I want to call your attention to two upcoming programs. The first is this Sunday, Multiracial Jews: Born This Way. This panel will be all born Jews of color talking about their challenges and their attachment to Judaism. If you are in an interracial family (I am) then you should come learn about how to be a support and advocate for your loved ones. If you are a member of the Jewish community (if you’re reading this, you are) then come learn how to be more sensitive and aware of the challenges of at least 15% of our population.
Second, on Wed., Dec. 7 there will be a panel of non-Jewish parents who have raised children up to adulthood (20+ years old) talking about what they hoped for, what they did and how it turned out for their kids and themselves. Successful Parenting Choices in Interfaith Families. I hope to see you there!
EVENTS
Family Shabbat Service (Walnut Creek)
Tot Shabbat (Los Altos)
Multiracial Jews: Born This Way (Oakland)
Chanukah in the Gift Shop (Walnut Creek)
Holiday Book Fair (Palo Alto)
Our Holiday Traditions: An Interfaith Presentation (Livermore)
Successful Parenting Choices in Interfaith Families (Oakland)
Israel In Song (Oakland)
Tot Shabbat (Walnut Creek)
Got Shabbat? (San Francisco)
Chanukah Festival (Redwood City)
Festival of Lights (San Rafael)
Almost Chanukah Fair (Berkeley)
Bagels and Babies (San Francisco)
Out & About Hanukkah Party (Oakland – Alameda area)
An introduction to Islam for Jews (around Contra Costa County)
Family Shabbat Service
First Friday of the month
Please join us for our Friday evening family service. This wonderful service
is held on the first Friday of every month at 6:30. Welcome Shabbat with
other families with an evening of music and friendship. After services,
please stay to schmooze and nosh as we hold Oneg Shabbat in our Social Hall.
Date: Dec. 2
Time: 6:30pm
Place: B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek
www.tikvah.org
Everyone is welcome to all of our Shabbat services – members and
non-members, Jewish and non-Jewish partners/spouses alike.
Tot Shabbat
Join Rabbis Jennifer Clayman and Adam Rosenwasser for a special Shabbat service for families with children ages 0-5 years. Following the service, enjoy grape juice, challah and a snack, as well as arts and crafts. Come have fun with your child and meet other parents of young children!
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Chapel at Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
www.betham.org
Multiracial Jews: Born This Way
“I was just about seven when a member of my synagogue said, ‘you’re welcome here anytime.’ She didn’t say that to the white kids in my class, just me, the Chinese kid. I didn’t feel like I belonged after that.” The biggest job children have is to figure out who they are. What if they’re Jewish, a child of color and trying to understand what the adults are saying about them? What is it like growing up Jewish and …? Join us at Temple Sinai for this panel discussion.
Date: Sunday, December 4
Time: 9:30am to 11am
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
FREE
Info: Dawn, 510-845-6420 x11 or dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org
Sponsor by Building Jewish Bridges, Lehrhaus Judaica and the east bay synagogues.
Chanukah in the Gift Shop
Do your Chanukah shopping – candles, menorahs, books and gifts. The shop is
open on Sunday mornings for three weeks in December.
Dates: Dec. 4, 11 and 18
Time: 9am to noon
Place: B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek
Holiday Book Fair
The fair will include used books, fair-trade coffee and chocolate, and baked goods. All proceeds benefit education programs at Etz Chayim.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 4
Time: 10:30am to 1pm
Place: Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma, Palo Alto
www.etzchayim.org
Our Holiday Traditions: An Interfaith Presentation
You are cordially invited to join us in a noon hour presentation by experts from four traditions. Speakers include Rabbi David Katz, Reverend Kim Risedorph, Imam Zaid Shakir and former lab director Michael May. Each speaker will represent a tradition and will share about major holidays from one of four traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Zen Buddhism. A Q&A session will follow the presentations.
Date: Tuesday, Dec 6
Time: 12:00n – 1:00p
Place: Chapel Area, Asbury Methodist Church, 4743 East Ave., Livermore
Successful Parenting Choices in Interfaith Families
Navigating religious choices in an interfaith family can add a layer of complexity to parenting. Hear from a panel of non-Jewish parents who are happy with how things turned out with their now grown kids. Panelists will discuss a variety of topics, such as, holidays, lifecycle events, choosing religious education, and managing in-laws. They will share how decisions were made and how they communicated them with their children. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions of the panelists. As with all our programs, this is open to non-Jews and Jews of all backgrounds and orientations, so bring your family & friends! Please RSVP to Dawn Kepler. Sponsored by the Outreach Committee and Building Jewish Bridges.
Date: Wednesday, December 7
Time: 7:30pm to 9pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
FREE
Israel In Song
Come for a special Shabbat Service as we explore music of the early settlers of the land, folk songs, Israeli love songs, songs about Jerusalem and hope. You will hear all your favorite Israeli standards and learn some new melodies as well! This service will feature Cantor Keys, the Adult Choir and multiple instrumentalists, and will take place in the Sanctuary.
Date: Friday, December 9
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
www.oaklandsinai.org
Tot Shabbat
Please join us for our Tot Shabbat service. There will be singing and a
story. All ages welcome – from babies on up! The service will be followed by
a small kiddush.
Date: December 10 at 9am
Time: 9am
Place: B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek
www.tikvah.org
Got Shabbat?
Your family is invited to a Shabbat morning experience at Temple Emanu-El. Please join Jonathan Bayer and members of our clergy for a fun-filled service. This service is geared towards families with children ages 6 and under (siblings and older children are always welcome). Your family will enjoy a short service, music…and of course, a bagel nosh! The program ends at 10:15 am.
Date: Dec. 10
Time: 9:15 to 10:15am
Place: Reuben Rinder Chapel at Emanu-el, 2 Lake St., San Francisco
www.emanuelsf.org
Chanukah Festival
Something for everyone from children to adults:
– Games for little kids, big kids, and even adults
– Food: latkes and more
– Homemade Chanukiah contest
– Entertainment: Andy Z at 11:45 a.m., Children’s Concert at 1 p.m.
– Vendors: Chanukah candles and gelt, gift items, jewelry, women’s clothing, and more
– Art projects
– Raffle
Date: Sunday, December 11
Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Place: Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City
More info here: http://www.bethjacobrwc.org/2011-chanukah-festival.html
Festival of Lights: Eco, Artisan and Globally-Centered Hanukkah Celebration
Festival of Lights will include a bicycle smoothie station with Hazon, the largest Jewish environmental organization in America; a nature tour with Wilderness Torah; vegetable art to better understand the Jewish connection to the earth with Urban Adamah; exploration of Hanukkah traditions from other countries with Be’chol Lashon; artisan marketplace featuring dozens of local artists offering a variety of handmade crafts, jewelry, photography, scarves, Judaica and more; latkes, sufganiyot (donuts), brisket and other holiday favorites from Mangia/Nosh Cafe, arts and crafts, and game activities.
Date: Sunday, December 11
Time: 11:30am-3:00pm
Place: Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Free
http://www.marinjcc.org
Almost Chanukah Fair
The fair features: live music and folk dancing; Chanukah latkes and doughnuts; crafts by Bay Area artists; Chanukah stories; children’s books; menorahs, dreidels and candles; Judaica from Africa and China; and a jumpy house!
Participate in a holiday gift drive: Bring a new toy, book, game, or item of clothing for a child in need age 3-18.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 11
Time: 11am-2pm
Place: Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley
Info: email: rimmonim@netivotshalom.org
FREE
Sponsored by Congregation Netivot Shalom, Camp Kee Tov, URJ Camp, Camp Ramah of California, Camp Tawonga and Be’Chol Lashon. Learn about Jewish summer camps and the diversity of the Jewish community.
Bagels and Babies
Bring your bundle of joy (under 18 months) and spend time with other new parents for a wonderful morning. Join Mimi Greisman for stories, music, celebrating Shabbat and more! Sign up for The PJ Library® and you’ll receive a FREE, high quality children’s book or CD each month mailed to your home. http://www.pjlibrary.org
RSVP to Leslie Ticktin with your child’s name and age: Lticktin@emanuelsf.org
Invite a friend!
Date Friday, December 16
Time: 9:30 – 11:00 am
Place: In the Chapel at Emanu-el, 2 Lake St., San Francisco
www.emanuelsf.org
Sponsored by The PJ Library®
Out & About Hanukkah Party
Join us for candle lighting, food, games, song, and of course, latkes! This is a great way to meet new people and catch up with old friends. Come on your own or bring a friend – all are welcome. Kids also welcome!
Date: Saturday, December 17
Time: Starts at 5pm
RSVP to Susan Krauss by Thursday December 15th. Address will be provided when you RSVP.
An introduction to Islam for Jews
With scholar-in-residence Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Ph.D.
Islamic Fundamentalism and the Arab Spring
Friday, Jan. 20, 7:30pm
Cong. B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek
How Do We See Each Other?
Sunday, March 25, 4pm
Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
Jews and Muslims in Dialogue
Sunday, April 29, 4pm
Beth Chaim, 1800 Holbrook Dr., Danville
Admission to each event is $18
To register go to www.jfed.org/bookfestival or call 510-318-6453.