holiday cycle. Beginning with the fall High Holy Days, continuing through the 3 Pilgrimage Festivals (Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot), looking at Chanukah, and concluding with the minor holidays of the Jewish Calendar, this course will investigate the what, how, and why of each holiday.

Dates: Sundays, January 6 – February 17
Time: 10 to 11am
Place: Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuella, Palo Alto
There is an $18 fee for non-members.
Please bring a check made out to Congregation Kol Emeth to the first class.
www.kolemeth.org

Introduction to the Jewish Experience: Israel and Texts
The land of Israel has been central to Jewish history, both ancient and modern. Even during the years of galut (exile) the Jewish heart was “in the east,” in the words of medieval poet Yehudah HaLevy. This class will examine the history ancient Israel, the beginnings of rabbinic Judaism, and the modern return to the land. With that history as a backdrop, we will learn about the great texts of Judaism: Tanach (Bible), Midrash, Talmud, the Prayer Book, and the Codes of Jewish Law.

Dates: Wednesdays, January 16 – March 6 (8 sessions)
Time: 7:30 to 9pm
Place: Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley
Cost: $95 public and $80 for Beth El members
Register here: http://bit.ly/Xchm8y

Exploring Jewish Beliefs & Practices: An Introduction to Judaism
Explore the basics of Jewish thought and practice. Engage in a mix of study, discussion and hands-on experiences. Topics include:
• Jewish beliefs & values
• Holidays & the Jewish calendar
• Prayer & liturgy
• Lifecycle events

Dates: Sundays, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, March 3, 10, 17, 21
Time: 10am to noon
Place: Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., San Francisco
Cost: The class is free but there is a materials fee of $5 and the text for the class, Living Judaism by Rabbi Wayne Dosick, will be available for purchase at the first class for $15.
Taught by Rabbi Larry Raphael, Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller and Lisa Erdberg.
For information and registration contact Eric Drucker at 415-346-1720 x24 or email him at edrucker@sherithisrael.org

More Jewish Experience
Prayer: Erev Shabbat
There is an internal logic to the order in which Jews say the prayers in the service, but it is not always easy to see. Have you ever wished that you understood what we are doing in the service? This class will examine the Friday evening Erev Shabbat service as well as some of the key prayers. No Hebrew is required.
More Jewish Experience is a new series, designed to expand one’s Jewish knowledge beyond the basics in the areas of Jewish prayer, Jewish texts, and Jewish ethics. While it is designed as a follow-up to Introduction to the Jewish Experience, all interested students are welcome.

Dates: Thursdays, February 7 – February 28 (4 sessions)
Time: 7:30 to 9pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Cost: $50 public and $40 for members of Temple Sinai
Register here: http://bit.ly/UNLXsI

Posted by admin under Conversion, Introduction to Judaism, Jewish Learning
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When you consider conversion to Judaism the theological issues may come easily. But what about the personal and interpersonal? What will change in one’s relationships? Can I still go to church with Mom when I visit her? Will co-workers see me differently? What will I do about Christmas? Will I be miserable giving up bacon? If I’m married to a Jew, with my spouse expect a lot more from me? If I’m married to a non-Jew, will my spouse feel alienated?
Bring your curiosity and hear from a panel of Jews by Choice about the personal and interpersonal changes that they experienced. Questions are welcome!

Date: Friday night, October 19, 2012
Time: After the 6:30pm service – Come for the service + program, or just show up for the program (probably around 8pm) in Stern Hall.
Location: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland, CA
Cost: FREE
Questions? Contact Linda at catattack77@yahoo.com or call Dawn at 510-845-6420 x11

Posted by admin under Conversion, Past Programs
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Sometimes after living a Jewish life, with a Jewish spouse, a person begins to think of conversion. But they may worry that converting with upset the apple cart. Maybe my spouse will see me differently or suddenly expect more from me. Or will they even accept that I can become what they are?

Sometimes a person converts all on their own – their non-Jewish spouse remains not Jewish and conversion would mean creating an interfaith couple. What would that be like? Am I expected to tell my partner to give up the Christmas tree? What about extended family? Can I really be Jewish if I’m the only Jewish person in the family?

It’s fine to have questions! That’s one of the things that Judaism prides itself on — QUESTIONS. So bring yours!

If I Convert, What Will Change?
Outreach Shabbat & Mizmor Shir
When you consider conversion to Judaism the theological issues may come easily. But what about the personal and interpersonal? What will change in one’s relationships? Can I still go to church with Mom when I visit her? Will co-workers see me differently? What will I do about Christmas? Will I be miserable giving up bacon? If I’m married to a Jew, with my spouse expect a lot more from me? If I’m married to a non-Jew, will my spouse feel alienated?
Bring your curiosity and hear from a panel of Jews by choice about the personal and interpersonal changes that they experienced. Questions are welcome!

Date: Friday, October 19
Time: Services are at 7:30pm; the panel will follow services at approximately 8:30pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 288 Summit St., Oakland
FREE
For more information, contact Dawn Kepler, dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org

Posted by admin under Community, Conversion, Past Programs, Relationships
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Abi & Andy with their kids

Lori

Voices From Our Community Imagining What’s Next

Activists, environmentalists, single mothers, Israelis, interfaith couples, Jews of color, spiritual seekers, grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, adopted, transgendered – describe anyone you know?

Join us Sunday, Feb. 26, from 1-5 p.m. at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. I am proud to have helped find community members to speak about their different identities, lives and approaches to Judaism. Come hear short presentations providing a glimpse of the future of our diverse and changing Bay Area Jewish community. $15/adv, $25/door. Register online or call 510-845-6420.

Posted by admin under Adult Child of an Interfaith Family, Children, Community, Conversion, Couples, Jewish Culture, Jews of Color, LGBT, Past Programs
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Have you been considering taking an introduction or beginning Judaism class? Anytime is a good time to start. Many bay area classes have rolling enrollment; so say you entered the class in March, you would finish up in Feb. or 2013. You wouldn’t be going to class non-stop, but classes would feed into each other from term to term.

There are lots of reasons to take a class. Some people do take it for conversion but that is only one reason. Some non-Jews take the class out of curiosity, some because they are marrying a Jew. Some Jews take the class because they didn’t get a strong (or any) Jewish upbringing. Still others just love to study. Whatever your reason, you’ll meet other engaged adults, make friends and have a darn good time!

Here is Rabbi Adar in action.

Rabbi Ruth Adar teaching

Posted by admin under A meaningful life, Conversion, Jewish Culture, Jewish Learning
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Did you know that some people don’t know that you can convert to Judaism? Others figure you can’t convert if you’re gay. Wrong!

Join a panel of LGBTQ folks who have converted to Judaism to learn about their process, their questions and worries. Also, how is it working out being a gay/bi/or transgendered Jew? They will discuss congregational life and Jewish communal life and the San Francisco Bay Area. Bring your own questions, we’ll bring the noshes.

Date: Nov. 3
Time: 7:30 to 9:15pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Free
Co-Sponsored by the Outreach & Out-and-About Committees.

Posted by admin under Conversion, LGBT
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