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Introduction to the Jewish Experience - Entry Point Coming Up Soon!

Intro to the Jewish Experience (Section 3) will begin on March 17th.  

Dates:  March 17, March 24, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, 2010
Location:  Temple Sinai at Merritt Campus in Oakland
Reserve your space through:  Lehrhaus Judaica at their website.
Taught by Rabbi Ruth Adar.  Visit her website devoted just to this class.
Subjects taught include:
Shabbat for the People; Kashrut & Jewish food; History - Medinat Ysrael, Yom HaZikaron, Yom KaAtzamaut (taught by Dr. Jehon Grist); Jewish Diversity: Movements & Beyond; Who's a Jew; Conversion to Judaism (panel); Jewish Institutions:  Synagogue, Federation & Alef-Bet Soup; Shavuot; Judaism, Christianity & Islam; Tisha B'Av & the High Holy Days; Ask the Rabbi.

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East Bay Jewish Forum
EBJF is sponsoring a series of lectures on Jewish topics at 10am on Thursday mornings.

Time:  10am on Thursdays
Semester 2 is at Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Avenue, San Leandro
Cost:  $10 per lecture at the door

Future lecture topics are:
March 11:  The Jews of Cuba
Rabbi Steven Chester, Temple Sinai - held at Temple Beth Sholom, San Leandro

March 18:  Screening and Discussion of the Film, "Passover Fever"
Riva Gambert, Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay - held at Temple Beth Sholom, San Leandro

March 25:  Inside the IDF:  One Soldier's Story
Tomer Zur, Shallach, Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay - held at Temple Beth Sholom, San Leandro

The East Bay Jewish Forum is presented by The Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay's Center for Jewish Living and Learning.  In partnership with:  Beth Jacob Congregation, Temple Beth Abraham, Temple Beth Sholom, and Temple Sinai.

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Songs of Freedom

Featuring songs of freedom from both the Jewish and Episcopal traditions.  This musical service features Temple Sinai's own Adult Choir and the St. Mark's Episcopal Church Choir under the direction of Temple Sinai's organist, George Anton Emblom.  You will not want to miss this 100-voice choir singing in the Sinai sanctuary.

Date:  March 12
Time:  7:30pm
Location:  Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland

For more info, call the Temple Sinai office at (510) 451-3263.

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Torah Vs. Science

Our innovative new series of Sunday morning talks is Exploring the World of Judaism.  

FREE
Date:  Topic on March 14 is Torah vs. Science:  How do we reconcile ancient and modern claims on truth? with Rabbi Sheldon Lewis, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Kol Emeth, Palo Alto

Date:  March 14
Time:  10am to Noon
Location:  In the Labe' Lounge at Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., San Francisco
For more info, call (415) 246-1720

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A Taste of Freedom:  No-Experience-Necessary Shabbat Dinner

In preparation for Passover, we will share a no-experience-necessary Shabbat dinner that includes favorite Passover foods.  We'll explore their meanings, and send you home with recipes.  Feel free to invite friends who might enjoy this event?


Date:  Friday, March 19
Time:  6:15pm
Location:  Jewish Gateways' cozy home near El Cerrito Plaza and BART station
Childcare:  Free by reservation
Reservations:  http://www.jewishgateways.org/events/2010/mar/19/taste-freedom

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Tot Shabbat

Jonathan Bayer, the rock star for the pre-school crowd, will be using movement and song to introduce young children to Shabbat morning services.  Come with your child or grandchild and learn developmentally appropriate Jewish rituals and prayers that you can take home.  Hear an interactive story and experience Shabbat in a new way, whether you are new to Jewish prayer or ready to help Jonathan lead!  No RSVP necessary. Everyone welcome!

Date:  1st and 3rd Saturdays, starting March 20
Time:  9:30 - 10:15am
Location:  Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
www.rodefsholom.org

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The 25th Jewish Music Festival

Dates:  March 20 thru 29 & July 

Take a look at their website for all the information.

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Passover Seder Idea Swap
Come and share Passover seder ideas with Rabbi Dan and your friends.  Bring a few of your best ideas for making the seder a memorable experience.  Or just come and ask questions, take notes, and leave with some sure-fire winner ideas for a great seder!  Rabbi Dan will bring a variety of Haggadot to look over and will share ideas from some of his best seder experiences.Date:  Sunday, March 21
Time:  9:30 to 11am
Location:  Beth Chaim, 1800 Holbrook Drive, Danville
For more info, call (925) 736-7146

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Something's Cooking Under the Dome 

Ongoing classes taught by guest cooks at Congregation Sherith Israel:
March 21:      Jacalyn Kornblatt, Passover Cooking
Time:    10am to noon
Place:   Congregation Sherith Israel . 2266 California Street (@ Webster) San Francisco , CA 94115 .

Fee: Per class: $8 members/ $10 nonmembers; Series: $36 members/$45 nonmembers. For more information call Sherith Israel at 415-346-1720, x30.


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Midrash at Tea Pod (Note change of description)
with Rabbi Noa Kushner
Using Aviva Zornberg, Nehama Leibowitz and others, this class will study Torah and midrash with the aim of finding meaning(s).  No experience necessary.

Dates:   Tuesdays, last one March 23 
Time:    12 noon - 1pm
Place:   Teapod Tea Bar, 701 San Anselmo Ave. San Anselmo

RSVP to Pete at pete@rodefsholom.org.

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Temple Sinai's Community Seder

Ma nishtana halayla hazeh mikol halaylot?  Why is this night different from all other nights?  Because on this night you will be celebrating Passover with Temple Sinai!  Join Rabbi Steven Chester and Cantor Ilene Keys as we retell the story of Passover, enjoy delicious foods catered by Z Cafe, meet new friends, and sing!  Doors open at 5:30pm at Z Cafe (28th & Webster Streets across from the Sanctuary).  Seats are limited and last year we sold out!

Date:  Tuesday, March 30
Time:  6:00pm
Location:  Z Cafe

Please purchase your tickets early.  No reservations will be taken after Friday, March 19th.  You can purchase tickets online at www.oaklandsinai.org.  Please contact Gabby if you have any questions at (510) 451-3263 x211.

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Second Night Community Seder in Redwood City 

Everyone is invited to join us for Congregation Beth Jacob Family Seder.  Please make your reservation through the Beth Jacob website:  http://www.bethjacobrwc.org/secondnightcommunityseder.htmlPlease RSVP by March 23.Date:  Tuesday, March 30Time:  5:45pmLocation:  Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood CityInfo:  (650) 366-8481

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Passover without Miracles

Come for a community potluck seder featuring an English-language progressive Secular haggadah highlighting the power of community and the value of freedom.  The seder, led by Secular Rabbi Judith Seid, author of God-Optional Judaism, includes traditional Passover songs as well as freedom songs from the Civil Rights movement and Yiddish songs of resistance.Date:  Saturday, April 3Time:  5pmLocation:  Bothwell Center, 2466 8th Street in LivermoreReservations are required.  To reserve a space and choose a potluck assignment, please call (510) 888-1404 or email Reservations@EastBayCulturalJews.org.  There is a requested donation of $10/adult (over 13) for non-members of Tri-Valley Cultural Jews.

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Community Dinner on Shabbat

Join the JCC of the East Bay in Berkeley every other month during the school year for our Community Dinner on Shabbat! This is a great chance to relax, chat, and have someone else bring the food and watch the kids.The meal is catered and vegetarian, and child supervision is provided by the great staff from JCC Afterschool Program. We begin with a little time for songs and prayers, and then dig right in for the Shabbat festivities.
Date:    Next Shabbat Dinner is April 16Time:    6:00pm - 8:00pm.Place:   JCC of the East Bay , 1414 Walnut St. , BerkeleyCost:    $15 adults/$7 children in advance, $18 adults/$10 children at the door.

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Judaism in a Nutshell

Join in this student-driven discussion class led by Rabbi Berlin. During the course of the year we will learn on topics suggested by the class. This is your opportunity to have almost all of your Jewish questions answered. Bring yourselves and any Jewish questions.

Date:    Tuesdays, last session May 4
Time:    4:30pm to 5:30pm
Place:   Temple Sinai's Merritt Village, at Merritt College, 12500 Campus View Dr., Oakland

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4 Days, 2 Wheels, 1 Community
Hazon California Bike Ride

Date:  Mother's Day weekend, May 7 - 10, 2010

Ride 80 - 120 miles over two days on a beautiful scenic route from Sonoma to San Francisco. Hazon is the largest environmental organization in the American Jewish community.  We are working to transform Jewish life and create a more sustainable world for all.  

For more info, write CAride@hazon.org or call 415-990-0644

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This class is free and was put together for members of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland.  But read it - it was so perfect for people who are working to increase their Jewish skills.  I emailed Outi and asked if non-members could come.  She said, sure!  I have put her contact info in bold italics.  If you have questions, email her.  Or just go, tell her I sent you (Dawn).  She only knows me through email but her rabbi, Rabbi Mark Bloom, knows me well.  SO GO!

How to Do Shabbat at Home

It is not too late to join our beginners' class to learn how to "do Shabbat" at home on Friday nights.  This class is geared for beginners -- those whose Friday night routines do not yet include a family Shabbat dinner; who may not be comfortable reading the Hebrew or chanting the tunes; who may not know what you should do and in what order. We practice everything until all feel competent enough to lead the rituals at home even if they have never done so before. We will even set a table and talk about menus.
A small group started today with a first run through the candle blessings, Shalom Alechem, and family blessings, and we welcome you to join us as we repeat those next Sunday morning, 11 AM in the Chapel. In the next few weeks, we will continue on to Kiddush, hand washing, and motzi. You will go home with a handy little Erev Shabbat booklet that you can use as a mini bencher at home. - This class does not include Birkat HaMazon. That is a whole other class!
FREE
For questions or more info, please e-mail me at o.gould@comcast.net. 
Advance sign-up is nice so I can print enough booklets, but it is not required. Just come!
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