Shorts: Bay Area

Surprise ending to rabbi's visit

Rabbi Uri Topolosky and his very pregnant wife, Dahlia, spent a long day Saturday, May 13, teaching and davening and meeting that night with the board of Berkeley's Congregation Beth Israel. The New York-based Topolosky is in the running to replace Rabbi Yair Silverman, who is moving with his family to Israel this summer.

At 10:45 p.m., the couple wrapped up their final meeting of the day, and went back to the congregant's home where they are staying. As soon as they got there, Dahlia Topolosky went into labor.

The couple's second son was born at 4:58 a.m. Sunday, May 14 at Alta Bates hospital. The bris will be held at Beth Israel on Sunday, May 21.




Marin JCC workers ratify new contract

The labor strife at the Marin JCC that saw preschool teachers picketing alongside supportive parents is over, as employees have ratified a new, four-year contract, 44-17.

The May 3 vote was "a good settlement" in the eyes of Ron Rhone, senior field representative for SEIU Local 535. Over the course of the contract, teachers' salaries will rise 27 percent, aides' 17 percent and desk, administrative and fitness staff will see their salaries augmented by around 14.5 percent.

"It brings [teachers] up to parity with the other JCCs in the area," said Rhone.

Said Judy Wolff-Bolton, the JCC's executive director, "We are pleased to have reached a fair and equitable agreement that recognizes and rewards our teachers and direct service employees for their level of professionalism and excellence."

The agreement is expected to be formally signed by next week.




Jewish groups hold joint open house

Progressive Jewish Alliance, American Jewish World Service and JGate, a new organization, have joined forces to rent a house together in El Cerrito. It will serve as office space for the three organizations, and a place to have Shabbat dinners and other Jewish learning opportunities.

The organizations are sponsoring an open house to hang a mezuzah, shmooze and snack from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, at 409 Liberty St., El Cerrito. Liberty Street is across the street from the El Cerrito Plaza BART station.




Fair to celebrate Russian culture

Russian American culture will go beyond blini and borscht this weekend at the 14th annual Russian-American Fair, sponsored by the Albert L. Schultz JCC.

The fair will entertain visitors Sunday, May 21 with Russian food, dancing, music, art, gifts and a vodka tasting. Lysaya Dance Ensemble, the dance group Fantasia and others are scheduled to perform.

Proceeds from the event will help fund programs that welcome immigrants to America and local Jewish life. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Terman Middle School, 655 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Information: http://www.paloaltojcc.org.




Leadership seminar seeking participants

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now interviewing candidates for the 14th Young Jewish Leadership Diplomatic Seminar, to be held in Israel from July 10-27.

With the goal of enhancing relations between young Jewish leaders and Israel, the seminar offers an in-depth exploration of key topics, such as Israeli national security, economy, culture and society, Jewish life and more.

Candidates should be college undergrads under 35. Applicants should send a resume by May 30 to Jarad Bernstein,

c/o Consulate General of Israel, 456 Montgomery St. Suite 2100, S.F., CA 94104.

For more information, call (415) 844-7507 or visit www.israeliconsulate.org.




Elie Wiesel to give lecture at Stanford

Nobel Prize winner, author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel is returning to the Bay Area for a lecture at Stanford University.

Titled "Against Indifference: Reflections on 'Never Again,'" his lecture will include thoughts on the current genocide in Darfur. Hillel at Stanford, the Jewish Students Association and STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) are co-sponsoring the lecture.

The event takes place 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at Stanford's Memorial Auditorium. Tickets: $36. For more information, contact Hillel at Stanford: (650) 736-1199.




Local teens to help in New Orleans

A group of 25 teens from throughout the Bay Area will spend Memorial Day weekend helping to rebuild New Orleans on a trip called "Teens Take Action!"

The volunteers are not from any one organization but are active in a number of different Jewish groups.

A group of Jewish professionals who work with teens came up with the idea for a community trip and applied for a grant from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. They received $10,000, and last week they held a walkathon to raise further funds.

The teenagers will tour devastated neighborhoods and work on rebuilding homes in Jean Lafitte, La.

Information: www.teenstakeaction.net.