This week’s Torah portion is Sh’mot or Shemot (Names). Rabbi Annette Koch sent her congregation, Temple Israel of Alameda, a beautiful drash (teaching) about it that is particularly well timed as we approach the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. This week’s Torah portion Shemot, which means “Names” begins the story of our exile and…
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(Photo by Ian Chin Photography) This is one of the LEAST expensive basic Judaism classes I’ve ever seen. If you are curious about getting a solid foundation in Judaism, start with a basic class. For this class you can contact Rabbi Mark Bloom for further information by emailing him at rabbibloom@tbaoakland.org. Introduction to Judaism This…
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The Jewish Community Federation sent out this message: Kids spend an average of 7 hours a day on screens. How can we divert their attention from virtual life to real play, keeping them happy, motivated, and interested in the world around them? Two words: summer camp. Jewish overnight camp can be life-changing for a child….
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Time to relax, socialize and stimulate our brains all at the same time. Join me with Rabbi Chester to discuss the current Berkeley Rep play, Becky Nurse of Salem. You can see the play before or after the play; it’s up to you. Some folks don’t want any spoilers, others want to walk in looking…
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(Shakshuka_by_Calliopejen1 on Wikipedia) On a trip to Israel together, my dear friend Laurie, fell in love with the Israeli dish, Shakshuka. So she invented Shakshuka Day. It falls on the last Shabbat of the secular calendar year and it involved eating shakshuka, pretty easy. This year Laurie is hosting her special day after services at…
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Hold your breath and jump in, it’s a week of holidays. First up is Hanukkah which begins this Sunday night, second is Christmas on Wednesday. Full stop! Whether you are doing one or the other holiday or both or neither, I want you to relax and enjoy it. If your family and you won’t be…
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