Shorts: Bay Area

Aquarian Minyan Torah takes a trip

This year Aquarian Minyan co-leaders Reuven and Yehudit Goldfarb won't be leading High Holy Day services for the first time in more than three decades.

But they aren't giving the season a pass. Instead, they'll be in Safed, Israel, loaning out the minyan's antique Sifrei Torah to an Israeli alternative minyan.

The Torah, a gift to the Aquarian Minyan in 1978, is more than 450 years old and was crafted in Germany. Miraculously, it survived the Holocaust.




Persian Rosh Hashanah seder slated in Berkeley

The Persian students of Berkeley Hillel will ring in the Jewish New Year with a home-cooked multicourse Sephardic seder at 8 p.m. on erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, Sept. 15. The event is at 2736 Bancroft Way in Berkeley.

Hillel has traditionally staged elaborate High Holy Day services, but this is the first time the Jewish students of Iranian origin have hosted their own holiday event.

Information: U.C. Berkeley Hillel at (510) 845-7793.




Grassroots group wants to 'reclaim democracy'

Local political activists are teaming up for "Reclaim Democracy," a nonpartisan grassroots event, Monday evening, Sept. 13, at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. in Berkeley.

Host Arlene Blum, author of "Annapurna: A Woman's Place," will be joined by Joan Blades, co-founder of MoveOn.org and co-author of "50 Ways To Love Your Country"; Patricia Ellsberg, who contributed to her husband Daniel Ellsberg's decision to release the Pentagon Papers; Ronnie Gilbert, a member of the folk singing group The Weavers; and Farai Chideya, multimedia journalist, founder of PopandPolitics.com and author of "Color of Our Future" and "Don't Believe the Hype: Fighting Cultural Misinformation about African Americans."

Music will be provided by Achi Ben Shalom and members of the East Bay Jewish Folk Chorus.

"Reclaim Democracy" begins at 7 p.m., with pizza at 6 p.m. For more information, call (510) 848-0237.




Interfaith Selichot service

Representatives of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths will participate in a Selichot service Saturday, Sept. 11, in Foster City to commemorate the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Held at Peninsula Sinai Congregation, 499 Boothbay Ave., the event will begin at 8 p.m. with a social hour, followed by a panel discussion and the Selichot service, sponsored by four area congregations: Peninsula Temple Beth El, Peninsula Temple Sholom, Temple Beth Jacob and Peninsula Sinai.

For information, call (650) 349-2816.