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
Chosen Family: A Discussion Series for LGBT and Queer Interfaith Couples. Seven weekly sessions, continuing Monday, January 5 and 12, 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. Join us for discussions about relationships, creating meaningful ritual and community, and discover new ways to address important and often sensitive issues that arise. Couples of all genders, races, ethnicities and religions are welcome. Facilitated by Karen Erlichman, LCSW and Helena McMahon, LMFT. Cost: call for cost. JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., SF (at Presidio). Contact: Helena McMahon at 415.292.1252 or hmcmahon@jccsf.org. http://www.jccsf.org.
Judaism University. Spring session runs January – 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.
Back to Basics. Sundays, January 25; February 1, 8; March 15, 22, 29. 9:30 a.m. – 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.
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
Grandparents Circle. Tuesdays, January 6 - February 10, 10:00- 11:30 a.m. Are you a Jewish grandparent whose grandchildren are being raised in an interfaith home? Discussion group to learn skills and techniques that will enable you to share Judaism with your grandchildren in an interesting and engaging way, while being supportive of your adult children and their choices. Cost: free. Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City. Contact: Ellen Lefkowitz at 650.378.2672 or visit our website.
Bagels, Lox and Learning. Sunday, January 11, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join members of Keddem Congregation for bagels, lox, coffee and schmoozing followed by a lecture or discussion at 10:30. Cost: $5.00 suggested donation. Kehillah Jewish High School, Multipurpose Room, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Contact: BLL@Keddem.org, 650.494.6400, or visit our website.
Children’s Services for Shabbat, Saturday, January 17, 11:00 a.m. A special Shabbat service just for kids at Keddem Congregation. Kehillah Jewish High School - Multipurpose Room, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Contact: Matt at children_chair@keddem.org or 650.494.6400; or visit our website.
Shabbat Morning Services Saturday, January 17, 10:00 a.m. Keddem Congregation welcomes interfaith families and couples. Kehillah Jewish High School, Beit Midrash, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Contact: Lynn at 650.494.6400 or ritual_chair@keddem.org; or visit our website.
Mitzvah Day. Monday, January 19. Join us for our 2nd annual Mitzvah Day – a day of service – honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Projects are geared toward all ages so that families and friends can work side by side. Choose from a wide variety of activities, including meal preparation at homeless shelters, environmental clean-up, visiting residents of a senior center, tree planting, and building affordable housing. Times and locations vary. Please register in advance at www.paloaltojcc.org/mitzvah. Cost: Free! Contact: Jane-Rachel Schonbrun at jschonbrun@paloaltojcc.org or 650.852.3502.
Feast of Jewish Learning: 11th Annual South Peninsula Night of Jewish Unity. Saturday, January 31, 7:00 p.m. Havdallah; 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.classes. Join the entire South Peninsula Jewish community for an evening of classes, workshops and schmoozing. Explore a range of Jewish perspectives on the exciting theme, "Lost and Found." Teachers include rabbis, scholars and educators. Special programs in Hebrew and Russian. Cost: Free. Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. Contact: Michelle Rosengaus at mrosengaus@paloaltojcc.org or 650.852.3516. Visit www.paloaltojcc.org/feast for detailed class information.
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.
Ongoing Events
Monthly Torah Study with Keddem Congregation. Fourth Saturday of the month, January 24, 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.
Shabbat Hallelu . . . Erev Shabbat Hallelu Service. First Friday of the month, 6:15 p.m. Sway and pray to the music of Elana Jagoda and the all-new Hallelu Band. Cost: Free. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: Cindi Serbin at 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.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, 9:00 a.m. A morning service filled with songs, stories, snack and fun activities. Cost: Free. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: Sigal Kletter at 650.341.7701.
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. Thursdays, beginning January 8, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Learn prayerbook Hebrew with teacher, Patti Moskovitz. No prior knowledge of Hebrew necessary. Cost: for details. Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Contact: Cindi Serbin at 650.341.7701 or cserbin@ptbe.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
Ruach Service. Friday, January 9, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Celebrate Shabbat together with our brand new Bimah Band. Many talented members of the congregation, adults & teens alike, will join Cantor Bella Bogart on the bimah for this entirely musical, hour-long Erev Shabbat service. Cost: Free. Beth Chaim Congregation, 1800 Holbrook Dr, Danville.
Jewish Bedtime Rituals for Very Young Children . . .and Those Who Love Them. Sunday, January 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Join other families to enjoy warm and loving bedtime rituals. You'll leave with ideas about ways you can create your own Jewish bedtime rituals at home. Open to all children age 0-5 years and their grown-ups – whether you're Jewish or just curious. Feel free to invite friends who might be interested! Led by early childhood specialist Mimi Greisman. Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty St, El Cerrito (near El Cerrito Plaza and BART station). Contact: for info and to RSVP, Rabbi Bridget at 510.559.8140 or rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org. For directions visit www.jewishgateways.org.
Demystifying Worship II. Sunday, January 11, 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 orange juice will be provided. Series meets one Sunday a month; attend single sessions or complete series. Visit www.bethemek.org for complete schedule of dates. Cost: free. Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. Contact: 925.931.1055 or bethemek@bethemek.org; or fax 925.931.1054.
Who is a Jew? And Why? Friday, January 23, 6:15 p.m. Are Jews born, or made? Can you choose to be Jewish? All are welcome. Candle lighting and dinner followed by a lively, interactive discussion on who is a Jew, why, and who gets to decide. 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, El Cerrito (near El Cerrito Plaza and BART station). Contact: Rabbi Bridget Wynne at 510.559.8140 or rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org. www.jewishgateways.org.
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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