BRJCC hosts day honoring Ursula Sherman

Sherman, who died after a long battle with cancer, was an avid community organizer and promoter of the arts.

Sunday's celebration for all ages will include ongoing activities such as art projects and children's games, as well as special workshops for adults and children.

East Bay artist Nancy Katz will design a silk art piece that will evolve as artistically inclined visitors make contributions. The finished work will be on permanent display at the BRJCC.

Also, in addition to a concert by renowned klezmer and yiddish music enthusiasts Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer, local musicians from Za-atar, Mosaic and California Klezmer will play during the event.

Delicacies from Oakland's Holy Land Restaurant will be available for purchase.

Workshops include:

*"Dancing Hands: The Passionate Gesture" with artist Rita Blitt, leading adults in drawing to music, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

*Cooking workshop of a favorite Jewish food, by a local culinary professional, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

*Participatory theater workshop led by A Traveling Jewish Theatre of San Francisco, for ages 13 and older.

*Children's storytelling with BRJCC librarian Ruth Hadlock, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

*Family klezmer concert with the Strauss/Warschauer Duo, who performed at the 2002 Jewish Music Festival. Strauss (violin, accordion, vocals) and Warschauer (guitar, mandolin, vocals) are veterans of the Jewish music scene, having played at festivals in Cracow, Amsterdam and elsewhere.

In lieu of admission, visitors are encouraged to bring a donation of towels, warm blankets or travel-sized toiletries, to be donated to the Berkeley nonprofit Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency, also founded by Sherman.

Information: (510) 848-0237 or on the Web at http://www.brjcc.org