JCC East Bay

Advanced Mah Jongg
2024-04-03 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-10 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-17 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-24 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-01 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-08 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-15 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
A JCC East Bay group that meets weekly on Wednesdays to play American Mah Jongg!
This group is for more experienced players or those wanting to sharpen their competitive edge. Join for good company, tea, and fierce games of Mah Jongg. Drop-ins are welcome.
For more information email Gravity (gravity.goldberg@jcceastbay.org).

Yiddish Conversation
2024-04-03 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-04-10 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-04-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-04-24 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-05-01 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-05-08 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-05-15 10:30 - 11:30 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join us for Yiddish Conversation!
Participants will take turns reading various Yiddish passages aloud – laughing at the stories together, connecting with like-minded community members, and keeping the art of the Yiddish language alive!
Please email Gravity to RSVP: gravity.goldberg@jcceastbay.org

Art & Artists: The Art of Passover
2024-04-08 11:00 - 12:00
As most know, the holiday of Passover is based on the story of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The name Passover comes from the passing over of the homes of the Jews during the 10th plague, the death of the first born. Join in this look at the Passover celebration via art objects as visual resources for learning and understanding. This event is virtual and takes place over Zoom.

Register here.

Hebrew-Speaking Parent Group
2024-04-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-05-09 10:00 - 12:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Hebrew-speaking parents of early-age kids, babies, and expecting parents are invited to join us for an introductory gathering of our Hebrew-Speaking Parent group! Meetings will be led by emotional therapist and parent counselor, Sharon Grosbard. Light refreshments will be served and little ones are more than welcome!

Register here.

Art & Artists: The Art of Israel
2024-04-15 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for a survey of the history of the Holy Land through art objects, which begins with the building of King Solomon’s Temple, and continues with the Jewish catacombs, the synagogue mosaics, and the establishment of the modern State of Israel. This program follows the sweep of Israeli history while focusing on the visual arts and artists of recent centuries. This event is virtual and will take place over Zoom.

Register here.

Nosh With Your Neighbors
2024-04-18 11:30 - 13:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join us at the JCC East Bay library and courtyard space for a bring-your-own-lunch gathering on the third Thursday of every month. Be sure to bring your own Kosher-style lunch – a delicious dessert will be provided!
Email Sara (sara.feinman@jcceastbay.org) to confirm your attendance.

The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance
2024-04-21 13:00 - 16:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join our new monthly series celebrating “The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance!”
Great for musicians, dancers, and enthusiasts to meet, schmooze, or simply to take in the beauty of these rich traditions.
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Each session has three parts:
First hour: participants can choose between two spaces to learn multi-ethnic music and dance technique and styles.
Second hour: Participants will come together for a dance party focusing on the dances and tunes taught in the prior hour.
Third hour: an informal music jam in one or more of the classroom spaces at the JCC.
Music and Dance performance/teacher schedule:
January 28, 2024 – Qadim Ensemble and Miriam Peretz
February 25, 2024 – Asaf Ophir, Zina Pozen, Ivan Velev, and Bruce Bierman
March 24, 2024 – Zoe Aqua, Dmitri Gaskin, Misha Khalikulov, and Bruce Bierman
April 21, 2024 – Veretski Pass and Bruce Bierman
May 19, 2024 – Saul Goodman’s Klezmer Band and Bruce Bierman
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5-session series: $72.00
Drop-in admission: $18.00-$54.00 sliding scale
100% ticket revenue goes to cover musician/dance teacher fees.
No one turned away for lack of funds. Kids are free.
Presented in association with KlezCalifornia and with support from the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay and KlezCalifornia’s Yiddish Culture Fund.
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Click here for full series registration.
Individual session registration:
April 21, May 19

JCC Parent Club Chevrutah (Yom Hashoah)
2024-04-24 16:00 - 17:00
How does the Jewish holiday cycle work?
What are the animating ideas, themes, and visions of its practice?
Is there space for dissent, doubt, or disaffection in the calendar?
How do we carry out Jewish celebrations if we are not yet experts?

Join the JCC Parent Club Chevruta* (group of learners), as we discuss these big questions, talk about parenting, learn about Jewish Holidays, and connect as a community.

Register here.

Older Adults Passover Luncheon
2024-04-25 11:00 - 13:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
We’re excited to invite JCC East Bay Older Adults to a Passover Luncheon!
This Passover Luncheon will include a delicious Kosher-for-Pesach catered lunch, live Klezmer music, and a special appearance from a local Jewish storyteller to guide us through the story of Passover. Gather in community this Pesach by reconnecting with old friends, seeing new friendly faces, and celebrating Jewish joy! Registration is required.

80 seats/meals available
Cost: $20 per person (cash or card accepted at the door). If this is a barrier for anyone, we have additional subsidies available.

To RSVP: Please email Sara (sara.feinman@jcceastbay.org) by April 19.

¡Cantamos!
2024-04-28 15:30 - 17:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Our last session until the fall!
Join JCC East Bay, Olamim, Jewtina y Co. , and Tkiya for our monthly Spanish music series! Come experience the rhythmic fusion of Jewish and Latin traditions with Aviva Jinich, our creative musician and child educator. Embrace our shared cultural bond in this lively musical rendezvous. Tailored especially for families with children ages 0-7. All are welcome!

Register here.

Walking in the Valley of the Shadow: Jewish Views of the Soul, Afterlife, and Remembering
2024-05-02 19:00 - 20:30
Jewish Views of the Soul, Afterlife, and Remembering with Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan.
In partnership with New Lehrhaus, learn about the Jewish approach to death and dying, from the traditional to the contemporary, concepts and practices, burial, grief and comforting the bereaved – this is an important topic for all to explore within the safety and support of community.
Update: this event is now virtual-only and will take place over Zoom.

Program cost: $36
Register here.

Holocaust Remembrance Day
2024-05-05 14:00 - 15:00
The City of Berkeley, Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay, and the JCC East Bay present the 21st Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day.
This year’s program features reflections and memories from acclaimed artist, Kitty Klaidman. Her story reveals her family’s resilience and the extraordinary courage and kindness of the family that saved them.
Ethan Katz, Faculty Director, Center for Jewish Studies at UC Berkeley will also share his story about an inter-generational journey back to Europe and the importance of memory.
Included in this commemoration are comments from a teenage great grandson of a Survivor, music from renowned cello and bassoon duo Rebecca Rust and Friedrich Edelmann, and a moving candle lighting by survivors and their family members living in the Bay Area.
We join in community to honor survivors, the memory of all those who were murdered, those who resisted, and those who rescued victims of the Holocaust.
This free program will take place virtually. Registration is required.
Register here.

Let's Talk About It: Remembering the Holocaust | Zikaron BaSalon
2024-05-05 18:00 - 20:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Remembering the Holocaust | Zikaron BaSalon
Eva Lukacs, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor, will share her story.

Zikaron BaSalon (Remembrances in the Living Room) is a special way to commemorate the Holocaust. Taking place annually in thousands of private living rooms and public settings, it passes the torch from official, large-scale remembrance ceremonies to conversations and stories told in more intimate, meaningful gatherings. All are welcome to join this special gathering to hear and honor the Holocaust story of one of our community members. This event will include opportunities to reflect, ask questions, and ground our awareness and education about the Holocaust in a warm and supportive community, with an age-appropriate lens.

May the memories of all lost in the Holocaust forever be a blessing.
זיכרונם לברכה

Register here.
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This series is presented in partnership by the JCC East Bay, ADL, and Berkeley Hillel.

Zikaron BaSalon
2024-05-05 18:00 - 20:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Zikaron BaSalon (Remembrances in the Living Room) is a special way to commemorate the Holocaust. Taking place annually in thousands of private living rooms and public settings, it passes the torch from official, large-scale ceremonies to conversations and stories told in more intimate, meaningful gatherings.
Please join us in hearing and honoring the Holocaust story of Stan (Zalman) Felson z”l as told by his son, Jeff Felson. This event will include opportunities to reflect, ask questions, and ground our awareness and education about the Holocaust in a warm and supportive community.
May the memory of Stan (Zalman) Felson z”l and all lost in the Holocaust be a blessing.
זיכרונם לברכה
Register here.

Exploring Music: Jewish Composers & Jewish Influences in Classical Music
2024-05-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-16 13:00 - 14:00
Pianist and instructor Clint Edwards has created a series specifically for JCC communities! Dive into masterpieces by J. Strauss, Copland, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn.

May 9: Johann Strauss II – the Waltz-King of Vienna: Exploring the life and works of the 19th century master of the waltz, the stories behind his greatest works, and the rich cultural scene of Vienna.
May 16: Aaron Copland – Appalachian Spring: Exploring one of Aaron Copland’s greatest ballet scores, the history behind the piece, and analysis of Copland’s remarkable compositional methods, in the creation of a 20th century masterpiece.
May 23: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Holocaust – Symphony 13 “Babi Yar”: Though not jewish himself, Dmitri Shostakovich was profoundly impacted by the events of WWII and the Holocaust. As we analyze his monumental 13th symphony (“Babi Yar”), itself a commemoration of the atrocities committed upon Jews in the Soviet Ukraine, we will trace Shostakovich’s commemoration and empathy for the victims of these events.
May 30: Felix Mendelssohn – The Italian Symphony: Exploring the creation of one of Mendelssohn’s greatest works – with musical analysis and biographical insights into his creative process.

This event is presented in partnership with Osher Marin JCC and will take place over Zoom.
Register here.

Nosh With Your Neighbors
2024-05-16 11:30 - 13:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join us at the JCC East Bay library and courtyard space for a bring-your-own-lunch gathering on the third Thursday of every month. Be sure to bring your own Kosher-style lunch – a delicious dessert will be provided!
Register here.
