Dear Interfaith Families and Friends,
Getting Connected
This last week I made a series of calls to see how folks were doing. One person said, I just use your list of events, Dawn. I go and I participate.
Not everyone can do that. Several others told me different stories.
I don’t really like to go into a crowd where I don’t know anyone.
Our congregation is nice, but we haven’t really made friends yet.
I wish I could talk to someone one-on-one.
I confess, I’m the same way. I’m a people person. I prefer to go places with a friend. I like to have someone I know to sit next to, eat lunch with, go to the museum or park or movie. If you are trying to connect in a congregation, call me. After all these years at this job I know someone just about everywhere. I think it’s easier if you go to services with a potential friend. Maybe go out for lunch or coffee so you can talk about what it is you hope to find at the congregation.
One young woman told me that all she needed was that first family to sit with. They introduced her to a couple people. “The second time I went, I saw someone I already knew!”
You may not feel a connection in just two visits, but that’s OK, maybe you’ll go with a few different potential friends.
Gala Fundraiser for the East Bay JCC
The Jewish Community Center has always been a terrific place to go for interfaith families. The programs are inviting and diverse. I make it a policy NOT to put expensive events on this eletter and I avoid fundraisers unless they are mostly FUN. That said, I’m worried about the East Bay JCC and want it to continue. So if you love having fun, supporting a good cause, consider joining them for their benefit event.
The JCC’s primary programs are for YOUNG CHILDREN and SENIORS. You were once young and God willing, you’ll be old. These are two parts of our population that we are commanded to care for - no matter what your religion. If you have no religion, then I suspect you do it because you are a good person, plain and simple.
The fundraiser will be taking place on Sunday, September 14th at 5:30 at Temple Beth El in North Berkeley (Oxford between Rose and Eunice). To buy tickets ($100 or $75 for younger adults and preschool parents), call the JCC at (510) 848-0237, ext. 118 or visit the link from the JCC website at www.jcceastbay.org. There will be games (casino and non-casino options too), tapas, and libations. It will be lots of fun - they promise!
Is anyone a member of Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo? If you are, please email me at dawn@BuildingJewishBridges.org. I have a very unique issue that I need some help with. If you’re a multi-cultural or multi-racial couple, that would be extra good.
EVENTS
Picnic Fest (Oakland)
Jewish Meditation Sitting Group (San Mateo)
What do non-Jews want to know about Judaism? (San Francisco)
Preparing for the High Holidays (Lafayette)
Can Jews Who Don't Believe in Bible Stories Still Believe in God? (El Cerrito)
Young Family Shabbat Service (Los Altos)
Third Fridays Shabbat (San Rafael)
Picnic Fest
Pack a lunch and settle in for a performance by MOSHAV BAND; grab a glass for tasting some HAGAFEN WINES; and bring the kids for an animal show, face painting and puppetry.
While just about every Jewish organization will have a booth, make sure to stop by the LGBT Alliance booth, eat some wedding cake and learn about what the Jewish community is doing to stop Prop 8!
And it wouldn't be PicnicFest without free ice cream and beer! Please join us and a thousand of your neighbors at the East Bay's liveliest event.
Date: Sunday, September 7
Time: 11am to 4pm
Place: Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland
Jewish Meditation Sitting Group
Join us for the opening evening of the fifth year of Jewish meditation at Peninsula Temple Beth El. We are in the Or HaLev meditation room which is behind the bimah in the sanctuary. The evening will consist of two sits with a short teaching about the month of Elul in between. This meditation sitting group is ongoing and have four teachers who rotate. It periodically does not meet, due to Monday holidays and other scheduling conflicts at the temple, so if you are interested in being on the mailing list to be notified each week of the following week's sit, please email Lolli Freedman at lfreedman@ptbe.org to get on our mailing list. FREE.
Date: Monday September 8
Time: 7 - 8:15 pm
Place: Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda do las Pulgas, San Mateo
Wendy Lash is leading the opening evening. If you go, please tell her hello from me.
What do non-Jews want to know about Judaism?
--good answers to typical questions
Tea and Talk with Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe
Do your non-Jewish friends sometimes ask you questions about the Jewish faith? Jewish holidays? Do you sometimes feel you would like to have more concise answers?
Come to hear Rabbi Jaffe field questions and provide answers. Feel free to bring any questions you have gotten.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 10
Time: 1:00 pm
Place: Congregation Emanu-el, in the Martin Meyer Reception Room, 2 Lake St., San Francisco
RSVP to Frana at 415-751-2535.
Preparing for the High Holidays
Prepare is in the midst of community! Rabbi Graetz will be offering three sessions in the month of Elul to help you prepare for the holidays. The Talmud teaches: "Four things change a person's fate, namely tzedakah, crying out, changing one's name, and changing one's conduct... and some say: changing one's place." Through text, contemplation and conversation, Rabbi Graetz will guide you in exploring how the High Holy Days can become a transformative experience.
Dates: Thursdays, September 11, 18 and 25
Time: 7:15pm.
Place: Temple Isaiah, Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
For more information you can call Michael at (925) 283-8575.
Rabbi Graetz is one of those people you can’t help but fall in love with. He is from Argentina, speaks a bunch of languages, is charming and warm, also caring and brilliant. Go & enjoy. (Feel free to give him my love.)
Can Jews Who Don't Believe in Bible Stories Still Believe in God?
Maybe God didn't really part the Red Sea . . . or save Noah and his Ark. . . does that mean there is no God Jews can believe in? Join us to explore these questions, We will share a delicious, no-experience-necessary Shabbat dinner, eat, laugh, and learn. All are welcome.
Date: Friday, September 12.
Time: 6:15pm
Place: Jewish Gateways' cozy home near El Cerrito Plaza and BART station
Childcare: available by reservation
Space is limited, so RSVP is required.
Please contact Rabbi Bridget Wynne at Jewish Gateways,?(510) 559-8140, or email rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org, for more information, and to make a reservation and get directions and your food assignment. If your schedule doesn't allow you to bring a dish to share, we offer you the option of contributing $7 toward the dinner.
Young Family Shabbat Service
This fun and interactive half-hour service is geared toward families with children ages 3 months to 6 years. Snack is provided following the service, as well as a special arts and crafts activity and time on the playground.
Dates: Saturdays, join us on Sept. 13 and 27
Time: 9:30am
Place: The Chapel at Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
For more information call 650-493-4661
Third Fridays Shabbat
Starting in September, we are lifting up the Third Friday, 8 pm Shabbat service, to become a more traditional Rodef Sholom service, moving and inspiring, centered around sophisticated Jewish music and deep Jewish learning. We will be featuring guest speakers and adult-only dinners throughout the year. We are beginning with Dan Nichols, our artist-in-residence, on September 19. The oneg that follows will be sponsored by Women of Rodef Sholom.
Date: Friday, Sept. 19
Time: 8pm
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael
For more info call (415) 479-3441
www.rodefsholom.org
