So many Jews identify as “secular” or “cultural” and want to take their non-Jewish sweetie to a non-religious Jewish event. That can be done! But keep in mind that many of Judaism’s religious activities have become a part of Jewish culture, like attending a Passover Seder. Is that religious or cultural? Only you can say what it is to you.
Below I am listing the 17 events that I sent out to my email list this week. Some are religious but most are not. I’m going to code them for you.
(A) Entertaining
(B) Intellectual
(C) Cultural (possibly religious, you decide)
(D) Religious
(Interfaith) One of my programs
Got questions, comments, additions? Just let me know. You can email me at dawn@buildingjewishbridges.org. I look forward to hearing from you.
(C) Scholars in Residence in Marin: Passover (San Rafael)
(B) Feeding Yourself and Your Children in the 21st Century (Oakland)
(A) They Tried To Kill Us, They Failed, Let’s Laugh (San Francisco)
(D) Tot Shabbat (Los Altos Hills)
(A & B) Movie Midrash (San Mateo)
(C) Passover Fair (San Mateo)
(A & B) An Evening with Michael Chabon and Ayalet Waldman (Palo Alto)
(D) Passover in Two Hours (San Francisco)
(Interfaith) Raising a Mensch (Alameda)
(C) 19th Annual SF Multicultural Passover Freedom Seder (San Francisco)
(C) Temple Sinai’s Annual Community Seder (Oakland)
(C) Community Second Night Seder (Richmond)
(C) Wilderness Torah’s Passover in the Desert: In the Wilderness (Death Valley)
(C) Late Night at The Jewseum (San Francisco)
(C, except that it precedes a Shabbat Service) Pi (π) Celebration (Piedmont)
(C) Fatherhood as a Spiritual Journey (San Rafael)
(Interfaith) Interlove Story: When Jews Love Non-Jews… and Judaism (Los Altos)
Scholars in Residence in Marin: Passover
Prepare for Passover with Rabbis Noam and Mishael Zion!
Join us for our Marin Jewish Community Scholar-in-Residence weekend with father
and son, Rabbi Noam Zion and Rabbi Mishael Zion, co-authors of the celebrated A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices. Both believe in revitalizing home holidays-Pesach, Hanukkah and Shabbat-to make Judaism inspiring, participatory and fun for all members of the family.
Dates: Friday through Sunday, March 13 – 15
Place:
For a schedule of times and events see the complete schedule here
Presented by Rodef Sholom, Kol Shofar and the Osher Marin JCC — here is the schedule of events taking place on this campus
Feeding Yourself and Your Children in the 21st Century
Where Jewish tradition meets Michael Pollan & Alice Waters with Adam Berman, Urban Adamah
What does Jewish tradition say about how and what we eat? Whose are the other voices we care about? How do we navigate food choices in a world as complex as ours? As the founder of the only urban Jewish Community Farm in the country, Adam will give us what to chew on and digest. Adam Berman is the founder and executive director of Urban Adamah, an educational farm and community center in West Berkeley.
Part of Exploring the World of Judaism Speaker Series
Date: Sunday, March 15
Time: 9:30-11:00am
Place: Temple Sinai, in the Albers Chapel, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Free
www.oaklandsinai.org
They Tried To Kill Us, They Failed, Let’s Laugh:
Jewish Humor From Torah to Transparent
Join humor mavens Rabbi Sydney Mintz and Judi Leff as they deconstruct the whats, wheres, whos and whys (why nots?) of Jewish humor. Topics include Text and Humor: Torah and Talmud; Jewish Humor Through The Ages; Jewish Humor in American Radio, Film and Television; Why Are Jews So Funny – Burlesque, Vaudeville and Yiddish Theater; and a panel discussion with local Jewish comedians. Of course there will be a chance to develop and share your own Jewish humor – stories from your own Jewish experience.
Dates: Thursdays, Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 16, 23, 30, May 7
Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
Place: Temple Emanu-el, 2 Lake St., San Francisco
Cost: Emanu-El Members $36, Non-members $50
Register here or call 415- 751-2535
Tot Shabbat
Join me, Rabbi Heath, and other Beth Am friendly families for an informal Shabbat evening with singing and blessings in the Sanctuary, followed by festive Shabbat dinner in Rooms 5 and 6. This is a great opportunity to connect with other families with young children! RSVP online by Wednesday, March 18 so we know how much food to order.
Date: Friday, March 20
Time: 5:15 pm
Place: Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
www.betham.org
Movie Midrash
The Invention of Lying is a very funny film that should not be approached lightly. It is sure to spawn a myriad of opinionated and enlightening debates that was clearly Ricky Gervais’ intention from day one.
Won’t you join Rabbi Callie and Matt Schulman for an evening of innovative filmmaking and involved (and provoked) discussion?
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo
FREE
www.ptbe.org
Passover Fair
Beth El Women’s Gift Shop has all of your Passover seder needs. We have a wide selection of unique seder plates, matzoh covers, haggadahs and more. Don’t forget to shop for gifts for family and friends! All our gift shop proceeds directly support our synagogue programs.
Date: Sunday, March 22
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Place: Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo
www.ptbe.org
An Evening with Michael Chabon and Ayalet Waldman
The Oshman JCC is pleased to present famed literary couple Ayelet Waldman (Love and Other Impossible Pursuits) and her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband Michael Chabon (The Yiddish Policemen’s Union). Chabon has been touted as one of the most celebrated writers of his generation, publishing the critically-acclaimed novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay in 2001. Waldman writes about the changing expectations of motherhood and is the author of seven mystery novels in the series The Mommy-Track Mysteries.
Date: Sunday, March 22
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Cost: $25 JCCmembers, $30 general public
$35 at the door (space permitting)
For more information contact Jen O’Leary, (650) 223-8664, joleary@paloaltojcc.org
Buy tickets online here.
Passover in Two Hours
Learn the basics of Passover in this fast-paced and participatory workshop led by chef Rebecca Ets-Hokin and Rabbi Ryan Bauer. Whether you are conducting, cooking or attending, you will be ready!
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Place: Guild Hall in Temple Emanu-el, 2 Lake St., San Francisco
To register call Jennifer Goldstein at 415-750-7548 by March 22.
www.emanuelsf.org
Raising a Mensch
Compassion, generosity, respect and satisfaction are values shared by most religions. When do they become uniquely “Jewish” and why do that? Join other parents for a fascinating discussion that combines Jewish teaching and the current Science of Happiness to develop tools to raise a mensch. Warning: you may increase your own menschlichkeit (humanity) too!
Topic for March 29:
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme: Contentment & Tzedakah
Jewish tradition teaches, “Who is rich? Those who are content with their lot.” The marketing culture around us equates contentment with possessions; who ever dies with the most toys wins. How can we establish a family value of tzedakah? How does tzedakah (responsible giving) result in contentment?
Raising a Mensch is 4 sessions; come for one or more.
Dates & Topics:
March 29 Gimme, Gimme, Gimme: Contentment & Tzedakah
April 19 What’s in it For Me: Compassion for Others
April 26 I Can’t Get No Respect: Kavod in an Open and Free Society
May 3 Why Should I Care: Caring for Others
Time: 10:30am to noon
Place: Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Rd., Alameda
Cost: Free to Temple Israel members, $30 for the series, $18 per single session (please bring cash or a check.)
To register go here.
Co-sponsored by Temple Israel, Building Jewish Bridges and Lehrhaus Judaica.
19th Annual SF Multicultural Passover Freedom Seder
Join JCRC, JCCSF and Congregation Emanu-El for the 19th Annual Multicultural Freedom Seder at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.
During this multicultural and multifaith seder we celebrate freedom for all with songs, storytelling and a delicious kosher meal. All are welcome!
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 6:30pm
Place: San Francisco JCC, 3200 California St., San Francisco
Cost: JCC Adult Member: $35; Adult Public: $40; All children under 12: $15
Purchase tickets here.
www.jccsf.org
Temple Sinai’s Annual Community Seder
Join Rabbi Yoni Regev and Cantor Ilene Keys as we retell the story of Passover, enjoy delicious foods catered by Z Cafe, meet new friends and sing!
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 5:30pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Please purchase tickets early as we sell out every year
Register online here.
Have questions? Call Lisa at the Temple Sinai at 510-451-3263.
Community Second Night Seder
Retell the Passover Story at Temple Beth Hillel’s Passover Seder
You are invited to a family-friendly Congregational Seder on the Second Night of Passover.
Join Rabbi Dean Kertesz and Cantor Fran Burgess in retelling the Passover story, sing holiday songs, and share a complete ritual meal. Enjoy the evening with friends and family.
Seating is limited so make your dinner reservations soon.
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central (Hilltop Exit off I-80), Richmond
Cost: Non-Members: $32 for adults, $28 for children 7-12, $8 for children 3-6.
For reservation form and informational flyer look online here.
Wilderness Torah’s Passover in the Desert: In the Wilderness
Come Close to the One
Each year, we Jews retell our core story – our Passover journey from slavery to freedom. This spring, step into your Exodus experience and discover transformation and liberation with the expansive desert as your guide. Passover in the Desert is a 5-day journey in multi-generational village life, designed to help you connect more deeply with yourself, community, nature, and Spirit.
Register today for festival & avodah (work exchange).
Co-sponsored by Temple Sinai
Dates: Thursday, April 9 to Monday, April 13
Place: Panamint Valley, near Death Valley
http://www.wildernesstorah.org
Late Night at The Jewseum
Celebrate the last night of Passover with unlimited specialty cocktails, delicious bites, world-class DJs, photo booth fun, art-making, and more. 21+
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 9:00pm-1:00am
Place: Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., San Francisco
Cost: $75 general, 21+.
More information 415-655-7800 or online.
Pi (π) Celebration
Pre-Service “Pi” Celebration with Rabbi David Cooper. This is a once-a-century (but minor event) celebrating the ratio of the circle’s circumference to its diameter (called “Pi” or π) which comes to 3.14159265359… So on 3/14/15 at 9:26am at 53.56 seconds will be the one time this century that our calendar and clock will reflect this magical irrational number with an infinite number of decimals. We will gather in the Patio at 9:15 for an introduction and then mark the magic moment between 9:26 and 9:27. After that, pie will be served and Rabbi David will share some Jewish lore on math and physics. Then stick around for a great Shabbat service.
Date: March 14
Time: 9:15am – 10:00am; services follow at 10:30am
Place: Kehilla, 1300 Grand Ave, Piedmont
www.kehillasynagogue.org
Fatherhood as a Spiritual Journey
Attention, fathers of grade school children! Feeling inspired by your journey? Overwhelmed? Looking to connect with other dads who are parenting younger children? This lay-led group will gather monthly to take inventory of our journeys as fathers and to harness Jewish texts and traditions that might help us pay closer attention to this most sacred journey. It’s never to late to jump in!
Date: Sunday, April 19
Time: 9:15 – 10:15 am
Place: Rabbi Lezak’s office at Rodef Sholom, 170 No. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael
RSVP to Molly at molly@rodefsholom.org.
Interlove Story: When Jews Love Non-Jews… and Judaism
You are Jewish and you fell in love with a person who isn’t Jewish; now it’s up to you to make a Jewish home and raise Jewish children. How have other families managed Jewish commitment and interfaith love? We’ll begin with a tender film by the daughter of an interfaith couple (Interlove Story was her Stanford University Masters Film Thesis) and discuss the choices her parents made and what options we all have.
Join Rabbi Sarah Weissman, Dawn Kepler, and interfaith couples for a warm and open discussion.
Date: Sunday, April 26
Time: 9:15 – 11:00 am
Place: Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Cost: $5 for the public; Free for members of Beth Am
Register here