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Friday October 13, 2006

Shorts: Bay Area

Progressive Jewish Alliance launching fellowship for young Jewish activists

The Progressive Jewish Alliance is set to launch a local version of the Jeremiah Fellowship. The program offers in-depth Jewish learning and trainings in professional and leadership skills for young Jewish adults.

Introduced in Los Angeles three years ago, the yearlong Jeremiah Fellowship enlists a cohort committed to the PJA’s vision of Jewish social justice, and to engage participants in Jewish social activism.

The Bay Area program, called the Jeremiah Federation Fellowship, will include a year of intensive study, retreats and hands-on internship work on social justice issues. The fellowship is supported by the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation.

PJA is a nonprofit, nondenominational, intergenerational membership organization for people committed to social change. For more information about the Jeremiah Federation Fellowship, contact PJA at (510) 527-8640, or online at www.pjalliance.org.

Volunteers boost Simchat Torah spirit

Student and alumni volunteers from Yeshiva University in New York will help San Francisco’s Adath Israel Congregation celebrate Simchat Torah on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14 and 15.

The volunteers are with Torah Tours, a 30-year-old outreach effort that sends 450 volunteers to 85 communities worldwide.

“It’s a nice way to celebrate Simchat Torah and bring it to life,” said Joshua Strulowitz, rabbi at Adath Israel. The volunteers, he added, “help connect the holiday to people in ways that are meaningful for them.”

The celebration begins 7 p.m. Saturday with dancing, followed by dinner and a women’s program called Kumzitz, a tradition involving Jewish songs and storytelling.

On Sunday, the Torah Tours volunteers will work with the congregation’s children during a special service beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30.

Events are open to the public. For more information, contact Adath Israel at (415) 564-5665.

Jewish singles group looking at the stars

Lecturer Susan Levitt will present “What is your Love Sign,” a twist on Chinese astrology, at an event co-sponsored by Jewish Singles Over Forty and the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.

Named the Bay Area’s “Best Astrologer” by S.F. Weekly, Levitt is also a noted feng shui consultant and author of several books on Taoism, feng shui and astrology.

Jewish Singles Over Forty is a program started by the Board of Rabbis of Northern California, and now a program of the JCCSF.

The event takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at Fisher Family Hall at the JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. Tickets: $15-$20. Information: (415) 292-1299 ext. 2850.

USF celebrating women artists

Jewish women in the arts have been the focus of a lecture series being held at USF this month.

“Camouflage and Representation: Jewish Women in the Arts” is sponsored by the Louise Davies Forum at USF. Co-sponsors include USF’s Swig Judaic Studies Program, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco and others.

The series started with artist, educator and activist Beverly Naidus, and Bay Area poet, essayist and playwright Alison Luterman.

Next up is circus performer Sara Felder, who will present “Juggling Joo” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. Her lecture is free, and will be held at Fromm Hall on the USF campus. More information is available at www.artsci.usfca.edu.

Mental health support group kicks off

Following the success of last December’s conference on mental health at Congregation Beth Am, which drew some 125 participants, the Los Altos Hills synagogue is starting a free Jewish support group for those who are coping with mental illness: consumers, family members and friends.

The group, which will be lay-led, will hold a kick-off meeting at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 on the lower campus of the synagogue at 26790 Arastradero Road. Subsequent meetings will be held from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Following last year’s conference, “Yehi Or: Shining a Light on Mental Health/Illness,” members of Beth Am Women and others discussed what the next steps should be, proposing an ongoing support group.

It is not a therapy group, but a place for sharing experiences, companionship and food. Participants need not be synagogue members.

“We hope the group will become a safe and caring Jewish community offering friendship and understanding in a confidential environment,” said Jane Marcus, president of Beth Am Women. “We are modeling the group on those of other faith communities that offer healing and support to individuals and families challenged by mental illness.”

For more information, Call (650) 493-4661 or email mentalhealth@betham.org.

Ex-chairs honored at Israel Bonds lunch

Israel Bonds will honor former chairs of the General Campaign and the Bay Area Women’s Division at a luncheon this month.

Advocate and consultant Larry Weinberg and Joshua Matza, president and CEO of Israel Bonds, will both speak at the luncheon. There will also be a musical presentation by students from Jewish Community High School of the Bay.

The luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 at Lake Merced Golf Club, 2300 Junipero Serra Blvd., Daly City. Call (800) 229-4324 for more information.

Registration under way for Israeli charity bike ride

The Israel Ride, a bike trek through Israel undertaken by American Jews, Israeli Jews and Arabs, is looking for riders ready to get into the saddle.

Last year’s ride rose more than half a million dollars for environmental education and advocacy in Israel and the global Jewish community.

For more information, or to register, contact Sabrina Malach at Sabrina@hazon.org or Nancy Lipsey at nancy@hazon.org, or call (212) 644-2332.

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