Hummus, Falafel and Brisket – Oh, My! San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Presents three fabulous films about food that are sure to whet your appetite. (Don’t worry; there will be food available for purchase between the showings.) Make Hummus Not War (1:00) Filmmaker Trever Graham’s humorous journey takes us through the hummus bars and kitchens…
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Will you have a Chuppah for your Wedding?
Having a chuppah or wedding canopy is not a Jewish requirement; in other words it is not stipulated in Jewish law. It is, however, a Jewish custom and very lovely. The traditional chuppah has four portable poles and a piece of cloth hanging attached at the four corners to the poles. You can use a…
Read More »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 of ancient Israel, the beginnings of rabbinic Judaism, and the modern return to…
Read More »A basic class: A Taste of Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism (the umbrella group for Reform synagogues) provides a wonderful brief curriculum titled A Taste of Judaism. This 3 session class gives you a good basic understanding of the pillars of Judaism. It is free. This January Temple Israel in Alameda has received funding to offer the class. Call the synagogue…
Read More »Channukah & Thanksgiving: It’s Complicated
I found this email from Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Netivot Shalom in Berkeley to be powerful and well said. I want to share it with you. Much has been made of the overlap of Channukah and Thanksgiving this year, a convergence that will not occur again for over 79,000 years. On the one hand, the…
Read More »It’s been a hell of a week – Jewish reactions to the PEW study
This has been… hm, let’s say an interesting week. On Monday the PEW Research Study on the American Jewish community came out. Great! But then the reactions began and my blood began to boil. So I did what many 21st century Americans do, I went on Facebook and posted the link to an absurd article…
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