From its very beginning, Judaism has been an evolving spiritual tradition shaped, in part, by contact with other cultures and belief systems, and designed to meet the spiritual needs of the Jewish communities of the time. While some Jews find a spiritual home in the different Jewish denominations, so many others are yearning for a Jewish spirituality that will speak to their hearts, minds, and souls and will reflect the psychological, spiritual, and political understandings of our time.

Nourish your body, calm your mind, and nurture your soul, through embodied Jewish devotion.

Every child needs to understand where they come from. If you are raising your child as a Jew but one parent is not Jewish it is essential that you teach your child about that side of their family. This workshop will discuss how to teach your child about BOTH sides of the family and how to integrate both parents into your child’s identity.

Learn about the aesthetic-theology of kabbalistic diagrams—full of trees, circles, spirals, lines, and letters—and use these as models to map your own relation to that which is essential but intangible (what might be called spirit, soul, or the divine). Our first two classes will focus on the history of these diagrams, and the final sessions on how to create your own kabbalistic diagram. 

In partnership with JCCSF and Congregation Sha'ar Zahav

In Partnership with Congregation Beth El, Berkeley

“It is not a coincidence,” says photographer Penny Wolin “that Jews are attracted to the alchemy of photography and photography has found its storytellers in Jews.” Over six years, Wolin had in-person encounters with 70 leading American Jewish photographers, including Robert Frank, Annie Leibovitz, and Arnold Newman. With a visual and verbal discussion, we will explore the motivations of Jews in photography.

The abortion debate has just reached fever pitch following the leak of the Supreme Court majority opinion suggesting the demise of Roe vs. Wade. If it is overturned, what other personal freedoms are already/will be in danger: transgender health services, gay marriage, contraception?

In partnership with the Contra Costa JCC

Explore culture, history and, of course, great food on an exciting and educational trip to Morocco, March 3-13, 2023. Rabbi Yoel Kahn will lead us on a journey to fabled cities like Casablanca, Fez and Marrakech, as well as the desert and the mountains. Jews have lived in Morocco for over two thousand years and we will engage with both the historical and contemporary Jewish sites and community.