This past Sunday over 200 community members gathered for Jewish Silicon Valley’s Jewbilee 2024, a Day of Jewish Learning. The multigenerational event hosted a specific track for adults, centering on “Longing for the Fruits of the Land,” centered on Tu Bishvat and exploring the day’s lessons through the senses. From a clay workshop glazing Kalaniots that will later be part of a community memorial installation, to a sustainable floral design, yoga, singing, and discussion groups, community members connected and experienced a day of hands-on learning at Jewish Silicon Valley’s APJCC Los Gatos. “This is Jewbilee’s 15th year. We were not even sure if we could pull it off given the strains on the community after October 7th, but as our Chief Community Officer, Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia has been saying ‘One clear antidote to antisemitism is proud, visible, self-assured, meaningful, robust, joyful Judaism.’ We have taken that to heart this year and with this theme,” said Maya Tripp, Director of Jewish Life and Culture at Jewish Silicon Valley

This year Jewish Silicon Valley’s Kid’s Jewbilee was a unique collaboration with six local Jewih Day and Sunday Schools, including  Congregation Beth David, Congregation Shir Hadash, Congregation Sinai, PJ Library Silicon Valley, Temple Emanu-El, and Yavneh Day School. Nearly 150 students and their families gathered together at APJCC Los Gatos. “It was important for all of us that the children and their families feel connected to other members of the Jewish community, rooted in a day of play and Jewish learning. The teachers put on amazing activities, and seeing the kids together on the playground, meeting kids from other Jewish communities really solidified the importance of the collaboration. One of Jewish Silicon Valley’s priorities is to be a community convener and connector, we are so grateful for the opportunity to bring Kids Jewbilee to the community,” said Cyndi Sherman, Senior Director of Preschool, Youth, and Family Engagement at APJCC Los Gatos Preschool. APJCC Los Gatos is powered by the community and generosity of Jewish Silicon Valley donors.