CJC Monthly Update - March 2024

Monthly Update - March 2024

Reb Moshe & Jill and a group of Coastsiders enjoyed performances by our Scholar-in-Residence, Craig Taubman, with Duvid Swirsky and Saul Kaye. Click on the photo below to watch a short clip of "Shiru L'Adonai."

Craig’s musical career spans five decades, in Jewish settings as well as in television and film. His sell-out concerts draw thousands of fans at major venues, including three special performances at the White House. Jill didn't even realize he had written some of the songs her girls grew up singing!

A big "thank you" to Craig, Rabbi Laurie Matzkin, and participating members of the Northern Peninsula Jewish Collaboration for a series of great events!

COMING SOON: "Stand Up" for Purim - Open Mic Night at Cameron's Pub in Half Moon Bay - Friday, March 22 from 5pm until....

On Purim, we recall Queen Esther's courage and willingness to call out Haman, the personification of antisemitism. This year, come and hear stories of everyday people who found themselves in situations when they, too, were called to stand up. Maybe after a few drinks, you'll be ready to get up and tell your story! (Just about everybody has one.) There will also be a shpiel and a medley of Purim parody songs that we'll sing karaoke-style. Details below.

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.

Purim Fun for Kids

Purim Shpiel & Carnival

Sunday, March 24, 10am

Join us for a field trip to the Purim Shpiel and Carnival at Peninsula Temple Beth El. Last year, we had fifteen kids and many parents. We also enjoyed carnival games, prizes and food. We were happy to connect with the broader Jewish community, strengthening the bonds with one another and with our community partners. For more photos from our Purim celebrations last year, click here. To RSVP, email Michal.

Sharing Passover in the Classroom: A Workshop for Parents and Caregivers - Wednesday, March 27, 5–6:30pm

Discover exciting and engaging ways to share the magic of Passover and Jewish culture in your child’s classroom. Connect with other parents and find inspiration to bring Passover traditions to your children's classroom. You will receive a classroom set of art supplies, a resource guide, and a Passover storybook. This workshop is held in-person at The Contemporary Jewish Museum in SF. Dinner and schmoozing are included! Reserve your space in the workshop by registering here. To find out who from the Coastside is going and/or to carpool, email Monica.

Family Shabbat in Pacifica Friday, March 29, 6pm

Join our families with children, and our intergenerational club, the BZBs (Bubbies, Zadies, and Bubbelehs) for a kid-oriented Shabbat service and a potluck Shabbat dinner. To RSVP, email Michal and she will send you the details along with the address.

Family Circle wants to know: What can we offer you and your family?

We would love to hear your feedback about what types of Jewish enrichment and educational activities you're looking for. Click here to respond to our brief survey or select a time to join us for a feedback and brainstorming session this week or next week via Zoom.

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.

A Vigil for Peace, Saturday

March 9, 3pm Redwood City Courthouse Square

Guest Speaker: Jeremy Ben-Ami, President and Founder of J Street.

Join us to amplify the voices that call to stop the bloodshed and work towards justice, equality, liberation, and peace.

Join the SFBay4Peace Whatsapp Group or their email list to stay informed in case of rain.

Whatsapp: https://bit.ly/sfbay4peace

Email List: bit.ly/emailvigils

Memorial Gathering for Ty Jacob Radvila, Sunday, March 10, noon

There will be a memorial gathering for Ty, son of Vicki Radvila, stepson of Avram Frankel, and brother of Dana Frankel at the Moose Lodge in Pacifica (776 Bradford Way). The family asks that, if so moved, donations be made to the Surfrider Foundation in Ty’s name.

Weather permitting, there will be a Paddle Out at 8:30am at Linda Mar Beach. A traditional Hawaiian tribute, paddlers often carry flowers and Hawaiian leis on top of their boards to the place where they will celebrate someone's life. As they arrive at the selected location, surfers join hands, form a human circle, say a few words, chant, and splash the water. The circle represents the way the ocean brings people together.

Shabbat Dinner & Service at Kobi & Zehava's, Friday, March 15

Join us for our next Shabbat dinner at 6pm and service at 7pm in Moss Beach with special guests, Don Mendel and his wife Phyllis.

Don, a retired lawyer and resident of Pacifica, is a dual American-Israeli citizen, a fluent Hebrew speaker, and served in the IDF. He lived in Israel for 14 years on Kibbutz Gal On, and to this day maintains a large network of close relationships in Israel nurtured over 50 years. He recently returned from a two month stay there, helping out on the kibbutzim close to Gaza, and will share his experiences, impressions and takeaways.

Reb Moshe will lead the service with Janet Meiselman. RSVP here.

(Photo from Kobi & Zehava's potluck Chanukah dinner three months ago.)

"I Like It Here" - Saturday, March 23, 7:30pm at the Odd Fellows in HMB

We talk or joke about aging, trying our best to outfox the relentless passage of time. But we rarely confront death or the fear of being left alone.

A 78-year-old filmmaker wanders through his neighborhood and his own past to understand what’s happening within his body and brain — and those of the friends he encounters. What it's like to feel your joints and thoughts stiffen but to be more relaxed about getting ahead or keeping up?

Screening will be followed with a Q&A/discussion with Sandra Winter, Executive Director of Senior Coastsiders. Tickets $10; reserve yours here.

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.

The Gaza War: The Forces Shaping Israeli Public Opinion - Webinar

With the world watching on in horror as the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza expands, there’s a growing disconnect between the views of the Israeli public – still reeling from the horror of October 7 and impacted by the continued trauma of a country at war – and those watching from abroad, including pro-Israel Americans.

To examine the media, political and social forces shaping Israeli public opinion, we’ll be joined by Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, leading analyst and pollster, Maya Roman, whose cousin was held by Hamas, and Alon-Lee Green, whose group Standing Together has been holding joint Jewish-Arab bilateral ceasefire rallies across Israel. Register for the webinar here.

The Origins of Hasidism as Reflected in the Teachings of Rabbi Israel Ba'al Shem Tov - Wednesday morning text study group via Zoom

Reb Moshe will be sharing selections from his rabbinic thesis, which explores the factors that led to a spiritual renaissance based on the personality and teachings of a remarkable spiritual master. Join us at 6:30am on Wednesday using this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4159907305

Israel At War: A Pivotal Moment for The Middle East

Featuring Middle East Intelligence Expert Avi Melamed

Tuesday, March 5, 7:30pm Peninsula Sinai Congregation (499 Boothbay Ave, Foster City)

Avi Melamed’s lecture will provide a nuanced understanding of the Israel–Hamas war and its evolution since October 7. As a leading Arabic-speaking Israeli intelligence analyst, he offers valuable insights into the current situation and the factors shaping the future and possible resolution of the conflict. Providing clarity amidst chaos, Avi will surely deepen our knowledge and our ability to articulate the larger issues represented by this conflict. Register here. To find out who else is going with Reb Moshe from the Coastside and/or to carpool, email Michal.

ישראל במלחמה: מבט גאו-אסטרטגי עם אבי מלמד

אתם מוזמנים להצטרף לערב עם אבי מלמד, בו הוא יביא סקירה עדכנית הבוחנת את הגורמים והתהליכים שהובילו למלחמה, ואת תמונת המצב העדכנית בשטח: האם המלחמה תתרחב לזירות אחרות, כיצד משתקפת המלחמה בשיח הפוליטי בעולם הערבי, כיצד ייראה "היום שאחרי" ומהן ההשלכות של המלחמה על השיח הפנימי הישראלי הם חלק מהנושאים הנבחנים בסקירה זו.

תוכלו להאזין, לשאול שאלות ולשוחח עם אבי מלמד, חברים וישראלים נוספים באזור

האירוע יתקיים ביום שלישי ה-12 במרץ 2024 בשעה 17:30 בבית פרטי ב-Foster City בארגון והזמנת ה-PJCC. האירוע יכלול כיבוד קל

לאישור וקבלת פרטים jewishlife@pjcc.org

למידע נוסף על אבי מלמד https://insidethemiddle-east.com/

Finding Hope in Dark Times - Sat, March 9, 7:00pm Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo

CJC members and friends are invited to hear from J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami Jeremy will share his analysis and J Street’s positions on the state of war since October 7 and where this leads us as a community of peacebuilders and advocates. What is our role in shaping a plan for long-term peace and security in the region? RSVP here.

CJC's Book Club will meet next on April 17. Stay tuned for their next book selection.

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.

Building Bridges: Sacred Listening Workshop

Fri, March 15, 10am-1pm

Daniel Epstein has interviewed more than 500 people from 28 countries creating the world’s most extensive set of portraits and testimonies on the subject of faith and the meaning of life. This unique project led Daniel to understand that even more important and powerful than telling one’s own story is “the act of listening and receiving the story” especially someone perceived to be the “other”. This he calls “Sacred Listening.” To register and join Reb Moshe and others from the Coastside for this workshop, click here.

Purim Fun for Adults - Open Mic Night

Friday, March 22 - 5pm until...

Cameron's Pub, HMB

This year we will celebrate Purim with an assortment of stories, spoken word performances, a shpiel and Purim parody songs. We'll acknowledge the Sabbath, retell the Purim story and hear personal accounts of folks "standing up" against antisemitism. Maybe after a drink or two, you'll share your own story, or sing one of our Purim parody songs. We have dozens to choose from. Then at 7pm, we can stay for their karaoke night - for as long as we want. To RSVP, email Michal.

PASSOVER BEGINS IN 7 WEEKS. GET READY FOR ANOTHER GREAT SEDER! This year's CJC Seder will be on the second night of Passover (Tues, April 23) at Senior Coastsiders in HMB. A registration link will be available soon.

Also coming up: CJC will be collaborating with CoastPride to host a Pride Seder on Friday, April 26 at 6pm, led by Rabbi Mychal Copeland of Sha'ar Zahav, the historic LGBTQ synagogue in San Francisco. Stay tuned for details.