I'll see you at the Movies!

Dear Interfaith Families and Friends,

I am meeting some of you on Saturday night for the film, Strangers, at 8:15pm at the Roda Theater at Berkeley Rep, on Addison Street. If you suddenly decide to come along, email me soon and let me know. I will be busy all day on Friday - my brother is getting married!! Congratulate me! I’m so happy!
Then I’m going to visit my oldest friend in the world for a week and I’ll “see” you back here in the week of Aug. 18.
–Dawn

A summer holy day
This Saturday night is Tisha B’av. It is a memorial day, a day to remember and mourn for multiple destructions that have befallen the Jewish people. The first historically, is the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. You can read a full description of the holiday at:
www.Jholidays.org

You can read a personal reflection on the day and how it compares to Yom Kippur by Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Netivot Shalom at:
http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dcp43hhw_156vpds7fc7


It may not be easy to be Jewish in America but I think it is harder to be Muslim. Because of that I am including an event that has nothing to do with being an interfaith couple, but has to do with creating community for Muslims in America. For those of you in Jewish - Muslim relationships perhaps this is something that would be supportive and useful --

American Muslim Voice Open House
The American Muslim Voice Foundation cordially invites you to a dinner party and to be a part of our Miracle Movement of Friendship. AMV Foundation enjoys the success that our simple approach to community building yields, but our greatest assets are the lasting friendships, coalitions and alliances we have made in our efforts to bridge the gap between all communities.

We will provide a traditional Pakistani dinner, multicultural interaction, kids' activity and cultural experiences. Feel free to invite family, friends and neighbors, and just bring an open mind, an appetite, a few chairs and your special dessert or side dish.

Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Place: Home of Samina Sundas, 120 Park Avenue, Palo Alto. Bring dessert or side dish.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to visit www.amuslimvoice.org.



Jews Rock! A Celebration of Rock and Roll's Jewish Heritage
Photo Exhibit
Jews Rock! presents key Jewish rock ‘n roll icons — musicians, songwriters and promoters—through the award - winning photographs of photojournalist Janet Macoska and behind-the scenes anecdotes of the Jewish influences in their rise to stardom. Stars include Paula Abdul, Bob Dylan and many, many more.

Gallery Hours
October 18 - November 28, 2008
Monday - Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Contra Costa Jewish Community Center
2071 Tice Valley Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
For More Information
Judith Markowitz, 925-938-7800 ext. 256 or judithm@ccjcc.org






Preschool Time!
Is it true?
Is summer almost over?
We've been having so much fun with Camp that the time has just flown. We're willing to bet it has been that way for you too, but we don't want you to miss your chance to sign up for preschool. There are still a few spots open at the Contra Costa JCC Preschool.
For information or to register call Barbara Chotiner at (925)938-7800 x225 or e-mail barbarac@ccjcc.org



EVENTS
A Family Picnic Shabbat Dinner (Palo Alto)
Tisha B'Av - Film, Discussion (Los Altos)
SOMAnu-El Shabbat Service (San Francisco)
Not Your Same Old Bagels Gourmet Brunch (Berkeley)
Jewish Heritage Night at the S.F.Giants (San Francisco)
The Meaning of the Talit (Berkeley)


A Family Picnic Shabbat Dinner
Leave the busy work week behind to welcome Shabbat in the company of family and friends!
Enjoy a summer evening picnic, explore the story of Israel's history as told through beautiful Independence Day posters, and create your own visual family commentary!
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Bring a picnic dinner for your family--we'll supply challah, grape juice & dessert!

Date: Friday, August 8
Time: 5:45 – 7:30pm
Fee: $5.00 per person in advance, $8.00 per person at the door (Not to exceed $20/$32 per family)
Place: Cubberley Community Center, Greendell Campus,4000 Middlefield Road, Building R, Palo Alto
REGISTER AT www.paloaltojcc.org or contact Jane-Rachel Schonbrun at (650) 852-3502 or jschonbrun@paloaltojcc.org



Tisha B'Av - Film, Discussion
Beth Am’s commemoration of Tisha B’Av will take place on Saturday. We will screen the film, Jeremiah , starring Patrick Dempsey and Oliver Reed, that recounts the life of the prophet, Jeremiah, who witnessed the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Following the film, Rabbi Marder will lead a discussion and study session about the meaning of Tisha B’Av.

Date: Aug. 9
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
For more information call: 650-493-4661
www.betham.org



SOMAnu-El Shabbat Service
Live on Potrero Hill, in Noe Valley, the Castro, Bernal Heights, SOMA, the Mission or south of San Francisco? Many of our members do! That's why we offer a service on the fourth Friday of the month at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House. This upbeat, musical service - perfect for those of all ages. Join us!

Date: Aug. 22
Time: 6pm
Place: Potrero Hills Neighorhood House, 953 DeHaro Street at Southern Heights
Sponsored by Congregation Emanu-el, call them for more information at 415-

Have Dinner After the SOMAnu-El Service
Stay each month after the service for a delicious Mediterranean feast. This is a perfect way to get to know better other SOMAnu-El families in your area. Register at:
http://www.emanuelsf.org/register.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children.
PLEASE RESERVE AHEAD so that we know how much food to order; otherwise we may not be able to accommodate you that night. To be added to the SOMAnu-El Google group, please e-mail Mollie Schneider, mschneider@emanuelsf.org



Not Your Same Old Bagels Gourmet Brunch
You are cordially invited to a fun and casual opportunity to get to know our Beth El Family.
• Gourmet dairy brunch
• Tours of our beautiful new building
• Fun activities for children
• Learn about the many opportunities for inspiring worship, lifelong learning, social action,
community and fun Beth El offers
• This event is FREE to all. Invite your friends and neighbors!

Date: Sunday, August 24
Time: 10:00am
Place: Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley
Please RSVP in order to ensure abundant food, drinks and seating for everyone!
Reservations: Please call Lenora O'Keith in the Beth El office at 510-848-3988 x211.






Jewish Heritage Night at the S.F.Giants
Enjoy a San Francisco Giants game on "Jewish Heritage Night," Aug. 25, 7:15 p.m, AT&T Park, San Francisco. Lots of people are going. I’ll be with Shalom Bayit, an organization that fights domestic violence. Many organizations are taking groups. Here’s one that you can tag along with:
The Albert L. Schultz JCC is selling tickets for the annual Jewish Heritage Night, as the Giants take on the defending National League Champion Colorado Rockies. Bring friends, family; with tickets ($20 each) purchased from ALS JCC you get a special scarf to keep you warm at the game.

Date: Aug. 25
Time: 7:15pm
Place: AT&T Park in San Francisco
Call the JCC at (650) 493.9400 if you want to go along.



The Meaning of the Talit: "And you shall see it"
Lecture with Rabbi Yosef Leibowitz
Followed by Havdalah
Rabbi Leibowitz is a true Torah scholar and a dynamic, thoughtful speaker. He is the founder and Director of the Yad Yaakov Fund for Jewish Education, and presently teaches in the Haifa University Overseas Program. Rabbi Leibowitz lives is Kfar Saba, Israel where he is a community Rabbi. He received his ordination from Yeshiva University and his Ph.D. from the University of California in Berkeley. Please join us, all are welcome!

Date: Saturday, August 30
Time: 5:30pm
Place: Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley
For more info call 510-848-3988.
www.bethelberkeley.org

Can you give me 15 minutes?

New Mamas group starting (see below)

Dear Interfaith Families and Friends,

You haven’t heard from me for quite a few weeks - that’s because I’m a one-woman program and when things get crazy I don’t have back up. So I’ve decided to ask you if you can help out.
Could you give time to helping me?

Here are some tasks you could do.

Come into my office in Oakland and help with:
*data input
*stuffing envelopes for a mailing
At your home:
*spend 15 minutes a week or 15 minutes a month researching events for this newsletter - could be just from your city or anywhere in the bay area
*post Building Jewish Bridges events to the internet sites like planitjewish or bayjews
*be a buddy to other interfaith families in your area, make a call, have coffee, invite them over, take them to synagogue with you

How about it? Would you be willing to help? Give me a call, 510-839-2900 x347, or email me at dawn@jfed.org


Holidays just ahead: Lag B’Omer and Shavuot
Lag B’Omer, Friday, May 23
One-day suspension of the traditional mourning period during Sefirat HaOmer ("The Counting of the Omer"). On this day, a plague afflicting Rabbi Akiva's students ceased. Also commemorates Bar Kochba's recapture of Jerusalem from the Romans. Celebrated with picnics and nature outings. Sefirat HaOmer is a seven-week period that begins the second night of Pesach and ends at Shavuot. The 32 mourning days during this time commemorate the deaths of Rabbi Akiva's students. Traditionally, weddings, festivities, and haircuts are prohibited during this time.
(from www.jholidays.com)

Shavuot
I love Shavuot. It is one of the three pilgrimage holidays when Jews in ancient times made pilgrimage to Jerusalem to offer a special sacrifice at the Temple. If you read Arthur Waskow’s Seasons of our Joy, you’ll learn about the activities that took place in the ancient Temple. It was magnificent and makes you want to step back in time. In modern times we observe the holiday by studying all night in commemoration of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. You can find additional information and links at www.jholidays.


NEW MAMAS
Are you a new mama living in Alameda county? Have a friend or family member who is? Send them to me for Welcoming Your Jewish Baby? Whether You’re Jewish or Not. I’ve had Jewish mamas, non-Jewish mamas, mamas who are thinking of converting. We have a great time with the babies. See a full description below and call me at 510-839-2900 x347 or email me at dawn@jfed.org.









EVENTS
Toddler Time (Oakland)
Rock & Roll Shabbat (Oakland)
Israel Through the Eyes of a Bedouin Israeli (San Francisco)
Tots 'n Torah Shabbat Services (Burlingame)Musical Shabbat (San Leandro)
Ethical Journeys: Traveling By God's Word (Berkeley)
Torah on the Trails (San Rafael)
Lag B'Omer Picnic in the Park (San Ramon)
Jewish PlayGroup (Walnut Creek)
Jewish Time (San Francisco)
Film- Close to Home (Los Altos)
Author Talk: Emuna Elon (Walnut Creek)
Film: ARRANGED (San Francisco)
Neshama Carlebach in Concert (Berkeley)
Israel in the Gardens (San Francisco)
Welcoming Your Jewish Baby...Whether You’re Jewish or Not (Oakland)
Israel at 60: Accomplishments, Challenges and Hopes for the Future (Berkeley)
DAWN '08 (San Francisco)
Celebrate The Joy of Shabbat (Berkeley)





Toddler Time
Have you got a baby or toddler itching to jump and play, but who isn’t yet old enough for Preschool? Here comes a toddler focused class, combining elements of Gymboree, Music Together, Kinder gym, etc., into a fun-filled, free, forty-five minutes of song & action. Toddler Time is open to Temple Sinai members, Temple Sinai Preschool families, and to people who might be interested in learning more about the Temple¼ so let your friends know about this great opportunity!

Dates: Fridays
Time: 11:45am to 12:30pm
Place: Temple Sinai, in Stern Hall, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Info: Heather Meil at (510) 420-8489 or heather_meil@hotmail.com



Rock & Roll Shabbat
This time, this special service will honor the teachers of our pre-school, Gan Avraham. As always, the more the merrier. From Rabbi Mark Bloom, leader of the band!

Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 6:15pm
Place: Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
for more information call the office at 510-832-0936
Go check out Rock & Roll Shabbat, everyone loves it. It was written up in the East Bay Express. You’ll love Rabbi Bloom. I know loads of members there and they are very nice. There are quite a few Jews of color at this congregation so that’s another reason to love it.



Israel Through the Eyes of a Bedouin Israeli
A Conversation With Israeli Vice Consul Ismail Khaldi
Hear about some of the hottest topics affecting Israel, along with the unique challenges of being the first Bedouin in the Israeli Foreign Ministry and a Muslim representing the Jewish state.At services on Friday, May 16.

Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Sherith Israel
For more information contact Aviva Hicks at ahicks@sherithisrael.org or 415-346-1720 ext 24. Aviva is extremely nice. You can ask her about any of the events at Sherith Israel.



Tots 'n Torah Shabbat Services
For families with infants to children 5 years old.

Date: Friday, May 16 and June 20 (always the third Friday of each month)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Dr., Burlingame
For more information call 650-697-2266 .



Musical Shabbat
Participate along with our Temple Orchestra and Choir. These spirited services are held in the main sanctuary.

Date: Friday, May 16
Time: 8:00pm
Place: Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro



Ethical Journeys: Traveling By God's Word
Rachel Biale, Regional Director of the Progressive Jewish Alliance will invite us to explore themes of ethical journeying and hospitality in Jewish texts, and learn about how to put those teachings into action through the PJA's Just Journeys Campaign. Just Journeys is a new initiative in support of America's hotel workers, among the most disenfranchised U.S. workers today, crafted by the Progressive Jewish Alliance, Jewish Funds for Justice, and the National Jewish Labor Committee.

Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 1:15pm
Place: Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley
www.netivotshalom.org



Torah on the Trails
Meet Rabbi Lezak and other hikers in the parking lot and then head out for a Shabbat experience on the trails.

Date: May 17
Time: meet at 8:30am
Place: Parking lot of Rodef Sholom, 170 No. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael
for more information call (415) 479-3441



Lag B'Omer Picnic in the Park
Come meet us at our Lag B'Omer picnic, Sunday, May 18 at Athan Downs Park at Montevideo and Davona in San Ramon. We'll meet near the play area (and bathrooms!) for games, learning and socializing in honor of the "Scholars' Holiday." Bring your own picnic lunch. We'll provide juice and cookies.

Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 10:30am
Place: Athan Downs Park, San Ramon
For more info call (925) 485-1049
Sponsored by the Tri Valley Cultural Jews



Jewish PlayGroup
Join a playgroup for families with children under 6. Circle time, Jewish holiday activities, and fun games. Schmooze while your children play. Everyone is welcome- bring your friends! A great way to meet families in our community - we'd love to meet you.
FREE of course!

Dates: May 18, (Meets one Sunday a month)
Time: 10:00 - 11:15am
Place: Contra Costa JCC, Room 6, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek
For info or to RSVP jenny@jfed.org or 925-943-6613



Jewish Time
Did you know that Jewish time has its own dimensions? It ebbs and flows with the moon, has holidays which speed up and slow down time. There are fasts and feasts and passages of life. Jewish time is a beautiful thing. Come and learn with other adults who seek new perspectives on the concepts of Jewish time.

Dates: Monday evenings, May 19 and June 2
Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Place: Beth Israel-Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco
Class continues for two more weeks - go and tell me what you learned.



Film- Close to Home
Close to Home is an army buddy movie - but these buddies happen to be young women Israeli soldiers. Vidi Bilu and Dalia Hager’s feature transcends politics and borders with the strength of its storytelling and the universality of its characters. This is a unique view of the female experience of military service at a time of heightened security concerns, and it is a well-crafted coming-of-age tale about the friendship between two opposites.

Date: Maay 24
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: In Rooms 5 & 6 at Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Free; Refreshments.
For more info call: 650-493-4661
www.betham.org



Author Talk: Emuna Elon
Jewish National Book Award Finalist and author of IF YOU AWAKEN LOVE will speak on her book.
Date: Thursday, May 27
Time: 6:30pm Wine & Cheese Reception; 7:00pm Lecture
Place: Contra Costa JCC, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek
Suggested Donation: $6
For more information contact Riva at 510-839-2900 x253 or email riva@jfed.org



Film: ARRANGED
by Stefan Schaefer & Diane Crespo
United States, 2007, 89 Min
Two young women-- Rochel, an Orthodox Jew and Nasira, a Muslim-- meet and become friends during their first year teaching at a public school in Brooklyn. This excellent drama chronicles a friendship that crosses cultures and reveals that the two women share much in common-not least of which is the fact that they are both going through arranged marriages. "A pure pleasure to watch ... splendidly natural performances." - Ronnie Scheib, Variety

Date: Wednesday, May 28
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Yerba Buena Center for The Arts, 701 Mission Street (corner of 3rd), San Francisco
Ticket Prices: $8 general/$6 Jewish Film Forum and YBCA members, students, seniors
Seating is limited - Advance purchase recommended For tickets, visit ybca.org or call: 415.978.ARTS (2787)



Neshama Carlebach in Concert
One of the leading superstars in Jewish entertainment, Neshama Carlebach is continuing the legacy established by her father, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Like her father, Neshama's talent and charisma captivate and endear her to people of all ages and backgrounds. She continues to both deeply move and entertain as she sings her father's incomparable melodies as well as inspiring original compositions. Post-concert reception.

Date: Thursday, May 29
Time: 7:30 pm.
Place: Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave., Berkeley
More info and tickets ($36) at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/32851
Proceeds support scholarships at Netivot Shalom's preschool and religious school.



Israel in the Gardens
Northern California's Largest Annual Jewish Cultural Festival
Join close to 20,000 members of the Bay Area Jewish community for Israel in the Gardens- a day for local Jews to celebrate our culture and to toast the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence and 60 years of cooperation between America and Israel.
Activities will include music, dance, art, fashion, fun for kids and teens, and lots of food!
Admission to this family-friendly event is free and open to the public. For more information, including a detailed schedule of the day's events, visit www.israelinthegardens.org.

Date: Sunday, June 1
Time: 11am - 5pm
Place: Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
www.israelinthegardens.org



Welcoming Your Jewish Baby...Whether You’re Jewish or Not
Join us for a discussion group for Moms and Babies (age newborn to 6 months). Topics include: Support for Moms with new Babies; Jewish Resources for Mom, Baby and Family; Getting your Groove Back and Adjusting to the New Normal. Jewish topics include: Jewish baby welcoming ceremonies, home celebrations, making memories.

Dates: Five sessions starting Tuesday, June 3
Time: 1 to 2:30pm
Place: We are being hosted by Beth Jacob for this session, 3778 Park Blvd., Oakland
Cost: $36
For more information or to register, call Dawn at 510-839-2900 x347 or email dawn@jfed.org



Israel at 60: Accomplishments, Challenges and Hopes for the Future
A Talk by Neal Levy, Director, SF Israel Center
Neal Levy immigrated to Israel at the age of 18. Following his military service, he completed his BA at UC Berkeley and went on to serve as regional director of Young Judaea in Northern California, and later in Israel. In 1988, Neal became director of then-Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek's re-election campaign headquarters, and then went on to work with the mayor at the Jerusalem Foundation. Neal served as Director of International Development at the Yitzhak Rabin Center and returned to the Bay Area in July 2006 to direct the Israel Center.

Date: Friday evening, June 6
Time: following the 8pm Shabbat Service
Place: Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley
Co sponsored by The Israel Relations Committee



DAWN '08
The Contemporary Jewish Museum and Reboot, are pleased to announce DAWN '08, an all-night, arts and culture festival and celebration of Shavuot at the grand opening of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, offering guests the opportunity to groove, learn, explore and mingle at the Museum's new building and exhibition space before the doors open to the public the following morning.

Date: Saturday, June 7
Time: 8pm - Sunrise
The Contemporary Jewish Museum - The new building is located on Mission Street between 3rd & 4th streets in San Francisco
Co-presented with Reboot



Celebrate The Joy of Shabbat
Hearty appetizers, nosh & visit Celebrate the Joy of Shabbat with the Joy of Shabbat musicians and special guests; then celebrate the Joy of Cantor Brian with a look back at memorable Purim Spiel moments and other fond memories of Cantor Brian's 20 years at Beth El.
Oneg dessert, visiting and an opportunity to express your appreciation to our dear Cantor Brian
RSVP This evening is free of charge, but we need to know how many people are coming so that we can ensure bountiful food.

Date: Friday evening, June 20
Call for details on time of services and celebration
Place: Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley
call: 510-848-3988
www.bethelberkeley.org

Participating in Jewish Life!

How can the engaged Jewish community reach out to the unaffiliated and invite them to explore Judaism?
Building Jewish Bridges has a wide range of opportunities.


For synagogues
In February Building Jewish Bridges partnered with Project Welcome to offer Increasing the Warmth of Your Welcome, a workshop that helps synagogues enhance their websites, bulletins, membership materials and phone response to be as inviting as they want to be. This workshop, specifically for East Bay congregations, was held in the Federation boardroom. Responses from participants were enthusiastic.



Dawn Kepler of Building Jewish Bridges with synagogue lay leaders.

Everything we learned was really practical; we could implement the recommendations right away.
Synagogue Board Member

The sharing of ideas and practices was really helpful.
Membership VP

The most useful part of the workshop was hearing from the other congregations that they are experiencing the same problems we are.
Synagogue Co-President



For the unaffiliated
Partnering with local synagogues, Building Jewish Bridges offered these programs recently.
With Temple Sinai in Oakland, Passover: The Set Table
This workshop offered an educational and culinary moment with both a presentation by Rabbi Mates-Muchin and Dawn Kepler on how to enhance your seder for family and guests of all backgrounds as well as a charoset tasting.





Rabbi Mates Muchin describes the varity of Jewish Passover practices.






Working with Netivot Shalom in Berkeley and B’nai Shalom in Walnut Creek, Building Jewish Bridges offered -
A Taste of Judaism

Rabbi Menachem Creditor and Rabbi Michelle Fisher welcomed Jews and non-Jews in a class that teaches the basic tenets of Judaism to all. One Hindu man remarked, "Jews have always been helpful to me. In fact a Jew sponsored me to come to America. I want to learn about their tradition." Several young adults stated that as children of interfaith parents they wanted to learn about their heritage and find a way to be Jewish. A few participants said they were coming with the desire to convert.





Rabbi Menachem Creditor opens with a musical blessing.

Want to participate? Everyone is welcome. Singles, couples and families can attend programs. Synagogues and JCCs can partner in offering welcoming events for everyone curious about Jewish community.

Contact Dawn Kepler at 510-839-2900 x347 or 925-943-1484 for more information.

Passover: The Set Table

The ultimate Jewish holiday: Passover! Whether you’ve never had a seder or you consider yourself a pro, you’ll learn something at this workshop.. We’ll literally have a set table - with all the elements identified and explained. We encourage you to bring ideas and practice from your own tradition and family. We’ll have sample foods and recipes as well as an assortment of Hagadot for you to peruse. Come for the fun; come for the food!

Date: Sunday, March 30
Time: 11am to 1pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
FREE
Co-sponsored by Temple Sinai and Building Jewish Bridges
I hope you’ll be joining me. Call me for more info at 510-839-2900 x347 or email dawn@jfed.org

A Taste of Judaism

Are You Curious?

A Taste of Judaism has been around for more than ten years and literally tens of thousands of people have taken it. It is aimed at the adult learner who has little knowledge of Judaism, but a good mind. The class covers the three pillars of Judaism:
Jewish spirituality -- Jewish views of the divine
Jewish ethics -- the source of the Jewish way of life, the teachings
Jewish community -- the community that Jews create in every generation to sustain Jewish life.

The three session class is free but pre-registration is required.

Classes in the Spring of 2008
Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 and April 8 in Walnut Creek
Mondays, March 31, April 7 and 14 in Berkeley



Teaching in Walnut Creek is Rabbi Michele Fisher









Teaching in Berkeley is Rabbi Menachem Creditor

Women in Interfaith Relationships

Women in Interfaith Relationships:
Giving our Kids Roots & Wings
Raising kids is hard. You have to be a cook, chauffeur, therapist, private secretary, doctor, and chief bottle washer. And in there you’re supposed to give your kids “roots” and “wings.” Roots: a foundation from which to spring. Wings: confidence & self knowledge. Ours is the first generation to think that Moms can do that alone. Forget it! Come get and give support.

Date: March 9
Time: 9 to 11am
Place: B’nai Tikvah, 25 Hillcroft, Walnut Creek
Facilitated by Dawn Kepler, Building Jewish Bridges - Call me for more information at 925-943-1484 or email me at dawn@jfed.org

Interfaith at the Movies: Bad Faith

Bad Faith
French Film, 2006
The film industry offers this synopsis: Like many cosmopolitan Parisian couples, Clara and Ishael scarcely notice that she is Jewish and he is Muslim...until Clara discovers that she’s pregnant. Suddenly baby names, circumcision and keeping Ramadan become flashpoints. Can love really conquer all? A snappy, sexy comedy.

A French viewer commenting on the film at Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) says the movie is “one minute too long.” Why? Because in that one minute the movie ends on a surprisingly unrealistic note.

In a discussion following last summer’s screening, the Jewish wife in a Jewish - Muslim couple offered the comment, “Everything they showed... it happens. But the ending isn’t so simple.”

Join me to see for yourself.

Monday, March 3, 2006, 4:30pm
CinArts, 2314 Monument Blvd., Pleasant Hill (in the Kohl’s Center)

How I Decided to Raise My Kids Jewish

Two Hearts, One Home
When a non-Jewish parent decides to raise their children as Jews, how does that process work? Once the decision is made, how do you make it happen? How do you retain your own religion? How do you share your identity? Join a panel of non-Jewish parents as they discuss their journey to a Jewish home identity.

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7:30pm
Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
For more information call Dawn at 510-839-2900 x347 or 925-943-1484.