Adults can also get into the act. The BJE’s Jewish Community Library in San Francisco is mounting an exhibit of old family photos, titled “Stories That Pictures Tell: Favorite Family Photographs.”
In addition, this year, there is an increased focus on activities for young adults — and more extensive programming for all.
And the BJE is issuing a booklet with myriad activities that can be explored at home, from preserving memorabilia and compiling a scrapbook to recording family stories to exploring Jewish names.
Kerin Lieberman, the BJE’s associate director, helped launched the annual series of events eight years ago.
“The Feast of Jewish Learning is a wonderful opportunity to work with a diverse group of people from throughout the Bay Area to make Jewish learning come alive,” she said. “I’m amazed at how it’s grown since its inception. Each February, the community does a wonderful job creating this celebration of Jewish values and life.”
Andrea Syrtash, who is a “Feast” coordinator working on young adult programming and the children’s contest, said, “I especially like this year’s theme, because it’s so multifaceted. There are so many ways to capture your family story and delve into your history, and the possibilities are endless. With today’s technology, it’s amazing how much you can learn, and I think that’s the reason this trend is growing.”
The theme, she emphasized, “lends itself to everyone,” from older people who want to preserve their stories for younger people, to grandchildren who want to record their forebears’ memories.
“This theme has endless possibilities, because we all have generations of family that we can investigate,” she said, and the Web is making it easier for people to research their roots.
Below are some of the highlights of the “Feast.” All of these events are open to the public, and most are free. Please call sponsoring organizations for information. The BJE’s Web site is at www.bjesf.org or call (415) 751-6983, ext. 110.
*The Jewish Community Library’s photo exhibit runs Sunday, Feb. 10 through May 20 with a reception with curator Robert Tat from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at 601 14th Ave. Information: Jonathan Schwartz, (415) 751-6983, ext. 129.
*”Romancero: Origins of Sephardic Jewish Music” with Mark Levy at 7 p.m. Monday at Or Shalom Jewish Community, 20 Woodside Ave., S.F. Information: Zehava Dahan, (415) 835-8764, ext. 3.
*”From the Heart: Building a Spiritual Life for You, Your Child, and Your Family Speaker” with Rabbi Henry Shreibman, head of schools, Brandeis Hillel Day School. Lunch & Learn at noon Tuesday at Brandeis Hillel, 655 Brotherhood Way, S.F. Information: Wendy Bear, (415) 346-6040.
*”Freedom to Marry” with Rabbi Camille Angel at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 at Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. Information: Sue Bojdak, (415) 861-6932.
*”Finding Holiness at the Zoo: Making Everyday Moments Sacred” with Debbie Findling, BJE educator, at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb 11 at Congregation Beth Sholom, 1301 Clement St., S.F. Co-sponsored by Young Adults of Beth Sholom. Information: Steffanie Lehrer, [email protected]
*Peninsula Academy of Jewish Education opening night at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Peninsula Temple Beth El, 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. “Ethical Wills: A Precious Legacy” with Rabbi Sheldon Marder, “Genealogy: Finding Your Jewish History” with Marc Seidenfeld and “Family Heirlooms: The Gift of Story” with Lynn Rogers. Information: Rebecca Schwartz, (650) 349-1610.
*”Drawing on Our Stories of Healing” with Rabbi Natan Fenner. Lunch & Learn at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at Montefiore Senior Center, 444 Walnut St., S.F. Information: Sarah Chervin, (415) 292-1269.
*”Reel Families: A Look at Family from the S.F. Jewish Film Festival” with Janis Plotkin, executive director of the festival, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 at BJE. Sponsored by YABS. Information: Steffanie Lehrer, [email protected]
*”What Should Jews Know About Islam Today?” with Fred Astren of San Francisco State University at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St., S.F. Sponsored by Young Adults Community of Emanu-El. Information: Larissa Siegel, (415) 751-2535, ext. 132.