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The Jewish News of Northern California

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Beth Jacob Congregation

Clockwise from top left: Jessica B. Peixotto in 1923 (J. Archives); Gluten-Free Upside-Down Caramel Apple Cake (Micah Siva); a photo posted to social media of eight teens lying in the shape of a swastika on a football field; Rabbi Shua Brick in the sanctuary at Oakland's Beth Jacob Congregation. (Aaron Levy-Wolins/J. Staff)
Posted inBay Area

Our top 10 Bay Area Jewish news stories of 2025

David A.M. Wilensky
(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
J. The Jewish News of Northern California Staff Headshots. by David A.M. Wilensky December 29, 2025December 29, 2025

As 2025 blessedly comes to a close, it’s time once again to count down our top 10 most-read articles of the year. I’ve come to enjoy this annual exercise as […]

Rabbi Shua Brick in the sanctuary at Oakland's Beth Jacob Congregation, where he has worked since 2020. (Aaron Levy-Wolins/J. Staff)
Posted inPride

In Oakland, a gay Orthodox rabbi is paving the way for Jews like him

Alix Wall by Alix Wall June 11, 2025June 11, 2025
Rabbi Gershon Albert of Oakland's Beth Jacob Congregation wrote the tune for a new single from the hipster Hasid duo Zusha.
Posted inMusic

New single from hipster Hasid band Zusha features tune by Oakland’s Rabbi Gershon Albert

David A.M. Wilensky
(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
J. The Jewish News of Northern California Staff Headshots. by David A.M. Wilensky July 7, 2022July 7, 2022
Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. (Photo/Wikimedia-Dvortygirl CC BY-SA 3.0)
Posted inMixed & Matched

With mikvahs closed, complete your conversion in wild waters

Dawn Kepler by Dawn Kepler December 15, 2021December 15, 2021
(From left) Eruv expert Rabbi Haim Jachter, Beth Jacob members Raphi Shorser and Michael Sosebee and Rabbi Gershon Albert out on an eruv boundary–hunting expedition in August.
Posted inNews

Major expansion of Oakland eruv is a ‘game-changer’ for Orthodox

David A.M. Wilensky
(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
J. The Jewish News of Northern California Staff Headshots. by David A.M. Wilensky December 6, 2021December 7, 2021
an older woman happily holds out her arms to greet an old friend in a large synagogue sanctuary
Posted inNews

Synagogues reopen their doors after long, arduous year

by Gabriel Greschler June 24, 2021June 24, 2021
Two photos side-by-side: On the left, a young white woman stands smiling outside. On the right, a white cake with red decorations on top.
Posted inOrganic Epicure

Layer by layer, stunning kosher cakes rise in the East Bay

Alix Wall by Alix Wall April 28, 2021May 7, 2021
Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland held its first indoor service in a year, March 14, 2021.
Posted inReligion

Bay Area synagogue doors start to swing open again 

David A.M. Wilensky
(Photo/Aaron Levy-Wolins)
J. The Jewish News of Northern California Staff Headshots. by David A.M. Wilensky April 14, 2021April 14, 2021
Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland held its first indoor service in a year, March 14, 2021.
Posted inFirst Person

Getting vaccinated was a lesson in humility and gratitude

Rabbi Gershon Albert by Rabbi Gershon Albert March 15, 2021March 16, 2021

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