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Thursday September 20, 2007

Shorts: Bay Area

Progressive Jewish Alliance celebrates immigrants on Sukkot

The Progressive Jewish Alliance will celebrate Sukkot — the holiday that marks the children of Israel’s immigration from Egypt and wandering in the desert — with a pair of events focusing on the conditions of today’s immigrants.

The group’s East Bay event will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 409 Liberty St. in El Cerrito; its San Francisco counterpart event will be at Dolores Park at 5 p.m.

Both events are free. For more information call (510) 527-8640; RSVPs are appreciated at bayarea@pjalliance.org.

Young adults to build sukkahs

Building, eating and sleeping in a sukkah are mitzvahs during the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot. In that spirit, the Jewish Study Network and the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation are bringing together young adults from across the Bay Area to build sukkahs for those who can’t build their own.

The building day begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23.

The social action day culminates with an online video contest and prize for best sukkah-building team.

For information about building sites around the Bay Area, contact Raziel Ungar, raziel@razielungar.com or (650) 685-7709. If you know someone who needs help building a sukkah, contact Ilana Wachs, ilana@jsn.info or (650) 961-4576.

Sentencing for music teacher delayed

The sentencing of Achi Ben Shalom, the former Techiyah Day School music teacher acquitted of lewd acts with a minor but convicted of assault and battery, has been continued from Sept. 14 to Friday, Sept. 21.

While jail time is rare for a first-time offender convicted of assault and battery charges, Contra Costa County District Attorney Colleen Gleason told j. she will push for incarceration, and will also attempt to have Ben Shalom registered as a sex offender — despite the jury specifically rejecting sexual charges. The maximum sentence for each charge is one year in prison.

“She may try to have him registered as a sexual offender, but that’s not appropriate. That’s not what he was convicted of,” said Harold Rosenthal, Ben Shalom’s attorney.

Bless the grapes in Napa Valley

Hagafen Cellars will have its annual “blessing of the grapes” noon Sunday, Sept. 30 at the kosher winery, located at 4160 Silverado Trail, Napa. It is the second stop on a Sukkot blessing of the grapes tour in the Napa Valley (see Calendar listing).

Complimentary wine and light snacks will be served. Please RSVP by Sept. 28 by calling (888) 424-2336 ext. 113, or by email to info@hagafen.com.

Community invited inside ‘activists’ studio’

Six Bay Area Jewish organizations have joined together to examine and celebrate social justice through an evening of workshops, discussions and music.

“Inside the Activists’ Studio” will be held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the Women’s Building, 3543 18th Street in San Francisco.

Local Jewish “change-makers” will sit on a panel during the event: Mimi Silbert of the Delancey Street Foundation, Julie Iny of Oakland Kids First, Adam Werbach of Act Now, Rae Abileah of Code Pink Women for Peace, Rafael Mandelman of the S.F. Democratic Party. Rabbi Sydney Mintz, of Congregation Emanu-El, will moderate.

The panelists will also lead workshops focused on art, activism and incorporating social justice ideals into a career.

Advance registration is recommended. The event costs $10. For more information or to register, e-mail kfroshman@ajws.org or call (415) 593-3284.

“Inside the Activists’ Studio is presented by American Jewish World Service, AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, The Hub, Progressive Jewish Alliance, New Israel Fund’s New Generations and 510 Hillel.

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