The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance
2025-02-23 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join our 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. Bring your instruments and dancing shoes.
This month is all about Klezmer music and dance traditions. We are thrilled to be joined by Ilya Shneyveys and Sarah Myerson, two experts in the genre!
During the first 90 minutes, participants can choose between spaces to learn multi-ethnic music and dance technique and styles. Participants will all come together for a 30 minute dance party focusing on the dances and tunes taught in the prior hour. The remaining segment will be an informal music jam in one or more of the classroom spaces at the JCC East Bay.
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Meet our guest teachers:
Originally from Riga, Latvia, now based in Brooklyn, NY, Ilya Shneyveys is a accordionist and multi-instrumentalist, educator, composer, arranger, and producer of Yiddish music. With expertise spanning from traditional klezmer accordion to experimental and fusion projects, Ilya performs and teaches at Jewish festivals around the world, in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to your local synagogue catering hall. Ilya is a founding member of Berlin’s Neukölln Klezmer Sessions and Shtetl Berlin, and a long-time faculty member of Yiddish Summer Weimar. His notable projects and collaborations include Forshpil, Alpen Klezmer, KaraYam, Caravan Orchestra, Dobranotch, Shekedina, Black Rooster Kapelye, Michael Winograd and The Klezmatics.
Sarah Myerson is an ordained cantor actively working to connect egalitarian Jewish religious with secular/cultural Yiddish communities. She serves as the Kol Bo Spiritual Leader of Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation and lives in Brooklyn, New York. She teaches Yiddish song workshops and Yiddish dance workshops in person worldwide, hybrid, and fully remotely online. She writes and performs new compositions, for example with Jewish spiritual music duo Shekedina. Sarah has a Master of Sacred Music and Diploma of Hazzan from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and a Bachelor of Music (Composition Honors) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
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Single session tickets: Sliding scale $25-54
Full series ticket: $180
Full series tickets: Register here
Single session tickets:
February 23, 2025 – Ilya Shneyveys and Sarah Myerson
March 23, 2025 – Peter Bonos and Bruce Bierman
April 27, 2025 – Dror Sinai, Rachel Valfer, and Bruce Bierman
May 18, 2025 – To be announced

The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance is co-presented by JCC East Bay and KlezCalifornia, and funded in part by a generous grant from the KlezCalifornia Yiddish Culture Fund.

Canasta Group
2025-02-25 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-04 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-11 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-18 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-25 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-08 11:00 - 13:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Play Canasta at the JCC East Bay!
This group is intended for players experienced in classic Canasta, not modern Canasta. If you are a beginner looking to learn, please stay tuned for a beginners group!
This group will meet weekly, on Tuesdays, from 11am – 1pm.
RSVPs are requested, limited space each week.

Register here.

Hebrew Sing-Along
2025-02-25 19:00 - 20:30 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
It’s a JCC East Bay sing-along!
Join us for an evening of Hebrew singing with Asaf Ophir. Bring your friends and family for a night of music, laughter, and community. No need to be a professional singer, just come with a smile and a love for Hebrew music! This event is geared towards Hebrew speakers, but all are welcome.
ג’ייסיסי ברקלי מזמין את כולכם להצטרף לערב שירה בציבור בעברית בהובלת אסף אופיר.
חברים ובני משפחה מוזמנים להצטרף לערב של מוזיקה, צחוק וקהילה. אין צורך בניסיון קודם בשירה, מספיקה רהבת מוזיקה ושירים בעברית.
בין אם אתם דוברי עברית או לא, אתם מוזמנים! מוסיקה ומילים תמיד מגשרים.

Register here.
Cost:
$8/adult
No cost for children under 12

Advanced Mah Jongg
2025-02-26 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-05 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-19 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-26 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-09 10:00 - 13:00 | 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
2025-02-26 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-03-05 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-03-12 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-03-19 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-03-26 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-04-09 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

Book Launch: Connecting Dots
2025-03-04 19:00 - 20:30 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Welcome to the Berkeley Book Launch for Connecting Dots by Dr. Joshua A. Miele!
Join us for an evening of celebration and connection. Meet the author, Dr. Joshua A. Miele, as he shares insights and stories from his latest book in conversation with journalist Alix Wall.
Connecting Dots chronicles Dr. Miele’s experience learning how to navigate the world as a blind person and using his intellect and creativity to help make the world a better place for others like him. This captivating memoir offers a powerful, humorous, and triumphant perspective on living with blindness, highlighting his achievements and the impact he’s had on the disability community.
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Dr. Josh A. Miele: Dr. Miele is a Macarthur Genius Grant winner, scientist, and disability rights activist. He is known for inventing inclusive technologies which help people with disabilities navigate the world. He works with companies and organizations, including Amazon, on non-visual customer experiences, accessible designs, and disability inclusion. Josh lives with his wife right here in Berkeley, California.
Alix Wall: As a regular contributor to Berkeleyside, Alix Wall wrote the first profile about Josh immediately after his MacArthur Fellowship was announced in 2021. She is also a regular contributor to the Vows section of The New York Times and is a contributing editor of J., The Jewish News of Northern California. Alix is also writer/producer of the forthcoming documentary, The Lonely Child.

Register here.

Israel One2One
2025-03-09 09:00 - 11:00 | CA
Israel One2One is an exciting opportunity for East Bay high schoolers (grades 9-12) to connect with their peers in Israel. This virtual mifgash (exchange) program pairs Israeli and American teens together for a series of virtual conversations.
One2One is an opportunity for teens from across the world to form bonds and connect with each other. Participants meet over Zoom to connect with their Israeli counterpart. The program provides helpful conversation starters, but teens are welcome to take their calls in any direction they wish. Learn more here about Israel One2One here.
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One2One connections will meet on Sundays in March-April:
March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6

Conversation slots are available at 9am and 10am.
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Register here.
This program is run in partnership with EnterPeoplehood.

Purim Carnival!
2025-03-09 14:00 - 17:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Let’s celebrate Purim!
Purim is a holiday celebrating Queen Esther, who saved the Jewish people in ancient Persia. Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the JCC East Bay – costumes are encouraged!
We’ll have:
✅ Carnival games
✅ Crafts
✅ Face painting
✅ Hamantaschen
✅ Mishloach manot
✅ Purim spiel
Plus, a very special kids’ talent show!
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Register here.
Cost: $36 per family

Silent Disco: Teen Purim Party
2025-03-13 21:00 - 22:30 | Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave, Berkeley
Join the JCC East Bay Midrasha and EBUSY at Congregation Netivot Shalom for a Silent Disco Purim Party!
Get ready for dancing, party games, ice cream, and a Purim celebration. Teen leaders have worked hard to put together the Purim event of their dreams, and they are excited to share it with their peers!

This event is open to teens in grades 8-12.
Registration is not required, and participation is free!

Older Adult Nature Walk at Tilden Park
2025-03-18 12:30 - 15:30 | CA
In collaboration with East Bay Regional Parks, join the JCC East Bay for our first ever Nature Walk at Tilden Park!
We’ll start off with a lecture from a Regional Parks Nature Specialist about the East Bay’s natural world. From there, you’ll have the option to walk Jewel Lake in community or visit Tilden Park’s Visitor Center and have a chance to meet local farm animals.
Lunch is included and transportation is provided to and from the event. Meet at the JCC East Bay at 12:30pm to be ready to board the bus!
RSVP required.
Cost: $10 per person

Register here.

¡Cantamos!
2025-03-23 10:30 - 12:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Experience the rhythmic fusion of Jewish and Latin traditions with Verónica Freidkes, our creative musician, child educator, and Argentinian singer. Together, through joyful singing and movement, we’ll embrace our shared cultural bond in this lively musical rendezvous.
We will be getting ready for Passover with songs, crafts, and special snacks!
Tailored especially for families with children ages 0-8. All are welcome!
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Experimente la fusión rítmica de las tradiciones judía y latina con Verónica Freidkes, nuestra música creativa, educadora infantil y cantante argentina. Juntos, a través de cantos y movimientos alegres, abrazaremos nuestro vínculo cultural compartido en esta animada cita musical.
¡Nos estaremos preparando para Passover con canciones, manualidades, y refrigerios especiales!
Diseñado especialmente para familias con niños de 0 a 8 años. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!

Register here.

¡Cantamos! is a collaboration between JCC East Bay, Olamim, Jewtina y Co., and Tkiya.
¡Cantamos! es una colaboración entre JCC East Bay, Olamim, Jewtina y Co., and Tkiya.

The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance
2025-03-23 13:00 - 16:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join our 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. Bring your instruments and dancing shoes.
Our March workshop offers an afternoon of Klezmer, Balkan, and Romanian music and dance, taught by innovators and leaders in the Jewish Music community. This month, we also invite folks who would like to listen to music and watch dancing to join us, whether or not they wish to participate!
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The workshop will be taught by Peter Bonos and Bruce Bierman, and feature Orchestra Euphonos with special guest Ionela Guzic.
Meet our guest teachers:
Peter Bonos plays trumpet, oud, and euphonium in a variety of musical styles, including Klezmer, Balkan brass, and Turkish music. He produces The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal, a monthly concert series at the Starry Plough. He is a founding member of the Balkan brass band Fanfare Zambaleta and is the bandleader of Orchestra Euphonos, an instrumental Eastern European folk ensemble specializing in Moldovan music and Klezmer. He has also performed and collaborated with Alaturca Connection, Zirzuvi, Kali Orkestar, Duygu Gün, and many more artists in the Bay Area Balkan, Klezmer, and Turkish music scene.
Bruce Bierman is a celebrated Jewish dance master, theater director, and arts educator. He is co-artistic director of the award-winning Yiddish Theatre Ensemble in Berkeley where he has directed and choreographed The Megilleh of Itzik Manger for the Berkeley Jewish Music Festival, Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance, and most recently Between Worlds starring Naomi Newman. He served as Yiddish dance and theater dramaturg for Paula Vogel’s Tony Award-winning play, Indecent at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Arena Stage, and the most recent production at the San Francisco Playhouse which YTE also co-produced. Bruce was also a lead dancer and teaching artist with the Los Angeles Aman Folk Ensemble bringing world music and dance to youth throughout the L.A. Unified School District.
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Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased via the Eventbrite link below or at the door on the day of the event.
Kids 12 and under are free.
Full series tickets: Register here
Single session tickets:
March 23, 2025 – Peter Bonos and Bruce Bierman
April 27, 2025 – Dror Sinai, Rachel Valfer, and Bruce Bierman
May 18, 2025 – To be announced

The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance is co-presented by JCC East Bay and KlezCalifornia, and funded in part by a generous grant from the KlezCalifornia Yiddish Culture Fund.

I Am Not Afraid: Holocaust Education for Teens and Parents
2025-03-25 18:30 - 19:45 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join the JCC East Bay, Congregation Netivot Shalom, and the JFCS Holocaust Center for an evening of Holocaust education and remembrance. This event is for teens and their parents.
I Am Not Afraid will begin with a screening of A Great Big Secret, an animated Holocaust documentary directed by Yoav Potash, followed by an interview and Q&A session with Anita, the survivor featured in the film.
Yoav Potash is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. He produced and directed the Sundance premiere documentary Crime After Crime, a New York Times Critics’ Pick and winner of 25 honors, including a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, the National Board of Review Freedom of Expression Award, and six audience awards. Yoav also directed Food Stamped, winner of SF IndieFest’s Jury Prize, and he recently produced and directed the feature documentary film Among Neighbors, which won the Special Award at the Warsaw Jewish Film Festival and the Envision Award from the Jewish Film Institute.
A Great Big Secret blends interviews, archival footage and hand-drawn animation to tell the story of a Holocaust survivor. Born in the Netherlands, Anita was a hidden child whose story was likewise hidden for decades. Anita shares a powerful message about the importance of remembrance and the strength of embracing our Jewish culture and identity in the face of rising antisemitism. We are deeply honored to host her for an open dialogue with our community.
As part of their preparation, students enrolled in Netivot Shalom and JCC East Bay teen programs will engage in Holocaust Education lessons led by their teachers ahead of the event.
This event is the first in a two-part series of Holocaust remembrance programs for teens and parents being offered at the JCC East Bay.
Register here.

Older Adults Book Club
2025-03-27 10:00 - 11:30 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Join the JCC East Bay Older Adults Book Club!
Our book club will meet on the third Thursday of each month from 10-11:30am, right before our monthly Nosh With Your Neighbors gathering. This month the group will be discussing In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume.
Participation in the book club is free and folks are encouraged to join at any time.

Register here.
Questions?
Reach out to Noah Curtis-Goldstein: noah.curtisgoldstein@jcceastbay.org.

Nosh With Your Neighbors
2025-03-27 11:30 - 13:00 | JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
This month’s Nosh With Your Neighbors will meet on 4th Thursday of the month and will feature a Holocaust remembrance presentation from Jaqueline Shelton, representing the Kindertransport Association.
Join us at the JCC East Bay to enjoy lunch with your community! This is a BYOL (bring-your-own-lunch) with delicious dessert, coffee, and tea provided. RSVP is required.
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Jacqueline Shelton is a Bay Area native who loves creating connections and building community. She is a consultant with Belonging by Design. She serves on the board of the Kindertransport Association (KTA), through which she completed a speaker training program. Jackie has recently started sharing her mother’s (of blessed memory) Kindertransport story with local student and adult audiences.
The Kindertransport Association (KTA) is a nonprofit organization working to connect survivors of the Kindertransports, their families, and their descendants to community support. They aim to educate and inform the public about the Kindertransports as an important part of Holocaust history, and support and advocate for child refugees and children in need today. The KTA publishes a quarterly journal, Kinder-Link, and the Speaker’s Bureau provides materials and speakers for public forums, schools, synagogues, museums, and community centers. The KTA provides an opportunity for its members to finally express and share feelings often long suppressed; form new friendships; enhance understanding between Kinder and their families; and give meaning to a common historical experience.
Register here.
