Shorts: Bay Area

Preschool teachers, parents picket

Roughly two dozen preschool teachers and parents at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center picketed outside the school to protest teachers' wages.

The Friday, March 31 walkout was a protest over the $14 to $16 hourly wages paid to instructors at the JCC's Early Childhood Education Center, a rate the teachers' union claims makes them among the lowest-paid preschool teachers in Marin. The teachers have been working without a contract since December and rejected a contract in late March which the union deemed insufficient.

"Negotiations are ongoing. The board and management are committed to resolving this in a way that works for both sides," said Eric Fischer, the JCC's director of finance.

"We had a meeting [on Tuesday]. It was productive, it wasn't contentious. Our next meeting is scheduled for the 17th of April. I think this will be resolved soon."

A planned picket line Monday, April 3 was rained out. Picketing was also scheduled for Friday, weather permitting.




Shir Shalom gets new rabbi

Sonoma's Congregation Shir Shalom has hired Rabbi Alan Greenbaum as its new spiritual leader. Greenbaum is rabbi emeritus of Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, where he served for more than 20 years.

Greenbaum was chosen after conducting High Holy Day services in Sonoma last fall. The worship committee thought he would be a good fit for the 90-family Reform congregation.