Passover is past, Bread is back! But we don’t take a pause in the month of April.
The Month of April on the Jewish Calendar
April is a whirlwind. No sooner does Passover end, than Yom Hashoah/Holocaust Remembrance Day is upon us. Yom Hashoah begins April 14 at sunset. Here’s a list of events taking place in the Bay Area.
This is a communal event. We gather together to remember, mourn and honor those killed in the Holocaust. As our survivors age and pass away we have fewer and fewer witnesses. If you have a survivor in your synagogue or community see if you can learn from them first hand.
There is an observance in every community. If you don’t see one on the list above, search the internet for “holocaust remembrance near me”.
The following week has two holidays originating in Israel, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut.
Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance) is similar to America’s Memorial Day; it mourns and honors those who have fallen in conflicts defending Israel. In Israel, where everyone has lost a loved one, the day holds intense feelings for the population. It begins at sundown on Monday, April 13. In one of my own synagogues the observation this year will be organized by a young Israeli. In her email to the congregation she suggested that we wear a white shirt, as is traditional in Israel. (I didn’t know this.)
Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day) is the equivalent of America’s Fourth of July. It celebrates the declaration of the modern state of Israel being a nation again on May 14, 1948. The celebration is much like America’s 4th of July, celebrated with barbeques, fireworks and public ceremonies.
Judaism is a culture; it is many cultures, depending on the country lived in. Explore Israeli culture! Experience the lesser known holidays.
EVENTS
Young Adults at Emanu-El (San Francisco)
Shabbat Shmooze + Mimouna Celebration (San Rafael)
Tot Shabbat (San Francisco)
Earth Day Shabbat (Los Altos Hills)
Tot Shabbat (Alameda)
PJ Shabbat & Breakfast (San Jose)
Men in Interfaith Relationships (Oakland)
Young Adults at Emanu-El
For 20s and 30s in the Bay Area
Nice to meet you! We are a group of young adults in our 20s and 30s from diverse backgrounds. We get together for special LATE SHABBAT services and lots of gatherings each month, designed for us, by us. Whatever your connection is to Judaism, there is plenty of space for you.
Late Shabbat
On the Second Friday of each month the Congregation Emanu-El Young Adult community gathers once a month for a spirited, meaningful Last Shabbat service. Starting with an 8pm reception, we invite you to join us for some community prayer, a late-night oneg and an afterparty at a local bar!
Join the fun!
Date: Second Friday of each month: April 10 and May 8
Time: 8pm
Place: Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., San Francisco
Shabbat Shmooze + Mimouna Celebration
This Friday, join us for a special Shabbat Shmooze with a Mimouna celebration. As Passover ends, we honor the Maghrebi Jewish feast Mimouna, marking the return to eating hametz–leavened bread. Delight to Sephardic-Mizrachi songs by Rachel Valfer of the Qadim Ensemble and taste traditional delicacies!
Date: Friday, April 10
Time: 4:00-5:15 pm
Place: Osher Marin JCC, 200 N San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. In the Lobby.
No registration required.
Tot Shabbat
Join us as we welcome in Shabbat by lighting candles, eating yummy Challah, singing and dancing with our amazing clergy and musical guest Tkiya, enjoying a pizza dinner and building community with other families with young children.
Friday, April 17
Time: 5 to 6pm
Place: Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, San Francisco
Cost: $10/person
Sign up here
Earth Day Shabbat
Climate change and climate justice are core to our Jewish values. Come hear about actions you can take to help in the ongoing fight against climate change in an effort to preserve our planet. Learn how all of us, young and old, can take action and make an impact.
Friday, April 17
Time: 6:15 – 7:30pm
Place: Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills and Livestream
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat is held once a month on Saturdays, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, and is for families with children up to five years of age. All are welcome to attend. Tot Shabbat includes music, stories, and crafts as a way for children to learn about Shabbat and many Jewish holidays. These gatherings are led by Kellie Shoham and are free and open to all families! This program will be held outdoors in our Courtyard with onsite security.
Our Tot Shabbat community is growing; additional dates will be shared soon. We look forward to many more joyful mornings together!
Date: Saturday, April 18
Time: 10am to noon
Place: Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda
Info Here
To learn more, contact our coordinator at totshabbat@templeisraelalameda.org.
PJ Shabbat & Breakfast
Shabbat Shalom! We are excited to be hosting in-person PJ Shabbat services! This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to experience Shabbat with Rabbi Magat and Cantor Shafritz. We’re making it casual this morning, so come on by and pray in your PJ’s.
This service is designed for families with young children.
Afterwards, you’re invited to stick around for a tasty bagel brunch, where you’ll be able to shmooze with other parents & let the kids play.
Date: Saturday, April 18
Time: 9:00 – 9:30am
Place: Temple Emanu-el, 1010 University Ave., San Jose
Sign up here
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: I am experimenting with the possibility that men can be strong enough to speak about feelings, doubts and unsolved problems. Push yourself and sign up for this program for men. I’ve only heard from 2 men. Question: is the IN PERSON aspect too intimidating? Would you attend if this were a Zoom event?
Speak up! I’m trying to respond to the needs I hear about. Tell me what YOU care about. (dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org)
Men in Interfaith Relationships:
A discussion for husbands, boyfriends, partners, fathers and grandfathers
Join other men Jewish or not, to examine interfaith relationships in relation to culture and gender. What are the unique expectations and responses that a man encounters as he creates a home and builds a family life in which his religion is not that of his partner? Join a multi-generational discussion about the assumptions and possibilities surrounding the roles society assigns men. Male identifying individuals in any stage of relationship, and any age are welcome.
Date: Thursday, April 23
Time: 7 to 8:30pm
Place: The Baum Center at Temple Beth Abraham, 325 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
Free, but for security reasons you must register by April 20th.
To register, send your name, email and street address to dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org
Eventbrite link