I’m headed off to New York to visit a beloved friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. I have a not-so-secret plan – if at the end of each visit I say, “See you next month,” he won’t die. He’ll have to stick around for my next visit.
Do you ever make deals with God? Most of us do. I remember a rabbi speaking about the death of his baby daughter and saying, “I began to bargain with HaShem.” Sometimes our grief makes us frantic to change reality. It’s just another stage of grief. Don’t condemn yourself or others.
We are all approaching Tisha B’Av, a time of mourning for the Jewish people. May we all give and receive mercy and kindness.
EVENTS
Shabbat Under the Oak (Walnut Creek)
Tisha B’Av Public Lament (San Francisco and online)
Kibbitz Café (Walnut Creek)
Sinai Green Accessible Havdalah Hike (Oakland)
Rosh Chodesh: New Moon, New Mountain: Forest Bathing (Woodacre)
Shabbat Picnic Dinner – for Littles (Redwood City)
Shabbat Under the Oak
Join us for this festive family-friendly, all-ages Shabbat celebration in our amphitheater. We pray, we’ll play, and we’ll make smores! Let’s go summer!
Date: Friday, August 1
Time: 6:30 – 8:00pm
Place: B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek
RSVP here
Tisha B’Av Public Lament
Join us as we mark Tisha B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, with a ritual of public lament led by Rabbi Reuben Zellman and Rabbi Mychal Copeland. On this day of mourning, commemorating the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, we gather to grieve not only ancient losses but also the pain and brokenness of our world today.
We will lift up our sorrow and resilience with chanting from the Book of Lamentations (Eicha), drumming, song and cathartic expression. This ritual invites you into a sacred space to mourn, reflect and resist—together.
All are welcome.
Date: Saturday, August 2
Time: 7:30-9pm
Place: Hybrid: in person at Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores, San Francisco and on Zoom)
Register here
Kibbitz Café
With Jonathan Branfman
Enjoy a scrumptious lunch while hearing from invigorating speakers!
Author and scholar Jonathan Branfman explores the intersections of anti-Semitism, racism, masculinity, and white supremacy. Branfman offers insights for both Jewish and non-Jews on navigating these urgent issues in the Jewish community today.
**I contacted Stuart at B’nai Shalom. He tells me that Kibbitz Café events are aimed at retired people, this the noon meeting time. But EVERYONE is welcome and for $5 you get a nice lunch. Please don’t be afraid of retirees; God willing, someday you’ll be one. This is a great topic and I wish I could make it.
Date: Aug. 4
Time: 12noon
Place: B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek
RSVP requested to office@bshalom.org
Cost: $5
Sinai Green Accessible Havdalah Hike
We’ll follow a paved path to a picnic area for a short musical service followed by potluck snacks. Please bring food or drink to share if you are able. Please register so we can meet your needs and plan appropriately, or contact you in case we need to cancel or provide additional information. Directions and specific location will be sent upon registration. Register
Date: Saturday, August 16
Time: 5:30pm
Hosted by Temple Sinai, Offsite
Register here.
Rosh Chodesh: New Moon, New Mountain: Forest Bathing
Join us for a special event as part of our New Moon, New Mountain community hiking series, where we mark the new month (Rosh Chodesh) with a community hike. This month we will slow down for the month of Av with the practice of forest bathing. We will be guided through this practice by Emily Wolf McMane, a certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT).
Date; Sunday, Aug 17
Time: 10:30 – 12:30pm
Place: Roys Redwoods Preserve, Woodacre, CA
Cost is $21.59
A program of the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N San Pedro Rd., San Rafael
CLICK HERE to register and learn more. All are welcome.
Shabbat Picnic Dinner
We’ll begin the evening with a short and joyful Shabbat service designed for young hearts and big smiles, followed by a b-y-o-picnic vegetarian/dairy dinner in the garden.
Don’t forget to:
Bring a blanket to sit on
Invite friends and family
Date: Friday, August 22
Time: 5:15 pm – 7:00 pm
Place: Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City in the garden.
Hosted by K’tantan (Littles) and Jewish Baby Network
RSVP