Grape Jews

Being Jewish in the Napa Valley

Archive for the ‘Being Jewish’


Baghdad to Bombay – In the Kitchens of my Cousins

October 18, 2009   2-4 PM

Pearl Sofaer will be discussing her literary masterpiece: “Baghdad to Bombay – In the Kitchens of my Cousins”

Pearl Sofaer was born and grew up in Bombay, India.  Her large family originated in Baghdad and Kirkuk, Iraq, before migrating to Burma and India during the latter part of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

Pearl will be sharing her childhood memories, as well as entertaining us with Middle Eastern customs, music and traditional foods.

Joined by Shuli and Ronit Madmone of Whole Spice who will show us how to spice up our lives.

Napa Valley Yacht Club, 100 Riverside Drive, Napa, CA
No charge to JHSNV members

Adults: $10
Families: $25
RSVP required to info@jhsnv.org or (707) 251-9092

Wine and Middle Eastern nosh will be served
www.jhsnv.org

LAG B’OMER Cookout

LAG B’OMER Cookout
The heat is on
Tuesday, May 12th, 4:00 PM
Kosher Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and all the trimmings!
Horse and Buggy rides
Fun for the whole family!

$8 per person, Free for Kids ‘N Action Members.
Location: 1089 El Centro Ave. Napa
info@jewishnapavalley.com

Israel Independence Day Celebration at CBS

April 28th at 7pm
A Harmony Happening
with Fran Avni

franavi

Fran Avni’s Harmony Happening is a fun and uplifting way to celebrate Israel at CBS come together in harmony and easy enough that everyone can take part.

HOW DO WE SUPPORT SOCIAL ACTION IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY?

in in a “Friends Night Out” on Wednesday, April 29th.  This will be a fun evening of camaraderie while also raising funds for The Table, CBS’s participation in Napa’s program to feed the needy in our community.  We are dedicating this evening to honor the memory of our dear friend, Rosaline Johnson, who was instrumental in the work of The Table.  April 29th would have been Rosaline’s 100th birthday.

This is both a Girls’ Night Out as well as a Guys’ Night Out.  There will be a special section for those guys who would like to sit together.

WHEN:  Wednesday, April 29, 2009  – 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Buckhorn Grill, Napa Town Center

SUCH A DEAL! $30 per person, all-inclusive (dinner and donation)
Optional:  Bring a bottle of wine to share!

RSVP – Harriet Spitz: 707.226.7755.  Mail check for $30 (or more – the “more” goes to The Table Fund at CBS) to Harriet Spitz, 108 Autumn Run Way, Napa, CA 94558

Your check, payable to Congregation Beth Sholom,
Attn: The Table, is your reservation.

If you are not able to join in the fun and would like to send a contribution, for the Table, your donation is most welcome.

CBS – Yom Ha Shoah

Yom Ha Shoah

Holocaust Memorial Day Observance

April 21st at 7:00pm

Napa Resident Evelyn Fielden
and Witness to the Nazi Holocaust

Born in Berlin in 1921 to assimilated Jewish parents and baptized in the Lutheran Church, Ms Fielden grew up not knowing that she was a Jew.  Her father was a wealthy textile manufacturer.

When Hitler came to power, she wished to join the youth organization for girls but was unable to register for the Hitler Youth because of her Jewish background. Because of her desire to join Hitler, she discovered that she was born Jewish.
In 1939, Ms Fielden escaped to England but did not receive a visa to the US until 1944 as a war refugee. Eight family members were murdered, or died in transport.

Please join us for this important Community
presentation with a question and answer period

Camp Chaverim Day Camp: JUNE 15th – 19th and 22nd – 26th 2009

CONGREGATION BETH SHOLOM NAPA VALLEY

Camp Chaverim Day Camp: JUNE 15th – 19th and 22nd – 26th 2009

For children age 4 through Grade 8

Our children and staff engage in sun-filled and fun-filled days of Swimming, Drama, Arts & Crafts, Sports & Athletics, Creative Movement, Jewelry Making, Hebrew, Music & Drama, Dance, Cooking & Challah Baking, Storytelling, Theme Days, Shabbat Celebrations, and so much more… together, we are building countless Jewish memories, values and friendships to last a lifetime.

Rabbinic Consecration Weekend

Rabbinic Consecration Weekend
In Honor of Rabbi Oren J Postrel

oren

March 20th at 7:30pm, Friday Night Live & March 21st at 10:30am for Shabbat with Visiting Scholar Presentation by Rabbi Sue Levi-Elwell, URJ Pennsylvania Council Regional Director and Poetry Editor of the URJ Press Women’s Torah Commentary

To contribute to the consecration celebrations, please be in touch with CBS VP Don Hogencamp, phone (707) 287-7834

Tu B’Shvat Women’s Seder

You are cordially invited to a Tu B’Shvat Women’s Seder

Join us for a Tradition of the Mystics. Enjoy fruits and wine as we celebrate Tu B’Shvat the Kabbalistic way. Treat yourself to a feast for your body and soul.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 10 th    7 PM
WHERE: At 18 Lodestar Lane

Suggested Donation: $12

Pkease RSVP by calling (707)320-2348 or email Chana@JewishNapa.com

A Project of the Chabad of Napa Valley

Havdalah Harmonies with Rabbi Yehudah Ferris

havdalah candlesAn Evening of Joy, Music and Inspiration with the renowned Rabbi Yehudah Ferris: Executive Director, Chabad of Berkeley.

Havdalah, Delicious Dessert Buffet, & Rabbi Ferris!

Sit back and enjoy Rabbi Ferris’s stories and humor while he exhibits musical talent and entertainment on his guitar!

Saturday, February 7, 7:30pm

For More Information please call: (707) 320-2348

RSVP Appreciated info@jewishnapavalley.com

Suggested Donation: $10

Being Jewish: In the beginning…

Since I launched grapejews.com a few weeks ago, I have for the most part been focused on posting local event information, but I hope from time to time to write about my experiences “Being Jewish” and in particular about “Being Jewish in the Napa Valley”. I think it only fair though that I properly introduce myself and give you some background information about where I am coming from – from a “Jewish Perspective”. I am hoping that you all will do the same, by commenting on this post, and together we can build up a little virtual community for discussion.

This post will focus on my non-voluntary Jewish background. To clarify when I say non-voluntary it might be better stated that it was “parent steered”. Later posts will focus on the twists and turns that my “Being Jewish” has taken since moving, marrying and raising kids in the Napa Valley. My intent is to start a running dialog on the joys and struggles about Being Jewish in the Napa Valley.

(more…)