Saturday, April 7 – 5:00 p.m. at the Bothwell Center, 2466 8th St. in Livermore. We use our non-religious haggadah, sing a lot, and enjoy a potluck dinner. Child friendly. We will also be collecting non-perishable food for the food bank. Guests and non-members are $10/adult (over 13). Free to members. Please be sure you have made your reservation by April 5 for the seder! If you want to come and have not reserved your spot yet, please call Jamie at 510 888 1404 and let her know you’re coming and discuss what you’ll bring for the potluck.
Welcome to Tri-Valley Cultural Jews
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 Cultural and Secular Jewish Organizations. Please view the Upcoming Events link for a look at future activities. We look forward to seeing you!
Chanukah Celebration
Sunday, December 18 – 10:30 a.m., Bothwell Center, 2466 8th St. in Livermore. Bring your gift for our adoptive family, a potato, and donation of boxed or canned food. We’ll have games and crafts for adults and kids, latke making (and eating!) and, of course, our candle lighting ceremony.
This year we are “adopting” The Zila Family from Bosnia through the Jewish Family and Children’s Services holiday giving program. The Zilas lived through the war in Bosnia and lost many family members. They left their country and lived as refugees in Germany until they were able to come to the U.S. They wanted a better life for their children. The father works, and the mother stays home with her children. The children, a 12-year old boy and a 9-year old girl, are doing very well in school.
Some suggestions on the family wish list include:
Boy – 12-years old: Color: red. Likes: Legos and games. Size: 14/16. Shirt or sweater, pajamas, jacket, board game, school supplies, backpack, queen sheet set, queen blanket, gift card to iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Old Navy or Target.
Girl – 9-years old: Color: green. Likes: singing and dancing. Size: 10/11. Shirt or sweater, pajamas, jacket, board game, school supplies, backpack, full sheet set, full blanket, lotion/soap, gift card to ITunes, Barnes and Noble, Old Navy or Target.
Mom, Dad and household: gift card for Target or Safeway, sheet set (king), queen blanket, fuzzy couch throw, tea kettle, silverware, photo album, sweet treat for family.
Gently used items desired, only if available: vacuum, toaster, blender, juice maker, electric mixer, computer or laptop, iPod, food processor, DVD player, kid’s bike.
Please let us know what you would like to provide and bring it to the Chanukah party on December 18 (or give gifts to someone who can bring it) by emailing CulturalJews@aol.com or calling 925-485-1049. If you are not able to shop, please consider a donation with which we can buy Safeway gift cards or other things.
Our Famous Friend
One of our members, Noah King, recently had the opportunity to be in a commercial for the California Teachers Association, that is currently running on network and cable television statewide. The commercial can also be seen on CTA’s website by clicking this link:
http://www.cta.org/About-CTA/News-Room/Media-Center/Video/2011/I-Believe-A-CTA-TV-Spot.aspx
Upcoming Events
Celebrate a Secular Rosh Hashanah with us Wednesday evening, Sept. 28 at 7:00 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1893 N. Vasco Road in Livermore. Join us for a non-religious ceremony of music and readings followed by a reception with honey cake, apples and honey, and special Rosh Hashanah challah. $10/adult non-member of TVCJ. We will be collecting canned and boxed food for the food bank.
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A different kind of Yom Kippur observance – non-religious readings, music, workshops and a memorial ceremony. October 8th from 1-4 p.m. at the Bothwell Center, 2466 8th St. in Livermore. $10/adult non-member of TVCJ. We will be collecting canned and boxed food for the food bank. There will also be an opportunity to donate to various charitable organizations.
Announcement of Moment Magazine`s newest contest, The Elephant in the Room, which is meant to focus on topics people think about but don`t discuss.
The 2011 question is: What does it mean to be Jewish without God? The contest is open to everyone. The deadline is October 7. The best essays will be posted on their website beginning in September. Further info can be found on the magazine`s web- site at http://www.momentmag.com/elephant.html.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Secular Jews to make our voice heard. Let`s take advantage of this opportunity and share our belief in a positive Jewish identity without God.
TVCJ is cosponsoring a presentation by anti-terrorist expert Amos Guiora Sept. 14
New books in our library
Did you know the Tri-Valley Cultural Jews has a small lending library? We have books for adults and children, fiction and non-fiction. All members have borrowing privileges. Here are the newest three books that have been donated.
The Power of Positive Nonsense by Leo Rosten. A hilarious exposé of urban legends and mistaken common knowledge.
Him With his Foot in his Mouth and Other Stories by Saul Bellow.
I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Children’s Drawing and Poems from Terezín Concentration Camp 1942-1944, a heartbreaking collection of the work from the over 15,000 children who passed through the model camp.
Targeting Terrorists – Sponsored by TVCJ
InterfaithFamily.com
InterfaithFamily.com is devoted to families of different backgrounds who make Jewish choices of any kind. It features interesting articles and links to lots of resources. You can subscribe to the newsletter or just find the online community at InterfaithFamily.com