Participants circle the room during Shavuot at Chochmat HaLev in Berkeley, 2025. (Aaron Levy-Wolins/J. Staff)
Participants circle the room during Shavuot at Chochmat HaLev in Berkeley, 2025. (Aaron Levy-Wolins/J. Staff)

So much happens in our community every day that it can be hard to sift through all of the events. We’re highlighting a few here, in every corner of the Jewish Bay Area, to get you started. You can find many more in J.’s online calendar. If you have a community event you’d like to share, go to J.’s “submit a calendar event” page.

SAN FRANCISCO

Thursday | May 14
Jewish Storytelling and Collaging Hour — Join J. and share your story of Jewish joy while crafting. At JCCSF, 3200 California St. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. 

Sunday | May 17
Jewish Poetry Open Mic — Yetzirah, a national nonprofit supporting Jewish poets, hosts an open mic at Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 3-4:15 p.m. Free. 

NORTH BAY

Sunday | May 17
“The Sinai Climb” — Celebrate Shavuot with hands-on activities for kids. Dairy dinner and ice cream provided. At Chabad of Napa Valley, 2025 Redwood Road, Napa. Email [email protected] to reserve a spot. 4:30-6 p.m. $10. 

Friday | May 22
Shavuot Cheese Tasting and Paper Art — Learn paper quilling (paper coiling) in this workshop. Cheese snacks provided. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 4-5:15 p.m. $22. 

EAST BAY

Sunday | May 17
“Baskets & Bikkurim” — Prepare for Shavuot with this pine needle basket-weaving workshop for young adults (21-36) to hold bikkurim (offerings). At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 2-6 p.m. Sliding scale, $15-$25. 

Friday | May 22
“Pilgrimage: Tikkun Leil Shavuot” — Chochmat HaLev and LABA Bay Area’s all-night Shavuot celebration includes study sessions, singing and storytelling around a fire, music and dance. 6 p.m. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 6 p.m.-6 a.m. $36-$102. 

PENINSULA/SOUTH BAY

Sunday | May 17
Storytime: Jewish American Heritage Month — Join a storytime for kids to celebrate Jewish culture through books, songs and activities. At Hillview Library, 1600 Hopkins Drive, San Jose. 12:30 p.m. Free. 

Tuesday | May 19
“My Grandmother’s Magick Recipes Book” — Puppet show brings Jewish traditions to life through a magical cookbook of stories, songs and cultural discoveries. At East San Jose Carnegie Library. For kids up to 10. 1102 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose. 11 a.m. Free.

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Rahel Knight is editorial fellow at J. She and her wife live in the East Bay.