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SHAVUOT The Festival of Weeks Calendar for 2024: Starts at sunset on Tuesday, June 11, and ends at sunset on Thursday, June 13. Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals described in the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the other two being Passover and Sukkot. Translated as “weeks,” the Jewish holiday of Shavuot occurs 50 days after the first seder. This period between Passover and Shavuot represents the Jewish people’s liberation from their enslavement in Egypt (that is celebrated at Passover) and leads up to the giving of the Torah to the Children of Israel at Mount Sinai. Shavuot takes place on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, which is generally between May 15 and June 14. It is also an agricultural holiday that coincides with the start of wheat harvesting in Israel and the conclusion of the spring barley harvest. In Israel, Jews celebrate it for one day while in the Diaspora Conservative and Orthodox Jews celebrate it for two days (and Reform Jews for one). Read this article from MyJewishLearning.com , What Ruth Can Teach Us About Celebrating Shavuot. How is Shavuot celebrated? During the times when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, Israelite men made pilgrimages to this city, bringing with them their offerings of the first fruits from their harvest. Today, in addition to abstaining from work, there are certain prayers and traditions associated with our modern commemoration. The book of Ruth is read, and individuals participate in Tikkun Leil Shavuot , an evening-long study session taking place on the first night of the holiday. It is traditional in many congregations for members to get together all night and study Torah and other Jewish-focused subjects. In many Reform congregations, confirmation for both male and female teens takes place at this time. It is also a tradition to only eat dairy on Shavuot, although some Jewish communities, such as Jews from Yemen, do eat meat during this holiday. Recipes for Shavuot There are several different reasons offered for only eating dairy products and the refraining from meat. According to one rabbinic tradition, the Torah is compared to “honey and milk” in chapter 4, verse 11 of The Songs of Songs . As Shavuot celebrates the giving of Torah to the Jewish people, dairy is an apt symbol. Many Jewish cookbooks include recipes for noodle kugels, dairy desserts such as cheesecake, and blintzes for this reason. You will find 13 delightfully dairy-full Shavuot recipes in this article from ReformJudaism.org! For anyone seeking a healthy balance on Shavuot, these articles and videos from Kosher.com will sure be helpful. 57 Healthier Recipes for Shavuot 14 Lighter Versions of Our Dairy Favorites Brownie Bottom Cheesecake (Gluten Free) Spinach Feta Casserole Healthy No-Bake Cheesecake Jars (Gluten Free) How to Find a Healthy Balance on Shavuot "Shavuot 101" from BimBam and "10 Facts about Shavuot" from MyJewishMommyLife

High Holiday Services Listed below are the websites and phone numbers of institutions/synagogues that provide High Holiday services. Even though congregations have resumed their in-person services, they have continued to provide online access to them. Please check with each institution on their policy. Some will allow non-members to get a link for attendance at their services. Wishing You a Sweet and Healthy 5784... • Beth Chaim Congregation, bethchaim.com (925.736.7146) • Chabad of Contra Costa, jewishcontracosta.com (925.937.4101) • Chabad of the Tri-Valley, jewishtrivalley.com (925.846.0700) • Congregation Beth Emek, bethemek.org (925.931.1055) • Congregation B’nai Shalom, bshalom.org (925.934.9446) • Congregation B’nai Tikvah, tikvah.org (925.933.5397) • JCC of the East Bay, jcceastbay.org (510.848.0237) • Temple Isaiah, temple-isaiah.org (925.283.8575) L'Shana Tovah

ALL UPCOMING EVENTS JWalk Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA More Info & Tickets JCLUB After School Program Start date will be announced soon Walnut Creek, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA More Info & Tickets PREP+RALLY Time is TBD Online via Zoom Details

PURIM PURIM 5785/2025 In 2025, Purim will begin on the evening of Thursday, March 13 and end on nightfall, Friday, March 14. Purim is celebrated on the 14th of the Jewish month of Adar, which falls sometime between February and March. It occurs approximately one month before Passover. When there is a leap year in the Jewish calendar and there are two months of Adar (Adar I and Adar II), Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar II. In 5782 (2022) , our Jewish calendar featured two (2!!!) months of Adar. This might sound very confusing but indeed the purpose of the two-Adar Jewish year that pops up every few years is to make the months and the related holidays less confusing. As the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, each month has fewer days than a Gregorian calendar month, resulting in a shift in the seasons unless a “leap month” is occasionally added. Without a year with two Adars, Passover would eventually occur in the summer, fall or winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Likewise, Hannukah would also dance around the secular calendar. We celebrate this annual holiday with joyous festivities—Purim carnivals for youth, Purimspiels, the reading of the megillah (Book of Esther), the drowning out of the villain Haman’s name with noise-making groggers, costumes, masks and plenty of tasty treats. The most famous baked treat is the hamentaschen, which is triangular in shape (to represent the arch villain’s hat) and stuffed with a filling. In our 2025 update, we recommend your reading some of The Nosher’s hamentaschen recipes and tricks of the trade. Enjoy! Recipes Genius Techniques to make the perfect hamentaschen Hamentaschen Fillings are only limited by one’s imagination Not a pro, then try out this recipe for “sandwichtaschen!” Here are some sources of more information about Purim: From MyJewishLearning.com: Purim 101 From ReformJudaism.org: Purim From Chabad: Story of Purim From Schechter: Esther's Megillah Purim Basket Themed Ideas One major tradition for Purim is mishloach manot , translated as “sending of portions.” We find the origin of this custom in the Book of Esther, which describes Purim as a time of feasting and gladness. Everyone over Bar/Bat Mitzvah age is supposed to give a basket to at least one person—a neighbor, friend and/or relative. Traditionally, this is often done through a third party. The basket should hold a minimum of two different food items that are ready to eat. The website kosher.com suggests 50 different themes for your baskets listed here . Great hamentaschen recipes: both traditional and exotic…from coconut hamentaschen to shashuka-flavored ones can be found in the whatjewwannaeat.com website. Click here for the yummy treats. Although the story is one that describes a serious threat to the Persian Jewish people many centuries ago, Purim is a day of feasting and merriment as the story ends with our people being saved. Humorous skits, masquerades, carnivals and clowns have become part of the “staple” of Purim tradition in modern times. Even if you don’t know the entire story about the Jewish holiday of Purim, you will probably be familiar with some of its most famous attributes: Treats such as the three-sided poppy seed/prune/jam-filled pastries (Hamentaschen) are enjoyed as well as gifted (see Purim baskets below). The public reading of the Book of Esther (megillah). Stamping out and or shouting out and or “Grogging Out” the name of the story’s villain, Haman, whenever his name is recited during the reading in order to limit Haman’s impact. Bringing Purim baskets of at least two food items to neighbors, friends and family (mishloach manot). Giving tzedakah (charity). Children wearing costumes (and often adults). Revelry, including drinking for adults So exactly what is Purim? What is the story around which this holiday is built? It is a celebration of the saving of the Jewish people when we were governed by the Persian King Ahasuerus. A villainous government official, Haman, conspired to have us executed; but due to the bravery of the king’s Jewish wife Esther and her cousin Mordecai, we were saved. Or as the editor of whatjewwannaeat.com writes: Anyhoo, if I had to sum up the majority of Jew holidays, it would go something like this. Someone tries to wipe us out, by some ridiculous miracle we triumph, despite lack in numbers and stature, so we rejoice by eating and drinking. And repeat. Purim is no different. Esther, a sassy young Jew living in Persia, saves all the Jews from the King’s evil adviser Haman’s devious plans of extermination. So we rejoice with tons of rowdy parties, costumes and hedonism. Hence why Purim is known as the Jewish Mardi Gras or Halloween. Sign me up! To celebrate, we make tasty triangular cookies called hamantaschen filled with goodness to represent the fashionable three-cornered hat Haman was known to sport. Poppy seeds and prunes are the most common fillings, but I got a little feisty and went with the priciest jam I could find at Whole Foods. And then I dipped them in chocolate. Just because I can.

ROSH HASHANAH Rosh HaShanah ushers in the “high holiday” period. In 2024, it starts at sunset on Wednesday, October 2, and runs through nightfall on Friday, October 4. This “Head of the Year” holiday is just one of four “new years” in Judaism. It starts on the first day of the Jewish month of Tishrei, and marks the beginning of a new year in the Jewish/Hebrew calendar. Thus, we go from 5784 to 5785 on the first day of Rosh HaShanah. The four distinct “new years” mentioned in Judaism text are: • The first day of the Hebrew month of Nissan (which generally coincides with late April/early May, was used to calcuate the length of a king’s reign. It was called “the New Year of Kings.” • The first day of the Hebrew month of Elul (which generally concides with August/early September was the time when 10% of cattle in the Land of Israel were marked and then sacrificied at the Temple in Jerusalem. • The first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (which generally coincides with September) is “the New Year of the Years,” and also considered the agricultural new year as well as the “birthday of the world.” Around the second century C.E., this day became known as Rosh HaShanah. • The 15th day of the Hebrew month of S h’vat (which generally coincides with late January/early February) is called the New Year of the Trees. This is a holiday known as Tu B’shevat, and students often engage in environmental-related activities, such as planting trees, seedlings, etc. Rosh HaShanah is also known as Yom haDin , the Day of Judgment . According to tradition, it is on this day when God reviews three books that reveal each person’s deeds. Those who have sinned have the 10 days until Yom Kippur to repent for their names to be sealed in the Book of Life. Connected to this concept of repentance is the blowing of the shofar. The sounding of this ancient musical instrument (made from the horn of an animal) serves as a “wake-up” call for Jews to examine their lives. It is blown during prayers, except on Shabbat. YOM KIPPUR Considered the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, starts 10 days after the beginning of Rosh HaShanah, on the 10th day of Tishrei. This period between the holy days is a time of repentance and self-reflection. Jews fast on Yom Kippur from sunset to sunset and refrain from work. In 2 024, Yom Kippur will start at sunset on Friday, October 11 and run through Saturday evening, October 12. According to ReformJudaism.org "Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish time when we dedicate our mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with our fellow human beings, ourselves, and God. As the New Year begins, we commit to self-reflection and inner change. As both seekers and givers of pardon, we turn first to those whom we have wronged, acknowledging our sins and the pain we have caused them. We are also commanded to forgive, to be willing to let go of any resentment we feel towards those who have committed offenses against us. Only then can we turn to God and ask for forgiveness. As we read in the Yom Kippur liturgy, “And for all these, God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atonement.” HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES Where to Attend RITUALS & CUSTOMS Learn More RESOURCES Must Read ALL ABOUT FOOD Recipes and More ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS FOR ALL AGES Try These

WE ARE THE JEWS The We Are the Jews series celebrates the vibrancy and wonderful diversity of the global Jewish community through the lens of music, food, history, ritual, society and film. Join us in our discovery of who we are. The programs listed below are part of this series and are sponsored by the Contra Costa JCC in partnership with local synagogues and Jewish organizations. JWalk Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA More Info & RSVP JCLUB After School Program Start date will be announced soon Walnut Creek, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA More Info & RSVP PREP+RALLY Time is TBD Online via Zoom Details Yoga, Mimosas, and Brunch Jun 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Walnut Creek, CA Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Jun 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Tice Valley, Tice Valley, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details Family Shabbat Dinner May 29, 2026, 5:30 PM Danville, CA Details Sip, Nibble, and Bake May 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Location provided upon registration Details Shavuot on the Farm May 17, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Briones, Briones, CA 94553, USA Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels May 03, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details JWalk Apr 29, 2026, 10:00 AM Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Israel in the Park 2026 Apr 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Tice Valley Park, 2023 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details Yom HaZikaron - Community Commemoration 2026 Apr 20, 2026, 7:00 PM Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Yom HaShoah – Community Commemoration 2026 Apr 13, 2026, 7:00 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Mar 22, 2026, 10:00 AM 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details 2026 Community Shabbat Dinner Mar 13, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM PDT Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA Details Community Wide Purim Carnival Mar 01, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details MOMS MEETUP & BOOK EXCHANGE Feb 24, 2026, 8:00 PM Gratitude Coffee Bar, 1655 Willow Pass Rd B, Concord, CA 94520, USA Details Family Jewish Candles Workshop Jan 25, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details Load More Past Events of the Series JWalk Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA RSVP JCLUB After School Program Start date will be announced soon Walnut Creek, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA RSVP PREP+RALLY Time is TBD Online via Zoom Details Yoga, Mimosas, and Brunch Jun 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Walnut Creek, CA Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Jun 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Tice Valley, Tice Valley, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details Family Shabbat Dinner May 29, 2026, 5:30 PM Danville, CA Details Sip, Nibble, and Bake May 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Location provided upon registration Details Shavuot on the Farm May 17, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Briones, Briones, CA 94553, USA Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels May 03, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details JWalk Apr 29, 2026, 10:00 AM Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Israel in the Park 2026 Apr 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Tice Valley Park, 2023 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details Yom HaZikaron - Community Commemoration 2026 Apr 20, 2026, 7:00 PM Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Yom HaShoah – Community Commemoration 2026 Apr 13, 2026, 7:00 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Mar 22, 2026, 10:00 AM 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details 2026 Community Shabbat Dinner Mar 13, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM PDT Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA Details Community Wide Purim Carnival Mar 01, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details MOMS MEETUP & BOOK EXCHANGE Feb 24, 2026, 8:00 PM Gratitude Coffee Bar, 1655 Willow Pass Rd B, Concord, CA 94520, USA Details Family Jewish Candles Workshop Jan 25, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details Load More

GO READ IT: Author Events for 2023 and Beyond The Under One Tent program year has enjoyed great author events. Our August through December 2023 book talk line-up is very exciting, with authors represented from different genres, e.g., novels, non-fiction, cookbooks. These book talks are sponsored by the Contra Costa JCC and Congregation B’nai Shalom in partnership with the Jewish Book Council. Co-sponsors: Diablo Valley Hadassah and Congregation B’nai Tikvah. Upcoming Author Events PREP+RALLY Time is TBD Online via Zoom Details Past Events 50 Children Book Talk Jun 24, 2024, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details IDENTICALITY May 20, 2024, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details LEONARD COHEN: UNTOLD STORIES Apr 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details THE COST OF FREE LAND Mar 05, 2024, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Online via Zoom Details BEYOND THE SYNAGOGUE: JEWISH NOSTALGIA AS RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Mar 04, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST Online via Zoom Details BETTY FRIEDAN: MAGNIFICIENT DISRUPTER Feb 08, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST Online via Zoom Details THE ACADEMY OF SMOKE AND MIRRORS Jan 22, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST Online via Zoom Details THE AUTUMN GHOST Dec 19, 2023, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST Online via Zoom Details HOTEL CUBA: A NOVEL Nov 30, 2023, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST Online via Zoom Details THE POSSIBILITIES: A NOVEL Nov 07, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST Cong. B'nai Shalom & on Zoom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details JUDAISM DISRUPTED Nov 05, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST Cong. B'nai Shalom & on Zoom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Details MAPPING THE DARKNESS Oct 15, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details GROWING UP BELOW SEA LEVEL: A KIBBUTZ CHILDHOOD (IN-PERSON) Sep 12, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT Cong. Beth Emek , 3400 Nevada Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA Details GROWING UP BELOW SEA LEVEL: A KIBBUTZ CHILDHOOD (ONLINE) Sep 12, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details EIGHTEEN DAYS IN OCTOBER Sep 12, 2023, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details LOYALTY Aug 31, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details ZIEGLITZ'S BLESSING (Rescheduled) Jun 25, 2023, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT Cong. B'nai Shalom Social Hall, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA Learn more FIGHTING BACK Jun 15, 2023, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM PDT Online via Zoom Details Load More

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VENUES Acalanes High School: 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette, CA, 94549 (925.280.3970) Beth Chaim Congregation: 1800 Holbrook Dr, Danville, CA 94506 (925.736.7146) - bethchaim.com Chabad of Contra Costa: 1671 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 (925.937.4101) - jewishcontracosta.com Chabad of the Tri-Valley: 3370 Hopyard Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925.846.0700) - jewishtrivalley.com Congregation B'nai Shalom: 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925.934.9446) - bshalom.org Congregation B'nai Tikvah: 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 (925.933.5397) - tikvah.org Congregation Beth Emek : 3400 Nevada Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925.931.1055) - bethemek.org Contra Costa Jewish Day School: 955 Risa Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549 (925.284.8288) - ccjds.org Danville Village Theatre: 233 Front St, Danville, CA 94526 (925.314.3400) Gateway Clubhouse Rossmoor: 1001 Golden Rain Rd., Walnut Creek, CA 94595 - rosmoor.com Temple Isaiah: 945 Risa Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549 (925.283.8575) - temple-isaiah.org Vine Cinema & Alehouse: 1722 First St, Livermore, CA 94550 (925.447.2545) - vinecinema.com

Celebrate Israel's 75th Birthday at Sunday, April 30, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Stone Valley Middle School, Alamo Event Schedule Register here Donate for IsraFEST75 This festive, community-wide event is convened and underwritten by We wish to thank our co-sponsors and community partners for their generosity and support. Platinum Sponsor Co-sponsors Community Partners Admission is free. Pre-register by Friday, April 28, and save time on entry on Sunday, April 30. Before you check out, enter the number of adults and children tickets you need and fill the registration form once. You will immediately receive your order confirmation email, including your ticket(s), to scan on that day. Registrations that include multiple tickets will have a pdf attachment in the confirmation email. If you don't see this email, please check your spam/junk folder to retrieve it. We suggest adding sender notifications@wixevents.com to your contacts in advance. Directions to Stone Valley Middle School in Alamo: https://goo.gl/maps/FL5k6hUwpzATkfdf9 Important: There is parking in front of the school and along the adjacent streets (Ina Drive, David Drive, etc.) However, there is no parking on Miranda. We recommend carpooling with friends and family. All bags are subject to security checks. We also recommend bringing transparent bags if possible. For questions, email underonetent@ccjcc.org . There is something for everyone at IsraFEST75 . Here is the list of some of our activities. Check back by April 16 for our complete schedule. Visit our “Shuk HaCarmel” for Israeli food & snacks including borekas and hummus, plus Israel@75 souvenirs. Youth 3 – 13 will enjoy interactive activities: observing desert fauna; visiting a Bedouin tent for mint tea & a poetry reading; making a mezuzah; discover the wonders of Israeli innovation; journeying to Tel Aviv for a round of Matkot; visiting a replica of the Kotel, and much, much more. Enjoy live musical performances by Eric Schoen, "The Three Cantors" with Temple Isaiah Mizmor Band and Rabbi Larry Milder. At 1:15 PM, Israeli singer Noa Levy and her band will present a concluding concert! If movies are your thing, drop by for our Israeli short film series. Learn about the FIDF’s “Lone Soldier” program from a participant. Curious about your roots? Genealogist Margalit Ir will share her inside tips for discovering more about your ancestors. Rabbi Lawrence from Temple Isaiah will lead a discussion on Israeli music. Kick up your heels at our Israeli folk dancing classes. Take a group picture at our photo booth with beautiful backdrops of Israeli scenes. Food trucks will join us onsite: Kona Ice and StarChaat Indian vegetarian food. L ooking forward to celebrating Israel's 75th birthday with you!