A Word from Rabbi Schulman - 2/13/15

Here is a question for you: What do Berkeley, Livermore, and Los Gatos have in common? The answer: these three cities will be hosting exciting Jewish events in the next 4 weeks in which you can participate.

Do you love music, dance, and theater? Beginning February 21 and running through March 22, the East Bay Jewish Community Center in Berkeley will be hosting a Jewish Music Festival. Among the many artists who will be performing will be Heather Klein, our wonderful cantorial soloist for the High Holy Days. Heather will be in a production of “Di Megileh of Itzik Manger,” the hit Yiddish Purim musical (fully subtitled in English) based on the Book of Esther. More information can be found at www.jewishmusicfestival.org.

Are you a fan of movies? In early March, the Vine Cinema and Ale House in Livermore will show three thought-provoking films about Jewish subjects. This is the 20th year that the Jewish Federation of the East Bay has sponsored the International Jewish Film Festival and the three films being shown at the Vine Cinema indeed reflect a global perspective. One film is from Macedonia, another from Israel, and the third is from Germany/Poland. Many more Jewish films will be shown in Pleasant Hill at Century 16. The festival’s website is www.eastbayjewishfilm.org.

Do you enjoy good food, great company, Jewish learning, and getting away for a refreshing weekend retreat? There are still openings for participants to attend the community Shabbaton sponsored by Temple Beth Torah, Congregation Beth Emek, and Congregation Shir Ami. The Shabbaton will be held March 13-14 in Los Gatos at the Presentation Resort and Conference Center. For more information go to www.altman.com/shabbaton.

In the weeks ahead, we also have great events taking place right here at Temple Beth Torah. The Purim carnival on Sunday, March 1; our Megillah reading on Wednesday night March 4, and Brotherhood’s Night of Illusion on Saturday, March 28 will be fun and enjoyable.

Participating in Jewish life whether local or regional is not an either/or proposition. It is wonderful to celebrate Jewish life in our home congregation. Yet Berkeley, Livermore, and Los Gatos are no more than 30 miles from Fremont. The Jewish Music Festival, The East Bay Jewish Film Festival, and the Shabbaton are wonderful opportunities to experience Jewish music, dance, theater, film, and learning in the company of a broader community.