Investigate Jewish Life
Ask questions, find meaning, learn and join in community with others as we investigate Jewish life, thought, and experience.
Currently we are offering Jewish Life programs in an online format.
Ongoing Programs
Classic Jewish Texts
Tuesdays, 9:30am - 11:00am (Free/Drop-in)
Rabbi Joey Felsen of the Jewish Study Network guides you through the early rabbinic classic Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). No Hebrew necessary. Join the class online each Tuesday (except on holidays) at 9:30am on Zoom live streaming.
For questions and registration, please email [email protected].
Duties of the Heart
Wednesdays, 9:00am - 10:30am (Free/Drop-in)
Drop in online to study Duties of the Heart, a guide to developing one’s inner spiritual life, written by 11th-century rabbi and philosopher Bachya ibn Pakuda. No experience or specialized knowledge necessary. With Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia.
For more information, contact [email protected].
This class meets every Wednesday, except on holidays.
Guided Mindfulness Meditation
Mondays, 9:30am - 10:30am (Free/Virtual)
Meditation is an invitation to cultivate awareness of the present moment without judgment. As we practice approaching each moment with courage, curiosity, and compassion we are able to ground ourselves and cultivate awareness and calm. Each sit includes teaching drawn from the Jewish spiritual tradition, chanting, silent meditation, and an opportunity for questions and sharing. These meditation sessions are appropriate for both beginners and experienced meditators. Everyone is welcome to join us. All sessions are virtual and free to attend.
For more info, contact [email protected].
Offered by Shalem, the Jewish Wellness Initiative of the San Francisco Bay Area. Shalem was created by the Peninsula JCC and Embodied Jewish Learning, and is now a collaboration of Embodied Jewish Learning, the Peninsula JCC, Oshman Family JCC, Jewish Silicon Valley, JCC San Francisco, Osher Marin JCC, and JCC East Bay to promote holistic wellness and well-being inspired by and infused with Jewish wisdom.
Silicon Valley Intro to Judaism
Tuesdays, November 8 - May 9, 7:00pm - 9:00pm ($180)
An overview of the Jewish life-cycle, holidays, and ritual. During the course of the year, students will gain an understanding of Jewish belief, history and calendar and gain exposure to important Jewish books including the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. Each session includes thirty minutes of Hebrew instruction. For at least the first semester, this year’s class will be presented on Zoom.
Instructors: Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia of the APJCC, Rabbi Jaymee Alpert of Congregation Beth David, Rabbi PJ Schwartz of Congregation Shir Hadash, Rabbi Josh Berkenwald of Congregation Sinai, and Rabbi Dana Magat of Temple Emanu-El.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Well-being Walks
Monthly on third Fridays, 12:30pm - 1:30pm (Free for APJCC Members)
Are you interested in developing tools for mind/body/spirit self-care? Join Rabbi Hugh, the APJCC’s Senior Director of Collaborative Leadership and Jewish Engagement, for monthly wellbeing walks. Meet in the APJCC lobby, walk together to Los Gatos Creek, meditate briefly, and return to the APJCC for a closing reflection.
Free for APJCC members. Please dress comfortably and wear your preferred walking shoes.
For more info, contact [email protected].
Israeli Programs
For information on virtual programs for the Israeli community, see our Israeli Programs page or contact Shavit Kaner Levinson at [email protected].
Learn about the Beged Kefet after-school Hebrew language program.
Russian Programs
For information on virtual programs for the Russian-speaking community, see our Russian Programs page, or contact Rabbi Ilana Baird at [email protected].
