Community Wide
Parents Place. Offering a wide variety of parent-child playgroups, parenting classes and workshops; one-on-one coaching and consultation for parents; counseling for children and families; socialization skills groups for young children; community service programs for teens; a mentor/tutor program for students aged 8-18; “Parents Place Express” speakers bureau; and a bulletin board for parents seeking caregivers and caregivers seeking employment. Locations in San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Mateo, and Marin and Sonoma Counties. Sliding scale available for all services. Contact: ParentsPlaceSF@jfcs.org or 415.359.2454 for further information or to receive a copy of our calendar and newsletter. Visit us on the web at www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.
The PJ Library™: Jewish Bedtime Stories & Songs for Families. The PJ Library™ sends high quality Jewish themed books and music to participating families once a month for two years - and it’s absolutely free for families with children from six months to 5½ years of age. Register at www.pjlibrary.org and you will receive a book or CD each month mailed to your home. Cost: free. Contact: Vivien Braly at 415.499.1223 ext.8106, vivienb@sfjcf.org or visit our website www.pjlibrary.org.
Chai! Baby. Welcoming newborns and their families into our Jewish community by providing free gifts and educational materials that will assist in creating a Jewish home, and identifying opportunities for involvement in the local Jewish community. Cost: free. Register online at www.sfjcf.org/resources/chaibaby.
San Francisco
Ongoing Events
Raising Children in an Interfaith Family: Parents of Preschoolers. Wednesdays, February 4, 18 & 25, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A new group created especially to address issues faced by parents of preschool-age children in an interfaith family. Topics include holiday celebrations and rituals, relationships with extended family, and honoring the traditions and backgrounds of both partners. Cost: $60/members; $70/public. JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St (at Presidio), SF. Contact: 415.292.1200 to register; or Helena McMahon, LMFT, 415.292.1252 for more information.
Judaism University. Spring session runs through May. Adult education classes range from “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Judaism” to "An Eye for an Eye, Cucumber Guards and Other Embarrassing Tales." Check the website www.sfbnaiemunah.org for a complete listing of classes. Cost: To be determined, but some are free. Congregation B’nai Emunah is an egalitarian, inclusive community that welcomes interfaith and unaffiliated Jews interested in learning. Congregation B’nai Emunah, 3595 Taraval (at 46th Ave), SF. Contact: Alberta Mischke at 415.664.7373 or bnaiemunah@sbcglobal.net.
Chosen Family: A Discussion Series for LGBT Interfaith Couples. Seven weekly evening sessions, start day and date to be determined, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Interfaith couples who are also part of the LGBT community face unique challenges and opportunities in creating a chosen family. Discuss relationships, community and creating meaningful ritual, and discover new ways to address important and sensitive issues. All genders welcome. Cost: $275/couple; financial assistance is available, call for details. JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St (at Presidio), SF. Contact: Helena McMahon, LMFT, at 415.292.1252 or 415.292.1200 to register for the group.
Mishpacha Shabbat. Last Friday of each month, 5:30 - 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.
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 Ongoing Events
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. No RSVP needed. Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael. 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
Our Jewish Identity: There’s Something Broken in the China Shop. Sunday, February 1, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Join Rabbi Tali Hyman, PhD, to examine the relationship between the strange and counter-cultural activity we call prayer and Jewish identity formation. Cost: free. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.org; or visit our Adult Education page at www.ptbe.org.
History of the Relationship of the Reform Jewish Community in a Multifaith World. Thursday, February 19, 7:30 p.m. With Rabbi Jay Miller you will examine this relationship and how it plays out in the 21st century. Cost: free. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.org; or visit our Adult Education page at www.ptbe.org.
Jewish Themes in Movies: Scholar in Residence Program. Friday through Sunday, March 20 – 22. Scholar-in-Residence Janis Plotkin leads these three programs over one weekend: In The Beginning: Jewish Immigrants and American Cinema (Fri.); Artists and Activists: The Jewish Image in Independent Cinema (Sat.); and Across the Racial Divide - Depictions of Blacks and Jews in American Cinema (Sun.). Cost: free. Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Visit our website for complete listing of times.
The ABCs of Passover through the Szyk Haggadah. Thursday, March 26, 7:00 p.m. You’ll not only be entertained, but you will learn everything you wanted to know about the Hagaddah in this study session with Rabbi Irvin Ungar. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Cost: free. Contact: 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.org; or visit our Adult Education page at www.ptbe.org.
Ongoing Events
Back to Basics. Continues Sundays, February 1, 8; March 15, 22, & 29. 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Understanding your Reform Jewish identity. Cost: members $18; non-members $36. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: Cindi at 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.org.
Erev Shabbat Hallelu Service. Fridays, February 6 & March 6, 6:15 p.m. Sway and pray to the music of Elana Jagoda and the all-new Hallelu Band. Service led by Rabbi Irvin Ungar. Cost: free. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.org; or visit www.ptbe.org.
Monthly Torah Study with Keddem Congregation. Fourth Saturday of the month, February 28, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Enjoy bagels and coffee beginning at 9:45, then read and discuss the week's Torah portion. Copies of the Torah text (in English) are available, but you are free to bring any English translation of the Torah or Bible you enjoy reading. Kehillah Jewish High School, staff lounge, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Contact: Elise at torah_study_chair@keddem.org.
Torah Study. Saturday mornings, through May 23, 2009, 9:30 – 10:20 a.m. This study of the weekly Torah portion, led by Rabbi Melanie Aron, will be illuminating for anyone who is interested in in-depth Torah study, regardless of their level of knowledge. These weekly discussions will be enriched by the use of the newly published Women’s Torah Commentary, which is by, but not just for, women. The study of the commentaries by well known Biblical commentator Nechama Leibowitz will be added to the discussion in the spring. Cost: free and open to the public. Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Contact: Rabbi Melanie Aron at 408.358.1751 ext 5 or rabbiaron@shirhadash.org.
Tot Shabbat. Third Saturday of the month, February 21 & March 21, 9:00 a.m. A morning service filled with songs, stories, snack and fun activities for young children. Cost: free. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.org or visit www.ptbe.org.
Tot Shabbat. Third Saturday of the month, 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.
Hebrew for Adults. Continuing Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Learn prayerbook Hebrew with teacher Patti Moskovitz. No prior knowledge of Hebrew necessary. Cost: call for details. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: Cindi Serbin at 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.org.
Grandparents Circle Course. Sunday evenings, March 22, April 5 & 19, 7:30 - 8:45 p.m.
Are your grandchildren being raised in an interfaith household? Would you like to share Judaism with them, without intruding or alienating yourself from your own child and from your son or daughter-in-law? Join us for a special 3-session program co-sponsored by the National Jewish Outreach Institute and led by Rabbi Melanie Aron and Jean Bronstein. Cost: free and open to everyone. Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Contact: for registration, Nadine at 415.358.1751 ext 5 or nadine@shirhadash.org; for information, Rabbi Aron at 358-1751 ext 4 or rabbiaron@shirhadash.org.
Interfaith Couples Workshop. Sundays, March 29, April 19 & May 17, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. The group provides a safe forum to explore and discuss all the issues couples who come together from different religious and ethnic backgrounds and traditions bring to their relationships. Our open and honest discussions promote greater understanding of the religious and cultural differences and commonalities, thereby leading to thoughtful decisions about religious life together. Co-led by Rabbi Melanie Aron and social worker Eleanor Intrator. Babysitting will be provided upon request. Cost: $15 for the series. Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. Contact: Rabbi Aron at 408.358.1751 ext 4 or rabbiaron@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
Beth Chaim's BASH “A Night at the Catskills.” Saturday, February 21, 6:00 p.m.
Our “Night in the Catskills” BASH will include schmoozing, drinking, hors d’oeuvre-ing; catered dinner, silent and live auctions, and so much more! Cost: $75/person, $150/couple. Beth Chaim Congregation, 1800 Holbrook Drive, Danville. Contact: Marilyn Feldman at fundraising@bethchaim.com; or the Beth Chaim office at 925.736.7146; or visit www.bethchaim.com.
Demystifying the Jewish Holidays – A Jewish Holiday Primer, Sunday, February 22 and Demystifying Passover, Sunday, March 15, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Part of the series Demystifying Judaism, a year-long course for newly-engaged Jews, non-Jewish spouses and the Jews who love them, Jews-by-choice, and for anyone who has a question about Jewish ritual, practice or faith. Bagels, coffee, and tea will be provided. Series meets one Sunday a month; visit www.bethemek.org for complete schedule of dates. Cost: free. Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. Contact: 925.931.1055, bethemek@bethemek.org, or fax 925.931.1054.
Ongoing Events
Beth Emek Preschool. Morning slots available, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Developmentally appropriate play-based program offering a warm, secure and stimulating Jewish environment in which children are free to explore and learn. Children aged 2 years 9 months to 5 years old are welcome. Shabbat and Jewish holidays are marked with stories, songs, and crafts. Serving families in Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore and San Ramon. Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. Contact: Mel at 925.931.1055 ext 21 or visit www.bethemek.org.
Tot Shabbat. Friday mornings, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. This playgroup, geared towards children ages birth to preschool, meets once a week when our preschool is in session. Activities include free play along with Shabbat or Jewish holiday themed projects, including coloring or use of play dough. Beverages and snacks are provided. Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. Contact: totshabbat@bethemek.org or 925.931.1055.
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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