Passover Seder Registration is now Open!
You are cordially invited to our humanistic Passover Seder to be held on Saturday evening, April 3rd, 2010, 6:30 pm at the Albany Community Center. Our service will be led this year by members Eylon Caspi, Denise Lai, and their sons Joshua and Ross. Music and songleading will be provided by the always entertaining Ben Brussell. We are also pleased to say that the seder will be significantly more affordable than in recent years. Scott Cardel Catering will be providing us a delicious and warm seder meal which our volunteers will be serving family style at each table; additionally, all attendees will also be asked to bring something to share at their own table. More information is available on the Registration Form which you can download HERE. Rates are less if you register earlier--so, don't be a stranger! Bring your friends and family, and register now!!
Papa Reads the Holy Book, Mama Reads Romance: Jewish Women and Secularization
Come to our Bagel Brunch at 10:00 am on Sunday, March 14th, when Kol Hadash member and historian Dr. Marilyn Boxer will be speaking about Jewish women and secularization. Come listen, eat, schmooze. Suggested donations: members: $7.50, publc: $10.00
Tu B'Shevat and Haiti
- At our Tu B'shvat Seder on Friday, January 29th, 2010, we celebrated the Jewish environmental holiday, known as the "Birthday of the Trees" with a service and slide show about the organization Trees for the Future, and their efforts to repair the massive deforestation of Haiti. Agroforestry will be the long-term path to self-sufficiency in Haiti. It will help to secure the bare mountainsides from sloughing off in mudslides, and restore the tropical ecosystem.
Earthquake Relief -- Tikkun Olam Now
- Tikkun Olam for the Victims of the Haiti Earthquake. Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy in Haiti. By supporting the efforts of the many relief organizations that are mobilized to assist the people of Haiti and the neighboring region who have been left without adequate food, shelter, health care and basic infrastructure, we demonstrate our tradition of humanitarianism. Click on any of the links below to donate to Jewish organizations with efforts for Haitian relief:
- American Jewish World Service
- Joint Distribution Committee
- American Jewish Committee
- B'nai B'rith International
Additional organizations include:
- Doctors Without Borders (on the ground in Haiti for years)
- Partners in Health (providing healthcare in Haiti for 20 yrs)
We Kol Hadash humanists claim Judaism as our own.
- Do you appreciate saying what you mean, and meaning what you say at Jewish services?
- Do you appreciate a community where your intermarried and nontraditional family is welcome to belong?
- Is being among like-minded humanists a relief and a pleasure to you?
Then perhaps we are YOUR community too. We are proud to observe Judaism in a manner that makes sense to us. We understand Judaism in the context of human history, and we renew our culture in the context of humanism. Please join us! Check out our services and events on our calendar page, and support us with your membership.
Tikkun Olam: Homeless kids in Berkeley
On October 23rd, member Naomi Hatkin and her children led a "Children's Sabbath" shabbat service, with a commentary given by Carson Perez, representing the Children's Defense Fund. Over $300 was collected from those in attendance to present gift certificates to the Berkeley Unified School District for the 500 homeless school children in Berkeley. This program is called "Children's Sabbaths," and will be an ongoing effort of Tikkun Olam by Kol Hadash members. You may mail a check, payable to Kol Hadash, to our P.O. Box 2777, Berkeley, 94702. Please consider a contribution and mark your check "Children's Sabbaths."
Interested in Humanistic Judaism but don't live in the East Bay?
If you are interested in connecting with members of our community in San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma, or Contra Costa County, contact Kol Hadash. We do have havurah groups in locations other than the East Bay, or can help you start one.