We are a Secular Humanistic community serving those who identify with the Jewish People through family, culture and history, rather than through religion. Serving the Greater East Bay with holiday celebrations, opportunities to express your progressive social values, and education for children, adults and families. We are affiliated with the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations. Please view the Upcoming Events link for a look at future activities. We look forward to seeing you!
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Members Virtual Annual Meeting
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.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Virtual Shavuot Celebration
We can’t be together in person, but we can be together online.
This is traditionally a holiday about books and learning. So we traditionally come together and share our favorite book we read this past year. (Adults and kids are welcome to share)
This year we will also be hosting a guest speaker, Rabbi Denise Handlarski, a Humanist Rabbi who wrote the A-Z of Intermarriage. She will be talking a little about her new book and we will have a short Q&A before we share our books.
Date: Sunday, May 31st, 2020
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: The TVCJ annual Shavuot celebration will be held virtually using the Zoom video-conferencing service. Everyone will participate in the comfort of their own home.
Cost: FREE
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: The TVCJ annual Shavuot 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 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.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Virtual Lag B’Omer
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.
Condolences
The community extends condolences to Amy, Derek and Emma Greenberg on the death of Amy’s aunt, Helen Bloom, on April 24,2020.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Virtual Community Passover Seder
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.
Vulnerable members of our community are facing unusual needs, and we would like to publicize some resources which may be of help.*
Click Here to see School district sites offering free grab and go lunches for kids
United Way has a Covid-19 Community Economic Relief fund–can help with bills, rent, food. Call 1-866-211-9966.
Click Here to see Resources for undocumented people
Click Here for Alameda County free referral service to services or Call 211
**Grocery Store Information
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.
Community Links to 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.
Muffins for the homeless
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.
