CJC Monthly Update - April 2024

Monthly Update - April 2024

WOW!! - What a month it's been! And there's more coming up...

We had a big crowd at our "Stand Up on Purim" event at Cameron's Pub on March 22. We heard a version of the Purim story, sang, laughed, and heard personal accounts from CJC members and friends who found the courage to stand up to antisemitism.

The next evening, a group of CJC members and friends attended a Persian Banquet & Taylor Swift Purim Shpiel at Shir Hadash in Los Gatos...

...and the following morning, a group of CJC families enjoyed a Purim Shpiel & Carnival at PTBE, with groggers, costumes, and fun for everyone!

A big "thank you" to Kobi & Zehava for hosting our Shabbat dinner and service on March 15th...

...and a big "thank you" to Sharon & Katy for hosting our Family Shabbat dinner and service on March 29th! Want to host a Shabbat? Email Michal.

The big news is that Passover begins in three weeks. Don't wait to reserve your space at our Seder on the second night of Passover! Email Michal now.

Below are updates from each of our four Chavurot, based on our Four Worlds organizational structure: (1) Family, (2) Community, (3) Adult Learning, and (4) Spirituality. It all begins with Family, which is central in the kabbalistic model of concentric spheres. Spirituality, the outermost sphere, encompasses all the other realms, representing the idea that spirituality suffuses everything we do.

THE FAMILY CHAVURAH supports children & families, providing experiences and opportunities for Jewish learning and identity formation, fostering optimal conditions for social, intellectual and spiritual development. For more information, reach out to Dr. Elysia Engelag e.

Our Passover Seder, Tuesday, April 23rd at 5:30pm, will be totally kid-friendly with fun activities and a prize for whoever finds the Afikomen. Make your reservation now by emailing Michal.

More photos from the Purim Carnival: Autumn Strecker volunteering; Reb Moshe with Rabbi Laurie Matzkin (PJCC) and Rabbi Rebecca Hecht (PTBE).

Lacey Bastian with her three kids at the shpiel; Reb Moshe with our new PJ Library rep, Deborah Wahnich-Reitman, who actually lives in El Granada! Thanks also to Scott Morrice, Joe Strecker, Susannah & Matt, Griffin & Genevieve, Sophie & Brandon, Audrey & Sam, Sharon (Nomburg) & Hannah, Michelle, Hazel & Fritz for joining us at the carnival. CJC was in the house!

Photos from our recent Family Shabbat, when Hazel and Raina were trying on a few of Reb Moshe's yarmulkes. Yeah, being Jewish can be fun!

We had an amazing potluck dinner with freshly baked challot. Afterwards, Reb Moshe told a story about the tailors who made a garment for the moon.

THE COMMUNITY CHAVURAH supports both community-building within CJC and with the broader community through social justice activism and civic engagement. For more information, reach out to Linda or Chip Goldstein.

CJC's Chip Goldstein Involved in Planning & Hosting Climate Forums

When Rep. Anna Eshoo announced her retirement from Congress, ten candidates jumped in the race. The local Citizens' Climate Lobby chapters knew exactly what to do — host two virtual climate-focused candidate forums, attracting over 300 Zoom registrants.

Events like this help to push climate action higher on the priority list of every candidate. Want to help advance climate justice this election season? For info on postcarding, phone banking and more, email Chip.

CoastPride, in cooperation with the CoastPride Multi-Faith Partners, will be hosting a PRIDE SEDER on Friday, April 26, 6-8pm in HMB.

A Pride Seder is a ritual that takes place around a dinner table and chronicles the liberation of LGBTQ+ people, much like the Passover Seder retells the story of the liberation of the Jewish people. Both campy and serious, elements throughout the seder will resonate with people who are LGBTQ+.

Join a diverse gathering of queer folks and allies to celebrate the LGBTQ community's "coming out" of bondage, with songs, readings and a delicious vegetarian dinner. The event is designed for adults ages 13 and up, though people of all ages are welcome.

The seder will be conducted by Rabbi Mychal Copeland, a queer rabbi who serves Sha’ar Zahav in San Francisco, one of the first synagogues established as an explicitly safe space for queer Jews.

The registration fee is on a sliding scale with a suggested amount of $10 to cover the cost of the vegetarian dinner. If you would like to help or be a reader, leave a comment when you register here.

SHABBAT SERVICE HONORING LISSIN LEV CHAYA

for her many years of serving CJC as our Sheli'ach Tzibbur.

Friday, May 17 at 7pm at Holy Family Church in HMB

Special guests will include Rabbi Ted Riter and Rabbi Jane Litman.

Save the date!

CJC is hiring! We are looking for candidates. Know anyone?

Program Manager (Click on link for the complete job description.) This role builds on the Event Coordinator role that we had for the first time this fiscal year and includes broader responsibilities, such as managing communications and select other administrative duties.

Thank you to Michal for piloting our Event Coordinator role this year! She stepped in with curiosity, eagerness and a clear love of our community. We are grateful for her efforts in coordinating celebrations such as the big Chanukah party and the High Holidays, and we know that her work behind the scenes helped make so many great memories. Michal and her family will remain active as members of CJC and we know we'll see them at many upcoming programs.

Jewish Youth Educator (Click on link for the complete job description.) This role builds on the recent Family Circle Director role to include a revised vision of Family Circle as well as incremental responsibilities for family programming such as at holidays and select events.

Thank you to Marla for her excellent leadership of Family Circle over the last few years. We are grateful for her enthusiasm for Jewish education and expertise in Hebrew, Jewish holidays, and culture (and love of crafts!). We wish her all the best in her continued rabbinical studies! Marla is always welcome at CJC events and we hope to see her pop in even as she rolls off the Family Circle educator role after this school year.

Please share the job postings with your networks to help us recruit the best candidates. Reach out to Sophie with questions at presidentcjc@gmail.com.

THE ADULT LEARNING CHAVURAH supports life-long learning through ongoing Mussar groups, a Holy Books Study Group, and other learning opportunities. For more information, reach out to Vaughn Harrison or Laura Alster-Martin.

For the Love of Judaism with Shai Held and Amy E. Schwartz - Tuesday, April 2 at 1:30pm on Zoom

Many people, especially Jews, have come to believe that Christianity is the religion of love while Judaism is the religion of law. But according to Rabbi Shai Held, President of the Hadar Institute, this could not be further from the truth. Join Held, author of the new book Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life, for a conversation about why he believes that “love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity.” In conversation with Moment's Book & Opinion Editor, Amy E. Schwartz. Register here.

The CJC Book Club meets approximately once every two months at members’ homes. We read all kinds of books that are in some way related to being Jewish, and generally ensure our books are available through a library. We schmooze, we nosh, we even discuss the book we read! Most importantly, CJC members get together to enjoy each others’ company. For more information, contact Vaughn.

Our next gathering will be April 17. We will discuss The Lemon Tree, by Sandy Tolan.

THE SPIRITUALITY CHAVURAH supports the personal and communal interests of our members when it involves spirituality. Whether it's Shabbat and holiday rituals, workshops, or personal practices, we're here for you on all levels. You can reach out to co-facilitators Reb Moshe or Lissin Lev Chaya.

"Strange Fire" this Friday - April 5 at 7pm at Holy Family Church

In this week's parasha, Shemini (Lev 9:1-11:47), we read of a bizarre incident in which Aaron's sons offer a "strange fire" before God. Some commentators have suggested that they were using an unsanctioned plant medicine. This incident may serve as an introduction to the prevalance of psychotropic substances in Jewish ritual. Yes actually, "Psychedelic Judaism" is a thing!

Read Judaism’s Psychedelic Renaissance - The reintegration of acid, ecstasy, and other consciousness altering drugs into Jewish spiritual life, a tradition as old as the tribe itself, by Madison Margolin in Tablet Magazine here.

Our next Friday evening Shabbat dinner & service will be on April 19 at Cheryl & David's home in Moss Beach. Reb Moshe & Lissin will lead the service.

Don't forget to register for our Passover Seder on Tuesday, April 23 at 5:30pm in Half Moon Bay. For details, click here.

This year, we will be using the haggadah by Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, The Promise of the Land, which centers on climate justice. We will honor her memory and the values that inspired her award-winning publications.