Personally, I’m still trying to sort out this SIP life. I keep forgetting that all sorts of services have ceased. I can’t give my brother the birthday present of a gift certificate to his favorite masseur. I started to! But naturally they are closed. It’s been five months; you’d think I’d have adjusted.
This pandemic hasn’t stopped love, engagements, weddings, births, etc. So there are still interfaith issues that need some assistance. I’m glad that folks are contacting me. Don’t hesitate to call or email me if you’d like some help or just a chat.
Several women have told me they are interested in having a virtual parenting during SIP discussion. I’ll be contacting them on Monday. If YOU are interested in joining us, email me at dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org. I am not charging for anything.
Activities
The world has moved to Zoom – and a few other platforms. The Jewish world has been pretty quick in moving to this mode. This means we can still participate in services and many events from the safety of our homes. I’m sending you an array of options.
There’s a short (4 sessions) free basic Judaism class starting on Sunday. Take a look at Building a Jewish Toolbox.
I’ve noticed that many of the synagogues are doing programming around BLM and systemic racism. I’m including several.
For those of us suffering from feelings of isolation during the pandemic there’s a conversation on the healing power of human connection, JCSF All Together Now.
Learn a bit about the 3 BIG Jewish festivals here.
EVENTS
Building a Jewish Toolbox
Exploring “Whiteness” – A Conversation
Film viewing & conversation: 13th
Mikveh 101: Elul Edition
Self-Compassion and Forgiveness
JFCS All Together Now
Building a Jewish Toolbox
Join Rabbi Booth for a 4 week look at Judaism’s basic theology and practice. This course is open to all who are interested, curious, or wanting to understand better what Judaism is all about. Join us at 4:00pm on Zoom for 4 Sundays.
Time: 4 to 6pm PST
Dates: Aug. 16, 23, 30 and Sept. 6
Additionally there will be a Friday night dinner and learners service on Sept. 4
Free, but please RSVP here: bit.ly/jewishtoolbox2020
Hosted by Kol Emeth.
Exploring “Whiteness” – A Conversation
What does it mean to have a white racial identity?
Join us to explore “whiteness” in our personal experiences and our public actions. We’ll also look at some of the historical and contemporary discussions that swirl around this concept.
This is an important step to enable our country to continue moving towards racial justice, as well as to help answer the crucial question, “What can I do?”
This is a session of the class: Moving Towards Racial Justice: What Can I Do?
Date: Monday, Aug. 17
Time: 7 to 8pm
Online
Free, but you must register
Hosted by Jewish Gateways
Film viewing & conversation: 13th
Join us for an evening of exploring racial inequalities with the movie 13th followed by a guided discussion. The movie 13th explores racial injustice through the lens of the criminal justice system in America. This movie may evoke strong emotions, which participants will be able to unpack in a guided discussion following the movie.
Dr. Anna Corwin, a beloved lay leader in our CBT family and a gifted and accomplished professor of Anthropology, will be leading our movie discussion. Following the movie she will help us navigate the topics highlighted in the movie honestly and thoughtfully.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 5:00 – 6:40 pm: Movie screening. You will have two options for viewing the movie: Netflix Watch Party (for which you have to have a Netflix account), or watching the movie together on zoom.
7:00 pm – 7:45 pm: Discussion led by Dr. Anna Corwin on Zoom.
Sign up here
Hosted by B’nai Tikvah
Mikveh 101: Elul Edition
The famous mikveh, Mayyim Hayyim in Boston is offering an inexpensive program on the use of the mikveh for the High Holidays. Here’s their description.
Join us for an interactive virtual program that will focus on the connection between the High Holidays and mikveh immersion, a tradition dating back to the book of Leviticus. Participants will learn about how immersion has evolved over several millennia as a ritual to prepare us for the coming year. Our program will offer a window into mikveh’s biblical roots and its role as a powerful ritual for contemporary Jews.
Time: 4 to 5pm WST (7 to 8pm in Boston)
Date: Tuesday, August 25
Cost: $18
Register for the online experience here
Self-Compassion and Forgiveness
A Loving Approach to Atonement
As the Days of Awe approach, we reflect upon the sacred qualities of Rachamim (compassion) and S’lach (forgiveness). Together, we will deeply explore compassion and begin to free ourselves from the adverse impact of the harsh inner critic. The way of self-compassion is to extend the same kindness to ourselves as we so often offer to others. Please join and learn about some practical methods to awaken a warm, connected presence as we take inventory of our misdeeds.
With Carole Pertofsky, Stanford Trainer and Chochmat Member
Date: Tuesday, August 25
Time: 7pm
Cost: $18
Online, register here
Sponsored by Chochmat Halev
JFCS All Together Now:
A Conversation on the Incredible Healing Power of Human Connection
Join us for a special community conversation with Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th Surgeon General of the United States and author of the New York Times bestseller Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, and Dr. Anita Friedman, JFCS Executive Director.
This timely, virtual event will present up-to-date information on the pandemic and deep insights into how we can nurture our children, our parents, our community, and ourselves during these uncertain times.
Date: Thursday, September 10
Time: 4:00 – 5:30pm
Online, register here.
Free, donations welcomed