PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY
On May 22, 2022, author and filmmaker Nick Davis, Herman Mankiewicz's grandson, gave us an insider's look at the brothers Herman and Joe Mankiewicz relationship, their success in Hollywood, and their family dynamics. Co-writer of Citizen Kane, Herman became one of the highest-paid writers in Hollywood. His brother Joe was famous for writing, directing The Philadelphia Story, All About Eve, Letter to Three Wives and the financial disaster of the time Cleopatra.
On Wednesday, April 22, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff joined us virtually for a brief but enlightening conversation on her most recent novel The Woman with the Blue Star.
Prof. Leah Garrett joined the CCJCC and Under One Tent audience virtually on Tuesday, April 26. Her book X Troop gives the first full account of the brave group of German Jewish refugees who fought against Hitler.
On April 25, 2022, lawyer, investigative journalist, and author Roxane van Iperen joined us virtually from the Netherlands for a Q&A on her bestselling book The Sisters of Auschwitz.
On Thursday, April 7, Prof. Laura Arnold Leibman joined the CCJCC audience virtually and told us the story of the main characters of her book Once We Were Slaves, the places they lived, their children, their extraordinary journeys.
On Sunday, April 3, 2022, author Joshua M. Greene introduced us to Siggi B. Wilzig and his extraordinary life and triumphant spirit. Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig’s Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend is a must-read biography of a Holocaust survivor who lived life to the fullest and helped anyone he could along the way.
CEO of PEN America Suzanne Nossel joined the CCJCC audience virtually, on Monday, March 28, for a Q&A. Dare to Speak is a must-have playbook for navigating and defending free speech today. It provides a pathway for promoting free expression while cultivating a more inclusive public culture.
On March 3, 2022, author and blogger Faith Kramer joined the Under One Tent audience to introduce her first cookbook, 52 Shabbats, and give a quick demo on making her phyllo dough spinach pie.
On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, author Deborah Copaken summed up in a special keynote address her experiences that inspired her to write her memoir Ladyparts which was published in August 2021.
On Sunday, February 13, 2022, author Robert Alter lectured on Nabokov who was passionately concerned with the real world and its complexities, from love and loss to exile, freedom, and the impact of contemporary politics on our lives.
On Sunday, January 23, 2022, author Phyllis Chesler introduced her latest book, Requiem for A Female Serial Killer, a true account of a unique case that the author was intimately involved with.
On Sunday, January 9, 2022, theatre journalist Eddie Shapiro talked briefly about his book A Wonderful Guy: Conversations with the Great Men of Musical Theatre and answered audience questions in a fun and lively author event.
On Thursday, December 16, 2021, Under One Tent Program Director Riva Gambert gave a fascinating presentation on the 1976 hijacking of an Air France plane to Entebbe, Uganda, and the legendary operation that saved the hostages.
Steven Nadler, co-author of When Bad Thinking Happens to Good People: How Philosophy Can Save Us from Ourselves joined the CCJCC audience virtually on December 9, 2021. His presentation will convince you on how essential philosophy is to lead a rational and balance life.
The Contra Costa JCC brought the community together for the 2nd Annual Menorah Competition on Monday, November 30, at Congregation B'nai Shalom. It was a great evening of families celebrating the second night of Hanukkah together.
On Sunday, November 14, noted author/historian Fred Rosenbaum examined the popular 2016 Israeli movie The Women's Balcony, Israel's religious communities, and the relationship between "state and synagogue" in the country.
In this program recorded on November 8, 2021, Prof. Jonathan Boyarin talked about his "Yeshiva Days" at Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem Yeshiva on East Broadway on New York City’s Lower East Side, which is now the last remaining institution for traditional Jewish learning in this iconic Jewish neighborhood.
In her detailed presentation on November 4, author Annelise Heinz explained the origins of Mahjong, its history, how it arrived in America, and how it became a quintessentially American game.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Nathan Katz introduced us to the Jews of India in this fascinating program, which took place on October 26, 2021. His presentation filled with beautiful photos will take you to India even if it is for an hour.
Genealogist Margalit Ir, who has been engaged in adult education in Congregation B'nai Shalom, gave a presentation on the Jews of China, specifically the Jews of Keifeng, on Monday, October 25, 2021.
On Sunday, October 24, 2021, SFSU Jewish Studies Professor Rachel B. Gross spoke on the revival of deli cuisine and how it reflects the longing of American Jews for authentic Jewish pasts and is a means to pass on Jewish values to future generations.
Author Tracy Walder's memoir The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World's Most Notorious Terrorists is a fascinating read. Her October 19th talk is a must-watch!
Author, political commentator, foreign policy consultant, professor and KGO talk show host John Rothmann discussed what Jew hatred is and how to defeat it. You can now watch the Sunday, October 10th talk here.
On Sunday, October 3, 2021, author Ben M. Freeman joined us virtually to answer questions on his book Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People. Inspired by his experiences with LGBTQ+pride, author Freeman aims to educate, inspire and empower Jews to reject the shame of antisemitism imposed on them by the non-Jewish world.
On Thursday, August 26, 2021, Jerusalem-based political analyst, human rights pioneer, and expert commentator on Arab and Palestinian affairs Bassem Eid talked about the prospects for peace and the two-state solution. Sponsors partnering with CCJCC were Cong. Beth Emek, Cong. B'nai Shalom and Cong. B'nai Tikvah.
On August 22, 2021, ADL’s regional director Seth Brysk, university student Micah Bloom and educator Matthew Levin from StandWithUs tackled the changing types of antisemitism and gave valuable tools on how adults, teens and young adults can respond to hate. Website links to resources they provided are available here.
On August 22, the CCJCC brought together young families with kids and tweens to have some splashing cool fun at the San Ramon Pool and Aquatic Center. These images are testament to the awesome time the kids had that day!
On Thursday, August 5, author, speaker, parenting expert, and artist Rachel Biale introduced us to her book "Growing Up Below Sea Level" and talked about her childhood living in a kibbutz by the Jordan River.
On July 22, 2021, Under One Tent Program Director Riva Gambert gave a lecture on Lawrence of Arabia vs. Nili, whose efforts in Palestine against the failing Ottoman Empire helped shape the region during World War I.The bibliography on the "Lawrence vs. Nili" lecture is now available here.
On June 17, 2021, UC Davis Professor David Biale presented the history of Hasidism, a movement that began in southeastern Poland and spread after the death of Israel Ba'al Shem Tov in 1760.
During the immediate post-WWII period, President Truman was confronted with many issues concerning British-controlled Palestine. On May 27, 2021, Under One Tent Program Director Riva Gambert examined his responses and his ultimate policy decisions.
On April 26, 2021, journalist Rachel Levin took us through the chapters of her laugh-out-loud cookbook "Eat Something" which she co-authored with her friend Evan Bloom.
On April 7, 2021, Sari Greenberg joined us in concert to commemorate the Holocaust through music. You can watch the evening's program here including author/historian Fred Rosenbaum's introduction.
Bess Kalb joined us for a Zoom interview on March 23, 2021. She answered questions about her grandmother Bobby Bell, who inspired her to write the Book that is now in the works to be a feature film.
The CCJCC & NCSY Project Impact offers four different tracks for teens and families with young children to explore ways for Tikkun Olam (repair the world). One of those tracks is assembling food and care packages for the homeless youth. On Sunday, March 21, 2021, participants who signed up for this track came together to work and help those who are less fortunate.
Following the signing of the Abraham Accords, our three panelists Thani Al Shirawi, Michal Cotler-Wunsh and Arsen Ostrovsky discussed the current developments in UAE-Israel relations and the efforts to build a future together. This March 7, 2021 panel was moderated by George Revutsky.
On Thursday, February 25, 2021 the community came together for Erev Purim. There were costume contests for kids and families, singing, storytelling with Noa Baum and Megillah reading. Just two quick screenshots from that fun evening.
A glass ceiling-shattering writer/director, Jan Eliasberg answered questions about her first novel "Hannah's War" on January 24, 2021. Soon-to-be a motion picture, "Hannah's War" is an unforgettable love story about an exceptional woman and the dangerous power of her greatest discovery.
On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, the CCJCC ran a family menorah competition with the help of local synagogues and organizations. Take a look at some of the wonderful creations made by the participating families here or on our special 2020 CCJCC Family Menorah Contest page.
On Sunday, November 22, 2020 we had the pleasure of attending "A Jewish Journey through Music" with internationally acclaimed cellist Amit Peled. If you missed this program or would like to watch it again, here is the recording of the concert. Enjoy!
Author, journalist & WIRED magazine editor at large Stephen Levy joined us on Sunday, November 15, 2020 for an interesting Q&A on his book Facebook: The Inside Story, and Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg.
On Sunday, October 25, 2020 author, playwright,
screenwriter Alan Zweibel shared with us how he got into the business, his time in SNL, his friendships with the cast and more. Now, you can watch this wonderful talk again and again.
"Get Your Butt Outside & Hike with Friends" event on October 24th was the first in what will be many innovative and exciting Outside The Box events coming to our community in 2020-2021. Here are some photos from the hike.
Prof. Amos Guiora discussed his latest book ARMIES OF ENABLERS on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
 Violins of Hope Concert: Along The Trade Route Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Congregation B'nai Shalom |  Violins of Hope Concert: Along The Trade Route Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Congregation B'nai Shalom |  Violins of Hope Concert: Along The Trade Route Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Congregation B'nai Shalom |  Screening of the documentary "Defiant Requiem" on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Congregation B'nai Shalom |  French Journalist and author Marc Weitzmann signing his books, following his conversation with Associate Professor Ethan Katz on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Congregation B'nai Tikvah. |
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In Concert: The Tzofim Friendship Caravan
June 5, 2019 at Congregation B'nai Shalom, Walnut Creek