Congregation B'nai Torah

I needed this. So beautiful.

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. All around the world, people are coming together to honor the memory of the 6 million Jewish lives lost and pay tribute to the bravery and heroism of the survivors. FIDF was founded by Holocaust survivors. Our mission upholds the supreme importance of a Jewish State to ensure that we always have a homeland to turn to.

Stay tuned for a possible group trip for this play!

Join us for a wonderful night celebrating the music of some of America's great Jewish writers of America's Songbook-that started out as Broadway tunes and morphed their way into great jazz classics. Friday November 22, 2019 - Vivian Lee Quartet at the Celebration Arts Theater, 2727 B Street, Sacramento, 8pm, $25 Tickets

Experience: A traditional sukkah, shake the lulav, learn, and rest in the midst of hustle. In the news: The Salesforce sukkah was even profiled in this excellent article. When: It’s open until Tuesday evening (Oct 22)... How to find it: When you enter the Salesforce park by Starbucks, face toward the park (away from Starbucks), turn left and walk all the way to the end. What is it: A sukkah is a foliage-covered hut where people come together in unity in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. All are welcome. This amazing sukkah was sponsored by Faithforce and Chabad SF. It is the first of its kind in a public space in San Francisco. What happened yesterday: Hundreds visited the sukkah and dined on amazing Kosher food by the amazing Frena Bakery. Jews, Christians, Muslims, Atheists, strangers, elderly, and children all gathered in a homemade hut beneath the skyscrapers of Uber, Salesforce, and Facebook -- breaking bread together, laughing, and learning. It felt like a home and a family.

Happening next week!

Hannukah Party Pictures courtesy of Josie Mata!

A B'nai Torah Congregant, Barbara Brooks, is offering these exercise machines for free - if interested please contact her at [email protected].

Hello dear volunteer community -- You are 580 strong, and you have given SO much to our refugee, immigrant, Holocaust survivor and older adult community in need. Now is a time when we appreciate you all the more. I am writing today to thank many of you who have reached out to me, and have asked what you can do. We, like you, are heartsick. This is personal. We all hurt for those lives lost, for the horrible messages that are so loud and for our current clients who yet ag...ain feel unsafe. Thank you for your care and love during this time. Since many are asking, here are some ideas for spreading kindness, and supporting our clients at this time. If what you need is to talk, I am here. I also list here some open office hours: * Letters/cards of support -- We are happy to distribute to our clients any letters or cards of support from you. Have some friends to write with you? Bring it on. We serve over 280 Holocaust survivors in the East Bay, and hold regular events and gatherings. We can get cards to them! Tell them you are with them, and that you stand against hate. You can also write to newcomer refugee and immigrant families -- we will get them out. You can send to: JFCS East Bay Attn: Kathryn Winogura 1855 Olympic Blvd #200 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 * Goody packages and love for our Holocaust survivor clients - We host monthly gatherings, and we are happy to distribute love from you. Goody packages can have: flowers, packaged cookies or candies, a special note, a small gift card, teas. Get in touch with me if you want to do this. * Help make our November gatherings special for our Holocaust survivor clients. Monthly, we sponsor Café Europa - a place for survivors to gather, eat lunch, see a film, hear from a speaker or listen to music. This month, we plan to make space for grieving, fears, sadness, concerns. Want to help provide an extra special lunch or dessert? Make this month a little more special? Please reply back to me if you are interested. * Holding space for you....Need to talk? Have questions? Just want to be together? I have open office hours, here in WC office, on the following days and times: Tuesday, October 30th - 11 to 1 Wednesday, October, 31st - 3 to 5 Monday, November 5th - 10 to 2 No need to make an appt -- just drop by. * Donate - This is personal. We proudly serve refugees and immigrants, and we proudly care for Holocaust survivors and Jewish older adults. Funds enable us to do what we do, and even expand what we do. Here is a link for you: https://app.mobilecause.com/ vf/JFCStogether * Community Memorial Service Tuesday, October 30th Congregation B'nai Shalom, 7 pm. 7 4 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek It is an honor and a pleasure to work with each of you and to know you are part of the solution. The silver lining. The antidote.

Get your tickets early as these shows will definitely sell out!

Amazing video from adult ed shared by Rabbi Michael. Do yourself a favor and watch at least 5 minutes of this video - very powerful!