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December 2007
Regional News
San Francisco The December holidays offer all of us an opportunity to reconnect, to find light in the darkest time of the year and to focus on the miracles that already exist in our lives. For many of us it means time off from work or school, sharing in holiday meals and retelling stories representing freedom, miracles and new beginnings. For some of us it might mean warm nights by the candles and/or fireplace, reminiscing about years past spent with family and friends. Whatever rituals in which we choose to engage, we all have expectations about the holiday season that have evolved from an accumulation of our own past experiences, both positive and negative. What are your expectations? Do you look forward to celebrating your holiday in a traditional way with specific symbols and certain people? Do you dread the holidays due to the societal pressures of consumerism and fitting into a “right way” of doing things? Whatever the case, you might decide this year to consider both your expectations and those of your partner, to see if they fit together. How do your expectations differ? Think about setting aside some time to share your childhood memories of the holidays, and listen and learn a little more about one another. You might even consider creating a new ritual this year to represent themes and traditions that are important to both of you. Interfaith Connection’s “Creating Your Own Rituals” series culminates in 2007 with Winter Holidays: Finding Miracles in Our Own Lives, a workshop for interfaith/intercultural couples and families where we will all have an opportunity to explore these ideas, learn more about Chanukah and create new rituals of our own. The workshop will be led by Rabbi Eve Ben Ora, JCCSF Jewish Educator and Helena McMahon, LMFT, and will include food tasting, hands on activities and discussion. It will take place on Sunday, December 2, 1 - 3 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street @ Presidio. The fee for the workshop is $10/couple or family. We are planning an Interfaith Connection Couples Trip to Israel, to take place May 21-31, 2008. We’ll see and experience the people and land of Israel – the spiritual center of the three Abrahamic faiths – from a truly interfaith/intercultural perspective. Activities will include Shabbat in Jerusalem at the remaining Wall of the Second Temple and a visit to the Galilean hills where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount. We’ll climb Masada and float on the Dead Sea. JCCSF Interfaith Connection Manager Helena McMahon, LMFT, accompanies the trip, which also includes guided tours with expert educators, and facilitated discussions about how religion and culture impact our relationships with Israel, our communities and each other. Here are upcoming informational receptions to meet and learn all of the details about the trip. In Foster City: In Palo Alto: In Marin: In San Francisco: Helena McMahon, LMFT
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