March 12th, 2026

COMING UP: JCC SoCo

SEE YOUR NAME

ON THE BIG SCREEN! 


The Film Fest is returning for another exciting year of entertaining and educational Jewish Films on the big screen, right here in Sonoma County.


In the lead up to announcing this year's dates and film selections we want to invite you to show your support of this program by becoming a sponsor.


When you become a sponsor (starting at $250), you are investing in this year-long Festival, Jewish arts and culture, and our local community. We hope you will review the sponsorship levels, consider the opportunity and share widely! 


Last year the Jewish Film Fest sold near 2,000 tickets. We look forward to celebrating this season with our Sponsors and continuing to bring together talented filmmakers and enthusiastic audiences who believe in sharing Jewish life and history through film with our community.

FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SF - Docent Tours with Anne Burns Johnson and Karen Libby 


MON, MAR 23 • 10:30 AM - 12 PM

Online (Via Zoom)


This Week's Theme: Look Again!

Using the design and construct of the 1000 year old Mimbre Culture of Arizona and New Mexico, contemporary artist Al Farrow has created a piece which speaks to our times. This tour will look at a number of objects which will cause us to literally look again.

DINE & DONATE
Mountain Mikes Pizza, Santa Rosa

4501 Montgomery Dr. Santa Rosa, CA


WED & THURS
MAR 25 & 26


10AM - 10 PM


Mark your Calendars! 
When you order pizzas from Mountain Mikes in Santa Rosa on either March 25th or 26th
20% will be given back to JCC SoCo Preschool as a fundraiser. 


What a fun way to make a difference!

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 as our spaces are filling up!

SONOMA COUNTY 
YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION


SUN, APRIL 19 • 3 PM

Santa Rosa, CA


This is a very special event and we'd be honored if you'd join us. This year’s theme will center on the impact of the Shoah on children of survivors, who are now tasked with carrying on the legacy and experiences of their parents. Three of those second-generation survivors will discuss how those experiences have shaped their lives.

 

There will be musical performances, as well as candle lighting by Jewish survivors, lighters for the Roma, LGBTQ, Disabled, Righteous Among the Nations, and Political Prisoners, and those targeted by genocide.

This program is free



Attendees must register ahead of time. 

Please know security is a top priority at this event. 
The security plan has been both reviewed and approved by our community security partners.


Attendees can expect security support from the second they arrive and park their cars, through to, and during the entire event.


Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns: yomhashoahsoco@gmail.com 

COMING UP: SONOMA COUNTY & BEYOND

MUSICAL FAMILY SHABBAT


FRI, MARCH 13 • 5:30 PM


Ner Shalom, Cotati


A fun, musical Shabbat for families with children and all Ner Shalomers.


5:00-5:30 Shabbat themed craft, schmooze time, and candle lighting

5:30-6:00 Vegetarian Dinner

6:00-6:45 Musical Shabbat service led by Reb Mia, George Wilde, and David Davis


Fun for all ages! Please register early so we know you’re coming and so we can order enough food.


In person only. There will be no Zoom component.


Helpful Parental Hint: If you have young kids, bring their PJs and toothbrushes and ready them for bed before you get back in your cars. It will make getting home so much more relaxed.  

Free to attend. 
Dinner is $18/adults $14/kids  

COMMUNITY SEDER

Led by Rabbi Irwin & Friends


THURS, APRIL 2 • 
5 - 8:30 PM


Ner Shalom, Cotati


Registration Closes March 25th @ 5PM


We come together on the second night of Pesach to retell our Story and let it do its work.


There will also be activities for children so that they can move freely from table to project and back.


Vegan, vegetarian and salmon dinner options are available. 


We look forward to sharing our Pesach Seder with YOU!

NITZANIM FAMILY DISCOUNT! Families currently enrolled in the 25-26 Nitzanim program receive 15% off! Use the code NITZANIM when you register to receive the discount.


LARGE RESERVATIONS (5 or More): 
Please contact the office at 
info@nershalom.org to let us know.

UNLEARNING JEWISH ANXIETY

With Rabbi Dr. Caryn Aviv


THURS, MARCH 26 • 7 - 8:15 PM

Ner Shalom, Cotati (and online via Zoom)


Rabbi Caryn Aviv’s new book, Unlearning Jewish Anxiety: How to Live with More Joy and Less Suffering, arrives at a critical moment in Jewish history, when anti-Jewish contempt and harm have visibly increased. It’s completely understandable that Jewish people are feeling increasingly anxious about our safety, worthiness, and belonging in the United States. And it’s not inevitable that we should suffer so terribly from this contempt. We can learn how to respond differently, by noticing, with awareness, what we need from moment to moment, to care for ourselves, and choose wisely, rather than from an anxiety or trauma response. 



Unlearning Jewish Anxiety explores the insidious impact of anti-Jewish contempt, and how this harm shows up in our everyday habits and responses to fear and uncertainty. Unlearning also harnesses neuroscience and Jewish wisdom to better understand and unlearn our inherited cultural anxiety habits with compassion and kindfulness. The broader goal? Helping Jews, loved ones, and our allies engage in tikkun atzmi (healing our souls and our nervous systems) to expand our capacity for tikkun olam (healing our own broken world).


RABBI JEREMY S. MORRISON'S INSTALLATION WEEKEND


FRI & SAT, MAR 13 & 14

Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa


Friday evening beginning at 6:15 PM will begin with a special Shabbat service and formal installation ceremony, led by our clergy and Rabbi Morrison's long-time colleagues. Following services, we invite you to join us for a festive oneg as we joyfully celebrate and welcome our newly installed rabbi.


Saturday morning beginning at 9 AM will offer a meaningful opportunity for learning and connection as visiting clergy lead Torah study during Shabbat services. Following services, we invite you to continue the celebration together at a festive and joyful brunch.


EMBRACING OUR NEIGHBORS - Immigrant Stories and How to Help


SUN, MAR 22 • 1 PM

Shomrei Torah, Santa Rosa


The Social Action Committee would like to invite you and the members of your organization to this special event. We all are aware of the devastating impact of the policies of this administration including ICE enforcement is having on our country.


Come learn from a panel of community members as they address the real day to day struggles.


Learn concrete ways to help.

Free.

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 


SAT, MARCH 14 • 10:30 AM

Beth Ami Lounge, 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. Featuring Lauren Kalmanson from the Tot Shabbat team. 


Why is this night different from other nights? 
Discover Passover through fun activities, games and songs. Enjoy some Passover treats, crunch some Matzah and dip it in some Charoset.

MORE INFO & RSVP - Call (707) 360-300 or email office@bethamisr.org 

COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER ON THE SECOND NIGHT - Led by Rabbi Ron Koas


THURS, APRIL 2 • 6:30 PM

Beth Ami, Santa Rosa


Welcoming all ages, affiliations, interfaith & LGBT communities, members, and non-members. The meal will be fish, dairy and vegetarian, with a special dessert.


Members: adults $40, youths $16

Family Maximum: $100, under 6 years old free.

Non-members: Adults $45 Youth $18,

Family Maximum: $120, under 6 years old free.

Call (707) 360-3000 

Email office@bethamisr.org 

Visit https://bethamisr.org

KABBALAT SHABBAT


FRI, MAR 20 • 6 - 9 PM

Harmony Elementary School, Occidental


Shabbat is open to all, and we look forward to celebrating with you. Makom Shalom is a membership based community, and we hope you will join us. Non-member visitors, please consider making a donation to support this emerging Forest Synagogue. 

 

6 - 6:30 PM Gather

6:30 - 8 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

8 - 9 PM Potluck dinner

PASSOVER RITUAL &

LIBERATION CELEBRATION


SAT, APRIL 4 • 4 - 8:30 PM

Salmon Creek School, Occidental


Gather with Makom Shalom for a participatory Passover ritual and liberation celebration. Anchored by the Four Cups and the Passover story, we will gather in the forest to offer our gratitude for our world, face the grief-ridden narrows, see our way to liberation, and celebrate our freedom. This will not be your Bubbe’s seder!



Kids will have a journey of their own to soak in Passover themes, have fun in the forest, and create a Passover play.

FAMILY SEDER

WED, APRIL 1 • 4 - 6 PM

B'nai Israel Jewish Center, Petaluma


TRADITIONAL SEDER

WED, APRIL 1 • 7:15 - 11:45 PM

B'nai Israel Jewish Center, Petaluma


COMMUNITY SEDER

THURS, APRIL 2 • 6 - 8:30 PM

B'nai Israel Jewish Center, Petaluma

PASSOVER AT OUR ANNUAL SEDER

THURS, APRIL 2 • 5 PM

Shir Shalom, Sonoma

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