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.
Some Current Activities Around the Bay
Israeli Dancing
Great exercise! Great fun! Great chance to meet new people! Put on your dancin' shoes and come to our free Israeli dance class! This week, Loui Tucker will be leading the class. No dance experience necessary and we welcome everyone from the community to join in the fun.
Date: Tuesday, July 1
Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Place: Temple Emanu-el, 1010 University Ave., San Jose
Sign up here
Shabba-BBQ
July 4th and 1st Friday go hand-in-hand this year! Celebrate both in community; with a festive BBQ dinner (sign up to bring a non-dairy side dish to share).
There will be outdoor games (cornhole, anyone?) and all are welcome, so bring your friends and family!
Bring an instrument if you play, or just listen to Shabbat Unplugged into the evening.
5pm: Jr. Jews
5:45pm: Pre-Oneg
6:15pm: Shabbat Services*
Community BBQ Dinner & Shabbat Unplugged to follow
Date: July 4
Time: Starts at 5pm
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael and Virtual
RSVP FOR POTLUCK
Erev Shabbat Summer Outdoor Service
Join us for Kabbalat Shabbat services in our beautiful Outdoor Chapel. In July and August, as is the Beth Am tradition, the divrei Torah will be given by Beth Am members or invited guests.
Please be sure to bring your own water bottle, sunscreen and hat, as needed.
After the service we will gather on the Social Hall Patio for a Dessert Oneg!
Date: Friday, July 4
Time: 6:15 - 7:30pm
Place: Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Details
Art as a Way Through Grief & Loss
Artists Sarah Cohen and Ellen Weinstein will join Rabbi Elana Rosen-Brown and Rabbi Alyson Solomon to talk about how art can get us through the toughest of times. We will hear from artists whose works are part of our exhibit Jewish Artists on Mental Health, on display in the JCC Gallery from July 6, 2025 – September 28, 2025. Then, together, we will study a bit of Jewish wisdom on grief, loss and explore themes of art and wholeness. Come add your voice and experience to the conversation. Melodies, tea and treats provided to keep things cozy.
Date: Wednesday, July 16
Time: 3:00 pm–4:15 pm
Place: Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Free, all are welcome.
Register here
Fun-tastic Friday with Sean's Music Factory
Join us for Friday family fun as we sing and dance to welcome the weekend with Sean's Music Factory at the Oshman Family JCC. This FREE event will be a blast for the whole family!
Sean Mendelson, aka "Teacher Sean" is a singer/songwriter, recording artist and Music Together/Kids Sing Teacher. The band, Sean's Music Factory, is made up of Sean Mendelson, Puppet Sean and the audience. Yes, that means you!
For families with children under 6.
Date: Friday, July 18
Time: 4:15-5:15pm
Place: Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way Palo Alto
Free
Details
Sinai Green Accessible Havdalah Hike
We'll follow a paved path to a picnic area for a short musical service followed by potluck snacks. Please bring food or drink to share if you are able. Please register so we can meet your needs and plan appropriately, or contact you in case we need to cancel or provide additional information. Directions and specific location will be sent upon registration
Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 5:30pm
Location Provided Upon Registration
Sponsored by Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Register here
Israeli Dancing
Great exercise! Great fun! Great chance to meet new people! Put on your dancin' shoes and come to our free Israeli dance class! This week, Loui Tucker will be leading the class. No dance experience necessary and we welcome everyone from the community to join in the fun.
Date: Tuesday, July 1
Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Place: Temple Emanu-el, 1010 University Ave., San Jose
Sign up here
Shabba-BBQ
July 4th and 1st Friday go hand-in-hand this year! Celebrate both in community; with a festive BBQ dinner (sign up to bring a non-dairy side dish to share).
There will be outdoor games (cornhole, anyone?) and all are welcome, so bring your friends and family!
Bring an instrument if you play, or just listen to Shabbat Unplugged into the evening.
5pm: Jr. Jews
5:45pm: Pre-Oneg
6:15pm: Shabbat Services*
Community BBQ Dinner & Shabbat Unplugged to follow
Date: July 4
Time: Starts at 5pm
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael and Virtual
RSVP FOR POTLUCK
Erev Shabbat Summer Outdoor Service
Join us for Kabbalat Shabbat services in our beautiful Outdoor Chapel. In July and August, as is the Beth Am tradition, the divrei Torah will be given by Beth Am members or invited guests.
Please be sure to bring your own water bottle, sunscreen and hat, as needed.
After the service we will gather on the Social Hall Patio for a Dessert Oneg!
Date: Friday, July 4
Time: 6:15 - 7:30pm
Place: Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Details
Art as a Way Through Grief & Loss
Artists Sarah Cohen and Ellen Weinstein will join Rabbi Elana Rosen-Brown and Rabbi Alyson Solomon to talk about how art can get us through the toughest of times. We will hear from artists whose works are part of our exhibit Jewish Artists on Mental Health, on display in the JCC Gallery from July 6, 2025 – September 28, 2025. Then, together, we will study a bit of Jewish wisdom on grief, loss and explore themes of art and wholeness. Come add your voice and experience to the conversation. Melodies, tea and treats provided to keep things cozy.
Date: Wednesday, July 16
Time: 3:00 pm–4:15 pm
Place: Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Free, all are welcome.
Register here
Fun-tastic Friday with Sean's Music Factory
Join us for Friday family fun as we sing and dance to welcome the weekend with Sean's Music Factory at the Oshman Family JCC. This FREE event will be a blast for the whole family!
Sean Mendelson, aka "Teacher Sean" is a singer/songwriter, recording artist and Music Together/Kids Sing Teacher. The band, Sean's Music Factory, is made up of Sean Mendelson, Puppet Sean and the audience. Yes, that means you!
For families with children under 6.
Date: Friday, July 18
Time: 4:15-5:15pm
Place: Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way Palo Alto
Free
Details
Sinai Green Accessible Havdalah Hike
We'll follow a paved path to a picnic area for a short musical service followed by potluck snacks. Please bring food or drink to share if you are able. Please register so we can meet your needs and plan appropriately, or contact you in case we need to cancel or provide additional information. Directions and specific location will be sent upon registration
Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 5:30pm
Location Provided Upon Registration
Sponsored by Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Register here
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.