SPONSORS We thank our community partners for their collaboration: We want to thank the following underwriters for their generous support to Under One Tent: Jo-Ann & Arnold Jacobson, M.D. We also wish to thank our region’s rabbis and cantors for their creative ideas and support.

YOUNG FAMILIES' PROGRAMMING Since the beginning of the pandemic, most of us have been confined to spaces in our homes. We have participated in and enjoyed online events, classes, screenings, lectures and services. We are thankful for all those programs that have brought us together virtually. Now, however, with changes in social distancing, there is greater opportunity to gather together outdoors while maintaining social distancing and wearing masks. In addition, we are working to identify more interactive programming which will be conducted while social distancing, such as scavenger hikes, museum visits, beach days and more. YOUNG FAMILIES' PROGRAMMING is the CCJCC's new programming for people and families to get together outside and/or to conduct interactively. We'll reunite with old friends, make new ones, and connect to nature, storytelling and other things that interest us. So, join us, and make new friends outside! No events at the moment PAST YEAR'S YOUNG FAMILIES PROGRAMS Poolside Splash Bash Aug 17, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT Details Pre-Rosh Hashanah Art & Music Fest Shabbat Dinner- SOLD OUT! Sep 27, 2024, 5:38 PM – 7:23 PM PDT Details CCJCC SUMMER SPLASH BASH Aug 18, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT Details COMMUNITY-WIDE YOM HA’ATZMAUT CELEBRATION May 19, 2024, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM PDT Details COMMUNITY-WIDE PURIM CARNIVAL 2024 Mar 24, 2024, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT Details SHALOM BABY: A PARENT-INFANT PLAYGROUP Mar 10, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM PDT Details HIP HOP WITH WESTSIDE GRAVY (RESCHEDULED FROM OCTOBER 2023 ) Mar 07, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM PST Details COMMUNITY SHABBAT DINNER Jan 12, 2024, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM PST Details HANUKKAH MITZVAH CELEBRATION WITH MELITA Dec 09, 2023, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM PST Details FAMILY MEGA CHALLAH BAKE Jul 13, 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM PDT Details WELCOME SUMMER 2023 POOL PARTY Jun 25, 2023, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT Details ISRAFEST75 Apr 30, 2023, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM PDT Details COMMUNITY-WIDE PURIM CARNIVAL 2023 Mar 05, 2023, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM PST Info END OF SUMMER POOL PARTY Aug 21, 2022, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Details SHAVUOT POOL PARTY Jun 05, 2022, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT Details HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISRAEL PARTY May 08, 2022, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM PDT Learn more SPRING FAMILY GATHERING WITH: NAZUN, TKIYA & PJ LIBRARY BAY AREA May 01, 2022, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM PDT Details CELEBRATING EARTH DAY WITH UP A TREE PUPPETRY Apr 24, 2022, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM PDT Details Load More

ISRAEL@74 May 01, 2022, 4:00 PM PDT Congregation B'nai Shalom Sponsored by the CCJCC in partnership with Cong. B'nai Shalom, Cong. B'nai Tikvah and Shevet Egoz. Details

ISRAEL'S BIRTHDAY SCAVENGER HUNT & HIKE Apr 17, 2021, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM PDT In Danville, TBA upon registration Perfect for young families! Join us for a scavenger hunt & hike starting at a local park followed by snacks & refreshments. Details

2023 EVENT RECORDINGS We are delighted to share the YouTube videos of recordings of our 2023 events. If you missed any of our past programs, or want to watch them again, now you can. For last year's programs, please visit our 2022 Event Recordings . We hope you enjoy them! On December 19, 2023, Dr. Hannah Wunsch introduced the Under One Tent audience on Zoom to her book The Autumn Ghost: How the Battle Against a Polio Epidemic Revolutionized Modern Medical Care . The Autumn Ghost We are all watching the current situations unfold in the Middle East with concern. The attack on Israel left us shocked and saddened. To help navigate the days’ news with expert perspective and analysis, on December 4, John Rothmann addressed the community online via Zoom. Affairs in Israel On Thursday, November 30, author Aaron Hamburger joined the Under One Tent audience online to talk about his third novel, Hotel Cuba , why he wrote it, his inspiration for his protagonists, his research, and more. Hotel Cuba On November 5, 2023, co-author of the best-selling Jewish Catalogue series, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld joined the Under One Tent audience in person at Cong. B'nai Shalom and on Zoom introducing his latest book Judaism Disrupted: A Spiritual Manifesto for the 21st Century. Judaism Disrupted In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Congregation B'nai Shalom's Tikkun Olam Committee and the CCJCC, invited speakers from Shalom Bayit, Prosperity Financial Group, and JFCS-East Bay. The speakers taught the online audience what to look for if abuse is suspected and how to proceed. The Silenced Abuse Kenneth Miller is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in Time, Life, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Mother Jones, Discover, Aeon , and many other publications. On Sunday, October 15, the author joined the Under One Tent audience online to introduce his recently published book Mapping the Darkness: The Visionary Scientists Who Unlocked the Mysteries of Sleep . Mapping the Darkness In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, on Thursday, September 12, 2023, author Uri Kaufman explored the lead-in to the war, the failure of Israeli military intelligence to recognize Egyptian and Syrian war plans, and the war’s impact on the Middle East. Eighteen Days in October Most likely you remember the 1989 classic Driving Miss Daisy starring Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy and Dan Aykroyd. The film takes place in 1950s Atlanta. On Thursday, September 7, award-winning historian Fred Rosenbaum explored Black-Jewish relations in America's South. Black-Jewish Relations in America's South Lisa Scottoline is the number-one bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author of thirty-five novels. A former president of Mystery Writers of America and published in thirty-five countries, Lisa taught a course she developed, “Justice & Fiction,” at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. On August 31st program, Scottoline talked about Italy and two of her novels Eternal and Loyalty . Loyalty On August 2, Professor Tom Ramos, a physicist whose work at Lawrence Livermore National Lab spans 40 years and includes development of X-ray laser, spoke about Oppenheimer’s work before and after the bomb, as well as telling us about the many Jewish scientists who participated. Oppenheimer: Beyond the Movie On Thursday, June 15, 2023, brothers Jeffrey and Craig Weiss talked about their second book Fighting Back , where they uncovered the story of Stan Andrews, an American Jewish World War II veteran who became one of the first fighter pilots in the history of the Israeli Air Force. Figting Back Best-selling cookbook author Faith Kramer joined the Under One Tent audience online on June 11, 2023 and demonstrated Yemeni grilled chicken, z'hug and grilled corn recipes for a summer Shabbat meal. Her recipes are available here and you can contact her through her new website faithkramer.com . 52 Shabbats On June 8, 2023, Under One Tent Program Director and EBIJFF Director Riva Gambert explored how The Third Reich fought Hollywood even before WWII broke out and used cinema in its war against the Jewish people. Gambert gave the first part of this lecture in 2022. Cinema at War (Part II) Mark Yudof, president emeritus of the University of California, presently serves with the Academic Engagement Network, an organization that challenges anti-Zionism in academic circles and unmasks the distortions about BDS articulated on many universities across the country. His talk on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, examined the campaign against Israel on university campuses and what we can do about it. Mark Yudof's Presentation On May 18, Dr. Alla Shapiro discussed her book Doctor on Call: Chernobyl Responder, Jewish Refugee, Radiation Expert , released in 2021 on the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe. Trained as a pediatric hematologist in Kiev, Dr. Shapiro was one of the first physician responders to the 1986 nuclear disaster and headed the field team surveying its medical effects on children. Doctor on Call On Thursday, May 18, Joseph Samuels, who was born in the Jewish Quarter of the old city of Baghdad, shared a very personal presentation via Zoom. This talk was part of the program that included streaming of the 2014 drama The Dove Flyer by EBIJFF. Joseph Samuels' Talk On Monday, May 15, NYT bestselling author Steven Hartov talked about his newest thriller The Last of the Seven , a spellbinding novel of World War II based on the little-known history of the X Troop—a team of European Jews who escaped the Continent only to join the British Army and return home to exact their revenge on Hitler’s military. The Last of the Seven Writing and teaching at the nexus of myth, spirituality, and popular music, Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff released his book About Man and God and Law in 2022 to celebrate Bob Dylan’s 81st birthday. On Sunday, May 7, Stephen joined the Under One Tent audience from Jerusalem to talk about Dylan's spiritual wisdom and his lyrics. Stephen Arnoff's Talk On April 23, attorney, professor, and author Ronald H. Balson spoke to the Under One Tent audience on his latest novel, An Affair of Spies , and all the events that led up to writing his previous books. An Affair of Spies On Thursday, April 20, award-winning author and historian Fred Rosenbaum returned with another in the series, Around the World with Fred . Rosenbaum explored the history of the Jews of Norway and the impact of WWII on the community which was also depicted in the 2021 drama Betrayed which EBIJFF streamed online. The Jews of Norway On Sunday, April 16, author Meg Waite Clayton introduced us to her latest novel, The Postmistress of Paris , where she tells the powerful story of one woman’s heroic quest to save Jewish painters, intellectuals, and a motherless child in Nazi-occupied France. The Postmistress of Paris In Overture of Hope , New York Post investigative journalist Isabel Vincent tells the amazing true story of two British spinsters, sisters Ida and Louise Cook, who masterminded a plan to spirit dozens of Jewish stars and personnel of the German and Austrian opera to England. Overture of Hope On Tuesday, March 28, Fred Rosenbaum explored why Israeli voters turned towards Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners at the last election. He also delved into the 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. A Turn in Israel In A Banker's Journey , financial journalist and historian Daniel Gross traces Edmond Safra's heritage to Aleppo, Syria, and reconstructs the public life of an intensely private man. With exclusive access to Safra's personal archives, Gross tracks the banker's remarkable journey from Beirut to Milan, Sao Paulo, Geneva, and New York--to the pinnacle of global finance. Watch the March 19 talk now on YouTube! A Banker's Journey On Monday, February 20, 2023, journalist Gil Hoffman spoke at Congregation B'nai Shalom and gave an insider's look at Israel's current challenges. Gil Hoffman's Talk On Sunday, February 5, 2023, best-selling author Alan Jacobson joined the Under One Tent audience virtually from East Coast to talk about the first novel of his new mystery series, The Lost Girl , where he introduces a new character, Mickey Keller. He also discussed his research methods and gave insider tips on the literary world and the entertainment industry's inner workings. Alan Jacobson's Talk In the fall of 2022, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put together a winning political coalition and released his autobiography, Bibi: My Story . On January 31, 2023, historian, political scientist, author, and journalist Avi Shilon talked about Bibi and the memoir in which the longest-running Prime Minister in Israeli history told his personal story. Delving into Bibi On January 24, in a pre-recorded presentation, Dr. Clive Lipchin, the Arava Institute’s leading scientist for water management, explored all the strategies that Israeli environmentalists have devised to deal with water scarcity, such as recycling wastewater or desalinization. He also examined how these and other Israeli innovations may be able to help solve California’s water crisis. Dr. Lipchin's Presentation Cookbook author and photographer Benedetta Jasmine Guetta joined the Under One Tent audience online on January 17, 2023, to introduce her book Cooking alla Giudia . She gave us a brief history of Italian Jewish cuisine and a cooking demo of amaretti (almond cookies) and hraimi, a perfect fish dish to be a starter for any Shabbat meal. Her recipes are available here . Cooking alla Giudia Author, journalist and professor Micheline Maynard joined the Under One Tent audience virtually on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, to talk about her book Satisfaction Guaranteed: How Zingerman's Built a Corner Deli into a Global Food Community. Satisfaction Guaranteed On January 3, 2023, co-authors of The Thread Collectors , Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman, joined us virtually for an enlightening book talk. They shared with the audience their collaborative creative process and personal experiences writing their Civil War Era novel. The Thread Collectors

Activities & Crafts for All Ages Some suggested family friendly activities include apple picking, shopping for clothing (wearing new clothes is a tradition in some communities), sending out New Year’s Cards (electronically or by regular mail), making New Year’s resolutions, going to Tashlich—Casting bread crumbs into a body of water while saying special prayers. For a list of 10 meaningful kids' activities from “Jewish Boston,” click here! Try one or more of Reform Judaism's list of suggested activities that start with the month of Elul, and continue through the High Holidays 6 ways to prepare for the High Holidays as published on Reform Judaism's website Another list of 6 Rosh HaShanah Activities for Families , as published on familyeducation.com . Apples & Honey Blessing to print and to use the words for a craft project Making a Rosh HaShanah Card Watch step-by-step video of making your own stenciled honey dish a la Martha Stewart! A sampling of Jewish crafts—hamsa, tzedakah box, etc. Learn how to make a “Spew Jonah (Whale Popper)” Make an apple-print blessings placemat (for young students) Apple centerpiece ...made with a toilet paper cardboard roll Rosh HaShanah napking rings (for older students) Stained glass fish (ages 2 – 7)

VENUES Due to social-distancing protocols at many of our locations, the majority of our events remain virtual (online). If a program is held in-person, that information will be included in its write-up. The location of our “Young Families' Programs," which are usually outdoor events, will be listed in the program description, or in some cases, communicated after registration is complete.

Family Shabbat Dinner Oct 02, 2026, 5:30 PM Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA More Info & Tickets

With the Under One Tent program Contra Costa JCC is partnering with synagogues, schools and Jewish organizations to bring the Jewish community together. UNDER ONE TENT The One Stop for Jewish Culture & Community in Contra Costa & Tri Valley JoAnn Jacobson, Chair, Under One Tent Larry Jacobs, President, Contra Costa JCC The Contra Costa JCC is proud to bring Under One Tent to the community. This innovative program is more than a listing of events. We reflect the renaissance of Judaism and Jewish life in Central Contra Costa and Pleasanton and showcase the dynamic partnerships between synagogues, schools, and Jewish organizations. Through cultural, educational, spiritual and social action programs, our community comes together — the affiliated and unaffiliated — to celebrate, explore and learn. By being inclusive, we become: O NE W elcoming A ctive V ibrant E xciting Jewish community.

How to Host a Seder & More Just like Passover 2020, this year for Passover we may have to recreate our own charoset made of fruits and nuts our parents and grandparents never contemplated using. We will probably find horseradish and purchase matzah, but we may still have to lead our own seder and not join our relatives or friends. Still social distancing this Passover season, we may still be looking for items for our Seder dinner(s), consider being innovative. Over the centuries, different Jewish communities made the food their own while maintaining the symbolism which “told” the Exodus story. The many different charoset recipes reflect the foods available to each Jewish community. Think ahead and check with your rabbi, cantor and/or religious leader for resources, stores and food substitutions. Let the story of the Exodus be the “centerpiece” at your Seder. And we hope you use the links below to help you prepare for this year's Seder and beyond! Passover 101 from MyJewishLearning.com, a great website where you can learn from how to prep for the holiday to understanding the terms, to picking the right Haggadah. One Table Passover 2021 has excellent resources that provides information on leading your own Seder, as well as recipes. PJ Library Passover Hub is perfect for kids. American Jewish World Service's downloadable Haggadah is oriented towards social action. Let’s Make Your Passover Haggadah Together! The haggadot.com website enables you to create your own Haggadah and emphasize different parts of the Passover story. How to celebrate Passover during the Pandemic , from Kveller.com How to cook for Passover during a Pandemic , from My Jewish Learning.com/The Nosher Passover Tips for Seders in the Time of the Coronavirus from Forward.com How Different Will This Night Be? 10 Tips to Your Virtual Seder by Jewish Journal. How to Host a Virtual Passover Seder , from Heyalma.com How to Plan an Online Passover Seder from Forward.com Digital Content to Enliven This Year's Virtual Seders from URJ.org . Watch How to set your table for a Passover Seder with Rabbi Nicki Greninger of Temple Isaiah . This Kveller article is ideal to share with teachers and parents of young children . From a Red Sea diorama to hand puppets, from a matzah print to "kinetic rice and sand," there is something for everybody for a fun-filled experience and/or to add to one's holiday decor. Like Facebook? Join the group Jewishlive . ReformJudaism.org 's Passover checklist can be found here . If you are hosting a Passover Seder for the first time, here is what to do . The 14 Steps for a Traditional Seder is a wonderful guide by My Jewish Learning . How to Host a Seder by Mash Up Americans. The Complete Guide to Hosting a Seder by Forward.com . Jewish Study Network has on-line sessions if you want to join. Alephbeta.org is offering free online accounts during our self-quarantine. It is a favorite site for parents with teenage children.