A happy housewarming
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan told the 300 people at the grand opening and housewarming party of the Oakland branch of the JCC of the East Bay that her children attended JCC programs, “and I have the dreidels to prove it.” Assemblyman Sandré Swanson recalled swimming at the old Oakland Piedmont JCC. City Council member Rebecca Kaplan blew the shofar and Temple Sinai’s Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin presided over the hanging of mezuzahs. The four were among numerous city officials and Jewish community leaders who came out to celebrate earlier this month, reported the East Bay JCC’s Samantha Young. Much of the food and drinks were donated by local Temescal business vendors, she noted, adding to the warm welcome to the neighborhood.
Party with the fed
Save the date — April 10, 2011 — for “Fedfest One Hundred: Shaping our Jewish Future,” a day-long celebration of the century anniversary of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. Among the highlights: New York Times columnist David Brooks, the keynote speaker, will look at the current social, political and cultural climate through a Jewish lens, and filmmaker Tiffany Shlain will show her new films. Other events will include San Francisco authors Frances Dinkelspiel, Marc Dollinger, Stephen Dobbs and Ava Kahn discussing the history of the federation and the S.F. Jewish community; Avraham Infeld, the first chair of the federation’s Amuta (volunteer committee); music by San Francisco Symphony members; and a variety of family activities. Lisa and Doug Goldman and Marcia and John Goldman are chairing the day, which is free to all federation and endowment fund donors.
Songs and stories
Carmel cantorial soloist Alisa Fineman writes that she appeared in the Fourth International Jewish Music Festival in New York in December, singing four songs including “Salaam, Shalom,” which she co-wrote with musical soloist Marsha Attie of S.F.’s Congregation Emanu-El … David Katznelson of San Francisco was nominated for a Grammy in the best historical album category as one of the producers of “Alan Lomax in Haiti.” A box set, it’s packaged in a cloth-bound cigar box designed by Katznelson’s wife, Barbara Bersche.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day (even though it’s not a Jewish holiday), cantors David Margules and Rita Glassman and friends will take part in Music of the Beloved, a concert sponsored by Marin Interfaith Council on Feb. 13 at the Showcase Theatre in San Rafael. Also featured are music by Tsering D. Bawa (a Tibetan Buddhist); Arjun Verna (Hindu tradition) and a capella group Clerestory. For info, go to www.marinifc.org.
Short shorts
Berkeley sculptor Victor Ries, who celebrated his 103rd birthday last Oct. 26, received a commendation from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in December “for a lifetime of artistic accomplishments shared with Alameda County residents.” His work, which graces many Bay Area synagogues, includes the narrative window screens at Oakland’s Temple Beth Abraham … Michael Krasny’s new book, “Spiritual Envy,” hit the No. 1 spot for Marin nonfiction, according to the Jan. 16 Marin IJ … Daniella Risman of the Jewish Community Relations Council says it’s with “bittersweet excitement” that she’s leaving the Bay Area for Europe to pursue her passion — a career in opera. Bon voyage and good luck!
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