As we stand on the threshold of Rosh Hashanah it seems rather perfect that a brilliant Jewish teacher, Robert Reich, will be speaking about on Wednesday, September 24 in Redwood City. He will be in conversation with journalist, Angie Coiro from Kepler’s Books. Here’s the description of his talk:
From political economist, cabinet member, beloved professor, media presence, and bestselling author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good, Robert B. Reich joins us to share his deeply felt, compelling memoir of growing up in a baby-boom America that made progress in certain areas, fell short in so many important ways, and still has lots of work to do.
Reich hardly abandons us to despair over a doomed democracy. With characteristic spirit and humor, he lays out how we can reclaim a sense of community and a democratic capitalism based on the American ideals we still have the power to salvage.
Read the complete description here
As we approach a new year many of us evaluate the last one and say, what should I be doing NOW? Perhaps you’d like to start by hearing Professor Reich. I’ve been offered free tickets to anyone I want to sent to hear him at the Fox Theater in Redwood City. All I need is to send your name, email address and the number of people in your party to my marketing contact at Kepler’s. If you’d like to go, EMAIL ME SOON.
A Little Help for the High Holidays —
The Jewish Baby Network has a page of resources for the High Holidays. Helpful hints for parents.
Holidays: Blessings, Songs, Videos, Crafts, and More!
The Jews of Color Initiative has an online High Holy Days Resource List. You can access it here.
EVENTS
Gan Katan (Lafayette)
Shabbat Afternoon Study Sessions (Palo Alto and online)
Israeli Dancing (San Jose)
ENGAJ Reverse Tashlich (Palo Alto)
Sukkah-Time, (San Leandro)
Community Commemoration of October 7: Moving Forward with Hope (San Rafael)
Shabbat + Sukkot = A Festive Celebration of Light & Togetherness (San Francisco)
Sukkot Shabbat Services & Community Dinner (San Rafael)
‘Shake the Lulav’ Sukkot Celebration (Berkeley)
Introduction to Judaism (Oakland)
Shalom Play (Oakland)
Exploring Judaica: A Fieldtrip to Afikomen (Berkeley)
Gan Katan
(Little Garden) is a monthly Jewish playgroup for parents with their babies and toddlers ages 0 through 18 months who are looking to engage in Jewish community and early learning. It includes free play time, activities, singing, and learning related to infants and toddlers. It is for anyone raising Jewish children (including couples with one Jewish parent and one non-Jewish parent). Please let us know if you’ll join us! Please note that this program is for babies/toddlers and their parents, but we ask that you do not bring older siblings to this program. Thank you!
Date: Sunday, September 21
Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
Place: Temple Isaiah, 925 Risa Rd., Lafayette, in the Adult Lounge
Questions? Contact Rabbi Nicki Greninger at rabbi.greninger@temple-isaiah.org for more information or questions. Click here to RSVP.
Shabbat Afternoon Study Sessions
with Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon
You are invited to join Rabbi Ilana Goldhaber-Gordon for Shabbat afternoon reflection and inspiration. Rabbi Ilana is a gifted teacher, weaving together storytelling with a deep knowledge of Torah and Jewish tradition, and a keen understanding of the issues facing us in our modern world.
On September 27th, Rabbi Ilana’s topic is “Holding Onto Love and Horror”. During the Ten Days of Repentance, we who love Israel are looking deeply inside and asking some tough questions. She will offer a second session on November 15th, with topic to be announced.
Date: Sept. 27
Time: 4 to 6pm
Place: Etz Chayim and online. Etz Chayim is located at 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto
Please sign up here.
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.
Date: Tuesday, September 30
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Place: Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave, San Jose
Register here
ENGAJ Reverse Tashlich
Join ENGAJ and Repair the World for a meaningful mitzvah, and service opportunity connected to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. We’ll meet at the Baylands in Palo Alto, and provide all the supplies to help clean the shoreline of trash and litter.
Reverse Tashlich is an innovative approach to Jewish environmental stewardship. In the ritual of Tashlich on Rosh HaShanah, we go to a body of water and symbolically cast our “sins” into the water to begin the New Year with a clean heart. With Reverse Tashlich, we’re turning symbolism into action by removing human “sin” from the water.
Date: Sun Oct 5
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Place: Adobe Creek Loop Trail 3803 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto
Parking available along East Bayshore Road or 1001 Elwell Court, Palo Alto
Sign up here
Sponsored by the Palo Alto JCC.
Sukkah-Time
Come hang out with other families in the shade of the sukkah while your kids play in the yard! Sukkot is for being outdoors in a sukkah together. So, if you are looking for something to do with your kiddo(s) on this day when our school programs are closed for the holiday, we invite you to enjoy the holiday as it was meant to be. As they say, parenting is always easier together! No formal program, just an opportunity to be together. Enter through the back gate. Bring a vegetarian nosh (snack) for you and your kids, and more to share if possible!
Date: Tuesday, October 7
Time: 2:30 – 4:30pm
Place: Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave, San Leandro
Sign up here
Community Commemoration of October 7: Moving Forward with Hope
Congregation Rodef Sholom and Congregation Kol Shofar invite you to a ceremony of remembrance and unity as we mark the second anniversary of October 7. This special gathering will feature prayer, song, and poetry to mourn those we have lost, honor the courage of survivors, and pray for the release of all who remain in captivity.
This year, the first day of Sukkot aligns with October 7th, so we will begin the program with a short Maariv evening service.
This program is open to all in the community. RSVP is required.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 7
Time: 7 to 8pm
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
RSVP here
Shabbat + Sukkot = A Festive Celebration of Light & Togetherness
Join us for a joyful Shabbat service, during which we welcome our newest students Jewish learning journey, followed by a festive community dinner and gathering in our cozy sukkah. Feed your soul and your stomach, shake the lulav and etrog, share a delicious meal, and enjoy the warmth of community and tradition.
5 pm: Tot Shabbat – RSVP required.
5:15 pm: Yizkor mourners’ service
6 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat & Studio Consecration
7:15 pm: Sukkot Celebration and Community Dinner
This celebration is in person. The Kabbalat Shabbat service will also be streamed live on YouTube.
Date: Friday, Oct. 10
Time: Begins at 5pm
Place: Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, San Francisco
Dinner tickets required: $30 non-members; $25 members; $20 students
Sukkot Shabbat Services & Community Dinner
Join us for a festive Sukkot service, followed by a community dinner. Please come and share in the joy of shaking the lulav and etrog. After services, we will enjoy Shabbat Dinner in the Sukkah! Please plan on bringing a non-dairy side dish to share and we will provide the rest.
Date: Friday, October 10
Time: 6:15pm – 8:30pm
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Register here
‘Shake the Lulav’ Sukkot Celebration
Get ready to shake the lulav and etrog and celebrate Sukkot with East Bay families. (0-5 years).
Date: Sunday, October 12
Time: 10:30am – 12pm
Place: Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley
Sign up here
Event by Jewish Baby Network and Beth El.
Introduction to Judaism
Temple Sinai in Oakland and Congregation Beth El in Berkeley are joining together again to offer Introduction to Judaism beginning in October 2025. Learn with Beth El and Sinai clergy about the rituals, holidays, beliefs, big questions, and complexities of Judaism in a welcoming and communal environment. This class is open to all — the Jewish adult who wishes to discover or deepen Jewish knowledge, those who aren’t Jewish who have a Jewish partner and those who are not Jewish and curious to learn more about Judaism, or those considering choosing Judaism. Participants register for each semester separately, and semesters may be taken in any order.
Dates: Wednesdays beginning October 22 through January 28, 2026
Time: 7 to 8:30pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Cost: $150/semester, please register here
If cost is a barrier, please reach out to Rabbi Bressler.
Please email Rabbi Bressler for questions or to learn more.
Shalom Play
Shalom Play, following in the footsteps of Temple Beth Abraham’s successful Kindergym program, is a joyful, play program designed for children under 5 from families raising Jewish children—proudly sponsored by PJ Library and Temple Beth Abraham.
If you have a beginner walker or a speedy little mensch who’s climbing, running, and jumping off everything, this kvell-worthy space is for you! Our spacious, activity-filled room is packed with fun.
Date: Sun, Oct 26
Time: 10am
Place: Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland
Event by Jewish Baby Network and Temple Beth Abraham
Sign up here
Exploring Judaica: A Fieldtrip to Afikomen
Judaica definition: any object, artifact, or text related to Judaism, encompassing religious books, ceremonial items, artworks, and historical materials and covers a wide range of items from ancient manuscripts and Torah scrolls to modern pieces of jewelry and decorative art.
Join me for a tour of the Jewish store, Afikomen Judaica, in Berkeley. We’ll see items for weddings, Shabbat, holidays and life cycle events. The owner, Nell, will give a tour and then answer any questions you have. We will have time to browse! Plus two lucky participants will receive a $10 gift certificate to Afikomen. Supervised children are welcome.
Date: November 9
Time: 2 to 4pm
Place: Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave, Berkeley
Free
RSVP by emailing dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org