(Photo credit Shannon Sarna from the My Jewish Learning website)
I’m not big on chocolate, but…
I’m well aware that most people’s favorite flavor is CHOCOLATE. With that in mind I want to send you a Double Chocolate Chip Challah recipe. Could be good for Shabbat.
Jews Indigenous to the Middle East
How much do you know about the experience of Jews indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa? Teachings on the Holocaust typically focus on Europe’s Jews and the history is rarely told of the Jews of the Middle East. Although most Arab countries purged their populations of Jews there are still a few living there. There are also the refugees from those lands. The website Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa (JIMENA) shares the culture, cuisine, history, music and memories of these Jews.
Worried about anti-Semitism on campus?
Are your children heading to college? Are they worried about being a Jew alone? There is a Hillel on many campuses, a haven of other young Jews to build confidence and community. Take a look at the Hillel directory here.
Jesus for Everyone, Not Just Christians
I saw this interesting online presentation coming up this Sunday. It can be hard for Jews to learn about Jesus from Christians; here’s a chance to learn about him from fellow Jews.
A common thread in discussions of Jesus is what we can learn about him— his life and times. This program is a bit different. Join Prof. Marc Michael Epstein in conversation with Dr. Amy Jill Levine about her new book and what we, as non-Christians, can learn from Jesus on the basis of the existing sources. What do those claiming to speak in the name of Jesus get right, what do they get wrong, and how can a knowledge and understanding of the first century Jewish context in the Land of Israel illuminate Jesus’ views—and ours—on such crucial and relevant topics as economics, slavery, ethnicity and race, not to mention health care, family values, and of course, politics?
The Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program will host a discussion on what non-Christians can learn from Jesus based on existing sources, exploring how the first-century Jewish context in the Land of Israel can shed light on his views on topics such as economics, slavery, ethnicity, race, health care, family values, and politics. The program will also examine the accuracy of those who claim to speak in the name of Jesus.
Sunday, 10:00 am PT on Zoom
Registration here
If you watch this presentation PLEASE let me know what you think!
EVENTS
Shabbat in the Park, Berkeley
Outdoor Shabbat Picnic, Palo Alto
Assessable Havdalah Hike, Oakland
Israeli Dancing, San Jose
Family Shabbat, Palo Alto
2ND Annual Summer Jam, Larkspur
Fifth Friday Service: Taylor Swift Shabbat, Palo Alto
Cooking for the Holidays with Faith Kramer, Walnut Creek
Hebrew Classes, San Francisco
Shabbat in the Park
Bring your chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner and us for a beautiful Shabbat picnic under the trees with singing, puppets, dancing and community!
Date: Fri, August 16
Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Place: Shorebird Park Playground, Berkeley
Sign up here
Offered by Jewish Baby Network
Outdoor Shabbat Picnic
Grab your blankets and a picnic dinner and join us and the Kol Emeth dream team for a rockin’ outdoor baby and tot Shabbat with music, shakers, puppets, dancing, playtime and more!
Date: Fri, August 16
Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Place: Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Avenue Palo Alto
Free, sign up here
Assessable Havdalah Hike
Join Temple Sinai members for another fabulous Havdalah Hike!
We’ll meet at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (link to map can be found in the RSVP form) and hike the paved path through the trees to get to a picnic area for a short singing service followed by snacks. (If you can, bring a little food or drink to share.)
The hike is fully accessible. There will be a smooth pathway provided over unpaved terrain at the picnic site.
Please let us know you are coming using our RSVP form. so we can meet your needs and plan appropriately, as well as contact you in case we need to cancel or provide any additional information.
Date: Saturday, August 17 (Future hikes: September 21, October 19)
Time: All at 5:30pm, except for the October one which starts at 5pm
Place: Redwood Regional Park
Hosted by Temple Sinai, Oakland
Israeli Dancing
Great exercise! Great fun! Great chance to meet new people! Put on your dancin’ shoes and come to our free Israeli dance class! This week, Loui Tucker will be leading the class. No dance experience necessary and we welcome everyone from the community to join in the fun. In-person! Come dance with us!
Date: Tuesday, August 20
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University, San Jose
Sign up here.
Family Shabbat
Join this special Saturday morning service for children and their families. We’ll begin with group singing followed by activity time for kids 2-8 including a puppet show, yoga and art, while adults enjoy a relaxed and interactive service. Everyone comes together for an experiential Torah service. All are welcome!
Date: Saturday, August 24
Time: 10:15 am
Place: Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma, Palo Alto
https://www.etzchayim.org
2ND Annual Summer Jam
Wrap up your summer on a high note, and meet us at Marin Country Mart for Rodef Sholom’s annual Summer Jam! The afternoon will be filled with all our favorite parts of summer: an outdoor community festival filled with delicious eats, live music to get you dancing, creative art projects for kids, and more! Get your groove on with a day of diverse musical acts!
Date: Sunday, August 25
Time: 3-5:30PM
Place: Marin Country Mart, 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur
Hosted by Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Details and sign up here.
Fifth Friday Service: Taylor Swift Shabbat
Taylor Swift has inspired fans both young and old around the world. At our Taylor Swift Shabbat, her music also will inspire our service. We’ll include an array of songs ranging from joyful, poignant, and thoughtful, all selected to stand in for parts of the Shabbat liturgy. For example, our Kabbalat Shabbat welcome will offer a chance to leave behind the cares of the week as we Shake it Off and proclaim Welcome to Shabbat (sung to the tune of Taylor Swift’s Welcome to New York). We’ll also sing L’Cha Dodi to the melody of the Taylor Swift hit Blank Space.
Want to familiarize yourself with the 13 songs included in the service? We’ve created playlists to help you do that on Spotify and YouTube. Just click here.
Date: Friday, August 30
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma, Palo Alto
https://www.etzchayim.org
Cooking for the Holidays with Faith Kramer
Celebrate the fall holidays with Jewish flavors! Join food editor Faith Kramer for a special cooking session featuring fresh Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot recipes. Enjoy delicious creations and expert tips for a memorable season.
Date: Thursday, September 5
Time: 7 pm
Place: Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek
Admission: $15, sign up here.
Sponsors: CCJCC and Congregation B’nai Tikvah
Hebrew Classes
Hebrew classes are open to students of all levels seeking to start, continue or perfect their study of the modern Hebrew language. Led by native, Hebrew-speaking instructors. Hebrew language classes are taught in an engaging and supportive environment. The class curriculum and emphasis on the students’ experience allow for flexibility to accommodate differences in the makeup of each class. Bringing it all together is the wonderful community created by our students and instructors.
To view the Fall 2024 Class Schedule go here.
Dates: September 9 to December 12
Place: SF JCC, 3200 California St., San Francisco
Cost: $380 Public // $342 Members
https://www.jccsf.org