Welcome to our What's New page! Here we list events around the San Francisco Bay Area that are of interest to those who want to learn more about Judaism.
Basic Judaism Class in San Leandro
Jewish Roots and Branches: Jewish learning for curious adults
Designed for adults who had little or no Jewish education in their formative years and would like to explore foundational Jewish topics and ideas in a sophisticated way.
Likely topics include Jewish holidays, core values/concepts, Tikkun Olam (repair of the world / Jewish social justice), and Jewish wisdom for living in times of social and ecological crisis. Additionally, expect little bites of Hebrew and little windows into the diversity of Jewish cultures throughout the world and throughout history.
I’m sorry to say I missed getting this out before the March meeting on the 9th, but you can easily jump in for the remaining sessions.
Dates: Sundays, April 6, April 27, May 18, & June 8
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Place: Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave, San Leandro
In order to RSVP you need to go to their website. Please click this link to RSVP.
Jewish Roots and Branches: Jewish learning for curious adults
Designed for adults who had little or no Jewish education in their formative years and would like to explore foundational Jewish topics and ideas in a sophisticated way.
Likely topics include Jewish holidays, core values/concepts, Tikkun Olam (repair of the world / Jewish social justice), and Jewish wisdom for living in times of social and ecological crisis. Additionally, expect little bites of Hebrew and little windows into the diversity of Jewish cultures throughout the world and throughout history.
I’m sorry to say I missed getting this out before the March meeting on the 9th, but you can easily jump in for the remaining sessions.
Dates: Sundays, April 6, April 27, May 18, & June 8
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
Place: Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave, San Leandro
In order to RSVP you need to go to their website. Please click this link to RSVP.
Some Current Activities Around the Bay
I love teachings that are aimed at kids! If a kid can master it, so can I! Here’s an online resource from PJ Library to learn to recite the four questions.
Teaching Kids to Say the Four Questions
Traditionally recited at the Seder by the youngest child present, the Four Questions, or Mah Nishtanah in Hebrew, ask about certain Passover rituals. Each question and its answer is printed below followed by fun videos your family can use to practice the Four Questions--and their answers--with your children. You'll also find tips for children who may be a little bit nervous about being in the spotlight.
Since asking questions is a key part of what makes the Seder so special, don't be shy about asking your own questions about Passover and seeking out answers with your kids as well.
Look here.
Gifts of the Land: Food in the Biblical World and Text
Discover the foods of the Biblical world and how they were produced. We’ll learn about farming in Biblical Israel and neighboring lands, and how the basic foods were processed from the crops. Then we’ll look into everything from cooking methods to the seasonings and other ingredients that made Biblical cuisine so flavorful. We’ll also explore the Biblical texts (in both Hebrew and English) that reveal not only the culinary tastes of the ancients, but the social and religious values imbedded in them. And yes, you’ll get some ancient recipes to try out at home.
Texts, notes and additional readings will be provided by the instructor, Jehon Grist.
9 sessions
Dates: Sundays, March 30, April 6, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1, 8
Time: 5:15-6:45pm
Place: Zoom
Cost: $115
See more information and a brief video
Tot Shabbat
The best family friendly Shabbat experience in Alameda for families with children ages 5 and under!
Music! Puppets! Stories! Holidays!
Dates: April 12, 2025
Time: 10:30am
Place: Temple Israel Courtyard, 3181 Mecartney Rd., Alameda
Free
Questions: [email protected]
I love teachings that are aimed at kids! If a kid can master it, so can I! Here’s an online resource from PJ Library to learn to recite the four questions.
Teaching Kids to Say the Four Questions
Traditionally recited at the Seder by the youngest child present, the Four Questions, or Mah Nishtanah in Hebrew, ask about certain Passover rituals. Each question and its answer is printed below followed by fun videos your family can use to practice the Four Questions--and their answers--with your children. You'll also find tips for children who may be a little bit nervous about being in the spotlight.
Since asking questions is a key part of what makes the Seder so special, don't be shy about asking your own questions about Passover and seeking out answers with your kids as well.
Look here.
Gifts of the Land: Food in the Biblical World and Text
Discover the foods of the Biblical world and how they were produced. We’ll learn about farming in Biblical Israel and neighboring lands, and how the basic foods were processed from the crops. Then we’ll look into everything from cooking methods to the seasonings and other ingredients that made Biblical cuisine so flavorful. We’ll also explore the Biblical texts (in both Hebrew and English) that reveal not only the culinary tastes of the ancients, but the social and religious values imbedded in them. And yes, you’ll get some ancient recipes to try out at home.
Texts, notes and additional readings will be provided by the instructor, Jehon Grist.
9 sessions
Dates: Sundays, March 30, April 6, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1, 8
Time: 5:15-6:45pm
Place: Zoom
Cost: $115
See more information and a brief video
Tot Shabbat
The best family friendly Shabbat experience in Alameda for families with children ages 5 and under!
Music! Puppets! Stories! Holidays!
Dates: April 12, 2025
Time: 10:30am
Place: Temple Israel Courtyard, 3181 Mecartney Rd., Alameda
Free
Questions: [email protected]
Online Learning Options
There are a LOT of online Jewish educational opportunities. Naturally, not all of them are good. Here are some that I trust.
New Lehrhaus
One of you mentioned that Lehrhaus is one of your favorite places to learn. I agree! This program, Becoming Jewish, originated at Lehrhaus Judaica as the result of a grant! Lehrhaus was founded by Fred Rosenbaum in 1974. It has morphed into New Lehrhaus and continues to offer stellar adult learning opportunities.
Valley Beit Midrash
Is an educational organization currently run by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. Classes typically cost $18.
Hadar
In person and online classes around the USA. This is the site where I find classes by Rabbi David Kasher. Rabbi Kasher was a the UC Berkeley Hillel rabbi for several years and worked upstairs from me when I was at Lehrhaus Judaica.
My Jewish Learning
This site has a wealth of information AND a newsletter with articles and workshops. Browse around it. I like that they have writers from different streams of Judaism so you get a broader view of Jewish thought and practice.
The Hub from My Jewish Learning
An email listing online classes. The downside is that they are always very short notice. So you have to check it on a day you know you'll be free. Still, there are some fun topics.
Aish
This site is Orthodox and offers a traditional view on Judaism. What I like is that it is a good foundational viewpoint on the Parsha and Jewish practice.
Jewfaq
This looks like a bare bones site - no pictures or fancy graphics. But it is phenomenal. A vast amount of information carefully spelled out. AND! Each page is ranked as: Gentile, Basic, Intermediate or Advanced. If you're finding a concept difficult then perhaps it is an Advanced page and you need to speak with your rabbi about it.
Send us YOUR suggestions for this list to [email protected]
New Lehrhaus
One of you mentioned that Lehrhaus is one of your favorite places to learn. I agree! This program, Becoming Jewish, originated at Lehrhaus Judaica as the result of a grant! Lehrhaus was founded by Fred Rosenbaum in 1974. It has morphed into New Lehrhaus and continues to offer stellar adult learning opportunities.
Valley Beit Midrash
Is an educational organization currently run by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. Classes typically cost $18.
Hadar
In person and online classes around the USA. This is the site where I find classes by Rabbi David Kasher. Rabbi Kasher was a the UC Berkeley Hillel rabbi for several years and worked upstairs from me when I was at Lehrhaus Judaica.
My Jewish Learning
This site has a wealth of information AND a newsletter with articles and workshops. Browse around it. I like that they have writers from different streams of Judaism so you get a broader view of Jewish thought and practice.
The Hub from My Jewish Learning
An email listing online classes. The downside is that they are always very short notice. So you have to check it on a day you know you'll be free. Still, there are some fun topics.
Aish
This site is Orthodox and offers a traditional view on Judaism. What I like is that it is a good foundational viewpoint on the Parsha and Jewish practice.
Jewfaq
This looks like a bare bones site - no pictures or fancy graphics. But it is phenomenal. A vast amount of information carefully spelled out. AND! Each page is ranked as: Gentile, Basic, Intermediate or Advanced. If you're finding a concept difficult then perhaps it is an Advanced page and you need to speak with your rabbi about it.
Send us YOUR suggestions for this list to [email protected]
Got a baby?
Get support from the Bay Area's Jewish Baby Network
Connect Today!
The JBN Newsletter says, "We would love for you and your family to become part of the Jewish Baby Network community. Please let us know a little bit about you so we can help you connect to other families and resources near you.
Our programs are designed for families with children aged 0 – 36 months. We welcome everyone, including non-affiliated, interfaith, multi-ethnic, single parent, and LGBTQ families.
Find your region here"
This is a lovely group; I encourage you to get in touch.