Sanctuary SV weaves together Jewish community through Circles and Gatherings.
Circles are small, and meet regularly (mostly in person), organized by neighborhoods, around shared interests, questions, life stages, or all of the above. Examples of Circles we are exploring:
- A monthly, rotating, home-based Shabbat dinner for parents, with kids in college, who live in Los Altos
- Bi-weekly sessions of study and socializing led by a rabbi for residents of the Vi and at Moldaw, retirement communities in Palo Alto
- An 8-10 session experience for parents of teens, in which we revisit the B Mitzvah torah portions of the parents, and discover new meaning, and explore critical-historical approaches to reading the Bible
- A Trek and Talk where we explore a trail in one of the many beautiful parks on the Peninsula, and engage in a purposeful, directed discussion about a Big Question pertinent to our lives
- Multiple circles of participants engaged in facilitated and challenging conversations about our relationship(s) with Israel and our expressions of American Zionism(s)
Gatherings (both in-person or online) are larger and bring together a cross-section of Sanctuary participants. Examples of Gatherings we're exploring:
- A monthly, joyful, music-filled Qabbalat Shabbat Service and Oneg (or potluck dinner) held in a rented, conveniently located space or, in warmer months, in the backyard of a participant’s home
- A bi-weekly Parashat Hashavuah Study session (online)
- A 6-7 session gathering (online) in which we read Martin Buber’s Way of Humanity and apply its lessons to our daily lives
- A monthly Havdalah (with drinks and hors d’oeuvres) at a local park
As a Sanctuary Subscriber, do you have an idea for a Circle or Gathering that you'd like to help create? If so, PLEASE be in touch.