This week's Torah portion, Ki Tisa (Ex 30:11-34:35), relates the story of the Golden Calf. Rabbi Andrea Goldstein makes an interesting observation about this incident, from which she infers that we need "...open spaces where people can come together to talk freely about our differences and listen deeply to one another so we might also see what unites us."

Tonight's Kabbalat Shabbat service featuring Craig Taubman will be at Peninsula Temple Beth El at 6:30pm. Click here if you'd like a ride, or you can watch it from home here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PTBEVIRTUAL

Dear CJC members & friends,

I'm afraid I don't have much to say.

I'm sad, frustrated, and angry about what's happening in Israel and Gaza. Even though life goes on here - with an incredible Shabbat service coming up tonight, and with the joyful holiday of Purim coming up in three weeks - the destruction and suffering in Gaza right now makes it hard for me feel a sense of joy about anything.

Like so many, I'm still grieving the losses that Israeli and Jewish communities suffered on October 7th. I feel the release of hostages should be a much higher priority than it appears to be for Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir. And I am certain that Hamas must be permanently disempowered as a political movement.

But the deaths of so many thousands of Palestinian civilians, particularly children, with U.S.-supplied weapons, is likely to have dire consequences for Israel, for the U.S., and for any hope for peace - in the Middle East or, quite possibly, anywhere in the world.

I know that the members of our community have diverse opinions about all this, and I am hardly a pundit, so I'll just finish what I have to say here and suggest that readers can decide if they agree or disagree with Thomas Friedman's sober assessment in his column from earlier this week.

So what do we do now? Where do we go from here?

I know there's going to be a big march against antisemitism in San Francisco on Sunday afternoon. Sure, we should always be ready to stand up against antisemitism, but I would feel uncomfortable marching and cheering alongside folks who may feel that the demolition of Gaza is completely justified.

Instead, I prefer to participate in events like the ones you'll see below featuring Avi Melamed, Jeremy Ben-Ami, and my friend Daniel Epstein. I prefer being around folks who understand the nuance, the complexity, and the angst that is very much present for me, either in the foreground or background of our shared experience in just about every waking moment.

So with a heavy but hopeful heart, my prayer is that we can each bring some measure of healing to our families, friends, and neighbors through everything we do and say. For me, that is what brings meaning to my life and, perhaps, in some small measure, joy and peace.

Shabbat Shalom, Reb Moshe

TONIGHT - Join a group of Coastsiders for a Kabbalat Shabbat service at PTBE with the legendary Craig Taubman. Some of us will also be attending the other programs and the concert tomorrow night (see below). To catch a ride tonight, tomorrow, or Sunday, click here.

Join Aryae and Wendy tomorrow at 12:20pm for their virtual Torah Circle, when they will explore parashat Ki Tisa. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Standing Together Against Antisemitism

Sunday, March 3, 1:30-4:30pm, SF

In response to escalating acts against the Jewish community, Jews and allies throughout Northern California will gather for an unprecedented march against Antisemitism. Featured speakers include Sheryl Sandberg. For more info, see https://www.unitymarch.ca/

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

.המלחמה בין ישראל לחמאס היא נקודת ציון בתהליך רב מימדי של מאבק כח מתעצם במזרח ה

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 

Saturday, March 9, 7pm, Peninsula Temple Beth El, 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.

Memorial Gathering for Ty Jacob Radvila, Sunday, March 10 - There will be a memorial gathering at noon for Ty, son of Vicki Radvila, stepson of Avram Frankel, and brother of Dana Frankel. Ty passed away on Dec 31, 2023. The memorial will be held at the Moose Lodge in Pacifica (776 Bradford Way). You can read the obituary in the Pacifica Tribune here. The family asks that, if so moved, donations be made to the Surfrider Foundation in Ty’s name.

Building Bridges: Sacred Listening Workshop, Friday, 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.

Shabbat Dinner & Service at Kobi & Zehava's - Friday, March 15 - Join us for our next potluck Shabbat dinner at 6pm and service at 7pm in Moss Beach with a special guest, Don Mendel, who will talk about his recent experiences in Israel. You can RSVP here.

Purim Fun for the Adults

Open Mic Night 

Friday, March 22 - 5pm until... Cameron's Pub, HMB

This year we will celebrate Purim at Cameron's Pub in Half Moon Bay. There will be an assortment of stories, spoken word performances, 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 glass of wine or two, you'll want to 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.

Purim Fun for the Kids

Purim Shpiel & Carnival

Sunday, March 24, Peninsula Temple Beth El

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 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, 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.

Stay tuned for even more announcements in our Monthly Update, which will arrive in your inbox on Monday morning. And you can always check our website and calendar here.

Rabbi Moshe Heyn serves as CJC's Spiritual Leader, along with our Sheli'ach Tzibbur, Lissin Lev Chaya. Below is a photo from a recent event where Reb Moshe sang with Manaar Azreik at Embarcadero Plaza. Nancy Margulies (right) helped lead the dancing.

The Mission of CJC is to provide an inclusive community that supports connection to Jewish life, both cultural and spiritual, on the coast from Pacifica to Pescadero.

We rely on the generosity of our members and friends. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation using the Donate button below.