April 9th, 2026

Passover - Evening of Wed, Apr 1, 2026 – Thu, Apr 9, 2026

TOMORROW
RADIO INTERVIEW - Film Director on 95.5 

FRI, APRIL 10 • 3 PM
95.5 (Radio) or The Drive (App)

Tune in tomorrow for a special interview with James Freedman the director of Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause. James will be a guest on What’s Playing at Rialto Cinemas this Friday, April 10th at 3:30pm on 95.5 or The Drive App (available in the Andriod and Apple app stores).

CHARLES GRODIN: 
A REBEL WITH A CAUSE 

THURS, APRIL 16 • 1 & 6:30 PM
Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol CA

Raised in a Jewish household in Pittsburgh, Charles Grodin’s life embodied the concept of Tikkun Olam or “repairing the world.”  The film not only celebrates Charles Grodin’s hilarious acting career, but also his remarkable, decades-long, successful fight to get wrongly convicted people — most of whom were mothers of color with young children — out of prison. 



STARRING Robert De Niro, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Elaine May, Carol Burnett, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Alan Arkin, Ellen Burstyn, Marc Maron, Lewis Black, Marlo Thomas, Jon Lovitz, plus several of the women Charles Grodin got released from prison.

LUNCH & A MOVIE

THURS, APRIL 16 • 11:30 AM 
King Falafel, 100 Brown Street #150, Sebastopol


Join Friendship Circle for a no host lunch at 11:15 AM before the Film Festival matinee of Charles Grodin: A Rebel with a Cause.

SONOMA COUNTY 
YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION


SUN, APRIL 19 • 3 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

This year's commemoration is coming up soon and we hope to see you there!

If you have already registered, thank you.

You will receive an email with event details next week.



If you have not registered yet, please do so before April 15th. Prior registration is required.

SECURITY

Please note that security measures are a top priority for this event. 

This year, the Yom Hashoah Committee has significantly increased security precautions and resources. We have been working closely with our venue and their professional, networked team, as well as increasing our own efforts and resources towards a secure and safe event.

Attendees can expect security support from the moment they drive up and park, through out. 



Please reach out to us with any questions:

yomhashoahsoco@gmail.com

ENROLLING SUMMER 
& FALL 2026

Some summer sessions 
still available!


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!

MIMOUNA PASSOVER GUIDE -

Virtual Program w/ Ophir Haberer
 

Mimouna is a celebratory feast that begins when the sun sets on the last day of Passover. It celebrates fertility, new beginnings, and the freedom of springtime. This guide is an invitation to those who celebrate Passover to taste and feel the flavors, sounds, and aura of this North African Jewish tradition.

ELEVATE SHABBAT

FRI, APRIL 10 • 6 PM
B'nai Israel & Online (Via Zoom)


All are welcome to join us at B'nai Israel Jewish center to celebrate the end of the week as we welcome Shabbat with uplifting music and singing.

GOD IS IN THIS PLACE

A Conversation with Rabbi George Gittleman & Rabbi Irwin Keller

THURS, APRIL 16 • 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Ner Shalom, Cotati (and online via Zoom)

What is the role of “place” in our individual spirituality and our collective Jewish imagination? Jacob has a dream of angels and attributes his vision to the site itself, saying, “God is in this place and I didn’t know it.” References to the Land of Israel populate our prayers; the climate of Israel dominates our calendars. Others among us feel closeness to the Divine in other site-specific ways: ancient ruins, graveyards, mountains, canyons, oceans. 

Join Rabbi George Gittleman and Rabbi Irwin Keller as they explore what it is in place itself that enlivens spiritual experience, and what are the perils of spirituality that is bound up with particular geography.

THE ZINGERAY ENSEMBLE OF 
JEWISH FOLK CHORUS 
OF SAN FRANCISCO

SUN, APRIL 19 • 1 - 3 PM

Shir Shalom, Sonoma

Please join us as we celebrate Congregation Shir Shalom’s 30th Anniversary & the Zingeray Ensemble’s 100th!

The chorus will be performing a medley of Ladino music and songs. Following the performance, there will be a hosted reception offering a selection of Sephardic finger foods.

There is no charge to attend the concert and reception, but RSVP by April 12 to Linda Goldman at lindbgold@gmail.com. Please also direct any questions to the same email.

Sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Team of Congregation Shir Shalom

Israel's Day of Remembrance & Israel Independence Day

SUN, APRIL 26 • 1 PM
Beth Ami, Santa Rosa

Our celebration will include:

• Two speakers, one Israeli, one American, each with an unusual story. The Israeli speaker is being called up for reserve duty, so his talk will be on video. 
• Live music
• Israeli dancing
• Israeli products
• A kids' activity table
• And of course... what Beth Ami excels at... FOOD

Open to the community

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

See our calendar for dates.

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