May 14th, 2026

COMING UP: JCC SoCo

The Original Innovation Lab: 
Why Jewish Community Centers Are the Future of Jewish Life


At a moment of communal searching and reinvention, the JCC already has what every startup dreams of building: a community, a place, and a reason to gather.

Todd Polikoff, CEO of the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas

LABORS OF LOVE: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HENRIETTA SZOLD


TUES, JUNE 9
• 1 PM & 6:30 PM

Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol


This heartfelt film brings long-overdue recognition to Henrietta Szold, a Jewish American humanitarian whose legacy includes advocating for binational cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. Born in 1860 in Baltimore, Szold was an avid student who assisted Jewish immigrants and established English-language night schools. A visit to Palestine in 1909, following a personal heartbreak, sparked her most lasting contributions: founding Hadassah to empower Jewish American women and provide aid to the region. Then, as the Nazis rose to power in Europe, Szold launched initiatives that saved the lives of thousands of Jewish children. Director Abby Ginzberg, granddaughter of Szold’s unrequited love, Louis Ginzberg, grew up hearing stories of Szold’s impact. In Labors of Love, she honors Szold’s legacy and brings her story to life as a touching historical portrait as well as a roadmap for confronting the continued challenges of our time with compassion. 
–Karina Curry

SISTER ACT


SAT, MAY 30 • 2 PM

6th St Playhouse, Santa Rosa 


A Disco Diva, a Choir in Crisis, and a Whole Lot of Soul!


“One of the season’s happiest surprises.”

—Elisabeth Vincentelli for New York Post


Sister Act is the high-energy musical comedy based on the beloved 1992 film. Featuring an electrifying Alan Menken score infused with disco and gospel beats, this feel-good show is a celebration of music, sisterhood, and second chances.



When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a crime, she’s forced into hiding—in a convent! Disguised as a nun, she transforms the struggling choir with her powerhouse voice, helping them find their sound while discovering her own. Nominated for five Tony Awards, Sister Act is a joyful, soul-stirring spectacle that proves music—and a little mischief—can work miracles!

music by Alan Menken

lyrics by Glenn Slater

book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner

additional materials by Douglas Carter Beane

based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture ‘Sister Act’ written by Joseph Howard

BESAME MUCHO
For Pre-Show Lunch


SAT, MAY 30 • 12 PM

6th St Playhouse, Santa Rosa 


Join us before the show for lunch at Besame Mucho!

LUNCH & LEARN -

Senior Health & Wellbeing Luncheon


THURS, JUNE 4 • 12 - 2:30

Rincon Valley Mobile Home Estates, Santa Rosa


Join us for an informative luncheon with:

Venessa Kettler 
Building Better Balance and Fall Prevention

Jamie Escoubas
CEO, Council on Aging


We'll learn from the speakers extensive knowledge of the issues facing Sonoma County’s growing senior population.

We're adding a new position to our team: 
Lead Teacher

FT Employees:
15 Days Paid Holidays (Jewish & Secular)
15 Days Paid Vacation

5 Days Paid Sick

= ~7 Weeks Paid Vacation


+ All employees over 25 hours 
are eligible for health insurance!

Additionally, do you know someone who wants to teach in a Jewish preschool but hasn't earned enough ECE units yet?


We partner with the SRJC's Early Educator Apprentice Program. This means someone could would work with us while also earning their units.

As a program of JCC SoCo, our preschool is part of a national, professional family and community network of over 200 JCCs. The JCC network serves 30,000 preschoolers nationwide every year, and is a renowned leader in quality ECE. 

We are proud partners with the Sheva Center Leadership Institute for Early Childhood Professionals. 



JCC Teachers become members of this community and have access to layers of professional development, resources and new opportunities within the field.

COMING UP: SONOMA COUNTY & BEYOND

TOT SHABBAT 

Featuring Lauren Kalmanson


SAT, MAY 16 • 10:30 AM

Beth Ami, Santa Rosa


Congregation Beth Ami invites you to Tot Shabbat, a Jewish experience for the whole family especially for young children 1 to 8 years old. Siblings encouraged to come.

 

You and your young child are invited to explore the value of Tzedakah (Giving). One of the pillars of Judaism and how this can become a ritual in your home.


Songs

Storytelling

Art Activity

Making a Tzedakah box

office@bethamisr.org •

707-360-3000 • 
BethAmiSR.org



There is no charge for Rabbi Koas' classes on Torah, Prophets, The Siddur, and Introduction to Judaism.

SHAVUOT MEDITATION MINI-RETREAT


FRI, MAY 16 • 12 - 4 PM 
Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa


A retreat led by Alissa Hirshfeld, MFT, Jewish spiritual director and Rabbi George Gittleman. As we approach Shavuot, this will be a time to meditate on the theme of revelation in our own lives. We welcome those new to meditation and curious about the practice as well as our regulars and those more experienced. This will be a time to continue to cultivate inner balance, calm, and peace. We will precede the sit with a catered lunch to build our meditation community.


Regular meditation sits continue through June, 5:30 PM Tuesday evenings and 7:30 AM Thursday mornings, over Zoom.

$18 for members

$22 for non-members.  

Email to Register cst@cstsr.org

TIKKUN LEYL SHAVOUT - 

"Where You Go I Will Go"


THURS, MAY 21 • 6 - 12 PM 

Online (Via Zoom)

Co-Sponsored by Congregation Ner Shalom and Congregation Shomrei Torah.



In the Book of Ruth, the companion text for the holiday of Shavuot, Ruth the Moabite famously pledges her loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi, saying, “Where you go, I will go. Where you lodge I will lodge. Your people will be my people and your God, my God.”


In this ancient story we learn about love, loyalty, and welcoming the stranger. We observe something about how people from different backgrounds and world views can meet meaningfully. And we learn about taking a risk and committing to the path that calls us, even in the hardest of times.


On this traditional night of non-traditional learning, we will be joined by many of our favorite teachers. We will explore themes suggested by the Book of Ruth, and leave with a renewed sense of commitment to our next steps in this painful world.


There is no charge to attend. 
However, registration is required

SHAVUOT BY DAYLIGHT


FRI, MAY 22 • 12 - 2 PM 

Ner Shalom, Cotati



We continue marking the holiday with in-person study, looking at how the themes of the Book of Ruth can take root in our lives.


Sessions led by Rabbi Irwin and Beit Midrash Dean Barbara Lesch McCaffry.

Please Register So We Have Enough Dairy 
(and Faux Dairy) Treats!

SHAVUOT KABBALAT SHABBAT - Tikkun & Revelation Ritual


FRI, MAY 22 • 6 - 10 PM



Shavuot arrives as a threshold—fifty days after Passover, we come to receive again the medicine of Matan Torah, the gift of our ancestral wisdom. This is not only a remembering, but a re-opening: a chance to attune ourselves to revelation as a living, breathing possibility.


This year, as Shavuot and Shabbat meet, we gather to enter the festival together—in rhythm with sacred time, in community, and around the fire.


Come as you are. Come ready to listen, sing, learn, teach, and receive.  

Free for members
$18-$54 for visitors  

SUMMER MEET & GREET - Tuesdays Night Farmer's Market on the Plaza


TUES, MAY 25 • 5 PM 
(+ 6/23, 7,28, 8.25)

Northeast Corner by Bear Flag Monument, Sonoma Plaza


The beautiful season of Sonoma Plaza Farmers Markets is arriving and we hope you'll stop by and say "hello", or even better, plan to join Shir Shalom:


Bring family and friends, blankets, and chairs, and enjoy the long warm evening, good food and music.

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