Feb 5th, 2026

Above: Barak Hermann, Incoming President and CEO of JCC Association of North America.

This past week, JCC SoCo's new Executive Director, Heather Muntzer had the opportunity to gather with fellow JCC executives from across North America as part of Mifgash 2026: Executive Leadership Forum.

Additionally, Heather is one of 15 first-time JCC executives selected for Kivunim, a yearlong leadership initiative offered by JCC Association of North America. Kivunim (Hebrew for “directions”) supports new executives to the JCC movement as they deepen their understanding of Jewish life and learning, build a trusted peer network, and strengthen our ability to lead mission-driven organizations in complex times. Mifgash 2026 created intentional space for JCC executives to slow down, think clearly, and engage deeply with colleagues who understand the realities and responsibilities of leading a JCC today.

Together, the group focused on the most urgent challenges facing the field, from workforce sustainability and financial leadership to leading Jewishly and leveraging technology with purpose.

For us at JCC SoCo, this meaningful experience only deepens our excitement for the months and years ahead.

Did you know we turn 30 this June?

We have so much to celebrate, and so much to tell you about our plans for our upcoming fourth decade.

More details about our 30th Anniversary Celebration in next week's eNews!

NOW ENROLLING
SUMMER & FALL 2026

Our JCC SoCo kehillah (community) continues to grow stronger each year, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome back alumni families for another wonderful summer, while also opening our doors to new friends joining us for the first time.

Welcoming ages 2-6 for summer!

Be sure to share with your family and friends before spaces fill up!

OUT TO EAT SHABBAT 
With Friendship Circle 

FRI, FEB 6 • 11:30 AM

Tomatina, Montgomery Village (Santa Rosa)

THERE WILL BE CAKE!

SENIORS & SENIORS & KEHILLAH

THURS, FEB 19 • 6:30 PM

Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa

Join us for a very special evening with Rick Concoff and Sandy Andresen. Students from Kehillah Class led by Rick Concoff meet with Seniors from the Jewish Community Center Sonoma County led by Sandy Andresen to engage in intergenerational conversations about our culture, our lives, what came before, and what comes next!

A great evening of sharing stories, commonalities and cultures.

FREE

Dinner is provided.

SHIR SHABBAT & SHABBAT DINNER


FRI, FEB 6 • 6 PM
Beth Ami, Santa Rosa

David Kahn and friends are preparing a vegetarian/fish fry dinner. Klezmer Creek band plays for Shir Shabbat services with Rabbi Koas at 6:00 pm, and before and after the dinner that follows in the social hall. Santa Rosa Mayor Mark Stapp will join us.

$18 for members age 12 and up.

$24 for age 12 and up non-members. $9 for Under 12.

RSVP by Thursday Feb. 5

Call (707) 360-300 or email office@bethamisr.org 

TU B'SHEVAT
At Armstrong Woods, Walk & Picnic

SUN, FEB 8 • 10 - 11:30 AM
Armstrong Woods, Guerneville

In 2020 we spent a wonderful day in Armstrong Woods for Tu B'Shevat. Time to go back!


We’ll meet in the parking lot at Beth Ami at 10:00 am to carpool and meet those arriving on their own at the parking lot at the Picnic Area at 10:45 am. Bring food to eat, and share: including something involving nuts and fruits that come from trees. We will walk on a wheelchair and stroller accessible nature trail before lunch, and after lunch those who wish may take a 2.2 mile East Ridge Trail loop, or a longer valley floor walk. The parking lots at the Visitors Center near the entrance or at the Picnic Area are both $10. 00 per vehicle, $9 if there is anyone over 62 in the car. If it is raining at 10:00 AM we can meet and stay in the multi purpose room. 

PSYCHEDELIC ROCK - 
The Jewish Connection

SAT, FEB 7 • 7 PM 
Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa

Get out your paisley and tie-dye finery and get ready to rock. Join Shomrei Torah’s Cultural Committee in welcoming to the bima Sonoma County’s own rock band Captain Paisley, dedicated to recreating the music of the late 1960’s, known as the “Psychedelic Era”.

There is a little-known Jewish connection to psychedelic music, with many songwriters, band members, managers, family members and other influencers coming from a Jewish background.

The Cultural Committee will give a short presentation at the beginning of the concert about how the Jewish influence seeped into psychedelic music.  

BARBIE NATION FILM SCREENING 
& RABBI'S TISCH 
With Barbie Nation Director Susan Stern

FRI, FEB 13 • 6:15 - 8 PM Tisch 
Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa


Enjoy free popcorn and sodas and a rare theatrical screening of CST member Susan Stern's classic, award-winning documentary Barbie Nation, which explores the secret history and weird cult around the world's most controversial doll. 

Viewers over age 13 only; teens welcome. Doll nudity. Exotic Barbie conventions. Deep insights into sex roles, body image issues, LGBTQ fantasy and American nostalgia.



All questions answered at the following Tisch Friday, Feb. 13 with Director Susan Stern. Rabbi's Tisch: Susan Stern tells all on the making of her film Barbie Nation: How a Jewish woman created an American icon. Barbie, arguably the ultimate shiksa, was created by Jewish entrepreneur Ruth Handler who founded Mattel with her husband Elliot. All the legacy American toy companies -- Mattel, Hasbro, Ideal -- were founded by Jews.



Susan will share an intimate, 15-minute film of Ruth and Elliot at home and tell how she talked her way into Mattel and the Handler's trust.



See Barbie Nation free at CST Sunday, Feb. 1 3-4 pm, 
or rent it at https://www.barbienation.com/

$22 member, $28 non-member, kids 13 and under free.

TRANS JOURNEYS
Insight & Advocacy


SUN, FEB 22 • 2 - 4:30 PM 
Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa


The Social Action Committee Congregation Shomrei Torah invites you to join them for special event and hear directly from individuals who identify as transgender and from speakers who share expertise on challenges facing the trans community and ways you can help address them. 



REGISTRATION is required for both in person and zoom. 

These events are FREE and open to all. 

FREE MINDFULNESS/MEDITATION PRACTICE

EVERY TUES • 5:30-6:30 PM
Online (via Zoom)

This free series of mindful/meditation practices continues! This will be a time for grounding, sitting practice and a "Dharma/Torah" teaching. Everyone is welcome.

Please contact Shomrei Torah's office:

cst@cstsr.org for the Zoom link.

TOT SHABBAT

& Musical Family Shabbat

SAT, FEB 14 
• 9 - 9:45 
• 10:15 - 11:45

Ner Shalom, Cotati


Please join us for a joyful, song filled morning.

9:00 am - Tot Shabbat - 
Led by George Wilde and Rabbi Irwin: Songs, Stories, Torah-touching, and Nosh at the end

10:15 am - Musical Family Shabbat - Led by Reb Mia, Rabbi Irwin, George Wilde, and David Davis

Be Sure to Register whether for Tot Shabbat or Musical Family Shabbat - so we know how many bagels to order!  

NITZANIM IS HIRING!

We’re excited to share that Nitzanim is hiring a part-time Programs & Communications Coordinator (about 10 hours/week) to support our family education programs! We’re looking for someone who is:

• Organized and detail-oriented
• Digitally savvy
• Passionate about nurturing joyful, relational, and inclusive learning experiences 

If you—or someone you know—would love to be part of our community in this way,
 please share this job description or reach out directly: nitzanim@nershalom.org

AN AFTERNOON OF COMEDY
With Comedian & 
Rabbi Arnie Sluetelberg 

SUN, FEB 15 • 3 PM  
B'nai Israel, Petaluma

"From bibilical Sarah to Seinfeld,

4,000 years of Jewish humor!"

Tickets: $30 Non-Members • $20 - Members

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