In partnership with the Contra Costa JCC

The Hamas attack on October 7 and Israel’s military response in Gaza have revealed deep rifts among American Jews on how they perceive Israel, Palestinians, and the conflict. These rifts have been most apparent between generations and have provoked emotional and painful divisions among families.

In partnership with Congregation Kol Emeth and Congregation Beth Am

We are partnering with The Shalom Center in "Erecting a Tent of Mourning" for all whose hearts are open and tender enough to grieve both Palestinian and Israeli lives lost since and beyond 10/7. In collaboration with over a dozen local and national partners, and inspired by Queen Esther's ritualized grief in the Purim story: a full day of learning and self-directed rituals to support attendees in deepening and expanding their grief. Read more here.

Part of our “What REALLY Happened on…” series

A week after celebrating Israel's Independence Day, we look at the current situation "through a glass darkly." Award-winning journalist Bradley Burston's new book "The End of Israel" details how, even before the horrific Gaza war that is still unfolding, Israelis had begun to question whether this year's Independence Day would be the nation's last. It also shows how Benjamin Netanyahu's policies enabled the war and documents a fateful and still-destructive choice Netanyahu made "to contort and sacrifice his country for the sake of his own political longevity." Burston concludes: "He chose. Israel lost. End of story."

In partnership with ReBoot

Part of “LEHRHAUS ALEHOUSE” at Beer Baron in Rockridge. First drink is on us!

The Mishna speaks of Tu Be’Av, an ancient matchmaking festival, one that disappeared until the modern period, when it was revived in the Land of Israel and in the Orthodox world. On the holiday, great rabbis pray, without charge, for unmarried men and women to find their mates. But who revived this festival? Neither Zionists nor Orthodox rabbis. Join us to discuss the role of a divorced woman... Read more

In partnership with the Jewish Community Library

Jonathan Branfman will draw from his new book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, and White Supremacy (New York University Press, 2024). The book uses examples from film, television, and digital media to clarify how antisemitism works in real life, and especially how antisemitism interacts with race. Although these topics can seem abstra... Read more

In partnerships with the Jewish Studies Program at UC Davis and the Centers for Jewish Studies at UC Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union.

The 30th day of mourning (Shloshim) marks the end of the first month after a death, when the bereaved return to most daily ac... Read more