San Francisco
A Taste of Judaism: Are you Curious? Thursday, April 3. A three-session beginners’ class for adults, Jewish or not, who would like to explore the Jewish perspective on spirituality, values and community. Comfortable surroundings and an informal atmosphere encourage free and lively discussions of Judaism’s approach to living in today’s complicated world. We welcome unaffiliated Jews, non-Jews and interfaith families. Free; reservation is required. Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., SF. Contact: Project Welcome, 415.392.7080 x16 or tasteofjudaism@urj.org. www.projectwelcome.org.
With Whom Is Your Soul Bound? Creating Welcoming Community for Queer Interfaith Couples. Saturday, April 5, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Torah teaches us that our souls are inextricably connected to one another, yet so many people experience isolation, exclusion, and a deep longing to be truly welcomed and welcoming within our Jewish community. Using the rich spiritual themes of Passover and the season of spring, we will explore our own personal spiritual and cultural paths as LGBT Jews and interfaith/ multicultural couples and families. Includes dinner, workshop, and havdallah service. Cost: $10/couple (members); $20/couple (general public). Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St. (at16th), SF. Contact: Rebecca Weinter, Rebecca@shaarzahav.org, 415.861.6932 x302.
Spring Holidays: Cooking and Rituals. Sunday, April 6, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. A new workshop in our Creating Your Own Rituals Series with a cooking component and an opportunity to explore what the spring holidays mean in your partnership/family. Cost: $10/couple or family. JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St. (at Presidio), SF. Contact: JCCSF, 415.292.1200 for reservations; or Helena McMahon, 415.292.1252 for more information.
Please Pass the Matzah. Thursday, April 17, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. An interactive Passover party for all families! $20 per family. Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Parents Place, 1710 Scott St., SF. Contact: Lana Bekman, 415.359.2454.
12th Annual Multicultural Passover Freedom Seder: Escaping Economic Bondage. Friday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. Share in the Jewish celebration of freedom. Hear from those who have struggled and overcome. Partake in a delicious kosher Seder meal. Led by Rabbi Elisheva Salamo, Taube Center for Jewish Life. Cost: $30 in advance, $35 at the door (limited availability – register by April 20). JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St. (at Presidio), SF. Sponsored by Jewish Community Relations Council. Contact: JCCSF box office, 415.292.1233 to reserve tickets. www.jccsf.org.
Shabbat Dinner to Celebrate Israel Independence Day. Friday, May 9, 6:00 p.m. A festive Shabbat celebration for interfaith couples, families and friends, including a delicious meal, Israeli music and dancing, arts and crafts for the kids, and henna tattoos! Cost: $10/adults; $6/children. JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St. (at Presidio), SF. Contact: JCCSF, 415.292.1200 for reservations; or Helena McMahon, 415.292.1252 for more information.
Interfaith Couples' Trip to Israel. May 21 – May 31, 2008. For Bay Area interfaith couples. Sponsored by Interfaith Connection, JCC of San Francisco. Contact: Helena McMahon, 415.292.1252 or hmcmahon@jccsf.org. www.jccsf.org/interfaith.
7th Annual Shabbat Weekend for Jewish Children with Disabilities and Their Families. Friday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. – Sunday, May 25, 2008, 1:00 p.m. A unique opportunity for families with children ages 3-21 to spend time with others who share the experience of living with disabilities. Children receive lots of individual attention and activity choices. Parents and siblings take part in discussion and support groups. Cost includes all meals, education, recreation and accommodations: $120/youth; $180/adult. Financial assistance available. Camp Newman, Santa Rosa. Sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education. Contact: Flora Kupferman, 415.751.6983 x122 or fkupferman@bjesf.org.
Ongoing Events
The Mikvah and Beyond. Last session, Wednesday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. A series about spirituality for individuals exploring Judaism, considering conversion, or who have chosen Judaism. Facilitated by Ellen Benjamin. Call for cost. Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake Street, SF. Contact: Ellen Benjamin, 415.752.2438 or eebenj@aol.com.
Discussion Series for Interfaith/Intercultural Couples. Seven sessions on Mondays. Call for dates and cost. Reflect on family, child-rearing, holidays and spiritual concerns. With Helena McMahon, LMFT, or John Steinfirst, LCSW. Sliding scale fee. JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., SF. Contact: Interfaith Connection, 415.292.1252 or hmcmahon@jccsf.org. www.jccsf.org/interfaith.
Mishpacha Shabbat. Last Friday of each month, April 25, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Shabbat service for families with small children: songs, dancing, arts and crafts, and Shabbat blessings, plus a dairy/vegetarian potluck dinner in the company of families just like yours. Congregation B'nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval Ave. (at 46th Ave), SF. Contact: 415.664.7373.
Raising Your Children in an Interfaith Family. Six sessions. Call for dates and cost. Discussion series focusing on child-rearing issues specific to interfaith families. With Helen McMahon, LMFT. Sliding scale fee. JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., SF. Contact: Interfaith Connection, 415.292.1252 or hmcmahon@jccsf.org. www.jccsf.org/interfaith.
If your synagogue or organization is sponsoring an activity of particular interest to interfaith families, please let us know at bridges@sfjcf.org.
North Bay
Family Connections: Passover and Afikomen - Searching for a Meaningful Passover with Small Children. Sunday, April 6, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. For families with children ages 0-3 and their siblings. Free. Osher Marin JCC Annex, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. Contact: Melody Horowitz, 415.444.8045 or mhorowitz@marinjcc.org.
Celebrating Freedom: A Multicultural Seder. Monday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy music and poetry from Marin’s diverse communities, traditional and new music with song-leader Fred Ross-Perry, and a delicious vegetarian dinner among a gathering of old and new friends. Led by Rabbi Lee Bycel, American Jewish World Service, and Reverend Carol Hovis, Marin Interfaith Council. Cost: $25 adults, $20 students, $15 children 12 & under. Please reserve by Wednesday, April 9. Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. Sponsored by Jewish Community Relations Council. Contact: for reservations, 415.444.8000; for questions, Suzan Berns at JCRC, 415.472.5128 or sberns@jcrc.org. www.jcrc.org.
Interfaith Couples' Trip to Israel. May 21 – May 31, 2008. For Bay Area interfaith couples. Sponsored by Interfaith Connection, JCC of San Francisco. Contact: Helena McMahon, 415.292.1252 or hmcmahon@jccsf.org. www.jccsf.org/interfaith.
7th Annual Shabbat Weekend for Jewish Children with Disabilities and Their Families. Friday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. – Sunday, May 25, 2008, 1:00 p.m. A unique opportunity for families with children ages 3-21 to spend time with others who share the experience of living with disabilities. Children receive lots of individual attention and activity choices. Parents and siblings take part in discussion and support groups. Cost includes all meals, education, recreation and accommodations: $120/youth; $180/adult. Financial assistance available. Camp Newman, Santa Rosa. Sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education. Contact: Flora Kupferman, 415.751.6983 x122 or fkupferman@bjesf.org.
Ongoing Events
A Taste of Judaism: Are you Curious? Call for dates and time. Ever wondered how you could invite your friends and family to experience Judaism without undue pressure? Now there’s an answer! Reach out to your extended family members, future in-laws, neighbors, and friends and offer them a “taste” of what makes Judaism so special right here in our own community. Three classes in length, the series is designed for unaffiliated Jews and non-Jews. Location in Napa to be announced. Contact Lisa Elgazzar, 415.392.7080 x16, or tasteofjudaism@urj.org. www.projectwelcome.org.
Parenting Matters: Jewish Wisdom for Mindful Parenting. Eight weeks beginning Tuesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m. A new parenting discussion group for interfaith and unaffiliated Jewish parents raising young children (five years or younger). This interactive learning program will explore basic Jewish principles and apply them to modern parenting concerns. All levels of learners are welcome. Cost $180 per family. Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. Contact: Vivien Braly, 415.499.1223 x8106 or vivienb@sfjcf.org.
Southern Marin Jewish Community Preschool Program. Wednesdays and Fridays, through June, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. New program for 2 year olds. Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. Contact: Hadassah Goldstein, 415.388.1409 or somajcp@gmail.com; or Michele Gorman, 415.444.8046 or mgorman@marinjcc.org.
Osher Marin JCC Preschool Enrollment for 2008-09. Ongoing. A full range of pre-school programs for children ages 2-5. Tours available. Osher Marin JCC ECE, 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. Contact: 415.444.8042 or sfarael@marinjcc.org. www.marinjcc.org.
Tot Shabbat. First and third Saturday monthly, 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Shabbat prayers using movement and song for children ages 2-5. With Jonathan Bayer. Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. No RSVP needed. Contact: 415.479.3441. www.rodefsholom.org.
If your synagogue or organization is sponsoring an activity of particular interest to interfaith families, please let us know at bridges@sfjcf.org.
Peninsula
Freedom Seder to End Human Trafficking. Sunday, March 30, 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Come to our Freedom Seder to celebrate freedom and learn how to fight modern day slavery. Stories, music, prayer, meal, education, and action. Led by Rabbi Joel Fleekop and Ven. Jian Hu. Seating is limited – reserve your seat by March 14. Cost: $18 per adult includes a Kosher meal (no one will be turned away due to an inability to pay. Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos. Sponsored by Jewish Community Relations Council. Contact: to register, visit www.jvalley.org; JCRC, 650.961.1922; kstiller@jcrc.org, 408.357.7504; or diane@jvalley.org.
Spirituality Circle. Thursday, April 3, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. If you wish to expand your sense of what is holy in your life, please join us. Cost: $10. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: Florence Marchick, 650.365.2324.
Tot Shabbat. Saturday, April 12, 9:00 a.m. Songs and stories for Shabbat for pre-schoolers. All are welcome. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: cserbin@ptbe.org.
A.B. Yehoshua at Stanford. Sunday, April 27, 8:00 p.m. The Taube Center for Jewish Studies at Stanford University and the San Francisco Israel Center present this special lecture as a part of a yearlong series featuring Israel’s finest literary voices. A.B. Yehoshua, Haifa University professor of literature, is an internationally acclaimed author whose novels, short stories, plays and essays have been published in 28 languages. Seating is limited. Stanford University, Hewlett Building - Room 200, Palo Alto. Contact: Michelle Rosengaus, 650.852.3516 or mrosengaus@paloaltojcc.org for reservations.
Interfaith Couples' Trip to Israel. May 21 – May 31, 2008. For Bay Area interfaith couples. Sponsored by Interfaith Connection, JCC of San Francisco. Contact: Helena McMahon, 415.292.1252 or hmcmahon@jccsf.org. www.jccsf.org/interfaith.
7th Annual Shabbat Weekend for Jewish Children with Disabilities and Their Families. Friday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. – Sunday, May 25, 2008, 1:00 p.m. A unique opportunity for families with children ages 3-21 to spend time with others who share the experience of living with disabilities. Children receive lots of individual attention and activity choices. Parents and siblings take part in discussion and support groups. Cost includes all meals, education, recreation and accommodations: $120/youth; $180/adult. Financial assistance available. Camp Newman, Santa Rosa. Sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education. Contact: Flora Kupferman, 415.751.6983 x122 or fkupferman@bjesf.org.
Ongoing Events
A Taste of Judaism: Are You Curious? Call for dates and time. Ever wondered how you could invite your friends and family to experience Judaism without undue pressure? Now there’s an answer! Reach out to your extended family members, future in-laws, neighbors, and friends and offer them a “taste” of what makes Judaism so special right here in our own community. Three classes in length, the series is designed for unaffiliated Jews and non-Jews. Location in San Jose to be announced. Contact Lisa Elgazzar, 415.392.7080 x16, or tasteofjudaism@urj.org. www.projectwelcome.org.
Weekly Meditations. Mondays, 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Weekly sits guided by instructors. Free. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: Florence Marchick, 650.365.2324.
Interfaith Couples Groups, Sundays, April 6 & May 4, 9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Share stories, hopes and challenges. All are welcome. Babysitting available. Facilitated by Eleanor Intrator, MFCC, and Rabbi Melanie Aron. $15 for series. Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Contact: Rabbi Melanie Aron, 408.358.1751 or rabbiaron@shirhadash.org. www.shirhadash.org.
Tot Shabbat. Third Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and Torah for families with children up to age six. All are welcome. Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Contact: 408.358.1751 or office@shirhadash.org. www.shirhadash.org.
If your synagogue or organization is sponsoring an activity of particular interest to interfaith families, please let us know at bridges@sfjcf.org.
East Bay
A Taste of Freedom: Pre-Passover Tasting and Teaching. Friday, April 11, 6:15 p.m. Join us for this delicious, no-experience necessary Shabbat dinner during which we'll explore the meanings of Passover foods in lively and interactive discussion with Rabbi Bridget, followed by dessert and time to hang out and schmooze. You'll go home with recipes and handouts so you can enjoy your favorite foods and teachings later on. If your schedule doesn't allow you to bring a dish to share, we offer you the option of contributing $7 toward the dinner. Space is limited, so RSVP is required. Childcare available by reservation. Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St. (near BART), El Cerrito. Contact: Rabbi Bridget Wynne, 510.559.8140 or rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org, to make a reservation and get directions and your food assignment.
More than Four Questions: A Seder for Those Seeking a Connection to Jewish Life. Sunday, April 20, 5:45 p.m. Join us to explore your questions about Jewish identity and how to connect with Jewish life and community as we tell the Passover story, carry out the rituals, and enjoy the seder meal. No experience necessary! Free. Space is limited, so RSVP is required. Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. Contact: 510.559.8140 or rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org.
Why Don't Jews Believe in Jesus? Friday, April 25, 6:15 p.m. According to Jewish tradition Jesus is not the messiah. Why did Judaism and Christianity part ways on this issue? Rabbi Bridget Wynne will lead a lively interactive teaching on why Jewish tradition does not see Jesus as the messiah. If your schedule doesn't allow you to bring a dish to share, we offer you the option of contributing $7 toward the dinner. Space is limited, so RSVP is required. Childcare available by reservation. Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St. (near BART), El Cerrito. Contact: Rabbi Bridget Wynne, 510.559.8140 or rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org, to make a reservation and get directions and your food assignment.
Interfaith Couples' Trip to Israel. May 21 – May 31, 2008. For Bay Area interfaith couples. Sponsored by Interfaith Connection, JCC of San Francisco. Contact: Helena McMahon, 415.292.1252 or hmcmahon@jccsf.org. www.jccsf.org/interfaith.
7th Annual Shabbat Weekend for Jewish Children with Disabilities and Their Families. Friday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. – Sunday, May 25, 2008, 1:00 p.m. A unique opportunity for families with children ages 3-21 to spend time with others who share the experience of living with disabilities. Children receive lots of individual attention and activity choices. Parents and siblings take part in discussion and support groups. Cost includes all meals, education, recreation and accommodations: $120/youth; $180/adult. Financial assistance available. Camp Newman, Santa Rosa. Sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education. Contact: Flora Kupferman, 415.751.6983 x122 or fkupferman@bjesf.org.
Ongoing Events
A Taste of Judaism: Are you Curious? Call for dates and time. Ever wondered how you could invite your friends and family to experience Judaism without undue pressure? Now there’s an answer! Reach out to your extended family members, future in-laws, neighbors, and friends and offer them a “Taste” of what makes Judaism so special right here in our own community. Three classes in length, the series is designed for unaffiliated Jews and non-Jews. Locations in Berkeley, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek. Contact Lisa Elgazzar, 415.392.7080 x16, or tasteofjudaism@urj.org. www.projectwelcome.org.
Parenting Matters: Jewish Wisdom for Mindful Parenting. Beginning Monday, April 7, 9:20 a.m. A new parenting discussion group for interfaith and unaffiliated Jewish parents raising young children (five years or younger). This interactive 8-week learning program will explore basic Jewish principles and apply them to our modern parenting concerns. All levels of learners are welcome. Cost $180 per family. Congregation Neitvot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley. Contact: Vivien Braly, vivienb@sfjcf.org or 415.499.1223 x8106.
If your synagogue or organization is sponsoring an activity of particular interest to interfaith families, please let us know at bridges@sfjcf.org.
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