12:30pm – 2pm
Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, San Francisco
A lunchtime talk with memoirist Yuliya Patsay on how food carries Jewish identity and family memory.
More about Nosh 'n Schmooze with Yuliya Patsay (opens in a new tab)
5pm – 6:30pm
Fischer Library, Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland
A kid-friendly potluck Shabbat dinner for the LGBTQ+ community at Temple Sinai and their families, friends and allies. Free; registration requested.
More about Rainbow Shabbat Dinner (opens in a new tab)
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Social Hall, Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Casual 49ers watch party with tailgate food and drinks, welcoming younger members and their kids.
More about Beth Am Men Guys' Night Out - 49ers Watch Party (opens in a new tab)
2:30pm – 5:30pm
Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth Street, Berkeley
Hands-on workshop on identifying local oaks and turning acorns into food (foraging, leaching tannins and cooking), with notes on oaks in Jewish tradition.
More about Acorn Processing and the Sacred Oak (opens in a new tab)
4:30pm – 6:30pm
East Bay Jewish Community Campus, 5957 Chabot Road, Oakland
Opening session of an intergenerational program that pairs teens with seniors for shared Jewish learning; this first meeting is a pickle-making session.
More about Better Together (opens in a new tab)
4pm
Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos
Hands-on classes focusing on general cooking techniques, creative recipes, and plenty of fun in the kitchen. Total of 6 classes!
More about The Junior Jewish Chef (opens in a new tab)
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake Street, San Francisco
Chef and author Beejhy Barhany shares her Ethiopian-Israeli story and the meaning of Sigd, followed by dishes from her cookbook.
More about Stories of Sigd: An Evening with Chef Beejhy Barhany (opens in a new tab)4pm – 5pm
Beit Kehillah, Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Marking the Ethiopian Jewish holiday of Sigd, chef and author Beejhy Barhany leads a traditional coffee ceremony and shares her story.
More about Beth Am Welcomes Guest Speaker Chef Beejhy Barhany, Restaurant Owner and Author of “Gursha” (opens in a new tab)6pm – 8:30pm
Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth Street, Berkeley
Make elderberry syrup from berries grown on the farm and a jar of fire cider tonic, and take both home for winter.
More about Elderberry & Fire Cider Workshop (opens in a new tab)5:15pm – 8:30pm
Sanctuary, Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Community dinner, Shabbat service installing Rabbi Heath Watenmaker with guest Rabbi Rick Jacobs, and an oneg with Israeli dancing.
More about Great Big Shabbat: Installation Service of Senior Rabbi Heath Watenmaker (opens in a new tab)
5:45pm – 8:45pm
Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA
Havdalah and Thanksgiving dinner with Netivot Shalom and the Pacifica Institute, bringing together neighbors of different faiths.
More about Interfaith Thanksgiving (opens in a new tab)9:30am – 1pm
Social Hall, Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Holiday market of handmade gifts, Judaica and art from local artisans, plus soup and a bake sale.
More about Find a Treasure (or Two!) at the Beth Am Chanukah Craft Bazaar (opens in a new tab)
10am – 1:30pm
Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave, San Jose
Sisterhood fair with a sweet and savory bake sale, lunch items and vendor prize drawings.
More about Sisterhood Holiday Fair (opens in a new tab)4pm – 6pm
Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, San Francisco
A gentle yoga class followed by wine and cheese; bring your own mat.
More about In Good Company: Yoga Flow and Pinot (opens in a new tab)
7:30pm – 9pm
Oshman Family JCC Building F 4th Floor, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Hebrew lecture by food researcher and engineer Dr. Shai Shemesh on the kitchen of the future, including 3D food printing and how technology may change cooking and eating.
More about מה אוכלים מחר? - על המטבח העתידי והדפסת תלת מימד של מזון (opens in a new tab)7pm – 9pm
Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Suite 201, Los Gatos
Save the date for our annual fundraiser. Check out last year’s event . org ) for sponsorship opportunities. VIP Reception and Dinner from 5-7.
More about Powering Hope: Jewish Silicon Valley Annual Fundraising Event (opens in a new tab)7:30pm – 9pm
Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake Street, San Francisco
A Friday night community dinner and conversation about building a congregation rooted in justice work.
More about Emanu-El in Action: A Community Dinner for Tzedek (opens in a new tab)
11:30am – 1pm
JCCSF, 3200 California Street, San Francisco
Celebrate with a traditional holiday meal and a meaningful service in fellowship with members of our warm and welcoming community.
More about 60+ Thanksgiving Luncheon: Serving Gratitude (opens in a new tab)7pm – 9pm
Woods, 530 Haight Street, San Francisco
The 30s-and-40s group lights the menorah and shares holiday treats and drinks at a Lower Haight bar.
More about Millenni-El Chanukah Meet-Up! (opens in a new tab)7:15pm – 9pm
Newman Hall, Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, San Francisco
A post-service Chanukah Shabbat dinner with music and dancing; tickets required.
More about Chanukah Community Dinner (opens in a new tab)4pm – 8pm
Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA
Chanukah festival for all ages with dinner, a chorus performance and a children's program. Tickets $15 adults, $11 kids.
More about Shine Your Light - Beth El's Chanukah Festival (opens in a new tab)6:30pm – 8:30pm
Conference Room & "Deshe Upper Field", Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
Young adult group marks Havdalah and the second night of Chanukah with candles, songs, latkes, sufganiyot and dreidel.
More about The Orchard: Havdalah Chanukah (opens in a new tab)5:30pm – 8:30pm
Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave, San Jose
Annual Hanukkah fundraiser with a full holiday dinner and stand-up comedy.
More about Latkes & Laughs (opens in a new tab)6:30pm – 8pm
Loma Brewing Company, 130 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
21+ Hanukkah social right after the downtown candle lighting, with communal tables and fried snacks.
More about Adult After Party @ LOMA BREWERY (opens in a new tab)
12pm – 1:30pm
PJCC Boardroom, Peninsula Jewish Community Center, 800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City
Learn about the unique architectural artistry and cultural significance of the famed wooden synagogues in Poland (destroyed in WWII) and the remarkable dedication of the preeminent architectural historians Maria and…
More about Chai Society Salon & Luncheon: The Wooden Synagogues of Poland with Shana Penn (opens in a new tab)
5:30pm – 7pm
Social Hall, Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City
Community Chanukah celebration with a group candle lighting and party; free with sign-up.
More about Chanukah Community Candle Lighting and Party (opens in a new tab)6pm – 9pm
Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave, San Jose
Sisterhood Hanukkah potluck with a gift-exchange game; bring a side dish and a wrapped gift.
More about Sisterhood Hannukah Party (opens in a new tab)
12pm – 3pm
Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos
Shir Hadash Women's yearly Hanukkah party, held right after the congregational town hall.
More about SHW: Annual Hanukkah Party (opens in a new tab)5pm – 8pm
Beit Kehillah, Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills
A December 24 evening of Chinese food, board games and a sing-along movie.
More about Beth Am's 3rd Annual Yule at the Shul (opens in a new tab)6pm – 9pm
Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave, San Jose
Christmas Eve Chinese dinner and board games hosted by the Sisterhood; pay at the door.
More about Chinese Food & Game Night (opens in a new tab)6pm – 7:15pm
Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California Street, San Francisco
Christmas-night Kabbalat Shabbat followed by a festive oneg with Chinese food.
More about Shabbat Chow Mein (opens in a new tab)9am – 1pm
Stern Hall, Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland
A Saturday-morning shakshuka gathering at Temple Sinai.
More about International Shakshukah Day (opens in a new tab)
Save the date · details to follow
San Francisco
JCRC's annual community freedom seder, San Francisco edition. Announced at the ICC Annual Community Roundtable (Oct 13, 2026); details to follow.