3rd Shabbat: Eat, Pray, Learn - Friday, May 18
Building Sacred Community with Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, Co-Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Just Congregations
6:00pm Happy 1/2 Hour, 6:30pm 3rd Shabbat Service with Confirmation Following the 6:30 Shabbat service on the third Friday of the month adults are encouraged to stay for a catered dinner and speaker. Dinner is $20 per person. RSVPs are due by the Wednesday before. This month join us for an evening with Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, Co-Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Just Congregations. Rabbi Kolin will ask the questions: How do we BUILD a sacred community? What does it mean to BE in sacred community? What can we DO as a sacred community? For the past six years, the Union for Reform Judaism’s Just Congregations, the community organizing arm of the Reform Movement, has been exploring these critical questions. Like many congregations, the Reform Movement is deeply committed to creating communities that are anchored in meaningful Jewish expression. We prioritize our members being in real relationships with one another, and take seriously the challenge to act on our values of justice both inside and outside of our walls. As Temple Isaiah has spent the last 3 years engaging in the process of Congregation Based Community Organizing through Kesher Isaiah, come hear stories, learn text together, and explore how the tools of community organizing are transforming the Reform Movement through issues of social justice, the Campaign for Youth Engagement, and more!
Shabbat for Tots - Shabbat Morning for Children 0-5
Saturday, May 19, 9:30 a.m. in the Adult Lounge
Geared toward families with children 0-5 years old, Shabbat for Tots is an interactive and friendly Shabbat morning experience. Enjoy food, activities and prayer with other young families. All are welcome. Contact Rabbi Nicki Greninger for more information at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
4th Annual Community-wide Spring Fling with Rachel Mylan
Sunday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for learning, food, a fabulous Omanut (art) showcase, a sneak peek at Camp Kefli, and a very special song session with Rachel Mylan. Following the concert we will provide a sponsored community lunch. If you do not have a child in Religious School, please RSVP for lunch to Nathan Bellet at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Religious School families do not need to RSVP. 10:00am Kids: Last day of Religious School classes; Adults: Study session with the Rabbis, 11:00am Fun Camp-Style Song Session with Rachel Mylan, 12:00pm BBQ Lunch and more!
Housing Shabbat Service
Friday, May 25, 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
During our Kabalat Shabbat Service on May 25 at 8:00 p.m. we will have the opportunity to share with many congregations -synagogues and churches - in the Bay Area in an Annual Housing Shabbat. A teen resident in the Garden Park Apartments, a project of Contra Costa Interfaith Housing of which Temple Isaiah is a founding partner, will speak to us of how one life can be turned around by the availability of permanent affordable housing for him and his family. He will be introduced by Louise Bourassa, Executive Director of CCIH where Rabbi Graetz continues to sit on the Board after having served as Chair a few years ago. Amy Faltz has been an activist in volunteer recruitment, Jeffrey Rideout serves on the CCIH board as Temple Isaiah’s representative and our Kesher Initiative has identified homelessness as one of the areas of main concern to the members of our community.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Saturday, May 26, 8:00 p.m. in the Beit Knesset
On Saturday May 26 in the evening our community will gather to celebrate the beginning of Shavuot. We will begin with Havdalah at 8:00 p.m. - separating the holiness of Shabbat from the holiness of the Festival, then engage in study to recover the sense and meaning of Standing at Sinai again. We will break to enjoy the sweet taste of Torah -milk and honey, and conclude the evening with the chanting of the Ten Commandments.
Sha-Bar-B-Q is Back! Friday, June 1st
6:30 p.m. Shabbat Service in the Amphitheater followed by BBQ Dinner
It wouldn’t be summer at Temple Isaiah without Sha-Bar-B-Q. Join us for services in the Amphitheater, followed by a barbecue dinner. Please bring a non-dairy salad or side dish to share and $5 per person (pay at the door, exact change please) for a burger, hot dog or veggie burger. On Friday, June 1 we will reveal the beautiful new mosaic artwork covering the back of the amphitheater. In celebration of our 60th anniversary, Temple Isaiah artists have been working on this project, with help from our entire community, throughout the year.
RSVP by Thursday, May 31 at http://www.temple-isaiah.org/shabbq”> http://www.temple-isaiah.org/shabbq.
East Bay Jewish Choral Festival
Sunday, June 3, 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Please join the choirs of Temple Isaiah, Congregation B’nai Shalom, and Congregation B’nai Tikvah for a concert of Jewish choral music. Each choir will present selections and there will be a presentation of music by the combined choirs under the direction of Cantor Korn, Cantor Marc Dinkin, and Cantor Jennie Chabon. This event is free of charge and open to the entire community. A reception will follow the concert.