WELCOME SUMMER NATURE HIKE Jun 27, 2021, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT In Berkeley, TBA upon registration Join us for a hike, a scavenger hunt and make new friends along the way. Details

TISHA B'AV Tisha B'Av is an annual fast day in Judaism, on which four disasters in Jewish history are supposed to have occurred. The two primary ones are the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire in 70 CE. The third one is the Fall of Betar, Bar Kochba's last stronghold during the Third Jewish War against Rome (132-135 CE), and the fourth is the expulsion from Spain in 1492. Tisha B'Av is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. Tisha B'Av falls in July or August in the Gregorian calendar. The observance of this day includes five prohibitions, most notable of which is a day-long fast. The Book of Lamentations, which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem, is read in the synagogue, followed by the recitation of kinnot. The latter are liturgical dirges that lament the loss of the Temples and Jerusalem. In 2024, the year 5784 in the Jewish calendar, Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av), starts on the evening of Monday, August 12 and ends on the evening of Tuesday, August 13. The following are some online resources: From My Jewish Learning, Why Tisha B'Av is Not Really About Mourning Tisha B'Av Rituals and Practices

MOROCCAN HAROSET BALLS Ingredients 1 cup walnuts (almonds can be substituted) 1 peeled and cubed green apple 1/2 cup pitted dates 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup pitted prunes 2 tsp. grape juice 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. sugar Preparation In a blender or food processor, add all ingredients. Blend to desired consistency. Some prefer this charoset to have more texture while others refer a smoother consistency. Roll the charoset mixture into balls, refrigerate for 1-2 hours, and then place individual balls on each plate. HEDVA'S YEMENITE CHAROSET (with thanks to the Jewish Journal magazine) Ingredients 1 cup walnuts 1 cup almonds 10 dates, seedless Water 1/2 cup raisins 1 apple, peeled, cored and diced 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 cup grape juice or sweet red wine Preparation In a food processor, lightly grind walnuts and almonds. Set aside. Soak dates in water for 1 hour and cut each date into halves. Grind dates, raisins and diced apple in the food processor. Add walnuts, almonds and remaining ingredients. Add the grape juice or sweet wine and mix well. SEPHARDIC HAROSET Ingredients 1/2 cup pecans chopped 1/2 pound pitted dates 1 1/2 cup raisins 2 peeled apples 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 cup orange juice Preparation Put all of the ingredients in a food processor with a steel blade and process until coarsely chopped. ASHKENAZI CHAROSET Ingredients 6 grated apples 1 cup finely chopped walnuts 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 2-3 Tbsp white sugar 1/3 cup sweet red wine Preparation Place the apples and walnuts into a large bowl. Combine the cinnamon and sugar, sprinkle over the apples. Stir in the sweet wine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving. SABRA HAROSET (Thank you to Be’chol Lashon’s website for this tasty charoset. Ingredients 2 peeled and cored apples 6 peeled bananas 1 lemon, juiced 1 orange, juiced 20 pitted dates 1 cup peanuts (switch to another nut, if allergic) 1 cup dry red wine matzah meal as needed 2 tsp. cinnamon sugar to taste Preparation Put fruit, nuts, cinnamon and sugar into a food processor and blend to a slightly chunky texture. Add wine, lemon juice and orange juice. Then add enough matzah meal to form the consistency that you want.

PHOTO GALLERY 1/54 On Sunday, April 30, 2023, IsraFEST75 brought together the East Bay Jewish communities for a taste of Israel which celebrated its 75th birthday that week. The event was convened and underwritten by the Contra Costa JCC in partnership with the local synagogues and Jewish organizations. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Children familiarized themselves with Israel through various fun activities. There were also short films, lectures and concerts for adults. These are some of the images from that special day. End of Summer Pool Party 1 End of Summer Pool Party 2 End of Summer Pool Party 5 End of Summer Pool Party 1 1/5 On August 21, families from all over Contra Costa came together for CCJCC's "End of Summer Pool Party." The kids and parents had a good time enjoying one of summer 2022's last hot days in a fun and exciting environment. The Contra Costa JCC brought the community together for the 2nd Annual Menorah Competition on Monday, November 30, at Congregation B'nai Shalom. It was a great evening of families celebrating the second night of Hanukkah. We thank all our cosponsors who made this event possible and everyone who joined in the fun. Edible Science (Winner) The Light of the Diaspora (2nd Place) Here We Go... Edible Science (Winner) 1/25 Summer Day at the Pool (1) Summer Day at the Pool (2) Summer Day at the Pool (9) Summer Day at the Pool (1) 1/9 On August 22, the CCJCC brought together young families with kids and tweens to have some splashing cool fun at the San Ramon Pool and Aquatic Center. These images are testament to the awesome time the kids had that day! The CCJCC & NCSY Project Impact offers four different tracks for teens and families with young children to explore ways for Tikkun Olam ( repair the world). One of those tracks is assembling food and care packages for the homeless youth. O n Sunday, March 21, 2021, participants who signed up in advance came together to work and help those who are less fortunate. ProjectImpact2 ProjectImpact3 ProjectImpact4 ProjectImpact2 1/5 Purim 2021 Purim 2021 - Noa Baum Purim 2021 1/2 On Thursday, February 25, 2021 the community came together for Erev Purim. There were costume contests for kids and families, singing, storytelling with Noa Baum and Megillah reading. Just two quick screenshots from that fun evening. In the 2020 CCJCC Family Menorah Contest , more than 20 families exhibited their spirit and creativity. Here are the menorahs they made and presented virtually on December 16, 2020. Contest 3 Bronson Family - Winner Schotland Family Stamp Menorah Contest 3 1/21 Get Your Butt Outside & Hike with Friends on October 24th was the first in what will be many innovative and exciting Young Families Programming events coming to our community in 2020-2021. Here are some photos from the hike. Hiking in Mt. Diablo State Park We found a happy place. I made this. Hiking in Mt. Diablo State Park 1/10 Violins of Hope: Along the Trade Route event on January 30, 2020 at Congregation B'nai Shalom brought the Contra Costa community together for a memorable evening of music. Violins of Hope Violins of Hope Violins of Hope 1/2

PASSOVER SCAVENGER HUNT & HIKE Mar 20, 2021, 1:00 PM PDT In Danville, TBA upon registration Outside the box... into the fresh air! Passover themed scavenger hunt & hike at a local park followed by snacks & refreshments. Perfect for young families! Details

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

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.

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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 5780 September 4, 2021 NITZAVIM, DEUTERONOMY 29:9-30:2 From MyJewishLearning.com: Writing Women into the Torah by Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses From SouthStreetTemple.org: Nitzavim August 28, 2021 KI TAVO, DEUTERONOMY 26:1-29:8 From MyJewishLearning.com: When you Enter In by Nancy Reuben Greenfield From ReformJudaism.org: From Temple Sacrifices to High Holiday Rituals by Cantor Evan Kent August 21, 2021 KI TEITZEI, DEUTERONOMY 21:10-25:19 From ReformJudaism.org: The Power of Collective Memory by Cantor Evan Kent Ki Teitzei for Teens , Shabbat Sha-raps August 14, 2021 SHOFTIM, DEUTERONOMY 16:18-21:9 From ReformJudaism.org: Social Justice in My Bones by Evan Kent Shof'tim for Teens , Shabbat Sha'raps August 7, 2021 RE'EH, DEUTERONOMY 11:26-16:17 The Office of Rabbi Sacks: Defining Reality by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks MyJewishLearning.com: Telling and Retelling by Anat Barber July 31, 2021 EIKEV, DEUTERONOMY 7:12-11:25 From MyJewishLearning.com: Winning the Divine Lottery by Rabbi Dan Ross From ReformJudaism.org: Survival and S ustenance by Jonathan Cohen From RabbiSacks.org: To Lead is to Liste n by the Late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks July 24, 2021 VAETCHANAN, DEUTERONOMY 3:23-7:11 From MyJewishLearning.com: Inverse Tablets by Mindy Berman The Smallest of Peoples by Pamela Katz July 17, 2021 DEVARIM, DEUTERONOMY 1:1-3:22 From Chabad.org: Recalling the Story, Long After It's Told by Karen Wolfers-Rappaport From RabbiSacks.org: Family Edition by the Late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks July 10, 2021 MATOT-MASEI, NUMBERS 30:2-36:13 From ReformJudaism.org: Out of the Shadows and Beyond the Fear: Zelophehad's Daughters' Daughters by Rabbi Carol Bailin Ph.D. From RabbiSacks.org: Family Edition by the Late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks July 3, 2021 PINCHAS, NUMBERS 25:10-30.1 From MyJewishLearning.com: Dispossession of Women’s Land by Rachel Farbiarz Zeal and Peace by Rabbi Howard Alpert June 26, 2021 BALAK, NUMBERS 22:2-25.9 From ReformJudaism.org: How to Avoid Getting Stuck in Balak's Trap by Dr. Ruhama Weiss, Ph. D. Whose Word is it Anyway? by Steven Kushner June 19, 2021 CHUKAT, NUMBERS 19:1-22:1 From ReformJudaism.org: In the End, There Was Love by Rabbi Alex Kress Experiencing Torah Through Reckless Abandon in the Wilderness by Dr. Ruhama Weiss, Ph.D. Shabbat Sha-raps (for Teens) From MyJewishLearning.com: Responding to Thirst by Jordana Schuster June 12, 2021 KORACH, NUMBERS 16:1-18:32 From Schechter.edu: The Elusiveness of Honor by Rabbi Prof. David Golinkin From Reform Judaism.org: How Leaders Can Use Guilt to Control a People by Dr. Ruhama Weiss, Ph.D. June 5, 2021 SH'LACH, NUMBERS 13:1-15:41 From MyJewishLearning.com: The Perils of Groupthink by Rabbi Asher Lopatin From SouthStreetTemple.org: Torah Portion Sh'lach May 29, 2021 BEHA'ALOTCHA, NUMBERS 8:1-12:16 From MyJewishLearning.com: Leaving Childhood Behind b y Rabbi Shimon Felix From ReformJudaism.org: Bringing Up Israel--Parenting a New Nation by Rabbi Lisa Grushcow May 22, 2021 NASSO, NUMBERS 4:21-7:89 From MyJewishLearning.com: In the Priestly Blessing, Seeing Parenthood’s Trajectory by Noah Arnow Children and Jealousy by Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses May 15, 2021 BAMIDBAR, NUMBERS 1:1-4:20 From MyJewishLearning.com: When Women are Invisible by Sivan Rotholz From American Jewish World Service: Bamidba r by Rabbi David Singer May 8, 2021 BEHAR, LEVITICUS 25:1-26:2 From The Office of Rabbi Sacks: The Power of a Curse by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks From ReformJudaism.org: Joining God as Resident Strangers in the World by Rabbi Ben Spratt May 1, 2021 EMOR, LEVITICUS 21:1-24:23 From Jewish World Service: Dvar Tzedek by Rachel Farbiarz From MyJewishLearning.com: The Cruel Demands of Purity and Beauty by Dr. Shulamit Reinharz April 24, 2021 ACHAREI MOT-KEDOSHIM, LEVITICUS 16:1-20:27 From The Office of Rabbi Sacks 2021: Sprints and Marathons by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks 2017: Judaism's Three Voices by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks April 17, 2021 TAZRIA-METZORA, LEVITICUS 12:1-15:33 From MyJewishLearning.com: Illness, Isolation and Lessons Learned by Rabbi Hazzan Rachel Tilchin From Aish.com: Fred Rogers and the Power of Words by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Lesson in Humility by N.Y. Safran (Family-focused discussion) April 10, 2021 SHEMINI, LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47 From ReformJudaism.org: You Are What You Eat: The New World of Kosher Food by Rabbi Lance Sussman Shemini for Teens , Sha-raps March 27, 2021 TZAV, LEVITICUS 6:1-8:36 From ReformJudaism.org: From the Altar to the Bimah—What is Expected of a Leader? by Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg Never Too Proud to Wield the Sacred Shovel by Rabbi Ben Spratt Tzav for Teens , Shabbat Sha-raps March 20, 2021 VAYIKRA, LEVITICUS 1:1-5:26 From ReformJudaism.org: The Power of Sacrifice, Then and Now by Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg From MyJewishLearning.com: The Pending Guilt Climate and the Global Climate by Shlomo Levin March 13, 2021 VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI, EXODUS 35:1-40:38 From website dedicated to teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: Celebrate From Aish.com: Revenge is a dish best not served by Harry Rothenberg Coloring Pages for Ages 2-6 March 6, 2021 KI TISA, EXODUS 30:11-34:35 From Aish.com The Injustice of Judgement by Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig For Children--Caring for Others by Nesanel Y. Safran February 27, 2021 TETZAVEH, EXODUS 27:20-30:10 From Aish.com Crushed for the Light by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Balancing Our Children's Education . A Video with Eitiel Goldwicht Coloring Pages for Ages 3- 7 February 20, 2021 TERUMAH, EXODUS 25:1-27:19 From MyJewishLearning.com: Hidden Gifts by Rabbi Nicole Auerbach From Keshet online: A Mandatory Donation by David Katzenelson February 13, 2021 MISHPATIM, EXODUS 21:1-24:18 From ReformJudaism.org: A Continuity of Law by Rabbi Reuven Greenvald Mishpatim for Tots - Kids and Compassion February 6, 2021 YITRO, EXODUS 18:1-20:26 From the Office of Rabbi Sacks: A Nation of Leaders by the late Rabbi Lord Sacks From ReconstructingJudaism.org: Hearing the Voice of God by Rabbi Howard Cohen January 30, 2021 BESHALACH, EXODUS 13:17-17:16 From AJWS.net (American Jewish World Service) Parshat Beshalach by Alana Alpert From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Beshalach: Summary by Nancy R. Greenfield January 23, 2021 BO, EXODUS 10:1-13:16 From Aish.com: The Story We Tell About Ourselves by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Finding Courage (for Parents & Kids) by Nesanel Yoel Safran Visualizing the Exodus Experience by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski January 16, 2021 VA-EIRA, EXODUS 6:2-9:35 I (God) Appeared [to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob] From ReformJudaism.org: What It Takes to Fulfill the Promise by Rabbi Stephanie M. Alexander Why So Many Plagues by Rabbi Mary Zamore Shortness of Breath, Shortness of Spirit by Rabbi Sarah Bassin From MyJewishLearning.com: Who Really Hardened Paharaoh's Heart? by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg January 9, 2021 SHMOT, EXODUS 1:1-6:1 From Aish.com: How We Relate to God Depends on How We Relate to Others by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski Coloring Pages for Kids From MyJewishLearning.com : These are the Names by Rabbi Bradley Artson January 2, 2021 VAYECHI, GENESIS 47:28-50:26 From MyJewishLearning.com: The Legend of You and Me by Rabbi Devin Maimon Villarreal From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps for Teens December 26, 2020 VAYIGASH, GENESIS 44:18-47:27 From MyJewishLearning.com: When Dreams Come True by Hanan Schlesinger Preparing for Exile by Rabbi Yitzchok A. Breitowitz From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps for Teens December 19, 2020 MIKETZ, GENESIS 41:1-44:17 In parshat Miketz we learn of how Joesph arrived in Egypt and his plan to bring Benjamin there as well. From MyJewishLearning.com: Coercion vs. Love by Rabbi Noah Arnow From Aish.com: Coloring pages for children Ages 3-8 Three Approaches to Dreams by Rabbi Lord Sacks December 12, 2020 VAYEISHEV: GENESIS 37:1-40:23 Jacob now settled in the land of his father's sojourning, in the land of Canaan. - Genesis 37:1 From ReformJudaism.org: The Most Painful Parts of Joseph’s Story Can Teach Us about Ourselves by Rabbi Michael Dolgin Who is the Support Cast in the Story of Your Life by Rabbi Dan Moskowitz December 5, 2020 VAYISHLACH, GENESIS 32:4-36:43 Jacob now sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, in the countryside of Edom. - Genesis 32:4 From Aish.com: Coloring Pages for 3 – 6 year olds Who’s In Control by Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman The Jewish Journey by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks November 28, 2020 VAYETZEI, GENESIS 28:10-32.3 From MyJewishLearning.com: The Place with No Name by Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps for Teens November 21, 2020 TOLDOT, GENESIS 25:19-28:9 From MyJewishLearning.com: Why Rebecca Pushed Jacob to Get Esau's Blessing by Rabbi Nathan J. Diament From ReformJudaism.org: The Greatest Threat to Civilization by Rabbi Michael Dolgin November 14, 2020 CHAYEI SARAH, GENESIS 23:1-25:18 From ReformJudaism.org: What Torah Can Teach Us about Overcoming Loneliness by Rabbi Michael Dolgin Chayei Sarah for Teens--Shabbat Sha-raps From Aish.com: Coloring Pages on Chayei Sarah for Toddlers and Elementary Students November 7, 2020 VAYERA, GENESIS 18:1-22:24 From Jtsa.org: Itzik's Journey by David G. Roskies Women of Faith by Amy Kalmanofsky From ReformJudaism.org: Vayeira for Teens--Shabbat Sha-raps October 31, 2020 LECH LECHA, GENESIS 12:1-17:27 From Aish.com: An 8 Year-Old Behind the Wheel by Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich (Torah for children) From Rabbisacks.org: The Courage Not to Confirm by Rabbi Lord Sacks From usy.org: Lech Lecha by Aviya Cammy (for teens) October 24, 2020 NOACH, GENESIS 6:9-11:32 From Reformjudaism.org: Noach for Tots—How do We Understand Our Children? by Diana Fersko Noach for Teens—Shabbat Sha-raps From MyJewishlearning.com: The Earth was Filled with Violence by Daniel Bloom (for adults) October 17, 2020 BERESHIT, GENESIS 1:1-6:8 Bereshit is perhaps the most read part of the Torah as it starts our collective story. Summary from My Jewish Learning: In this Torah portion, God creates the world. After Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, they are banished from the Garden of Eden. Later Cain kills Abel. God then considers destroying all of Creation. From Reformjudaism.org: A Special Podcast with Singer David Broza ( One can select to hear the podcast or read the transcript) What does it Mean to be Human by Rabbi Michael Dolgin From Myjewishlearning.com: The Two Creation Stories by Rabbi I. Schorsch The Power of a Name by Rabbi Andrew Davids Commentary for Sukkot From My Jewish Learning: This portion covers all the “sacred occasions” that are mentioned in the Torah. It is only at the very end that Sukkot–and its symbols of the sukkah and four species–is mentioned. In the Reform tradition only the part that specifically focuses on Sukkot (Leviticus 23:33-44 ) is read on the holiday 22:26. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 22:27. When an ox or a sheep or a goat is born, it shall stay seven days with its mother, and from the eighth day on it shall be acceptable as an offering by fire to the LORD. 22:28. However, no animal from the herd or from the flock shall be slaughtered on the same day with its young. 22:29. When you sacrifice a thanksgiving offering to the LORD, sacrifice it so that it may be acceptable in your favor. 22:30. lt shall be eaten on the same day; you shall not leave any of it until morning: I am the LORD. 22:31. You shall faithfully observe My commandments: I am the LORD. 22:32. You shall not profane My holy name, that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people -I the LORD who sanctify you, 22:33. I who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God, I the LORD. 23:1. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23:2. Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: These are My fixed times, the fixed times of the LORD, which you shall proclaim as sacred occasions. 23:3. On six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a sabbath of complete rest, a sacred occasion. You shall do no work; it shall be a sabbath of the LORD throughout your settlements. 23:4. These are the set times of the LORD, the sacred occasions, which you shall celebrate each at its appointed time: 23:5. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, there shall be a passover offering to the LORD, 23:6. and on the fifteenth day of that month the LORD’s Feast of Unleavened Bread. You shall eat unleavened bread for seven days. 23:7. The first day shall be for you a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations. 23:8. Seven days you shall make offerings by fire to the LORD. The seventh day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations. 23:9. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23:10. Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you enter the land which I am giving to you and you reap its harvest, you shall bring the first sheaf of your harvest to the priest. 23:11. He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD for acceptance in your behalf; the priest shall wave it on the day after the sabbath. 23:12. On the day that you wave the sheaf, you shall offer as a burnt offering to the LORD a lamb of the first year without blemish. 23:13. The meal offering with it shall be two-tenths of a measure of choice flour with oil mixed in, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the LORD; and the libation with it shall be of wine, a quarter of a hin. 23:14. Until that very day, until you have brought the offering of your God, you shall eat no bread or parched grain or fresh ears; it is a law for all time throughout the ages in all your settlements. 23:15. And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of wave offering – the day after the sabbath-you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: 23:16. you must count until the day after the seventh week-fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the LORD. 23:17. You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as a wave offering; each shall be made of two- tenths of a measure of choice flour, baked after leavening, as first fruits to the LORD. 23:18. With the bread you shall present, as burnt offerings to the LORD, seven yearling lambs without blemish, one bull of the herd, and two rams, with their meal offerings and libations, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the LORD. 23:19. You shall also offer one he-goat as a sin offering and two yearling lambs as a sacrifice of well-being. 23:20. The priest shall wave these-the two lambs together with the bread of first fruits as a wave offering before the LORD; they shall be holy to the LORD, for the priest. 23:21. On that same day you shall hold a celebration; it shall be a sacred occasion for you; you shall not work at your occupations. This is a law for all time in all your settlements, throughout the ages. 23:22. And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I the LORD am your God. 23:23. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23:24. Speak to the Israelite people thus: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe complete rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts. 23:25. You shall not work at your occupations; and you shall bring an offering by fire to the LORD. 23:26. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23:27. Mark, the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a sacred occasion for you: you shall practice self-denial, and you shall bring an offering by fire to the LORD; 23:28. you shall do no work throughout that day. For it is a Day of Atonement, on which expiation is made on your behalf before the LORD your God. 23:29. lndeed, any person who does not practice self-denial throughout that day shall be cut off from his kin; 23:30. and whoever does any work throughout that day, I will cause that person to perish from among his people. 23:31. Do no work whatever; it is a law for all time, throughout the ages in all your settlements. 23:32. It shall be a sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall practice self-denial; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall observe this your sabbath. 23:33. The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23:34. Say to the Israelite people: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month there shall be the Feast of Booths to the LORD, [to last] seven days. 23:35. The first day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations; 23:36. seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to the LoRD; it is a solemn gathering: you shall not work at your occupations. 23:37. Those are the set times of the LORD which you shall celebrate as sacred occasions, bringing offerings by fire to the LORD – burnt offerings, meal offerings, sacrifices, and libations, on each day what is proper to it- 23:38. apart from the sabbaths of the LORD, and apart from your gifts and from all your votive offerings and from all your freewill offerings that you give to the LORD. 23:39. Mark, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the yield of your land, you shall observe the festival of the LORD [to last] seven days: a complete rest on the first day, and a complete rest on the eighth day. 23:40. On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. 23:41. You shall observe it as a festival of the LORD for seven days in the year; you shall observe it in the seventh month as a law for all time, throughout the ages. 23:42. You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths, 23:43. in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the LORD your God. 23:44. So Moses declared to the Israelites the set times of the LORD. This English translation is reprinted with permission from Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures published by the Jewish Publication Society . Saturday, September 26, 2020 HA'AZINU, DEUTERONOMY 32:1-32:52 This is the 53rd weekly Torah portion ( פָּרָשָׁה‎, parashah) and the 10th in the Book of Deuteronomy. It constitutes Deuteronomy 32:1–52. Here, Moses shares a song to the Israelites that emphasizes their covenant with God. From MyJewishLearning.com: When It’s Better to Do Verse by Rabbi Arnow From Aish.com: Don’t be Spoiled by Neshanel Safran (Commentary for Children & Their Parents with questions to ask) The Arc of the Moral Universe by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (Advanced Commentary) Torah Commentary for Rosh HaShanah 2020 From ReformJudaism.org: Yom Sheini shel Rosh HaShanah for Tweens by Barbara Kadden From Reform Judaism Blog: How Midrash and Commentary Help Us Read Between the Lines

High Holidays Rituals & Customs There are many rituals and customs associated with Rosh HaShanah & Yom Kippur. These are some of the Rosh HaShanah customs: Blowing a shofar (ram’s horn) calls community members to atone. At the time of the Temple in Jerusalem, the shofar sounded to announce the Sabbath and the New Moon; it proclaimed the anointing of a new king. Rosh HaShanah is sometimes known as the “memorial of blowing.” Eating a round challah instead of a traditional long one. This round shape symbolizes the circle of life, and the continuity of the calendar year. Sometimes, bakers include raisins or add sprinkles to the dough. In some Jewish communities, eating the head of a fish symbolizes the name of this new year, which in Hebrew is translated as “head of the year.” Enjoying sliced apples and honey is a very popular ritual. Apples are often incorporated into artwork and graphics associated with this holiday. Another ritual is tashlich , to walk to a river or body of water and recite special prayers of penitence. Afterwards, those present throw breadcrumbs into the body of water, a ritual which symbolizes the casting away of one’s sins. In some communities, individuals get a haircut at Rosh HaShanah and get new clothes . Give tzedakah (make a donation). As part of improving ourselves, we also want to help improve the world. Tikkun Olam (repairing the world aka social action) is a very important mitzvah in Judaism. We practice the following on Yom Kippur: No eating or drinking from sunset to after sundown the next day when there are three stars in the sky (Except for those who are pregnant, nursing or cannot do so for medical reasons). No wearing of leather shoes or clothing made of leather Hearing the shofar. Attend the Yizkor Memorial service during the day. Writing a letter to oneself to remind yourself how to be a better person in the coming year Break one’s fast after sundown with family and/or friends.

CRASH COURSE ON THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL January 8 - February 12 Five online sessions providing history of Jews and Arabs in the land of Israel, and evolution of the current Israeli/Palestinian conflict. REGISTER HERE Interested in responding to anti-Israel comments on social media, in print, or in-person? Want to have intelligent conversations about Israel with family and friends? This engaging five-part Zoom course will provide you with an overview of the history of Israel that will help you understand the modern-day Israel/Palestinian conflict in addition to the complex history of Jewish and Arab connections to the land. Diving deep into Jewish history, our speaker, Charlotte Korchak, will cover Jewish “indigeneity,” historical presence in the land, and the roots of Zionism. She will also trace the rule of Judea/Palestine post-exile, the Islamic conquest, the Arab/Muslim connection to the land, and the evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether you are 13 or 120, this is a must-attend course! Each class will provide well-researched material, analysis, and relevant context to current concerns. Two of the presentations will be pre-recorded, but all five classes will have live Q&A. Recordings will be available for those who can’t attend a session. Charlotte Korchak is one of the foremost public speakers in her field, recognized for making complex content engaging, accessible, and meaningful for all ages. As the Senior Educator and Director of International Student Programs at StandWithUs Israel, she has worked with over 10,000 students of all ages. She received her BA in Middle Eastern History from USC. Admission for this course is free of charge as a community service. Registration is required and will remain open throughout the course. Sunday mornings, 10:00 to 11:30 AM PST, January 8 to February 12, 2023 (except January 15, MLK weekend) From Ancient to Modern Times (January 8) Zionism, Arab Nationalism, and Jewish Statehood (January 22) The Rise and Decline of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (January 29) The Evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part 1 (February 5) The Evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part 2 & Answering Difficult Questions about Israel (February 12 ) Once you register, you will receive a recurring Zoom meeting link to be used to join all five sessions. You will first receive two reminders, one on Thursday, and the other one, on Sunday morning, before the first session. After the first session, every Friday, we will email reminders that will include previous session recordings. If you do not see these emails, please check your spam/junk folder to retrieve them. We suggest you add notifications@wixevents.com and underonetent@ccjcc.org to your contacts list as well. This program is sponsored by Contra Costa JCC and Beth Am Jewish and Israel Advocacy Committee in partnership with Cong. Kol Emeth, Sonoma County Israel Committee, and Cong. Beth David (Saratoga).