HELPING HANDS Right now, there is an elevated demand for assistance due to the unprecedented crisis caused on October 7th with the attack on Israel. Now more than ever, we have to lend a helping hand to those in need, and show support to those that help others. Below are some of the organizations we think you may wish to support now, during holiday seasons, and whenever you can. We appreciate all that you do for them. Thank you!

D'var Torahs We Shared In TheYear 5780 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 Saturday, September 12, 2020 NITZAVIM-VAYELEICH, DEUTERONOMY 29:9-31:30 The Schechter Institute's Commentary and Video : Rabbi Dr. Reb Mimi Feigelson examines an early passage in the Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech where Moses pleads to God: 'I cannot come and go anymore' and links this to our present moment and the past six month. From MyJewishLearning.com: You Are Standing From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-Raps (Video for Teens) Saturday, September 5, 2020 KI TAVO, DEUTERONOMY 26:1-29:8 In his last speech to the Israelites, Moses talks about the priests making an offering for the first fruits and the importance of obeying the commandments. From MyJewishLearning.com: Summary on Ki Tavo by Nancy Reuben Greenfield From Aish.com: Coloring Pages (first fruits ) for pre-schoolers through early elementary grades Love All Your Children (A Video presentation) Saturday, August 29, 2020 KI TEITZEI, DEUTERONOMY 21:10-25:29 This Torah portion shows Moses reviewing a diverse listing of laws, including ones for property, the family, animals, civil and criminal laws, loans, vows, and divorce. It concludes with the commandment to remember the evil acts of Amalek. From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps (For Teens) Ethical Existence is in the Experience by Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Ph.D. From MyJewishLearning.com: Compassion That Can Bring Messiah: It all begins with how we treat the animals by Rabbi Dovid Sears Saturday, August 22, 2020 SHOFTIM, DEUTERONOMY 16:18-21:9 From ReformJudaism.org: What the Torah Teaches Us about the Use (and Abuse) of Political Power by Rabbi Max Chaiken Shabbat Sha'raps ( Rapping for Teens) In this Parasha, God tells the people to pursue justice in order to be deserving of the land! God runs through lots of laws, which you can click this rap to hear. From MyJewishLearning.com: Summary of the Parasha with Thought Questions Saturday, August 15, 2020 RE'EH, DEUTERONOMY 11:26-16:17 From Aish.com : Everyone Deserves Respect by N.Y. Safran (For Elementary and Middle School students) Judaism's Social Vision , by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (Advanced, Adults) From ReformJudaism.org: Torah for Teens , Sha'raps Saturday, August 8, 2020 EIKEV, DEUTERONOMY 7:12-11:25 From MyJewishLearning.com: In Weakness and Strength by Dvora Weisberg From Aleph Beta: Watch Why God Wants Us to Thank God (A video for children) From ReformJudaism.org: Eikev For Teens Saturday, August 1, 2020 VA-ET'CHANAN, DEUTERONOMY 3:23-7:11 I [Moses] pleaded with the Eternal at that time, saying, "O Eternal God, You who let Your servant see the first works of Your greatness and Your mighty hand, You whose powerful deeds no god in heaven or on earth can equal! Let me, I pray, cross over and see the good land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country, and the Lebanon." - Deuteronomy 3:23-25 From ReformJudaism.org: What Torah Requires Of Us by Rabbi Max Chaiken From MyJewishLearning.com: Dealing Wisely With Torah by Dena Weiss Treatment of the Stranger : Our existential relationship to our ancestors and how we learn empathy, by Rachel Farbiarz Saturday, July 25, 2020 DEVARIM, DEUTERONOMY 1:1-3:22 In this Torah portion, Moses recounts the Jewish people's experiences in the wilderness. From MyJewishLearning.com: Culture and Counterculture From ReformJudaism.org: It's Not For Us to Complete the Task by Dr. Carol Ochs Saturday, July 18, 2020 MATOT-MASEI, NUMBERS 30.2-36.13 Moses spoke to the heads of the Israelite tribes, saying: "This is what the Eternal has commanded: If a householder makes a vow to the Eternal or takes an oath imposing an obligation on himself, he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has crossed his lips." - Numbers 30:2-36:13 From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps (Torah for teens) Torah for tots There is safety in numbers by Kristine Garroway From UCSJ, Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem: A Series of Torah Spots Saturday, July 11, 2020 PINCHAS, NUMBERS 25:10-30.1 From MyJewishLearning.com: Meet the Torah's Bold Band of Status-Quo Challenging Sisters by Erika Davis From Aish.com : Care to be Right by N.Y. Safran (For Parents & Children) Aish's Torah commentary for youth have stories pertaining to the week's Torah portion along with discussion questions for interactive parent-child experience. Moral vs. Political Issues by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (For Adults) Saturday, July 4, 2020 CHUKAT-BALAK, NUMBERS 19:1-25.9 From My Jewish Learning In this Torah portion, God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the red heifer. Miriam, who is the sister of Moses and Aaron, dies. Moses hits a rock to bring forth water rather than speaking to it. At the end Chukat, Aaron dies. In Balak, the king of Moab, asks Balaam to curse the Israelites after he sees them defeat various nations in battle. Balaam’s donkey sees an angel of God and refuses to move any further. Balaam hits the donkey. God speaks through the mouth of the donkey to tell him not to curse the Israelites. Instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blesses them. From MyJewishLearning.com: The Lost Years by Channa Locksin Bob From ReformJudaism.org: Another Miriam Worth Remembering by Rabbi Carole B. Balin, Ph.D. A Thin Line Between Passion and Zealotry by Rabbi Eric Yoffie Saturday, June 27, 2020 KORACH, NUMBERS 16:1-18:32 Now Korach, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth--decendants of Reuben--to rise up against Moses, ... - Numbers 16:1-2 From ReformJudaism.org: The Balance Between Humility and Arrogance by Rabbi Lisa Gruschow Watch Korach for Teens Shabbat Sha-raps video From MyJewish Learning.com: Parashat Korach Summary Saturday, June 20, 2020 SH'LACH L'CHA, NUMBERS 13:1-15:41 In this Torah portion, Moses sends 12 spies to explore the Land of Israel. Ten of them convince the people that it will be too difficult to conquer the land. God responds to their lack of confidence by punishing them with 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God commands the Israelites to put fringes on the ends of their clothing. From MyJewishLearning.com: The Perils of Groupthink by Rabbi Asher Lopatin From ReformJudaism.org: Hope in the Darkness of Fear by Rabbi Vered Harris Watch BimBam.com's video on Sh'lach for young children Saturday, June 13, 2020 BEHA,'ALOTECHA, NUMBERS 8:1-12:16 In this Torah portion, the Israelites receive instructions regarding Passover. They journey forth from Sinai and complain to God on several occasions, provoking God’s anger. Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses. From MyJewishLearning.com: Ceding Control -and Seizing It by Rabbi Matthew Soffer Our Covenantal Responsibilities by Devorah Marcus Torah for Kids on Youtube (video) Saturday, June 6, 2020 NASO, NUMBERS 4:21-7:89 The Eternal One spoke to Moses: "Take a census of the Gershonites also, by their ancestral house and by their clans." - Numbers 4:21-22 From ReformJudaism.org: The Nazarite Vow by Rabbi Lisa Grushcow Naso for Teens (video) How Do We Bless Others by Riva Gambert In addition to passages about taking a census, adultery and becoming a Nazir, Naso also deals with the Priestly Blessing, which is often described as God showing love for us. BUT how do WE show love to others? How do WE bestow blessings on others? In the Torah, love is not expressed through emotion but as a behavior. In these troubled and unprecedented times, it is important to see that all of us are connected through our membership in humanity. Indeed, the spread of COVID-19 demonstrates this. Each human heart retains the same desire for respect. The same need for empathy. Recently on Nextdoor , a man in his 30’s shared that he felt safer when, on a walk in his Walnut Creek neighborhood, he brought his 8 year-old daughter along with him. First, I couldn’t understand what he meant. Then he explained that he was African American and holding his daughter’s hand reduced people’s suspicions of him. In the early 1980s at a Jewish Federation sponsored solidary Shabbat for Ethiopian Jews, most of whom had not yet been brought to Israel, we included a reading whose author I cannot recall. But it is a call for looking at our own behavior—especially important now. With no excuse, and with apologies to the author, I have added a new line, next to the last one. IF YOU LOOK AT THE STARS AND YAWN Praise me, says God, and I will know that you love me. Curse me, says God, and I will know that you love me. Praise me or curse me And I will know that you love me. But if you sit fenced off in your apathy, says God, If you sit entrenched in: “I don’t give a hang,” says God, If you look at the stars and yawn, If you see suffering and you don’t cry out, If you see suffering and don’t cry out, If you don’t see the same human heart in others Then I created you in vain, says God. Torah Commentary for Shavuot 2020 From MyJewishLearning.com: Why We Read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot and Shavuot in Modern Times From Jewish Theological Seminary:Why We Eat Dairy on Shavuot by Ismar Schorsch, Rabbi Herman Abramovitz Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish History From ReformJudaism.org: Shavuot for Tweens and Shabbat She-Raps (video for Teens) Saturday, May 23, 2020 BAMIDBAR, NUMBERS 1:1-4:20 In Hebrew, Bamidbar means “in the wilderness” although the English name is Numbers. In this book of the Torah, the reader journeys along with the Israelites from Mt. Sinai through the physical wilderness before they arrive at the Promised Land. But it is not only an untamed place where they stay for decades, but an untamed emotional state in which they live. There is skepticism about reaching their eventual destination. They are afraid of what is to come of them. They doubt their own vision. Will there be a happy ending to their journey in the wilderness? In this COVID-19 time, we can see a parallel with many of our own emotions. From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha'raps video for teens. Are Women Counted in the Book of Numbers by Rabbi Carole B. Balin, Ph.D. From TheYeshiva.net , Entering the Wilderness by Rabbi YY Jacobson Saturday, May 16, 2020 BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI, LEVITICUS 25:1-27:34 The Eternal One spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai: "Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you enter the land that I assign to you, the land shall observe a sabbath of the Eternal." “In this Torah portion, God describes the laws surrounding resting the land and crops every seven years, as well as the Jubilee year every 50 years. God permits the use of slaves but provides stipulations including the obligation to eventually free your slaves” –MyJewishLearning.com Godcast Video for Children on Behar (Adults will like it too!), Sustainable Farming in the Torah From MyJewishLearning.com: Behar, A Summary of the Parashah (Good introductory commentary) From ReformJudaism.org: When It’s Hard to Believe Life Will Get Better by Rabbi Billy Dreskin From Chabad: Behar-Bechukotai in a Nutshell Saturday, May 9, 2020 EMOR, LEVITICUS 21:1-24:23 This Torah portion gets its name from the word by which God tells Moses to “speak” the “Holiness” laws to the priests. The priests had special duties and special laws were given to them, which set them apart from the rest of the Israelites. In today’s COVID-9 world, which group of people is being given special status? Think healthcare workers, food providers and emergency responders. From Aish.com: All About Human Honor and the Holidays by Rabbi Avi Geller From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Emor by Nancy R. Greenfield From JTS: The Blasphemer's Twin by Tim Daniel Bernard Saturday, May 2, 2020 ACHAREI MOT, LEVITICUS 16:1-18:30 "Acharei Mot, the first of this week's two parashiyot begins on an unsettling note -- a reminder of the death of Aaron's sons and the suggestion that such tragedies might occur again unless the priests take specified steps to prevent them " -- Rabbi Richard Levy From MyJewishLearning.com: Do Not Open This Napkin by Rabbi Matthew V. Soffer From ReformJudaism.org: Being Holy and Staying Alive by Rabbi Richard Levy Acharei Mot for Tots by Ellen and Peter Allard My rules alone shall you observe, and faithfully follow My laws: I the Lord am your God. - Leviticus 18:4 What good are rules if you can bend them? We need a nanny who is disciplined and stern. With boys and girls you don't befriend them. I fear that Marry Poppins has a lot to learn. -- Sung by George Banks in the musical "Mary Poppins" Saturday, April 25, 2020 TAZRIA, LEVITICUS 12:1 – 13:59 For many of us, the Torah portions of Tazria and Metzora have never felt so relevant. While in years past there was a great sense of distance from the confusing descriptions of biblical skin afflictions, the quarantine of afflicted Israelites…it feels difficult to escape their prescience during our current global pandemic. (As a matter of fact, there was a recent essay published on thetorah.com exploring all of the parallels between COVID-19 and the treatment of Ancient Near Eastern contagious disease.) As we all struggle with the challenges of social distancing and the uncertainty of the future, I believe that insights into the details of our parshiyot can provide us with points of reflection for our present reality. - Rabbi Rogoff View the youth-friendly video on this week's Torah portion here on Bimbam.com From ReformJudaism.org: A Disease that Walls Get? Decoding Tzaraat and facing Our Fears by Professor Rachel Adler. Professor of Modern Jewish Thought and Judaism and Gender at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles, Adler was one of the first theologians to integrate feminist perspectives and concerns into the interpretation of Jewish texts and the renewal of Jewish law and ethics. The Plagues of Our Time by Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D. Rabbi Sonsino is rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Shalom of Needham, Massachusetts, and a faculty member of the Theology Department at Boston College. From Jewish Theological Seminary: Living Outside the Camp by Jason Roof, Academic Director of Israel Programs, Assistant Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics.(P osted on April 24, 2020) Gender Inside and Outside the Tent by Joy Ladin, David and Ruth Gottesman Chair in English, Yeshiva University (Posted on April 28, 2017) Saturday, April 18, 2020 SHEMINI (also spelled Sh'mini), LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47 From Jewish Theological Seminary: When Theology Fails by Chancellor Arnold Eisen (Posted March 17, 2009) How Do We Mourn? by Associate Professor Eliezer Diamond (P osted April 17, 2020) From ReformJudaism.org: Sh’mini for Tweens C’mon, Baby, Light My Fire by Billy Dreskin. From Reconstructing Judaism: May We All Be Liberated Soon by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D. Saturday, April 11, 2020 From ReformJudaism.org: Passover Intermediate Days From Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative): Matza's Majestic Meaning From Aish.com: (The Family Parsha with questions for both parents and kids) A Different Kind of Slavery

Y OM H A S HOAH V E H A' G EVURAH AN EVENING Wednesday, April 27, 2022 - 7:00 PM PDT In Person at Temple Isaiah and Online Join the community in remembrance and solidarity. Guest Speaker Dr. Michael Berenbaum served as Deputy Director of the President's Commission on the Holocaust, Project Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum , and president of the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation created by Steven Spielberg. Dr. Berenbaum will speak on the use and misuse of Holocaust memory. Admission is free and open to the public. To watch the commemoration online, visit: https://www.youtube.com/TIJewishNeighborhood For in-person attendance at Temple Isaiah, masks are optional (masked only seating section provided), every other row is closed to allow for social distancing, physical proof of Covid Vaccination (including boosters for ages 16+) is required for entry. More details are available at https://temple-isaiah.org/about/covid-response . From 9:00 PM to midnight, the annual “reading of names” of those who perished in the Holocaust will take place online. Please click this Zoom link to join the reading. You may email any family names, directly to Tim Plattner at cbsplattner@gmail.com . To read names, please sign up through this link . Convened by the Contra Costa JCC. Sponsored by Beth Chaim Congregation, Congregation Beth Emek, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, Sinai Memorial Chapel and Gan Shalom, and Temple Isaiah. Co-sponsors: Contra Costa Jewish Day School, Contra Costa Midrasha, Diablo Valley Hadassah, East Bay Holocaust Education Center, EBIJFF, Israeli American Council, JEICOR, Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay, New Lehrhaus, and The Reutlinger Community. Events in memory of the Holocaust include: April 25, 2:00 PM: The Sisters of Auschwitz with author Roxane van Iperen April 26, 2:00 PM: X Troop with author Leah Garrett Apr il 27, 2:00 PM: The Woman with the Blue Star with author Pam Jenoff April 28, 2:00 PM: Dr. Michael Berenbaum will examine the Nazi plunder of European art. This program will be online. Register here . April 29, 12:00 AM - May 1, 11:59 PM PDT: Online streaming of the documentary The Rape of Europa on Vimeo. April 29, 1:00 PM: At the Lafayette Library, in-person screening of the documentary The Rape of Europa . Doors open at 1:00 PM. Film begins at 1:30 PM.

UPCOMING ONLINE EVENTS The events listed here are UNDER ONE TENT's upcoming online programs. Our in-person, family friendly events can be found on our YOUNG FAMILIES' PROGRAMMING page. Helpful tips on how to watch your online event, here . PREP+RALLY Time is TBD Online via Zoom Details

HANUKKAH The Festival of Lights Hanukkah in 2024 will begin in the evening of Wednesday, December 25 and will last till sundown, Thursday, January 2, 2025. (Eight night of candle lighting is on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.) However you spell the Festival of Lights (Hanukah, Hanukkah, Chanukah, etc.), this Jewish holiday has grown increasingly popular over the centuries. Based on the military victory of Jews who resisted the rule of the Syrian Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes IV, it has taken on spiritual aspects that resonate even more strongly in today’s world. Metaphorically, it represents the triumph of light over darkness. It has also evolved to represent the importance of religious freedom. Although it is a festival in the Jewish calendar, work is permitted like on any ordinary day. The only obligation is to light the candles each evening and say the blessing over them. Hanukkah is an eight-day festival that starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev , and almost always takes place in December. The actual dates on the Gregorian calendar will change, however, as the Jewish calendar is a modified lunar one. After the death of Alexander the Great, his vast empire was divided into three parts. At first, Judea was under the jurisdiction of the Hellenistic (or Syrian) Greeks. When Antiochus IV Ephiphanes demanded that Jews in his kingdom bow to him as a “Greek God” and give up circumcision and other Jewish rituals, a Jewish family, the Hasmoneans, started a resistance movement. This rebellion was first led by Mattathias, a Jewish priest, and his five sons. After his death, his son Judah Maccabee (“the Hammer”) and his brothers continued the fight along with other Jewish groups in Judea who refused to remain under Antiochus’ harsh rule. After two years they successfully drove the Syrian Greek soldiers out of Jerusalem. Discovering that the Temple had been desecrated, the rebels cleansed the site and lit the menorah (oil lamp)--a candelabrum with seven branches--which was to remain burning all of the time. According to the Talmud, a miracle occurred. Although there was only enough untainted olive oil to last one day, the menorah stayed lit for eight days. After that time, a fresh supply of oil was found. After more years of battle, the family and its partners drove the Greek Syrians out of Judea entirely and The Hasmonean Dynasty was established; it remained in power for over a century. Judea then came under Roman rule. There is an alternative understanding as to why Hanukkah lasts for eight days. The holiday is believed to be a belated celebration of Sukkot, which takes place in the fall. Many argue that the battles that were taking place at that time prevented the Jews from observing that festival. Candle Lighting Rules The first night (erev Hanukkah), we light the candle farthest to the right with the shammas (helper) candle. On the second night, we light the two candles farthest to the right. However, we light these candles in the order left to right. On the third night, we light the three candles farthest…..etc. etc. until all of the candles are lit. On Friday night (erev Shabbat), we light our menorah before we light our Shabbat candles, and on Saturday night, we light our menorah after Havdalah. Tradition says that our Hanukkah lights should be placed where people outside the home can see them. What do You Think? Two thousand years ago, the Rabbis Hillel and Shammai disagreed about how many candles to start with on the menorah. Shammai argued that one should begin with the eight lit wicks placed in the oil menorah (oil lamps were used at the time) and then one should decrease the number over the festival period. Hillel disagreed, saying that we should begin with one and increase our “light” as the holiday progressed. Blessings Blessed are You, our God, Creator of time and space, who enriches our lives with holiness, commanding us to kinkle the Chanukkah lights. Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik neir shel Chanukkah. Blessed are You, our God, Creator of time and space, who performs miracles for our ancestors, in the days of long ago and in this time. Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim haheim baz'man hazeh. As we light the candles, we chant the two blessings above. On the first night, we also recite the Shehecheyanu blessing: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season. Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh. Customs Although Hanukkah is especially popular among children, as gift giving has become the tradition in recent decades, adults primarily keep up the customs such as eating certain symbolic foods (see Recipes) and lighting the menorah (hanukiah in Hebrew). There are a wide “looks” to menorahs. But what is essential is a shammas, or guardian candle, which “stands” higher than the other eight. We have seen traditional brass menorahs, menorahs adorned with crystals, ceramic and china ones, and menorahs in the shape of animals, railroad trains, a table setting and buildings. For a sampling of widely different types of contemporary lamps, click here . Need a great menorah (hanukiah) for a kid or for the kid in "you," then check out this great compilation of online stores where you can purchase one. Another tradition is to spin the dreidel (sevivon in Hebrew)—a four-sided top. It is usually made of plastic or wood, but can also be made of ceramic or metal. Each side bears a Hebrew letter which spells out the theme of the holiday, which is "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham. A Great Miracle Happened There." Rules of the game: A small “prize” is put into the “pot” with amounts of the prize given to each participant to start (raisins, candy, nuts, chocolate gelt/coins, pennies, etc.). Each participant takes his/her/their turn spinning the dreidel. The dreidel will land on one of the four Hebrew letters. Depending on the letter, a different “action” follows. Land on “nun” and nothing happens . Land on “gimmel” and you take the entire pot. Land on “hey” and you take half of the pot . Land on “shin” and you give a predetermined amount back into the pot . Whenever the pot is empty, each participant must contribute a set amount. Any player that cannot contribute after landing on a “shin” or after a fellow player lands on a “gimmel” loses. As with every Jewish holiday, Jews from different parts of the world may add their own twists/variations. In this article from the online JTA , we learn about Eid Al Bnat , the Festival of Daughters (Judeo-Arabic) , also pronounced Chag HaBanot in Hebrew, which is celebrated by women and girls from North Africa’s Jewish communities. Beet Latkes Recipes Almost every Jewish cookbook features a chapter or two on Hanukkah delicacies—from the ever-present latke in all of its forms (potato, sweet potato, zucchini, beet, cheese, etc.) to sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and more. Frying in oil is the main “theme” in most Hanukkah recipes in order to remind us of the oil that lasted eight days. Here is a recipe for beet latkes, courtesy of JTA, another recipe for fried pickle latkes and below a listing of just a few of the Jewish cookbooks that offer Hanukah recipes. California Kosher , A collection of recipes from the Women’s League of Adat Ari El Synagogue Jewish Holiday Cookbook by Joan Nathan Children's Jewish Holiday Kitchen : A Cookbook with 70 Fun Recipes for You and Your Kids by Joan Nathan Kosher Delicious : Great Recipes for Living. Edited by Diana Kastenbaum & Penny Brenner. Tastes of Jewish Tradition by Jody Hirsh, Idy Goodman, Aggie Goldenholz and Susan Roth NOTE: Many of our synagogues and Jewish organizations also sell cookbooks. Fried Pickle Latkes Readings for Children Hanukkah remains a powerful inspiration for children’s stories. Listed below are some favorite “oldies.” Heshel and the Hanukah Goblins by Eric Kimmel How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen Where is Baby’s Dreidel? by Karen Katz (board book) All-of-a-King Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah by Sylvia A. Rouss The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco Gracie’s Night: A Hanukkah Story by Lynn Taylor Gordon Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fisher Eight Wild Nights by Brian Cleary Also, eight new Hanukkah-focused books titles can be found with their descriptions here at JTA.org. Due to the proximity of Hanukhah and Christmas, there are also a growing number of books for children where members of the family are Jewish and Christian. Eight Candles and a Tree by Simone Bloom Nathan. December’s Gift: An Interfaith Holiday Story by Ashley Smith-Santos A complete listing of Hanukkah books can also be found here at PJ Library’s website .

A TURN IN ISRAEL: POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN TODAY'S JEWISH STATE Guest Speaker: Fred Rosenbaum Tuesday, March 28, 7 PM PDT, Online via Zoom Sponsored by Beth Chaim Congregation, Congregation Beth Emek, the Contra Costa JCC and IJWC. Co-sponsors: Congregation B’nai Shalom, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, Diablo Valley Hadassah and Temp le Is aiah. More Info & RSVP Award-winning author and historian Fred Rosenbaum will explore why Israeli voters turned towards Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners at the last election, leading to his becoming the longest serving prime minister of Israel. Rosenbaum will delve into the major demographic changes that have taken place in Israel over the past decades as well as the judicial reform legislation that has led to protests throughout the country. Rosenbaum, who founded Lehrhaus Judaica, has been a faculty member at the University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He has also received the S.Y. Agnon Gold Medal for Intellectual Excellence from the Scopus Society of the American Friends of the Hebrew University. He has held Ford, Fulbright, and Woodrow Wilson Fellowships. Admission is free. Upon registration, you will first receive a confirmation email. An hour before the program begins, we will email the Zoom link you need to join the event. If you don't 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.

Important Message from CCJCC We noticed an event registration issue with WIX (our web publishing platform) that went on and off beginning Sunday evening, January 3. We informed them and the issue was resolved. However, in the event that it repeats itself, please read below troubleshooting: If you are trying to register for an event using Safari browser on a Mac or iPhone and are unable to fill out the form due to flickering of the screen on your iPhone or the screen going back to the "Event details" page, please switch to the Google Chrome browser and try registering again. When you complete registration, you will still be able to add the event to your calendar. You may have to click the "Add to calendar" button first and choose which calendar you would like to add to. Note: The calendar file download will be at the bottom left of your screen on your desktop or Mac. Thank you for your patience!

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. Family Shabbat Dinner Oct 02, 2026, 5:30 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA More Info & RSVP Women’s Book Club Oct 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lafayette, CA, USA More Info & RSVP Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Community Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, 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 JWalk Sep 15, 2026, 9:30 AM Location in Walnut Creek is TBD Details Round and Round We Go- A Family Rosh Hashanah Celebration: Tots and Trikes Sep 13, 2026, 10:00 AM Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA Details Pre Holiday Community Happy Hour Sep 03, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Headlands Brewing- Walnut Creet, 2999 Oak Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Details Build Your Mini Sukkah – Holiday Project! Sep 03, 2026, 10:00 AM – Sep 10, 2026, 10:00 PM Take-Home Package Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 30, 2026, 10:00 AM Lafayette Community Center Playground, 500 St Marys Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Women's Book Club Open House Aug 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Tal's Patisserie, 304 Sycamore Valley Rd, Danville, CA 94526, USA Details StandWithUs Webinar Aug 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Webinar Details JWalk Aug 10, 2026, 9:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 02, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details JWalk Jul 17, 2026, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Jul 12, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Details JWalk Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lafayette Reservoir Details Yoga, Mimosas, and Brunch Jun 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Walnut Creek, CA Details Load More Past Events of the Series Family Shabbat Dinner Oct 02, 2026, 5:30 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA RSVP Women’s Book Club Oct 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lafayette, CA, USA RSVP Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Community Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, 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 JWalk Sep 15, 2026, 9:30 AM Location in Walnut Creek is TBD Details Round and Round We Go- A Family Rosh Hashanah Celebration: Tots and Trikes Sep 13, 2026, 10:00 AM Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA Details Pre Holiday Community Happy Hour Sep 03, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Headlands Brewing- Walnut Creet, 2999 Oak Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Details Build Your Mini Sukkah – Holiday Project! Sep 03, 2026, 10:00 AM – Sep 10, 2026, 10:00 PM Take-Home Package Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 30, 2026, 10:00 AM Lafayette Community Center Playground, 500 St Marys Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Women's Book Club Open House Aug 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Tal's Patisserie, 304 Sycamore Valley Rd, Danville, CA 94526, USA Details StandWithUs Webinar Aug 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Webinar Details JWalk Aug 10, 2026, 9:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 02, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details JWalk Jul 17, 2026, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Jul 12, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Details JWalk Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lafayette Reservoir Details Yoga, Mimosas, and Brunch Jun 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Walnut Creek, CA Details Load More

HOW TO WATCH YOUR ONLINE EVENT You may watch the movies on your tablet, computer, or phone in addition to your TV . For all devices except TV, streaming the movies should be as simple as clicking the link you receive in the confirmation email (after you complete registration and during the period of time that streaming will be available). You may also open your preferred browser (Safari, Chrome, Edge, etc.) and copy and paste the same link to your browser. Note: For online film screenings co-sponsored with EBIJFF and presented on Eventive's platform, you will need to log in to your Eventive account that you created when you first signed in and/or purchased a ticket, paid or free. Once you are logged in, you have full access to your content library, you can watch the programs in there and for support, you may use their need help link. Please pay attention to the movie unlock periods and watch periods as these may differ depending on the platforms or streaming providers. For Zoom presentations, you would also use the link in the confirmation and/or reminder email you receive before the event begins. You may either directly click the link provided that will prompt Zoom and ask you to allow downloads and then launch meeting, or join in the meeting with the meeting ID and password provided. Watching the Event on Your TV There are two methods for watching the event on your television: Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay. Chromecast: If you have an external Google Chromecast set up with your TV or a TV with built-in Google Chromecast (TV’s listed here ) , open the online event link in Chrome and follow these steps to cast the webpage’s video experience to your TV. Apple AirPlay: If you have an external Apple TV or a TV with built-in Apple Airplay (TV’s listed here ) , open the online event link in Safari and follow these Play a web video on your HDTV steps. To watch movies streamed on Vimeo's platform (such as online screenings co-sponsored with EBIJFF) using the Vimeo App on a smart TV (Android) or Roku, follow the steps listed here . Watch here how to connect an android phone to a TV for screen mirroring (or screen casting). Compatible Browsers for Online Viewing Chrome 77+ Edge 17+ Firefox 71+ Safari 12.1+ Chrome for android 78+ Firefox for android 78+ iOS safari 12+ If you have a Mac device that you use, but an Android Smart TV (ex: Sony Bravia that has chromecast), follow these steps: Download the Google Chrome app onto your Mac device , if you don’t already have it. Once you are in Google Chrome, copy the movie link to the Chrome browser and start your video. On the top right of your screen, above the video playing, you will see 3 vertical dots, Click the 3 dots. There will be a list of options opening up. Find and click “Cast” and choose the tv name you want to cast the movie to. Make sure the TV you choose is in the same WI-FI network and it is ON. You should be able to continue watching the movie immediately where you left off. If you encounter other playback issues while watching your movie on Vimeo , here are some troubleshooting tips . Important Tip: If you are connecting your IPad or IPhone to your TV with a lightning and an HDMI cable, to view the film fullscreen on TV, please make sure your phone or tablet is in horizontal position. Otherwise, the image will be smaller, in portrait mode, and will not fill the TV screen.

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 >

FROM EUROPE WITH FILM Three European Directors Who Made It Big in Hollywood Many of the movies from Hollywood’s Golden Age were directed, produced and or written by immigrants to America. From June 1 through June 15, the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival in partnership with the CCJCC and Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation will present three films by noted European émigrés: Casablanca, Bunny Lake is Missing and Sunset Boulevard , as well as film experts who will analyze these movies. “It’s important for the public to remember that many of Hollywood’s greatest films were brought to us by newcomers to our shores,” explains Riva Gambert, East Bay International Jewish Film Festival Director. “For this present series, we’re looking at films by Michael Curtiz, Otto Preminger and Billy Wilder. Both Casablanca (Curtiz) and Sunset Boulevard (Wilder) are considered among the top 100 American films of the 20th century. Preminger, who is especially known for Exodus starring Paul Newman and Anatomy of a Murder , which is considered one of the best courtroom dramas ever made, also directed Bunny Lake is Missing , a film noir thriller starring Laurence Olivier, Keir Dullea and Carol Lynley.” The series will be a hybrid event, featuring in-person screenings at the Lafayette Library , as well as one virtual film showing and three online lectures. Below are the upcoming programs of this series. Family Shabbat Dinner Oct 02, 2026, 5:30 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA More Info & Tickets Women’s Book Club Oct 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lafayette, CA, USA More Info & Tickets Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Community Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, 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 JWalk Sep 15, 2026, 9:30 AM Location in Walnut Creek is TBD Details Round and Round We Go- A Family Rosh Hashanah Celebration: Tots and Trikes Sep 13, 2026, 10:00 AM Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA Details Pre Holiday Community Happy Hour Sep 03, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Headlands Brewing- Walnut Creet, 2999 Oak Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Details Build Your Mini Sukkah – Holiday Project! Sep 03, 2026, 10:00 AM – Sep 10, 2026, 10:00 PM Take-Home Package Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 30, 2026, 10:00 AM Lafayette Community Center Playground, 500 St Marys Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Women's Book Club Open House Aug 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Tal's Patisserie, 304 Sycamore Valley Rd, Danville, CA 94526, USA Details StandWithUs Webinar Aug 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Webinar Details JWalk Aug 10, 2026, 9:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 02, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details JWalk Jul 17, 2026, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Jul 12, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Details JWalk Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lafayette Reservoir Details Yoga, Mimosas, and Brunch Jun 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Walnut Creek, CA Details Load More Past Events Family Shabbat Dinner Oct 02, 2026, 5:30 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA More Info & Tickets Women’s Book Club Oct 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lafayette, CA, USA More Info & Tickets Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Community Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, 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 JWalk Sep 15, 2026, 9:30 AM Location in Walnut Creek is TBD Details Round and Round We Go- A Family Rosh Hashanah Celebration: Tots and Trikes Sep 13, 2026, 10:00 AM Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA Details Pre Holiday Community Happy Hour Sep 03, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Headlands Brewing- Walnut Creet, 2999 Oak Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Details Build Your Mini Sukkah – Holiday Project! Sep 03, 2026, 10:00 AM – Sep 10, 2026, 10:00 PM Take-Home Package Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 30, 2026, 10:00 AM Lafayette Community Center Playground, 500 St Marys Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA Details Women's Book Club Open House Aug 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Tal's Patisserie, 304 Sycamore Valley Rd, Danville, CA 94526, USA Details StandWithUs Webinar Aug 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Webinar Details JWalk Aug 10, 2026, 9:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Zadies and Babies Aug 02, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, USA Details JWalk Jul 17, 2026, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Heather Farm Park, 505 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Details Bubbies, Babies, and Bagels Jul 12, 2026, 10:00 AM Tice Valley Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Details JWalk Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lafayette Reservoir Details Yoga, Mimosas, and Brunch Jun 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Walnut Creek, CA Details Load More

Books on Passover The list below contains just a handful of the books available that provide information on Passover. These titles are still available for purchase online. In addition, you can contact your local bookstore to see if they can get the book for you. There are far too many cookbooks for us to list. Many Jewish cookbooks contain a chapter of Passover recipes, so check out those that are already in your bookshelf AND think about calling/emailing relatives and friends for their favorite Passover recipes. The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration A detailed presentation on preparing for Passover, the "telling," songs, rituals and explanations. Creating Lovely Passover Seders Details on explanations of the rituals, telling the Passover story, how to present the holiday to youth, and hands-on activities for children. Pesach for The Rest Of Us Marce Piercy is the author of many novels including "Gone to Soldiers." This beautifully written book illustrates how she and her friends carried out the Seder -- with contemporary readings, her own recipes and poems. The Jewish Holidays: A Guide & Commentary A user friendly presentation of all the Jewish holidays, including Passover. Keeping Passover If we remember correctly, the author used to work in Cody's Bookstore in Berkeley. This is a classic! A user-friendly and serious presentation of Passover. The Kids' Catalog of Passover A child-friendly (and thus a parent-friendly) book on how to involve children in the preparation of the Seder and the Seder itself. Excellent! (If you can't get the hardcover, try the Kindle edition. Haggadot A haggadah is the “script” for the Passover seder. There are a wide variety of haggadot—from traditional ones to those that are perfect for young children to those that have a contemporary feel. Picking the Right Hagaddah for You How to Choose a Haggadah in the Time of Coronavirus Making Your Own Haggadah Get a Unique Kveller Hagaddah for Passover Listed below are a few special haggadot from the collection of one of our local Jewish educators. Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel Great for youth, and yes it's in a graphic novel format. The SZYK haggadah A traditional Haggadah with illustrations by the Polish-Jewish artist who during WWII created anti-Nazi caricatures that were widely published in the U.S. The Agam Haggadah With drawings by the noted Israeli artist Yaacov Agam, known for his Kinetic Art style. A Night of Questions A Passover Haggadah With commentary by the late author Elie Wiesel. The (Unofficial) Hogwarts Hagaddah With commentary and questions by Moshe Rosenberg (Yes, Hogwarts as in Harry Potter!) And a 2 minute Haggadah from the late Robin Williams...