For 2024/5784, Passover begins sunset on Monday, April 22, 2024 and continues until sunset, Tuesday, April 30. PASSOVER Scroll below for information on how to host a Seder, Passover recipes, and more! Passover Remade but As Relevant As Ever Despite all of the arduous pre-Seder preparations, for many of us, Passover is one of the most anticipated Jewish holidays and the Seder the most widely observed Jewish holiday rituals. It is certainly because of our getting together with family members, friends and even a guest who you just met and who had no Seder to go to. It is certainly because of the food, with many recipes curated from those that we have enjoyed since our youth and in many cases carried down for generations. And it is certainly because of the meaningful and emotionally powerful story of liberation. This story is even more relevant today due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and as we write this, the bombardment which has robbed the country’s civilians of their freedom. For those who seek more information about leading a seder and perhaps now tasked with this task for the first time, this webpage will provide resources, such as Passover recipes , how-to host-a-seder directions and books that can provide you with pertinent and user-friendly information. If you cannot enjoy Passover with family and friends this year, think about making your own traditions. Adapt family recipes. Search the web for innovative ones. Manhattan resident Efrem Epstein has found sources that say it is okay to ask the Mah Nishtana (The Four Questions) by oneself if you are the only one at the seder table. Since the spring of 2020 and the onset of the pandemic, we have found strength in carrying out our traditions and rituals even when social distancing made it difficult to join in large groups. This Passover, more communal seders, and family and friends get-togethers are taking place. This year, Passover’s story about the lack of freedom and the importance of liberation may be even more relevant to many of us due to the war in Ukraine and other global events. This is a time to remember the sweetness of freedom (from war, from disease, from anxiety) and the selflessness of the many who continue to lead the way to a better world. Enjoy a new and moving rendition* of the traditional song Chad Gadya sung at Passover! * The choral presentation is by the Rana Choir. Rana is a unique Arab-Jewish women’s choir operating in Jaffa and comprised of 16 Muslim, Christian, and Jewish women. The choir was founded in 2008 by Mika Danny, who serves as its musical director and conductor, and by Idan Toledano, who serves as the artistic director. Rana has performed successfully throughout Israel and the world. The choir aims to express the female voice, which is not heard enough in our region, to cultivate dialogue and create a cultural and human bridge. The choir’s repertoire includes folk songs and women’s songs in Hebrew, Arabic, and other cultures of the region. RESOURCES How to Host a Seder & Other Info You Need > PASSOVER RECIPES Treasured Recipes for Your Seder & Passover > BOOKS & HAGGADOT Make Your Own Haggadah or Check out Books on Passover > HOW YOU CAN HELP Organizations helping local communities & the refugees from Ukraine >

High Holiday Resources 20-Page guide to the High Holidays from 18 Doors.org Important words and phrases to know about Rosh HaShanah While most American Jews know of the traditional ritual of dipping a slice of apple into honey, to wish for a sweet new year, many Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews also participate in a "seder" before the first main meal of the holiday. So, in this article from MyJewishLearning.com, find out how to lead a Sephardic Rosh HaShanah Seder . 10 Things that the shofar symbolizes From My Jewish Learning's website, a wonderful guide on how to celebrate the High Holidays. Read Rosh HaShanah history by ReformJudaism.org. Hazon - The Jewish Lab for Sustainability, presents a well-curated bouquet of resources. To read more about how you can gear up and be ready to make this new year more meaningful and sustainable, click here . A Parent’s Must-Have Guide to the High Holidays , by Sara Sapadin, published on ReformJudaism.org . 9 Interesting Things about Pomegranates How to Get the Most out of the Virtual High Holiday Services The Joys of a Mizrahi Rosh HaShanah Seder PJ Library Guide to High Holidays @ Home and Rosh Hashanah 2021 Resource Hub High Holidays books for kids; I Spy Rosh Hashanah: Celebrate Jewish New Year with this Activity Book (Ages 2-5) I’m Sorry Grover: A Rosh Hashanah Tale King of the Fruits Rachel’s Roses Rabbi Benjamin’s Buttons Fun at Grandma Sadie’s All About Jewish Time Rosh Hashanah Unicorn: Coloring Book for Kids From Kveller.com: Mayim Bialik breaks down Rosh HaShanah for us Watch it here

D'VAR TORAH: A LOOK AT THE TORAH PORTION OF THE WEEK Each week we will share different commentaries on the Torah portion and/or the holiday. D'var Torahs we shared in 5782 September 9, 2023 NITZAVIM-VAYEILECH, DEUTERONOMY 29:9-30:20, 31:1-31:30 From MyJewishLearning.com: Living Like It's "Hayom" Every Day by Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold F r om ReformJudaism.org: Standing Before the Creator by Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste September 2, 2023 KI TAVO, DEUTERONOMY 26:1-29:8 From MyJewishLearning.com: Forging the Intergenerational Self by Rabbi Jethro Berkman From ReformJudaism.org: The Blessings of New Beginnings by Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch August 26, 2023 KI TEITZEI, DEUTERONOMY 21:10-25:19 From MyJewishLearning.com: Sins of the Father by Amy Deutsch From ReformJudaism.org: Chase Justice by Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch August 19, 2023 SHOFTIM, DEUTERONOMY 16:18-21:9 From MyJewishLearning.com: Doing God's Work? by Shira Eliassian August 12, 2023 RE'EH, DEUTERONOMY 11:26-16:17 From MyJewishLearning.com: Telling and Retelling - Why Does Moses Repeat the History of Israelite People on the Eve of Crossing into the Promised Land? by Anat Barber August 5, 2023 EIKEV, DEUTERONOMY 7:12-11:25 From ReformJudaism.org: Even if You Don't Listen, the Voice Will Still Be Heard by Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste July 29, 2023 VA-ET'CHANAN, DEUTERONOMY 3:23-7:11 From ReformJudaism.org: Fearing Death and Finding Life by Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste July 22, 2023 D'VARIM, DEUTERONOMY 1:1-3:22 From ReformJudaism.org: How Does a Story Begin? Not Like You Think by Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste July 15, 2023 MATOT - MA'SEI , NUMBERS 30:2-36:13 From ReformJudaism.org: The Ones Who Cross Over by Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz July 8 , 2023 PINCHAS , NUMBERS 25:10-30:1 From ReformJudaism.org: Showing Your Work: The Legacy of the Daughters of Zelophechad by Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz July 1, 2023 CHUKAT-BALAK, NUMBERS 19:1-25:9 From MyJewishLearning.com: The Lost Years by Channa Lockshin Bob June 24, 2023 KORACH , NUMBERS 16:1-18:32 From ReformJudaism.org: Korach's Song by Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz From MyJewishLearning.com: Between Chaos and Order by Rabbi Charlie Schwartz June 17, 2023 SH'LACH L'CHA, NUMBERS 13:1-15:41 From ReformJudaism.org: Choose Hope: The Story of Coach Ted Lasso and the Biblical Caleb by Rabbi Alex Kress June 10, 2023 BEHA'ALOTCHA, NUMBERS 8:1-12:16 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Beha'alotcha: The Grand March Toward the Good by Rabbi Seth Farber June 3, 2023 NASSO, NUMBERS 4:21-7:89 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Nasso: Getting the Message by Rabbi Elliott Goldberg May 27, 2023 NASO I, NUMBERS 4:21-5:31 From ReformJudaism.org: The Opposite of Faith by Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz May 20, 2023 BAMIDBAR, NUMBERS 1:1-4:20 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Bamidbar: When Women Are Invisible by Sivan Rotholz From ReformJudaism.org: Seeing Ourselves in the Sacred Story Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz May 13, 2023 B'HAR B'CHUKOTAI, LEVITICUS 25:1-27:34 From ReformJudaism.org: What Political System Does the Torah Favor? by Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg May 6, 2023 EMOR, LEVITICUS 21:1-24:23 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Emor: Sacred Time, Sacred Connections by Rabbi Danielle Upbin April 29, 2023 ACHAREI MOT-K'DOSHIM, LEVITICUS 16:1-20:27 From ReformJudaism.org: What Makes Us Holy? by Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg April 22, 2023 TAZRIA-METZORA, LEVITICUS 12:1-15:33 From MyJewishLearning.com: Illness, Isolation and Lessons Learned by Rabbi Hazzan Marcia Tilchin From ReformJudaism.org: A Spiritual Wellness Check Up: Examining My Metaphorical Case of Tzara’at by Cantor David Fair Apr il 15, 2023 SHEMINI, LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47 From MyJewishLearning.com: When Silence is a Crime by Rabbi Alon Meltzer Silence is Praise by Kohenet Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny April 8, 2023 Chol HaMo-eid Pesach (Passover Intermediate Days), EXODUS 33:12-34:26 From ReformJudaism.org: God Assures Moses: "You've Got This!" by Cantor David Fair April 1, 2023 TZAV, LEVITICUS 6:1-8:36 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Tzav: Bread in Abundance by Shira Hecht-Koller March 25, 2023 VAYIKRA, LEVITICUS 1:1-5:26 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Vayikra: I Give, Therefore I Love by Anat Barber From ReformJudaism.org: Developing a Modern Prayer Practice Around Korbanot by Cantor David Fair March 18, 2023 VAYAK'HEIL-P'KUDEI, EXODUS 35:1-40:38 From ReformJudaism.org: A Single Whole by Rabbi Jonathan K. Crane March 11, 2023 KI TISA, EXODUS 30:11-34:35 From ReformJudaism.org: Why so Quiet? by Rabbi Jonathan K. Crane March 4, 2023 TETZAVEH, EXODUS 27:20-30:10 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Tetzaveh: Carrying Our Loved Ones in Our Hearts by Rabbi Hayim Herring Parashat Tetzaveh: Pinterest for Priests by Rabbi Noga Brenner Samia February 25, 2023 TERUMAH, EXODUS 25:1-27:19 From MyJewishLearning.com: There's No Place Like Home by Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses February 18, 2023 MISHPATIM, EXODUS 21:1-24:18 From ReformJudaism.org: On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Mishpatim: Always Be Present by Rabbi Rick Jacobs From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Mishpatim: Overcoming Victimhood by Rabbi Zachary Truboff February 11, 2023 YITRO, EXODUS 18:1-20:23 From ReformJudaism.org: "What? Why?" by Jonathan K.Crane February 4, 2023 B'SHALACH, EXODUS 13:17-17:16 From ReformJudaism.org: The Past is Hard to Leave Behind by Rabbi Mary Zamore January 28, 2023 BO, EXODUS 10:1-13:16 From MyJewishLearning.com: What's In A Miracle? by Rabbi Avi Weinstein January 21, 2023 VAERA, EXODUS 6:2-9:35 From ReformJudaism.org: Not One Remained by Rabbi Dr. Jonathan K. Crane January 14, 2023 SHEMOT, EXODUS 1:1-6:1 From MyJewishLearning.com: These Are The Names: Where Is Yours? by Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson January 7, 2023 VAYECHI, GENESIS 47:28-50:26 From ReformJudaism.org: Parashat Vayechi is a Reminder to Keep Hope Alive by Rabbi Michael Dolgin December 31, 2022 VAYIGASH, GENESIS 44:18-47:27 From ReformJudaism.org: A Story of Forgiveness and Reconciliation by Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar December 24, 2022 MIKETZ, GENESIS 41:1-44:17 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Miketz: Coercion vs. Love by Rabbi Noah Arnow December 17, 2022 VAYESHEV, GENESIS 37:1-40:23 From MyJewishLearning.com: Joseph: Tzadik or Tattletale? by Rabbi Sharon Mars December 10, 2022 VAYISHLACH, GENESIS 32:4-36:43 From MyJewishLearning.com: Honoring the Best of Jacob by David Gottlieb December 3, 2022 VAYEITZEI, GENESIS 28:10-32:3 From ReformJudaism.org: How Can We Avoid Conflict Among Siblings? by Rabbi Paul Kipnes November 26 , 2022 TOLDOT, GENESIS 25:19-28:9 From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Toldot: Summary by Nancy Reuben Greenfield November 19 , 2022 CHAYEI SARAH, GENESIS 23:1-25:18 From ReformJudaism.org: A Legacy of Kindness, Generosity and Love by Ellen M. Umansky, Ph.D. November 12 , 2022 VAYERA, GENESIS 18:1-22:24 From RabbiSacks.org: To Bless the Space Between Us by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks From MyJewishLearning.com: Seeing the Ram by Rabbi Neal J. Loevinger November 5 , 2022 LECH-LECHA, GENESIS 12:1-17:27 From RabbiSacks.org: Journey of the Generations by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks From ReformJudaism.org: The Challenge of Letting Go of Children by Rabbi Paul Kipnes October 29 , 2022 NOACH, GENESIS 6:9-11:32 From MyJewishLearning.com: How Societies Collapse by Rabbi Rachel Isaacs From ReformJudaism.org: Everything We Do Matters by Rabbi Stacy Rigler October 22 , 2022 BERESHIT, GENESIS 1:1-6:8 From MyJewishLearning.com: The Power of a Name by Rabbi Andrew Davids October 15 , 2022 CHOL HAMO-EID SUKKOT, HOLIDAYS EXODUS 33:12–34:26 From ReformJudaism.org: We All Will Die, But We Must Be Grateful by Rabbi Reuven Firestone October 8 , 2022 HAAZINU, DEUTERONOMY 32:1-52 From ReformJudaism.org: The New Year is a Chance to Realign Our Actions with Our Values by Rabbi Max Chaiken October 1 , 2022 VAYEILECH, DEUTERONOMY 31:1-31:30 From MyJewishLearning.com: Models of Leadership by Rabbi Shimon Felix

Passover Recipes & More Recipes from Chabad.org , not just for Passover, but all year long. Recipes from 18Doors.org collected through the years. Passover dinner menu ideas courtesy of Delish.com. 9 Passover lunch ideas for kids from PJ Library and more recipes and youth friendly activities . Charoset inspired chicken Chicken Bolognese over kohlrabi Mini potato kugels recipe How to cook for Passover during the coronavirus crisis from My Jewish Learning . Charoset recipes from around the world . Why do we eat coconut macaroons for Passover? from The No sher Treasured recipes from Temple Isaiah's cookbook. Fabulous zucchini muffins for Passover Passover pop overs recipe The 5-ingredient gluten-free Syrian frittata Best healthy apple-crisp (gluten-free, paleo) New recipe for filbert layers with coffee fudge The easiest matzah tiramisu recipe Gluten-free teff flour chocolate crepes for Passover and all year round. Joan Nathan's Passover chocolate chip cookies. Henny Shor's "Doesn't Taste like Passover Food" From the Nosher, a Passover almond cake with strawberry compote 10 Plague Matzah pizza f rom WhatJewwannaeat.com Finally, THE PERFECT SEDER SHOT (A horseradish flavored vodka)!!!!!!!!!

COMING SOON Tuesday, February 23, 2:00 pm, Go Read it! Author Series: Night of the Assassins....Hitler's Plot to Kill FDR, Churchill and Stalin. March 2-7, Around the World with Fred, screening of the delightful Israeli film Women's Balcony Sunday, March 7, 10:00 am , Israel and UAE - Building a Better Future for Children: Panel discussion featuring speakers from Israel and the UAE. Sponsors also include Cong. B’nai Tikvah and the Progressive Zionist Union. As part of FACES OF ISRAEL series, a trio of awesome speakers will discuss the UAE-Israel-Dubai normalization and business ties that are happening. They recently penned a joint op-ed and are open to sharing what is really happening on the ground with us as part of a panel. Thani AlShirawi - Emirati pro-Zionist, Vice-Chairman and Deputy Managing Director at Al Shirawi Group of Companies from UAE - https://twitter.com/Thani75 https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanialshirawi/ Michal Cotler-Wunsh - member, Knesset, Blue and White party - https://twitter.com/CotlerWunsh Arsen Ostrovsky - int'l Israeli human right lawyer, fighter against antisemitism bio: https://www.nbn.org.il/bonei-zion/2018-bonei-zion-prize-recipients/#ostrovsky Two weeks in April 2021 , EBIJFF26 Virtual Festival LOOKING FORWARD TO MIFGASH IN 2021! We hope to get to get together in 2021 for the 2nd Annual Mifgash! American Jewish teens have the opportunity to join with 30+ Israeli teens for 8–10 days of Bay Area adventures. Make friends. Make a difference. Make memories. This is day-camp for teens. Journey in summer 2021 through an amusement park, redwoods, college campuses, beaches, high tech, and all that the San Francisco Bay Area has to offer. Sign up by the day, by the week and/or be a host to two amazing Israeli teens for the experience of a lifetime.

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