Monthly Update - November 2026

Dear CJC Members & Friends,

November is an eventful month, with tomorrow being, perhaps, the most important day of the year for American citizens - Election Day! If you haven't already exercised your civic duty and voted, you have one more day to make a plan and not waste your vote.

We have a Shabbat service this coming Friday evening in Moss Beach, a central location for folks coming from both the north and the south. Since we only have one Shabbat service this month, we wanted to make sure it's easy for anyone to attend. Just RSVP to Brianne sooner rather than later for the address.

Next week, we'll observe Veterans Day (11/11), and two weeks after that, we'll observe Thanksgiving (11/26). See below for other events coming up.

One event I'll mention here is a recap of our trip to Israel, from which we just returned! You'll see a few photos below, and on Wednesday, November 11, those of us who went on the trip will share about our peace mission, how it impacted us, and how we plan to continue the journey toward peace. Here again, RSVP to Brianne sooner rather than later for the address.

Happy November, and see you soon!

Reb Moshe

CJC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

This Month: Linda Goldstein

Linda joined CJC in 2004 with her husband of 36 years, Chip Goldstein. Over the years, she has been actively involved in many aspects of CJC’s work and community life. Linda served on the Board on and off from 2011 to 2022, first as Social Action Chair alongside Vaughn Harrison and later holding the position on her own. She also served on the Board as Membership Coordinator alongside Annie Blair.

Linda’s commitment to social action led her to become a member of CJC’s Immigrant Advocacy Group, where she organized a dinner with CJC members for Puente farmworkers in Pescadero. During the pandemic, she worked with ALAS to distribute masks made by several caring women for farmworkers. She later became one of the founding members of Coastside Faith in Action, introduced to the organization by Reb Moshe. Through this group, she worked on housing initiatives for 555 Kelly, the Yes on Q campaign, Safe Parking in Pacifica, and other worthwhile community projects in partnership with Abundant Grace and various nonprofit organizations.

Linda also served as co-chair of the Community Chavurah with her husband, Chip, organizing enjoyable gatherings such as Game Nights and Movie Night. They hosted a potluck of Jewish foods in their home, bringing people together to share their cultural heritages over a joyful meal. In 2016, she became CJC’s Corresponding Secretary, a role she continues to fulfill by writing monthly thank-you letters to CJC’s donors. Through her involvement with CJC, she has built lasting friendships while contributing to meaningful community work.

Professionally, she is a retired Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with registration through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. For 30 years, Linda worked with individuals, couples, families, and multifamily groups in San Francisco and San Mateo, helping clients navigate a wide range of mental health challenges. Her therapeutic approach incorporated expressive arts modalities, including music, movement, sandplay, poetry, and visual arts.

Music has always been a major part of her life. During the 1980s, she sang professionally in San Francisco, performing primarily jazz standards and cabaret. Today, Linda is DJ Lindy for Free Style Dance, a group that meets on Zoom, where she delights in selecting the songs that get everyone moving. She also enjoys creating collages, playing games such as 500 Rummy and Scrabble, and sharing her knowledge of character actors from classic movies—a fun bit of trivia she loves to bring to conversations.

Her family heritage is a meaningful part of her identity. Relatives on her mother’s side were Romaniote Jews of Greek heritage, while her father was a Sephardic Jew of Spanish heritage. A second-generation American, she was born in New York City and moved to California with her family as a child.

Through her many interests, professional experiences, and years of service to CJC, she continues to find joy in music, creativity, community, and the friendships that grow from working together to make a difference.

RECENT EVENTS

CJC members Vaughn, Laura & Sam, and Reb Moshe joined a group of about 30 people to spend a week with the two activists who wrote the book The Future is Peace. (Aziz and Moaz are in the center of the doorway.) Here they are in the ruins of the ancient Arbel Synagogue near the Sea of Galilee.

They visited several holy sites and learned about the points of tension in the region, including those that have been transformed by artists and merchants.

Laura and Reb Moshe met up with friends Offir and Shimrit at the Tel Aviv airport. They were among the thousands of Israelis who returned to vote. Also below is Reb Moshe with Maoz Inon, whose commitment to peacemaking is extraordinary.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The events below are organized or recommended by our Chavurot: Family, Community, Lifelong Learning, and Spirituality. CJC events are highlighted.

Save the Date!

Friday, December 4, evening in Half Moon Bay - Night of Lights Parade

Sunday, December 6, in Half Moon Bay - CJC Chanukah Party

• Tickets and details available soon

THE LIFELONG LEARNING CHAVURAH supports adult learning through our ongoing Mussar groups, a Holy Books Study Group, and other learning opportunities. For more information, reach out to Vaughn or Laura.

Wednesday, December 9 - Book Club to discuss its lastest selection, 7pm

This Is Not About Us is a 2026 literary fiction novel by Allegra Goodman that explores the messy, deeply interconnected lives of a sprawling Jewish-American family across three generations.

The CJC Book Club meets approximately once every two months. We read all kinds of books that are in some way related to Judaism, and generally ensure our books are available through a library. We usually get together in person and make online access available, allowing CJC members to enjoy each other’s company. For more information, email Vaughn.

THE FAMILY CHAVURAH supports children & families, providing experiences and opportunities for Jewish learning and identity formation, fostering optimal conditions for social, intellectual, and spiritual development. For more information, reach out to Brianne.

Parents: Learn More About Local Jewish Activities and Resources for Kids

There is the Jewish Baby Network, Family Fun Days at the PJCC, and other fun activities. We want to support you in providing Jewish enrichment for your kids, and we have a CJC Family Chavurah WhatsApp group for sharing info. Let us know if you'd like to be added to the group or if you have any info to share.

THE COMMUNITY CHAVURAH supports community-building within CJC and across the broader community through social justice activism. For community-building within CJC, contact Lisa Feldman. For more information about our social justice activism, contact Linda or Chip Goldstein.

Saturday, November 14 - Join Reb Moshe and our friends at Puente

THE SPIRITUALITY CHAVURAH supports the personal and communal interests of our members when it involves spirituality. Whether it's Shabbat and holiday rituals, field trips to other synagogues, or weekday meditation, we're here for and with you. For more information, contact Aryae & Wendy.

Monday, November 11 - The Future is Peace Journey Continues, 7pm

Reb Moshe, Laura & Sam, and Vaughn just returned from a trip to Israel with the authors of The Future is Peace. Join them next week to hear about their "peace mission," how it impacted them, and how they plan to continue the journey toward peace. RSVP to Lisa to reserve your seat and to receive the location and other details.

Culinary Corner

Finally, real fall weather, and it's time for turkey. The poor turkey gets stuck being Thanksgiving dinner when it really should be our national bird. And yes, Thanksgiving stems from problematic roots, which I do not subscribe to. I use this time to see family, count my blessings, and expand my culinary skills, while recognizing Thanksgiving's terrible and complicated history. Whatever your traditions, this Kreplach recipe sounds amazing for leftover turkey.

For a sweet treat, this Ethiopian Honey Tart is a welcome and interesting addition to your fall dessert menu.

~Theresa Strecker

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DONATIONS

"Thank you!" to those who donated to CJC in October:

General Donations:

Paula Engelage – High Holy Days donation

Brian Lewis – In memory of Sally Heyn, of blessed memory

Jacque Maxon & Richard Kirchner – High Holy Days donation: “Thank you for making the holidays accessible to our family. We are grateful.” And a donation in memory of Jill Brookner’s mother

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund:

Paul & Lisa Feldman – In memory of Shirley “Sam” Bacon, Jill Brookner’s mother. May her memory be a blessing

Monthly donations:

Cynthia Sherrill – In honor of Rabbi Moshe Heyn

Jhos Singer

Joel White & Janine Robinson

CJC is able to accept donations of appreciated stock. Email Monica for details.

Join or renew your membership here,

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