From 2016 to 2019, in response to what may be the most oft-mentioned wish from CJC, to develop our sense of community and just have fun together, a group was started to share social and cultural activities. We got together about once a month, doing pretty much anything anyone wanted to organize.
With the arrival of the COVID pandemic, and challenges getting together physically, social gatherings have decreased greatly. But who knows, when COVID is in our past, perhaps simple social gatherings will resume.
Some past events
7/4/2021: Marching in the HMB 4th of July Parade with Coast Pride
2019
February 24: Two of our favorites, Havdalah and potluck, along with a teaching and discussion led by Rabbi Ted in an exploration of “Age-ing to Sag-ing”, followed by social gathering.
January 14: In the Fiddler’s House at Davie’s Symphony Hall in San Francisco, preceded by dinner at Max’s. “Out of anything he has ever played, world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman notes that this music is truly his own—klezmer, “what you might hear if you came to my house and I decided to jam with some friends.” Combining Yiddish folk music with the diverse musical heritage of Eastern Europe, hear the infectious rhythms of violin, accordion, mandolin, clarinet, and more in a rousing performance by Perlman, leading musical ambassadors of Old World tradition, and the Klezmer Conservatory Band.”
2018
October 27: Theist, Atheist, Agnostic, Air-theist? After a Havdala ritual, Rabbi Ted led a discussion.
One of the most comforting realities of Judaism might be that there is no one absolute belief about God. Then again, one of the most discomforting realities of Judaism might be that there is no one absolute belief about God. Join Rabbi Ted for an evening of sharing and learning. We’ll begin with a brief overview of “traditional” Jewish beliefs of God and flow into our personal beliefs or disbeliefs. This will be an evening for open hearts and open ears and the ever present “what if.” When done, we relaxed, schmoozed, shared some snacks and had a sing-along.
July 20-22, Sierra Nevada Field Campus
We walked, hiked, swam, toured the Kentucky Mine and enjoyed marvelous cocktails and meals together. We also shared Shabbat dinner, followed by a campfire with singing. Saturday night we held our Havdalah service in the midst of a bird watching expedition.
Saturday, April 21: Romaniote and Sephardic Food & Culture. Linda G. provided the recipes and gave a brief presentation on the Romaniote Jews from whom she is descended. She also provided recipes and shared cooking with Rachael and Philip. Laura added Greek Salad, and Sam provided an apertif. We gathered at Linda Bea’s and Philips house where several people worked together to stuff grape leaves (Yaprikia) and make little potato filled pies (Boreka).
Saturday, March 3:
Following the Hawaiian Cultural performance at Ted Adcock Center where CJC’s Annie was among the dancers, CJC folk gathered at nearby Spice Me! Thai Cuisine Restaurant for dinner.
Sunday, January 14, Music Sing & Play Along;
A VERY enjoyable gathering of CJC members, Rabbi Ted, and Cantorial Soloist Lissin at Wendi & Dave’s house. We sang and played, and vowed to do it AGAIN. If anyone has songs they’d like added to our songbook, contact Laura.
2017
Saturday, December 2, Dinner and a show: Eight CJC members got together for dinner, then attended Coastal Repertory’s production of Coney Island Christmas.
October 28, “What did you do last summer?” A home based gathering that gave us a chance to catch up with each other’s summer travels. A fun event for global and arm-chair travelers alike.
Saturday, September 16th: We attended Coastal Repertory Theatre’s ‘Gala’, “Old Havana in the Moonlight”, together.
Saturday, July 29th: We began with a Kosher-style Pot-Luck dinner. Joined by Rabbi Ted, he encouraged us to each tell how we came to live on the Coastside. Our responses contained surprises for friends who’ve known each other for decades! We then watched a movie: “American Jerusalem: Jews and the Making of San Francisco”. We ended with a lovely Half Moon Bay summer Havdalah service.
Saturday, June 24, Vegetarian Potluck/Havdalah/Farewell to Rabbi Jane.
Sunday, May 7 – Matisse/Diebenkorn Exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Organized by Linda Bea.
Sunday, April 23, we had a private tour of Fitzgerald Marine Preserve led by Diann Chethik & Wendi Shafir, our very own docents.
On Sunday, April 9 – Dinner and a Show. After dinner at Oren’s Hummus Shop, we enjoyed TheatreWorks’ Rags. at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
On Saturday March 18th, we had a three part event. We started with a hike in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, followed by wine tasting at Thomas Fogarty Winery and dinner at the Mountain House.
In February, a few folks gathered for a Shabbat dinner at Fisherman’s Taverna on the 24th.
On Friday evening, January 27, eighteen of us gathered at Les & Leslie’s in Half Moon Bay. We schmoozed, lit the Shabbat candles, enjoyed a potluck dinner (delicious, as always), and then played “Bones”.
2016
Saturday, December 24, we attended the Kung Pao Kosher Comedy dinner show. Linda, Chip, Shoshanna, Joel (also attending: Rabbi Jane & Stewart)
Linda, Laura, Sam, Linda Bea & Cathy marching in the Night of Lights Parade, December 2, 2016. Rabbi Jane and Stewart also joined in.
We enjoyed cocktails and a tour of Half Moon Bay Distillery, followed by dinner at Mezza Luna for our social event in November, 2016.
In August, 2016, Rachael, Dave, Wendi, Laura & Sam sharing a Shabbat Dinner at Monsoon Restaurant before seeing “BIG” at Coastal Repertory Theater in Half Moon Bay