In partnership with KlezCalifornia

In this strictly reading and iberzetsn (translating) Yiddish class, students will have an opportunity to read various myselekh (stories), pamelekh (slowly) and mit geduld (with patience), so that even those who have only “cheder” (elementary school) level proficiency can participate and follow along. The instructor will provide PDF readers in Yiddish with English translation.

October 9–D... Read more

Gather with 30- to 40-something friends (must be over 21) to hear Maggid Singer reveal some of Judaism's connections to their sacred inebriant, alcohol, throughout the centuries. From references in the Torah to the outsized role Jews played in establishing and perfecting the most American of spirits—Bourbon—alcohol has maintained a steady presence in Jewish culture for millennia. How then did Jews get the reputation for being uninvolved in alcohol? What is kosher... Read more

In partnership with Urban Adamah

Join us for a screening of The Route of the Citron (Etrog) by award winning filmmaker Izza Genini.

In this richly illustrated course, we’ll start by searching out the beginnings of Jewish Spain over 2,000 years ago, including the Roman and later Visigothic centuries. Then we’ll focus on the Muslim invasion and the Golden Age of Islamic Spain that followed. This was the era of La Convivencia, when Jews, Christians and Muslims lived largely in peace and shared and contributed to a common culture far advanced beyond the rest of Europe’s states. From there, we’ll chronicle the slow but steady advance of Christian armies, finally leading to the Expulsion of Jews (and Muslims) from Spain in 1492 and later years. We’ll close with a look at the fate of Sephardic Jews after the Expulsion as well as the fate of Spain in those centuries right up to today.

What confers sacredness onto space? Distinguished sanctuary designers will discuss how they approach the shaping of spaces meant to focus the mind and transport the soul. Stanley Saitowitz, Susie Coliver and Steve Rajninger, and Craig Hartman will describe the thinking behind sacred spaces they have designed, via introductory Zoom sessions and site visits, where you will experience their ideas in vivo at two contemporary synagogues and a Catholic church.

Stanley Saitowitz—Hebra... Read more

What confers sacredness onto space? Distinguished sanctuary designers will discuss how they approach the shaping of spaces meant to focus the mind and transport the soul. Stanley Saitowitz, Susie Coliver and Steve Rajninger, and Craig Hartman will describe the thinking behind sacred spaces they have designed, via introductory Zoom sessions and site visits, where you will experience their ideas in vivo at two contemporary synagogues and a Catholic church.

In partnership with the American Jewish Historical Society and YIVO

In Partnership with the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, Congregation Beth Am, the Jewish Community Library, A Wider Bridge, and The East Bay International Film Festival

In partnership with Manny’s and JCCSF

Discover the fascinating history and unique customs of this ancient Jewish community in Central Asia—its history and customs, its fate during the years of war in Afghanistan, and the story of Manny’s Afghani Jewish family.

As we welcome the New Year, how are we as a community welcoming the strangers among us? Where does “Welcoming the Stranger” come from as a Jewish value--and how have we as a people interpreted it over time? How are we currently welcoming Afghans, Ukrainians and others into our community? And how is this landscape changing as the rules for asylum seekers are being challenged?

The Bay Area Talmud Circles bring teachers and students to learn together over a page of Talmud. Never studied Talmud? You’re in for a treat! Bring your curiosity and questions to this hour of dialog about the Talmud and the Berkeley/Marin Community Talmud Circle in particular. No previous knowledge of texts, languages, or history is required, only your own life experience and a sense of adventure.