Kids at the JCC of the East Bay summer camp Last week I talked about Jewish community as a bit if an oddity sandwiched inside American culture. If you put on your anthropology hat and look at the many cultures that you encounter everyday it all begins to make sense. But for a child it’s not…
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Jewish community in America
What is Jewish community in America? One of the confusing things about Jewish community is the feel of it – it’s different from mainstream American community. For folks who aren’t Jewish it can seem to make sense that Jews are different – even if they can’t quite put their finger on why. But for American…
Read More »Participating in Jewish Life!
How can the engaged Jewish community reach out to the unaffiliated and invite them to explore Judaism? Building Jewish Bridges has a wide range of opportunities. For synagogues In February Building Jewish Bridges partnered with Project Welcome to offer Increasing the Warmth of Your Welcome, a workshop that helps synagogues enhance their websites, bulletins, membership…
Read More »Jewish Things to do on Christmas
There have been a few questions about what can a person do on Christmas Eve or Day if they don’t “do Christmas”? I’m going to list some community events here for you to consider. Additionally, there is time to invite other Jewish friends over for a day of games, music and good food. Jewish Music…
Read More »Do I Have to Pay to Pray?
The Cost of High Holiday Services In five weeks many of us will be gathering for Rosh Hashanah, the New Year. But many of you are wondering, where will I go for services? Will I take my partner? How much will I have to pay for services? What if I want to join a synagogue?…
Read More »Shavuot is coming
Shavuot begins next week Shavuot starts next week on Tuesday night, May 22. On that night many congregations and groups of congregations will hold late night (or all night) study sessions. It is traditional to study Torah all night on this anniversary of our receiving the Torah on Mt. Sinai. To learn more about the…
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