The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is just about to begin their WinterFest film series AND the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival is also weeks away. I love movies and many people find them a good way to learn. It’s hard to explain the full range of Jewish cultures, countries and traditions but you…
Read More »Community Activities
Hanukkah & Christmas: Is it a Dilemma?
Hanukkah and Christmas – the “December dilemma”. I never liked that term “dilemma”. Not that there isn’t an element of difficulty for an interfaith household, but the word made it seem so dire. I think I would prefer, December Questions, because it all boils down to a lot of questions. The core one being, how…
Read More »Can loved elements of Christmas be adapted to a Jewish environment?
Here come the holidays! I love warm colors. I prefer gold to silver, red to blue. So you can imagine how much I want to change up the “traditional” colors of Hanukkah. Years ago I bought some gorgeous gold and red Hanukkah wrapping paper at my synagogue’s gift shop. It hit me – I don’t…
Read More »Let’s go to the Theater: Imaginary Comforts
Once again we go to a local theater production and then take a Jewish look at the play. That won’t be difficult with this comedy from Daniel Handler. See the play before – or after – the class. Imaginary Comforts, or the Story of the Ghost of the Dead Rabbit Join us this fall for…
Read More »Basic Judaism Classes Fall 2017
It is autumn and the Jewish year will start up very shortly. Along with the new year come all the new BASIC Judaism classes. I am listing all those of which I am aware. Do email me (dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org) to tell me of other BAY AREA basic Judaism classes. Introduction to Judaism: Exploring Jewish Beliefs and…
Read More »Shavuot around the SF Bay Area
Beginning tonight at sundown is Shavuot. This holiday is a bit quirky. It is one of the three Biblical pilgrimage holidays, so very important, and yet doesn’t have the foods, actions and traditions of the other two big festivals, Sukkot and Passover. My Jewish Learning has a lot of good information and you can delve…
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