In Response to the New York Times on Interfaith Marriage

By Jennifer Gorovitz, CEO

I was pleased to see the article in last week’s Times op-ed section Interfaith Unions: A Mixed Blessing.  In some religions, Interfaith marriages represent the majority of unions. Despite that dominance, it is a topic that still needs some unpacking.  It is so important to note that although the paradigm is shifting, many people in interfaith marriages are still unsure of how to preserve their cultural and religious heritage within a modern family.

As CEO of the JCF, I have watched this community go from shunning such relationships to celebrating them and yet, we are still at the very beginning of understanding how we can best embrace this new family dynamic, and how these families want to interact with our diverse community and its organizations. More than half of all married couples within the 2,400 square miles of our service area are interfaith, and in some communities that figure is as high as 75%.

In recognizing the pressing need to engage these families, the JCF is partnering with InterfaithFamily by providing them with a three-year grant to bring their innovative programs to the Bay Area. InterfaithFamily/Bay Area workshops range from Love and Religion for seriously-dating interfaith couples to Preparing for a Bar Mitzvah for families with 4th-7th grade children. These workshops are run by experts on the complexities of interfaith relationships, and help keep family discussions open and productive. In addition, the JCF has made grants to innovative organizations seeking to be more inclusive.

Our goal is to help our community reach out to these new families and celebrate their diversity, using new technologies to break down any barriers that might get in the way of happiness, togetherness and meaning.

While we agree that interfaith relationships are prone to their own unique challenges, we know that access to the right support can help interfaith couples successfully explore their respective religions, as they do with Judaism at InterfaithFamily. Diversity helps makes the Bay Area a great place to live, which is why we proudly support our Bay Area Jewish community with the programming tools they need to help maintain loving, supportive, and diverse families.

Stars of Pride 2011

With over a million visitors from around the globe attending Pride festivities in June, we had the distinct pleasure of chatting with thousands of people while displaying the voluminous avenues into Jewish life. Here’s a look at a few of the new friends we met:

As you can see, over two-days our Outreach booth proved to be quite a hub for hanging out. A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers and LGBT Jewish professional organizations that make up the professional LGBT Jewish collective: Kol Tzedek (A Wider Bridge, Keshet, Nehirim, Congregation Sha’ar Zahav & NUJLS), the Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM),  San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and Be’chol Lashon.

Each Pride Month the Jewish Community Federation is proud of the multiple opportunities to celebrate the richness and diversity of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This year we are particularly proud that we were able to share the experience with such an incredible and valued team of volunteers and partner agencies.

Multiple Bay Area Jewish organizations and Congregations celebrate Pride each year and you can learn about them and find lots of resources on our website.

If you or your organization would like to join us in the future during Pride or at other times of the year please connect with us lgbt@sfjcf.org!

Northern California Yom HaShoah Commemoration to Remember Gay Survivors of World War II

One of the rare films that depict homosexual deportation during World War II is 2005 Un amour à taire (A Love to Hide). The film is loosely based on the Pierre Seel story.

To remember the Holocaust and its lessons for society including the Nazi persecution of those understood to be gay or lesbian identified Jewish Community Federation & Foundation of the Greater East Bay’s Riva Gambert (riva@jfed.org) has organized a free Yom HaShoah commemoration at Temple Isaiah (3800 Mt. Diablo Boulevard Lafayette, CA) on May 1.

Paragraph 175 includes the story of Pierre Seel

Underwritten by the Tillie and Rene Molho Fund for Holocaust Remembrance this program will present the story of one French gay survivor, Pierre Seel z”l told via a performance by Nick Lane, Kevin Copps and directed by Andrew Nance. Pierre Seel who passed away at the age of 82 in 2005 was arrested for homosexuality at 17 by the Gestapo in 1941 after German forces overran France.

It is our collective responsibility to retell these stories so they do not happen again.

Moi, Pierre Seel, déporté homosexuel

A few books, plays and films over the years has presented the lives and experiences of homosexuals during the Holocaust. The most prominent came out of the genius of two San Francisco Bay Area based Gay identified Jewish leaders, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Their 2000 documentary film Paragraph 175 titled after the sodomy provision of the German penal code that led to the arrest of 100,000 men between 1933 and 1945. Only 4,000 of those arrested because of this penal code survived the imprisonment and concentration camps and this film interviews 5 of the 10 known survivors in the year 2000 including Pierre Seel. Another film that is loosely based on Pierre Seel’s story is 2005′s Un amour à taire (A Love to Hide) which depicts homosexual deportation during World War II and of course, Bent, the 1979 play that presents a story during and after the Night of the Long Knives.

Riva Gambert wants the community-at-large to attend this program to collectively look at our shared histories and our contemporary lives together. To read about the history of the Gay and Lesbian experience during World War II please take a look at a few of these selected links:

• Telling Pictures Outreach Project  including a Paragraph 175 Teachers Guide
• Pink Triangle
• San Francisco’s Pink Triangle
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals Exhibition at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
• German Memorial to Homosexuals
• The Holocaust Center of Northern California at Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties

For more resources on how to honor LGBT and Jewish holidays please take a look at the Federations’ LGBT Alliance pages. Posted by Lisa Finkelstein, Jewish Community Federation’s LGBT Director.

Winter 2011 – Jewish Happenings for Families in the Bay Area

The Early Childhood Education Initiative wants your family to get involved with what’s happening around the Bay Area this winter! We’ve compiled events and activities that you and your family will enjoy. Please contact Vivien Braly if you have any questions or need recommendations at VivienB@sfjcf.org.

Please also visit Building Jewish Bridges for a wonderful list of events throughout the Bay Area.

Visit the Jewish Community Federation’s new community calendar for a full listing of activities throughout the Bay!

San Francisco Happenings

PJ At the Contemporary Jewish Museum! Join us at the Contemporary Jewish Museum for a special Preschool Gallery Hour:

Hightlights: “Octopretzel” in concert; the “Curious George” Exhibit and meeting the little monkey in person; best-loved Purim stories in the PJ Library Story Nook; a craft activity to create an imaginative Purim-inspired puppet mask, and snacks and closing activities in our special PJ Library room.

Questions? Email vivienb@sfjcf.org or call 415.499.1223 x8106.

When? Sunday, March 13, 9:45am – 12pm
Where? Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street, San Francisco
Cost? The museum doors open at 9am and admission tickets are available in advance at www.thecjm.org (Adults $10; kids FREE!)

 

Wake up with The PJ Library! A concert series at the BJE  Jewish Community Library in San Francisco!  Bring your friends and come meet other PJ Library families!

What? Matzah Ball sing-along with musician Elana Jagoda
When? Sunday, April 10, 10:30am

What? It’s a Long Way to Sinai: A Shavuot Story featuring musician Jonathan Bayer
When? Sunday, June 12, 10:30am

Where? BJE Jewish Community Library, San Francisco, FREE. To reserve your spot, RSVP to VivienB@sfjcf.org.

Helpful Links:

• Jewish Community Center San Francisco
• Contemporary Jewish Museum
• JFCS Parents Place-San Francisco
• BJE Jewish Community Library

North Peninsula Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Peninsula Jewish Community Center
• JFCS Parents Place- Peninsula

South Peninsula Happenings

Purim Masquerade Dinner featuring PJ Library music! Come meet other PJ Library families and join us for great music and food!

When? Friday, March 18, Purim 5:45pm – 7:45pm
Where? Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Cost? Visit the OFJCC website for more information

Helpful Links:

• Oshman Family Jewish Community Center

North Bay Happenings

Purimpalooza featuring PJ Library! Come enjoy great Purim festival with PJ kids crafts, storytime and more!

When? Sunday, March 20, Purim 10am – 2pm
Where? Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 N. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael
Cost? Visit the OMJCC website for more information

Helpful Links:

• Osher Marin Jewish Community Center
• JFCS Parents Place- Marin
• Nita Marin: Get your Jewish on

Sonoma Happenings

 

Helpful Links:

• Resources for the Jewish community in Sonoma County
• JCFS Parents Place- Sonoma
• Sonoma Jewish Connections

Summer 2010 Happenings for Families in the Bay Area

The Early Childhood Education Initiative wants your family to get involved with what’s happening around the Bay Area this summer! We’ve compiled events and activities that you and your family will enjoy. Please contact Vivien Braly if you have any questions or need recommendations at VivienB@sfjcf.org.

Please also visit Building Jewish Bridges for a wonderful list of events throughout the Bay Area.

*NEW* Visit the Jewish Community Federation’s new community calendar for a full listing of activities throughout the Bay!

San Francisco Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Jewish Community Center San Francisco
• Contemporary Jewish Museum
• JFCS Parents Place-San Francisco
• BJE Jewish Community Library

North Peninsula Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Peninsula Jewish Community Center
• JFCS Parents Place- Peninsula

South Peninsula Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Oshman Family Jewish Community Center

North Bay Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Osher Marin Jewish Community Center
• JFCS Parents Place- Marin
• Nita Marin: Get your Jewish on

Sonoma Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Resources for the Jewish community in Sonoma County
• JCFS Parents Place- Sonoma
• Sonoma Jewish Connections

Spring 2010 Bay Area Happenings for Families

The Early Childhood Education Initiative wants your family to get involved with what’s happening around the Bay Area this spring! We’ve compiled events and activities that you and your family will enjoy. Please contact Vivien Braly if you have any questions or need recommendations at VivienB@sfjcf.org.

Please also visit Building Jewish Bridges for a wonderful list of events throughout the Bay Area.

*NEW* Visit the Jewish Community Federation’s new community calendar for a full listing of activities throughout the Bay!

San Francisco Happenings

Author Event with Diane Frankenstein
Author of “Reading Together: Everything You Need to Know to raise a Child who Loves to Read”

When? Tuesday, May 11, 7:00 -8:30pm
Where? Parents Place, 1710 Scott Street, San Francisco
Cost? FREE

Come join us for a presentation that will include recommendations about how to choose age- and level-appropriate books for your children; useful tips to make reading with children enjoyable; a demonstration of “Conversational Reading,” a successful approach to raising children who love what they read by talking with them about what they’ve read; conversation starters for any story or book.

Pre-registration is required. Click here to register!

Jewish Stories from Your Street and Around the World
Tales and tunes for children featuring Karen Golden

When? Sunday, May 16, 10:30-11:30am
Where? BJE Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis Street, San Francisco
Cost? FREE

Come join us on a journey that takes children from San Francisco to Eastern Europe and back again. LA-based entertainer Karen Golden delights audiences of all ages with her unique blend of music and stories all told with zip and laughter.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Vivien Braly at VivienB@sfjcf.org or call 415.499.1223 x8106

Bagels and Blocks
Parents, learn with your child Sunday mornings

When? Sundays @ 10:30am – 12:00pm   March 14; April 11; May 2
Where? Congregation Beth Israel Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco
Cost? FREE with BIJ membership, non-members: $15/day or $100/year

Fore more information, contact Rebecca Goodman at rgoodman@bij.org or call 415.586.8833

Nita Rocks the CJM
Co-sponsored by The PJ Library®

When? Saturday, April 24, 10:00 – 11:00am
Where? Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street, San Francisco
Cost? Contact nitamarin@me.com for fee

Join Nita Marin for a Shabbat morning at the CJM in San Francisco with musician Jonathan Bayer and Rabbi Noa Kushner. There will be music, arts and crafts for kids, and, of course, kids’ snacks. Sign up by contacting nitamarin@me.com.

Israel in the Gardens

When? Sunday, June 6, 11am – 5pm
Where? Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
Cost? FREE

Join the PJ Library and the entire Bay Area Jewish community as we celebrate Israel @ 62 in the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens. Enjoy live music, art, food and music. Click here for more information.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Vivien Braly at VivienB@sfjcf.org or call 415.499.1223 x8106

Helpful Links:

• Jewish Community Center San Francisco
• Contemporary Jewish Museum
• JFCS Parents Place-San Francisco
• BJE Jewish Community Library
• Nita Marin: Get your Jewish on

North Peninsula Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Peninsula Jewish Community Center
• JFCS Parents Place- Peninsula

South Peninsula Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Oshman Family Jewish Community Center

North Bay Happenings

Why Be Jewish – Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Family
Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael
Co-sponsored by PJ Library

Fridays @ 9:30am – 11:00am   February 26; March 19; April 16; May 7

In this 4-part series, Rabbi Darren Kleinberg will explore ways in which parents can integrate Jewish teaching and values to raise ethical children.

All four sessions for $40 – CHILDCARE INCLUDED (for those who sign up for all four sessions) Drop-in fee: $18 per session

Helpful Links:

• Osher Marin Jewish Community Center
• JFCS Parents Place- Marin
• Nita Marin: Get your Jewish on

Sonoma Happenings

Helpful Links:

• Resources for the Jewish community in Sonoma County
• JCFS Parents Place- Sonoma
• Sonoma Jewish Connections

Save room for dessert: this LGBT senior’s Thanksgiving lunch was a real treat!

On November 18, 2009 at the Osher Marin’s Jewish Community Center’s (JCC) Hoyt Theater, 65 LGBT Seniors gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving with a Jewish bite!

A happy couple of almost 40 years, thanks Spectrum for their continued support in building LGBT community.

After realizing that the Spectrum LGBT Center serving Marin & Sonoma Counties would be too small this year to host their annual Thanksgiving pot-luck for Seniors, Paula Pilecki, Executive Director, reached out to Pam Day, JCC Event Manager and Deborah Newbrun, JCC Associate Director of Programs to discuss a partnership. The three quickly agreed to work together and find resources to ensure the LGBT Senior Thanksgiving lunch a success! The traditional fixings Thanksgiving meal was catered and served by Stacy Scott Fine Catering with the help of many kind volunteers. A wonderful performance by Harpist Michelle Sell was enjoyed by all.

Spouses for over three decades, Larry and Dick, enjoy Thanksgiving lunch together.

Spectrum was founded in 1982 and provides community leadership to promote acceptance, understanding, and full inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Spectrum offers a host of outreach programs including Senior Spectrum which provides opportunities for LGBT older adult men and women to come together for socializing, support, and community.

Enjoying the social atmosphere of the LGBT Seniors Thanksgiving lunch.

Due to the joy and success of this years LGBT Seniors Thanksgiving lunch the LGBT Alliance and the Osher Marin’s JCC will be partnering again with Spectrum to host next year’s LGBT Seniors Thanksgiving Lunch again on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Osher Marin’s Jewish Community Center’s (JCC) Hoyt Theater from noon to 2:00 pm. We hope that you join us!

A special thanks for their support and efforts in making the Thanksgiving lunch happen: Joelle Yuna, Pam Day, Paula Pilecki, Deborah Newbrun, Lisa Finkelstein, Casey Halcro, Kathryn Mudie, Gary Shepard, Matt White, Gary Anspach, Alissa Friedman, Karen Smith, Penny Noble, Jane Sedonaen, Karen Tomcala & Adam Wollter.

This couple smiles together as they enjoy the Vegan Apple Pie for dessert.

On this historic week

If you are a regular reader of the j., the Jewish news weekly of Northern California, you might have noticed that the Jewish Community Federation recently started a new informative advertising campaign focusing on different departments, programs, projects, and goals of the Federation.  This week’s piece highlights The Holocaust Center of Northern California (a beneficary agency) and this week in history.

Click on the image to view PDF

Emmis – Happy Chanukah and more

Emmis, the Federation’s monthly newsletter, was sent out to our email subscribers today. If you aren’t already getting the newsletter in your inbox, but would like to, please sign up at:
http://www.sfjcf.org/aboutjcf/signupnewsletter.aspx

These were the stories we featured this month:

	When Chanukah and Christmas collide It doesn’t happen every year because Jewish holidays are based on a lunar calendar, but this December, Chanukah and Christmas will coincide. Chanukah begins at sunset on December 21 and Christmas Eve occurs just three days later, in the midst of the eight-day festival of lights. What’s the best way for interfaith families to deal with this unusual convergence? More…
	A legacy of a life lived together Emil and Maria met at a dinner party here in the mid-1960s. Where else in the world would an Austrian Jew meet a Chilean Catholic and get married but here in the Bay Area? Emil has set up a Charitable Gift Annuity with the Jewish Community Endowment Fund as a way to care for Maria for the rest of her lifetime and leave a legacy for the Jewish community. More…
	Project Homeless Connect Our community helped 1,915 individuals in need to access vital services that would otherwise take months to obtain. More…
	Awards recognize teens Nominate a teen today for the prestigious Haas/Koshland award or Diller Tikkun Olam award. More…
	Challah Back! A new blog offers the inside scoop on the city’s hottest events for professional young Jews, including the Latke Ball. More…

Emmis – New Initiatives & an Open Letter

Emmis, the Federation’s monthly newsletter, was sent out to our email subscribers yesterday. If you aren’t already getting the newsletter in your inbox, but would like to, please sign up at:
http://www.sfjcf.org/aboutjcf/signupnewsletter.aspx

These were the stories we featured this month:

	An open letter from the Jewish Home Did you know that one-third of the 10,000 Bay Area Jewish elderly rely on Jewish organizations to provide home health care, assisted living, residential services and kosher meal delivery? The Jewish Home of San Francisco, one of the Federation’s beneficiary agencies, has a longstanding tradition of service. Read their open letter in response to today’s economic challenges. More…
	Special Needs Initiative takes root The Federation is thrilled to be a partner and funder in a collaborative effort in the North Peninsula to launch a pilot Special Needs Initiative with the goal of transforming synagogues and organizations into environments in which every person, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to be included in the life of the Jewish community. More…
	Interfaith Connections Now is a critical time for the Federation to create a welcoming Jewish community for interfaith couples and families. More…
	Give the Gift of Israel Give your child a life changing trip to Israel by participating in a collaborative savings program. More…
	School Twinning Program A new initiative is connecting students and teachers from Bay Area Jewish day schools with their Israeli counterparts. More…