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.

The Judicial Reform proposed by Netanyhu’s government encompasses a complex web of proposed legislation with the hallmark one, revoking of the "unreasonableness clause" under review by Israel's Supreme Court (September 12). One of Israel's leading civil rights attorneys will provide a deep dive into the legal issues in the context of a fuller understanding of Israel's judicial system.

This introduction to the Bay Area Community Talmud Circles is your opportunity to dip your toes into the Sea of Talmud. This session will explain, reveal and demystify this formative work of the Jewish literary tradition. This session is an antidote to “Talmudic Reference Dysfunction (TRD), an embarrassing condition that can cause shame and humiliation” when others around you are discussing and quoting the Talmud.  In English, about an hour, with great value. In person or on Zoom.

Most likely you remember the 1989 classic Driving Miss Daisy starring Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy and Dan Aykroyd. The film takes place in 1950s Atlanta. Award-winning historian Fred Rosenbaum will explore Black-Jewish relations in America's South at our next Around the World with Fred event.

This introduction to the Bay Area Community Talmud Circles is your opportunity to dip your toes into the Sea of Talmud. This session will explain, reveal and demystify this formative work of the Jewish literary tradition. This session is an antidote to “Talmudic Reference Dysfunction (TRD), an embarrassing condition that can cause shame and humiliation” when others around you are discussing and quoting the Talmud.  In English, about an hour, with great value.  In person or on Zoom.

Our experts explain the Judicial Reform crisis.

Prof. Fania Oz-Salzberger (Haifa University Emerita, History & Law)

In partnership with SF Jewish Film Festival

Fifty years ago, a now forgotten New York Republican assemblyman cast a single tiebreaking vote that legalized abortion in New York and laid the groundwork for Roe v. Wade. Playing as part of Jews in Shorts: Documentaries.