Sometimes people who feel they are on the margin of Jewish community because they don’t belong to a synagogue believe that there is not much available for them to do. Wrong! Every week I send out a list of random activities that ANYONE can attend. Here’s a list for the coming weeks. Of course there are MANY more. If you need help, just call me. Dawn 510-845-6420 x11
EVENTS
Kabbalat Shabbat on the Farm (Berkeley)
Torah with Soul (San Rafael)
Green Shabbat (Oakland)
Tot Shabbat in the Park (San Mateo)
Hummus! The Movie (Palo Alto)
Qirvah Sacred Ecstatic Participatory Music Event (Palo Alto)
Chardonnay Shabbat (Berkeley)
Fifth Friday Kumbaya Shabbat (Palo Alto)
Etz Handworkers (Palo Alto)
Tisha B’Av Today: Contemplating Our Tragedies (Burlingame)
Kabbalat Shabbat on the Farm
Join Urban Adamah for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service on the farm. Kabbalat Shabbat was invented in the 16th century by the Jewish mystics. Today, it is practiced in most Jewish communities as a spiritual and emotional doorway into our day of rest. Our version includes chanting, meditation, poetry, movement and quiet alone time on the farm. Drums, guitar and clarinet will joyfully carry us into the night.
Date: Friday, July 22
Time: 6:30: Kabbalat Shabbat Service
8:00: Community Potluck Dinner – Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.
Place: Urban Adamah, 1050 Parker St., Berkeley
This event is free and open to the public, but please register in advance. As with every Urban Adamah event, please bring a canned good to donate to our weekly farm stand.
Details here.
Torah with Soul
Whether you are a Torah veteran, or completely new to Torah, all are welcome. Shabbat by Shabbat, we will study the weekly parsha, based on the second year of the triennial cycle. Additionally, time permitting, we’ll continue our study of the Book of Psalms.
On the third Saturday of each month, this Saturday, Torah with Soul becomes Torah on the Trails, where we take a short hike on a local trail before studying Torah surrounded by nature.
To be added to the Torah with Soul and/or Torah on the Trails email lists, please contact Molly at molly@rodefsholom.org.
Date: Most Saturdays including July 23
Time: 9:15am
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 No. San Pedro Road, San Rafael
www.rodefsholom.org
Green Shabbat
Join us under the redwoods to celebrate all that is around us. To better enjoy the outdoors, we recommend dressing in layers and bringing lawn chairs or picnic blankets for the service. A Potluck kiddush lunch will follow the service. Please bring a dish to share, if you are able.
Date: Saturday, July 23
Time: 10:30am, Roberts Park, Diablo Vista picnic area
Sponsored by Temple Sinai’s Green Committee.
www.oaklandsinai.org
Tot Shabbat in the Park
Join Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin, Elana Jagoda Kaye, and Peninsula Temple Beth El families with young children for a Shabbat morning play date at the park. You will sing a few Shabbat songs and munch on challah, but mostly enjoy the beautiful California weather and a relaxing Shabbat morning together.
This is a great opportunity to meet some PTBE families!
Date: Saturday, July 23
Time: 10:00 am
Place: Laurelwood Park, 3471 Glendora Drive, San Mateo
Sponsored by Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo
www.ptbe.org
Hummus! The Movie
Oren Rosenfeld | USA, Israel | Documentary
From the SF Jewish Film Festival –
Where can you find the best hummus in the world? From Suheila, a single Muslim woman who is known for her legendary hummus, to Jalil, a Christian Arab hipster in Ramle who runs his father’s hummus joint, to Eliyahu, a born-again Orthodox Jew who owns a hummus restaurant chain, this fun and fascinating film about the highly competitive hummus restaurant business in Israel shows how powerful this chickpea spread can be.
Learn more here.
Date: Sat, Jul 23
Time: 12:30pm
Place: Cinearts at Palo Alto Square, Palo Alto
Qirvah Sacred Ecstatic Participatory Music Event
King David says in the Psalms: “qirvat Elohim li tov!” “Closeness to G!d is so good for me!”
How to get there? As David did: with chant, drumming and movement.
Come join Reb Tsvi and the Hevrah-team in learning how to get into the G!dzone (dveikut) using a variety of chants, drumming – both on drums and on the body, and movement.
Date: Sunday, July 24
Time: 2:00pm
Place: Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Avenue, Palo Alto
www.kolemeth.org
For more information, contact Reb Tsvi Bar-David at:tsvi.bardavid@gmail.com
Chardonnay Shabbat
Celebrate the joy of Shabbat and the early summer evening with a glass of wine or juice, light snacks and song. Chardonnay Shabbat begins at 5:30 pm; Shabbat evening services are at 6:15 pm. Join us for this fun, informal Shabbat gathering.
Date: Friday, July 29
Time: 5:30 pm
Place: Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley
www.bethelberkeley.org
Fifth Friday Kumbaya Shabbat
Whenever there are five Fridays in a month, we like to do something a little different. Join us for an informal backyard service featuring songs sung around the campfire. Bring a blanket and a picnic to enjoy on the grass (no pork or shellfish, please). We’ll have some tables and chairs for those who find that more comfortable. Wine for kiddush and challah for motzi will be provided. All ages are welcome! As the song says, “the more we get together, the happier we’ll be!”
Date: Friday, July 29
Time: Picnic at 5:45 pm, services at 7:00pm
Place: Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma, Palo Alto
www.etzchayim.org
Etz Handworkers
Would you like to do some needlework with others? Etz Chayim has a circle of members that quilt, crochet, knit, do needlepoint, embroidery, etc. Everyone brings their own project and tools – or you can work on one of their quilts for the Jewish Vets at the VA. All are welcome and this is a great opportunity to sit and schmooze.
If you’d like to join in please contact the woman in charge, Jessica. Email me and I’ll give you her personal email address.
Date: Monday, August 1
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma, Palo Alto
www.etzchayim.org
Tisha B’Av Today: Contemplating Our Tragedies
Tisha B’Av, or the 9th of Av, commemorates many tragedies in Jewish history, most notably the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and again in 70 CE. This year, we will dedicate our contemporary observance of Tisha B’av to remembering not only what happened to us, but what happens every day to those who are in physical, spiritual and emotional exile in the 21st century.
Our evening will begin with a study session from Reform CA that will help us transform the mourning of our Temple’s destruction into a call of action to repair the wrongs in today’s society. We will conclude with an evening prayer service and a modern chanting from Eichah, the Book of Lamentations.
Join Peninula Temple Sholom and Peninsula Temple Beth El with Support from Reform CA. Led by Rabbi Molly Plotnik and Rabbi Lisa Kingston
Date: Saturday, August 13
Time: 7:00 to 8:30pm
Place: Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame
www.sholom.org