High Holidays RitLab

The New Year is always a time of introspection for me. Every year I am amazed at how much I have changed and what I have accomplished, but also impatient at what I have not yet attained. I relive all my bad decisions and I wish I had done things differently. I remind myself not to panic, and resolve to do better this year. I always take the time to think about the things I would like to do and to acknowledge how far I have come. In the coming weeks, take the time to reflect on the past year and refocus your goals, either through journaling, bucket lists or artwork. Ritual Laboratory: High Holidays gives you a way to symbolize your goals, thoughts and feelings for the coming year.

Join the Contemporary Jewish Museum for a painting and collage workshop in which you’ll make a personal, magnetic sculpture.

Free of charge; $5 suggested donation.  At the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos on Thursday, September 22^nd from 7PM to 9PM.  For more information or to RSVP, call 408.357.7411 or email cjll@svjcc.org.  Co-sponsored by the APJCC, Hillel Silicon Valley, Roots of Beth Am, Jews’ Next Dor, and the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.

Jewish Employment Network

Getting annoyed at the seemingly futile search for that perfect job? It is very stressful and frustrating to search for a job in this economy. We have to send out hundreds of resumes and answer the same questions over and over in interviews. All to find just one company that will make us an offer. In the meantime we have to pay the rent and keep hoping that we will get that perfect job as soon as possible.

The Jewish Employment Network brings the Jewish Vocational Service employment expertise to the Jewish community. In partnership with local synagogues and Jewish agencies, JEN offers workshops, panels, and networking events to help community members learn, connect, build skills, and find jobs. A wide variety of classes are offered. Polish your resume and present your skills in the best way possible. Learn the best way to write a cover letter and thank you notes. Get interview tips, tricks and practice.

Go to the JVS Calendar for a full list of classes being offered. Email  hire@jvs.org for more information.

California Dreaming with the Contemporary Jewish Museum

When I was younger what being Jewish meant for me was very simple. It was all about going to Hebrew school to learn Hebrew and Torah, spending Saturday mornings at synagogue, knowing all the tunes for Adon Olam and having the most awesome holidays with my family – the Pessach seder is my favorite. After graduating from college and leaving Hillel, my connection to the Jewish community got thrown on the back burner as new jobs and apartments became more important.

Finding a young adult group like Jews’ Next Dor has reconnected me into the greater Jewish community in the Bay Area.  From Potluck Shabbats and Meet & Greets to hikes and picnics at the beach, participating in Jews’ Next Dor has made me more aware of what being Jewish in the Bay Area really means. What are some of your favorite memories? Laughing and talking over falafel and hummus at a Meet and Greet, saying Kiddush at a potluck Shabbat dinner, or just throwing a Frisbee around at the beach. What events best capture the spirit of being Jewish in the Bay Area? What has Jews’ Next Dor meant for you and your Jewish identity?

The Contemporary Jewish Museum wants to know what being Jewish in the Bay Area means to you. Contribute your photographs of what being Jewish in the Bay Area means to you be featured in the CJM’s upcoming exhibition, California Dreaming: From the Gold Rush to the Present, opening on November 17. California Dreaming will provide an unprecedented opportunity for community members to share their family and personal histories, and to take pride in their cultural heritage. Share your important Jewish Bay Area moments and help us create this yearlong exhibition. Email photographs to photocall@thecjm.org by Friday, September 2^nd.

Moishe House in LA

Do you have Jewish friends down in Los Angeles? If they are looking for an amazing place to live, pass on the news that a new Moishe house is opening in LA.

Moishe House is an international organization providing meaningful Jewish experiences to young adults in their twenties. The location of the house will depend on the applications received. So it is really up to the Jewish young adult community down in So Cal.

Would you like to live in the new Moishe House? Do you have any friends who would be interested? The application is on the website: moishehouse.org. For more information, please email Aviva at avivia@moishehouse.org.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Some of the yummy cookies I made

These are the cookies my mom made when I was growing up. The recipe is from a Betty Crocker cookbook from 1980. And of course, the cookbook naturally opens to the page with the recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, complete with bits of batter on the pages, smears of chocolate, three post it notes and two recipes written in the margins. Yay for cookies!!!!

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350. Mix butter, sugar, egg, water and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 1 inch apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake until almost no imprint remains when touched with finger, about 14 minutes. Remove immediately from baking sheet; cool.

These freeze very well. 20 minutes before serving remove from freezer and unwrap. Place on serving platter, thaw uncovered at room temperature. Store no longer than 2 months.

Makes approximately 6 dozen cookies. The last time I made them I got 100 cookies, but I kept them small and cute.

Enjoy!