I wish you all a sweet new year! May this year bring us all more peace, more prosperity, more kindness around the world!
Thinking about services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
I’m make one last plea, don’t make the High Holy Days your loved one’s first experience of a Jewish service. If you are determined to take them somewhere, then go to a S’lichot service. I adore S’lichot at my congregation. We begin about 8pm with havdalah (the ritual closing Shabbat). We stand together in the courtyard singing and passing the spicebox around the circle. Then we go into the sanctuary for the service. There is always a teaching about the Days of Awe and of course, some music. Finally the rabbis go to change into their white robes, traditional for this season and we, the congregants, go up and dress the torah scrolls in white too. It is so peaceful, so cozy, the air is filled with a sense of expectation and the sweetness of connection. This is a wonderful way to introduce your non-Jewish loved one, and their family, to a service. Plus, it’s free!
Beginning a new year – 5772.
I received a magnificent little video link that I hope will get you in the mood to think BIG about your and your life. Put yourself in a cosmic state of mind.
The atheist watching it can say, I told you so; science explains the universe. At the same time the God believer watching it will say, Just as I always believed, there is a Creator and this is Their handiwork. I don’t care which you are. Either way this is a nice way to go into S’lichot. Ask – What is your place, your role? If you have value, and I firmly believe you do, what is your value in the cosmic whole?
I feel so blessed to doing the job I’m doing – helping people find their core values, their spiritual or cultural connection, and how to make their family work together.
Thank you all for being a part of my life.
Happy New Year – L’Shana Tovah!
Dawn
Free High Holy Day services at the East Bay JCC in Berkeley. Learn more here.
EVENTS
Mother’s Circle (Los Altos Hills)
Kindergym Sunday Play Day (Oakland)
Sukkot Harvest Festival (Palo Alto)
Zero Hour: The Zero Mostel Play (San Francisco)
Mother’s Circle
Are you a non-Jewish mother raising Jewish children? The Mother’s Circle is a 12-session course that explores how to create a Jewish home and make Jewish memories for your children. No temple membership is required to participate. Through our meetings, you’ll learn about Jewish holidays, customs and values. Connect with other non-Jewish mothers who share similar concerns and experiences.
The class includes resources, education, and events to support women of other religious backgrounds raising Jewish children. Join us for coffee, new friends, Jewish learning and great discussions.
Date: bagins Sunday, September 25 – but email Paige Kaplan (her email address is below) and I am sure she will fold you in. Call me if you like.)
Place: Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Rd., Los Altos Hills
Cost: $36.00 materials fee.
For more information please contact:
paigekaplan@yahoo.com or (650) 493-4661
Meeting dates: Sept. 25, 2011, Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, 2012, Jan. 22, Feb. 26, Mar. 4, Mar. 18, Apr. 1, and May 6
Kindergym Sunday Play Day
If you and your preschooler have not yet got to play and tumble with Dawn Margolin of Kindergym, well, you just haven’t lived! The fun, the frolic, the endless options from water play to the parachute will stimulate everyone! Find out more on the website, including pricing.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 2
Time: 10:30am
Place: Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
See the website for details– www.tbaoakland.org
*A second class will be offered from 3:30-5 and co-sponsored by the PJ Library.
Sukkot Harvest Festival
A Celebration of the Seasons
Celebrate the abundance of the season at a free, community-wide event for the whole family! The Sukkot Harvest Festival will focus on the spirit of the fall season and the Jewish holiday traditions around Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, where people gather to celebrate in temporary, open-sided structures. Sukkot is a joyous holiday of harvesting and feasting. The festival will also showcase the fall season of OFJCC classes, programs and performances for all ages. The day will include:
Food Vendors and Demonstrations * Family Activities * Music & Art
Prizes and much more!
Free parking both on and near campus will be provided.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 16
Time: 11am to 5pm
Place: Palo Alto JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Free
Info: Amy Grossman, (650) 233-8606 or agrossman@paloaltojcc.org
Zero Hour: The Zero Mostel Play
Written by and Starring Jim Brochu as Zero Mostel
In an award-winning performance, Jim Brochu portrays the irrepressible actor and comedian granting an interview shortly before his death in 1977. Zero Hour recounts Mostel’s life and career, vividly depicting the impact of the Hollywood blacklist as well as his successes with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Fiddler on the Roof and the original movie version of The Producers.
“Spot on! Brochu brings Mostel to life just the way his fans want him.” –The New York Times
Friday, October 21, 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 22, 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 23, 2:00 pm
At the San Francisco JCC, 3200 California St., San Francisco
Purchase tickets here: https://tickets.jccsf.org/public/