Welcome to our What's New page! What's New covers events around the San Francisco Bay Area that may be of interest to those who want to learn more about Judaism. We update this page daily.
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Lehrhaus Judaica Fall 2012 Catalog now online!
Check out the Lehrhaus catalog for Judaism classes in the Fall, especially the Intro and language classes. Start at their homepage.
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Tot Shabbat
Welcome Shabbat with other young families! Each month we will have a special half-hour Shabbat service geared to families with children six and under. Come join us for singing, games, and fun! All are welcome; bring your friends.
Date: Once a month; Classes remaining: Feb. 17, Mar. 16, Apr. 20, May 18 & June 25
Time: 6 to 6:30pm
Place: B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
www.bnaishalom.org
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Imagine the Jewish Future
With Diane TobinWorldwide, the number of Jews is stagnant. Decimated by the Inquisition, the Holocaust, high intermarriage rates and low birth rates, Jews now comprise only 0.2% of the world’s people. In focusing our attention on traditional demographic models and Eastern European definitions of Jewish behavior and belonging, we miss out on the ways in which communities and individuals are Jewish in the modern world. Join us on our journey as we discover some of our lesser-known fellow Jews around the world and explore the multicultural reality that is American Jewry today.
Diane Tobin is the founder of Be’chol Lashon (In Every Tongue) whose mission is to grow and strengthen the Jewish people through ethnic, cultural, and racial inclusiveness.
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
$18 Please register here: http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/course/2012/winter/A300-TS/
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Conversations about Conversion
Come join the dialogue and explore conversion. Bring your spouse or partner along. Jews-by-Choice are invited to come discuss post-conversion issues and share their experiences.
Free and open to the public.
Dates: Thursdays, dates remaining Feb. 23, March 22, & April 26, 6 to 7:30pm
Location: Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., San Francisco
For more information contact Lisa Hoelle at 415-346-1720 x24 or lhoelle@sherithisrael.org
Led by Maurice Kramins. Maurice created the conversation group while mentoring a conversion student three years ago. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
An Introduction to Islam for Jews
With scholar-in-residence Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Ph.D.
Still Left in the series:
How Do We See Each Other?
Sunday, March 25, 4pm
Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
Jews and Muslims in Dialogue
Sunday, April 29, 4pm
Beth Chaim, 1800 Holbrook Dr., Danville
Admission to each event is $18
To register go to this website or call 510-318-6453.
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L'Mazeltov: Childbirth Classes with a Jewish Twist
Meet other expectant parents, learn about labor and delivery, self-care, choosing physicians, and how to see the new parent world through Jewish eyes. Professionals in the field will join class coordinator Jessica Weiss to teach and to answer your questions. Our rabbis and cantor of will bring the Jewish component through presentations and "Ask the Rabbi/Cantor?" opportunities. This exceptional program complements traditional childbirth education classes by providing important prenatal information within a Jewish family context.
Date: Remaining dates are Sundays through April 1, 2012
Time: 4:00-6:00 pm
Place: Temple Isaiah, in the Adult Lounge, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
Cost: $130 per couple for Temple Isaiah members; $180.00 per couple for non-members. Includes L'Mazeltov Book, snacks, and all course materials.
Register here: http://bit.ly/x6DEpM
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Jewish Identity Development for Multiracial Jews
Children experience life quite differently than adults. We will address what it is like to grow up Jewish if you don’t look Jewish. What comments and behaviors impact a multiracial child’s sense of their Jewishness? What happens to a child whose Jewish parent is ambivalent about their own Jewish identity? We will discuss what we can do/say to support those around us and will contemplate when is silence golden.
Join Dr. Jerry Diller, emeritus professor at The Wright Institute in Berkeley and psychotherapist who has focused extensively on identity development for multiracial people, and Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, rabbi at Temple Sinai and a Chinese Jew, in conversation about developing healthy and happy identities in multiracial families and communities. Dawn Kepler of Building Jewish Bridges will moderate the conversation and facilitate Q&A from the audience.
Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 7:30 – 9:00 pm
$18, please register here: http://catalog.lehrhaus.org/course/2012/winter/A350-TS/
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Shalom Baby 2012
Create lasting friendships for you AND your baby. This is a weekly playgroup and a parenting class all in one! Becoming a parent is a monumental milestone, marked by joy and unexpected challenges. Join us as we explore and share helpful skills with other parents in our Emanu-El community.
Topics to be discussed include adjusting to parenthood, negotiating family roles, establishing positive and consistent routines, incorporating Jewish ritual into family life and finding a healthy balance as a parent. Your baby will enjoy age appropriate toys, music, stories and games. The classes will be facilitated by our Mishpacha (Family) Programs Coordinator, Leslie Ticktin, as well as specialists in music, art and other areas.
Shalom Baby is geared toward babies 2 months to 18 months of age.
Date: Wednesdays, February 1 to April 4
Time: 9:30 – 11:00am
Place: Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., San Francisco
Cost: $125 for members; $175 for non-members. Space is limited.
Register online: http://www.emanuelsf.org/register
Questions? Lticktin@emanuelsf.org or 415-751-2541 x167
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Telling Interfaith Stories
A Writing Workshop with Rebecca Spence
As the products of interfaith families, we have unique stories to tell. Join writer Rebecca Spence for a four-week workshop in which we'll give voice to our experience. Through weekly discussions and creative writing exercises, we'll explore the themes and narrative threads that arise when we allow ourselves the space. Born to an interfaith family herself, Rebecca is keenly aware of the particular sensitivities and conflicts that can arise within ourselves, as well as in our families and Jewish communities, when we negotiate identity. The story-telling process itself, regardless of experience level as a writer, can be healing, and sometimes cathartic. By the end of the workshop, you can expect to have completed a solid draft of your story.
Date: Thursdays, February 2 - February 23
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Place: Lehrhaus Judaica, 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Cost: $40
Register here: http://bit.ly/rpRqEg
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Hebrew classes by Lehrhaus
Check the Lehrhaus website for times, dates and cost; these items were recently promoted in their weekly email:
Modern Hebrew Level A
Tuesdays, Jan 31 - Apr 10
Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills
Instructor: Oma Morad
Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Prayerbook/Biblical Hebrew
Sundays, Feb 5 - Apr 1
Lehrhaus Judaica/Netivot Shalom, Berkeley
Instructor: Jehon Grist
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What Color Are Jews?
A Series of Panels October 2011 through March 2012 at Temple Sinai, Oakland
Join us for a series to discuss the issue, What Color Are Jews? All panels are at Temple Sinai in Oakland.
Those remaining programs:
Remaining on the schedule:February 22, Tuesday at 7:30pm - Imagine the Jewish Future: Global Judaism in the 21st Century - $18, FREE for members
March 28, Wednesday at 7:30pm - Jewish Identity Development for Multiracial Jews - $18, FREE for members
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Those remaining programs:
Remaining on the schedule:February 22, Tuesday at 7:30pm - Imagine the Jewish Future: Global Judaism in the 21st Century - $18, FREE for members
March 28, Wednesday at 7:30pm - Jewish Identity Development for Multiracial Jews - $18, FREE for members
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Got music? Temple Sinai in Oakland has made their CDs of shabbat and prayer music available to all of us on their website.
Be Sure to Check Out Our Facebook Page.
We have ongoing discussions almost daily on the Facebook page of Becoming Jewish. Check out the link here. Be sure to "like" us when you go there!
