Date: Saturday, July 18th
Time: 7:00p.m.
Place: This year the TVCJ Havdalah celebrations will be held over zoom video conferencing.
Cost: FREE
Sophia will present one of her Brit Mitzvah projects during our Havdalah. We will celebrate the end of Shabbes with a short Havdalah observance and shmooze afterward. If you’d like to participate from your home, then have a braided candle to light, wine or juice to drink (to put the candle flame out) and a spice box.

Reservations are required. To make a reservation please Click Here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you receive your confirmation, then please add the zoom meeting link to your calendar.

Our country has a history of systematic racial inequality, oppression, and forced subjugation. That history plagues us today in the horrific acts of the police, in economic inequality, and in extrajudicial acts of racist aggression by everyday individuals. The dehumanization, hatred and state violence perpetrated against Black Americans is an affront to their dignity and a threat to their lives. In just the past few months, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others have been added to the long list of Black Americans killed because of the color of their skin.

As a Jewish organization and as individuals, we are committed to the inclusion of all people from diverse backgrounds and held identities. Our own oppressions and liberations have been historical turning points, as we believe today is a turning point for the Black community in America. As Jews, we hold a special responsibility to raise our voices to condemn the violence and systematic racism against people of color.

This is not just a statement of solidarity; it is a pledge to take action. As Secular Humanistic Jews, we commit ourselves to show up and to speak up. We will work together with other organizations who share our values of supporting the Black community and ending systemic racism in our society and institutions. We will support Black-led organizing. We will follow Black leadership. We will listen to Black voices.

Date: Sunday, June 7th, 2020
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: The TVCJ annual meeting will be held virtually using the Zoom video-conferencing service. TVCJ members will participate in the comfort of their own home. 
Cost: FREE

We’ll also be electing a new TVCJ board for the 2020-21 membership year! The Board of Directors for TVCJ consists of at least 5 directors who are elected at the annual membership meeting for a one-year term. Board members are vital for the organization to make important decisions about events, activities, financial decisions as well as planning for the future of the organization.

There will be at least two board positions open for the fiscal year 2020-21. We need your creativity and vision! Members interested in serving on the board can nominate themselves via email to culturaljews@gmail.com. Additionally, any member can also self-identify as a candidate during the annual membership meeting prior to the vote. Teens (13-17 years old) may also join the board as teen representatives. 

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting!

— The TVCJ Board

Reservations are required.  To make a reservation please Click Here. 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  Once you receive your confirmation, then please add the zoom meeting link to your calendar.

We can’t be together in person, but we can be together online.

During this event we will talk about the Lag B’Omer holiday, replace our traditional watermelon toss with an online game, and eat together.

Date: Sunday, May 17th, 2020
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Place:  This year the TVCJ annual Lag B’Omer celebration will be held virtually using the Zoom video-conferencing service. Everyone will participate in the comfort of their own home.
Cost: FREE

Reservations are required.  To make a reservation please click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpd–urjkjEtC7rj8E5bz5Y5y84jVS4P7_

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  Once you receive your confirmation, then please add the zoom meeting link to your calendar.

The community extends condolences to Amy, Derek and Emma Greenberg on the death of Amy’s aunt, Helen Bloom, on April 24,2020.

We can’t be together in person, but we can be together online.

This year the TVCJ annual community Seder will be held virtually on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 5 p.m using the Zoom video-conferencing service. Everyone will participate in the comfort of their own home.

Our secular Seder includes English-language readings highlighting the power of community and the value of freedom, and songs in English, Yiddish and Hebrew. The hour-long ceremony is followed by optional schmoozing time while your family eats the dinner that you’ve prepared in your home. The event is family-friendly.

Other than what you spend on food for your family’s seder, there is no cost to attend this event. We will provide a shopping list for your seder plate, suggested recipes, and the Passover Haggadah.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED:
To make a reservation please go to https://bit.ly/tvcjseder. The event is limited to no more than 100 reservations.

Nob Hill: Nob Hill will not be adjusting hours, but is creating discounted grocery bags, Senior Essentials Bags, available for curbside or in-store pickup. Click Here and read more about Raley’s grocery bag offers and efforts to serve seniors.

Safeway: Safeway store hours are being updated by location. Please visit your local store’s website to confirm hours. Safeway is setting aside the hours of 7-9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursdays for elderly and at-risk shoppers.

Target: The company will close all stores at 9 p.m. and reserves the first shopping hour of every Wednesday for elderly and at-risk customers.

Trader Joe’s: All Trader Joe’s stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

Walmart: Walmart stores and Neighborhood Markets will be open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice.

Whole Foods: The company announced Tuesday it would adjust store hours, asking customers to check website for more information on a specific store’s hours. Whole Foods will also reserve an hour before a store’s scheduled opening time each day to allow elderly and at-risk customers time to shop.

Note that seniors are still mandated to stay at home under the Governor’s order, and if possible, it is preferable to stay home and let others do the shopping.

All the local Food Banks and Meals on Wheels programs are in great need of healthy people to volunteer to pack and deliver food. People over 65 and those with chronic health conditions are to stay in home isolation, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s order of last Sunday. However, these services are considered to be essential services under the Shelter in Place proclamation, so younger healthy people may still assist. Please do, if you are able.

J News – Coronavirus updates

Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma and the East Bay – Coronavirus updates

*Thanks to Eden Area Interfaith Council for supplying this information.
** Thanks to the Patch for supplying grocery store information.
*** Thanks to the The Northern California Board of Rabbis for this information.

Ira led the JCS students in making muffins to feed the homeless in Livermore. This was part of his community service for his Bar Mitzvah.

BREAKING NEWS:

We are sad to report that, in response to the COVID-19 situation, we are canceling this year’s Purim festivities.