Event: Meet & Greet at Sakoon

When: 7pm-9pm, Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Where: Sakoon, 357 Castro St., Mountain View, CA 94041

Come join Jews’ Next Dor for some culinary delight
In a trendy atmosphere under ambient lights
Aromatic scents of cardamom, ginger and saffron
Warm company of friends new and old, you just can’t go wrong
Eating food that will make our senses dance all night
We will surely enjoy curry, lentils and every naan bite

It would be our utmost pleasure to host you for a night of meeting, greeting and last but certainly not least, eating! Join a group of fun bay area Jewish young adults and enjoy a traditional and contemporary gourmet vegetarian meal courtesy of Sakoon, a premier south bay Indian Restaurants, located on Castro Street in Mountain View. Come Hungry and ready to Mingle! See you there!

We’re an active community of Jewish 20 and 30 somethings centered in the South Bay. We will be eating family-style with a pre-selected menu including vegetarian pasta and eggplant dishes.

The dinner will be between $12 and $20 per person, please bring cash with you. Small bills are appreciated. Invite your Jewish 20 and 30 something friends to join us too.

Contact JewsNextDor@beth-david.org.

Organized by Aaron N.

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Event: Bridge to Havdalah

When: 6pm-10pm, Saturday, December 10, 2011

Where: Private Home in Mountain View, CA

Come learn one of the most popular card games in the world! Bridge is a great game with thinking and social aspects, and if you can count to 13, you too can learn to play.

We’ll start with Havdalah to close Shabbat, and then Ben L. will teach us how to play this amazing game. No prior experience is required.

Vegetarian/dairy snacks welcome.

Contact: JewsNextDor@beth-david.org

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Event: Toy Wrapping Party

When: 7pm – 9pm, Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Where: Levy Family Campus,14855 Oka Rd, Los Gatos, CA

Join Jews’ Next Dor and SVYAD for the mitzvah of wrapping presents for children and families that are served by Jewish Family Services (JFS). Snacks and fun provided. Please donate a roll of Hanukkah wrapping paper for gift wrapping.

New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any Jews’ Next Dor event, in the box in the lobby of Congregation Beth David (19700 Prospect Rd., Saratoga), or to Amanda at the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley (14855 Oka Rd, Los Gatos, CA).

The gifts will be distributed by Jewish Family Services.

Organized by Matthew G.

Facebook event

Event: Natural Bridges Beach and Monach Butterflies

When: Noon-5pm, Sunday, December 4, 2011
Where: Carpools leaving from Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070

Join Jews’ Next Dor and Yidventure for a day at the beach! This beach, with its famous natural bridge, is an excellent vantage point for viewing shore birds, migrating whales, and seals and otters playing offshore. Further along the beach, tidepools offer a glimpse of life beneath the sea. Low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ocean life.

The park’s Monarch Grove provides a temporary home for up to 100,000 Monarch butterflies each winter. From roughly mid-October through mid-February, the Monarchs form a “city in the trees.” The area’s mild ocean air and eucalyptus grove provide a safe roost until spring.

If you would like to carpool, show up at Beth David at 12:00pm and we’ll leave promptly at 12:30pm. Note that park entry fees are $10 per car. For those that want to drive separately, meet us at 1:30pm by the visitor center at the Monarch Butterfly Preserve or look for us on the beach (see link below). Natural Bridges: Swanton Blvd & W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz, CA 95067

We have an hour long, private guided tour among the Monarchs scheduled for 3pm. So we’ll explore the natural bridges and tidepools on the beach for about an hour and a half, then begin the tour. Perhaps we’ll walk down to the lighthouse around sunset.

What to Bring: Water, shoes suitable for beach walking, snacks, binoculars if you have them, and some money for gas and parking.

Weather Note: In the case of rain, the event will only be canceled if it’s a heavy downpour. Light sprinkling will be tolerated.

For more information about the beach, see http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541.

Organized by David M.

Facebook event

Movie: “Unmasked – Judeophobia” this Sunday, November 20 7 pm

Shalom,

This Sunday November 20 at 7 pm, Congregation Sinai and Bluelight Cinema are sponsoring the Northern California premiere of “UNMASKED Judeophobia” at Bluelight Cinemas 5 at the Cupertino Oaks Shopping Center, 21275 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino, CA 95014.

Alan Dershowitz, Irwin Cotler, John Bolton, Anne Bayefsky and Natan Sharansky are but a few of the leading experts, historians and commentators from around the world featured in this insightful new documentary from the producer of “The Case for Israel: Democracy’s Outpost”. The film examines what lies beneath the growing campaign to isolate and delegitimize the State of Israel. UNMASKED conveys in very powerful and compelling ways the danger that civilized societies are facing by the resurgence of  hatred towards Jews in general and Israel. Post-screening discussion with Tammi Rossman-Benjamin, a lecturer in Hebrew and Jewish Studies at UCSC.

One-night only this Sunday! Tickets are $10 each and are available for pre-sale at http://bluelightcinemas.com/

Please help us publicize this documentary on Israel. I’m also attaching the flyer.

Kind regards,

Joelle Pluemer

Light it Up! Young Adult Chanukah Party

When: 9pm, Saturday, December 17, 2011 to 1:30am, Sunday, December 18, 2011

Where: Hillel at Stanford University, 565 Mayfield Avenue, Stanford, CA

Join hundreds of young adults (21+) for the most rockin’ Chanukah Party in the South Bay!

The evening will feature music, dancing, delicious treats, and an open bar including Ninkasi beer!

Register now at: http://www.jvalley.org/events/2011/12/17/light-it-up-chanukah-party.
$10 in advance through 12/12
$15 at the door starting at 9pm

Brought to you by:
Gesher@Stanford, SVYAD, APJCC, Jews’ Next Dor, Hillel of Silicon Valley, TKEYA, Birthright Israel NEXT, Oshman Family JCC, Roots Collective, and Shir Hadash

Facebook Events:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=314359421923053

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178453772241563

Volunteer Meeting, Elections, Potluck Shabbat, Light it Up!, Talent Show and more from Jews’ Next Dor

Friends & Neighbors,

Tonight is the night you become part of Jews’ Next Dor history. Bring your passion, ideas and talents to our volunteer meeting http://wp.me/p3HcM-Rv tonight. No time commitment is too small for you to be a Jews’ Next Dor volunteer. Our group is fully volunteer led, and there’s always something to be done: a event organizer needing a few extra hands or a committee that can use more people to lighten the load. If you need the Mountain View address for the 8pm meeting tonight please email JewsNextDor@beth-david.org.

Many of our volunteers are working together to make this Saturday’s Roaring 20s Murder Mystery http://wp.me/p3HcM-R8 a night to remember. This event truly would not be possible without everyone pitching in. Thank you so much! Come in your finest 1920s garb to The Juice Joint at the Oshman Family JCC, 7pm on November 19. We’ll be celebrating a few of our November birthdays as well.

Rounding out November offerings is Potluck Shabbat Hol HaMoed Yom Turkey http://wp.me/p3HcM-R4 at a private home in Mountain View. Don’t forget to RSVP for the address to join us at 7pm on Friday, November 25, 2011

There’s still time to donate unwrapped new toys for ages 0-17 as part of our Toy Drive. Toys are being collected at our events through December 12, 2011 and in the box in the lobby of Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga, CA. Thank you to those who have donated thus far.

Our first Steering Committee was a smashing success, and now it is time to elect our next leaders who will serve from January to June. We also need to officially ratify our new bylaws that describe the structure under which we have been operating for the last six months. So, we need you to participate, volunteer, vote, and lead. The election is Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 8pm at a private home in Cupertino. Please make the time to join us and have your voice represented in the future of the group. See the event at http://wp.me/p3HcM-RT for more information. Deadline to submit candidacy for the Steering Committee is Thanksgiving Day.

Light it Up! Young Adult Chanukah Party returns. Come out and shake your thing with fellow young adults at Hillel at Stanford, 9pm on Saturday, December 17. Register in advance for $10 at http://www.jvalley.org/events/2011/12/17/light-it-up-chanukah-party, or $15 at the door. Discounts available for those who volunteer, contact JewsNextDor@beth-david.org for more information on volunteering. You can also check out the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178453772241563

Our 2nd Annual Talent Show Benefit for Jews’ Next Dor http://wp.me/p3HcM-Rk will be here before you know it. Do you have a talent that you’re willing to share?  Fill out this form http://bit.ly/performersignup to sign up to perform! Registration deadline is January 3, and rehearsal dates are January 9 and January 15.  This year, we are putting a particular emphasis on small group performances, so sign up with your creative, entertaining ideas!  If you aren’t a performer, don’t worry; there are still several other ways to be involved. Please contact us at jewsnextdor@beth-david.org for more information on how you can  volunteer.  Most importantly, we need you, your friends, and your family in the audience! Get your tickets online https://www.wepay.com/tickets/view/63643 for $8 in advance for ages 13+ or $10 at the door. Ages 12 and under are $5 anytime.

We look forward to seeing you and your Jewish 20 & 30 something friends,
Aleeza, Ben, Bianca, David, Ella, Levi, & Shelli
JewsNextDor@beth-david.org

Proposed Bylaws Now Available for Review

Bylaws define the fundamentals and governance structure of our group, such as who we serve, what we do, and where the buck stops for different issues.  During this time of transition between leadership structures, we have been operating in a legal gray area when it comes to bylaws; now that our outgoing Steering Committee has completed writing new bylaws for our group, it is important that we ratify them right away.  The following are the proposed bylaws up for ratification at the coming election (Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 8pm at a private home in Cupertino, see the event).  While these are technically still subject to change as our sponsoring synagogue, Congregation Beth David, goes through its own approval process, we expect any future changes to be small, and a final draft will be available for your review no later than December 2, 2011.  At the election, it will take a 2/3 majority vote to ratify the bylaws.  If you have any questions about this proposal, feel free to contact any member of the Steering Committee or to write to JewsNextDor@beth-david.org.

Jews’ Next Dor Bylaws December 2011

Calling all Flappers and Mobsters

Flappers and Mobsters, 
Please note that your deadline to register for a KEY role in the Roaring 20s Murder Mystery is Friday, November 11th, at 5pm sharp! Register by email at JewsNextDor@beth-david.org. Please include name, gender, and e-mail address for all people in your party. Those who RSVP after Friday at 5pm will be given characters at the door. Those who have already registered or register by Friday at 5pm will receive their character role, early next week, via email. 

This is an event you won't want to miss! 

We look forward to seeing you in your 20s getup on Saturday, November 19, 7pm, at the OFJCC Room G-100, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303.

**Please note this event is for 20s and 30s only, and brought you to by Jews' Next Dor and OFJCC Young Adults.

Event: Election for Jews’ Next Dor Steering Committee (and Ratification of New Bylaws)

When: 8pm – 10pm, Thursday, December 8, 2011

Where: Private Home in Cupertino — RSVP for the address to JewsNextDor@beth-david.org

Jews’ Next Dor plans over 100 events each year because of the amazing volunteers, like you, who step up to lend a hand. As our group continues to grow, we have instituted an official leadership structure to give us the additional coordination we need to run smoothly. Our first Steering Committee was a smashing success, and now it is time to elect our next leaders who will serve from January to June. We also need to officially ratify our new bylaws that describe the structure under which we have been operating for the last six months. So, we need you: to participate, to volunteer, to vote, and to lead. The election is Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 8pm at a private home in Cupertino. Please make the time to join us and have your voice represented in the future of the group. We know there’s a lot of information here so please don’t hesitate to contact us at JewsNextDor@beth-david.org for anything elections or Jews’ Next Dor related.

– -> Voter Eligibility

Any Jewish young adult (20-39) who attended 3 or more Jews’ Next Dor events since December 8, 2010 is eligible to vote. You must be present to vote. A minimum of 14 eligible voters is required.

– -> What are Bylaws?

Bylaws define the fundamentals and governance structure of our group, such as who we serve, what we do, and where the buck stops for different issues.  During this time of transition between leadership structures, we have been operating in a legal gray area when it comes to bylaws; now that our outgoing Steering Committee has completed writing new bylaws for our group, it is important that we ratify them right away.  The following are the proposed bylaws up for ratification at the coming election: https://cbdyag.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/jews_next_dor_bylaws_december_20112.pdf.  While these are technically still subject to change as our sponsoring synagogue, Congregation Beth David, goes through its own approval process, we expect any future changes to be small, and a final draft will be available for your review no later than December 2, 2011.  At the election, it will take a 2/3 majority vote to ratify the bylaws.  If you have any questions about this proposal, feel free to contact any member of the Steering Committee or to write to JewsNextDor@beth-david.org.

– -> What is the Steering Committee?

The Steering Committee oversees the vision of the group and sets our policies. They also appoint sub-committees to do the daily work of our organization (planning and publicizing events, managing our finances, etc.), and oversee those committees throughout the term. There are 7 spots on the committee; all 7 are elected every 6 months.

– -> Steering Committee Eligibility

Any Jewish young adult (20-39) who attended 5 or more Jews’ Next Dor events between December 1, 2010 and December 1, 2011 is eligible to serve on the Steering Committee. We encourage all candidates to be present at the election, but this is not strictly required.

– -> What’s Required of Steering Committee Members?

Each member of the Steering Committee will take on a significant role in our organization, to be specified as a group at a mandatory new-leader orientation, to be held on the afternoon of December 11, 2011. Each member should be able to allocate a minimum of 2 hours per week to committee work and meetings, outside of attending or planning individual Jews’ Next Dor events. Additionally, Steering Committee members are expected to attend an average of two Jews’ Next Dor events per month. Steering Committee members will serve a six-month term, from January to June, plus remain available to advise the next Steering Committee during the month of July.

– -> How to Submit Candidacy

To submit your candidacy, you must e-mail JewsNextDor@beth-david.org by November 24, 2011 (Thanksgiving Day) with: your full name; a professional-looking headshot; a description of the area(s) in which you are most interested in working; e-mail and phone contact information in case we need to follow up with you; and whether you’re a member of Congregation Beth David and, if not, whether you would be willing to become one (we’ll explain why below, but this is NOT inherently a requirement for eligibility). If you will not be able to attend the election, you may also submit by December 7, 2011 your two-minute campaign speech (see below for content requirements) in one of the following alternative formats: video recording (one continuous shot of your face with a plain background), audio recording, or text to be read by the election official.

– -> How Elections Work

Nominations can be made from the floor at the beginning of the election. Each candidate will be given two minutes to talk about a) what draws them to Jews’ Next Dor, b) what they are interested in doing for Jews’ Next Dor, c) skills and experience they possess to help serve these interests, and d) their vision for the future of Jews’ Next Dor. After all speeches have been delivered, ballots will be distributed to all eligible voters. Voters will indicate any and all candidates with whom they would be comfortable leading the group (be this number greater than or less than seven). The ballot will also contain space for write-ins. The seven candidates receiving the greatest number of approvals will be elected to the new Steering Committee. (By virtue of being an auxiliary group of Congregation Beth David (CBD), at least one member of the Steering Committee must be a member of the synagogue. This means that if none of the top seven vote-getters expressed at least willingness to be members of CBD, a lower vote-getter will be elected instead of the seventh-place vote-getter. Beth David offers discounted memberships to students, singles, and young adults under age 33, and is sensitive to financial hardship. We are happy to answer any questions about what Beth David membership entails.)

– -> Other Ways to Get Involved

In addition to the Steering Committee, there are other non-voting positions that will need to be filled after the election. These include Recording Secretary and Treasurer (who must be a Beth David member), sub-committee managers and members (for event organizing, marketing and publicizing events, volunteer training, scrapbooking and blogging, just to name a few), and occasional volunteers. Please let us know if you’d be interested in any of these opportunities; we’re happy to have you on board!

We look forward to seeing you at the election. Please RSVP and send any questions to JewsNextDor@beth-david.org.

Facebook Event