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Our official statement on Syrian refugees

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As Jews, we know all too well the suffering of war, oppression and hatred.  Our people have been refugees over and over, in every time and place.  We know what happens when refugees are refused admittance to safe countries, as happened to our people in the 1930s and 1940s, when xenophobia, fear and hatred denied European Jews safe haven.

Today’s refugees are Syrians, almost half a million of whom are displaced from their homes, terrorized by their own government, and victims of internecine hatred.  Thousands have been waiting in miserable refugee camps while they have been vetted for up to two years by the American government.  Those refugees have already been deemed safe to admit to America.

We call on the American government to admit Syrian refugees.  We call on the American people to welcome them.

Tri-Valley Cultural Jews.  Member community of the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations.

JCS activity

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Today the older Jewish Culture School students focused on images of the Jews in the art of the Middle Ages in Europe as a way to talk about stereotypes and propaganda that reinforces them.  The students saw pictures of Jews with large hooked noses and ugly expressions meeting with Jesus, who looks like a white European, although he should have looked like a Jew.  The students learned how stereotypes are used to divide people and discussed current events with this in mind.  Then they made their own art depicting Jews.  Of course, all of them are different!

The younger class talked about some famous Jews namely, Emma Lazarus and Albert Einstein and what it means to be part of the larger Jewish family that includes them.

Hike Shell Ridge at Walnut Creek Open Space

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shell-ridge-1Saturday, January 28th.  10:00 – 12:00.  We will leave by 10:15 am. If you are running late, please call Leah at 650-223-9073.

Dogs are welcome on leash. We will hike for approximately 3 miles. Moderate hike with some climbs, passing by several ponds. We will make a nice loop, starting out on Fossil Hill Loop. It’s called Fossil Hill for a good reason – everything you see was once under the sea!! Watch out for rocks with seashells still attached.

Directions:

Take I-680 N
Take exit 44, Rudgear Rd.
Turn right onto Rudgear Rd
Turn left onto San Miguel Dr
Turn right onto Mountain View Blvd
Turn left onto Bales Dr
Turn left onto Walnut Blvd
Turn right onto Sutherland Dr
Park in the parking lot at the end of Sutherland.

TVCJ Hanukkah Celebration

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hanukkah

Join the Tri-Valley Cultural Jews on Friday, December 30 from 6:00 – 8:00pm for an evening of Latkes, Light, Music and yummy food. Our celebration this year will be at the Pepper home, 6448 Owl Way in Livermore.  Bring your menorah, and gather as we light our candles together, sing traditional holiday songs, and eat the freshly fried latkes pouring from the kitchen. We blend traditional celebrations with new.   This year, we are partnering with the Jewish Coalition for Literacy and are asking guests to bring either new or used (in excellent condition) children’s books for their book drive. They are collecting books for children aged 4-9 (grades pre K – 3rd grade).  Free tickets available at https://goo.gl/Ti4i6O.  RSVP to Amy at catandchickens@gmail.com.

Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Sukkot

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sukkot

The Tri-Valley Cultural Jews will hold a sukkah raising to celebrate Sukkot in a Secular Humanistic way. It will be at the Ireland house (19663 Fremery Court, Castro Valley) on October 16 from 10:30-12:30. We will be building a sukkah together, enjoying a meal and celebrating the harvest.Please bring a potluck brunch item, a branch for the roof and fruit to decorate the sukkah. $10 per non- member adult. We will have activities for children and adults.

Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Rosh Hashanah

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rosh-hashanah

Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Rosh Hashanah

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah in a Secular Humanistic way that that’s authentic both to Jewish culture and to your own beliefs.
Join us at 5:30pm on Sunday, October 2 for a one-hour program of music and readings followed by apples and honey reception.   Kids are welcome. Suggested donation $20/non-member adult. We will have our annual food drive, so please bring non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food bank.
If you decide you belong with us and become a member, your donations will be applied to your membership fees.

Ice Cream Social

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ice-cream

Enjoy an early Havdalah gathering with an ice cream social and a little croquet!  Hostess Leah will supply ice cream, spoons, and cups as well as fruit popsicles.  Please bring your favorite topping to share, and prepare for some end-of-summer fun.

When:  Saturday, September 17 at 4:00 PM
Where: Val Vista Park
7350 Johnson Drive, Pleasanton