News

Despite the recent heavy rains and flooding in the Bay Area, the Sacred Space now has first floor walls and second floor steel. Rodef Sholom anticipates a certificate of occupancy for December 2023. The construction of the new Sacred Space is part of Rodef Sholom’s $31 million capital campaign, $29.5 million of which has already been raised. Plans for the completed structure include dedicated youth and family spaces and a social hall, as well as a new sanctuary and enhanced security capabilities.

The celebration highlighted Jewish thought and dialogue and featured an intimate conversation between Dr. Anita Friedman, President of the Koret Foundation and Executive Director of Jewish Family & Children’s Services, and Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute.

This week, the JCRC announced the results of the first-ever Survey of Bay Area Jewish Identity. JCRC will use the data to reframe public understanding of Jewish identity in the Bay Area, transforming its work moving forward by centering the diversity and complexity of the Bay Area Jewish community.

The launch marked the release of several updates that deepen the search capabilities of the Visual History Archive (VHA) and its 55,000+ testimonies. The Visual History Archive is the world’s largest collection of primary source video testimonies from survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) will perform on Nov. 6 at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco and again the next evening at Bing Concert Hall on the Stanford University campus, after opening the tour with four performances in Southern California starting Nov. 2.

Koret President and Jewish Family and Children’s Services executive director Dr. Anita Friedman was presented with the Light Unto the Nations Award at AJC’s 2022 Global Advocacy Gala. The award is AJC’s highest honor bestowed on world leaders who exhibit leadership, courage, and principle.

“The U.S. and the Holocaust,” coming to PBS September 18, examines the reasons behind the country’s inadequate response to Germany’s persecution of Jews.

At San Francisco Opera, rehearsals are now underway for the world premiere of Antony and Cleopatra, the latest drama from preeminent American composer John Adams. Opening September 10, the opera tells the story of a romance that would topple the world order—splintering alliances and sparking war on the Mediterranean.

The 20-year transformation of the Presidio’s waterfront adds 14 acres to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, building a national park space over concrete tunnels connecting San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio Tunnel Tops features walking trails, art installations, picnic areas, and the mobile food program Presidio Pop Up.

In partnership with Zelenska’s national mental health initiative, IsraAid is sending teams of Israeli trauma specialists to Ukraine for several weeks at a time. Read the full story on eJewish Philanthropy.

The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) has selected KQED’s PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification for the 2022 Media Literate Media Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to media literacy made by media professionals with national reach.

Two Bay Area cohorts went on trips in May, with more couples going later this summer. “As an interfaith couple, this trip was important to us to learn more about what it means to be Jewish and what traditions we want to carry forward or establish with our future family,” said Tara and Alexander, a Bay Area couple who recently returned from their trip.