Welcome to our page, Bay Area Jewish Sites!
There are lots of "Jewish places" in the San Francisco Bay Area. Of course, there are the synagogues. If you've never been inside a synagogue, here are some pictures of local ones.
Other Jewish places are Jewish Community Centers, book/Judaica stores, and the mikvah. We want to share photos of the local Bay Area Jewish community.
Other Jewish places are Jewish Community Centers, book/Judaica stores, and the mikvah. We want to share photos of the local Bay Area Jewish community.
Temple Isaiah, Lafayette
Temple Isaiah is a Reform congregation in Lafayette in Contra Costa County.Their rabbis are warm and approachable. If you are interested in attending services and learning about Judaism, take a look at their website or contact us for more info.
Here you see the entrance to the sanctuary.
Rabbi Shanks blesses kids under tallitot at Simchat Torah
The Community Mikvah of Silicon Valley in Los Gatos
The community Mikvah is located at the JCC in Los Gatos, California at 14855 Oka Road, at the Levy Family Campus, and is available to anyone with a legitimate need for ritual immersion for conversion or other Jewish community reasons. In fact, free tours of the facility are offered by the Mikvah Guides. Just contact Jan Rose, the Mikvah Coordinator, at mikvah@jvalley.org, 1-408-357-7444, for information and/or an appointment.
While it is customary to give tzedakah (a charitable contribution) when visiting the mikvah (conversion use is listed at $54), no one is turned away due to inability to make a contribution.
You can see from the first two photos that the mikvah is nice and clean, and, although small, is deep enough for total immersion. The mikvah is kosher, and its process is supervised by a rabbi. They honor the full diversity of the Jewish community.
The third photo shows that there is a shower present so that you can totally cleanse yourself before immersing in the mikvah.
The East Bay JCC at Berkeley
The San Francisco Mikvah
Thanks to Tara for the photo.
Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills
Thanks to Omar for this photo, which shows him in Congregation Beth Am's small chapel with three rabbis during his conversion ceremony.
Palo Alto JCC
This is the swimming pool at the JCC. Ah, summer!
San Francisco JCC
The first photo shows the SFJCC lobby; the second photo shows the Dayenu Judaica gift shop.
Osher Marin JCC
The inside of the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center.
Congregation B'nai Shalom, Walnut Creek
B’nai Shalom is the only Conservative congregation in Contra Costa County. They are a warm, family-centered community. We have sent students to their rabbis for many years and we’re proud to see people of different races and gender expressions becoming Jews there.
The first photo below is of kids reading from the Torah. The second photo is from a women's program at B'nai Shalom that Dawn attended with the delightful congregants.
The first photo below is of kids reading from the Torah. The second photo is from a women's program at B'nai Shalom that Dawn attended with the delightful congregants.
Congregation B'nai Tikvah, Walnut Creek
B'nai Tikvah is a Reform synagogue. They welcome people to explore Judaism. Their rabbi, Rebecca Gutterman, is available for a chat. Just contact the synagogue.
B'nai Tikvah is a Reform synagogue. They welcome people to explore Judaism. Their rabbi, Rebecca Gutterman, is available for a chat. Just contact the synagogue.
Temple Sinai, Oakland
The first picture shows the inside of the Sanctuary; the second photo shows a class being conducted in the 3rd floor Library; the third photo shows the front of the Albers Chapel; the fourth photo shows the back of the Chapel.
Afikomen
Afikomen, the Judaica shop in Berkeley. The store is owned by Chaim & Nell Mahgel-Friedman, a traditionally observant couple who are warm, friendly and very knowledgeable. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Their phone number is (510) 655-1977.
Lehrhaus Judaica - Adult Jewish Education
Many of you have come in this entrance to take a Lehrhaus class. Explore their classes online here.
The East Bay Mikvah at Beth Jacob
We visited the East Bay mikvah recently, the ritual bath used in conversion in almost all cases, at Beth Jacob synagogue in Oakland. As Beth Jacob's rabbi, Rabbi Dardik tells us, the synagogue was really built around the mikvah, and after its construction, because "you can study anywhere." All East Bay synagogues -- Reform, Conservative, and Renewal -- use this mikvah.
Here are three photos showing the mikvah. The first (far left) is the anteroom, where the members of the beit din will wait, as well as family, when you immerse yourself under the water three times and say the blessings. In that photo, and especially in the 2nd photo (center), you can see the bathroom straight ahead; if undergoing conversion, you will wash yourself thoroughly before entering the water. And finally, the 3rd photo (far right) shows the mikvah itself. The waters of the mikvah are warmed so that it's not an unpleasant experience -- and it takes two days to warm it properly. (The mikvah is shown with the cover still on, a cover which will be removed prior to your entering the pool of water.)
Here are three photos showing the mikvah. The first (far left) is the anteroom, where the members of the beit din will wait, as well as family, when you immerse yourself under the water three times and say the blessings. In that photo, and especially in the 2nd photo (center), you can see the bathroom straight ahead; if undergoing conversion, you will wash yourself thoroughly before entering the water. And finally, the 3rd photo (far right) shows the mikvah itself. The waters of the mikvah are warmed so that it's not an unpleasant experience -- and it takes two days to warm it properly. (The mikvah is shown with the cover still on, a cover which will be removed prior to your entering the pool of water.)
Take a Look at San Francisco Bay Area JCCs
What's a JCC? The acronym stands for Jewish Community College, and they're scattered around the Bay Area. JCCs are non-synagogue places for Jewish activities. They have a constant stream of classes and activities for adults and kids, including during the summer. Many even have fitness facilities. Take a look at what they have to offer.
The JCC East Bay - Berkeley branch is at 1414 Walnut St., Oakland Branch is at 5811 Racine Street.
The Oshman JCC - 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
JCC San Francisco - 3200 California Street, SF
Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC) - 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City
Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael - 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Silicon Valley - 14855 Oka Rd., Los Gatos
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
What's a JCC? The acronym stands for Jewish Community College, and they're scattered around the Bay Area. JCCs are non-synagogue places for Jewish activities. They have a constant stream of classes and activities for adults and kids, including during the summer. Many even have fitness facilities. Take a look at what they have to offer.
The JCC East Bay - Berkeley branch is at 1414 Walnut St., Oakland Branch is at 5811 Racine Street.
The Oshman JCC - 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
JCC San Francisco - 3200 California Street, SF
Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC) - 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City
Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael - 200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Silicon Valley - 14855 Oka Rd., Los Gatos
_______________________________________________________________________________________________